cheers 🍻 😊 Cody Smith
On Thu, May 26, 2016 at 3:36 PM, Tom Johnson <[email protected]> wrote: > 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 >> > > > ============================================================ > 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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