Can I read one of these with Linux

1kyle · 03-06-2004, 05:57 PM

Hello everybody -- just to prove that not everybody on these Forums is under 22 I still remember when these were the only way to get your data into a computer.

I still have a load of these left.

Can it still be done today ?

http://www.1kyle.com/hollerith.jpg

quatsch · 03-06-2004, 06:17 PM

wow, I remeber seeing those in my dad's lab when I was in kindergarden. They get punched, right?

I'm sure you can get a reader working for those or even build one if you have the skills - seems quite primitive technology

why would you, though?

JaseP · 03-06-2004, 08:35 PM

The last time I saw one of those was when my college still used them for registering students for courses on an outdated VAX system...

That was the late 1980s...

Anyway, I did a google search and I could find nothing on any Linux pet project to get an old card reader interfaced and reading into a modern Linux implementation. I'm sure it can be done. I'm just not sure of the value of it...

vectordrake · 03-06-2004, 09:56 PM

I know a guy who knows a guy.......but seriously, if you wanted the original equipment to try as a start, I might have a line on something like that. My brother has an aquaintance who has a computer museum. If he's got a dupe, perhaps he'd be willing to trade or sell.....There's ebay as well (the 'other' section is as fun as a flea market!)

kevinalm · 03-07-2004, 12:50 AM

Never used those. I did use paper tape though. Guess that proves I'm over 22. You know you could visually read punched cards/paper tape. Real pita.