Bowin 



multi-discipline facility. The goal is the development of a system 

 capable of automatic samplings comiputation, recording, and display 

 of scientific information concurrent with the investigation (real- 

 time); automatic control of scientific instruments and equipment 

 (feedback control); and the capability of background time -sharing 

 for compilation, assembly, off-line programs, diagnostics, and 

 experimental on-line programs without endangering the operation 

 of the main real-time program. How far we will be able to progress 

 towards this goal remains to be seen. It is important, however, 

 that our initial system (both hardware and software) incorporates 

 the concept that someday all these objectives may be attained. 



HINDSIGHT AND FORESIGHT 



The operation and use of a prototype system obviously provides 

 experience which can be obtained in no other way. The main 

 purpose of this paper is to siommarize the important aspects of 

 that experience. 



Although the details of the Woods Hole systems are by no means 

 necessarily directly pertinent to the needs or problems of other 

 organizations, many aspects have important relation to the general 

 problems of shipboard data processing. Our experience from five 

 years of development and use of a shipboard oceanographic data 

 processing system has confirmed the value of such systems in the 

 accomplishment of scientific investigations at sea. Most significant 

 is the production by a digital plotter of profiles of bathymetry, 

 gravity anomalies, and magnetic total intensity along the ship's 

 track in real-time while the ship is traversing that part of the ocean 

 These records have enabled scientists aboard to better assimilate 

 the large amounts of data being collected and thereby more 

 effectively utilize both the ship and their time at sea. 



Looking back over the last several years brings first to mind 

 the interest, dedication, and creativity of the many people at the 

 International Business Machines Corporation and the Woods Hole 

 Oceanographic Institution who helped in the implementation of the 

 system. Although a commitment on a personal level perhaps is not 

 an essential ingredient of a successful program, the numerous 

 demands on it during the system development suggest that it is 

 important. It is a matter of some importance that the development 

 of a system should be directed by the person who will use the 

 collected data. Many possible difficulties and misunderstandings 

 can be thereby circiimvented. 



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