CONFERENCED TEXT EDITING (CONTEXT), INITIAL DEMONSTRATION OF DELTA DATA TERMINALS IN CIA/OJCS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80M01082A000700030006-0
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 7, 2004
• Sequence Number: 6
• Publication Date: March 5, 1974
• Content Type: MFR

Approved For Release 2004/05/05 : CIA-RDP80M01082A000700030006-0
DCI-IC 73-1115
5 March 1974
AT
-'U MORANDLTM FOR THE RECORD
SUBJECT: Conferenced Text Editing (CONTEXT), Initial Demonstration of
Delta Data Terminals in CIA/OJCS
1. Through the cooperation of I land
systems Engineering Division, three Delta Data terminals
were tied together in a conferencing mode. They were located in two
adjoining rooms. Don Bush and his associates then demonstrated how
a conference manager might call a conference, bring up a document for
display and consideration among the conferees located at different
locations, and make changes in the original document according to the
decision of the conferees.
2. The conference net consisted of 3 Delta Data terminals, one
of which had a TI printer tied in to demonstrate output. (For this
preliminary test, one printer was sufficient; in our proposed ex-
periment each terminal would have its own printer.) The software
used was the SCRIPT and EDIT programs which are standard software
packages available through In addition, 0 had devised
some other software ad hoc for this demonstration to illustrate selected
capabilities that would be required in real life conferencing.
3. As a result of this demonstration,
lowing conclusions:
a. A text editing network experiment, to run over a period
of several weeks, could operate with 3 rather than 6 CRTs. Ori-
ginally he had assumed 2 CRTs at each station, with 3 stations.
The demonstration made it possible to cut this initial require-
ment in half, with the printer serving to provide draft text at
each terminal station rather than holding it on the 2nd CRT.
b. The SCRIPT and EDIT programs, appropriately supplemented
with some new software, should be adequate for the CONTEXT ex-
periment. It will be necessary to request OJCS programmer sup-
port.
c. The Delta Data terminals, tied to the CP/CMS 67 computer,
provided capabilities generally suitable for the experiment.
d. A simple voice network, hopefully using phone lines with
speakers, should be adequate to supplement the CRT network..
e. Pending the outcome of discussions with CIAO we will
not make alternative .ries in industry or other agencies.
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SUBJECT: Conferenced Text Editing CONTRXT), Initial Delta Data
4. Following the demonstration, it was agreed that
the IHC Staff would prepare the draft of a request to C for
support and the loan of 3 Delta Data Terminals. This will be cleared
witand then presented informally to the Director of Joint
Computer Services for an unofficial reaction. (We have no doubt but
what General Graham will strongly support such a request, but we do
not want to put it in formal channels until we check out the probable
reaction.) The approach to= will be made by
with others if necessary.
now has the post-mortem study. I I, IC Staff Executive 0 zff-cer,
was consulted in these choices.
5. A survey of IC Staff rooms was conducted. As a result, it was
decided that the three terminals should be placed in the following
rooms: 0 office in 6E08. 6D57; and the tank in 6E25 where
6. I I contacted CIA/OC. The latter's representative has
inspected the three proposed locations. OC understands that our re-
quest to them for the voice conferencing network is dependent on the
arrangements that can be made with OJCS for the CRTs. However, OC
indicates that they expect to be able to provide the voice circuit as
follows: they will place new black phones, each with a red button, in
each of the 3 locations; there will be no black numbers assigned; to
activate the voice circuit, it is only necessary to press the red button.
OC engineers are checking out this plan, and will report back to us with
cost and time schedules.
Acting Chairman
Intelligence Information Handling Committee
1 - IHC Subject CONTEXT)
1 - IHC Reading File
1 - NCF chrono
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