11 10 106 https://museum.eecs.yorku.ca/files/original/a40b08e81c9a8f7cdfdb6bafe5efab87.jpeg ecea5522bb20a5fbe612e639fc02d7ca https://museum.eecs.yorku.ca/files/original/8a7ec97609b89e20375474ffd88b17bf.jpg 54715fe2b28fdebcdf4f059eaef4e1e2 https://museum.eecs.yorku.ca/files/original/b60cb593634e1d98d5486cf0d48de1ef.jpg 1bb923319f8dcde745f9a33e6869a4bc https://museum.eecs.yorku.ca/files/original/8b024921daba38f0abc304a1819fb6cd.jpg dc21dfbe9400f93480f68df3065c7f66 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource J.L.S. Computers Subject The topic of the resource computer hardware Description An account of the resource Historical context (by Z. Stachniak) The North American personal and home computer market of the late 1970s and early 1980s, witnessed a proliferation of manufacturers and rapid growth in computer sales. In 1980, Apple Computer sold 130,000 Apple ][s while Tandy sold 175,000 of its TRS-80 computers. By the end of 1982, there were over 800,000 Commodore VIC-20s world-wide. The sales reached the one million mark in early 1983. These numbers were particularly noteworthy when juxtaposed with the global sales of mini and mainframe computers during the same period. On August 12, 1981, IBM entered the personal computer market with its announcement of the Personal Computer (PC). Much to IBM's surprise, the business community, traditionally hesitant to adopt microcomputers, responded with overwhelming enthusiasm. By the close of 1981, IBM had sold tens of thousands of its PCs, facing challenges in keeping up with the escalating demand. The momentum persisted as IBM sold 538,000 PCs in 1983, a figure that more than doubled in the following year with sales climbing to 1,375,000 units (see [1]). The success of the IBM PC in the marketplace, coupled with its informal adoption as the de facto industry standard for business desktop computers, had a positive impact on software and hardware compatibility. Numerous software and hardware companies promptly capitalized on the PC's surging popularity and IBM's disclosure of the machine's design. IBM PC-compatible systems began cropping up everywhere, offering compatible functionality and performance at a lower price. However, the introduction of the IBM PC also had a detrimental effect on the diverse microcomputing landscape. Many computer manufacturers, opting to resist IBM's entry into the PC market and defend the unique hardware platforms of their computers, were forced out of the personal computer market or closed their doors altogether. By the mid-1980s, the vast and lucrative PC market became saturated with IBM PC-compatible computers and IBM PC clones — affordable microcomputers that were both hardware and software compatible with IBM PC (and later, IBM XT and AT) products. Possibly the earliest IBM PC compatible computers were manufactured by Compaq Computer Corp. in the U.S. (the Compaq Portable) and Dynalogic Info-Tech. in Canada (the Hyperion). These two companies were soon followed by a fast growing group of other manufacturers who were cloning not only the IBM PC hardware but also its case and documentation. In many cases, the only visual distinction between these IBM PC clones and the IBM PC was the absence of the `IBM PC' logo on the computer's case. Notably, even the documentation and packaging for these clones mimicked the style and packaging of the original IBM PC documentation. The Canadian PC cloning industry was particularly strong in Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia. Compiling a comprehensive list of Canadian manufacturers of IBM clones proves challenging due to the clandestine nature of the industry. Many clones were offered with unauthorized copies of the Basic Input-Output System (BIOS) program compelling the "cloners" to conceal any traces that could reveal their identity. Nevertheless, the list of reputable cloners adhering to industry regulations is long and includes, among other manufacturers, Microelectronics (Richmond, BC), Aftek (North York, ON), Computech Micro Designs (Mississauga, ON), Dynalogic (Ottawa, ON), ECS Computers (Mississauga, ON), IDM Research Industries (Etobicoke, ON), COR BIT Computer Industries Ltd. (Toronto, ON), Dynasty (Mississauga, ON), Exceltronics Components and Computing (Toronto), HAL Computer Company (Toronto, ON), J.L.S. (Toronto, ON), Lanpar (Toronto, ON), Soltech Industries Inc. (Surrey, BC), Solare (Quebec, QC), and Universal Computer Systems (Montreal, QC). In 1983, Joe Loren Sutherland founded J.L.S. Research (later renamed as J.L.S. Computers) in Toronto while he was working at Exceltronix—a prominent electronic store in 1980s Toronto—repairing computer hardware. Sutherland began his professional carrier as an electrical designer and detailer working at Ontario Electric on lightning and power installations. Then came his involvement with film industry and photo-electric art during his studies at Toronto's Ontario College of Art. However, the rapid development of desktop and home computing industry turned Sutherland attention to computer hardware design. His first single-board computer was the result of the major redesign of the popular Big Board II single-board computer designed by Jim Ferguson. Operating under the CP/M operating system, Sutherland's computer seamlessly ran "classic" CP/M software, including the Wordstar word processor from MicroPro International Corp., the Supercalc spreadsheet from Sorcim Corp., and MBASIC from Microsoft. When it was offered in 1983, the J.L.S. board was arguably one of the most advanced and cost-effective Z80-based computers in the Canadian market. In a 1983 article titled "The Legend of J.L.S." published in Computing Now!, Steve Rimmer characterized Sutherland's company as follows: "J.L.S. Computers has the distinction of being the world's most unknown computer company. This, and possibly the distinction of making the world's best value in powerful, low cost computers." (see [2]) By the end of 1983, Sutherland had designed yet another comouter, this time producing an IBM PC compatible hardware — the J.L.S. OBM-100. The computer's design differed from that of the IBM, opting for readily available components, ultimately resulting in a more cost-effective desktop solution. The J.L.S. PC was functionally identical to the IBM PC, could be interfaced with PC-compatible peripherals and run all of the software developed for the IBM computer. Sutherland's  IBM PC-compatible motherboards, packed in IBM-look-alike cases, began appearing not only in Ontario but also beyond, with diverse model and company name stickers affixed to the cases. Manufacturers such as Aftek and HAL Computer were among those which built their products around Sutherland's clones of the IBM PC motherboard. In 1984, J.L.S. introduced a clone of the IBM XT — the second generation of IBM's PCs. It was the first made-in-Canada desktop compatible with the XT. The final product released by J.L.S. was the clone of the IBM AT motherboard offered by Sutherland in 1985. Museum Holdings: <ul> <li>J.L.S. OBM100 (IBM PC compatible motherboard), 1983,</li> <li>Aftek XT (J.L.S. IBM XT compatible motherboard designed for Aftek),</li> <li>64-256KB System Board (J.L.S. IBM XT compatible motherboard),</li> <li>J.L.S. AT board (IBM AT compatible unpopulated motherboard),</li> <li>HAL Computer memory/serial card,</li> <li>The JLS Single Board Computer: Assembly Instructions and User's Manual, JLS Research, March 1983,</li> <li>BIG BOARD II Assembly Manual, preliminary draft, Cal-Tex Computers, 198?</li> <li>Assembly and Instruction Manual for the HAL Computer and HAL Computer Memory, preliminary edition, HAL Computer, 1983.</li> </ul> References: [1] Cringely, R. X., Accidental Empires, Harper Business, 1996. [2] Rimmer, S., The Legend of J.L.S., Computing Now!, August 1983. [3] Rimmer, S., The Further Legend of J.L.S., Computing Now!, December 1983. [4] Rimmer, S., Fables of Three Blue Clones, Computing Now!, June  1984. [5] Campbell, S. and Stachniak, Z., Computing in Canada: Building a Digital Future, Canada Science and Technology Museum Transformation Series 17, 2009. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource J.L.S. Computers Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Canada, 1983-1985 https://museum.eecs.yorku.ca/files/original/7ff5edb2f08d783b6dba99ab6cb7f711.jpg 8ed6f3e3cb9884d19b1b0c607c1d5a6c https://museum.eecs.yorku.ca/files/original/b3886aaeec28e27ef06d888eb559f37e.png 28ce30e0bd7d86f5aca56a32a5b6e20e Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Northern Electric—Nortel Networks Collection Subject The topic of the resource <img src="http://museum1.eecs.yorku.ca/www_decorations/Nortel_Logo.png" alt="Nortel_logo" width="25%" height="25%" border="0" /> The collection is dedicated to the corporate history of  Northern Electric and Manufacturing, Northern Electric, Northern Telecom, Bell-Northern Research, and Nortel Networks. Description An account of the resource Northern Electric and Manufacturing Company was founded in Montreal, Quebec, in 1895. It's main business was the manufacturing of telephone equipment for Bell Telephone Company of Canada. In 1914, the Northern Electric and Manufacturing Company merged with the Imperial Wire and Cable Company of Montreal to form the Northern Electric Company.  Although the new company's main business continued to be telecommunication equipment, Northern Electric also ventured into consumer electronics market manufacturing radios, television sets, console radio-phonographs, hi-fi amplifiers, and so on. In 1971, Northern Electric and Bell Canada formed Bell-Northern Research (BNR) — an Ottawa-based telecommunications research and development company. Around the same time, Northern Electric introduced its first electronic  PBX (Private Branch Exchange — a private telephone network used within a company or organization) named the SG-1. Four years later, BNR introduced the  SL-1 PBX  which was the world's first all-digital PBX aimed at medium-sized businesses.  In 1976, Northern Electric Company changed its name to Northern Telecom Limited and the company focused its operations exclusively on fully digital telecommunications products.  Northern Telecom was the first company in its industry to deliver a complete line of fully digital telecommunications products. Its SL-1 became the world’s most successful PBX and, by 1991, the company  was the world’s largest PBX supplier offering its Meridian communication systems line. In 1998, the company's name was changed to Nortel Networks to emphasize its focus on networking solutions for telecommunication over the Internet and other communications networks. In 2009, the company filed for bankruptcy protection. Abbreviations: <ul> <li>BNR: Bell-Northern Research Ltd.</li> <li>WC: W. Clipsham</li> <li>NT: Northern Telecom</li> <li>NOR: Nortel Networks</li> <li>WEC: Western Electric Company</li> <li>WB: items donated by Walter Banks</li> <li>KB: items donated by Keith Brickman</li> <li>HB: items donated by Henry Wiebe</li> <li>GR: items donated by Greg Reynolds</li> <li>ZS: items donated by Zbigniew Stachniak</li> <li>JM: items donated by John Morden</li> <li>RR: donated by Robert Roden</li> <li>SC: items donated by Stanley Chow</li> <li>DC: items donated by David Cuddy</li> </ul> HARDWARE <ul> <li>Digital Multiplex Switching System DMS-100 schematic diagram, Northern Telecom, 1979-1980 [SC]</li> <li>BNR XMS (eXtended Multicomputer System) workstation with two built-in 8" floppy drives [SC]</li> <li>BNR XMS workstation (prototype?)</li> <li>Two external 8" floppy diskette drives for the BNR XMS workstation[SC]</li> <li>Northern Telecom/Nortel Passport 50 DS1 MVPE module, [GR]</li> <li>Nortel Networks Passport 50 E3A FP module, [GR]</li> <li>Nortel Networks Passport 50 OC3S FP module, [GR]</li> <li>Nortel Networks Passport 50 CP module, [GR]</li> <li>Nortel's 1 MEG Modem, NTEX35AA, [ZS]</li> <li>Nortel Display Phone</li> <li>Northern Electric paper calculator, 1973 [JM]</li> <li>Dual NAND silicon microcircuit, Northern Electric, 1960s? [RR]</li> <li>Northern Telecom Alex videotex terminal, 1988</li> <li>Northern Telecom Displayphone telephone and data terminal, 1981</li> <li>Northern Telecom Displayphone 220 telephone and data terminal, 1987</li> <li>Nortel Europa smartphone [DC]</li> </ul> Corporate Documents <ul> <li>Northern Electric Company incorporation documents (original), 1914. [Nortel]</li> <li>Northern Telecom worldwide senior management structure, May 1983, [KB]</li> <li>Northern Telecom Inc., Major Business Units, May 1, 1985, [KB]</li> <li>Northern Electric Organization structure, September 1972. [KB]</li> <li>A file of Northern Telecom and BNR Human Resources publications and documents, 1979-1988</li> </ul> NEWSLETTERS and MAGAZINES <ul> <li>Northern Circuit, Northern Electric, Spring 1965. [KB]</li> <li>Northern News, Northern Electric, vol. 44, no. 7 (1969). [JM]</li> <li>The Networks, Northern Electric, September 1973. [JM]</li> <li>telesis, BNR issues: vol. 3, no. 2 (1973) [WB]; vol. 4, no. 3 (1975); vol 4., no. 1 (1976) [WC]; vol. 5, no. 2 (1977) and no. 9 (1978) [WB]; vol. 6, no. 1 (1979) [WB]; vol. 8, no. 4 (1981); vol. 12, no. 1 and 2 (1985) [WC, DC]; issues 92, 93 (1991), 98 (1994). [WC]</li> <li>the, Northern Electric, Ottawa, issue 2 (1969), 4, 5 (1970). [WC]</li> <li>Miscellany, BNR, vol. 2, 3 (1987), 4, 5 (1988), 6, 7 (1989). [WC]</li> <li>Printed Circuit, Northern Telecom at Bramalea vol. 18, no. 7 (1991). [JM]</li> <li>Lachine Journal, Northern Telecom at Lachine, no. 5 (1992). [JM]</li> <li>Network news, Northern Telecom, May 1992. [JM]</li> <li>Between-Us, Northern Telecom at Lachine and Laurentian no. 4 (1993). [JM]</li> <li>Protel Technical Notes, BNR, Language Development Group; issues: vol. 1, nr. 1--7, 1980.</li> <li>Data Packet, Data Networks Division, Northern Telecom, vol. 2, issue 3 )198?) [WC]</li> </ul> MANUALS, USER GUIDES, REPORTS, PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL 1940-1949 <ul> <li>No. 1 Crossbar Dial Telephone System, Photographs, Educational Bulletin No. 2.5, WEC, December 1947. [HW]</li> </ul> 1950-1959 <ul> <li>No. 5 Crossbar Dial Telephone System, Completion of a Call, Educational Bulletin No. 2.5 B-1, WEC, April 1954. [HW]</li> <li>The Step-By-Step Dial Telephone System, Telephone System Training, Lesson No. 3, No. 2.5 B-1, WEC, June 1954. [HW]</li> </ul> 1960-1969 <ul> <li>E.H. Lanham, A Brief Story of the Growth, Evolution, and Expansion of Telephone Systems from the Magneto Era to the Present, Technical Memorandum TM 8161-2-64, Northern Electric, December 31st, 1964.</li> <li>Toronto Works, Telephone Directory, Northern Electric Company, Switching Division, 1 November 1966 [WBr] 1 Nov. 1966. [HB] Preliminary Version, IPSA (29 November, 1970) [WK].</li> </ul> 1970-1979 <ul> <li>Time to switch... SP-1 electronic switching systems, Northern Electric, October 1973. [JM]</li> <li>Datapac: Standard Network Access Protocol, Trans-Canada Telephone System, 30 November, 1974. [WC]</li> <li>Datapac: Overview, Trans-Canada Telephone System, 1974? [WC]</li> <li>Datapac: Four papers presented to the Third International Conference on Computer Communications, Toronto, Canada (August 1976). [WC]</li> <li>An Introduction to GRAPPLE Programming, ver. 4.21, BNR 13490, July 1974. [WB]</li> <li>GRAPPLE Console Users Manual, ver. 1.0, BNR(?), 18 June, 1975. [WB]</li> <li>GRAPPLE Language Reference Manual, ver. 5.10, BNR 13500, June 1975. [WB]</li> <li>Datapac: Standard Network Access Protocol Specification, Trans-Canada Telephone System, 1976. [WC]</li> <li>Datapac: Four papers presented to the Third International Conference on Computer Communications, Toronto, August 1976, Trans-Canada Telephone System, 1976. [WC]</li> <li>W. Clipsham, SL10 Data Network Processor: General Description, BNR, Issue 1, September 1976. [WC]</li> <li>D. Drynan, SL10 Data Network Processor: Trunk System, BNR, February 1977. [WC]</li> <li>Integrated Software Engineering System: Cost-Benefit Analysis, BNR, November 1978. [WC]</li> <li>Integrated Software Engineering System: Overview, BNR, November 1979. [WC]</li> <li>Integrated Software Engineering System: System Requirements Specification, BNR, November 1979. [WC]</li> </ul> 1980-1989 <ul> <li>Introducing a major advancement in the evolution of the telephone: Displayphone, promotional brochure, Northern Telecom, April 1981 [DC]</li> <li>Does your telecommunications system give you access to your internal database? Displayphone promotional brochure, Northern Telecom, 198? [DC]</li> <li>SL-1 Displayphone promotional brochure, Northern Telecom, 198? [DC]</li> <li>Displayphone User Guide, Northern Telecom, February 1982 [ZS]</li> <li>Displayphone User Guide, Northern Telecom, issue 3 [ZS]</li> <li>Displayphone 220 User Guide, Northern Telecom, 1987 [ZS]</li> <li>ALEX Installation Guide, Northern Telecom, issue 1 [ZS]</li> <li>DMS-100 System Description, BNR, 1986. [SC]</li> <li>Writing Handbook, BNR, 1987. [WC]</li> <li>DPN: Data Networking System Reference Handbook, Northern Telecom, 1986. [WC]</li> <li>DMS-100/200 NT-40 Instruction Set, BNR, 1987. [SC]</li> <li>H. Johnson, Object-Oriented Programming in PROTEL (draft), BNR, 1988. [SC]</li> <li>H. Johnson, An Object-Oriented Language Based on PROTEL (draft), BNR, 1989. [SC]</li> <li>DPN-100: Data Networking Reference Handbook, Northern Telecom, 1988. [WC]</li> <li>B. Baker, Multiprocessing Core for DMS, BNR, 1989. [SC]</li> <li>Telephony, BNR, Technical Educational Department, 198?</li> <li>Meridian M4020 Integrated Terminal: Bringing integrated data and voice to the desktop, Northern Telecom, 1985. [DC]</li> </ul> 1990- <ul> <li>DPN-100/500: Data Networking General Description, Release 1.0, BNR, February 11, 1990. [WC]</li> <li>DPN: Data Networking System, BNR, October 1990. [WC]</li> <li>Advaced Telephone Terminals Design: Driving the Development of Next-Generation Terminals, Nortel-Northern Telecom, July 1997. [DC]</li> </ul> PAPERS and OTHER PUBLICATIONS <ul> <li>W.A. Depp and W.H.T. Holden, Circuits for Cold Cathode Glow Tubes, Bell Telephone System Technical Publications, Monograph B-1685, compliments of Northern Electric, 1949. Originally published in Electrical Manufacturing, vol. 44, pp. 92-97 (1949).</li> <li>J.H. Felker, Typical block diagram for a digital computer, Bell Telephone System Technical Publications, Monograph 2046, compliments of Northern Electric, 1952. Originally published in Transactions of American Institute of Electrical Engineers, vol. 71, part 1 (1952), pp. 175-182.</li> <li>Datapac and the SL-10 Packet Switching System: Selected Published Papers, 1976-79, BNR.</li> <li>M. Fridrich and W. Older, Helix: The Architecture of the XMS Distributed File System, reprint with the permission from IEEE Software (May 1985). [SC]</li> <li>N. Gammage and L. Casey, XMS: A Rendezvous-Based Distributed System Software Architecture, reprint with the permission from IEEE Software (May 1985). [SC]</li> <li>Northern Telecom: The Anatomy of Transformation, 1985--1995, Nortel/Northern Telecom (November 1996). [WC]</li> <li>H. Johnson, PROTEL A programming Language for Large Real-Time Applications, publisher: ? (1984).</li> <li>SINC Network Description, SINC Technical Document, Bell/BNR SINC Design Team (October 31, 1974). [WC]</li> <li>DPN Technical Papers 1985-1986, BNR. [WC]</li> <li>W.W. Clipsham, F.E. Glave, and M.L. Narraway, Datapac Network Overview, Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Computer Communication, P.K. Verma (ed), Toronto. 3-6 August 1976; the material includes memos and slides prepared for the presentation. [WC]</li> <li>The BNR Network (197?) [WC]</li> <li>I. Cunningham, Host to Network Protocol for the Bell-Northern Research Network, version 1.2, BNR (October 1973). [WC]</li> <li>B. Clipsham et al, First Level Protocol for a Data Switch, version V, August 14, 1972, CASE: R3777. [WC]</li> <li>C.C. Martel, I.M. Cunningham, and M.S. Grushcow, The BNR Network: A Canadian Experience with Packet Switching Technology, BNR. [WC]</li> <li>N. Dam, D. Schenkel, and W.Prater, Micro-SNAP - An X.25 Microcomputer System, MSNAP-BNR (197?) [WC]</li> <li>B. Hobbs, Chrysalis: Transforming The Way We Do Business, Northern Telecom S321 (September 19, 1991). [JM]</li> <li>32 photographs of the Northern Telecom constructions at 8200 Dixie Rd. taken between February 23 and December 8, 1987. [JM]</li> <li>Four photographs of the Northern Electric Calgary Cable Plant, 19?? [JM]</li> <li>Various promotional Nortel Networks brochures, 1995--2003. [ZS]</li> </ul> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource BNR XMS Workstations Subject The topic of the resource computer hardware: workstation Description An account of the resource Historical Context (by Z. Stachniak) In 1971, Bell Canada and Northern Electric (renamed Northern Telecom in 1976) established Bell-Northern Research (BNR) -- a common telecommunications research and development entity. BNR played a crucial role in Northern's evolution into a leading global provider of fully digital telecommunications solutions. In 1975, Northern launched the BNR-designed SL-1 -- the first digital switching system in commercial service. Four years later, Northern introduced the DMS-100 digital switch, which seamlessly integrated switching and transmission capabilities (DMS: digital multiplex switch). The widespread adoption of the DMS-100 propelled Northern to the forefront of the global telecommunications industry. The experience gained during the design of the DMS-100 prompted BNR to establish a Computing Technology Development Group in 1979. As described in [2], the group's objectives were: <ul> <li>creating the foundational computing components for Northern Telecom's future products;</li> <li>developing tools essential for software development for these products;</li> <li>exploring emerging computing technology trends and ensuring a continuous flow of relevant technologies into BNR's operations.</li> </ul> Initially, the Computing Technology Development Group, informally referred to as the XMS group, was comprised of Peter Cashin, who previously led the original core development team for the DMS computer systems, Neil Gammage (systems software: OS and systems), Jean Jervis (systems software: OS), Ragui Kamel (software: compilers), Bill Williams (software architecture), and Rick Workman (hardware/software integration). Shortly thereafter, Liam Casey (distributed software architecture) and Kerry Zoehner (file systems) joined the group. Over time, the XMS group expanded to include more than 100 engineers primarily based in Ottawa. The primary task of the group involved researching and defining hardware and software architectures that could form the basis of a distributed computing network to support the development of future BNR products. The resulting architecture, named XMS (eXtended Multicomputer System), was defined as a cluster of processing nodes (such as workstations, file servers, communication servers, printing servers, etc.) interconnected by a single high-speed local area network and operated under concurrent software. As articulated in [2], "XMS creates a single, powerful system from loosely coupled microcomputers. Programs work together across nodes, making systemwide resource management transparent and distributed-system design simpler." Detailed information regarding both the hardware and software architectures of XMS can be found in [1] and [2]. The first XMS system was deployed at BNR in 1981. It was the XMS Software Development Environment (SDE) whose main purpose was to provide the computing facilities and resources essential for supporting XMS-based projects. The system comprised several XMS personal workstations, a file server, a print server, and a communications server. The majority of XMS SDE software was developed using BNR Pascal. This language, an extension of UCSD Pascal (designed at the University of California, San Diego), incorporated ADA-like tasks and concurrency features implemented in XMS. Alongside XMS system software and the BNR Pascal, the SDE environment featured a robust file system called Helix and an array of software development utility programs, including: <ul> <li>editors: text and graphics editors,</li> <li>software development tools: compilers, assemblers, dissassemblers, linkers, etc.,</li> <li>analysis tools: debuggers, profilers, test tools, cross referencers, etc.</li> <li>document preparation package: support for text and graphics, spellcheckers, index generator,</li> <li>LAN communication: messaging and bulletin board,</li> <li>IBM communication: passthrough and file transfer,</li> <li>project management tools: source management, problem database and project tracking.</li> </ul> The XMS was a proprietary platform. Although built from commercially available components, initially it could not take advantage of commercially available software, or engaging external development groups. In response, the XMS group developed a facility called Distributed Unix (or DUX), enabling the loading and execution of Unix applications within the XMS system. The SDE offered a robust and adaptable environment for software development. It also demonstrated the effectiveness of the XMS platform when combined with suitable software. As emphasized in [1], "A major benefit of the deployment of XMS SDE systems has been the designer's ability to both develop and test systems on the same hardware." According to data provided in [2], by 1985, approximately 2,000 workstations in 25 XMS networks were operational across 15 geographic locations spanning from California to Europe. However, despite numerous successful applications of the XMS platforms, such as the Nortel Meridian PBX family, significant factors ultimately led to the decline of XMS developments at BNR. In the February 2024 interview for the Centre for Discrete Mathematics and Theoretical Computer Science, University of Auckland, Peter Cashin summarized the root cause of the disbanding of the XMS group in the late 1980s as follows:   The [XMS] project was technically successful... We thought we had a better solution    than Unix, with nice multi-computer inter-process  messaging...    But the writing was on the wall, the use of C and Unix was spreading, and the    commercial computing industry was going to be able to supply the needs for    telecom. The necessity for our own hardware was gone, and the advantages    of our own systems software was shrinking. It was a computer industry opportunity,    and Nortel made the decision that it  was not getting into the computer business. The XMS Workstations The XMS SDE systems utilized workstations designed at BNR by John Perry. These workstations were conceived to function as development platforms as well as the foundation for future products. Over the course of the XMS project, four distinct models were developed. Each of these models was built around a microprocessor from the Motorola 68000 family. Initially, all XMS prototypes and models 1 and 2 featured the Motorola 68000-x microprocessors. However, in later iterations, models 3 and 4 incorporated the Motorola 68010 and 68020 CPUs. For external storage, the workstations initially relied on 8" floppy drives but later also incorporating a 10M-Byte Winchester hard disk. User interaction was facilitated through a standalone video display terminal, which provided both keyboard input and display. <table> <tbody> <tr> <th>Model</th> <th>CPU</th> <th>ROM</th> <th>RAM</th> <th>external storage</th> <th>display/ keyboard</th> <th>exp. slots</th> </tr> <tr> <td>0</td> <td>MC6800-06</td> <td>65,536 bits MM2716 eproms</td> <td>4 SIP-like memory cards 294,912 bits each, AM9016 RAMs</td> <td>two 8" floppy disk drives</td> <td>external terminal</td> <td>6</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2</td> <td>MC6800-08</td> <td>137,072 bits HN462732G eproms</td> <td>4 memory cards 1,179,648 bits each, HM4864-2 RAMs</td> <td>two 8" floppy disk drives</td> <td>external terminal</td> <td>8</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> Table: Technical specifications of one of the XMS prototypes ("model 0") and of model 2. Museum Holdings <ul> <li>XMS prototype ("model 0",  second image below),</li> <li>XMS Model 2 (first image below),</li> <li>8" floppy disk drive (x 2) for XMS mode 1,</li> <li>other related items are listed in the Nortel archive.</li> </ul> Bibliography [1] Gammage N. and Casey, L., XMS: A Rendezvous-Based Distributed System Software Architecture, IEEE Software, vol. 2, no. 3 (1985), pp. 9-19. [2] Kamel, R.F., Software Development in a Distributed Environment: The XMS System, In: Conradi, R., Didriksen, T.M., Wanvik, D.H. (eds) Advanced Programming Environments, Springer LNCS, vol 244 (1987), pp. 126-141. [3] Cashin, P. and Carpenter, B.E., An Overseas Experience with Hypertext and Packet Switching, CDMTCS-577, Centre for Discrete Mathematics and Theoretical Computer Science, University of Auckland, New Zealand (February 2024). Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant 1980s, North America, Europe https://museum.eecs.yorku.ca/files/original/e12273373333b2e25db7f84a7b54c248.jpg 65777eb308785aa48c981e38dbb3d5db Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Cognos PowerHouse Subject The topic of the resource software Description An account of the resource Historical context (by Z. Stachniak) Cognos Incorporated, formerly known as Quasar Systems Ltd., was a pioneering Ottawa-based software company renowned for its innovative business intelligence and performance management solutions. The company was established in 1969 by Alan Rushforth and Peter Glenister. Michael Potter joined the company in 1972 and, within three years, became the sole owner of Quasar. The company changed its name to Cognos in 1983, opened its new head office in Ottawa in 1985 and, a year later, went public on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the NASDAQ. By the early 1990s, Cognos became the largest independent software company in Canada. By the turn of the century, Cognos served more than 17,000 customers in 120 countries. Potter retired in 1995 and was replaced by Ron Zambonini as the company's CEO. In 2007, Cognos was acquired by IBM for $4.9 billion. Throughout the 1970s, the company primarily focused on information system consulting, predominantly serving the Canadian federal government. Under Potter's leadership, the company's business profile changed. In an interview with the Ottawa Business Journal [1], Potter credited Bob Minns as the catalyst for this transition. <blockquote>Bob was an extraordinarily important guy to the whole Cognos story. [...] Once with Quasar, Bob Minns had the bright idea, which was quite revolutionary at the time, that you could develop a higher-level language which could allow an end user, not an IT specialist, to be more directly involved in actually writing code that would extract data and write the summary reports that he needed. That higher-level language was independent of any particular application, so it could be standardized and packaged as a product. Bob then developed the idea and we released our first software product [Quiz] in the early ’80s. The margin for selling these products was much higher. The geographic constraints of having our people at each customer site were gone, so we could sell it internationally. It just took off.</blockquote> The rapid success of Quiz spearheaded the firm’s transformation from a service-based business to software publishing, shifting the company's emphasis towards business intelligence and performance management tools. Quiz was followed by PowerHouse (1982), PowerPlay (1990), Impromptu(1995?), and PowerPlay Web (1998). As of 2024, UNICOM Systems distributes PowerHouse software (including PowerHouse 4GL and PowerHouse Web), while IBM offers PowerPlay (current version is 11.0). PowerHouse PowerHouse is a fourth-generation programming language (4GL) designed for developing business applications. Introduced in 1982 for the Digital Equipment VAX minicomputers, PowerHouse expanded upon the original Quiz reporting product, providing much broader functionality focused on simplifying and accelerating the development of comprehensive data management applications. In Power House Primer (version 5.04), Cognos explained that <blockquote>Compared to traditional languages like Cobol, PowerHouse dramatically reduces the programming effort required to develop applications. PowerHouse applications can be functionally equivalent to Cobol applications, while development can be up to ten times faster. Simple English statements eliminate many laborious programming tasks, significantly reducing the total number of programming instructions. Fewer instructions, in turn, not only shorten the development process, but equally important, reduce the programming effort required to maintain an application.</blockquote> PowerHouse consists of three main integrated components: <ul> <li>QUICK - screen builder (QDESIGN module) and screen-based transaction processor,</li> <li>QUIZ - report generation software,</li> <li>QTP - volume transaction processor.</li> </ul> The PowerHouse Dictionary serves as the foundational framework for these components, acting as a central repository for defining the basic entities necessary to describe data within a specific system or systems. The dictionary is created and maintained through a system of screens developed in QUICK. PowerHouse was the first Cognos global product set, swiftly attracting international attention and amassing a revenue exceeding $100 million. By the mid-1980s, it became the most widely installed fourth-generation language on minicomputers worldwide. The robust sales of PowerHouse played a pivotal role in Cognos' decision to go public in 1986 and paved the way for the transformation of Cognos into a business intelligence software company. Following IBM's acquisition of Cognos in 2007, support for PowerHouse persisted until 2013, when the entire PowerHouse product line, including PowerHouse 4GL Server, Axiant 4GL and PowerHouse Web, was acquired by UNICOM Systems. Selected PowerHouse versions <table> <tbody> <tr> <th>TITLE</th> <th>COMPANY</th> <th>PLATFORM</th> <th>YEAR</th> </tr> <tr> <th>PowerHouse</th> <th>Quasar Systems</th> <th>Vax minis</th> <th>1982</th> </tr> <tr> <th>PowerHouse for MPE/HL</th> <th>Cognos</th> <th>HP 3000</th> <th>199?</th> </tr> <tr> <th>PowerHouse for MPE/iX</th> <th>Cognos</th> <th>HP 3000</th> <th>199?</th> </tr> <tr> <th>PowerHouse PC</th> <th>Cognos</th> <th>Intel-DOS PCs</th> <th>1998</th> </tr> <tr> <th>PowerHouse Web</th> <th>Cognos</th> <th>Unix-based servers</th> <th>1999</th> </tr> <tr> <th>IBM Cognos PowerHouse 4GL</th> <th>IBM</th> <th>multiple platforms</th> <th>2010-2013</th> </tr> <tr> <th>PowerHouse 4GL</th> <th>UNICOM Systems</th> <th>multiple platforms</th> <th>2013-</th> </tr> </tbody> </table> Further Readings: [1] Lifetime Achievement, Ottawa Business Journal, Nov. 7, 2016, pp. 14--15. [2] Voyer, R. and Patti, R., The New Innovators: How Canadians are shaping the knowledge-based economy, James Lorimer & Comp. Pub., 1994. [3] Cognos Inc., Encyclopedia.com, https://www.encyclopedia.com/books/politics-and-business-magazines/cognos-inc. Museum holdings PowerHouse library of documents including: <ul> <li>PowerHouse Quiz, Cognos, 1985,</li> <li>PowerHouse Quiz, v. 5.04, Cognos, 1987,</li> <li>PowerHouse Dictionary, v. 5.04, Cognos, 1987,</li> <li>PowerHouse QTP, v. 5.04, Cognos, 1987,</li> <li>PowerHouse Quick, v. 5.04, Cognos, 1987,</li> <li>PowerHouse Pocket Guide, v. 5.04, Cognos, 1987,</li> <li>PowerHouse Pocket Primer, v. 5.04, Cognos, 1987,</li> <li>E. Schurr, Introducing the PowerHouse for Application ,Development on VAX, Cognos, 198?,</li> <li>How to Use PowerHouse Screens, Cognos, 1987.</li> </ul> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Cognos Inc. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Cognos Inc. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1997 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant world https://museum.eecs.yorku.ca/files/original/14bc93b89a91efd79936a0718bdafd1e.jpg 151d5b2a36069d9c79db3236e6c52ccc Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource University of Toronto M6809 computer Subject The topic of the resource single board microcomputer Description An account of the resource Historical context (by Z. Stachniak) In April 1972, Intel Corp. of Santa Clara, CA, announced its first 8-bit microprocessor, the 8008. Shortly after, the company introduced the 8008-powered SIM8-01 single-board computer designed as a trainer and a software development system for the 8008-based applications. The introduction of this novel hardware marked more than just a leap in microprogrammable controller technology. Within months, prototypes of the first general-purpose computers powered by the 8008 chip were operational on-site at the French company Réalisations et Études Électroniques located in the suburbs of Paris and at Micro Computer Machines with headquarters situated on the outskirts of Toronto. The SIM8-01 board generated the first wave of computer hobby activities in North America. It also became an educational tool that enabled electrical engineering students to gain a deep understanding and appreciation of this new microprocessor technology. In 1973, the SIM8-01 board became the primary hardware at the newly established digital design labs at the University of Maryland and the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. These labs broadened the digital system design curriculum, introducing students to microprocessor technology recognized as a crucial component in computer engineering education. Other universities opted for various microprocessor development and demonstration systems, such as the Motorola MEK6800 single-board computer introduced in 1975, or developed and constructed their own hardware to support their microprocessor laboratories. The University of Toronto M6809 computer In the late 1970s, the Department of Electrical Engineering at the University of Toronto developed and built the M6809 single-board microcomputer for its microprocessor lab. "Peter Pereira [a Senior Technologist at the University of Toronto] and I developed the hardware and Robert MacKay [a Ph.D. student] developed a Monitor Program that made it easy to use the board," recollected Zvonko Vranesic, a University of Toronto professor. "At that time I was teaching courses on Logic Design and Computer Organization in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Computer technology was developing rapidly, boosted by the emergence of powerful microprocessor chips. I was in charge of organizing a new Microprocessor Laboratory. Since commercially available equipment was expensive, we decided to develop our own board using the 6809 microprocessor. Our new laboratory was a huge success." The computer was introduced alongside comprehensive lab materials that included the computer's technical specifications, software descriptions, and a series of laboratory exercises. The M6809 board was manufactured by Exceltronix Components and Computers — one of the largest and popular electronics stores of the 1980s in Toronto. Until 1984, the computer, initially developed as a lab tool for instructing microprocessor technology to electrical engineering students, was also commercially sold by Exceltronix to commercial customers and computer hobbyists. "It turned out that the board was quite powerful and easy to use," Vranesic added. "We gave the Exceltronix company a licence to sell the board to commercial customers, which included industrial companies and several other universities. The board found uses that would otherwise have required a PDP-11 minicomputer (at a much higher cost)." Between 1984 and 1985, Peter Bubonia, a research associate in the University of Toronto's Department of Electrical Engineering, revamped the M6809 computer. His new computer, the SBC6809 Lab-mate, supported experimentation with microprocessor technology at, among other institutions, the University of Toronto and Ryerson Polytechnic Institute. M6809 hardware specifications <ul> <li> CPU: Motorola MC6809, 8-bit,</li> <li> RAM: 16, 32, or 48Kbytes,</li> <li> ROM: slots for three TMS-2532 EPROMs,</li> <li> display chip: Intel DL1416, 64 characetr display,</li> <li> ports: two RS-232 compatible serial ports (used to communicate with a terminal and auxiliary devices such as printers, modems, and computers); two VIA 6522 chips providing two parallel ports each (for audio cassette recorder, keyboard, parallel printer, etc.); 16-bit I/O connector providing access to data, address, control lines and signals;</li> <li>switches: RESET switch, to reset hardware and enter the monitor software, and NMI switch to interrupt a program and enter the monitor software,</li> <li>power supply: +5V, +12V and -12V.</li> </ul> M6809 software The M6809 software package TEACH  included: <ul> <li>monitor — allowed the user to test the memory, dump blocks of memory, examine and modify single memory locations, read and write from the cassette port, set and examine the breakpoints, single sterp or/and execute machine language programs, and set the examine the processor registers,</li> <li>editor/assembler — allowed the user to develop programs in the M6809 assembler (full screen),</li> <li>wire mode  — allowed the user to up and download text files to or from remote computer as well as to download machine code in Motorola's S-record format.</li> </ul> Museum holdings <ul> <li>M6809 computer with hand written code "UT0180" and a sticker "2/13/87 BN",</li> <li>Robert MacKay, Peter Pereira, and Zvonko Vranesic, University of Toronto M6809 MIcroprocessor Laboratory Notes and Experiments, v. 1.1, University of Toronto, 1982,</li> <li>SBC6809 Lab-mate computer.</li> </ul> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource University of Toronto Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived donated by Arlen Michaels Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Canada, 1979 to mid 1980s 6809 University of Toronto https://museum.eecs.yorku.ca/files/original/976885ea122de95be570da8c3685ea49.png f5fe9047cf2b1f797aa9744d7f7aa441 https://museum.eecs.yorku.ca/files/original/aa157b36cb1fb47e2b355fcc04cfeb84.png 5dbfefb706040f636cf6ad5c256015b2 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource CEMCorp ICON Subject The topic of the resource hardware: educational computer Description An account of the resource Historical context (by Z. Stachniak) Since the late 1940s, several computer enthusiasts and dedicated educators have engaged in a variety of computing-related activities, ranging from the design of computer toys and educational aids to publishing and establishing computer clubs and organizations. In 1949, Edmund Berkeley published Giant Brains or Machines That Think, a book intended for a general audience interested in technological innovations. He followed it with a series of computer construction projects and educational devices in the 1950s, including Simon, BRAINIAC, and GENIAC. These devices were not intended as scientific instruments, but rather as educational tools      to exhibit in simple understandable form the essential principle of any artificial brain     [E. Berkeley and R.A. Jensen, World's Smallest Electric Brain, Radio Electronics, October 1950.] Berkeley's computer education ideas inspired others to find ways of introducing knowledge about computers and their role in modern society to educators, electronics hobbyists, and even children. One such individual was Joseph Weisbecker, a computer engineer at RCA. His career spanned a wide range of fields, from designing mainframe computer hardware to developing microprocessors and microcomputer architectures. However, his true passion lay in demystifying the little-understood world of digital computing. Weisbecker's numerous iterations of his Flexible Recreational and Educational Device (FRED) were not another tape of computer toy—despite having designed many in the past—but as affordable, general-purpose computers for use in homes and schools. The introduction of the first microprocessors in the early 1970s not only reshaped the semiconductor industry but also gave rise to the global microcomputer industry. Education quickly emerged as one of the key application areas driving this new technological wave. As early as 1973, during the launch of its MCM/70 computer, the Canadian electronics company Micro Computer Machines (MCM) identified education as a primary market for microcomputers. The company emphasized that computers like the MCM/70 could       provide each student in a computer equipped classroom with his own individualized interactive computer. [...]       Featuring a language suitable in its simplicity and power for students and teachers alike, the MCM/70       brings to the world of education a technological solution to the problem of introducing economical interactive       computer systems. [MCM promotional brochure, 1974] By the early 1980s, the use of microcomputers in schools had become widespread. In several countries, educators began experimenting with large-scale computer education programs. One such initiative was the BBC Computer Literacy Project, launched in the UK in 1981. It played a significant role in introducing computing into UK homes and schools and served as a crucial stepping stone for many people's first experiences with computers and programming. In Canada, the television series Bits and Bytes, produced by TVOntario in 1983, aimed to teach the basics of home and personal computer use and applications. That same year, the Ottawa-based NABU Network launched an education channel that featured both commercial and teacher-developed courseware. The content covered a broad range of subjects, including the arts, languages, computer programming, skills and tools, as well as mathematics, history, and various scientific disciplines. Ontario Educational Computer In the early 1980s, Canadian provinces and territories recognized that computers would have a significant impact on education. This awareness was reflected in the formation of numerous working committees and task forces at both the government and local school board levels. It became increasingly clear that advancements in microelectronics would continue to drive major changes in Canadian society—particularly within the education system. At the time, Canadian schools were using a wide array of incompatible microcomputers produced by companies such as Apple Computer, Atari, Commodore, Tandy, and Texas Instruments. As a result, educational software had to be developed separately for each platform, making it difficult to standardize and streamline computer-based education programs. In response to this challenge, the Ontario Ministry of Education began implementing a coordinated computer education program in 1983.       It is increasingly important that students in Ontario schools have the opportunity to the full       extent of their abilities to become knowledgeable and creative users of the microcomputer as a       personal tool. Only in this way will we be able, individually and corporately, to cope with the       "Information Revolution" that advancing micro-technology is creating, and to take full advantage of       the social and economic opportunities it creates.       [The Ministry of Education, Ontario, Policy/Program Memorandum No.       68, March 24, 1983] The Ministry argued that the most effective way to address the hardware and software needs of Ontario schools was to base the selection of microcomputers on well-researched and clearly defined functional requirements. The Functional Requirements for Microcomputers for Educational Use in Ontario Schools were issued in 1983. School boards that purchased microcomputers meeting these standards were eligible to receive grants covering 75% of the purchase cost. Additionally, the Ministry allocated $5 million for the development of educational software for use with microcomputers that met its requirements. The new Ontario educational computing initiative was also designed to achieve another important goal: stimulating the growth of Canada’s microelectronics industry, particularly in the areas of hardware and software development. It was argued that       this need [for expertly developed educational software ] can best be met if a competitive educational software       industry can be  established in Ontario whose primary market is the province's elementary and secondary school       system. Basing itself on this market and taking advantage of the strong R & D base in computer science which has       developed in Ontario universities, and the experience gained to date, such an industry could potentially seize a       dominant position internationally in the provision of educational software. [...] Unless every opportunity is taken to       develop in Canada a world class capability in these vital technologies we cannot remain competitive in the world economy.       [The Ministry of Education, Ontario, Policy/Program Memorandum No. 69, March 24, 1983] CEMCorp ICON computer At the time the Functional Requirements for Microcomputers for Educational Use in Ontario Schools were announced, only one Canadian company—Educational Microprocessor Corporation (CEMCorp) of Toronto—offered a computer design that met the specifications. Founded in 1981, CEMCorp was established in response to the Board of Industrial Leadership and Development’s recommendation to create an all-Canadian microcomputer tailored to the educational market and to support the growth of the Canadian educational software industry. Given this context, it is not surprising that the Ontario Ministry of Education awarded CEMCorp a $10 million contract to complete the design and manufacture the ICON—a new standardized educational microcomputer system for Ontario schools. CEMCorp began shipping the ICON in 1984. The computer was manufactured by Microtel in Belleville, Ontario (with the exception of the display manufactured in Taiwan). Its QNX operating system was developed by Quantum Software Systems of Ottawa, while Toronto-based Burroughs Canada was contracted to handle sales and support. Between 1984 and the early 1990s, several generations of the ICON were produced. In 1986, the ICON II workstation was introduced by Unisys Corporation, which had been formed through the merger of Burroughs and Sperry Rand. The ICON II featured a redesigned case, a detached keyboard with an integrated trackball, expanded RAM, and support for an internal hard disk. The ICON II was later succeeded by several models of IBM-compatible computers, built around the Intel 386 processor and ran Microsoft DOS and Windows operating systems. The success of IBM and Apple Computer in the microcomputer market—along with other manufacturers gaining ministerial approval for educational computers that had originally been the exclusive domain of the ICON—led to a significantly reduced presence of Unisys computers in Ontario schools. Moreover, unlike the ICON, these well-established platforms were supported by an extensive base of software publishers that provided vast libraries of educational software. Ultimately, the Ontario Ministry of Education ended all support for the ICON platform in 1994, which was soon followed by Unisys discontinuing ICON production. Despite its eventual demise, the ICON had a lasting impact on computer education in Ontario, introducing a generation of students and teachers to the world of computing. CEMCorp ICON technical description The CEMCorp ICON computer was based on a workstation–file server model, with the file server—called the LEXICON—providing system and application software, external storage, and connectivity to shared peripherals such as printers. The workstation itself was housed in a large metal case, featuring a tilt-and-swivel display mounted on top, a built-in full-sized keyboard, and a trackball. It booted from the LEXICON server via a dedicated ARCNET network. The ICON offered NAPLPS/Telidon-based graphics and included a speech synthesis controller that enabled synthetic speech communication. A GUI-based Ambience software, developed by the Ontario Ministry of Education, provided an environment for students and teachers to, among other operations, interact with ICON without the explicit use of the operating system. The LEXICON file server was housed in a cuboid-shaped metal enclosure and featured an internal hard drive with a minimum storage capacity of 10 MB, along with a single 5.25" floppy disk drive. In addition to system and application software, the hard drive stored all user workspaces. The server included multiple ports for connecting ICON workstations, a shared printer, and optional external peripherals such as a keyboard and display. Internally, its hardware closely resembled that of the ICON workstation. CEMCorp selected the little-known QUNIX operating system—renamed QNX in 1983—for the ICON. Its adoption by CEMCorp, and shortly thereafter by the NABU Network for its NABU 1600 computer, helped open the global embedded systems market to QNX. CEMCorp ICON software One of the key objectives of the Ministry’s Ontario Approved Educational Computer initiative was to foster the growth of a competitive educational software industry. To support this goal, the Ministry allocated $5 million to its Exemplary Lessonware Project, aimed at assisting in the development of high-quality educational software aligned with the learning objectives outlined in the Ministry’s curriculum guidelines for elementary and secondary schools. More than 500 software proposals were submitted in response to the call for computer-based learning materials; however, only 57 lessonware projects were selected for funding. These projects were managed by the Ontario Educational Software Service (OESS), and the completed software was distributed by TVOntario. However, by the end of 1987, Ontario's educational software industry remained in its early stages. Despite some notable exceptions, companies from outside the province were generally reluctant to participate. As a result, fewer than 100 lessonware titles were available through TVO/OESS (see the list below), which negatively affected ICON’s competitiveness in the educational market. Several programming languages were offered for the ICON, including C and Logo from UNISIS, as well as APL, BASIC, COBOL, Fortran, and Pascal from Watcom of Waterloo. Other notable software developed for the ICON included the aforementioned Ambience, created by the Ontario Ministry of Education, ALICE Pascal from Looking Glass Software in Toronto, and a variety of text and graphics editors. Selected ICON software, 1987: <table> <tbody> <tr style="background-color: lightblue;"> <th>TITLE</th> <th>AUTHORS</th> <th>PUBLISHER</th> <th>AREA</th> </tr> <tr> <th>Accele-read</th> <th>M. Barcelos, M. Billard et al.</th> <th>Centre (1)</th> <th>reading</th> </tr> <tr> <th>Animals of Ontario</th> <th>A. Delong</th> <th>Southwood (18)</th> <th>biology</th> </tr> <tr> <th>Art Treasures</th> <th>J. Pollock</th> <th>Ministry (2)</th> <th>art history</th> </tr> <tr> <th>Bar Graphs</th> <th>M. Barcelos, M. Billard et al.</th> <th>Centre (1)</th> <th>data representation</th> </tr> <tr> <th>The Bartlett Saga Part I: Refugees in the Wilderness</th> <th>J. Bemrose, Ch. Moore</th> <th>Interactive (16)</th> <th>history, geography</th> </tr> <tr> <th>The Bartlett Saga Part II: The Rebels</th> <th>J. Bemrose</th> <th>Interactive (16)</th> <th>history, geography</th> </tr> <tr> <th>The Bartlett Saga Part IV: The Golden West</th> <th>P. McGrath, Ch. Moore</th> <th>Interactive (16)</th> <th>history, geography</th> </tr> <tr> <th>B.C. Lumbering</th> <th>J. Buckley, K. Donald</th> <th>-</th> <th>geography, economics</th> </tr> <tr> <th>Cargo Sailer</th> <th>?</th> <th>Ministry (2)</th> <th>social studies, geography</th> </tr> <tr> <th>CASI Accounting</th> <th>Paul Rehak</th> <th>Computer Systems (4)</th> <th>business, accounting</th> </tr> <tr> <th>Cattle</th> <th>J. Pollock</th> <th>Ministry (2)</th> <th>biology, history</th> </tr> <tr> <th>Colourball</th> <th>?</th> <th>Ministry (2)</th> <th>system demo</th> </tr> <tr> <th>Contributing Canadians</th> <th>J. Pollock</th> <th>Ministry (2)</th> <th>history</th> </tr> <tr> <th>Data Classification</th> <th>G. Caissy, M.Howart et al.</th> <th>Mindflight (5)</th> <th>social studies, science</th> </tr> <tr> <th>Decide, Your Excellency</th> <th>J. Leishman, J. Thiessen et al.</th> <th>Liveware (17)</th> <th>sociology, geography</th> </tr> <tr> <th>Electric Chemistry Building</th> <th>D. Santry, A. Blizzard et al.</th> <th>Snowbird (19)</th> <th>chemistry</th> </tr> <tr> <th>Flame Life</th> <th>J. Olson</th> <th>Queen's (6)</th> <th>physics</th> </tr> <tr> <th>Food Nutrient Tally</th> <th>S. Jones</th> <th>Peel (7)</th> <th>biology</th> </tr> <tr> <th>Function Workshop</th> <th>J. Thiessen et al.</th> <th>Liveware (17)</th> <th>math</th> </tr> <tr> <th>Get Ready for Math</th> <th>M. Howarth</th> <th>Mindflight (5)</th> <th>math</th> </tr> <tr> <th>Grand Tour</th> <th>L. Haynes</th> <th>Copp Clark Pitman, Ltd.</th> <th>math</th> </tr> <tr> <th>Greenhouse</th> <th>?</th> <th>?</th> <th>biology</th> </tr> <tr> <th>Ideal Gas Simulation</th> <th>M. Kilpatrick, G. Miao at al.</th> <th>Gemini (8)</th> <th>chemistry</th> </tr> <tr> <th>InfoSchool - Create New Database</th> <th>?</th> <th>?</th> <th>data management</th> </tr> <tr> <th>InfoSchool - Discovering Ontario</th> <th>?</th> <th>?</th> <th>geography</th> </tr> <tr> <th>Intuitrig</th> <th>B. Collacutt, D. Collacutt</th> <th>Logicus (10)</th> <th>math</th> </tr> <tr> <th>IPaint</th> <th>M.Lamb, J. Martin, L. Gondor</th> <th>Innovations (3)</th> <th>art</th> </tr> <tr> <th>Izzit</th> <th>M. Golick, M. Lee</th> <th>Cinemedia (9)</th> <th>problem solving, reading</th> </tr> <tr> <th>Know Your Numbers</th> <th>M. Howarth</th> <th>Mindflight (5)</th> <th>math</th> </tr> <tr> <th>Learn to Ad </th> <th>M. Howarth</th> <th>Mindflight (5)</th> <th>math</th> </tr> <tr> <th>Learn to Count</th> <th>M. Howarth</th> <th>Mindflight (5)</th> <th>math</th> </tr> <tr> <th>Learn to Subtract</th> <th>M. Howarth</th> <th>Mindflight (5)</th> <th>math</th> </tr> <tr> <th>Learning Game Generator</th> <th>?</th> <th>Ministry (2)</th> <th>game generator</th> </tr> <tr> <th>Logic Lab</th> <th>W. Buxtonm M. Delange</th> <th>UofT (11)</th> <th>computer studies</th> </tr> <tr> <th>Map Manoeuvre</th> <th>C. Ratsep</th> <th></th> <th>social studies, geography</th> </tr> <tr> <th>Math Maze</th> <th>D. Didu</th> <th>DAD's (12)</th> <th>math</th> </tr> <tr> <th>MathVille</th> <th>?</th> <th>Courseware (20)</th> <th>math</th> </tr> <tr> <th>Micro News</th> <th>B. Collacutt, D. Collacutt</th> <th>Logicus (10)</th> <th>language arts</th> </tr> <tr> <th>Moving Words</th> <th>M.Barcelos, M.Billard et al.</th> <th>Centre (1)</th> <th>vocabulary</th> </tr> <tr> <th>North-West Fur Trade</th> <th>J. Brent</th> <th>J.J. and J. (13)</th> <th>geography, history</th> </tr> <tr> <th>Offshore Fishing</th> <th>D. Leslie</th> <th>-</th> <th>geography, environment</th> </tr> <tr> <th>Partie-Prise</th> <th>M. Barcelos, M. Billard et al.</th> <th>Centre (1)</th> <th>visual perception</th> </tr> <tr> <th>Putting Yourself Together</th> <th>S. White</th> <th>East York Board (14)</th> <th>social studies</th> </tr> <tr> <th>Rapidodactylo</th> <th>S. Nakamura, M. Kryger</th> <th>-</th> <th>science, dactylography</th> </tr> <tr> <th>Ratio Factors</th> <th>R. Snyder</th> <th>-</th> <th>chemistry</th> </tr> <tr> <th>Shape Mate</th> <th>B. Collacutt, D. Collacutt</th> <th>Soft Sell (14)</th> <th>geometry</th> </tr> <tr> <th>Speakface</th> <th>?</th> <th>Ministry (2)</th> <th>language arts</th> </tr> <tr> <th>The Number Place</th> <th>?</th> <th>?</th> <th>math</th> </tr> <tr> <th>The Puzzler</th> <th>J. Gollan, D. Burnett, et al.</th> <th>Queen's (6)</th> <th>language arts, reading</th> </tr> <tr> <th>The Voyages of Columbus</th> <th>?</th> <th>Ministry (2)</th> <th>social studies, history</th> </tr> <tr> <th>Treasure of Ile Madame</th> <th>?</th> <th>?</th> <th>?</th> </tr> <tr> <th>Type-Away</th> <th>S. Nakamura, M. Kryger</th> <th>-</th> <th>typing</th> </tr> <tr> <th>Unusual Countries</th> <th>J. Pollock</th> <th>Ministry (2)</th> <th>geography, history</th> </tr> <tr> <th>Upstairs-Downstairs</th> <th>J. Hosack</th> <th>Twintek (15)</th> <th>special education</th> </tr> </tbody> </table> (1) le Centre franco-ontarien de ressources pédagogiques, Ottawa, On. (2) Computers in Education Centre, the Ministry of Education of Ontario (3) Innovations Foundation, University of Toronto, ON (4) Canadian Education Computer Systems, Beamsville, ON (5) Mindflight Technology Inc., Dunnville, ON (6) Faculty of Education, Queen's University, Kingston, ON (7) Peel Board of Education, Mississauga, ON (8) Gemini Education Group, Don Mills, ON (9) International Cinemedia Center Ltd., Toronto, ON (10) Logicus Inc., Nobelton, ON (11) Computer Systems and Research Institute, University of Toronto, ON (12) DAD's Computing, Ancasetr, ON (13) J.J. and J Enterprises, Brantford, ON (14) Soft Sell, Bolton, ON (15) Twintek Educational Software, Orilla, ON (16) Interactive Image Technologies, Toronto, ON (17) Liveware, Winnipeg, MB (18) Southwood Park School, Ajax, ON (19) Snowbird Software, Hamilton, ON (20) Courseware Solutions Inc., Toronto, ON CEMCorp ICON workstation technical specifications <ul> <li>CPU: Intel iAPX186, 7.16 MHz,</li> <li>RAM: 512KBytes,</li> <li>ROM: 128KBytes,</li> <li>Voice Synthesis Processor: TMS5220CNL speech synthesizer,</li> <li>display: 12in monochrome (640x240 pixels) or 13in color (320x240 pixels),  Hitachi HD46505 SP-1 display controller supporting NAPLPS,</li> <li>keyboard: 96-key QWERTY with additional function keys and special keys: ACTION, HELP, PAUSE, and REBOOT,</li> <li>numeric keypad: 18-key, built-in,</li> <li>trackball: built-in,</li> <li>ports: Iconet network IN and OUT, video out, external keyboard, RS232 serial port (x2), parallel printer port,</li> <li>LAN: a modified ARCNET, 2.5 Mbit/sec token passing.</li> </ul> CEMCorp LEXICON File server specification <ul> <li>CPU: Intel iAPX186, 7.16 MHz,</li> <li>motherboard: the same as ICON workstation,</li> <li>diskette drive: single 5 1/4" floppy diskette drive, 640Kbytes capacity,</li> <li>hard drive: minimum 10MBytes (YUCoM's LEXICON contains a Metropolis ST 506, 85MB hard drive),</li> <li>ports: external keyboard, external video, Iconet network IN and OUT, parallel port, RS232 serial port (x2), AC in and an auxiliary power out.</li> </ul> Museum holdings <ul> <li>ICON archive: extensive collection of documents related to the introduction and development of the ICON program,</li> <li>CEMCorp ICON workstation, serial number 11003684 (on display),</li> <li>LEXICON file server, serial number T-841201-219, manufacturing date: April 1985,</li> <li>Unisis ICON 2 workstation, serial nr. 345953715, manufacturing date: Nov. 1987,</li> <li>Unisis Model CA-3321 computer, serial nr. 432008332,</li> <li>Unisis display terminal VGA 200 MON, serial nr. 310902161, manufacturing date: Feb. 1991.</li> </ul> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource The Ministry of Education of Ontario, CEMCorp, Unisis Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived ICON archive, YUCoM Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1983-1994 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Ontario, Canada https://museum.eecs.yorku.ca/files/original/4602916179555e843277c624ddcd2f22.jpg d54664d6cc9aca1e1416cead8d37dc2f https://museum.eecs.yorku.ca/files/original/52093a38856fd988405912d2b9a797f4.jpg 524c8806a07efc47e205f967f10eca28 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Computing at York: the Beginning, catalog Description An account of the resource Catalog published by the York University Computer Museum on the occasion of the Computing at York: the Beginning exhibition opened on March 12, 2026 in the Scott Library at York University. Exhibition catalog can be accessed <a href="https://museum1.eecs.yorku.ca/Computing_at_York.pdf">HERE</a> Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Zbigniew Stachniak Subject The topic of the resource exhibition catalog Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available York University Computer Museum Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource December, 2025