GC> Brian, thanks *VERY* much for the informative reply!!  I called Dallas 
GC> Semiconductors this afternoon
GC> sheets on the 1620.  Supposedly, I will not need any 
GC> external hardware to use the chip.  There are 2 connection 
GC> methods:  SOIC (?) and 8-pin.  Will probably use the 8-pin 
GC> method, and just go with a serial port for now since it'd 
GC> afford some quick results.  I'm delving into a realm until 
GC> now was *VASTLY* unknown to me .  BTW, the device 
GC> costs $5.10 per unit.  I think I'll order about 4 of them 

Well, Radio Shack should carry them eventually, if they know what's
good for them. Looks like a neat toy. Don't forget the eval kit-
avoids choices like SOIC and mini-DIP. SOIC is "Small Outline IC", a
sort of anorexic DIP format. You don't want to fool with it unless
you're making rectal thermometers for mice and have vacuum pick and
place equipment. SOIC is actually quite large compared to the newer
mini packages. No idea what's in the eval kit or price, but I'd guess
US$25 and something that plugs onto a PC's serial port. The joystick
port has +5 available on it, and if you accidentally short it, it drops
your entire machine. Mine survived both times I did this, so I'm
inclined to think of that port as external power connector. Hmmm. I
thought UL wanted such things fused. They do on the keyboard connector,
causing no end of grief when that fuse pops. 8-pin mini-DIP is the
easiest format to work with, if only because you can get handy wiring
stuff at any parts store.

Once you get the sucker running, let us know how easy it was to get
beyond any character-based impediments on OS/2 end of the serial
port.

___
 X KWQ/2 1.2e X I survived '74 without frying a single LS chip!

--- Maximus/2 2.02