Category talk:Radio Shack Computers

Canonical Category structure?

I see that Category:Non-Compatible PCs mostly contains sub-categories for manufacturers: Category:Apple Computers, Category:Atari Computers, Category:Commodore Computers. Did we want to set up a Category:Tandy Computers, and put Category:Tandy TRS-80 (or perhaps rename it to plain, simple Category:TRS-80) in that? I know Tandy did call most of their computers some form of 'TRS-80 xxx', but there were a few outliers, such as the Tandy 1000. Jnc (talk) 13:29, 20 May 2023 (CEST)

I did set up a Category:Tandy TRS-80 Computers under Category:Non-Compatible PCs. The reason why I want to call it "Tandy TRS-80" instead of simply "TRS-80" is that the Tandys are not an outlier they are a marketing era change if you will. All Radio Shack computers after around 1984-85 became Tandys. The Model 2000 was the only one to be called "Tandy TRS-80" and everything after that was simply "Tandy" For example in addition to the 1000 also the 102, 200, 6000 and CoCO 3. I made changed the name to add the word Computers to stay with canon. I also apologize for any little mistakes I make since I am learning that MediaWiki is much different than HTML. I know that I can use HTML in some cases, but I would like to stay with normal conventions and learn a new skill. Rayrayemu (talk)

Right, but if someone does a Tandy 1000 article, where will that go? That's why I suggested having a Category:Tandy Computers. (And Category:Tandy TRS-80 Computers, or whatever you want to call it, would go in that, not in Category:Non-Compatible PCs.)

But if we change our minds, it's easy to change; it's a wiki! (And changing the category hierarchy is easy; it's only when leaf categories are renamed that it's work, because then all the articles in that category have to be edited, to change their categories.) Jnc (talk) 20:10, 20 May 2023 (CEST)

I see what you're saying but the question is, should it be under Category:Computers or Category:Personal Computers? since that's what they are. I understand that DEC and IBM in the top tier because they both made computers of various types but Tandy made only personal computers of both the home and workstation variety. Also, off topic, how do I create a time/date stamp when I leave talk messages? Also, I hope my steep learning curve isn't getting too annoying. :) Rayrayemu (talk)

One thing to add, as you can see I am huge fan of Radio Shack's computers. (I worked for them in the late 80s, early 90s.) With that being said I see the 1000 being part or the natural progression of the brand and with that being said, I feel that it is imperative for them to be part of the same main category.Rayrayemu (talk)

Right, which is why Category:IBM Computers is both in Category:Computers, and also has a sub-category Category:IBM PCs, which is also in Category:Personal Computers - exactly because IBM made both mainframes and personal computers.

In case it's not obvious already, the category hierarchy is not a strict tree; a category may be included in several different super-categories - e.g. Category:IBM PCs is in both Category:IBM Computers and Category:Personal Computers.

The explanation is really quite simple; the category system's primary goal is to help find things. So for someone interested in IBM stuff, they might get to Category:IBM PCs via Category:IBM Computers; but some who is interested in PCs, they might get to it via Category:Personal Computers. I've now written/worked on so many articles here that I've forgotten the names of many, and I often need the help of the category system to find a page I'm looking for! :-) Having alternate 'paths' to things makes them easier to find. Jnc (talk) 22:57, 20 May 2023 (CEST)

It is great that you both i) worked for Radio Shack 'back in the day', and ii) are interested in writing them up. RS personal computers were a key stage in the growth of wide usage of PCs, and it'll be excellent to have them documented here.

I assume lots of the original documentation is now online on the Internet? (In general I prefer to provide links to originals, for people who really want the details, and just give an 'executive summary' here. See Maxc for an example of this style.) I haven't looked to see how much RS stuff is at Bitsavers; copies there are probably to be preferred, as they are less likely to suffer bit-rot than copies on personal sites. But now that I look, it seems they don't have much; alas. Jnc (talk) 22:57, 20 May 2023 (CEST)