hr@uicsl.UUCP (08/23/85)
<>
This may not be exactly the best place to post this, but...
We have a parallel processing computer that we would like to sell or trade.
It solves differential equations, usually in real time. Solution speed
tends to be independent of problem size, up to the limits of the machine.
Multiple users can be accommodated, but context switches take awhile (minutes).
The computer is an Applied Dynamics AD/5 analog computer. We have no idea what
its value might be. Does anyone still use them? Where would I look to find a
potential buyer? I doubt that most of the traditional used computer places
would be interested. We tried giving it to a couple of sites on campus,
but they all said it was too big.
harold ravlin
{ihnp4,pur-ee}!uiucdcs!uicsl!hrjames@uwmcsd1.UUCP (Jim Lowe) (08/28/85)
> The computer is an Applied Dynamics AD/5 analog computer. We have no idea what > its value might be. Does anyone still use them? Where would I look to find a > potential buyer? I doubt that most of the traditional used computer places > would be interested. We tried giving it to a couple of sites on campus, > but they all said it was too big. There is a computer closeout vendor in California called: Trailing Edge :-) Roseville, Calif. (415) 887 - 8756 -- - Jim ihnp4!uwmcsd1!james or uwmcsd1!james@wisc-rsch.arpa
control@almsa-1 (William Martin) (08/30/85)
Re: Disposing of older computers -- (this example refers to a digital computer, but it probably is applicable to the analog one in the original inquiry) -- I fear that many older and larger computers can't even be given away these days, except maybe to surplus houses which might buy one as scrap for parts. I recall that when we were replacing our old IBM 360 with an IBM 4341 some years back, IBM presented all sorts of charts and figures that showed that it would cost us less to get the new model, including all lease costs and associated costs, than what we were paying to just *air-condition* the 360! The cost curve changes so steeply that old computers can't even be cost-justified when they are "free"! So, unless they are valuable as historic artifacts, or perform some particular analog-oriented function better than a digital computer can, I fear the old analog machines are going to end up as "experimenters' specials" in parts bins at the electronics surplus houses. Will
cem@intelca.UUCP (Chuck McManis) (09/06/85)
> > So, unless they are valuable as historic artifacts, or perform some > particular analog-oriented function better than a digital computer can, > I fear the old analog machines are going to end up as "experimenters' > specials" in parts bins at the electronics surplus houses. > > Will The 360 that was once the main computer at USC was sold for 10K to some private party. I would of bought it (it had a drum, 100M disk drive, 4 card punch machines, >1 meg main memory and a console) except no one had a BIOS for CP/M at the time :-). Seriously, just switching the damn thing on would overload the power line coming into my house. And getting the 4 phase powere would be so expensive .... --Chuck -- - - - D I S C L A I M E R - - - {ihnp4,fortune}!dual\ All opinions expressed herein are my {qantel,idi}-> !intelca!cem own and not those of my employer, my {ucbvax,hao}!hplabs/ friends, or my avocado plant. :-}