Nabu 1100
Nabu 1100
[Vin197]
The NABU 1100 was a rare support system built to work with the NABU Personal Computer, a Canadian network-centric home computer. It was also used as a development and distribution server used to create, test, and deliver software over the NABU cable network..
- Manufacturer: NABU Manufacturing Corp., based in Ottawa, Canada
- Type: Development computer
- Release Date: 1981
- Cost at release: ~$18,000 estimate (adjusted for inflation)
- MIPS: 0.58 (580 KIPS)
Hardware Specifications
- CPU: Zilog Z80A (~3.58 MHz – 8-bit)
- Memory: typically 64 KB expandable (≈128 KB or more)
- Modular multi-card backplane (CPU, memory, I/O, storage controllers)
- ROM: Boot/monitor firmware
- Primary storage: Dual 5.25-inch floppy disk drives (typical configuration)
- Optional storage: Hard disk subsystem (site-dependent)
- I/O interfaces: RS-232 serial (multi-terminal), parallel I/O via expansion cards
- Network interface: NABU cable headend connectivity for software distribution
- Video: Terminal-based (no onboard graphics hardware)
- Cabinet construction:
- Wood/laminate cabinet resembling a kitchen base unit
- Hinged lift-top for service access
- Bottom drawer for media, manuals, or accessories
- Internal metal chassis and card cage
- Weight: 32–50 kg (70–110lbs)
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- Operating System:
- NABU Network Operating Environment, Proprietary broadcast control & content delivery software, managed the continuous “data carousel” transmission to subscribers handled scheduling, packetization, and channel injection
- Development & content preparation systems often used CP/M on Z80-based development machines used to author, compile, and manage software before broadcast
- Low-level firmware: ROM-based control and diagnostics, Hardware control for RF modulation and network timing
- Supported Languages:
- BASIC – Primary language for educational and consumer software
- Z80 assembly language – Used for high-performance applications and system-level code
- C (CP/M development environments) – Used for tools and utilities
- Pascal (less common) – Used in educational software development
- Operating System:
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- NABU = “Natural Access to Bi-directional Utilities” and named after the ancient Babylonian god of writing, wisdom, and understanding
- Developed by NABU Manufacturing Corporation in Ottawa, part of Canada’s early push into networked computing.
- Helped power a system where software was delivered from a central server rather than stored locally.
- Supported the NABU cable network, enabling centralized software distribution decades before broadband internet.
- Worked alongside the NABU Personal Computer to deliver interactive content to homes.
- Positioned between consumer micros and business multi-user systems.
- Could support multiple terminals from a single machine.
- Used to create, test, and distribute applications over cable infrastructure.
- Fit within the dominant business microcomputer software environment of the early 1980’s.
- Programs transmitted over cable TV networks.
- Enabled two-way interaction via cable long before dial-up internet was common.
- Represents one of the earliest mass-networked computing ecosystems.
- Demonstrates that online services were envisioned before the internet era.
- Highlights Canada’s role in early online consumer technology.
- Serves as a bridge between time-sharing systems and modern cloud services.
- Considered a missing link in the evolution from centralized computing to the internet age.
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Grant Bechthold Sr.
“My dad was a rocket scientist with NRC. When they shut it down in the late 60’s they stood up a micro computer group at NRC. He was very active in the hobbyist Ottawa computer group. Our basement was full of computers and electronics.” – Grant Bechthold Jr.
Grant Bechthold Sr. was an Engineering graduate from Carleton University.
City of Ottawa: NABU Manufacturing Corp., based in Ottawa, Canada
Canadian: NABU Manufacturing Corp.
