8 Apr
1998
8 Apr
'98
8:24 p.m.
There's a local surplus place selling a few
Burroughs machines for $30
that look interesting, but I know nothing about them -- I'm not even sure
they're computers. I believe they were used by Delta airlines. There's
no clear model number on them, but the closest thing to one says "B 27
CLS" "3748 00681", so I'm guessing they are B27's which appear to
be
related to B25's which appear to be 186 boxen running BTOS (?) from
1985/86.
Quick follow-up: I found little on the web, but there is a Usenet FAQ
that covers this machine. It sounds interesting enough to get:
1) What is CTOS? CTOS (Convergent Technologies Operating System) is a
character based, multi-processing, preemptive multitasking, true
message-based, microkernal OS. multiuser operating system developed by
Convergent. Convergent was formed in 1979, by a small group of ex-Intel
staff. Convergent Technologies merged with 3COM in 1986. Unisys
purchased Convergent Techonologies in 1986. CTOS is now supplied by BULL
& Unisys. BTOS (Burroughs Terminal Operating System) was a licensed
variant of CTOS.
[...]
B27: (CM-002) First and only F-Bus model. 80186. Up to 1MB
memory. Burroughs made these at its Flemington, NJ plant
under license from Convergent. There is a module which
allows F-Bus and X-Bus modules to be used with each other.
Cluster speed is 1.8 Mbps, RS422.
-- Doug