That is a term that has shifted in meaning over the years. As a self
described burned out programmer, I remember when a mini computer was any
smaller computer that was 32 bit. Of course we considered our Burroughs B700
to be a mini even though it was 16 bit (I believe). When the term mini
computer first came about there weren't even micros to consider.

Now I like the red wagon/pickup truck/Ryder definition as a yardstick ;-)

I once had the privilege (along with about 1,000 others) of attending a
dinner in honor of Grace Hopper in San Diego - in the early 80s. Grace was
certainly a compute visionary - in addition to her demonstrated
"nanosecond" - a piece of string about a foot long - she said that computers
of the future will be measured only by through-put - and when you need more
power you will simply hook up more computers - mush as you add horses to
pull a wagon - not breed bigger horses.

So I believe the term micro/mini will become extinct in the not to distant
future.

Bill

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