Ws78

[woodchips]

Hi, just registered with a post about the Motorola Exorciser. Hunting down items for it and found the 8" floppy discs, among them are several Digital ones for the WS78.

Isn't this a word processor using a ? CPU and a Diablo daisywheel printer? I made an interface board for a Diablo daisywheel for the Exorciser, with some driver software, can't remember at the moment.

Are the discs of any use or value? Might of course have been reused for the Exorciser, that isn't running so can't check. Have the manual for the Diablo since found that by accident some weeks ago.

Bob

 

[Lou - N2MIY]

Bob,

Indeed, the WS78 was a pdp-8 on a chip based word processing station. It used the VT78 terminal, and had at least an RX01 8" floppy drive pair beneath it. It was the predecessor to the Decmate, which ran the same software with a slightly more advanced version of the pdp-8 on a chip.

The floppies you have are indeed worth archiving. If you don't have any dec gear, please send me a private message and I can send you my snail mail address. I can read and archive the contents of those floppies. It is possible that copies already exist on the internet, as there is a pretty good collection here already: http://www.pdp8online.com/images/index.shtml

The fellow who runs that website (David) has a VT78. It may be even better to check with him about your floppies. Whenever (and it's rare) that I find useful pdp-8 related software, I always send copies to David, as his website is an excellent repository.

Lou

 

[woodchips]

Lou, thanks for the reply. I don't remember any floppies, just a card cage and the printer.

Discs have, WS78 automatic test disc, Practice Document, VT78 flp media, document disc, systems disc 1 and 2, startup disc, LQP print quality test and RX01/02 test disc.

Trouble is I am not certain if I used these in the Exorciser, better check first which might take some time, need to get that working first. The 8" floppies were quie rare and expensive, even then.

Bob