Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site brl-tgr.ARPA Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!seismo!brl-tgr!tgr!towson@AMSAA.ARPA From: towson@AMSAA.ARPA (SECAD) Newsgroups: net.micro.cpm Subject: Microprocessors Unlimited, an extraordinary company: Message-ID: <721@brl-tgr.ARPA> Date: Thu, 15-Aug-85 11:49:09 EDT Article-I.D.: brl-tgr.721 Posted: Thu Aug 15 11:49:09 1985 Date-Received: Mon, 19-Aug-85 07:56:21 EDT Sender: news@brl-tgr.ARPA Lines: 43 Fellow hardware hackers - I was interested in some recent postings concerning Microprocessors Unlimited in Beggs, Oklahoma, (918) 267-4961. Several readers have reported very favorably concerning their dealings with this company, and since I needed some parts, I decided to give them a try. I telephoned my order on Friday 9 August, and the parts arrived via UPS Blue on Tuesday the 13th. Just placing the order on the phone was a pleasant experience. The lady with whom I spoke explained carefully who made each chip, its rated speed, its price, and what optional parts were available. After I had made my selection, she took the shipping and billing information, and then read-back ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING concerning the order to verify that she had the correct infor- mation. The company prefers to take a credit-card number for their own protection, but to be paid by check when the merchandise is received. Thus, an invoice accompanies the package; and if prompt payment is made, no billing is submitted to the credit-card company. The chips were packed in anti-static carriers, and the group of carriers were then wrapped in aluminum foil. A label cautioning the user about static damage had been affixed to the foil package. A stout shipping box with adequate shock-absorbant packing was used. Along with the parts, there was a nine-page "newsletter" written by John Gilchrist, who I presume is the proprietor. Some of the interesting items: 1. Several portions dealing with static electricity damage to IC's , and how to prevent it. (Microprocessors Unlimited shipping personnel work barefoot on a conductive floor mat!) 2. A discussion of the disadvantages of doing circuit development work using surplus IC's. 3. A statement that the author believes three Japanese companies - NEC, Hitachi and Fujitsu - make the best quality IC's. 4. A brief description of a Mitsubishi 64K DRAM having on-chip refresh. 5. A warning that to avoid damage, 2732A EPROMS must be programmed with 21 volts rather than the 25 volts used for non-suffix 2732's. 6. Several items dealing with the company's business policies. So far, I have not tested any of the material I received. If I discover anything further of interest concerning this company, I will post another message. Dave towson@amsaa.arpa