MITS Altair Timesharing BASIC 1.0

[Moonferret]

Hi Folks!

Does anybody happen to have an image / copy of Altair Timesharing BASIC on paper tape?
I'm restoring a couple of model 33 Teletypes and thought it might be a nice project to build up a multi-user system with an Altair

Cheers,
Dave

 

[billdeg]

I know of BASIC on papertape here (and other places)
http://vintagecomputer.net/MITS/Software/4kbas32m.tap
but time-sharing BASIC is only available on disk images, as far as I know. If you're just running an Altair and a single teletype you don't need timesharing anyway.
b

 

[Moonferret]

Hi Bill,

Yes, I've had the standard versions of BASIC running but the manual for Timersharing BASIC contains instructions for loading it from paper tape so I assume it was an option early on. I've gotten one Teletype running but I'm working on another 2 units. I just think 3 users on Teletypes connected to an Altair would be pretty cool......and noisy

Cheers,
Dave

 

[deramp5113]

I have the disk based version (Ver 1.1 and Ver 2.0) archived on my website (http://deramp.com/downloads/altair/software/8_inch_floppy/BASIC/Timesharing BASIC/), but I have never found the paper tape/cassette version. This version did exist - see the write up in this issue of Computer Notes: http://altairclone.com/downloads/computer_notes/1977_03_01.pdf.


If you ever find, please let me know!

Mike

 

[daver2]

If you can dig that up I would make an Altair clone just to demo it!

Dave

 

[deramp5113]

Note that you can use paper tape to boot the disk version of Timesharing BASIC. This was a standard procedure for those who did not have the disk boot loader PROM (DBL). The instructions are in the Timesharing BASIC 1.1 manual. Also, see a demo at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FKNayPnZT54&feature=youtu.be

Mike

 

[Moonferret]

Using a Teletype and paper tape on a machine with disk drives just seems wrong

I must admit, I've not looked into what is needed to run the disk version. I'm assuming it requires MITS disk drives & controllers?

Mike, thanks for the link. I love reading through these period articles and learning about how this kit was actually used back in the day.

Will let you know if I ever come across a paper tape version.

Cheers,
Dave