Phoenix (computer)

[3] The IBM-supplied Telecommunications Access Method (TCAM) and communications controller were replaced in 1975 by a system, called Parrot, that was created locally by the staff of the Computer Laboratory, comprising their own software and a PDP-11 complex.

Their goal in doing so was to provide a better user interface than was available with a standard IBM system, alongside greater flexibility, reliability, and efficiency.

The initial system, supplied in 1972, comprised the PDP-11 emulating an IBM 2703 transmission control unit, which TCAM communicated with just as though it were a 2703.

The Phoenix command interpreter was based on that of the Titan Multiple Access System[5] which had inline input files and was in service from 1967.

Because the games were large and demanded significant machine resources whilst running, they were generally played outside of prime time, when research palled.

[1][8] Acheton was created by two Cambridge graduate students, Jon Thackray and David Seal, in 1978–1979, and expanded over the ensuring two years with the aid of Jonathan Partington.

[1] Several large early British games developed on Phoenix were sold commercially for microcomputers by Acornsoft and, later, Topologika.

[1] Phoenix also hosted a lively bulletin board named GROGGS,[6] which fostered the community spirit amongst the machine's users.

[10] Phoenix inspired great affection in its users, to such an extent that a wake was held on 1 September 1995 to mourn its passing.