15 Apr
2003
15 Apr
'03
8:51 a.m.
The systems are two identical DEC PDP-11/70's that
seem to date from the
early 1980's. There are two CDC 9766 drives and a nice DEC LP26 printer,
plus 6-8 terminals. The systems have not been powered on since 1996.
They also seem to bear the name of an aftermarket supplier - Systems
Industries?- and some sort of system name, which I cannot remember, but
suggests typesetting.
SI made lots of disk products for DECs. At one point I had a somewhat
trashed Diablo drive for a PDP-8/E (RKmumble), with an SI interface board
and power supply. I still have the power unit, if anyone os interested,
but the rest is long gone.
SI also made a neato disk cache for the VAX-11/780. Neato, as it had an
LED bar graph for the hit rate! No stinkin' ten LED doodad this - this
graph had *many* LEDs, because you never know when you will need to know
just how precise your cache is...
Our second visit in East Providence, RI let us view
the ca1930-35 Art Deco
transmitting facility of WEAN. Although not 100% original, the bulk of
the original features are there, including the original black and chrome
decor. The original transmitter has been replaced twice, but an 80's
era Harris MW-5A is the main unit, with a 40's era RCA as a fully
functioning backup.
Do you remember what kind? Shame on you for noting the modern Harris but
not the classic RCA...
Generally broadcast transmitters and computers don't mix.
William Donzelli
aw288(a)osfn.org