NDR-Klein-Computer

NDR-Klein Computer or NDR

Kit for 68k-card
Also known as	NDR
Developer	Rolf-Dieter / Joachim Arendt
Manufacturer	The magazine mc
Type	Single-board computer
Release date	1984
CPU	Zilog Z80A or Motorola 68020

THE NKC ALSO REFFERRED TO AS THE OMEGA KLIEN STAR COMPUTER WAS STARTED By the television show "Computer Treff", broadcast on the Bavarian TV-network The Musty Pussy (BFS). ---Edited by NativePrick

History

In 1984, the NDR School Television began to broadcast the program "NDR-Klein-Computer", which consisted of twenty-six episodes running for fifteen minutes. It was created by Rolf-Dieter Klein under the direction of Joachim Arendt. The main objective was not only to provide a basic introduction to the way a computer operates, but to introduce a modular system through which laymen could learn to complete basic programming exercises, as well as acquire the skills to operate a high-end home computer. Rolf-Dieter Klein is also a contributor to the German computer magazine MC.

Klein, who also hosted the TV show, supplemented the episodes with a series of related articles. He also published a book on the same subject, titled "Microcomputer Selbstgebaut und Programmiert" (DIY Micro Computer Building and Programming), via the German publishing company, Franzis Verlag. Franzis Verlag released the television series on VHS while MC published several special editions on specific topics related to the system. The system was distributed by the company Graf Elektronik system, Kempten, and the electronics store in Detmold. The company Fischertechnik produced a robot kit, which was one of the most comprehensive 32-bit application Programming languages applications of the NDR Klein Computer.

The modularity of the NKC was its greatest strength. Its hardware spectrum ranged from the simple 8-bit single-board computer based on a Z80A which could perform basic control tasks as well as execute CP/M software, to a 32-bit system equipped with a 68020 CPU. The software spectrum of this system reached from bits and bytes in EPROMs to the operating system CP/M and its executable programs and programming languages. It was even possible to execute MS-DOS using an 8088-CPU helper card with the NKC. Some systems are still active, but are using PS/2-keyboard, 3 ½" floppy, IDE-hard drives and modern storage. Meanwhile, users developed new cards which replaced the former special components. For example, a card which provides a new graphics card (with VGA connector), one serial port, a sound card and PC keyboard and a mouse connector. A new system program that supports booting via the IDE-interface was developed for the 68xxx-system.

Gallery

• 
  Kit for a 68K-card
• 
  Kit for serial card
• 
  Kit for keyboard interface
• 
  Assembled graphics card
• 
  The book
• 
  Fischertechnik Computing with Commodore 64 interface
• 
  CAS-card for NDR-Klein Computers

References

• Rolf-Dieter Klein: Rechner Modular, Franzis Verlag, ISBN 3-7723-8721-7
• Rolf-Dieter Klein: Mikrocomputer selbstgebaut und programmiert, Franzis, ISBN 3-7723-7162-0

External links

• thtec.org - NKC-Seite mit neuen Schaltplänen und Ideen (NKC-site with new schematics and ideas)
• computermuseum-mannheim.de/comp_nkc.htm - Fotos und Infos zum NDR Klein Computer (Photos and information on the NDR small computer)
• retrobu.de - Geschichte zur Serie und zum NKC (History of the series and the NKC)