DEC field service (was Re: HP's not cool? (was Re: pdp-11/60 Semi-Rescue))

From: Nick Oliviero <oliv555_at_arrl.net>
Date: Mon Nov 22 08:46:59 1999

Eric Smith wrote:

> Of course, repair by module swapping is most effective if you have some
> idea of which modules it makes sense to swap, but that would require
> expen$ive training.

Back in the mid '70s DEC got around this (in Los Angeles) by donating some
PDP11/40's and PDP/8's to a local J.C. where I was taking classes part-time.
DEC had an agreement with the school that they would get first shot at
interviewing graduates. I soon started seeing some of my former "classmates"
showing up as DEC FSR's at the flight sim shop where I worked. Results were
dismal.

If the sight of a flight simulator hung off of a bank of PDP-11/45s wasn't
intimidating enough, and the rack full of Euro-made VT30 controllers didn't
scare them off, the 2 11/45's with their Fastbusses joined together usually
left them scratching their heads.

I remember one young FSR immediately leaving after seeing this
configuration, only to return several hours later with his supervisor in
tow. While this was a supported feature of the /45's I would guess it was
seldom implemented. We soon gave up on Field Circus and went to
self-maintenance.

Oh, BTW, were still using this DC-10 simulator (now located in Houston) and
still running RT11 V02b thanks to an app so tied into the OS that upgrades
are virtually impossible.

                 Nick


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Nick Oliviero : nolivi_at_coair.com
Simulator Project Engineer : (281) 553-6507
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Received on Mon Nov 22 1999 - 08:46:59 GMT