From NEWS today in my home town..1980s computer controls GRPS heat and AC

[Bugala]

@Oldsmobile_Mike

Unfortunately I think it is more likely teh A2000 will be still running 30 years later than X1000.

If i have understood right, todays computers arent built from as lasting parts as 80s were, which is partly due to them having been simpler back in the day.

[TheBilgeRat]

We are catching that the 1.5 million is not just to replace the computer. Right? It will actually upgrade all of the control systems in the buildings with modern HVAC controls. The PC that will be set up to control them will likely be under $1K. There are likely to be other advantages to updating the HVAC controls themselves like finer control of boiler settings, etc.

This may result in more comfortable buildings or potentially energy savings.

All that said, look at how long this computer ran continually and the only parts replaced were peripherals as others have said. It made me nostalgic to see another innovative use of Amiga from 30 years ago that no one knew about at the time. Imagine what marketing could have done with that information if they had a clue how to market.

There was no reason that the Amiga could not have taken the entire computer world over, except they didn't know how to sell it's innovative uses.

-Nyle

I read this over on EAB... but my favorite part was that a high school student programmed it, and still works on it to this day as he's still in the neighborhood.

[gary2000]

I love it.  It is more likely that these will be running longer.

I wonder if they changed the battery?

[paul1981]

Hot, and cool!

[TheMagicM]

I doubt it costs $1 million to replace it.. what they are probably doing is replacing their climate control system / AC/heating equpiment which costs the $1 million and includes whatever hardware to replace the Amiga.

[vince_6]

With a million they can buy 5 Apple I.
One to use and four for spare :-D

[TheBilgeRat]

The original coder has been posting in the comments section.  Paraphrasing, but it isn't the Amiga that's the problem, its the hayes radio modems.  That's what the majority of money is going to replace.

[Matt_H]

I know we've entered Popcornland now that we have Franko posting to the comments section of a local news channel about a municipal bond issue in suburban Michigan

[giZmo350]

I know we've entered Popcornland now that we have Franko posting to the comments section of a local news channel about a municipal bond issue in suburban Michigan

@Matt.... Awesome! Thanks for watching Morning WOOD Comments! "Morning Wood" is what the morning radio show is called. :lol:

This is actually an interesting interaction between AO the "real world". It would be cool if someone posted a comment advertising Amiga.Org + the normal weird stuff WE say here. I would but I don't currently have a Winhose machine (no JavaScript) to post to comments. Someone should do a shoutout to Franko in the comments...!

@Franko... Insurance covers "grandfathered" public facilities such as this... (pretty sure there's no time limit on those BOILERS either - Yikes). Not to Mention.... try suing a school!  Yea, everything is state run these days... damn the taxpayers! LOL.....  BTW, did you ever get that puppy?

Franko posting on WOODTV, That's freaking great!!!!  :roflmao:
It's like Franko lurking in your back yard (if you were me)...

[Vlabguy1]

1980s computer controls GRPS heat and AC

http://woodtv.com/2015/06/11/1980s-computer-controls-grps-heat-and-ac/

Pretty cool!

That video stream sucks the big one..even high speed internet it dogs out..and doesn't load..

[QuikSanz]

They were probably using an old packet radio type program on shortwave, The bandwidth available at 40 to 80 meters can only support 1200 Baud. The new radio system is the the problem, Higher frequency and different protocalls.

Chris

I bet there is a newer one on Aminet.

[Leffmann]

At first I suspected an urge to just blow money, because they love doing that over there, but I think this "story" basically breaks down to the vaguely newsworthy anecdote of the technical quality and superiority of the Amiga at the time, and the completely non-newsworthy fact that the district are hesitant on spending $2 million replacing 20 systems in 20 buildings that currently work and run with very few hitches.

But yeah, you have to spin and sensationalize things. How else would you fill up the news?

[hishamk]

Wait for it...

A-EON Acquires Grand Rapids Public Schools.

Come to think of it... with $1.5mn, GRPS can acquire A-EON (or part of it), R&D a new AmigaOne-based system, launch it, and go head to head against the likes of Johnson Controls.

[AmiDude]

Quote:

"GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - A 30-year-old computer that has run day and night for decades is what controls the heat and air conditioning at 19 Grand Rapids Public Schools.

The Commodore Amiga was new to GRPS in the early 1980s and it has been working tirelessly ever since. GRPS Maintenance Supervisor Tim Hopkins said that the computer was purchased with money from an energy bond in the 1980s. It replaced a computer that was about the size of a refrigerator."

Amazing...! :eek:

[psxphill]

They could always make their own radiomodems to same some $.

It would cost considerably more than 1 million dollars to make your own equipment and get it certified. It also sounds like it would be insecure.

[Matt_H]

Oh man, Doomy must be thrilled that it's an A2000! :lol: