Don't know. I just forwarded the original post. TJ
Sent with MailTrack <https://mailtrack.io/install?source=signature&lang=en&[email protected]&idSignature=22> ============================================ Tom Johnson Institute for Analytic Journalism -- Santa Fe, NM USA 505.577.6482(c) 505.473.9646(h) Society of Professional Journalists <http://www.spj.org> - Region 9 <http://www.spj.org/region9.asp> Director *Check out It's The People's Data <https://www.facebook.com/pages/Its-The-Peoples-Data/1599854626919671>* http://www.jtjohnson.com [email protected] ============================================ On Thu, May 26, 2016 at 10:37 AM, cody dooderson <[email protected]> wrote: > That is all very interesting, but how did you get images in the subject > line? > > Cody Smith > > On Thu, May 26, 2016 at 10:28 AM, Tom Johnson <[email protected]> wrote: > >> 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. >> >> Forward >> <http://us2.forward-to-friend1.com/forward?u=74862d74361490eca930f4384&id=97fa2e394f&e=c8356bc8ae> >> this email to a friend >> >> Update your profile >> <http://muckrock.us2.list-manage1.com/profile?u=74862d74361490eca930f4384&id=56df7ccb2a&e=c8356bc8ae> >> >> Our mailing address is: >> MuckRock >> 411A Highland Avenue >> Somerville, MA 02144 >> >> Add us to your address book >> <http://muckrock.us2.list-manage.com/vcard?u=74862d74361490eca930f4384&id=56df7ccb2a> >> >> >> ============================================================ >> FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv >> Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College >> to unsubscribe http://redfish.com/mailman/listinfo/friam_redfish.com >> > > > ============================================================ > FRIAM Applied Complexity Group listserv > Meets Fridays 9a-11:30 at cafe at St. John's College > to unsubscribe http://redfish.com/mailman/listinfo/friam_redfish.com >
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