[RndTbl] How much did one second of computer time cost in 1975?

[Adam Thompson]

Whoops.  Definitely not 1975.  I know most systems *were* operated on a chargeback basis then, but I didn't even know computers existed in '75.  Maybe email the docents at the Computer History Museum?
-Adam

On October 26, 2021 12:17:13 a.m. CDT, Adam Thompson <athompso at athompso.net> wrote:
>There are many people here who used the UofM mainframe back when it was updated on a chargeback system (including me, sadly, although my Dept paid the bill, not me).
>Of course I didn't keep a copy of the rate sheet, so I don't remember what 1sec cost.
>It wouldn't quite be the fully-loaded cost you describe, but it would be close - I don't think Computer Services was expected to turn a profit back in 1991.
>-Adam
>
>On October 25, 2021 8:56:07 p.m. CDT, Brian Lowe <brian2 at groupbcl.ca> wrote:
>>Hello all,
>>
>>Today with multi-core CPUs running at gigahertz speeds attached to gigabytes 
>>of RAM and terabytes of disc space, we're well used to running programs that 
>>require what would be enormous resources back when mainframes ruled the data 
>>centre.
>>
>>My question is "how much did one second of computer time cost in 1975?" This 
>>assumes the program in question is being run on a mainframe from IBM or any of 
>>the other manufacturers of the day. Of course, there are a lot of factors to 
>>consider: leasing costs, staffing, power and cooling, if the system could run 
>>more than one program simultaneously, and how computer time was charged back 
>>to the users.
>>
>>I'm interested to know if anyone on this list has had experience with this 
>>sort of system accounting, and if they can recall some numbers.
>>
>>Regards,
>>Brian
>>
>>
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