Corvus Concept，Corvus Systems Concept
The graphic bitmap display could be rotated and switch from portrait mode for the word processor to landscape mode for the spreadsheet. Software and hardware handled the change smoothly! The user could choose between several supplied type fonts or/and create his own caracter sets. Like the Apple Lisa, the display could be divided into independant windows, each with its own attributes. However, no mouse was used
The Concept ran CCOS, its own operating system (Corvus Concept Operating System), or P-System, the Java-like O.S. of the early 80'. A word processor (EdWord) and a spreadsheet (Logicalc) were available. They were specially adapted to the graphic features specific to the Concept. Several developpement tools could also be used: PASCAL and FORTRAN-77 compilers, 68000 assembler and a CP/M emulator.
Corvus manufactured several hard-disk drives, from 6 MB to 40 MB, and a stange mirror unit that allowed the user to backup a drive to a real video recorder using real video tapes - there was even a Panasonic (?) video recorder that the system knew how to drive remotely so it managed and recorded tapes, all by itself - pretty magic to watch in those days!! It could store up to 200 MB at the speed of 600 KB per minute. There were at least two versions of Corvus Bank Tape, the CBT-100 and the CBT-200 certified 100 and 200 Megabyte.
A second backup unit called The Bank also used video type tape, but it was built into a special (roughly square) cartridge that popped out of the top and held the tape in a continuos loop so there was no rewinding or stuff to do.
Like many other original computers, the Concept has sunk into oblivion in 1984, mainly due to the IBM-PC advent.
主要参数编辑本段回目录
 |  |
| NAME | Concept |
| MANUFACTURER | Corvus Systems |
| TYPE | Professional Computer |
| ORIGIN | U.S.A. |
| YEAR | 1982 |
| BUILT IN LANGUAGE | None |
| KEYBOARD | Full-stroke 91 keys with 10 function keys and numeric keypad |
| CPU | Motorola 68000 |
| SPEED | 8 Mhz. |
| RAM | 256 KB expandable to 512 KB |
| VRAM | Unknown |
| ROM | 4 KB |
| TEXT MODES | 90 chars x 63 lines (Portrait mode) 117 chars x 47 lines (Landscape mode) |
| GRAPHIC MODES | 707 * 479 dots |
| COLORS | Monochrome |
| SOUND | Sound generator |
| SIZE / WEIGHT | 35 Kgs |
| I/O PORTS | 2 x RS-232 - 4 x Apple II compatible slots - 1 x RS 422 |
| BUILT IN MEDIA | None |
| OS | CCOS, P-System, Unix, CP/M emulation |
| POWER SUPPLY | Built-in power supply |
| PERIPHERALS | Shared 6 to 40 MB hard-disks, VHS tapes backup |
| PRICE | $4995 (256 KB) - $5995 (512 KB) |
参考文献编辑本段回目录
http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?st=1&c=653
