Canon Cat -- what's it really like?

[Curt at Atari Museum]

I owned a Canon Cat for several weeks, then sold it to Tom Owad...

Its a little unusual at first to try and use, you have to get past 
modern conventions and try to view the device from the time/standpoint 
at which it was released.

Product design is very nice, its a unique and well thought out packaging.

The interface becomes easier and more intuitive over time, once you get 
used to it (reminds me of the learning curve I went through in College 
which I first worked on a Rainbow, the All in One software was difficult 
at first to grasp but became easier and more fun as time went by)

I'd say the Cat wouldn't have been too widely adopted no matter the 
marketing angle or approach, it was a superb machine and keystroke 
interfacing system, but so far off from standards that many would've 
unjustly criticized it and became fustrated with its use.



Curt



Eric F. wrote:

> The recent death of Mr. Raskin has me Google'ing around for 
> information about his Canon Cat machine.
>
> Even prior to his passing, I have always thought it a sweet looking 
> machine.
>
> Does anyone of this list own a Canon Cat? If so, do you use it for any 
> sort of regular everyday work?  And what's your personal impression of 
> the machine?
>
> Is it even possible to use it in the context of today's work demands 
> (i.e., for email)? Or is a proper network interface & appropriate 
> software the limiting factor here?
>
>