1 Nov
1998
1 Nov
'98
10:42 a.m.
In the early to mid 70's, I was an operator of 360
and 370 computers, and
believe me, it is perfectly possible for a single operator to keep such
machines in operation.
I've been an operator too, and it is certainly possible for one person
to be an operator of such a machine. But where are you going to get spare
parts for a 370 when it breaks? It's not like a PDP-11 where you can
simply replace a 74S181 chip with one from your local surplus store.
I submit that you have not even begun to consider the issues involved in
operating big iron as a personal computer. I've put some effort into it,
and I'm sure I haven't come anywhere close to encountering all of the
pitfalls yet.
If you can cite a single example of an individual having a piece of
20 year old big iron (i.e., a complete computer system
that required a
"computer room" environment) in working order and
operational within the
last year, I will concede your point.
Several collector *own* big iron, but I have yet to hear of any *operating*
it. AFAIK, even the Computer Museum Historical Collection is not attempting
to operate any big iron; the closest I've heard of is an attempt to
restore an IBM 1620 (which is only medium iron).
Eric