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company still uses 1940s computer tech, probably most secure system :)

Hugo Drax

Hugo Drax

Diamond Member
I bet they never have to worry about data breaches etc.. Plugboards are used to program the computer, punched cards for data entry etc...

Someone is working on porting linux to it.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2499...nt_fix_it_ancient_computers_in_use_today.html


ibm_402_2-11322335.jpg


https://scitechenergy.wordpress.com/tag/sparkler-filters/

402-trip-program.jpg
 
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Pretty cool. I wonder what it cost new. They certainly got their money out of it. Here's a picture of a spreadsheet labeled profit and loss summary...

IBM402plugboard.Shrigley.wireside.jpg


Bet LibreOffice is looking pretty good now, eh? :^D
 
Hahaha that's awesome.

Old tech was built well though. Our regional telephone switch was installed in the late 60's and has been running since. Literally like 40 years of up time.
 
lxskllr said:
Pretty cool. I wonder what it cost new. They certainly got their money out of it. Here's a picture of a spreadsheet labeled profit and loss summary...

IBM402plugboard.Shrigley.wireside.jpg


Bet LibreOffice is looking pretty good now, eh? :^D
Click to expand...

So many patch cables. D:
 
It's like Fallout except it's real... I can't imagine working for a company or person that honestly thinks that's a good idea. I'd go postal or quit within six months, I'm sure.
 
Thirty four years ago, I worked with IBM collation machines that used plugboards similar to those in the photos.

Though, ours used Hollerith Cards for both input and output. Looks like they may have a printer as well.

As far as security is concerned, as long as no one steals their Hollerith Cards, I'd say they're doing far better than any organization that uses anything that connects to the Internet.

Not sure what their BCP or DR plan is though... or what it would cost for a hot site.

Uno
 
The reason that Sparkler Filters is still using the IBM 402 is rather endearing: it’s Lutricia Wood.

Lutricia Wood is head accountant at Sparkler and also the main data processing manager. Exactly 40 years ago, she started at Sparkler; it was a time when punch cards were still – to a certain extent – considered state of the art.

And – much like it the case with Lutricia Wood – Sparkler Filters seem to be working on the premise of ‘if it ain’t broke…’. And I for one quite like the idea that what may very well be the last functioning IBM 402 in existence is still punching cards somewhere in Texas.
Click to expand...

It's going to be great when this "Wood" person dies and nobody has any idea what the fuck is going on with the "system".
 
Thought this was gonna be a thread about as400 systems. Worked on that shit in the 90s and it was old shit then. Companies like Quaker oats and firestone still use that cr
 
Red Squirrel said:
Hahaha that's awesome.

Old tech was built well though. Our regional telephone switch was installed in the late 60's and has been running since. Literally like 40 years of up time.
Click to expand...

Selection bias. All the poorly-built 40s technology has broken down and not available for you to comment on.
 
unokitty said:
Not sure what their BCP or DR plan is though... or what it would cost for a hot site.
Click to expand...

I imagine the only feasible BCP is another unit in another place with replicas of each of the plugboards.
 
Hey, a regular PC of 20 years ago would be just as safe from hacking if it was never connected to the internet or used any data exchange device other than the printer. Best I suppose if you chose a PC before USB to rule out thumb drives. Just connect an old Epson dot matrix printer over the parallel port and disable/remove the RS-232 ports and your golden.


Brian
 
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