The Tops (Total Operations Processing System) Project

[poliss]

Les Smith worked on the introduction of Tops (Total Operations Processing System).
Read about the computer mainframe used with a STAGGERING 4mb of RAM.
Learn about the BOTTOMS (back on to the old manual system) used when the computers crashed.
Reel back in ASTONISHMENT as the wrong type of water brings the whole system down.
MARVEL at the Virtual Cards that replaced real Cards that were clogged with coal dust!

http://www.les-smith.com/software/tops.htm

[stevewalker]

Reviving an old topic, this has just been brought to my attention.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-yY8nRu3RA

[Newportnobby]

1 week shy of an 8 year 
I reckon that has to be a record, Steve
Interesting film, though. Not seen that before.

[stevewalker]

Someone on the UK D-I-Y usenet newsgroup posted it as a link to "the most boring video ever" or something like that, but I found it quite interesting.

[woodbury22uk]

In the original piece, I enjoyed the example of the system being blamed for an apparent error when a wagon was running around with different painted numbers on opposite sides. There are a few railway modellers who extend their fleet of wagons (numbers) in this way - have been known to do it myself.

[railsquid]

The Monty Python sketch at 12:48 seems to be missing the punchline. 

[Intercity]

The only thing the video didn't show is the tantrum the crew had when they had to get up and remarshall the Notts train at Bescot and dig out the redirected stoke wagon.

[Paddy]

Back when software was centralised and efficient. 

Paddy