The world's oldest intact computer is turning 60 in Victoria

[Dr. Sir John Howard, AC,]

ian field wrote:

"Sylvia Else" <sylvia@not.at.this.address> wrote in message
news:008ee51d$0$1602$c3e8da3@news.astraweb.com...
ian field wrote:
"Don McKenzie" <5V@2.5A> wrote in message
news:7n7so5F3k4pifU1@mid.individual.net...
The world's oldest intact computer is turning 60 in Victoria.

The CSIRAC - Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research
organisation Automatic Computer - is housed in the state's museum and
has today been granted heritage listing as part of its birthday
celebrations.

It is the first computer ever to be made in Australia; the fourth
computer ever to be made in the world; and the only first generation
computer that remains intact.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/11/25/2752781.htm

Cheers Don...

Might be a close run thing.

http://www.teleread.org/2009/09/03/worlds-oldest-functioning-computer-to-be-restarted/

I really can't see the point in spending money on returning these things
to working status - particuarly as keeping them like that would likely
have significant ongoing costs - as it did when they were new.

They're not doubt not the same as vintage aircraft in terms of the risks
of operating them, but surely occasionally these things went up in flames.
It seems a shame to risk a historical relic for the sake of playing
noughts and crosses, or something like that.

Sylvia.

The Yanks keep claiming they invented the computer, we like to point out
from time to time they didn't.

And who is "we"?

--
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ipvdBnU8F8
- KRudd at his finest.

"The Labour Party is corrupt beyond redemption!"
- Labour hasbeen Mark Latham in a moment of honest clarity.

"This is the recession we had to have!"
- Paul Keating explaining why he gave Australia another Labour recession.

"Silly old bugger!"
- Well known ACTU pisspot and sometime Labour prime minister Bob Hawke
responding to a pensioner who dared ask for more.

"By 1990, no child will live in poverty"
- Bob Hawke again, desperate to win another election.

"A billion trees ..."
- Borke, pissed as a newt again.

"Well may we say 'God save the Queen' because nothing will save the governor
general!"
- Egotistical shithead and pompous fuckwit E.G. Whitlam whining about his
appointee for Governor General John Kerr.

"SHUT THE FUCK UP YOU DUMB CUNT!"
- FlangesBum on learning the truth about Labour's economic capabilities.

"I don't care what you fuckers think!"
- KRudd the KRude Rat at his finest again.

"We'll just change it all when we get in."
- Garrett the carrott

 

[terryc]

On Thu, 03 Dec 2009 05:05:39 +1100, Rod Speed wrote:

And you dont need working examples of them for that anyway, just
document how they work etc.

Hahahahaha says the great google meister.

 

[Sylvia Else]

ian field wrote:

"Sylvia Else" <sylvia@not.at.this.address> wrote in message
news:008ee51d$0$1602$c3e8da3@news.astraweb.com...
ian field wrote:
"Don McKenzie" <5V@2.5A> wrote in message
news:7n7so5F3k4pifU1@mid.individual.net...
The world's oldest intact computer is turning 60 in Victoria.

The CSIRAC - Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research
organisation Automatic Computer - is housed in the state's museum and
has today been granted heritage listing as part of its birthday
celebrations.

It is the first computer ever to be made in Australia; the fourth
computer ever to be made in the world; and the only first generation
computer that remains intact.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/11/25/2752781.htm

Cheers Don...

Might be a close run thing.


http://www.teleread.org/2009/09/03/worlds-oldest-functioning-computer-to-be-restarted/

I really can't see the point in spending money on returning these things
to working status - particuarly as keeping them like that would likely
have significant ongoing costs - as it did when they were new.

They're not doubt not the same as vintage aircraft in terms of the risks
of operating them, but surely occasionally these things went up in flames.
It seems a shame to risk a historical relic for the sake of playing
noughts and crosses, or something like that.

Sylvia.

The Yanks keep claiming they invented the computer, we like to point out
from time to time they didn't.

No harm in that, but surely pointing to the historical record would be
sufficient. Indeed, I don't see what restoring an old computer to
working condition actually achieves in that respect.

Sylvia.

 

[Rod Speed]

Sylvia Else wrote:

ian field wrote:
"Sylvia Else" <sylvia@not.at.this.address> wrote in message
news:008ee51d$0$1602$c3e8da3@news.astraweb.com...
ian field wrote:
"Don McKenzie" <5V@2.5A> wrote in message
news:7n7so5F3k4pifU1@mid.individual.net...
The world's oldest intact computer is turning 60 in Victoria.

The CSIRAC - Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research
organisation Automatic Computer - is housed in the state's museum
and has today been granted heritage listing as part of its
birthday celebrations.

It is the first computer ever to be made in Australia; the fourth
computer ever to be made in the world; and the only first
generation computer that remains intact.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/11/25/2752781.htm

Cheers Don...

Might be a close run thing.


http://www.teleread.org/2009/09/03/worlds-oldest-functioning-computer-to-be-restarted/

I really can't see the point in spending money on returning these
things to working status - particuarly as keeping them like that
would likely have significant ongoing costs - as it did when they
were new. They're not doubt not the same as vintage aircraft in terms of the
risks of operating them, but surely occasionally these things went
up in flames. It seems a shame to risk a historical relic for the
sake of playing noughts and crosses, or something like that.

The Yanks keep claiming they invented the computer, we like to point
out from time to time they didn't.

No harm in that, but surely pointing to the historical record would be sufficient. Indeed, I don't see what restoring
an old computer to working condition actually achieves in that respect.

Makes it a lot harder for ignorant fools to ignore the evidence.

Whether they matter a damn is a separate matter entirely.

 

[Rod Speed]

terryc wrote

Rod Speed wrote
terryc wrote
Sylvia Else wrote

I really can't see the point in spending money on returning these things
to working status - particuarly as keeping them like that would likely
have significant ongoing costs - as it did when they were new.

There are very significant skills and knowledge to be learnt from
the practical examination of working machine such as these.

Nope.

If we do not have them around, then we are very likely to reinvent the wheel all over again.

Nope, the world's moved on so dramatically since then.

And you dont need working examples of them for
that anyway, just document how they work etc.

Hahahahaha says the great google meister.

Even you should be able to bullshit your way out of your
predicament a LOT better than that pathetic effort.

Obviously not.

 

[Rod Speed]

Some gutless fuckwit desperately cowering behind
terryc desperately attempted to bullshit and lie its way out of
its predicament and fooled absolutely no one at all, as always.

No surprise that it got the bums rush, right out onto its lard arse.

 

[terryc]

On Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:14:43 +1100, Rod Speed wrote:

Hahahahaha says the great google meister.

Even you should be able to bullshit your way out of your predicament a
LOT better than that pathetic effort.

Thank you for bowing once again to my superiority. You are definite a
poor pathetic figure.

 

[terryc]

On Fri, 04 Dec 2009 10:17:26 +1100, Rod Speed wrote:

Some gutless fuckwit desperately cowering behind terryc desperately
attempted to bullshit and lie its way out of its predicament and fooled
absolutely no one at all, as always.

No surprise that it got the bums rush, right out onto its lard arse.

Its okay, you can stop paying homage and go rake the leaves now.

 

[SG1]

"terryc" <newsninespam-spam@woa.com.au> wrote in message
news:hf9h05$b63$8@news.eternal-september.org...

On Fri, 04 Dec 2009 10:17:26 +1100, Rod Speed wrote:

Some gutless fuckwit desperately cowering behind terryc desperately
attempted to bullshit and lie its way out of its predicament and fooled
absolutely no one at all, as always.

No surprise that it got the bums rush, right out onto its lard arse.

Its okay, you can stop paying homage and go rake the leaves now.

Sorry it is Wash the Dunnies!!!!!!!!!!!

>

 

[keithr]

Sylvia Else wrote:

ian field wrote:
"Don McKenzie" <5V@2.5A> wrote in message
news:7n7so5F3k4pifU1@mid.individual.net...
The world's oldest intact computer is turning 60 in Victoria.

The CSIRAC - Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research
organisation Automatic Computer - is housed in the state's museum and
has today been granted heritage listing as part of its birthday
celebrations.

It is the first computer ever to be made in Australia; the fourth
computer ever to be made in the world; and the only first generation
computer that remains intact.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/11/25/2752781.htm

Cheers Don...


Might be a close run thing.

http://www.teleread.org/2009/09/03/worlds-oldest-functioning-computer-to-be-restarted/



I really can't see the point in spending money on returning these things
to working status - particuarly as keeping them like that would likely
have significant ongoing costs - as it did when they were new.

Exactly the same reasons as restoring old cars, planes, steam engines
etc to working condition.

They're not doubt not the same as vintage aircraft in terms of the risks
of operating them, but surely occasionally these things went up in
flames. It seems a shame to risk a historical relic for the sake of
playing noughts and crosses, or something like that.

I've been working on computers from the largest down to the smallest for
the last 40 years, I have yet to see one even smolder let alone burst
into flame.

 

[Dr. Sir John Howard, AC,]

keithr wrote:

I've been working on computers from the largest down to the smallest for
the last 40 years, I have yet to see one even smolder let alone burst
into flame.

You obviously aren't using enough accelerant.

--
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ipvdBnU8F8
- KRudd at his finest.

"The Labour Party is corrupt beyond redemption!"
- Labour hasbeen Mark Latham in a moment of honest clarity.

"This is the recession we had to have!"
- Paul Keating explaining why he gave Australia another Labour recession.

"Silly old bugger!"
- Well known ACTU pisspot and sometime Labour prime minister Bob Hawke
responding to a pensioner who dared ask for more.

"By 1990, no child will live in poverty"
- Bob Hawke again, desperate to win another election.

"A billion trees ..."
- Borke, pissed as a newt again.

"Well may we say 'God save the Queen' because nothing will save the governor
general!"
- Egotistical shithead and pompous fuckwit E.G. Whitlam whining about his
appointee for Governor General John Kerr.

"SHUT THE FUCK UP YOU DUMB CUNT!"
- FlangesBum on learning the truth about Labour's economic capabilities.

"I don't care what you fuckers think!"
- KRudd the KRude Rat at his finest again.

"We'll just change it all when we get in."
- Garrett the carrott

 

[Rod Speed]

Some gutless fuckwit desperately cowering behind
terryc desperately attempted to bullshit and lie its way out
of its predicament and fooled absolutely no one at all, as always.

No surprise that it got the bums rush, right out onto its lard arse.

 

[Sylvia Else]

Rod Speed wrote:

Some gutless fuckwit desperately cowering behind
terryc desperately attempted to bullshit and lie its way out
of its predicament and fooled absolutely no one at all, as always.

No surprise that it got the bums rush, right out onto its lard arse.

Rod, those macros are a bit worn. Must be time for some new ones, surely.

Sylvia.

 

[L.A.T.]

"keithr" <keith@nowhere.com.au> wrote in message
news:4b1874ba$1@dnews.tpgi.com.au...

Sylvia Else wrote:
ian field wrote:
"Don McKenzie" <5V@2.5A> wrote in message
news:7n7so5F3k4pifU1@mid.individual.net...
The world's oldest intact computer is turning 60 in Victoria.

The CSIRAC - Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research
organisation Automatic Computer - is housed in the state's museum and
has today been granted heritage listing as part of its birthday
celebrations.

It is the first computer ever to be made in Australia; the fourth
computer ever to be made in the world; and the only first generation
computer that remains intact.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/11/25/2752781.htm

Cheers Don...


Might be a close run thing.


http://www.teleread.org/2009/09/03/worlds-oldest-functioning-computer-to-be-restarted/


I really can't see the point in spending money on returning these things
to working status - particuarly as keeping them like that would likely
have significant ongoing costs - as it did when they were new.

Exactly the same reasons as restoring old cars, planes, steam engines etc
to working condition.

They're not doubt not the same as vintage aircraft in terms of the risks
of operating them, but surely occasionally these things went up in
flames. It seems a shame to risk a historical relic for the sake of
playing noughts and crosses, or something like that.

I've been working on computers from the largest down to the smallest for
the last 40 years, I have yet to see one even smolder let alone burst into
flame.
I have seen a magnetic tape unit attached to an IBM 1401 pouring out smoke.

 

[Rod Speed]

Sylvia Else wrote:

Rod Speed wrote:

Some gutless fuckwit desperately cowering behind
terryc desperately attempted to bullshit and lie its way out
of its predicament and fooled absolutely no one at all, as always.

No surprise that it got the bums rush, right out onto its lard arse.

Rod, those macros are a bit worn. Must be time for some new ones, surely.

Fools like that dont qualify.

 

[Rod Speed]

L.A.T. wrote

keithr <keith@nowhere.com.au> wrote
Sylvia Else wrote
ian field wrote
Don McKenzie <5V@2.5A> wrote

The world's oldest intact computer is turning 60 in Victoria.

The CSIRAC - Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research organisation Automatic Computer - is housed in the
state's museum and has today been granted heritage listing as part of its birthday celebrations.

It is the first computer ever to be made in Australia; the fourth
computer ever to be made in the world; and the only first
generation computer that remains intact.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/11/25/2752781.htm

Might be a close run thing.

http://www.teleread.org/2009/09/03/worlds-oldest-functioning-computer-to-be-restarted/

I really can't see the point in spending money on returning these things to working status - particuarly as keeping
them like that would likely have significant ongoing costs - as it did when they were new.

Exactly the same reasons as restoring old cars, planes, steam engines etc to working condition.

They're not doubt not the same as vintage aircraft in terms of the
risks of operating them, but surely occasionally these things went
up in flames. It seems a shame to risk a historical relic for the
sake of playing noughts and crosses, or something like that.

I've been working on computers from the largest down to the smallest
for the last 40 years, I have yet to see one even smolder let alone
burst into flame.

I have seen a magnetic tape unit attached to an IBM 1401 pouring out smoke.

I've seen a PDP9 catch fire when the mains supply went way over voltage
when the county council's tap changer failed. Owned by the CSIRO too.

Fortunately someone was there when it happened in the evening and could turn it off.

The entire row of muffin fans right up the big door full of small logic cards all had the windings catch fire.

 

[keithr]

L.A.T. wrote:

"keithr" <keith@nowhere.com.au> wrote in message
news:4b1874ba$1@dnews.tpgi.com.au...
Sylvia Else wrote:
ian field wrote:
"Don McKenzie" <5V@2.5A> wrote in message
news:7n7so5F3k4pifU1@mid.individual.net...
The world's oldest intact computer is turning 60 in Victoria.

The CSIRAC - Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research
organisation Automatic Computer - is housed in the state's museum and
has today been granted heritage listing as part of its birthday
celebrations.

It is the first computer ever to be made in Australia; the fourth
computer ever to be made in the world; and the only first generation
computer that remains intact.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/11/25/2752781.htm

Cheers Don...

Might be a close run thing.


http://www.teleread.org/2009/09/03/worlds-oldest-functioning-computer-to-be-restarted/

I really can't see the point in spending money on returning these things
to working status - particuarly as keeping them like that would likely
have significant ongoing costs - as it did when they were new.
Exactly the same reasons as restoring old cars, planes, steam engines etc
to working condition.

They're not doubt not the same as vintage aircraft in terms of the risks
of operating them, but surely occasionally these things went up in
flames. It seems a shame to risk a historical relic for the sake of
playing noughts and crosses, or something like that.
I've been working on computers from the largest down to the smallest for
the last 40 years, I have yet to see one even smolder let alone burst into
flame.
I have seen a magnetic tape unit attached to an IBM 1401 pouring out smoke.

If you want to include tape drives, I did see smoke once from a Potter
and Brumfield drive at Orrorral Valley Tracking station. The spring from
the open write ring switch was touching ground and burning up the write
amp. There was only one thing for it, shorten the spring with bolt
cutters, That was when the permanent under secretary for the Department
of Supply walked in on an inspection tour........................

 

[David Segall]

Sylvia Else <sylvia@not.at.this.address> wrote:

I really can't see the point in spending money on returning these things
to working status - particuarly as keeping them like that would likely
have significant ongoing costs - as it did when they were new.

They're not doubt not the same as vintage aircraft in terms of the risks
of operating them, but surely occasionally these things went up in
flames. It seems a shame to risk a historical relic for the sake of
playing noughts and crosses, or something like that.

Do you really think that preserving something should be the main goal?
That nobody should be allowed in the Sistine Chapel in case they
damage it? Do you think that Puffing Billy
<http://www.puffingbilly.com.au/> should be "preserved" rather than
provide the pleasure it gives the enthusiasts who keep it running and
the passengers that enjoy the ride? What is the point in "preserving"
my Quad 22/Quad II amplifier if it doesn't work?

 

[Sylvia Else]

David Segall wrote:

Sylvia Else <sylvia@not.at.this.address> wrote:
I really can't see the point in spending money on returning these things
to working status - particuarly as keeping them like that would likely
have significant ongoing costs - as it did when they were new.

They're not doubt not the same as vintage aircraft in terms of the risks
of operating them, but surely occasionally these things went up in
flames. It seems a shame to risk a historical relic for the sake of
playing noughts and crosses, or something like that.

Do you really think that preserving something should be the main goal?

There's no general rule. But in this case, I believe the answer is
"yes". Unlike your Puffing Billy and Sistine Chapel examples, the
benefits of running it would be limited to the few involved in
maintaining it.

That nobody should be allowed in the Sistine Chapel in case they
damage it? Do you think that Puffing Billy
http://www.puffingbilly.com.au/> should be "preserved" rather than
provide the pleasure it gives the enthusiasts who keep it running and
the passengers that enjoy the ride?

What is the point in "preserving"
my Quad 22/Quad II amplifier if it doesn't work?

Probably none.

But what if it were the first ever electronic amplifier? It would have
some historical value then, which would be destroyed if you replaced all
its components over a period of time to keep it in working order.

Sylvia.

 

[Phred]

In article <7nroedF3mmviaU1@mid.individual.net>, "Rod Speed" <rod.speed.aaa@gmail.com> wrote:

L.A.T. wrote
keithr <keith@nowhere.com.au> wrote
Sylvia Else wrote
[snip]
I really can't see the point in spending money on returning these things to
working status - particuarly as keeping
them like that would likely have significant ongoing costs - as it did when
they were new.

Exactly the same reasons as restoring old cars, planes, steam engines etc to
working condition.

They're not doubt not the same as vintage aircraft in terms of the
risks of operating them, but surely occasionally these things went
up in flames. It seems a shame to risk a historical relic for the
sake of playing noughts and crosses, or something like that.

I've been working on computers from the largest down to the smallest
for the last 40 years, I have yet to see one even smolder let alone
burst into flame.

I have seen a magnetic tape unit attached to an IBM 1401 pouring out smoke.

I've seen a PDP9 catch fire when the mains supply went way over voltage
when the county council's tap changer failed. Owned by the CSIRO too.

Fortunately someone was there when it happened in the evening and could turn it
off.

The entire row of muffin fans right up the big door full of small logic cards
all had the windings catch fire.

I once knew an SR-72 (twin 8" floppies, running CP/M) that shorted
somehow in the vicinity of its mains switch when the operator turned
it on, and blasted a hole clean through the casing. It remained
functional after the event (with a bit of tender love and care) and
was in use pretty much until it was ceremoniously burried once PCs
with 5.25" floppies, 10 MB HDDs, and MSDOS, took over the world.

Cheers, Phred.

--
ppnerkDELETE@THISyahoo.com.INVALID