> > > > It is vitally important that you not exceed 14.8 characters per second on
> > > > Selectrics.
> Yes, I understand that, but I was also wondering why the precise speed of
> 14.8 characters per second.
The number came from IBM. It MIGHT have been due to the specs of some key
subassembly. OR
<speculation>
Somebody quoted a very round figure in some other set of units (such as
words per minute or baud rate) that was plus-or-minus 80%. Somebody else
did the arithmetic to convert the units, and took it to 3 significant
digit. Since it was in a reasonable range, and came from an authoritative
source, it got quoted and canonized; and now is beyond challenge.
</speculation>
They would definitely wear out FAST and would jam a lot if run too fast,
and there were dire warnings and legends of flying shrapnel to further
discourage experimentation.
> Besides, "Balls-O-Meter" is fun to work into a conversation. I'm not sure
> if all Selectrics have them, though (I think the early ones do).
--
Grumpy Ol' Fred cisin_at_xenosoft.com
Received on Fri May 12 2000 - 11:48:24 BST