If It Ain't Broke, Don't Fix It: Ancient Computers in Use Today

View this newsletter online | Newsletter Services | More Newsletters » Follow @geektech on Twitter February 25, 2012 PCWorld.com Talk Nerdy to Me

Ah, the good old days, when minicomputers were called "mini" because they were only as big as two refrigerators rather than taking up a whole room, IBM 402s used punch cards for data input, and DEC VAX machines took up whole walls. What would you say if I told you that right now, here in the 21st century, the U.S. and UK governments run critical weapons systems on antiquated DEC PDP and DEC VAX minicomputers? Scary, but true. Read our top story to get the details on real-life uses of computers that you'd expect to see in a museum. --Kim Saccio-Kent, Newsletter Editor Top Story If It Ain't Broke, Don't Fix It: Ancient Computers in Use Today From 1970s minicomputers used for military programs (including nuclear weapons) to an IBM punch-card system still keeping the books at a Texas filter supplier, these are the computers that time forgot. Top Tweets From @PCWPluggedIn 6 big tech firms agree to limit app privacy invasions: They'll only track info of potential monetary value. Google augmented-reality glasses expected by year's end: I want the rose-tinted kind that budget analysts use. Microsoft says Google circumvents IE privacy policies too: Suggested Google motto: Don't be caught being evil. Follow us every day on Twitter: @PCWPluggedIn Spotlight on Geek Tech Let Old Meet New With a USB Typewriter for Tablets Give your computer or tablet a blast of the past with this cool and simple DIY typewriter mod. Browse this week's Geek Tech. Download of the Week Freemake Music Box Music Box is a free and easy window to the world of online music and music videos. Fun & Games Weird and Wonderful Music-Making Apps and Toys A guitar eats an iPad, a tablet becomes a dance-music powerhouse, an iPhone makes like a theremin, and a guitar made of five phones and a cheap speaker cranks out 'Cracklin' Rosie.' And the fun may be just beginning. Gaming's 15 Funniest, Most Unfair, and Memorable Exploits Who says cheaters never prosper? Here are some of the most memorable rule-benders in gaming ... thus far. Places for Fun Stuff on PCWorld.com Fun and Games Downloads Shop for Video Games and Hardware PC World videos Advertisement Lenovo ThinkPads & IdeaPads Click thru to shop the bestselling ThinkPads & IdeaPads! Most Popular Searches Android Windows 8 Tablet Antivirus Facebook Product Reviews Lexmark OfficeEdge Pro5500 89 Pros Full duplex and legal-size print/scan support ; Very fast, especially at scanning Cons Scanner lid does not telescope for thicker media; Standard-size color inks are expensive Read Complete Review » Top 10 Inkjet Multifunction Printers » Samsung UN46D8000 46-Inch 3D LED TV 89 Pros Very good color in 3D scenes; Top-notch image quality; Outstanding feature selection Cons Somewhat expensive; Minor motion issues Read Complete Review » Top-Rated 46- and 47-Inch HDTVs » Top 5 Smart TV Platforms of 2011 » 100 Best Products of 2011 » Top 10 HDTVs » Our Favorite HDTVs for 3D Viewing » Samsung UN65D8000 65-Inch 3D LED TV 89 Pros Top-notch image quality; Very good color in 3D scenes; Outstanding feature selection Cons Minor motion issues; Somewhat expensive Read Complete Review » Top 10 Big HDTVs (50 Inches and Up) » Get Big Savings When you Shop at PCWorld.com Shop online at PCWorld.com, where you can compare product information, read trusted reviews, and find the best prices on consumer electronics. LHB306 Home Theater System (5.1 Speakers, 850 Watts, Blu-ray Player) Price: $189.00 No User Ratings Yet Be the first to review BDV-E280 Home Theater System Price: $348.00 No User Ratings Yet Be the first to review Browse more Home Theater, Best Prices on Projectors, Blu-Ray and HD-DVD, Digital Video Recorders, Plasma & LCD TVs Top News on PCWorld.com FTC Reaches $359 Million Settlement Over 'Free' Trial Offers The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has reached a suspended US$359 million settlement with a Canadian businessman and his companies for charging customers for... Share: Quad-core Smartphones and Tablets Will Soon Get LTE Nvidia has partnered with modem chip makers GCT Semiconductor and Renesas Mobile to make it easier to build LTE (Long-Term Evolution) smartphones and tablets. Share: Top Reviews on PCWorld.com Initial Impressions: Dell XPS 13 We have a final production unit of Dell's Ultrabook, and it's one of the nicest PCs the company has produced in years. Share: 5 Free Android Security Apps: Keep Your Smartphone Safe Whether or not Android's openness makes it an easy target for malware writers, these apps can help protect your handset. Share: Epson WorkForce Pro WP-4540 Review: Fast, High-Capacity Business Inkjet Speed, high paper capacity, and inexpensive inks make this full-featured MFP a nice fit for a busy small office or workgroup. Share: Sushi Cat 2 Browser-Based Game: Cute, Silly, Endearing Drop Sushi Cat from the top of the screen and help him eat as much sushi as possible, for love! Share: Downloads: Editor's Collection Which Browser Should You Use?Everyone needs a browser, but it can be hard to decide which one you actually want. Are you looking for something blazing fast? Or maybe youve been burned in the past and youre looking for a browser with the tightest security. Or you need add-ons--lots and lots of add-ons. Each of these browsers has its own appeal. 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