aka_pugs
@akapugs.bsky.social
UNIX Greybeard; sun!pugs; Student of History; Technology Storyteller; Programmer since 1967.
Founder - Ipsilon Networks(→ Nokia), Netillion(→ ⏚), Nuova Systems(→ Cisco), DriveScale(→ Twitter)
Founder - Ipsilon Networks(→ Nokia), Netillion(→ ⏚), Nuova Systems(→ Cisco), DriveScale(→ Twitter)
Before transistors, relays were widely used in telephony switches. They were much slower, but much more reliable than vacuum tubes.
This 1951 booklet, "NO. 5 CROSSBAR" from Bell Labs describes the bad-ass mainframe of relays. Lots of photos and diagrams.
drive.google.com/dri...
This 1951 booklet, "NO. 5 CROSSBAR" from Bell Labs describes the bad-ass mainframe of relays. Lots of photos and diagrams.
drive.google.com/dri...
February 19, 2026 at 1:32 AM
Before transistors, relays were widely used in telephony switches. They were much slower, but much more reliable than vacuum tubes.
This 1951 booklet, "NO. 5 CROSSBAR" from Bell Labs describes the bad-ass mainframe of relays. Lots of photos and diagrams.
drive.google.com/dri...
This 1951 booklet, "NO. 5 CROSSBAR" from Bell Labs describes the bad-ass mainframe of relays. Lots of photos and diagrams.
drive.google.com/dri...
Reposted by aka_pugs
RIP Sun Lab blog.cs.brown.edu/2026/02/17/a...
A History Of The Sunlab
The Sunlab is no longer with us. Students who graduated in the past decade or so think of it mainly as a place where they could use desktop computers running Linux and attend TA hours and help sessions. But it started as something different.
blog.cs.brown.edu
February 17, 2026 at 7:48 PM
RIP Sun Lab blog.cs.brown.edu/2026/02/17/a...
OTD 1961: Burroughs announces the B5000 computer.
Transcript from a 1985 conference about the B5000 here: conservancy.umn.edu/...
Transcript from a 1985 conference about the B5000 here: conservancy.umn.edu/...
February 17, 2026 at 2:43 AM
OTD 1961: Burroughs announces the B5000 computer.
Transcript from a 1985 conference about the B5000 here: conservancy.umn.edu/...
Transcript from a 1985 conference about the B5000 here: conservancy.umn.edu/...
Ever wonder about the state of Data Processing before the computer?
Behold "The Punched Card" - 200 glorious pages from 1952 describing the state of the art of electro-mechanical paper pushing!
With fabulous fifties art and culture!
drive.google.com/dri...
1/2
Behold "The Punched Card" - 200 glorious pages from 1952 describing the state of the art of electro-mechanical paper pushing!
With fabulous fifties art and culture!
drive.google.com/dri...
1/2
February 16, 2026 at 10:26 PM
Ever wonder about the state of Data Processing before the computer?
Behold "The Punched Card" - 200 glorious pages from 1952 describing the state of the art of electro-mechanical paper pushing!
With fabulous fifties art and culture!
drive.google.com/dri...
1/2
Behold "The Punched Card" - 200 glorious pages from 1952 describing the state of the art of electro-mechanical paper pushing!
With fabulous fifties art and culture!
drive.google.com/dri...
1/2
80 years ago today: ENIAC revealed!
This is a great book about ENIAC:
This is a great book about ENIAC:
ENIAC in Action
Conceived in 1943, completed in 1945, and decommissioned in 1955, ENIAC (the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer) was the first general-purpose prog...
mitpress.mit.edu
February 15, 2026 at 6:07 PM
80 years ago today: ENIAC revealed!
This is a great book about ENIAC:
This is a great book about ENIAC:
Reposted by aka_pugs
This is amazing. Actually all of Rob’s stuff is amazing, but this is 50%more amazing than the last amazing thing. 😅😁👍
To celebrate 35 years of Lemmings, I built a real 3D Printed Lemming that actually floats!
#lemmings #amiga #retrogaming
www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-2K...
#lemmings #amiga #retrogaming
www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-2K...
I Built a Floating Lemming... For the 35th Anniversary
YouTube video by RobSmithDev
www.youtube.com
February 14, 2026 at 9:16 PM
This is amazing. Actually all of Rob’s stuff is amazing, but this is 50%more amazing than the last amazing thing. 😅😁👍
OTD 1980: Apollo Computer incorporated.
A empresa Apollo Computer Inc de 1980
Gostou? Curta, comente e compartilhe a publicação original! Ajude a divulgar o projeto! Deixe seu comentário no final desta postagem!Em 13 de fevereiro de 1980, no estado de Massachusetts/EUA, William Poduska fundava formalmente (por incorporação) a empresa Apollo Computer, uma das precursoras das estações de trabalho. Criada dois anos antes da cultuada Sun Microsystems, a […]
museucapixaba.com.br
February 13, 2026 at 9:55 PM
OTD 1980: Apollo Computer incorporated.
Beginning to scan some of my telecom stuff.
Here's an ATT map from 1893.
Here's an ATT map from 1893.
February 10, 2026 at 11:44 PM
Beginning to scan some of my telecom stuff.
Here's an ATT map from 1893.
Here's an ATT map from 1893.
Friendly neighborhood unicorn!
Thrilled to share that we have closed our $200M Series C.
Thank you to Thomas Tull's US Innovative Technology Fund for leading this round, along with Eclipse, Riot Ventures, Jane Street, Intel Capital, Counterpart, Friends and Family Capital and all of our additional investors.
buff.ly/EIxngne
Thank you to Thomas Tull's US Innovative Technology Fund for leading this round, along with Eclipse, Riot Ventures, Jane Street, Intel Capital, Counterpart, Friends and Family Capital and all of our additional investors.
buff.ly/EIxngne
Our $200M Series C / Oxide
Raising our Series C round of financing
oxide.computer
February 10, 2026 at 5:50 PM
Friendly neighborhood unicorn!
ENIAC Day Celebration Feb. 15th - 80 years!
Near Philly. Wish I could be there.
www.helicoptermuseum...
Near Philly. Wish I could be there.
www.helicoptermuseum...
February 10, 2026 at 3:26 PM
ENIAC Day Celebration Feb. 15th - 80 years!
Near Philly. Wish I could be there.
www.helicoptermuseum...
Near Philly. Wish I could be there.
www.helicoptermuseum...
Reposted by aka_pugs
Wow, love this👾
Hahaha thanks for clarifying, I was like "*ahem*???" bits.ashleyblewer.com/halt-and-cat...
Halt and Catch Fire Syllabus - Halt and Catch Fire Syllabus
bits.ashleyblewer.com
February 8, 2026 at 4:15 AM
Wow, love this👾
Reposted by aka_pugs
Every American needs to watch this:
February 5, 2026 at 8:41 PM
Every American needs to watch this:
Is it a coincidence that Ken Thompson's birthday (1998) was the same day that Bill Gates got a pie in the face?
Bill Gates Pie in Face
Bill Gates gets "attacked" in Belgium, circa 1999
www.youtube.com
February 4, 2026 at 5:18 PM
Is it a coincidence that Ken Thompson's birthday (1998) was the same day that Bill Gates got a pie in the face?
Me circa 1972 at the console of an NCR Century 100.
See akapugs.blog/2018/05...
See akapugs.blog/2018/05...
February 1, 2026 at 1:50 AM
Me circa 1972 at the console of an NCR Century 100.
See akapugs.blog/2018/05...
See akapugs.blog/2018/05...
Reposted by aka_pugs
Jan 30, 2025 - It's Doug Engelbart's 100th birthday! We're celebrating online free-range style with some gems from his remarkable legacy.
Join Us: dougengelbart.org/Dougs-100th
Join Us: dougengelbart.org/Dougs-100th
January 30, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Jan 30, 2025 - It's Doug Engelbart's 100th birthday! We're celebrating online free-range style with some gems from his remarkable legacy.
Join Us: dougengelbart.org/Dougs-100th
Join Us: dougengelbart.org/Dougs-100th
OTD 2021: Twitter acquires the remnants of DriveScale.
blocksandfiles.com/2...
blocksandfiles.com/2...
January 25, 2026 at 3:35 PM
OTD 2021: Twitter acquires the remnants of DriveScale.
blocksandfiles.com/2...
blocksandfiles.com/2...
A tale of 2 TCLs.
Ousterhout's TCL (nee Tool Command Language) is a simple scripting language dating from 1986 or so. The killer app for TCL was 'expect', which is for automating control of otherwise interactive programs/connections.
But circa 1980...
1/2
Ousterhout's TCL (nee Tool Command Language) is a simple scripting language dating from 1986 or so. The killer app for TCL was 'expect', which is for automating control of otherwise interactive programs/connections.
But circa 1980...
1/2
January 19, 2026 at 1:54 AM
A tale of 2 TCLs.
Ousterhout's TCL (nee Tool Command Language) is a simple scripting language dating from 1986 or so. The killer app for TCL was 'expect', which is for automating control of otherwise interactive programs/connections.
But circa 1980...
1/2
Ousterhout's TCL (nee Tool Command Language) is a simple scripting language dating from 1986 or so. The killer app for TCL was 'expect', which is for automating control of otherwise interactive programs/connections.
But circa 1980...
1/2
Tried to pay estimated tax via IRS Webpay site. (I know, 1% problem)
I've done this many times before, but this year it doesn't work on Chrome! - either Linux or Chomebook - cookies cleared.
Worked on iPad/Safari. Scum weasels!
I've done this many times before, but this year it doesn't work on Chrome! - either Linux or Chomebook - cookies cleared.
Worked on iPad/Safari. Scum weasels!
January 14, 2026 at 6:17 PM
Tried to pay estimated tax via IRS Webpay site. (I know, 1% problem)
I've done this many times before, but this year it doesn't work on Chrome! - either Linux or Chomebook - cookies cleared.
Worked on iPad/Safari. Scum weasels!
I've done this many times before, but this year it doesn't work on Chrome! - either Linux or Chomebook - cookies cleared.
Worked on iPad/Safari. Scum weasels!
Discovered this cool Youtube channel today.
Brief highlights from interviews with ACM Turing award winners.
Brief highlights from interviews with ACM Turing award winners.
Turing Awardee Clips - YouTube
The ACM A.M. Turing Award, often referred to as the “Nobel Prize of Computing,” carries a $1 million prize, with financial support provided by Google, Inc. I...
www.youtube.com
January 10, 2026 at 6:21 PM
Discovered this cool Youtube channel today.
Brief highlights from interviews with ACM Turing award winners.
Brief highlights from interviews with ACM Turing award winners.
DPUs, GPUs, Smart NICs, offloads, Front-ends, ... nothing ever really changes.
See "From Punched Cards to SmartNICS - A Personal Journey" from 2020. Oldie but goodie.
See "From Punched Cards to SmartNICS - A Personal Journey" from 2020. Oldie but goodie.
2020 From punched cards to SmartNICS - A Personal Journey
Originally a series of 7 blog posts from DriveScale.
Helpfully edited by Sharad Mehrotra
speakerdeck.com
January 8, 2026 at 3:34 AM
DPUs, GPUs, Smart NICs, offloads, Front-ends, ... nothing ever really changes.
See "From Punched Cards to SmartNICS - A Personal Journey" from 2020. Oldie but goodie.
See "From Punched Cards to SmartNICS - A Personal Journey" from 2020. Oldie but goodie.
R.I.P. Mike Flynn, processor architect and professor.
One of the designers of the awesome IBM 360 model 91.
One of the designers of the awesome IBM 360 model 91.
In Memoriam: Remembering Mike Flynn
Michael J. Flynn is a widely respected contributor—indeed a giant—in the field of Computer Architecture. He made highly significant and impactful contributions throughout his career, both in indus…
www.sigarch.org
January 6, 2026 at 10:07 PM
R.I.P. Mike Flynn, processor architect and professor.
One of the designers of the awesome IBM 360 model 91.
One of the designers of the awesome IBM 360 model 91.
Reposted by aka_pugs
Aw man 😞 Rest in peace Mr Cheifet, host of Computer Chronicles: obits.goldsteinsfuneral.com/stewart-chei...
What a legend. His work in both presenting and preserving the early days of computer history has been (and will continue to be) deeply appreciated! My condolences to his family and friends.
What a legend. His work in both presenting and preserving the early days of computer history has been (and will continue to be) deeply appreciated! My condolences to his family and friends.
Stewart Cheifet Obituary December 28, 2025 - Goldsteins Funeral
View Stewart Cheifet's obituary, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.
obits.goldsteinsfuneral.com
December 31, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Aw man 😞 Rest in peace Mr Cheifet, host of Computer Chronicles: obits.goldsteinsfuneral.com/stewart-chei...
What a legend. His work in both presenting and preserving the early days of computer history has been (and will continue to be) deeply appreciated! My condolences to his family and friends.
What a legend. His work in both presenting and preserving the early days of computer history has been (and will continue to be) deeply appreciated! My condolences to his family and friends.
Found my great-great-grandparents in the Odd Fellows cemetery in Gonzales, Texas. I definitely got the odd gene.
The Orts' came from northern Germany, near Denmark.
The Orts' came from northern Germany, near Denmark.
December 31, 2025 at 2:23 AM
Found my great-great-grandparents in the Odd Fellows cemetery in Gonzales, Texas. I definitely got the odd gene.
The Orts' came from northern Germany, near Denmark.
The Orts' came from northern Germany, near Denmark.
Born this day, 1903: John von Neumann, polymath (from Mars?)
Great book - fictionalized biography with stories about JvN told by other famous people: "The MANIAC"
en.wikipedia.org/wik...
Great book - fictionalized biography with stories about JvN told by other famous people: "The MANIAC"
en.wikipedia.org/wik...
December 28, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Born this day, 1903: John von Neumann, polymath (from Mars?)
Great book - fictionalized biography with stories about JvN told by other famous people: "The MANIAC"
en.wikipedia.org/wik...
Great book - fictionalized biography with stories about JvN told by other famous people: "The MANIAC"
en.wikipedia.org/wik...