tom_mcgahee@sigmais.com I am still teaching electronics at Don Bosco Technical High School in Paterson, New Jersey. Much of my work nowadays involves computers. I build and refurbish all kinds of computers. I have supplied working SOL-20 computers to several individuals interested in preserving something of the heritage of the early days of personal computing. I supplied a few of the SOL-20 computers that are now in several museums where they help the public see the evolution of the personal computer. I always keep my eye out for items that might be of interest to the few computer museums that are out there. I also work with more modern computers, such as 1GHZ Pentium machines, but there will always be a soft spot in my heart for the Altair, the Scelbi, the MILMOD-8, the SOL, and all the other bits and pieces that ushered in the age of personal computing. A few years ago I helped one of my more interested students design a computer based on the Z80. It brought back many wonderful memories, and we both had fun implementing a simple operating system and getting a modified Tiny Basic up and running on the machine. The last few years I have been introducing my students to the PIC microcontroller. It gives them a chance to experience some of the joy of designing and building something that can range from very simple to very complex. It is always a joy to see their exhuberant responses when they finally get a project fully operational. I have been a member of the PIC LIST on the internet for several years, and I have enjoyed sharing information about PICs with other enthusiasts. It is amazing how many of the old-timers on the list were also involved in the early days of the personal computer.
Fr. Thomas McGahee |
