ID IMLAC Corporation PDS-1
Short Name
Name PDS-1
Company IMLAC Corporation
Description The Imlac PDS-1 is a graphical minicomputer made by Imlac Corporation (founded in 1968) of Needham, Massachusetts. The PDS-1 debuted in 1970 and is considered to be the predecessor of all later graphical minicomputers and modern computer workstations. The PDS-1 had a built-in display list processor and 4096 16-bit words of core RAM. The PDS-1 used a vector display processor for displaying vector graphics as opposed to the raster graphics of modern computer displays. The PDS-1 was often used with another flagship Imlac product, a typesetting program called CES.
The PDS-1 was used in many pioneering computer applications. The FRESS hypertext system had enhanced capability and usability if accessed from a PDS-1 system; the user could make hyperlinks with a light pen and create them simply with a couple of keystrokes. Multi-window editing on FRESS was also possible when using the PDS-1.
The PDS-1 also had the capability to run remote graphical programs such as those that ran on the Stanford AI Lab's main computer. The PDS-1 was also able to run Mazewar, the first online multiplayer computer game. The PDS-1 connected to a host PDP-10 computer (located at MIT) running ITS over Arpanet and the Mazewar program. Up to 8 players running PDS-1 minicomputers or other terminals could access MIT's Mazewar host. The PDS-1 was also important during the early days of Arpanet when network graphics protocols were under consideration.
Source: Wikipedia
Date Available 1970
Type Computer
Emulators
Alternate Names IMLAC Corporation PDS-1
Links
Matches tosec IMLAC Corporation PDS-1 - Applications - [PTP]
tosec IMLAC Corporation PDS-1 - Demos - [PTP]
tosec IMLAC Corporation PDS-1 - Demos - [TXT]
tosec IMLAC Corporation PDS-1 - Games - [PTP]
tosec IMLAC Corporation PDS-1 - Games - [TXT]
oldcomputers 1295
tosec IMLAC Corporation PDS-1 - Applications - [PTP]
{
    "id": "IMLAC Corporation PDS-1 - Applications - [PTP]",
    "name": "IMLAC Corporation PDS-1 - Applications - [PTP]",
    "altNames": [
        "IMLAC Corporation PDS-1"
    ]
}
tosec IMLAC Corporation PDS-1 - Demos - [PTP]
{
    "id": "IMLAC Corporation PDS-1 - Demos - [PTP]",
    "name": "IMLAC Corporation PDS-1 - Demos - [PTP]",
    "altNames": [
        "IMLAC Corporation PDS-1"
    ]
}
tosec IMLAC Corporation PDS-1 - Demos - [TXT]
{
    "id": "IMLAC Corporation PDS-1 - Demos - [TXT]",
    "name": "IMLAC Corporation PDS-1 - Demos - [TXT]",
    "altNames": [
        "IMLAC Corporation PDS-1"
    ]
}
tosec IMLAC Corporation PDS-1 - Games - [PTP]
{
    "id": "IMLAC Corporation PDS-1 - Games - [PTP]",
    "name": "IMLAC Corporation PDS-1 - Games - [PTP]",
    "altNames": [
        "IMLAC Corporation PDS-1"
    ]
}
tosec IMLAC Corporation PDS-1 - Games - [TXT]
{
    "id": "IMLAC Corporation PDS-1 - Games - [TXT]",
    "name": "IMLAC Corporation PDS-1 - Games - [TXT]",
    "altNames": [
        "IMLAC Corporation PDS-1"
    ]
}
oldcomputers 1295
{
    "type_id": 1,
    "id": 1295,
    "pages": {
        "photos": "photos.asp?t=1&c=1295&st=1",
        "software": "software2.asp?t=2&c=1295&st=1",
        "links": "links.asp?c=1295&st=1",
        "docs": "docs.asp?c=1295&st=1",
        "comments": "forum.asp?c=1295&st=1"
    },
    "image": "https://www.old-computers.com/museum/photos/Imlac_PDS-1D_2s.jpg",
    "company_link": "company.asp?st=1&m=450",
    "company_name": "IMLAC",
    "description": "The Imlac PDS-1 is a graphical minicomputer made by Imlac Corporation (founded in 1968) of Needham, Massachusetts. The PDS-1 debuted in 1970 and is considered to be the predecessor of all later graphical minicomputers and modern computer workstations. The PDS-1 had a built-in display list processor and 4096 16-bit words of core RAM. The PDS-1 used a vector display processor for displaying vector graphics as opposed to the raster graphics of modern computer displays. The PDS-1 was often used with another flagship Imlac product, a typesetting program called CES.\nThe PDS-1 was used in many pioneering computer applications. The FRESS hypertext system had enhanced capability and usability if accessed from a PDS-1 system; the user could make hyperlinks with a light pen and create them simply with a couple of keystrokes. Multi-window editing on FRESS was also possible when using the PDS-1.\nThe PDS-1 also had the capability to run remote graphical programs such as those that ran on the Stanford AI Lab's main computer. The PDS-1 was also able to run Mazewar, the first online multiplayer computer game. The PDS-1 connected to a host PDP-10 computer (located at MIT) running ITS over Arpanet and the Mazewar program. Up to 8 players running PDS-1 minicomputers or other terminals could access MIT's Mazewar host. The PDS-1 was also important during the early days of Arpanet when network graphics protocols were under consideration.\n<i>Source: <a href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imlac_PDS-1\" target=\"_blank\">Wikipedia</a></i>",
    "name": "PDS-1",
    "manufacturer": "Imlac",
    "type": "Professional Computer",
    "origin": "U.S.A.",
    "year": "1970",
    "end_of_production": "Unknown",
    "built_in_language": "Unknown",
    "keyboard": "Full-stroke keyboard",
    "cpu": "Unknown",
    "speed": "Unknown",
    "co_processor": "Unknown",
    "ram": "4096 16-bit words",
    "vram": "Unknown",
    "rom": "Unknown",
    "graphic_modes": "vector display",
    "colors": "green and black",
    "sound": "Unknown",
    "size_weight": "Unknown",
    "io_ports": "Unknown",
    "os": "Unknown",
    "power_supply": "Unknown",
    "peripherals": "Unknown",
    "price": "Unknown",
    "photos": [
        {
            "name": "IMLAC PDS-1D ",
            "image": "https://www.old-computers.com/museum/photos/Imlac_PDS-1D_2.jpg",
            "description": "<p class=\"petitgris\">Thanks to <a href=\"http://www.ubanproductions.com/imlac.html\" target=\"_blank\">www.ubanproductions.com</a> for this picture</p>"
        }
    ],
    "links": [
        {
            "url": "http://history-computer.com/ModernComputer/Personal/Imlac.html",
            "name": "history-computer.com",
            "description": "Here's another very good link, includes a link to the actual original manual to the machine"
        },
        {
            "url": "http://www.blinkenlights.com/classiccmp/imlac/",
            "name": "http://www.blinkenlights.com",
            "description": "Some information there"
        },
        {
            "url": "http://www.ubanproductions.com/imlac.html",
            "name": "http://www.ubanproductions.com",
            "description": "Detailed information with many pictures"
        }
    ]
}