The Institute for Computer Services and Applications issued a warning in its December 1973 newsletter: “Turnaround Slow This Time of Year.” My attention was particularly drawn to the the ominous sounding bit about the Night Owls Time Sharing Service on page 2.
This is my way of telling you that posting may be more erratic than usual for a while.
I almost left out the last page on the grounds that it was boring but then realized that it isn’t, at least if you were a social scientist back in the day:
Bonus: Back room of the Woodson, Christmas 2013.
I love the note about the PL/I compiler.
No one ever believed that the problems in the program were of their own making.
Human nature strikes again.
Wow! I vaguely remember the last little bit of NOTS.
I am glad you realized the significance of SPSS in those days. It revolutionized statistical analysis in the so-called “soft” sciences.
Does this mean I will NOT receive my Christmas donation request this year?
No! Donation requests never end.
The note on the Tek graphics terminal reminded me that there was soon a second graphics terminal installed out at the Media Center in a very small room with a movie camera around the corner from the conventional animation stand. We used it to generate computer animations on 8mm film, using APL to draw each frame. Slowly. Then software trips the camera shutter. Draw another frame. Slowly.Command Shutter. Repeat. For. Hours. And. Hours.
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