General Knowledge Quiz

[DaleCooper]

Did the plug-in boards use a different edge connector?

 

[Whistler40145]

I'll plump for different connectors used for a display unit.

 

[theageofthetra]

The CPC464, unlike many home computers had no leads other than the power and the monitor. Were the other models the same?

 

[krus_aragon]

The machines in question were the PC1512 and the PC1640. (Previous machines like the CPC464 weren't compatible with IBM-PC software.)

Dale, the plug-in expansion boards were identical to the IBM PC line, and fully compatble.

AgeOfTheTrain, like the earlier CPC464, the PC1512 and PC1640's "box" had their power supply inside the monitor. This was unconventional (by the standards of other manufacturers) but wasn't done to avoid lawsuits.

Tim, you're closest so far...

 

[DaleCooper]

Were the male and female display connectors swapped?

 

[krus_aragon]

Were the male and female display connectors swapped?

No, it wasn't the display connector.

 

[EbbwJunction1]

Did it come in a virtually plain box with just the name of the make and model on it?

 

[DaleCooper]

Was it a different keyboard connector?

 

[krus_aragon]

Was it a different keyboard connector?

Yes. Amstrad chose to use a completrly incompatible connector (physically and electrically) for the keyboard and mouse. This was done for no reason other than to avoid accusations of copying IBM.

Alan Sugar later said he regretted making the keyboard and mouse deliberately incompatible, as no other company bothered to do so.

(A small bit of trivia: because the main power supply was integrated into the monitor instead of the case, it could be cooled by convection, didn't need a fan, and ran silently. Some scaremongerers started saying “they've got no fan, they'll overheat.” Amstrad thus added a fan into later machines, for no purpose other than to make a noise and reassure customers!)
Your floor.

 

[DaleCooper]

Next question:

Long before CCTV, infrared detectors and electronic alarms Japanese palaces had a built-in system to reveal the presence of intruders. What was it?

 

[theageofthetra]

The 'Nightingale floors'. They basically squeeked very loudly if you walked on them

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

Uguisubari

 

[DaleCooper]

The 'Nightingale floors'. They basically squeeked very loudly if you walked on them

That is correct

Uguisubari

No swearing please or I'll have to report you to the moderators.

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

No swearing please or I'll have to report you to the moderators.

I think you will find that is the Japanese name for it. I resent the implication

 

[DaleCooper]

I think you will find that is the Japanese name for it.

Oh really? What's the Japanese for "sense of humour"?

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

oh really? What's the japanese for "sense of humour"?

ユーモアのセンス I think

 

[trainmania100]

Lol
On to the next question :-P

 

[theageofthetra]

Keeping the Japanese theme. Why was the Clash tour of Japan in 1982 still held in such high regard by fans and what connects it to a Beatle?

 

[Spamcan81]

Keeping the Japanese theme. Why was the Clash tour of Japan in 1982 still held in such high regard by fans and what connects it to a Beatle?

It was the last tour featuring their classic original lineup, i.e. before Topper Headon was kicked out of the band. As for the Beatle connection, was Yoko Ono involved somewhere along the line?

 

[theageofthetra]

That is one reason but not the main one I am looking for and its connection to a Beatle

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

Are we talking about a band member of the car?

 

[theageofthetra]

One member of the band.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Ok here's a clue. Have a think what happened to a former Beatle in Japan a few years earlier.

 

[DaleCooper]

In 1980 Paul McCartney was arrested in Japan for marijuana possession - is that relevant?

 

[theageofthetra]

It is.

 

[DaleCooper]

Just to keep the thread alive:

Were members of the group also arrested for marijuana possession?

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

*raises hand* As it was over 48 hours between answers, does Open Floor come into effect?

 

[DaleCooper]

*raises hand* As it was over 48 hours between answers, does Open Floor come into effect?

As it over 72 hours since the setter last posted I think it's reasonable for you to take the floor if you so wish - as long as the subject isn't naval history or Star Trek.

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

As it over 72 hours since the setter last posted I think it's reasonable for you to take the floor if you so wish - as long as the subject isn't naval history or Star Trek.

I thought it was 48 hours, to be fair...

In 1974, the CIA and the USN placed Soviet sailors into a metal box and "dumped" it at sea - why did they do this?

 

[DaleCooper]

I'm guessing they were cosmonauts who had been picked up by a US ship and were returned to their capsule for pick up by the Soviet navy.

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

I'm guessing they were cosmonauts who had been picked up by a US ship and were returned to their capsule for pick up by the Soviet navy.

Far from it actually... try again