COMMENT ⊗   VALID 00002 PAGES
C REC  PAGE   DESCRIPTION
C00001 00001
C00002 00002	.require "memo.pub[let,jmc]" source
C00012 ENDMK
C⊗;
.require "memo.pub[let,jmc]" source;
.cb LOW OVERHEAD TIME-SHARING FOR STANFORD UNIVERSITY


	Stanford University has established a new computation facility
called LOTS (Low Overhead Time-Sharing) for teaching,
unsponsored research, and general computing by faculty and students.
LOTS will make high quality interactive computing
available for students and faculty at a cost the University can afford.
The computer is expected to be in use by Winter Quarter.

	On-line use of a computer permits faster learning and faster
debugging of programs than the more traditional batch processing.  Users
write their programs and data sets as computer files using on-line editors
and store them in the computer's file system rather than punching them on
cards.  Time-sharing also permits programs that interact with the user.

	The first priority of LOTS is course work in engineering, computer
science, social science and other fields, but there will be sufficient
resources for extensive other use.  LOTS will also explore the convenience
and economics of letting students and faculty prepare reports and papers
on computer terminals allowing convenient editing, updating, and reference.

	The computer will be a Digital Equipment Corporation 2040, a new
computer in that company's PDP-10 series.  It is generally compatible with
the three other PDP-10 facilities on campus.  The initial configuration includes
256K 36 bit words of core memory, one magnetic tape unit, 200 megabytes of
file disk, and 48 on-line terminals.  The computer and its local
terminals will be located in Cedar Hall.
Also, LOTS will be accessible from remote terminals via the SCIP TRAN.
Although the initial 2040 configuration is somewhat slower than the 360/67,
it represents a significant increase in resources available to
the student and unsponsored research communities, because it will be
entirely theirs.

	Initially, most terminals will be located in Cedar Hall where the
staff can help students and faculty users gain experience.  Eventually,
most of the terminals will be located in departmental
and living group areas; printers will be provided in some areas.
LOTS will also encourage the individual ownership of terminals.

	The computer languages that will be available include Fortran,
LISP, the SAIL dialect of ALGOL, BASIC, and PDP-10 assembly language.
Others may be added by users or the staff (or purchased if there is enough demand).

	There will be no charges for the use of LOTS.  Any faculty member
or student can get an account by applying at the LOTS office.  Allocation
of resources will be subject to priorities determined by the Director and
the Advisory Board;  courses will get first priority.  LOTS will not be
available to non-Stanford users and will not be available to sponsored
projects.

	Many courses will transfer their computing from the 370/168 to
LOTS in Winter 1977.  The transfer of all courses that are going to
transfer will be complete by Fall 1977.
Departmental budgets for the use of SCIP reflect the expectation that most
course work will be transferred to LOTS.
When the creation of LOTS was discussed in the spring, it
was unanimously agreed that the advantages of on-line course work would
more than repay the work of making the transfer.  Departments should plan
to effect their transition to LOTS this year.

	The staff of LOTS will consist of four people: a manager, a
student co-ordinator, a systems programmer, and an administrative
assistant.  This is where the "low overhead" comes from.  Complete manuals
for the machine, its programming languages, and its utility programs will
be sold in the Stanford Bookstore; many of the programs will have
help features.  The tiny staff will be able to give only limited assistance
to users in learning the system.  The faculty and graduate assistants will
be responsible for getting their courses on the machine.

	This mode of operation is based on the computer experience that
Stanford faculty and students have gained over the years.  Instead of
consulting services being provided by the LOTS staff, we expect that the
more experienced users will help the others.  Users will be checked out to
tear off their printer listings, to load paper in the printer, and
to restart the system after crashes.
Besides informal help, we expect a free market in programming
and consulting for researchers to develop.  TAs will provide the
consulting for the courses.

	The success of LOTS will depend to a large degree on student
volunteer work, and many students have already helped and expressed
interest.  Space will be provided for the student volunteer staff, and
they will be given substantial responsibilities.

	The Director of LOTS is Professor John McCarthy of the Computer
Science Department, and the Manager is Mr. Ralph Gorin formerly of the
Artificial Intelligence Laboratory.  Mr. David Roode is Acting Student
Co-ordinator.  There will also be a faculty and student Advisory Board
with representatives from several departments and schools.  Its Chairman
will be Professor James L. Adams of Mechanical Engineering and Industrial
Engineering.  LOTS is not administratively connected with SCIP.

	Although the machine won't arrive until November, work has already
started in converting programs and languages to the 2040.  Volunteers are
solicited to help with this.  Departments are urged to start planning
the conversion of their courses now and to discuss their problems in this
with Ralph Gorin, John McCarthy and David Roode.  Students interested in
helping LOTS should contact one of the above people, especially David
Roode.  The LOTS office in Cedar Hall (497-3214) is presently occupied
part time.

	A document entitled %2Use of LOTS for Classes%1 will be available as
soon as recommended procedures have been developed.