Comments on: Mm Recluse’s new computer. https://habitablezone.com/2014/03/26/mm-recluses-new-computer/ Fri, 03 Apr 2026 22:41:18 -0700 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: ER https://habitablezone.com/2014/03/26/mm-recluses-new-computer/#comment-30217 ER Thu, 27 Mar 2014 20:54:53 +0000 http://habitablezone.com/?p=43955#comment-30217 The IDIMS image processing system (A VAX minicomputer) I used to work on at Gulf Oil in the '80s had a half dozen disc drives, each with an astonishing 400 Mb of RAM. Each drive was a separate unit approximately 2'x2'x3'. It looked like a laundromat. We spent most of our time reading satellite images (both original and processed data) on and off two 9" tape drives to make room. The system consisted of the drives, two minicomputers, an array processor (a custom built number cruncher about the size of large freezer, three dumb terminals, two image display devices, and a dedicated room with approx 1000 square feet of floor space and special air conditioning and power facilities. Our IDIMS system was supposedly identical to the CIA's: probably the most sophisticated and capable in the world. It cost several million dollars. Everything it could do was well within the capability of the ten year old desktop I am working on right now. We shelled out about $2000 for Mm Recluse's new system; although a lot of that also includes special warranties, support plans, and premium installation assistance and customer support goodies. We also got all new peripherals with it, printer, mouse, keyboard and monitor and some security software. We wound up paying less for it than we payed a decade ago for the machine it replaced. The IDIMS image processing system (A VAX minicomputer) I used to work on at Gulf Oil in the ’80s had a half dozen disc drives, each with an astonishing 400 Mb of RAM. Each drive was a separate unit approximately 2′x2′x3′. It looked like a laundromat. We spent most of our time reading satellite images (both original and processed data) on and off two 9″ tape drives to make room. The system consisted of the drives, two minicomputers, an array processor (a custom built number cruncher about the size of large freezer, three dumb terminals, two image display devices, and a dedicated room with approx 1000 square feet of floor space and special air conditioning and power facilities.

Our IDIMS system was supposedly identical to the CIA’s: probably the most sophisticated and capable in the world. It cost several million dollars. Everything it could do was well within the capability of the ten year old desktop I am working on right now.

We shelled out about $2000 for Mm Recluse’s new system; although a lot of that also includes special warranties, support plans, and premium installation assistance and customer support goodies. We also got all new peripherals with it, printer, mouse, keyboard and monitor and some security software.

We wound up paying less for it than we payed a decade ago for the machine it replaced.

]]> By: RobVG https://habitablezone.com/2014/03/26/mm-recluses-new-computer/#comment-30216 RobVG Thu, 27 Mar 2014 17:52:11 +0000 http://habitablezone.com/?p=43955#comment-30216 256 million bites compared to your 12 billion. My first hard drive was a 40GB Western Digital. Also a 750K proc. These older machines use to run close to $3000. How much did you pay for yours if you don't mind me asking? 256 million bites compared to your 12 billion. My first hard drive was a 40GB Western Digital. Also a 750K proc.

These older machines use to run close to $3000. How much did you pay for yours if you don’t mind me asking?

]]> By: mcfly https://habitablezone.com/2014/03/26/mm-recluses-new-computer/#comment-30215 mcfly Thu, 27 Mar 2014 17:25:15 +0000 http://habitablezone.com/?p=43955#comment-30215 My wife just got a Lenovo laptop with Windows 8 and a touchscreen, and she loves it, but then she's had an MS Surface for a year or more, so Win8 is second nature to her. Her Lenovo has specs that make my head spin. Personally, I'm moving in the other direction, paring things down, simplifying. I'm very happy with Chromebook, and have taken the attitude that whatever computing I can't do online is computing I don't need to do. My wife just got a Lenovo laptop with Windows 8 and a touchscreen, and she loves it, but then she’s had an MS Surface for a year or more, so Win8 is second nature to her. Her Lenovo has specs that make my head spin.

Personally, I’m moving in the other direction, paring things down, simplifying. I’m very happy with Chromebook, and have taken the attitude that whatever computing I can’t do online is computing I don’t need to do.

]]> By: bowser https://habitablezone.com/2014/03/26/mm-recluses-new-computer/#comment-30210 bowser Thu, 27 Mar 2014 03:29:52 +0000 http://habitablezone.com/?p=43955#comment-30210 Thanks, U2. Looks to be a free upgrade, I'll try it. Thanks, U2. Looks to be a free upgrade, I’ll try it.

]]> By: FrankC https://habitablezone.com/2014/03/26/mm-recluses-new-computer/#comment-30209 FrankC Thu, 27 Mar 2014 01:28:11 +0000 http://habitablezone.com/?p=43955#comment-30209 Reviews say it is an improvement and it might help you. As new as your machine is, you might be eligible for a free upgrade. Probably not but worth looking in to. I bought my sister a Toshiba. I am not sure if it is 8.1 but it is manageable. Has an icon on the abominable shortcut start-up page that takes you to the familiar start-up screen. The acid test is that she can use it. She is totally computer challenged. Reviews say it is an improvement and it might help you. As new as your machine is, you might be eligible for a free upgrade. Probably not but worth looking in to.

I bought my sister a Toshiba. I am not sure if it is 8.1 but it is manageable. Has an icon on the abominable shortcut start-up page that takes you to the familiar start-up screen.

The acid test is that she can use it. She is totally computer challenged.

]]> By: RobVG https://habitablezone.com/2014/03/26/mm-recluses-new-computer/#comment-30208 RobVG Thu, 27 Mar 2014 01:11:11 +0000 http://habitablezone.com/?p=43955#comment-30208 Have you installed 8.1? It's supposed to be more old fart friendly. ;) Have you installed 8.1? It’s supposed to be more old fart friendly. ;)

]]> By: bowser https://habitablezone.com/2014/03/26/mm-recluses-new-computer/#comment-30207 bowser Thu, 27 Mar 2014 00:49:36 +0000 http://habitablezone.com/?p=43955#comment-30207 It has rendered a good laptop useless, and it just sits there while I use a Chromebook in the van. It has rendered a good laptop useless, and it just sits there while I use a Chromebook in the van.

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