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Info for alice


====== Matra & Hachette Alice (1983) ======




===== Features =====

* CPU: Motorola 6803 0.89 MHz (it's a cross between 6800 and 6809)
* Co-Processor: MC-6847 Video Generator
* RAM: 4 kb, 3 kb left for user [Alice 4k]; 16 kb, 8 kb left for user [Alice 32]
* ROM: 8 kb [Alice 4k]; 16 kb [Alice 32]
* Text Modes: 32 x 16 [Alice 4k]; 32 x 16, 40 x 25, 80 x 25 [Alice 32]
* Graphics Modes: 64 x 32 [Alice 4k]; 64 x 32, 160 x 125, 320 x 250 [Alice 32]
* Colors: 9 [Alice 4k]; 9 with Basic, 32 with machine code [Alice 32]
* Sound: 1 channel
* I/O Ports: Expansion port (18 pins), Tape-recorder (1500 bauds), TV (7 pins DIN plug), I/O serial port (4 pins DIN plug)
* Peripherals: Printer, 16k RAM expansion
* Built In Language: Basic Microsoft 1.0 (1982)
* Keyboard: AZERTY, chicklet keyboard, 47 keys (1 SHIFT, 1 CONTROL, BREAK, ENTER), Basic statements written above each key



===== History and Trivia =====

In 1981, Matra signed a deal with Tandy/RadioShack to develop a MC-10 clone for 1983: the Alice. Matra then worked with Hachette (both were owned by the Lagardère group) to produce the documentation and to organize the distribution. Last but not least, the well known and excellent french illustrator Moebius drew a beautiful illustration for the docs and the box of the Alice.

Alice is quite limited in its possibilities but is also quite pleasant to use. Its case is whole red and the computer really looks like a toy.

Several educational programs were developed for this computer.

Then in 1984, Matra presents a new version : The Alice 32 with 16 kb RAM and improved graphical possibilities.

But this computer was, like the MC 10, a flop in the marketplace. It was replaced one year later by the Alice 90.

//(info from old-computers.com)//



===== Links =====

* Romuald Line's Alice Page -- http://membres.lycos.fr/romualdl/alice/alice.html
* Alice at old-computers.com -- http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=60



===== Other Emulators =====

* DCAlice -- http://alice32.free.fr/index.html
* Alice 32 Emulator -- http://www.geocities.com/emucompboy/




Generated on Sun Jul 19 10:17:28 2009