| CUMREC Newsletter Vol. XIV, Issue 4 CUMREC REMEMBERED Twenty-Five Years Ago: Machine Records Conference formally organized: At the 17th annual meeting hosted by Ohio State University, the Machine Records Conference was formally organized with a Constitution, By-Laws, an elected Board of Directors, and Officers. A Constitution was written in 1971 and presented to the attendees at the 1972 Conference. The name was changed to the College and University Machine Records Conference: CUMRF-C. The elected Board and Officers developed improved bidding procedures, budget management, program control, and assisted the host schools. The format of the Conference continued with meetings scheduled Monday through Wednesday. Papers were solicited and selected by a Program Committee. 1957 five star hotel in StavangerHost: Theme: General Chairman: University of Illinois None published George R. Beam, Director, Statistical Service Unit April 11 - 13 Robert Alerton Park, Monticello, Illinois $20.60: room & meals Date: April 11 - 13 Meeting Site: Robert Alerton Park, Monticello, Illinois Rate: $20.60: room & meals Fee: $10.00 Registrations: 143 During the course of the 1956 Conference, it was agreed that this pilot program was successful and a second conference should be attempted. George Beam of the University of Illinois made arrangements to host the second meeting at the Robert Atlerton Park facility. The announcement that a second conference would be held was enthusiastically received. Before leaving East Lansing, George Beam chose a committee to support the organization of another conference: Business office sessions Gordon K. Johnson, University of Wisconsin Registration sessions Jack C. Guistwhite, University of Florida Computing sessions Francis H. Fterchinger, State College of Washington The program announcement sent in late February promised that "good sessions were being arranged in all areas and Mr. Brandt and Mr. Schroedel of International Business Machines are cooperating fully in assuring us qualified speakers and materials concerning new developments in the field of automa- tion as this affects us". Later George Beam indicated that he and Frank "were concerned that these prices ($30.60) would frighten a lot of prospective attendees". The invitation resulted in an almost overwhelming response with participants coming from 68 different schools in 28 states. Somehow, the word spread that an opportunity was available to meet with others with similar interests. The program format remained similar to the first conference with the morning of the first day devoted exclusively to "Regis- tration Sessions" with presentations by John Atman (Boston University), A.E Teske (Virginia Polytechnic Institute), John Chaney, and Frank Martin. The group picture was scheduled before the afternoon sessions that were devoted to "Business Office Sessions" that covered such subjects as fee accounting, budget preparation, payrolls, and billing. Speakers included J.B. Dugger (Ball State), Ralph Willard, FE. Oliver (University of Michigan), and others. The final session was presented by WC. Brandt (IBM): "Applications of EDPM in Colleges and Univer- sities". On Friday concurrent sessions were held for each interest area. Thus, applications were available to those with a specific interest. The titles or subject s look familiar, e.g., admission procedures, registration methods, grade processing, payroll methods, or billing. The area dedicated to computing was addressed by Carl Gochenour, Robert Smith (Texas Agricultural Experiment Station), C.R. Partington (IBM), and H.H. Given (IBM) on such subjects as the use of the accounting machine in statistical methods, use of punched card calculators, and the limitation of small computers. A booklet with nine of the presentations was printed using mimeograph stencils prepared by the speakers. It is believed that these booklets were distrib- LLted at the Conference. After each dinner there was a speaker with a general interest topic followed by an opportunity for individual discussions. The directory of participants was again provided to all registrants. This information form proved useful to many and also is a document most apt to have survived from this meeting.
1967 Host: University of New Mexico Theme: The View from Gotem's Head General Chairman: Jack Feise, Manager, Data Processing Center Date: April 24 -April 26 Meeting Site: Sheraton Western Skies Motor Hotel, Albuquerque, New Mexico Rate: $9.00 Fee: $45.00 Registrations: 579 The Conference Preliminary Announcement advised You don't need shots, a Colt .45, an overcoat, nor a visa to come to this delightful Albuquerque Jack Feise and his committees developed an opportunity to enjoy the wonders of the Albuquerque area and to experience stimulating exchanges central to higher education data process- ing. Early arrivals could enjoy the breathtaking tramway ride to the Sandia Crest, visit the Santo Domingo Pueblo, or stroll around the Old Town Plaza. April in Albuquerque was as pleasant as promised. The program of the 12th Conference departed from the format of presentations related to specific applications or tasks. This program explored issues relevant to new hardware, infor- mation systems, and "real-time" tasks. Speakers addressed issues of system cost, criteria for system evaluation, research and administrative system conflicts, system audits, documentation responsibility, and impact of computer assisted instruction. The keynote address was given by Dr. Frederick Balderston of the University of California The hosts provided ample opportunity for individuals to meet informally and exchange information or discuss programs and become acquainted. All meals including a steak fry on the terrace and the banquet were at the Western Skies Motor Hotel.
1977 22nd Annual College and University Machine Records Conference Host: University of Pennsylvania Theme: The Computer - Our Valuable Resource General Co-Chairmen Richard T Paumen, Asst Vice President UMIS, Richard L. Merhar, Director P/B/P Date: May 1,4 Meeting Site: Philadelphia Sheraton Hotel Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Rate: $27-00 Fee: $90.00 Registrations: 548 Hotel Kempinski DiekirchThe City of Brotherly Love provided a setting for a rewarding professional experience and an opportunity to visit the metropo- lis of the Revolution and colonial America one year after the Bicentennial celebration. The General Chairmen scheduled an outstanding series of special events for Conference goers that complemented a very full professional program. The keynote address by NBC news correspondent Peter Hackes was followed by forty-four varied presentations on topics such as registration systems, mini computer applications, data collection methods, system security, hospital systems, database systems, and billing methods. The highlight of the Tuesday evening banquet was the appearance of the Hegeman String Band. Who would forget their entrance down the stairway to the Grand Ball room. C. C. Mosier was the 1977 recipient of the Frank Martin Award.
1987 Host: Theme: General Chairmen: Date: Meeting Site: Rate: Fee: Registrations: University of Georgia Optimizing Data Delivery J. Reid Christenberry, Manager, Business Applications May 10 - 13 Atlanta Hilton & Towers, Atlanta, Georgia $88.00 $220.00 713 The 32nd annual Conference addressed the issue of data delivery to various constituents. The program was grouped by six tracks: application development, administrative departmental computers, data management, innovative administrative systems, office systems, and vendor systems. These presentations were preceded by the keynote address and broken by a touch of humor at the Tuesday luncheon by speaker Ralph Hood. Registrants enjoyed the Sunday evening reception, the Monday evening Beach Party at the Depot and the Tuesday evening banquet. The Frank Martin Service Award recipient was Jack Southard from Miami University. Contributed by: Harris Olsen CUMREC Historian
TECHNOLOGY TIMELINE 40 years ago, the first disk drive was introduced. The IBM RAMAC 305 appeared in late 1956. This concept, referred to today as a hard drive, allowed non-sequential processing of information. This first drive had 50 magnetically coated metal disks stacked vertically. These were accessed with read-write heads mounted on a mechanical arm. Each two-foot diameter disk had 200 tracks that could store 3625 bytes. Although the 305 was not as successful as the 1401 series, the disk drive concept was soon incorpo- rated into all mainframe configurations and small units were developed for PCs. The capacity and speed of hard disk drives has changed dramatically in the past few years. This past November marked the 25th anniversary of the introduction of the microprocessor. This innova- tion is one of the keystones of the desk top computer and virtually any device that requires some control capabilities. This first processor contained several thousand transistors. Today's chips contain millions of transistors and are nearly 2000 times faster.
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