The MAXIMOP interactive OS from QMC was modified locally by Laurie Benfield as we had
the complete source code available. Like GEORGE mods. the main effort seemed to be directed
at accounting procedures which just reflects the high cost of computing shares at that time.
Loved the 4 character upper case only filenames ! Anyone using the Unix ed editor today will
have an idea of the features of the old MAXIMOP editor. At a later date Pat Newby reverse
engineeered the much superior GEORGE line editor and coded it for MAXIMOP. GEORGE3 had an
interactive capability called MOP (Multiple Online Programming) although this was never employed
as a user service at UEA. The original 1903T running G3 had connected a washing machine sized box
called a uniplexor which allowed the connection of a single MOP telytype and this was used for
systems work only.
At about this time (1974) we had an early phone dial-up connection for MOP on the 1906A at Chilton which
ran at about 300 baud ( the line that is -
not the 1906A which was the first 1 MIP machine).
You had to be sure to tell the University switch board operator that you were making a data
call
otherwise you'd be cut off because of "funny noises" on the line !
Maximop rationing tests were notified in a lineprinter newsletter of 1974