Monday, June 4, 2012

The Internet In 1969


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10 comments:

  1. The DudeJune 5, 2012 at 4:43 AM

    The computer that was programmed by plugging jumpers into various sockets was something I just missed. We used punch cards. We were modern.

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  2. chickelitJune 5, 2012 at 6:37 AM

    Key punch operator?

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  3. ndspinelliJune 6, 2012 at 6:18 AM

    I remember all the data processing majors carrying around stacks of punch cards walking through campus.

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  4. The DudeJune 11, 2012 at 8:21 AM

    I worked at a mainframe manufacturer translating wiring changes that engineers wanted into changes in the wiring database, both for the back frame and individual circuit boards. It was easier and faster to punch my own cards and walk the changes over to the computer center than it was to wait around for the keypunch operators to do their job. I learned to touch type, after a bit of frustration. Also, the machines we used were not the kind that allowed one to preview one's work - a wrong keystroke resulted in a ruined card.

    We used to have cards piled up like cordwood - I haven't seen one in years - they were great for making notes and lists and things. Oh well...

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  5. Chip S.June 12, 2012 at 7:18 AM

    "Home Post Office!"

    One thing those smartypants engineers didn't foresee was flame wars.

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  6. chickelitJune 12, 2012 at 4:53 PM

    Yeah, what were the precursors to "flamewars"? Maybe letters to the editor at local newspapers?

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  7. chickelitJune 13, 2012 at 3:19 PM

    @Sixty: I got interested in programming in the mid-80's--just as keypunching went the way of cowpunching.

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  8. The DudeJune 13, 2012 at 6:49 PM

    In the mid-80s I was working on Ga-As K-band transceivers. Great fun, wonderful fast technology.

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  9. chickelitJune 13, 2012 at 9:53 PM

    I don't understand heterojunctions like that well, Sixty. I bought a Shockley biography a couple months ago but haven't read it yet. Maybe I'l take it Wisconsin next week and read it.

    I heard that current research involves partially replacing the gallium with rare earth metals. This makes a lot of sense to me, especially according to the new-fangled cylindrical periodic table I'm still sitting on.

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  10. The DudeJune 17, 2012 at 8:13 AM

    I am thinking a pillow shaped one might be more comfortable.

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