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http://newswire.net/newsroom/news/00089181-us-public-school-ac-is-still-controlled-by-amiga-from-80-s.html(Newswire.net -- June 19, 2015) -- Grand Rapids, Mich. – Public schools in Grand Rapids have an air-conditioning system that is controlled by digital technology from early 1980’s, according to the local Michigan WoodTV. Since it was installed to regulate the school’s air-cooling and heating, the Commodore Amiga personal computer has worked perfectly.
According to GRPS Maintenance Supervisor Tim Hopkins, the computer which was purchased with money from an energy bond in the 1980s, is responsible for 19 buildings. When it was installed, Amiga represented the computer technology marvel of its time. It replaced a computer that was “about the size of a refrigerator.” Even though personal computers have drastically changed since the 80's, theGrand Rapids Amiga confirms that if somwthing works, it shouldn't need to be replaced.
“The system controls the start/stop of boilers, the start/stop of fans, pumps, [it] monitors space temperatures, and so on,” Hopkins explained.
Reportedly, the programmer, a Kentwood high school student who wrote the original software for Amiga back in 80’s, still lives in the area, so he fixes and adjusts the software whenever the district has a problem with the computer, Hopkins said, adding that the parts for hardware are really hard to find. Surprisingly the core of Amiga is still working perfectly, although it is running on its second mouse and third monitor.
“It’s a very unique product. It operates on a 1200-bit modem,” said Hopkins. “How it runs, the software that it’s running, is unique to the Commodore.”
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