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1975's IBM 5100 -- the first IBM "Personal Computer"
July 28, 2023
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In September of 1975, IBM released the 5100 "Portable Computer".  And she was quite a machine!

The 5100 was -- in all practicality -- IBM's first move into "Personal Computing".  A 55 lbs (give or take) "portable" machine which would, over the 6 or 7 years that followed, slowly influence PC design within IBM... eventually resulting in the famous "IBM 5150 Personal Computer".

The guts of the 5100 were rather fascinating (especially when viewed through the lense of modern time).

The processor was not a single CPU chip -- instead the 5100 was powered by PALM ("Program All Logic in Microcode").  PALM was on a larger circuit board, which used a series of 13 gate arrays (and transistors) which were designed to execute microcode... which would, in turn, provide a high level instruction set.

The purpose of this design was to make it possible for a small, "portable" computer to be able to emulate an IBM/360 (a mainframe).  The ability to run code (specifically APL and BASIC) meant for a massive mainframe... on your desk?  Definitely enticing to the right audience.

In fact, the 5100 was based (in part) on an earlier prototype known as SCAMP.

This is SCAMP

The SCAMP prototype computer, built in 1973, operated in much the same way as the 5100 in that it emulated an earlier IBM computer (the IBM 1130).

Some consider SCAMP to be the world's first "Personal Computer".

This, however, is definitely up for debate.  While SCAMP is the first "Personal Computer" that has that modern "Personal Computer" feel... other systems (such as 1971's Kenbak-1) may hold that crown.

But I digress.  Back to the 5100.

You'll note that the 5100 has no floppy drive.  Storage was provided by removable tape drives, which could store a whopping 204 KB.

Those tape cartridges looked cool, didn't they?

And, with between 16 and 64 KB of RAM, the 5100's capabilities were not too shabby for 1975.

Source: Byte Magazine, December, 1975

The computing press generally loved the 5100 when it hit the streets.  "Welcome, IBM, to personal computing," declared Byte Magazine.  "IBM Scores Another Technological Point with 5100," said ComputerWorld.

In general the reviews and early analysis was glowing.

And, of course, because the computer industry was a bit more -- ahem -- open back then... IBM published detailed schematics of every aspect of the 5100.

Need to repair your new "portable" IBM computer?  The "5100 Information Manual" will provide you with a detailed break out of darn near everything you could ever need to know.  Pages and pages of parts, diagrams, and instructions.

Could you imagine a computer company providing this level of detail to the public nowadays?

Shoot.  In 2023, Apple doesn't even want you to be able to change a battery.

The innards of the 5100 were all easily accessible.  The top of the case had hinges on the right hand side which allowed the whole thing to just... open right up.

The power supply (and most of the logic boards) were secured on the top of the case -- while the 5 inch CRT monitor (capable of 64x16 characters) sat on the bottom... right next to the tape drive.

The mechanical keyboard, also in the same physical case, would slowly morph -- over the next few product updates -- into the famous "Model F" keyboard that shipped with the first "IBM PCs" some years later.  What we see here in the 5100 is almost a prototype to those later keyboards.

Throughout the 70s, there was a small (but thriving) hardware peripheral business.  Items like the Comm-Stor/5100: an 8 inch floppy drive which connected to the 5100's serial port.

While the 5100 is a wildly different machine than later models... it's fascinating to look back at where the journey towards the IBM PC really go rolling.

I'll leave you with a commercial for the 5100.  Because old commercials are fun.

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Microsoft "Worker Intifada" says "Go Away, Jews!"
On the 3rd day of escalating events, the "Intifada" of Microsoft employees takes over a Redmond transit center, celebrates the murder of Jews, and chants (in Arabic), "Go Away, Jews!"

On Thursday, August 21st, the Microsoft “Worker Intifada” held their third event of the week — continuing their demands that Microsoft cut all ties with Israel, Israelis, and any company that does business in Israel.

This time, they ratcheted things up to officially include specific calls against all Jews.

Image
 

This third event of the week — following events on the 19th and 20th, which resulted in 18 arrests after the “Intifada” vandalized property, stole from a farmers market, and became aggressive — was scheduled at the transit station (and park & ride) next to Microsoft headquarters.

And scheduled to coincide with the evening rush hour.

Image
 

While some members of the “Intifada” had, at the previous events, shouted vulgarities and anti-Jewish statements (specifically anti-Jewish, not simply “anti-Israel”) at those walking by, this most recent event escalated the anti-Jewish messaging significantly.

With the entire crowd taking part in a chant — in Arabic — of “Jews, get out” or “Go away, Jews!”

 

The Microsoft “Intifada” event also made use of the “bloody red hand” symbolism — which specifically is celebrating the lynching of two Jews in 2000.

In that 2000 event, a Palestinian lynch mob gouged out eyes and disemboweled the Jews — with one Gazan holding up his hands, covered in the blood of the dead Jews, celebrating their murder.

Intifada Bloody hand pic
 

You can see the “bloody red hand” in this image, taken during the “Worker Intifada” event, next to the Microsoft logo — along with the statements “Microsoft powers genocide” and “Microsoft kills kids”.

 

The “Worker Intifada” has promised to escalate activities — including more violence and increasing speech “which cannot be ignored”.

 

Red paint (symbolizing blood) on Microsoft signs, fake “dead bodies”, screaming specifically anti-Jewish statements at people walking by, and getting aggressive with police.

And now the “Intifada” is adopting of imagery glorifying and encouraging the disemboweling of Jewish people — combined with loud, repeated, angry chants of “Jews get out!” — certainly seems like an escalation.

Importantly, this has quickly become not simply a political demonstration. These “Intifada” members are openly, proudly, and loudly advocating for the murder of their Jewish co-workers.

The Lunduke Journal reached out to the organizers of the Microsoft “Worker Intifada”, however they promptly stopped responding — and refused to answer any questions — once they noticed noticed the name of this publication.

The Lunduke Journal has also reached out to Microsoft for comment. As yet there has been no response.


The Lunduke Journal is the last bastion of truly independent Tech Journalism. Ad Free, Big Tech Free, Non-Woke, Audience Supported. Consider becoming a subscriber to support this vital work.

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USA Now Owns 10% of Intel
The US Government is now the largest shareholder of Intel, the maker of CPUs with a secret, back-door operating system. What could possibly go wrong?

Yesterday, President Donald Trump announced that the United Stated federal government had acquired a 10% stake in Intel — making the USA the single largest shareholder.

Which raises a question: Considering the fact that Intel has implemented a secret operating system within their CPUs — a system which has total control and visibility of everything a computer does, and which computer users are not allowed access to — what are the implications of Intel now being owned, in large part, by a government?

How The Intel Deal Happened

On August 22nd, President Trump made a Truth Social post which read, “It is my Great Honor to report that the United States of America now fully owns and controls 10% of INTEL.”

Image
 

What’s especially fascinating is that, according to the President, “The United States paid nothing for these shares” worth approximately $11 Billion USD.

How, exactly did this all come to pass?

Well, the current CEO of Intel — a man named Lip-Bu Tan — is also the Chairman of an investment firm called Walden International. A position he continued to hold after becoming the new head of Intel.

Back on July 18th, the US Congress Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party wrote a letter expressing concern regarding Walden International’s investments in Chinese Communist Party tied corporations.

Image
 

But Intel CEO’s ties to China didn’t end there.

Lip-Bu Tan was also, previously, the CEO of Cadence Design Systems, which plead guilty to illegally selling chip design software and hardware to the Chinese Military.

Image
 

President Trump chimed in, on August 7th, stating that “The CEO of Intel is highly CONFLICTED and must resign immediately. There is no other solution to this problem.”

Image
 

Lip-Bu Tan sent out a letter to Intel employees, later that same day, addressing some of this — calling it “misinformation”, without providing any specifics or detailed rebuttals. He also referred to his leadership of “Walden” as a “past role”, even though his ties to Walden appear to remain.

4 days later, on August 11th, the Intel CEO met, in person, with President Trump. According to President Trump, during the meeting Trump suggested that Intel should “give” the US government 10% of Intel. And the Intel CEO replied that he would think about it.

On August 22nd, the deal was announced that it had been finalized.

Now there are, obviously, going to be many opinions about this. I have more than a few, myself. Let’s put aside some of the more political and financial concerns, for a moment, and focus in on a security & privacy issue.

The Intel Management Engine Issue

Almost every major Intel CPU, produced since 2008, ships with something called the “Intel Management Engine” (or “IME”, for short).

The IME is, to put it simply, a hidden computer inside your CPU. A hidden computer which has access to everything on your computer (absolutely everything) — but which you are not allowed any access to yourself.

A hidden computer… which even has a full web server.

Now, ask yourself, why would a secret computer — hidden inside your computer, spying on everything you do — need a web server? The answer is not a comforting one.

The IME is one of the most powerful, non-auditable, and widespread backdoors ever created. And it is in just about every Intel-powered computer on Earth. Even Google is concerned about the IME — going to drastic measures to disable it on their servers whenever possible.

And now the US federal government is the single largest shareholder of Intel.

The way I see it, the results of government ownership of Intel could impact the Intel Management Engine in one of two ways:

  • The Good: The government could provide oversight into potential, or already existing, abuses of the IME which may be impacting the security and privacy of US citizens, government agencies, and corporations. The government could even force Intel to remove the IME entirely. A massive win for computer security and privacy.

  • The Bad: The government could take advantage (or further advantage) of the IME for their own purposes. Possibly even expanding the IME’s already extensive surveillance capabilities.

Now, I don’t know about you, but my gut tells me the bad option is far more likely than the good one.

Even if that is not the intention of President Trump in making this deal… Someone, somewhere within the federal government is already planning ways which the IME can be used (or used further), in ways which we, as citizens, will not like.

But, and this is important, the US government is not the only organization with control over Intel.

The Other Big Players

While this 10% stake makes the USA the single largest shareholder of Intel, both Blackrock and Vanguard come in at a close second (both with close to 9% of the shares).

 

In fact, the top 4 shareholders of Intel now have a combined ownership of roughly 1/3rd of the entire company — that’s a lot of control.

Plus, most of those investment firms holding significant portions of several other computer companies. BlackRock, for example, also owns massive, influential stakes in Microsoft, Apple, Nvidia, Amazon, and Google.

 

The control which these firms can wield over the computer industry is absolutely staggering.

Now that the US federal government is an even larger shareholder — at least with Intel — it will be interesting to see what impact that has on both the existing investment firms… and the actions of the corporations themselves.

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Lunduke's Week in Tech - Aug 23, 2025
USA Owns Intel & Microsoft's Intifada Problem (Plus: UK Says Email Causes Drought)

Another week, another round of absolutely insane stories within the Tech Industry. The “USA becomes the majority shareholder of Intel” and “Microsoft Intifada” stories really jump out at me as the most wild of the week.

But, shoot, the “UK says Email causes drought” story was pretty nuts too. They’re all below.

And next week is already shaping up to be even crazier. We’re expecting the final ruling in the remedy phase of “USA v. Google” next week. Plus a few other stories that have been percolating.

I do believe a statement of “Buckle up, Buttercup” is in order.

USA Owns 10% of Intel

This story broke at the very end of the week and, I tell ya, I did not have “US Government is given 10% of Intel stock, making it the largest shareholder, without even paying for it” on my 2025 Bingo card.

Crazy. With some potentially wild consequences. This story requires a lot more digging. I’m checking in with a few Intel sources to get the inside scoop.

The Microsoft “Intifada”

This one really hits deep into the non-Tech political news. But it is all about Microsoft and Microsoft employees — with a potential boil over to other parts of the Tech industry — so it definitely deserves to be covered here.

A group of Microsoft employees have declared themselves the “Microsoft Worker Intifada” and are vowing to make life hard for Microsoft, with escalating events, until Microsoft cuts all ties with Israel.

Their first event, on Tuesday, was a bit of a dud (Article, Podcast & Video). They occupied a Microsoft Main Campus plaza, made a bit of a mess, then quickly folded at the first sign that they might face arrest.

But their second event, on Wednesday (at the same location on Microsoft campus), turned very ugly (Article). 18 arrests. Massive vandalism. Fake blood (red paint) and fake dead bodies. They ransacked a farmers market to steal material to build a barricade, got rowdy, and made a point of shouting anti-Jewish slurs at people walking by.

And their third event, on Thursday, went even further with the anti-Jewish stuff (Article). Posters celebrating the murder and disemboweling of Jews. Repeated chants, in Arabic, of “Go away, Jews!”. This wasn’t an event protesting political policies of a country. This was a wide-ranging event focused on attacking and opposing anything “Jewish” — including Jewish Microsoft employees. No arrests at the third event.

It remains to be seen what actions Microsoft will take regarding all of this. Obviously, I’ve asked. But radio silence from them.

Other Stories This Week

There were some other pretty insane stories this week.

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-Lunduke

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