Talk:Datacomputer

Where did the data stored in the Datacomputer end up?
Is it lost to history, or is there a copy somewhere for public access? Or on tapes in a basement somewhere? --Gnuish (talk) 10:07, 21 July 2021 (UTC)


 * There are more of us that is asking this question, but so far I haven't heard about anyone that knows. For example, historical early versions of the CLU programming language was stored on the Datacomputer. Lars Brinkhoff (talk) 17:29, 19 August 2021 (UTC)


 * Amazingly, here's code to extract data from a TeraBit Memory: https://github.com/ncar/TBMconv

End of Datacomputer service
I found this email message. Date: 20 JAN 1980 1119-EST From: JZS at CCA (Joanne Z. Sattley) To:  Datacomputer Users: Re:  Scheduled termination of Datacomputer Service

I have been requested by ARPA to distribute the enclosed message.


 * begin enclosure

To All Datacomputer Users:

The TBM-based Datacomputer has become too expensive to operate. We are faced with a combination of increasing maintenance costs and a funding deficit which was created when a major user community's need for the service ended. The Ampex TBM hardware is obsolete, and no compatible follow-on product is planned. Therefore, with much regret, we have decided that Datacomputer service on the ARPANET must be terminated.

We want to make the transition off the Datacomputer as painless as possible for existing users. On the other hand, we want to phase out the service as quickly as possible to avoid needless expense.

Our plan is to stop accepting any additional files for storage, effective immediately. The Datacomputer will continue to operate for retrieval only during the transition period. We would like users to retrieve their private files by March 15, 1980. DFTP public files will be saved automatically by the CCA staff.

We apologize for any problems which this decision causes you. If there is something specific we can do to ease the transition, we will do our best to help. Send a message to JZS@CCA if you have questions or need assistance.

Bill Carlson Program Manager DARPA/IPTO Lars Brinkhoff (talk) 08:02, 20 August 2021 (UTC)