worldbuilding
It’s about divergences in computer technology — Or in other words, some conversations elsewhere have made it evident that it would be useful to have some of these things out here for discussion, and since this is going to involve comparisons to Earthling ways of doing things, it’s going
Era of Steel and Steam
INERTIA WARNING MAGNETIC DRUM STORAGE IN USE ACCESS BY AUTHORIZED TECHNICIANS ONLY Magnetic drums rotate at 36 rpm when in use. Do not enter drum room unless steam valve is closed and padlocked, drive clutch is disengaged and padlocked, and spin-down is complete. (Governor ball check is insufficient; spin gauge
computer
“Back off the toggle reader,” Myrian Vitremarvis bellowed through his bullhorn. “Unclutch the address drive from the operatin’ counter.” A series of metallic bangs punctuated by less-metallic blasphemies from the floor above accompanied the execution of this order. “Okay, now get the donkey strapped up. Advance address counter to 12,