CS361: Operating System

William Davis - ComputerWorld 1982

Space Colonies

• They think that many may be living on the moon within three generation because the Earth’s population will reach its saturation point of 20 billion. Worlds current population is 6,840,507,000
• A researcher at the Los Alamos National Laboratory’s Earth and Space Division has created computer simulation to determine information about human migration paths going back as far as 1500 B.C.
• According to his models
• First space mining expeditions will develop into space colonies of 25 to 30 families.
• A space colony will be able to support as many as 10,000 people, therefore our solar system could support as many as one trillion people.

IBM 3038

• IBM adds a new line of processors 3038.
• Also announces a stand-alone water-cooling unit, the 3087 Model 2.
• Interesting that they have started to use liquid cooled systems.
• Interesting to look at prices back then.

Cray

• Cray adds multiprocessor array processor
• Also announced a solid-state buffer storage unit and multiprocessor CPUs
• The new Cray X-MP has two central processors

Shooting

• Former IBM employee went on a shooting spree at IBM’s Federal Systems Division building, killing two, and injuring 8 others.
• Had a personal vendetta because of a discrimination issue.

Most wanted

• Programmers in high demand

FBI

• FBI compiled its best record yet for criminal investigations and prosecutions in 1982.
• Much of that success is credited to a system of databases.
• Primarily the Organized Crime Information System, which hold records of names, business addresses, license plate numbers, and other info of suspected mobsters.

Other News

• Microsoft signs an agreement with Apple Computer, for Microsoft to develop applications for the Macintosh.
• Sun Microsystems is founded.
• Microsoft releases MS-DOS 1.1 to IBM, for the IBM PC.
• IBM ships the 200,000th IBM PC.
• Apple Computer becomes the first personal computer company to reach US$1 billion in annual sales
• Microsoft releases FORTRAN for the PC COBOL for MS-DOS, and Multiplan for the Apple II and CP/M
machines.
• John Warnock founds Adobe Systems.
• Mouse Systems introduces the first commercial mouse for the IBM PC.
• Drexel University in Philadelphia announces it will require all students to own a personal computer. This is the first university to make such a proclamation.
• Rich Skrenta a 15-year old high school student creates the first known computer virus known as The Elk
Cloner.

Jobs

• COBOL, Customer Information Control System (CICS), FORTRAN, ASSEMBLY
• Average salaries were around $22,000 - $35,000
• Ad for Systems Analyst, skills in FORTRAN, PL/1 and TSO. Salary area $50,000