Harris Minicomputer

[Robin Elvin]

When I went to college in 1989 they were still running a Harris mini with serial terminals (not sure of the standard - VT100 I assume). The OS as I recall was VOS. I remember hacking together some kind of chat room and a file management utility in JCL. In about 1990/91 it was decommissioned and replaced with a HP9000 running Unix. I managed to get hold of and keep a backup tape of one of the disk packs.

I would love to know more about what model this machine might possibly have been and if there is any information about the hardware, VOS, or JCL. I've had a search online but I can't seem to find much information if anything and I would like to remind myself of what it was like. If anyone has any information or memories themselves I'd be interested in hearing about them.

Also, I'm not sure what's on the tape and if it's of use to someone but happy to pass on. I don't know if it's worth being archived for historical purposes.

Thanks

 

[jplr]

Here is what Google's Gemini (the successor to Bard) says:

"Unfortunately, pinpointing the exact Harris mini computer model used in the 1980s with the information provided is quite challenging. Harris offered a wide range of mini computers during that era, each with varying capabilities and configurations.


However, I can provide some general insights and resources that might help you narrow down your search:


Possible Harris Mini Computer Models:

• Harris H100: This was a popular entry-level minicomputer released in 1978. It supported up to 32 users and offered various programming languages like Fortran and BASIC.
  Opens in a new windowwww.flickr.com
  Harris H100 mini computer
  
  
• Harris H200: Released in 1979, this mid-range minicomputer boasted faster processing and larger memory capacity compared to the H100.
• Harris H300: Introduced in 1981, this high-end minicomputer catered to demanding applications with its powerful performance and advanced features.
• Harris H800: This super-minicomputer, released in 1981, offered exceptional processing power and scalability, making it suitable for large-scale tasks.

Additional Information Needed:

• Year of usage: Knowing the specific year within the 1980s might help narrow down the possible models, as Harris released new and updated versions throughout the decade.
• Specific capabilities: Were there any specific features or applications the computer was used for? This information could be crucial in identifying the most likely model.
• Hardware details: Do you recall any details about the physical appearance of the computer, such as the number of cabinets, size, or any unique elements?

Resources for Further Research:

• Harris Computer Systems Wikipedia page: This page provides a comprehensive overview of Harris's history and product lines, including minicomputers. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harris_Computer_Systems
• Vintage Computer Forums: Online communities dedicated to vintage computers can be a valuable resource for enthusiasts and researchers. You can share details about the computer and seek insights from experienced members.
• Old Computer Manuals: Websites like bitsavers.org archive manuals for various computer systems, including some Harris models. Searching for "Harris minicomputer manuals" might yield relevant results.

By gathering more information and utilizing the provided resources, you can increase your chances of identifying the specific Harris mini computer model used in the 1980s."

 

[commodorejohn]

I like that Google's official house-brand know-nothing admits outright that you'd be better off asking around on forums.

 

[Robin Elvin]

The Harris H100 photos look very familiar. I think my college had more cabinets so perhaps it was a more expensive model. In fact, it says the H100 supported up to 32 users and I know we had several rooms of around 30 terminals hooked up so it must have been a bigger model.