On Thu, 9 Mar 2023, Steve Lewis via cctalk wrote:
Actually, to answer my own question: if "main frame" refers to the actual
framing... well the PDP-1, PDP-10, PDP-10 were minicomputers and still
required a lot of metal "framing" to set up. So, can't they be considered
mainframes?
(another notion is that mainframes are "multi-user" -- most early
microcomputers were not multi-user, as they just barely supported the needs
of one user; I'm not sure if the very first minicomputers were multi-user?)
The term minicomputer has always been awkward to me -- "mini" in my head
just means something smaller than me, which most minicomputers aren't (but
they are much smaller than a building). But to say "mainframe" when
showing a minicomputer then necessitates some explanation... Can't win :(
-Steve
What is the ORIGIN of the term "mainframe"?
Keep in mind that the term "Mini Computer" was invented by marketing
people to be able to sell/rent computers to small businesses whose needs
were small.
LATER, it became obvious that many small businesses that succombed to the
sales pitches for minicomputers were even better served by microcomputers,
particularly several dedicated ones. Accounting needed a computer, but
not much of one; payroll of even a few employees ends up requiring an
accountant. And, inventory could use a computer, etc. If there is a
graphic arts department, they could use a computer, but with seriously
different characteristics.
There was s'posedly some internal political issues at IBM about whether
the Entry Systems Division (5150, etc.) would cut into the other
depaartments.
