Re: IBM Laughing Boardroom

One of the funniest statements I saw Malcom make was while he was describing why IBM built 'Deep Blue' the system that played chess and beat then reigning chess champion Garry Kasparov. He said in a perfect droning monotone: "Customers are unlikely to say: 'IBM built the best chess playing computer in the world. I think I shall acquire one for payroll.'"

He also pointed out that you need to be careful what you ask for when you list a computers capabilities. As an example he stated a bunch of characteristics for a desired wife. Then he showed a hideous picture that did indeed have all the requirements met!

The guy was both smart and very funny!

- DrF


On 7/25/2023 1:20 AM, Vern Hamberg via MIDRANGE-L wrote:

Another venerable presenter on AS/400 was Malcolm Haines - I've heard he did something like have AS/400 plastered on London buses - someone please correct me on this, if needed.

In YouTube, I saw a link on IBM AS/400 The Best Architecture In The World 1992 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pY6Xxptp9A - it's not as humorous as the boardroom bits, but interesting.

Cheers
Vern

On 7/22/2023 10:57 AM, Patrik Schindler wrote:

Hello Michael,

Am 22.07.2023 um 16:06 schrieb Mayer, Michael via MIDRANGE-L <midrange-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>:

Videos about the IBM "eseries / iseries" back in the day.
For those of us who have been on the box for awhile, you'll probably get a real kick out of these.

The Laughing Boardroom Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StuQy13q128
The Laughing Boardroom Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INY-_gApt3g
The Laughing Boardroom Part 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UW9gmLeqNZU

Thanks for that gem!

"One day, all computers will be like this." — Well, accurate predictions are hard, especially when they're about the future. ;-)

My favorite is this one, though: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5zv5wFAADk

Tons of steel in the studio, and of course, 8" floppy drives! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qACUeVU2Lp4

:wq! PoC