cloned stuff

[William Maddox]

--- woodelf <bfranchuk at jetnet.ab.ca> wrote:
> Did the Soviets clone the
> Vax?  I know they 
> cloned 11's
> but what about other computers? Was DEC the only
> computer brand worth 
> cloning?

The East Germans firm Robotron definitely cloned the
VAX, as well as the IBM 360.  I've seen a Robotron VAX
clone at the CHM.  The 360 clone was interesting in
that they even copied the cabinet design, unlike the
VAX clone that I saw.

At some point, Soviet central planning settled on a
"unified system" of computers that were basically
copied western designs.  I suppose it simplified the
problem of software to some degree, but it stifled
formerly robust homegrown development efforts. Perhaps
one of the Russion list members might have more to say
about this and Soviet-era computing in general.

--Bill