from SCCS Interface Age magazine, S. Wilcox, May 1976 page 54 following HARD SOFTWARE ACHTUNG! ALTAIR speed freaks. There is a new product around that can turn your microprocessor based computer into a closer emulation of a minicomputer. GNAT Computers of San Diego, CA has a hardware multiply/divide module now available as a plug-in option for the ALTAIR 8800, the INTEL MDS, the Intellec 8/MOD80, and the GNAT 8080 System. The 8005 type module multiplies and divides in hardware. This type of arithmetic implementation greatly reduces the time required to perform these operations. Software multiply or divide routines can take between 250-400 microseconds. The hard arithmetic approach takes only 2.5 microseconds. These fast operating speeds can be very helpful in floating point, fast Fourier transforms, and other mathematical operations. The module occupies four memory locations (only one card slot though). Operation is straightforward; the result being produced in two memory locations after the multiplier or dividend is written into one location and the multiplicand or divisor is placed in another. Multiplication of two 8-bit words gives a 16-bit result. Division of a 16-bit word by an 8-bit word gives a 16-bit result with an 8 bit remainder. Division by zero will give FFFF as the result and the low order word of the dividend as the remainder. The board’s operation is so fast that the multiplication and division can be completed before a standard speed 8080 can access the result. There is also a result ready line available as an output to allow use with faster CPU’s. The data input/output is buffered with low power (200 microamp) inputs and high power (40 milliamp) outputs. The other buss lines are all low power Shottky. Maximum power draw is 2 amps for the 2.3 microsecond module. However, there is also a 5 microsecond option that consumes only 600 ma. Both types require only a standard 5 volt power source. At the present time this option is available assembled only and tested, although a kit version is planned at a lower price and will be marketed through selected computer hobbiest type outlets. Prices are $225 for the 5 microsecond multiply/divide module, and $275 for the 2.5 microsecond version. Module part numbers: 8005 for GNAT 8080 System 8006 for ALTAIR 8800 8007 for INTEL MDS 8008 for Intellec 8/MOD80 For further information contact: GNAT Computers 8869 Balboa, unit C, San Diego, Calif. 92123 [phone number] From "Fire in the Valley" by Freiberger & Swaine Digital Research’s earliest customers grabbed some stunning bargains. For instance, Thomas Lafleur, who helped found an early microcomputer company called GNAT Computers, made one of the first corporate purchases of CP/M. For $90 he gained the right to use CP/M as the operating system for any product his company developed. Within a year, a license for CP/M cost tens of thousands of dollars. Bradford Morgan White, abortretry.fail May 05, 2024 https://www.abortretry.fail/p/control-program-for-microcomputers "Here, I need to state that there is some differing information about the first CP/M license. A few sources cite a company called Gnat Computers of San Diego as having received an unlimited license for $90 in 1977. The issue with this is that Gary Kildall clearly stated that the very first commercial license was sold to Omron of America for $25,000 two years prior. As for unofficial licenses or limited non-commercial licenses, the only such license I’ve been able to find evidence of was [for free] to Ben Cooper in late 1974 for use in an astrological game machine." [I've seen these referenced in Kildall's DDJ early article, and also "Fire in the Valley". (Intergalactic) Digital Research Incorporated formed in 1976, changing to DRI in 1978. - Herb] "Gnat Computers" appears on bingo cards in electronic trade magazines in late 1977 and early 1978. A bingo card is an included postcard with numbers one can circle with a pen. When mailed back to the magazine publisher, the publisher sends the sender's address, to the advertizers corresponding to circled numbers. https://www.worldradiohistory.com/BOOKSHELF-ARH/Technology/Hobbyist-Specials/Electronic-Experimenter%27s-Handbook-1978.pdf page 101 GNAT-PAC Computer [image gnat_pac.jpg] 8080-MPU system, available with built-in mass storage. Basic s ystem includes MPU with eight vec- tored interrupts, 16kRAM module (expandable to 64k),1k PROM monitor (expandable to 16k),slots forfouradditionalmoduleboards,cabinetandpow- ersupply. GP Gnat-Pacbaseunit.Wired $1750 SYS7 Same,with3Mdata-cassettedrive,1kPROM withdrivers,tapeoperatingsystemwithassembler, editoron3Mdatacassette $2795 SYS8 Same,withMinifloppydiskdriveinsteadof cassettedrive;DOSwithfilemanager,etc.,ondis- kette;disk-basedBASICcompileravailable..$2895 8085 Hardwaremultiply/dividemodule $225 8031 I/Omodule,oneserial,twoparallel $225 8035 Four-portserialI/O $300 CA-1 Cable(onerequiredforeachserialport)..$15 8090,92 Frontpaneldisplayandcontrol $350 "[Gnat was] acquired by business partner Data Technology Industries, Inc., in 1983." -wikipedia, citing other sources.