Encyclopedia Trinitiana

User Tools

Site Tools

Trace:
hallden_engineering_computer_center

Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

Link to this comparison view

Both sides previous revisionPrevious revision
Next revision		Previous revision
hallden_engineering_computer_center [2023/07/12 15:04] – [The Rise of Word Processing] bant06hallden_engineering_computer_center [2025/01/15 14:37] (current) – [Sources] bant05
Line 25: Line 25:
 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. 
Line 53: Line 53:
 [[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.
  
 ---- ----
hallden_engineering_computer_center.1689174255.txt.gz · Last modified: 2023/07/12 15:04 by bant06