When the 32:16 was launched, Fortune Systems Corp. advertised that it was the first integrated Unix-based system for $5000. Actually, the cheaper version was a single floppy disc, single user system that was never sold. A practical small business multiuser configuation, called System 10, and including a 10 MB hard disk and 512 KB of RAM costed about $9000.
The system could support up to 4 four-port serial terminal controllers and several other peripheral controllers: storage modules, Parallel interfaces, high resolution graphic board and Ethernet network board. The keyboard was a close cousin of the Wang word-processing system one. Keys was well arranged and color coded. The system came with different hard-disk storage options, 5, 10, 20 or even 70 MB on latest models.
The Fortune 32:16 was a true multiuser multitasking Unix based system offering services that was a length ahead over CP/M's. However, both Unix and Fortune was new to most of the dealers and users. Fortune offered them training courses in hardware, operating system and application software.
A wide range of high quality business application software was available, as well as programming languages, like a very extended BASIC able to convert code written in other BASICs (AppleSoft, MBASIC, CBASIC, TRS-80 BASIC), PASCAL, FORTRAN 77, COBOL and, of course, C language.
The 32:16 was also built and sold in France by Thomson under the name of Micromega 32
Please consider donating your old computer / videogame system to Old-Computers.com or one of our partners from anywhere in the world (Europe, America, Asia, etc.).
Special thanks to fortune who donated us this computer !
We at the Byte Shop Seattle got a unit to evaluate. Right away I thought it was a fine machine but not something that would fit into our direction selling more consumer machines than anything else. We were an Alpha Micro and Northstar dealer and rarely sold either of them.
I worked for Fortune Systems from 1983 to 1985. Worked in the testing group. The machine was certainly ahead of its time.
Tuesday 17th August 2010
Trish Millines (USA)
I was a contractor for Fortune Systems, translating error messages, usage messages, man pages, and the newest trend, menus, into German. They let me have one to use, so that''s how I learned Unix, setting up and administering a desktop server and learning what not to do by means of the thousands of error messages I translated. That was one cool machine.
Friday 6th August 2010
Kim (USA)
NAME
32:16
MANUFACTURER
Fortune
TYPE
Professional Computer
ORIGIN
United Kingdom
YEAR
1982
BUILT IN LANGUAGE
None
KEYBOARD
Full-stroke 99 keys with numeric keypad and 16 function keys
CPU
Motorola 68000
SPEED
6 Mhz
RAM
from 256 KB, to 2 MB (4 x 256 KB + 1 MB)
ROM
unknown
TEXT MODES
80 chars. x 24 lines
GRAPHIC MODES
optional High resolution graphic card
COLORS
Monochrome
SOUND
Beeper
SIZE / WEIGHT
Total system weight : 24 Kgs
I/O PORTS
External hard-disk unit, Serial RS232 (up to 16), monochrome display
BUILT IN MEDIA
One or two 5''1/4 800 KB FDD - Hard disk from 5 to 70 MB - optional tape unit
OS
Berkeley BSD 4.1 Unix
POWER SUPPLY
Built-in power supply unit
PERIPHERALS
External hard disk, cartridge tape,
PRICE
from $5000 to about $15000 according to hardware configuration
Special thanks to fortune who donated us this computer !
