This morning, while doing a bit of cleaning and recycling in the computer room, I came across something that I'd totally forgotten I had. So I thought I'd have a bit of fun with it, and see if anyone can figure out exactly what it is. Here's what it looks like:
Based on the visual, here are some clues...
- It's obviously a computer printout of some sort.
- It's quite long (30 to 40 feet?), as you can see in this short movie.
- The machine that created the printout was a TI Silent 700 terminal, which looked like this, and printed on thermal paper.
- In the year the printout was created, the Steelers won the Super Bowl, the Phillies won the World Series, the Lakers were the NBA champs, and the Islanders were the kings of the NHL. Bjorn Borg won Wimbledon (that narrows it down only a bit!).
So the standing question is: exactly what is printed on that long roll of expensive thermal paper? If there's no progress in guessing an answer over the next day or so, I'll post some more clues. (Peter, James, and Pat aren't allowed to comment, as they already know the answer. If you're reading this, guys, keep your mouths shut! :) )
-rob.
ARPAnet printout?
It is quite clearly the off-the-books balance sheet for your illicit Cabbage Patch Doll smuggling operation.
#1: Yes, the connection was via ARPAnet. But what's on the printout?
#2: Dang, oh so close! :)
-rob.
It is probably a maximum-score session of playing "Adventure"
#4: Getting very warm!
Well, to the obscure and obscenely expensive use of computer resources, how about Haunt? LISP game that took 45-60 CPU seconds per move on a KL-10
?
Less obscure. Less costly. Hint: MDL. :)
OK - so it wasn't that obscure - which version? I II or III
We have a winner (sort of?). Updated story to follow...
-rob.
Wow...someone else actually owns a Silent 700? My parents still have one stashed away in their closet. It's what my mom used to "telecommute" on. :-)
Zork?
So, any follow-up on this? I've been looking every day for nearly 2 weeks waiting to find out exactly what this is...
I'm actually finishing it up right now. The youngest child still isn't sleeping through the night, so my post-work hours have tended to consist primarily of sleep! :)
It should be online in the next 30 minutes or so.
-rob.
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