Fifty Years Ago .... from the pages of Computer Weekly
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26th September 1974 computing, compiled by TNMOC volunteer archivist, Brian Aldous.
A selection of stories from Computer Weekly from 26th September 1974. 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.
TV data service nearer: An up-to-the-minute news and information service, based on the Oracle data transmission system using modified domestic television receivers, is planned by the Independent Broadcasting Authority. And the Home Secretary has now approved the introduction of both Oracle and the BBC’s Ceefax system for a two-year experimental period. The BBC has already started regular transmissions of live information although the IBA will not start regular transmission until next May. However, both the BBC and the IBA gave demonstrations of the service at the opening conference of the International Broadcasting Convention, last Monday. Oracle and Ceefax make use of suppressed lines in the normal 625-line television transmission signal. The two systems started life as independent IBA and BBC projects, but in 1972 it was decided that a unified approach should be followed and present developments incorporate the best features of Oracle and Ceefax in a combined standard. However, both organisations are retaining their own “trade names” and there are some variations in detail development. (CW 412 26/9/1974 p6)
On-line system for daily paper: An on-line newspaper system for the Birmingham Post and Mail is to be supplied by ICL. The contract for this plum two-stage contract, believed to be worth about £500,000, is understood to have been won by ICL in direct competition with IBM. Although IBM has important installations in the US, ICL was able to show its success with such systems in the UK. To date, ICL has nine newspaper installations, all equipped with either 1901A or 1902A machines for production and commercial applications. Initially, Post and Mail has ordered two 44K 1901T systems to be installed next January. The overall newspaper system, to be implemented in two stages, is to be developed jointly by ICL and the Birmingham newspaper group. The first stage of the system will include on-line entry of advertisers’ orders, on-line keyboards for direct entry of advertisement text, proof reading and correction by VDUs, and full page make-up and output of classified advertisements. The second stage of the system will be the output of the complete newspaper text content for photocomposition. (CW 412 26/9/1974 p17)
