PDP 11

Nov 22, 2009 19:54


A “mini-computer.”


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macanfitheach November 23 2009, 01:52:16 UTC
Any idea what model it is? It bears a striking resemblance to a DEC PDP-11 (if memory serves me correctly).

A PDP-11 was the first machine I programmed using assembly; believe it or not, the Canadian Forces were still using them in 1997. They were finally phased out in 1998 in favour of more recent technology.

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lightning_rose November 23 2009, 03:39:31 UTC

It's probably a PDP-11/70. That was the flagship model in the mid 70's, which (based on her clothing style) is when the photo was taken.

Also, the left-most rack looks like it contains RK-05 removable disk packs, which also suggest mid 70's.

I do not recognize any of the tape drives, but the thing immediately above the PDP-11 is a paper tape punch or reader, and they weren't common after the mid 70's.

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macanfitheach November 23 2009, 05:22:05 UTC
The tape drives above the punch tape are DECTape units, if memory serves; we had them but didn't use them.

I'm not familiar with the RK-05 drives; we used a combination of RL-02 disk drives and half inch mag tape reels - I can't recall the designation for the tape drives.

I remember punch tape as well - DND was still using it for data storage/input until about 1992-1993.

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baron_waste November 23 2009, 07:41:18 UTC
As well they should! It won't fade over time - I suppose after a century or two the paper would get brittle, but the information on it would still not be lost.

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macanfitheach November 23 2009, 05:41:12 UTC
I was attempting to identify the terminal we used but I haven't been able to find anything similar online as of yet; I do remember it having a rotary phone dial in addition to the QWERTY keyboard, though.

This is turning into a real walk down memory lane. :-)

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baron_waste November 23 2009, 09:36:38 UTC

this, maybe? As I recall, the dialer was on the right side - blank, here.

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macanfitheach November 24 2009, 04:50:12 UTC
Negative - the terminal was similar to a DECWriter but had a rotary phone dial on the right hand side; the terminal may have been military kit but I'm not sure.

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macanfitheach November 23 2009, 05:34:44 UTC
Ahhh, hmmmm. Perhaps I should pay more attention to the titles of LJ entries instead of getting distracted by content; I would've been able to answer my own question. [LOL]

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