Someone has one for sale. Not my cup of tea, but if you really want one:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Percom-Electric-Crayon-for-TRS-80/332651439680
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Percom-Electric-Crayon-for-TRS-80/332651439680
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Electric Crayon
- Thread starter Tibs
- Start date
TRS-Ian
Veteran Member
I hope someone here bought it
MikeModifed
Veteran Member
Surprised that that one went so quickly. 
I've got one that works and doesn't have all the holes crudely drilled in the top of the case. It also has the original on/off switch still in the back and not rewired to the front.
Typed in the demo programs from the 80Micro review article (1/81, pg 68 ) https://ia801702.us.archive.org/9/i...gazine-1981-01/80Microcomputing_0181_text.pdf. Been meaning to do a write up on it.
Mike
I've got one that works and doesn't have all the holes crudely drilled in the top of the case. It also has the original on/off switch still in the back and not rewired to the front.
Typed in the demo programs from the 80Micro review article (1/81, pg 68 ) https://ia801702.us.archive.org/9/i...gazine-1981-01/80Microcomputing_0181_text.pdf. Been meaning to do a write up on it.
Mike
From the photos, it looks like it was modified a bit. I had one of these back in the early 1980s, and I do recall that it got pretty hot to the touch. It appears that the owner's solution was to drill a matrix of ventilation holes in the top of the unit. I think the front-mounted switch was also a modification from the original...mine had a rocker power switch in the back.
I used to give PowerPoint-like presentations with mine, before PowerPoint was a thing. It was pretty easy to program (through the Expansion Interface line printer port, as I recall) using "EGOS" commands.
If anyone has a physical or scanned version of the Electric Crayon manual, I'd be interested in revisiting the EGOS command set.
Based on the auction results, it looks like the "value" of this thing has held up pretty well. I paid $310 for a unit with 6K RAM back when it was new (in 1981, I think).
I used to give PowerPoint-like presentations with mine, before PowerPoint was a thing. It was pretty easy to program (through the Expansion Interface line printer port, as I recall) using "EGOS" commands.
If anyone has a physical or scanned version of the Electric Crayon manual, I'd be interested in revisiting the EGOS command set.
Based on the auction results, it looks like the "value" of this thing has held up pretty well. I paid $310 for a unit with 6K RAM back when it was new (in 1981, I think).
gp2000
Experienced Member
It's been a couple years but I'm guessing you still have the Electric Crayon?
I'd love to emulate it; any chance of getting a copy of the firmware?
I imagine it wouldn't be too hard to make a work-alike based on the examples but where's the fun in that?
MikeModifed
Veteran Member
Know anybody with a Blaine mailing address? 8-)
Mike
Mike
gp2000
Experienced Member
I've got a mail box in Point Roberts but it doesn't do me much good these days.
But if you're suggesting sending the ROM I'm not really the best guy to dump it. I might be able to find someone in Portland if you're looking for help with dumping the ROM.