IMPROVED COMMUNICATIONS FOR CS INFORMATION HANDLING SYSTEMS

Document Type: 
Collection: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
CIA-RDP80M01048A000800050059-7
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
S
Document Page Count: 
3
Document Creation Date: 
December 16, 2016
Document Release Date: 
January 19, 2005
Sequence Number: 
59
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
December 6, 1972
Content Type: 
MFR
File: 
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PDF icon CIA-RDP80M01048A000800050059-7.pdf132.97 KB
Body: 
Approved Foteiease 2005/03/07 : CIA-RDP80MO104UQ00800050059-7 6 December 1972 MEMORANDU I FOR THE RECORD SUBJECT: Improved Communications for CS Information Handling Systems 1. In studying how the CS can'better support its field operations, one repeatedly gains the impression that computer systems can assist in many ways. Basic advantages can be realized when electrical communications are stored in the computer. The most efficient way to accomplish this end is by direct input to the computer from the machine language of electrical communications. This capability is projected in. the cable dissemination system now under development. The next step is to send electrically all our operational and intel correspondence. A fundamental requirement to imple- ment this innovation is the emplacement of equipment in the field that will make unnecessary poking of messages by OC personnel. 2. The Office of Communications has long recognized the gains it could expect from eliminating or greatly reducing the poking task and planners for the automated field termi- nals (AFT) are investigating alternative means of input such as optical character readers and various magnetic systems using cards or tape. Although the CS will be a major bene- ficiary from this effort, it has as yet, had little impact on considerations affecting the form or functions of such devices. 3. For its part the CS has beoa investigating how to cope with a seemingly unrelated problem and has developed a solution with an important bearin ur, OC's . t ie burden of typing Approved For Release 2005/03/07 CIA-RDP80M01048A000800050059-7 25X1 Approved Fo eIease 2005/03/07 : CIA-RDP80M010WQ00800050059-7 or re-typing communication- demanded relief. One solution developed by TSD that May be applicable to the "single poking" problem being exanirted by OC is a means of recording typing on conventional tape cassettes and then using the cassettes in an I/O device: to re-create the typed text. 4. TSD has developed a "clip-ran" modification for the selectric typewriter that makes possible tonal recording of typing. S. The selectric was chosen by TSD partly for techni- cal reasons but largely because it was used throughout the world and because it was reliable and maintainable through locally available resources. It is also widely used in our Stations as well as at Headquarters. Should TSD's technique be adaptable to staff communications, the CS could adopt it with relatively little extra expense, and that primarily for the device and suitable recorders. 6. The ability to go directly from the originating typewriter to electrical communication without re-typing is not free of penalties. More "rough typing" would get. through to the addressee since corrections in the field would be ex- pensive. But this is likely to be the case anyway as the number of field slots for typists decreases. Reviewing of- ficials would have to forego "literary" emendations, and Headquarters would have to accept texts that "require some work" before wide circulation. But computer assisted type writers at Headquarters, such as already in use with the Administrative Terminal System (!1TS'], will make such work relatively simple and will obviate nanual re-typing. The 25X1 25X1 25X1 25X1 2 Approved For Release 2005/03/07 : CIA-RDP80M01048A000800050059-7 Approved Fcelgase 2005/03/07 : CIA_ RDP80M01000,Q800050059-7 gain from the ability to get more of our correspondence transmitted electrically, securely and fast, and from-the consequently increased effectiveness of our information processing systems will considerably outweigh the anticipated problems. Std I S 25X1 3 Approved For Release 2005/03/07 : CIA-RDP80M01048A000800050059-7