Category Archives: equipment

In a previous life

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Once upon a time we were in the “software” business.

Here’s how we got to that starting line.

In 1973 I started working at several corporate computer centers as a programmer and system analyst. I would sit at a desk size keyboard to write programs on punch cards. I’d feed those punch cards into a room size mainframe computer to get it to perform a series of calculations required to run various business functions. The humongous mainframe computer was mostly relegated to tasks that only personnel with a technical background could handle.

Starting in the late 1970s a small device affectionately known as a microcomputer appeared on the scene. Micros were the beginning of a new kind of tiny (compared to the mainframes) personal computer that could fit on a small desktop.

When a micro named the Commodore PET was announced, I placed an order for one. Soon after, I received delivery of the all-in-one Pet serial number 57. My goal was to see if it could be useful for the more general public. But I was surprised that the PET wasn’t as user friendly as I expected – especially programming it to do useful tasks. This then was the start of the small software business name ABACUS that would take us through the next 30+ years.


Here’s a picture of me sitting in front on a PET “microcomputer”

Our first product was a book for programming the PET “microcomputer”

Despite its relatively high price ($795 to $995), the PET quickly became a popular product. In fact we sold tens of thousands of the PET Machine Language Guide. We quickly published a series of other books for the PET and produced dozens of games, music, tools and other software for successor Commodore micros in coming years.


our book series for Commodore micros

our display at an early microcomputer trade show

Soon many new micros were being introduced and sold: Tandy TRS-80, Apple II, Amstrad, Texas Instruments and several more. By the mid-1980s we turned our energies to a more powerful micro from Commodore called the Amiga.

By the mid-1980s there were several new brands of micros


Our Amiga series of books

We continued developing software and publishing books (more than 200 products) during the next ten years mostly for the huge IBM PC marketplace. This was a time of a very competitive environment – so competitive in fact that we barely stayed above water business-wise.

But skip ahead to the mid 1990s  and we somehow found ourselves producing hundreds of unique and innovative products for users of Microsoft Flight Simulator. We attended many aviation conventions and software trade shows where we bumped up against many amazing classic and modern aircraft and the interesting people who fly them. This was one of the most exciting times for us at Abacus.


several of the famous WWII Tuskeegee Airmen at an airshow 


a huge C-17 passing over the crowds at Oshkosh airshow


flight simulation software and our magazine

more flight simulation software


an A-10 Thunderbolt II leaving Nellis AFB

one of our flight sim accessory mouse pads


the Abacus offices for many years

some souvenirs from over the years

The flight simulator market gave us a much welcomed boost to our business for an extended number of years.

However, Microsoft withdrew its Flight Simulator product from its lineup so in 2011 we decided that it was time to take down our shingle.

So that’s a short history of our previous life hawking computers, software, books and magazines.

It was fun being pioneers at the start of the microcomputer era – one that lasted 33 years for us. And while this previous life has passed, these past times are something to look back on having made many friends and recalling so many good experiences.

To Catch a Moose

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or any other creature on video

I understand that I need to keep the gate to the backyard closed otherwise unwanted animals might stray onto our property. I especially don’t want a moose coming into the yard; it would eat all of our newly planted vegetables.

I came across an article in the newspaper a couple of weeks ago that convinced me that I could make sure that neither a moose nor any other undesirable fauna would sneak into our yard.

And so I followed the advice and found an inexpensive device that I hope will alert us to potential invaders.

This trail camera package includes a strong metal case that protects it from the elements and external tampering.

Here the motion detector, four infrared beams and the lens are on top while a color viewing screen and control buttons are on the bottom of the camera.

Here is the camera with the cover over the screen and control buttons. It is decorated in a camouflage pattern.

My camera was in heavy rain for several days but has not been affected by the moisture. I feel comfortable positioning it on the ground.

The camera uses a set of six AA batteries. Having used it for three weeks and recorded 150 clips, the batteries are still 70% charged. The motion detector is said to be sensitive up to 80 feet although I have not confirmed this. Additionally, the nighttime infrared illumination is adjustable to 120 feet, another item I have not confirmed.

You can choose to record either still images or video clips. When set for still it can fire off up to sequential eight images. It can also make time lapse recordings.

I chose to record 10 second video clips. Clip duration is adjustable in increments up to 60 minutes. When the unit’s motion detector is tripped, recording begins. Optionally, you can choose to record a status line on the bottom of the images that have time, date, etc.

Here’s a couple of video clips of our first encounters with nature’s offerings. BTW, night images don’t appear in color, only day light when the IR illumination isn’t being used.

Well, we didn’t catch that moose on the video, just a hungry little rabbit. But I assure you that the trail camera is ready for whatever may invade our yard.

Staying Clean

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Keeping Safe during the Covid Pandemic

Many businesses that have been allowed to open during the Covid pandemic have had to follow strict guidelines to keep their employees and customers safe. This has been proven to be an especially challenging task.

For the past year we’ve all been using some combination of face masks, shields, gloves, disinfectants, bleach, gowns, paper towels and hand sanitizer among other things all with the goal of keeping the virus away from our bodies.

Like other establishments we were spending a considerable amount of time cleaning our facilities. We use spray bottles of sanitizer to clean tables, chairs and other surfaces and then wipe them dry. To save time and supplies, we purchased an electrostatic sprayer. They are different from conventional sprayers in that an electrostatic charge is applied to the disinfectant as it leaves the cone making miniscule droplets that are evenly dispersed. That the droplets are so small allows them to dry quickly.


This employee is using a large electrostatic sprayer to clean a dining table.

The cone on the end of the wand evenly distributes the disinfectant. The disinfectant dries in a few seconds and is safe to the touch.


In this slow motion video the employee is using the wand to apply the disinfectant.

This 3 gallon capacity sprayer has a rechargeable battery and can be worn as a backpack.

This is a smaller sprayer comes with two rechargeable batteries. The unit weighs less than the orange one above. Instead of a wand, the nozzle is used to adjust the spray pattern of the disinfectant.

The one gallon capacity tank for this sprayer has backpack straps for easier use. Two ounces of the concentrate are mixed with water to make a gallon of sanitizer. This brand of concentrate is confirmed to kill Covid germs.

So far we’ve had good success with these sprayers. If you’re looking for a way to keep your facility clean you’ll want to consider an electrostatic sprayer.