SCHNUR@usc-isie.arpa (02/25/83)
The impact of micro's on the field of spectroscopy is quite
interesting. Several years ago we bought several pdp/11-23s for
data taking. Most of these never actually were used for that
purpose. One pdp11/70 actually was left unused because of the
time required for the experimentalist to set up the io for his
experiment. He chose in the end to use a cromemco. Thus about 4
years ago 5 cromemcos were bought. Each of them is currently
under intensive use as data collectors. But we then had a
problem on graphics. That is we had to plot the data and analyze
it.}i Enter}i the DEc 10. Then we had to transfer the data to
the 10. Enter modems. Since the best transfer programs were on
CP/M we bought a CP/M based machine; Vector 2600 to handle the
transfers. I.E. floppy from cromemco to vector (compatible qume
drives used) then modem to the 10. Now we are looking at the
u~r}ibm 68000 ibm 9000 so we can do data analysis locally in a
reasonable time. Then somebody remembered we had a pdp 11/70 not
being used.
There are several things to be learned tin this rambling
discourse.
1. Despite the fact that the group consists of 20 Ph.d's
in Physics with extensive background in scientific programming, a
capable instrument was left unused for several years (the
11/70).
2. After the advent of smaller machines and a number of
hacker generated programs, 8 bit machines were introduced into
the labs without prejudice.
3. These machines required further interaction with
larger computers.
4. This led to the utilization of a larger computer which
had been available for some time. (11/70). The ~ ~pyscological
barrier had been broken.
5. I now foresee a rapid acquisition of other computers
into the group. 8 bit machines for desk top smart terminal and
word processing applications and 16/32 bit machines in the labs.
We also just bought a Vax 782 for the theorists. In other words
the dam has burst . For other groups of non scientists the time
constant may be greater, but in the end I believe there will a
rapid utilization of computers that will develop.
6. One other observation. In 1978 we used 25 Hewlett
packard strip chart recorders for data taking. In 1983 we use 2.
I wonder if the recorder industry is aware of what is going on.
This sort of thing will very likely be happening in many
different areas. One could make a lot of money by knowing which
ones.
Jerry, Good luck in your talk. Please send us your text if you
can.
SChnur at isie