View source for ACFA-8

{{Short description|Microcomputer}}
{{Infobox computer
| name=ACFA-8
| developer=Andrew M. Veronis
| manufacturer=ACFA, Inc.
| cpu=[[Motorola 6808]]
| memory=Up to 64&nbsp;KB
| type={{ubl|[[Microcomputer]]|[[Single-board computer]]}}
}}
The '''ACFA-8''' ('''Affordable Computers for All-8''') was a microcomputer based on the [[Motorola 6808]]. It was released in 1979 by Andrew M. Veronis, a doctorate of computer science more well-known for his books on computer engineering.
==Description and history==
The ACFA-8 was a [[Single-board computer|single-board]] microcomputer running the [[Motorola 6808]]. The board's memory layout comprised an array of eight chip sockets, onto which 3&nbsp;KB or 6&nbsp;KB [[Dynamic random-access memory|DRAM]] chips can be populated, for a maximum of 48&nbsp;KB of [[Random-access memory|RAM]].<ref name=bits>{{cite magazine | last=Staff writer | date=September 1979 | url=https://archive.org/details/PersonalComputerWorld1979-09/page/29/ | title=Bits and pieces | magazine =Personal Computer World | publisher=Sportscene Publishers | volume=2 | issue=5 | page=29 | via=the Internet Archive}}</ref> As stock it came with 16&nbsp;KB of RAM.<ref name=Budgett>{{cite magazine | last=Budgett | first=Henry | date=October 1979 | url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Electronics-Today-UK/70s/ETI-1979-10-79.pdf#page=52 | title=MicroCoup | magazine =Electronics Today International | publisher=Modmags | volume=8 | issue=10 | page=53 | via=}}</ref> The computer's cassette interface supports the [[Kansas City standard]], and the computer came shipped with 8-KB [[BASIC]] on cassette.<ref name=bits /> The board features a built-in color [[Radio frequency|RF]] modulator; American buyers got shipped a color video display for the price of the computer.<ref name=oc>{{cite magazine | last=Ruckdeschel | first=Fred | date=June 1979 | url=https://archive.org/details/sim_oncomputing_summer-1979_1_1/page/n55/ | title=A Personal Computer Directory | magazine=On Computing | publisher=McGraw-Hill | volume=1 | issue=1 | pages=50–61 | via=the Internet Archive}}</ref>{{rp|52}} Both American and overseas buyers however both got the board with an enclosure, a keyboard, and the [[Power supply unit (computer)|power supply unit]].<ref name=bits /><ref name=Budgett /><ref name=oc />{{rp|52}}
The ACFA-8 was one of the few microcomputers based on the 6808 microprocessor, being a lesser-cost component in the [[Motorola 6800 family]]. It was more popular with embedded processing systems in industrial environments.<ref name=collectible>{{cite book | last=Nadeau | first=Michael | date=2002 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WXZNAAAACAAJ | title=Collectible Microcomputers | edition=Illustrated | series=Schiffer Book for Collectors | page=8 | publisher=Schiffer Publishing | isbn=9780764316005 | via=Google Books}}</ref> The computer came shipped with manuals describing the principles of operation, which ''[[Electronics Today International]]'' described as "really a computer course on their own".<ref name=Budgett /> ACFA, Inc. (Affordable Computers for All), was founded by Andrew M. Veronis, a doctorate of computer science more well-known for his books on computer engineering.<ref name=Budgett /> In the United States, the computer sold for $695 as an assembled [[Kit (of components)|kit]] or $595 unassembled. Computer journalist Fred Ruckdeschel felt that it needed an additional $300 in hardware on top of the cost of the unassembled kit to bring it on par with its contemporaries. To that end the ACFA-8 came with a RS-232C serial port for peripherals including [[teleprinter|teletype]]s.<ref name=oc />{{rp|52}}
ACFA, Inc. was incorporated at 130 Main Street in [[Annapolis, Maryland]].<ref name=maryland>{{cite web | date=n.d. | url=https://egov.maryland.gov/BusinessExpress/EntitySearch/BusinessInformation/D00958108 | title=A.C.F.A., Incorporated | work=Maryland.gov | publisher=Government of Maryland}}</ref> This location was previously the home of Wicker Basket Ltd., a seller of wicker furniture, cookware, and [[Porcelain|fine china]]. Veronis bought that company in 1977 and was the proprietor of the store for a few years.<ref>{{cite news | last=Staff writer | date=December 30, 1977 | url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117364026/wicker-baskets-new-owner/ | title=Wicker basket's new owner | newspaper=The Evening Capital | page=24 | via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Veronis forfeit ACFA shortly after its incorporation.<ref name=maryland /> He continued working in the computer industry in the following decades while also teaching computer science at the [[University of Maryland, College Park]].<ref>{{cite magazine | last=Sioris | first=Dennis | date=March 2000 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=13DzwE7Kjx8C | title=RADM Sirois on CG Training Initiatives | magazine =Navigator: The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine | publisher=Coast Guard Auxiliary Association | volume=27 | issue=1 | page=34 | via=Google Books}}</ref>
==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
[[Category:68xx-based computers]]
[[Category:Computer-related introductions in 1979]]
[[Category:Microcomputers]]
[[Category:Single-board computers]]