David Fox 🌻🥸Mar 19, 2023
In 1977, my wife Annie and I opened the first public access microcomputer center. The Marin Computer Center was a nonprofit org in a library of a repurposed elementary school. We started with 9 Processor Technology Sol-20s and one Equinox. Eventually we had 40 micros (Atari, Apple II, TRS-80, Pet) people could rent for $1.50/hr. So many Marin kids got turned onto computers and went on to do great things. Jump to page 7 of this 1978 People’s Computers article by Annie
http://www.loopcntr.net/repository/1018.pdf
Show threadDavid Fox 🌻🥸Mar 19, 2023

We couldn’t have created MCC without following in the footsteps of those who did essentially the same thing with the previous generation of computers. We spent time at the Lawrence Hall of Science (they had a room filled with teletype machines tied to a minicomputer) and Liza Loop and the LO*OP Center, a minicomputer and CRT terminals https://loopcenter.org/

Our timing was perfect to take advantage of the brand new standalone microcomputers.

Big question for us, Sol-20s or the new Apple II?

Lo*op Center Inc - Home

Lo*op Center organization. Introduction to the organization.

Show threadDavid Fox 🌻🥸Mar 19, 2023
We opted for the Sol-20. Why?
1. Could type and display upper and lower case and we thought many of our members would want to do word processing.
2. We liked the friendly look, with real walnut sides
3. Bigger support infrastructure for S-100 bus computers at the time
4. Sol-20 creator Lee Felsenstein made himself very available to help us. So supportive!
Show threadDavid Fox 🌻🥸Mar 19, 2023
Coming later... being pitched the Apple II by the Steves...
Show threadDavid Fox 🌻🥸Mar 19, 2023
In the meantime, here's another article that Annie wrote for a 1984 issue of #CreativeComputing https://electriceggplant.com/you_want_to_open_a_what.html
Electric Eggplant - Our Projects - Creative Computing: You Want to Open a What?

Show threadDavid Fox 🌻🥸Mar 19, 2023
More on the Processor Technology Sol-20 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sol-20
Look at those beautiful real walnut sides!
Sol-20 - Wikipedia

Show threadDavid Fox 🌻🥸Mar 19, 2023
The logo was printed on paper positioned behind a plastic window, so we replaced it and dropped in our Marin Computer Center logo instead, illustrated by my sister Randee Fox.
Show threadDavid Fox 🌻🥸Mar 19, 2023
I found these scans of the Marin Computer Center's brochure, revised here in 1981. Hourly computer rental rates apparently increased from the original $1.50/hr for members, $2.25/hr to non-members to $2.25/hr for members, $3/hr non-members.
#Marin #MarinComputerCenter
Show threadDavid Fox 🌻🥸Mar 22, 2023

I just watched the excellent #Sol20 video by @ActionRetro that @thomasfuchs recommended. It reminds me of all the reasons we ended up choosing the Processor Technology Sol-20 over the Apple II during the summer of 1977. It really was a great computer. Check out the video here:
https://youtu.be/NMfjnZ66cxA

https://hachyderm.io/@thomasfuchs/110051136223952428

The Most Important Computer You Don't Know About

YouTube
Show threadDavid Fox 🌻🥸
@thomasfuchs Part two of the @ActionRetro #Sol20 video is here:
https://youtu.be/k4hvQwpcds4
Installing 70's Software, How Hard Can It Be?

YouTube
Mar 22, 2023 at 12:15amWeb