Hardware Hobbyists vs. Emulator Jockeys

On 16 Jun 2009, at 18:00, cctalk-request at classiccmp.org wrote:

From: Warren Wolfe <lists at databasics.us> Yes that's right. The University of London twisted ICT's arm by saying if they did not fulfil the order, there would not be any undergraduate intake in 1962 and they would make sure everybody knew who was to blame. ICT made an extra prototype machine and shipped it. Every few weeks a group of engineers would come out and spend a day fitting the latest modifications to the prototype to bring it up to date. Students were not allowed anywhere near the machine, it was used purely for administrative purposes, plus putting examination results into grades and printing the pass slips and certificates. On de-commissioning it was offered to some engineering students who ran it as a bureaux come commune (this was the 1960s) on a what customers could afford basis. For instance it handled the membership list of the legalise cannabis movement which could not afford much but did not want their data got at by the authorities. That generated a few problems with the powers that be for the then owners. I bought it from them around 1977. It would not fit in my house. It is in a barn that used to be used for breeding rabbits (there's a job you'd think was easy) until they were wiped out by myxomatosis and the owners went bust. 13kVA three phase. It weighs about five tons and occupies 700 square feet.