Fifty Years Ago .... from the pages of Computer Weekly

28th August 1975 computing, compiled by TNMOC volunteer archivist, Brian Aldous.

A selection of stories from Computer Weekly from 28th August 1975. The full archive of Computer Weekly can be seen at TNMOC, where there are special rolling displays of front pages from 25 and 40 years ago.

Packet switching service takes step forward: Preparations for the introduction of the Post Office’s Experimental Packet-Switched Service have taken another step forward with the interchange of packets between the Post Office in London, using an Interdata 50 mini, and ICL at Letchworth where a 7503 RJE terminal was linked to a 1903A. Transmissions were at 2,400 baud, up to the level of packet interchange, indicating compatibility between two independently designed terminals. The experiments are continuing, and operational error control conditions at link level will be tested. Call level protocols will also be tested, although such tests will be limited until the packet-switching exchange is up and running. The 7503 is ICL’s remote job entry terminal, introduced two years ago as a terminal offering line-printer, card reader and magnetic tape facilities, but it incorporates a processor with up to16K 16-bit words of store. The 7503 plays an important part in ICL’s EPSS plans, because the company is offering it to those customers with1900 or System4 mainframes who are taking part in the experiment as a full-programmed interface to the network. This will obviate the need for them to make any changes to the software on the mainframe. (CW 460 28/8/1975 p3)