IBM 1401 let's program, part 1: overview

download on rolffson.de/download.html
info on rolffson.de
latest: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j4Cbcpd6rbyLns0
This was one of the first simulator versions with only basic shader quality;
see latest videos and website for current status.
other recommended videos:
kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5WUZ2aodrGnfsU - part 9 - reading the IBM 729 tape drive and printing a list
kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z2Szn2Rmh7-Kmqc - part 8 - calculating primes
00:00 - overview
04:38 - enter data via switches
06:18 - punch cards
07:30 - load card
02:28 - check memory
03:35 - storage printout
01:30 - rewind & load tape into columns
This was the first video, with little experience in cutting and dramaturgy :-)
Due to editing, at 8:15 the moment is missing where I press LOAD a second time to read the second card.
additional info:
computerhistory.org/
ibm-1401.info/
bitsavers.org/pdf/ibm/
thesixfifty.com/five-fascinating-finds-from-the-archives-of-silicon-valleys-computer-history-museum-d80659afe690
www.shomler.com/other/ibmsj63
cat:
sketchfab.com/3d-models/animated-game-ready-calico-cat-ad019702f6e24101a68c01c8f52f7671

[@CuriousMarc]

Wow. That is an amazing simulation of the real beast!

[@mortenbrodersen8664]

The quality of the simulator is impressive! A lot of hard work (and love) went into it. Kudos!

[@timsmith2525]

I just discovered this. Absolutely amazing!

[@TheGutiserra]

This is a really nice project, I was just looking for information of how these machines work and not only its a walkthrough expalanation but also I get to experience it myself! I hope you keep developing it.

[@rolffsonsIBM1401channel]

Thanks for your encouraging feedback! yes, the next video and next sw version are indeed already in the pipeline; it just goes slowly as it's a spare time project :-)

[@weerobot]

Wow. Glad this Channel exists..

[@madhungarian3024]

And unfortunately, the cat's going to have to wait a few years to get a mouse!

[@rolffsonsIBM1401channel]

due to your remark just gave her a "low poly" mouse in the latest 0.2.14 version 😻

[@madhungarian3024]

Fascinating! Just the thing i was looking for, actually. I like to occasionally study the unit record equipment era and also the early IBM mainframes. And the 1401 nicely bridges those two eras. Did you ever unpack that disk drive that's sitting in the background? Just the thing i'd need for running my imaginary 1960's small mail-order company. Just imagine -- the ladies manning the telephones might actually be able to get real-time inventory status for customer inquiries/orders! No more having to run over to the tub files or leaf through an out-of-date printout, and then call the customer back to tell them it's out-of-stock. With my new 1401, i'm going to put Sears & Roebuck out of business! But i suppose we're limited to just one 1407 terminal, so i'm not sure how that would work. And then all the other business functions would need time on the 1401 too. Would they run after hours, or would i need a second 1401? Well actually, a second 1401 might be a good idea for redundancy, if my business can afford it. Or maybe i'm starting to get up into 1410 or 650 territory here.

[@rolffsonsIBM1401channel]

good news: the latest version 0.2.14 just got an 1407 😎 (video will follow) ramac is planned for one of next versions; can't wait to have some fun with it 🤩

[@seeriktus]

If you put this on steam I'd buy it for sure. Am sure others would too, if put into a polished state with a decent tutorial.

[@rolffsonsIBM1401channel]

Errata: - at 8:17 while editing the video I somehow cropped the next seconds of hitting of the start button to print out the memory after loading the 2nd card - storage printout after load card (8:08): according to the manuals, the word mark at address 1 should be set (has been corrected in newer versions)

[@programorprogrammed]

Absolutely fantastic!

[@i7rooper]

Cool!

[@janesplanesandtrains218]

This is beyond impressive, I really hope you put this up on Steam. Are there any lighting options planned? I like my ops rooms a little bit dark.

[@rolffsonsIBM1401channel]

Concerning the dark room: in the main menu / graphics, you'll find the "Gamma' option. setting this to higher values might help. Concening steam: thx, sounds tempting, but selling it on steam could be problematic, as this could possibly lead to trouble with the original manufacturer. For me, it's more a showcase for future commercial projects.

[@janesplanesandtrains218]

@@rolffsonsIBM1401channel This is entirely understandable but I really think that if you were to e-mail IBM about this, they would be more than happy to help you get it on Steam. They like the publicity, especially as they have pulled out of the private market and their current customers are computer nerds liable to be playing something like this.

[@marianodeanquin]

thanks nice

[@kuromi_oficialYT1234]

Nice, it could be cool if when something is printed, the same thing is printed to a real dot matrix printer

[@rolffsonsIBM1401channel]

that's really a nice suggestion, especially when using a stack of green bar paper. will try to implement it in one of the next versions. (idea: could also be done via an external program which monitors the printout.txt file for new lines)

[@kuromi_oficialYT1234]

@@rolffsonsIBM1401channel yeah, it could easily be done with a simple python program

[@thomasjohnson7563]

Very realistic! I'm curious as to what software was used to create this animation. The quality is excellent.

[@rolffsonsIBM1401channel]

The simulation is running in Unreal Engine 4, and I've contructed the meshes in Blender. Currently the virtual 1401 is running at a very low clock rate, but it's enough for some simple exercises :-)

[@thomasjohnson7563]

@@rolffsonsIBM1401channel Thank you!

[@mattssi]

I still don’t understand how people made use of these things!?

[@spitefulwar]

So let me get this straight: it runs on Unreal engine but cannot run Quake? Bummer. ;)

[@rolffsonsIBM1401channel]

yep - but if you set it to lowest graphics settings, you'll get an impression of Minecraft 😉😎