More on the history of computing. TJ =================================== Tom Johnson - Inst. for Analytic Journalism Santa Fe, NM SPJ Region 9 Director [email protected] 505-473-9646 =================================== ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: "Allan at MuckRock" <[email protected]> Date: May 26, 2016 6:00 AM Subject: 💻 📊 Old Computers at the U.S. Census Bureau To: <[email protected]> Cc:
<https://www.muckrock.com> MuckRock Oldest Computer Project The oldest computer at the U.S. Census Bureau A few weeks ago the U.S. Census Bureau completed my request. Believe it or not, simply requesting “the oldest computer in active use by this agency” actually gets real results from agencies. It worked with MassPort <http://muckrock.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=74862d74361490eca930f4384&id=9012254df9&e=c8356bc8ae> and it worked again with the U.S. Census Bureau <http://muckrock.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=74862d74361490eca930f4384&id=7cce74535e&e=c8356bc8ae>. I’m surprised that such a generic request can get results, but at the same time it’s very encouraging that some agencies are willing to meet me more than halfway (we’ll see if this request language works with more uptight agencies…). Unfortunately, there were no earth-shattering discoveries in the Census’ response. A simple enterprise server from 2000. Frankly, the most interesting part of their response was the way that they redacted it <http://muckrock.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=74862d74361490eca930f4384&id=80a6a7c4fb&e=c8356bc8ae>. Instead, I used this as an opportunity to learn about the *much more interesting* history of computing at the Census from the late 19th century and into the 20th. <http://muckrock.us2.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=74862d74361490eca930f4384&id=14ed5bfe10&e=c8356bc8ae> Did you know that the Census purchased the *first* commercial computer, the UNIVAC I, in 1951? Or that a Census employee founded the company that would go on to become IBM? You can read the history of computing at the census here. <http://muckrock.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=74862d74361490eca930f4384&id=63458f12f7&e=c8356bc8ae> GAO releases report on “aging legacy systems” Just yesterday the U.S. Government Accountability Office released a report commissioned by Congress that I’ve been waiting to read, “Federal Agencies Need to Address Aging Legacy Systems” <http://muckrock.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=74862d74361490eca930f4384&id=d04793a31f&e=c8356bc8ae> (check the second and third pages for highlights): Federal legacy IT investments are becoming increasingly obsolete: many use outdated software languages and hardware parts that are unsupported. Agencies reported using several systems that have components that are, in some cases, at least 50 years old. For example, the Department of Defense uses 8-inch floppy disks in a legacy system that coordinates the operational functions of the nation’s nuclear forces. In addition, the Department of the Treasury uses assembly language code—a computer language initially used in the 1950s and typically tied to the hardware for which it was developed. I’m planning on sitting down with the full report soon, as well as filing FOIA requests regarding its creation and any correspondence between the GAO and Congress. In the meantime, if you find anything interesting or file any requests, please let me know and I can add them to the project. Historic computers, restored and retouched <http://muckrock.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=74862d74361490eca930f4384&id=118982ba06&e=c8356bc8ae> <http://muckrock.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=74862d74361490eca930f4384&id=51886d3c83&e=c8356bc8ae> A really cool and beautiful collaboration between Docubyte <http://muckrock.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=74862d74361490eca930f4384&id=2ede5676d4&e=c8356bc8ae> and INK <http://muckrock.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=74862d74361490eca930f4384&id=ffda68b43d&e=c8356bc8ae> has produced high-quality photos of vintage computers as they would have appeared when new. From INK: The ageing historical objects as photographed by Docubyte have been ‘digitally restored’ and returned to their original form. As a number of these computers pre-date modern colour photography, Guide to Computing therefore showcases them in a never before seen context. For more information on the project and specific identification of each machine, check out Eliza Williams’ article in Creative Review <http://muckrock.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=74862d74361490eca930f4384&id=c88d827f08&e=c8356bc8ae>. For a deeper dive on the industrial design of older computers, I strongly suggest checking out The Interface: IBM and the Transformation of Corporate Design, 1945–1976 <http://muckrock.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=74862d74361490eca930f4384&id=8ad7f91756&e=c8356bc8ae> from your local library. ------------------------------ It’s been a little while, hasn’t it? At least I have a good reason for that, and some exciting news to boot. I needed to take time off my own project to push our projects feature <http://muckrock.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=74862d74361490eca930f4384&id=65835d140e&e=c8356bc8ae> open to *everyone*. If you have an idea for a FOIA-based project, I really encourage you to try creating it with us <http://muckrock.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=74862d74361490eca930f4384&id=358a26252b&e=c8356bc8ae>. And when you do create your project, I’d love to hear about it. 🙂 If you know someone who might enjoy this newsletter, please forward it to them. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions, please send them to me—just reply to this email. Thanks for reading! Copyright (C) 2016 MuckRock All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you were interested in following the progress of the "Hunting for Government's Oldest Computer" project on MuckRock. Unsubscribe <http://muckrock.us2.list-manage1.com/unsubscribe?u=74862d74361490eca930f4384&id=56df7ccb2a&e=c8356bc8ae&c=97fa2e394f> [email protected] from this list. 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