[Home Page] [Previous Page]
[Old Roundtable Archives] [New Roundtable]
Posted by Jon Brunetti on April 13, 2000 at 02:18:32:
It looks like I'll have to say something on this subject. First, I too started in tabulation on a IBM 360 mainframe using computer cards. The "good old days" consisted of writing specs (we were using the disktab package by Donavan Systems) onto a spec pad, after writing the job, the specs were submitted to a keypuncher who then punched your specs onto computer cards. After receiving the cards you then went to a sort machine where you inputted the cards in a specific order so that your cards were in the correct order for reading into the mainframe. We then had to input the sorted deck into the card reader. If the reader was feeling well that day, that wasn't a problem, but card readers being what they are always had trouble accepting the deck on the first pass. Finally after reading the deck through, we then had a listing of our specs. Carefully going through the box of cards we pulled out the misspellings, incorrectly punched cards, etc. We then took the cards that were in error to the keypunch machine and repunched new cards. Get the idea, doing a job 20 years ago, took more time and effort to complete it. Today, I use Quantum, which in my opinion is the best tab package out there. I know all you Wincross users won't admit it, but that's because you can't or don't want to spring for the monthly leasing fee. (You know who you are) Let me put it this way, every few months or so a friend who uses Wincross calls me up to do a job for him, seems that Wincross can't handle what needs to get done for that job. So, in conclusion, if tabs are a hobby, use something other than Quantum, but if your livelihood depends on tabulations use the best, use Quantum.
Subject: