In the beginning, there was a void, a gap in time and space so awesome, that not even the powers of the fragmented IT could surpass ! The dog had many tails and the poor old mutt was constantly wagging sideways ! The high priestess, Screech, in her wisdom, saw this chaos and summoned her minions unto her.........
The original tale that documented the advent of the Great DOW is still contained within 'Genesis'. However, this page is to pay tribute to a system that many worked on to build into the glory that it was and those who both used, supported and developed it from its inception in 1993.
Below are some images that will be familiar to both Administrators and Users alike interspersed with some fond memories of the days when the DOW was all so mighty.......
First Impressions of the DOW was one of a restrictive, big-brother network.... the transitions from the old systems was a constant nightmare for both training and file conversion, not to mention the work that had to be put in by the administrators to customise many many applications so that they could work in this, totally, centrally-contolled environment.
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The DOW first appeared on the desktops on the newly
re-organised Network Services area. By early 1994, we had become so aclimatised to it, the
conversion for the rest of the two main offices was laid out in detail. With all the extra
overtime, Andy 'The more than Sure' was well on the way to that Renault Megane !
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The rollout started with the first major department, Compliance and Audit on the 13th March 1994 followed by Personnel the following week and the Accounts on the 27th !! Prior to each of these, there were training sessions to demonstrate the new abilities of file and print-sharing. For those who are browsing here without knowledge of this great system, you may be mistaken for thinking that this is a Windows for Workgroups setup....... not the case !! This was something that was unique to AEL, thought through, and the shortfalls in the operating system and its integration into other mainstream system were patched by the merrie wizards from both desktop and mainframe areas !
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'They're pissing in the wind if they think they think they can do that !' (Clark Ikeringill - Head Wizard and Clog manufacturer) |
An interesting fireworks display could be created by inadvertantly plugging a boot-PROM into its network card socket the wrong way round. Nothing would happen for a few seconds. then, a small dimple would appear under the silver surface followed by the appearance of a hole and a surprising jet of smoke. At just under a hundred quid a pop (literally) !!!!
Pete would probably give me a cuff for this dialog box. It was a simple way of organising all the administrative documents into one universally-available interface.
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Stickers, stickers and more stickers. There were labels right down from the HWZNM hubs to the printers and the workstations........ |
Microsoft later used Mark's 'Software Manager' as its basis for SMS. This is a part of the system that most did not see but was responsible for ensuring that applications and data were there the following morning !
| One out of the ordinary thing that went totally against the standard that the DOW dictated was to 'patch in' the Wycombe clubhouse via 500m of existing telephone cable. It worked without any undue effect for 1.5 years and enabled Roger to do his work without the endless trips back and forth ! Thanks to Biggles for finding those unused 4 pairs or wires ! |  |
And now for the curtain-call......... There are a few missing here as, either I have memory-loss or I do not have or have not got round to finding individual images amongst the many that are stored here.......
Apologies to the few more that should be here.... drop me a line and I'll bring the camera.