Welcome to the Data-General-Nova wiki!

Systems from Data General

Overview of some of the more prominent computer models developed by Data General, along with their approximate introduction dates:

1. Data General NOVA (1969): The original 16-bit minicomputer that started the NOVA series. It was one of the first minicomputers to use integrated circuits.

2. Data General NOVA 2 (early 1970s): additional features and capabilities.

3. Data General NOVA 3 (mid-1970s): improved processing capabilities.

4. Data General NOVA 4 (late 1970s): featuring advanced processing speeds and expanded memory options.

5. Data General Eclipse (1974): A more powerful line that succeeded the NOVA, aimed at the business market.

6. Data General MV Series (1980s): This series included the MV/8000, one of the first 32-bit minicomputers, marking a significant advancement in their product line.

7. Data General Aviion (1990s): A line of Unix-based servers that marked Data General's entry into the Unix market and later, the Windows NT market.

Hardware

• NOVA 1 - original NOVA
• SuperNOVA - core to IC RAM evolution
• NOVA 1200 - the cost reduced NOVA 1, 1200ns memory, Fairchild 4-bit ALU 74181 based
• NOVA 840 - 17bit NOVA
• Nova 2 - simpler, smaller NOVA
• Nova 3 - faster, TTL cpu
• Nova 4 - the suprise NOVA, same as the Eclipse S/140, four AMD Am2901 bit-slice ALUs

Software

• DOS

Resources

• https://www.commodorez.com/novarsc.html - Commodore Z's Links
• https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1TyQvSkO6dj1JUqJkaFZUdGgVOCVLlUSo - Jaut-76's Document cache

History

Data General was founded in 1968 by Edson de Castro, Henry Burkhardt III, and Richard Sogge, three engineers who had previously worked at Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC). The foundation of Data General can be seen as a direct result of de Castro's vision for a new kind of minicomputer and his disagreement with the direction DEC was taking at the time. Here's a detailed look into the how and why behind the inception of Data General:

The Genesis of Data General:

Edson de Castro's Vision: De Castro was instrumental in the development of the PDP-8 at DEC, one of the first successful minicomputers. However, he had ideas for a new machine that would be even simpler and less expensive than the PDP-8. His vision was to create a 16-bit minicomputer that would be more powerful and versatile than the 12-bit PDP-8.

Disagreement at DEC: De Castro proposed his idea for the new minicomputer at DEC, but the company was not interested in pursuing it. DEC was more focused on their 12-bit line and didn't see the immediate need to shift to a 16-bit architecture. This disagreement led de Castro to contemplate starting his own company.

Formation of Data General: In 1968, de Castro, along with Burkhardt and Sogge, left DEC to establish their own company, originally named Data General Corporation. The name reflected their focus on general-purpose data processing equipment.

First Product - NOVA: The company's first product, the NOVA, was exactly what de Castro had envisioned - a 16-bit minicomputer that was simple, small, inexpensive, and powerful. Introduced in 1969, the NOVA was a significant success and helped establish Data General as a key player in the computer industry.

Reasons for Success:

1. Filling a Market Gap: Data General's products filled a gap in the market for small, affordable, yet powerful minicomputers. This appealed to a wide range of customers who needed computing power but couldn't afford the large mainframe computers.

2. Innovation and Simplicity: The design of the NOVA was innovative, focusing on simplicity and ease of use. This made it attractive to businesses and educational institutions.

3. Competitive Pricing: Data General's pricing strategy made their computers accessible to a broader market, challenging the dominance of larger and more established companies.

4. Versatility of Products: The NOVA, and subsequent products from Data General, were versatile and found applications in various fields, from education and business to scientific research.

Legacy:

Data General's emergence and success in the minicomputer market were part of a broader shift in the computing industry from large, expensive mainframe computers to smaller, more affordable minicomputers. This shift opened up computing to a much wider range of users and applications, paving the way for the personal computer revolution. The company's story, particularly the development of their flagship NOVA computer, is a classic example of innovation driven by entrepreneurial spirit in the face of industry conservatism.