Accession Number:

AD0609296

Title:

THE MAC SYSTEM: A PROGRESS REPORT

Descriptive Note:

Corporate Author:

MASSACHUSETTS INST OF TECH CAMBRIDGE PROJECT MAC

Personal Author(s):

• Fano, R. M.

Report Date:

1964-10-09

Pagination or Media Count:

25.0

Abstract:

The notion of machine-aided cognition implies an intimate collaboration between a human user and a computer in a real-time dialogue on the solution of a problem, in which the two parties contribute their best capabilities. In order for this intimate collaboration to be possible, a computer system is needed that can serve simultaneously a large number of people, and that is easily accessible to them, both physically and intellectually. The present MAC System is a first step toward this goal. The purpose of this paper is to present a brief description of the current system, to report on the experience gained from its operation, and to indicate directions along which future developments are likely to proceed.

Descriptors:

• *COMPUTERS
• COMPUTER PROGRAMMING
• DATA PROCESSING
• DATA TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS
• MULTIPLE OPERATION
• PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
• REAL TIME
• SYSTEMS ENGINEERING

Subject Categories:

• Computer Programming and Software

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE