Classic Computer Question

From: Huw Davies <Huw.Davies_at_kerberos.davies.net.au>
Date: Wed Oct 16 08:38:01 2002

At 08:50 AM 16/10/2002 -0400, John Allain wrote:
> > I'd like to try to identify the first computer I saw "in the flesh"...
> > Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I would find this out?
>
>Try to write a thousand word essay. How big was it? What parts did
>you see, Did you use cards, printouts or a CRT? If you don't remember
>anything then we could pick any random computer and say it was it <g>.
>If you do, start writing it down so other people can identify it.

OK, in addition to the e-mail I just sent out a few barrels of fine port
have also disappeared over the years so my memory is not what it used to be
:-) In reality, a major motorcycle accident when I was younger is the real
culprit but that's another story....

There was definitely a printer. As part of the tour, we took part in a
simple reaction test. There was a bulb that came on and we had to move a
very nice metal polished switch from on to off (or vice versa) and we got a
printout of the reaction time. From memory, mine was 1.2 seconds and I
recall my parents saying that I was so slow because I'd been up late the
night before. Given that in later life I had a reputation of catching fast
moving cricket balls at little or no notice (I hate fielding more than 3m
from the bat) maybe it was just a late night (or awe of the computer).

I'm fairly sure the main console was sky blue, polished metal switches and
white lights with small round covers and metal bezels. I don't recall
seeing drums/disks/tape readers/punches but they must have had some, if not
all, of these.


Huw Davies | e-mail: Huw.Davies_at_kerberos.davies.net.au
                      | "If God had wanted soccer played in the
                      | air, the sky would be painted green"
Received on Wed Oct 16 2002 - 08:38:01 BST