XPost: sci.space.policy, sci.physics, sci.electronics.design   
   From: jfindley@cinci.nospam.rr.com   
      
   In article , gossg@gossg.org says...   
   >   
   > Jeff Findley  wrote:   
   >   
   > >Bullshit.  The technology in a PC today is quite different than that of   
   > >a PC made in 1988.  Nothing in a PC from 1988 would even "plug into" a   
   > >PC bought today, except maybe the keyboard and mouse.  And the PC today   
   > >is literally orders of magnitude faster.   
   >   
   > The original mice I first saw plugged into a special jack on a card   
   > that plugged into the PC.  I had mine on a combo card with video.  The   
   > technology to allow a mouse to run on the low power in a serial   
   > connection came later.  And serial connectors vanished around Y2K.  I   
   > don't know how the data signals in the PS2 mouse connectors compared   
   > to the 9 pin serial connectors.   
   >   
   > Keyboards plugged into a large DIN connection.  This was gradually   
   > replaced by the smaller PS2 connection, then again with USB   
   > connections.   
   >   
   > I don't know if any desktop computers still provide PS2 connectors.  I   
   > don't think so.   
      
   Some desktop computers I've seen recently still have the smaller PS2   
   connectors for a keyboard and mouse.  All of our "professional" machines   
   at work have them.  For example, the HP Z240 Desktop "tower" computer   
   has them.  All you need to go from the old DIN keyboard connection to a   
   PS2 keyboard connector is a simple, non-active, adapter.  Ought to cost   
   about $0.99 on eBay.   
      
   > I'm still using my 1994 laser printer.  It plugs into a   
   > centronics-parallel to USB adapter.  I guess similar adapters are   
   > available for serial ports and PS2 connectors.   
      
   Not sure any active adapters do that, but some older mice would work   
   with either with a passive adapter.  At any rate, you can buy USB to   
   serial port adapters.  I have one.  It works well.   
      
   > Hmmm, come to think of it, the Centronics port was designed for the   
   > 1988 TRS-80 computer.  A printer from that era would probably plug   
   > through my adapter into any modern Windows computer.  And at least the   
   > MX-80 and its clones are probably still driver-supported.   
      
   Software drivers are tricky, but yes the USB adapter will allow the   
   electronics to communicate.   
      
   Jeff   
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