FOURTH GENERATION FROM ICC


Timely introduction of a true fourth-generation computer was
made last  week  by  ICC  (Inoperable Computer Corporation).
The unit features UNIVAC I emulation,  a  Chinese  character
set, 1401  incompatibility, and is expected to be all things
to few people some of the time.  The following partial  list
of instructions  illustrates  the vast potential of this new
computer.


   Branch on Burned out Indicator    Sharpen Light Pencil
   Branch on Blinking Indicator      Transfer and Drop Bits
   Branch and Hang                   Erase Card Punch
   Branch on Chip Box Full           Read Interrecord Gap
   Branch on Power Off               Read Noise Record
   Branch on Bug                     Update and Erase Record
   Inquire and Ignore                Erase Read Only Storage
   Reverse Parity and Branch         Destroy Storage Protect Key
   Read and Write While Ripping Tape Move and Lose Record
   Divide and Overflow               Move and Wrap Core
   Subtract and Reset to Zero        Develop Ineffective Address
   Add and Reset to Zero             Halt and Catch Fire
   Scramble Program Status Word      Scatter Printer
   Punch Unreadable Character        Reinitialize Meter
   Read and Scramble Data            Invert Record and Branch
   Select Stacker and Jam            Reduce Thruput
   Read Invalid Character            Print and Break Chain
   Rewind Card Reader                Lose Message and Branch
   Forms Skip and Runaway            Illogical "or"
   Stacker Select Disk               Illogical "and"
   Write Wrong Length Record         Triple-pack Decimal
   Write Noise Record                Slip Disk
   Seek and Scar Disk                Stacker Upset
   Eject Disk                        Uncouple CPU's and Branch
   Eject Drum                        Terminate Terminal Users
   Eject Operator                    Branch Occasionally
   Rewind Disk                       Scramble Channels
   Backspace Disk                    Rewind and Break Tape
   Punch Disk                        Make Tape Invalid
   Punch Operator                    Reverse Drum Immediate
   Execute Invalid Op Code           Transfer and Lose Return
   Feed Card and Jam                 Print and Smear
   Trap and Execute Operator         Stop and Stretch Tapes
   Clear Memory and Branch           Read and Shred Card
   Increase and Multiply             Divide and Conquer
   Scrape Disk                       Branch on Sleepy Operator
   Search and Destroy                Empty Bit Bucket
   Reorder and Replace Vacuum Tube   Burn Out Memory Chip
   Dump Memory on Floor              Shuffle Cards and Deal
   Elusive Or

As you can tell, this just  about  takes  care  of  a  well-
rounded hardware instruction  set.   We are now developing a
suitable operating system.  We  are  soliciting  suggestions
from our  user community for system calls (supervisor calls,
monitor requests, etc.)  to be incorporated in  the  initial
release version.   Already  suggested have been "Intersperse
Print Files", "Ignore System Console",  and  "Randomize  All
Passwords".

Please mail all suggestions to ICS105.