←back to thread

52 Year old data tape could contain Unix history

(www.theregister.com)
169 points rbanffy | 2 comments | 08 Nov 25 16:12 UTC | HN request time: 0.402s | source
Show context
gxd ◴[08 Nov 25 17:07 UTC] No.45858194[source]▶
This is an incredible find. It would be amazingly cool if we could create an emulated environment for compiling and running Unix v4 from these sources.
replies(3): >>45858207 #>>45858292 #>>45858444 #
notorandit ◴[08 Nov 25 17:40 UTC] No.45858444[source]▶
For doing what?
replies(5): >>45858551 #>>45858677 #>>45858773 #>>45859506 #>>45859530 #
chasil ◴[08 Nov 25 20:05 UTC] No.45859530[source]▶
Unfortunately, I am working for an aerospace manufacturer that runs VAX VMS on emulators (which are quite expensive). We also run an even older operating system, OS2200.

The original VMS system manager who moved from 7000 series hardware to emulation was somewhat inquisitive, and we did install VMS 7 on simh. He retired and passed away some years ago, and none of his replacements have wanted to touch simh. I find that apathy appalling.

replies(1): >>45860465 #
rjsw ◴[08 Nov 25 22:03 UTC] No.45860465[source]▶
Given who wrote it, simh seems as close to an official VAX emulator as you are going to get.
replies(1): >>45861484 #
1. chasil ◴[09 Nov 25 00:06 UTC] No.45861484[source]▶
The Charon/Stromasys sales staff described it as a toy.
replies(1): >>45861562 #
2. anthk ◴[09 Nov 25 00:16 UTC] No.45861562[source]▶
In 1990's, maybe. Today simh-classic it's serious stuff up to the point a fork was made because some nut tried to tamper 1:1 disk/tape images with custom headers.