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hallden_engineering_computer_center [2023/03/02 20:51] – [The Rise of Word Processing] dchappellhallden_engineering_computer_center [2025/01/15 14:37] (current) – [Sources] bant05
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-====== Computer Center in the Hallden Engineering Laboratory ======+ 
 +====== Computing Center in the Hallden Engineering Laboratory ======
  
 The first computing center at Trinity College was located in the Hallden Engineering Laboratory building (now known as [[hallden_hall|Hallden Hall]]).  The first computing center at Trinity College was located in the Hallden Engineering Laboratory building (now known as [[hallden_hall|Hallden Hall]]). 
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 ===== The Rise of Word Processing ===== ===== The Rise of Word Processing =====
  
-{{ ::10.2307_community.34270394-1.jpg?200|The Computing Center circa 1985}}+[{{ ::10.2307_community.34270394-1.jpg?200|Main room of the Computer Center circa 1985. Students are using VT100 and VT200 terminals. Photo credit: [[https://www.jstor.org/stable/community.34270394|Trinity College Archives]]}}]
  
 During the 1980s, a major change took place in the way computers were used. Earlier, they had been seen as special-purpose machines for solving scientific or financial problems, but they were beginning to replace typewriters as a way to prepare documents. Students could type their papers into the VAX mini computer, run them through a formatter, and print them out on Diabolo impact printers. These printers used electric typewriter mechanisms to print, which meant that they were slow and noisy. During the 1980s, a major change took place in the way computers were used. Earlier, they had been seen as special-purpose machines for solving scientific or financial problems, but they were beginning to replace typewriters as a way to prepare documents. Students could type their papers into the VAX mini computer, run them through a formatter, and print them out on Diabolo impact printers. These printers used electric typewriter mechanisms to print, which meant that they were slow and noisy.
  
-The use of computers to type papers caused strife because the number of terminals was limited and 'serious' computer users had to wait in line behind individuals who were using the computer as a glorified typewriter. To meet these new needs, in 1984, the general use computing center was expanded and upgraded. Improvements included the installation of eight DEC Rainbow personal computers (PCs) and a laser printer. The laser printer was quieter than the Diabolo printers and 15 times faster. It could also print in bold face and italic. It was announced that beginning the following semester, students would be charged $5.00 for a "regular word processing account" and $7.50 for a "term paper account" to cover the cost of supplies. +The use of computers to type papers caused strife because the number of terminals was limited and 'serious' computer users had to wait in line behind individuals who were using the computer as a glorified typewriter. To meet these new needs, in 1984, the general use computing center was expanded and upgraded. Trinity had received a $250,000 grant by the Pew Memorial Trust of Philadelphia for this purpose. Improvements included the installation of eight DEC Rainbow personal computers (PCs) and a laser printer. The laser printer was quieter than the Diabolo printers and 15 times faster. It could also print in bold face and italic. It was announced that beginning the following semester, students would be charged $5.00 for a "regular word processing account" and $7.50 for a "term paper account" to cover the cost of supplies. 
  
 Plans to add DEC Rainbow PCs were also made, which students would be able to use for word processing, designing graphics, and database management applications.  Plans to add DEC Rainbow PCs were also made, which students would be able to use for word processing, designing graphics, and database management applications. 
  
-These new devices increased the hours that the Center was open, but also increased the cost of printing for students. Student opinions of the Center were mixed, with many arguing that it was inefficient. In the September 30, 1986 edition of //[[tripod|The Trinity Tripod]]//, Peter Sobering, the manager of Academic Computer Operations at Trinity, responded to these critics, arguing that improvements had in fact been made and that the students' opinions and //The Tripod's// representation had been unfair.+These new devices increased the hours that the Center was open, but also increased the cost of printing for students. Student opinions of the Center were mixed, with many arguing that it was inefficient. In the September 30, 1986 edition of the //[[tripod|Trinity Tripod]]//, Peter Sobering, the manager of Academic Computer Operations at Trinity, responded to these critics, arguing that improvements had in fact been made and that the students' opinions and the //Tripod's// representation had been unfair.
  
 ===== The Internet ===== ===== The Internet =====
  
-Trinity College installed an Internet connection in the late 1980's. At the time, the Internet was a network of a few thousand educational organizations and defense contractors. Students could send and receive e-mail by logging into the DEC VAX minicomputer. Other uses for the Internet included logging in to computers at other institutions over Telnet and transferring files using the File Transfer Protocol. The initial connection speed was 9,600 bits per second (BPS), but it was soon upgraded to 56,000 BPS and then to 1.5 megabits per second, which was more than sufficient at that time.+Trinity College installed an Internet connection in the late 1980s. At the time, the Internet was a network of a few thousand educational organizations and defense contractors. Students could send and receive e-mail by logging into the DEC VAX minicomputer. Other uses for the Internet included logging in to computers at other institutions over Telnet and transferring files using the File Transfer Protocol. The initial connection speed was 9,600 bits per second (BPS), but it was soon upgraded to 56,000 BPS and then to 1.5 megabits per second, which was more than sufficient at that time.
  
-Use of the Internet at Trinity expanded slowly. As more computers were installed in Hallden they were connected. A small number of personal computers in other buildings were connected, mainly for Computer Center staff. But use was limited by many factors including that few had personal computers, few buildings were wired, few organizations other than universities were connected, and the web browser had not yet been invented which meant that using the Internet required special skills.+Use of the Internet at Trinity expanded slowly. As more computers were installed in Hallden, each one was connected to the Internet. A small number of personal computers in other buildings were connected, mainly for Computer Center staff. But use was limited by many factors including that few had personal computers, few buildings were wired, few organizations other than universities were connected, and the web browser had not yet been invented which meant that using the Internet required special skills.
  
-===== Rapid Computerization =====+===== Accelerated Computerization =====
  
 A number of companies provided subsidized computers to Trinity College, which were installed in various spaces in the Hallden Engineering building. These included a classroom full of IBM-compatible PCs made by AT&T, a room full of Macintosh computers, and several SUN workstations running Unix. This gave students and staff an opportunity to gain experience with a variety of computers, learn what they could do, and find ways to apply them to their work. A number of companies provided subsidized computers to Trinity College, which were installed in various spaces in the Hallden Engineering building. These included a classroom full of IBM-compatible PCs made by AT&T, a room full of Macintosh computers, and several SUN workstations running Unix. This gave students and staff an opportunity to gain experience with a variety of computers, learn what they could do, and find ways to apply them to their work.
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 Students were also beginning to purchase computers for their own use. For several years, the Computing Center operated a computer store where students could buy Apple computers and have computers of various brands repaired. Students were also beginning to purchase computers for their own use. For several years, the Computing Center operated a computer store where students could buy Apple computers and have computers of various brands repaired.
  
-The Computer Center also responded to the rapid computerization of office work that was taking place in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Computer Center staff members installed and maintained personal computers and printers in various offices. While there was a Trinity local area network (LAN), it was available only in a few buildings and most personal computers were not connected. Instead, the personal computers were used for word processing or as terminals to connect to the DEC VAX minicomputer which was used for record keeping.+The Computer Center also responded to the rapid computerization of office work that was taking place in the late 1980's and early 1990's. Computer Center staff members installed and maintained personal computers and printers in various offices. While there was a Trinity local area network (LAN), it was available only in a few buildings and most personal computers were not connected. Instead, the personal computers were used for word processing or as terminals to connect to the DEC VAX minicomputer which was used for record keeping.
  
-In December of 1990, the Computing Center moved to the newly-constructed Mathematics, Computing, and Engineering Center, now known as the [[nutt_mathematics_engineering_and_computer_science_center|Nutt Mathematics, Engineering and Computer Science Center (MECC)]].+In December of 1990, the Computing Center [[computing_center_in_mcec|moved]] to the newly-constructed Mathematics, Computing, and Engineering Center, now known as the [[nutt_mathematics_engineering_and_computer_science_center|Nutt Mathematics, Engineering and Computer Science Center (MECC)]].
  
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 [[https://www.computerhistory.org/collections/catalog/X1111.92|Photo of VAX-11/750, computerhistory.org, Computer History Museum]] [[https://www.computerhistory.org/collections/catalog/X1111.92|Photo of VAX-11/750, computerhistory.org, Computer History Museum]]
  
-[[https://digitalrepository.trincoll.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1043&context=tripod|Hallden Replies to Computer Critics, Trinity Tripod]], 09/30/1986, p. 3.+[[https://www.jstor.org/stable/community.29971530|Hallden Replies to Computer Critics, Trinity Tripod]], 09/30/1986, p. 3.
  
-[[https://digitalrepository.trincoll.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2270&context=tripod|Innovations at Hallden, Trinity Tripod]], 09/18/1984, p. 1.+[[https://www.jstor.org/stable/community.29938149|Innovations at Hallden, Trinity Tripod]], 09/18/1984, p. 1.
  
-[[https://digitalrepository.trincoll.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2030&context=reporter|Pew Funds Computer Center Renovation,The Trinity Reporter]], Fall 1982, p. 10.+[[https://www.jstor.org/stable/community.31635772|Pew Funds Computer Center Renovation, The Trinity Reporter]], Fall 1982, p. 10.
  
-[[https://digitalrepository.trincoll.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2174&context=tripod|New Computers Plan Careers, Save Time and Money, The Trinity Tripod]], 12/09/1980, p. 1.+[[https://www.jstor.org/stable/community.29918949|New Computers Plan Careers, Save Time and Money, The Trinity Tripod]], 12/09/1980, p. 1.
  
-[[https://digitalrepository.trincoll.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1968&context=reporter|Student Researchers Quietly Seek New Horizons, Trinity Reporter]], 05/10/1971, p. 5.+[[https://www.jstor.org/stable/community.31571854|Student Researchers Quietly Seek New Horizons, Trinity Reporter]], 05/10/1971, p. 5.
  
-[[https://digitalrepository.trincoll.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1003&context=w_books|History of Trinity College]] (1967), Glenn Weaver, p. 238.+[[https://www.jstor.org/stable/community.34547613|History of Trinity College]] (1967), Glenn Weaver, p. 238.
  
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hallden_engineering_computer_center.1677790301.txt.gz · Last modified: 2023/03/02 20:51 by dchappell