56k modems' upstream speeds were limited to 33.6kbps due to analog-to-digital conversion at the phone company. However, downloads could reach 56kbps because they leveraged a mostly-digital path from the telco's server to the user's modem. This asymmetry existed because the phone company's infrastructure used digital signals internally, even for analog phone calls. The digital audio was converted to analog only at the last mile, at the user's local central office. This meant a 56k modem downloading data was essentially receiving a slightly-modified digital signal, bypassing much of the analog conversion process and thus achieving higher throughput. Uploads, originating from the analog modem, had to be fully digitized at the central office, resulting in the lower speed.
"Work at the Mill" tells the story of Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) through the lens of its unique and influential culture. From its modest beginnings in a Maynard, Massachusetts wool mill, DEC fostered a highly engineering-driven, decentralized environment that prioritized innovation and individual contribution. This culture, while empowering and productive in its early years, ultimately contributed to DEC's downfall as the company struggled to adapt to the changing demands of the personal computer market. The "engineering first" mentality, coupled with internal politics and a resistance to centralized management, prevented DEC from effectively competing with more agile and market-oriented companies, leading to its eventual acquisition by Compaq. The narrative emphasizes how DEC's initial strengths became its weaknesses, offering a cautionary tale about the importance of adapting to a changing technological landscape.
Hacker News users discuss the changing nature of work and the decline of "lifetime employment" exemplified by DEC's history. Some commenters reminisce about their time at DEC, praising its engineering culture and lamenting its downfall, attributing it to factors like mismanagement, arrogance, and an inability to adapt to the changing market. Others draw parallels between DEC and contemporary tech companies, speculating about which of today's giants might be the "next DEC." Several discuss the broader shift away from paternalistic employment models and the rise of a more transactional relationship between employers and employees. Some express nostalgia for the perceived stability and community of the past, while others argue that the current system, despite its flaws, offers greater opportunity and dynamism. The cyclical nature of industries and the importance of continuous adaptation are recurring themes.
The UK has a peculiar concentration of small, highly profitable, often family-owned businesses—"micro behemoths"—that dominate niche global markets. These companies, typically with 10-100 employees and revenues exceeding £10 million, thrive due to specialized expertise, long-term focus, and aversion to rapid growth or outside investment. They prioritize profitability over scale, often operating under the radar and demonstrating remarkable resilience in the face of economic downturns. This "hidden economy" forms a significant, yet often overlooked, contributor to British economic strength, showcasing a unique model of business success.
HN commenters generally praised the article for its clear explanation of the complexities of the UK's semiconductor industry, particularly surrounding Arm. Several highlighted the geopolitical implications of Arm's dependence on global markets and the precarious position this puts the UK in. Some questioned the framing of Arm as a "British" company, given its global ownership and reach. Others debated the wisdom of Nvidia's attempted acquisition and the subsequent IPO, with opinions split on the long-term consequences for Arm's future. A few pointed out the article's omission of details regarding specific chip designs and technical advancements, suggesting this would have enriched the narrative. Some commenters also offered further context, such as the role of Hermann Hauser and Acorn Computers in Arm's origins, or discussed the specific challenges faced by smaller British semiconductor companies.
The frequently misattributed quote, "I think there is a world market for maybe five computers," is almost certainly not something Thomas Watson (Sr. or Jr.) of IBM ever said. While the exact origin remains elusive, the phrase likely emerged in the early days of computing as a reflection of the then-prevailing belief that computers were massive, expensive machines suitable only for government or large corporations. The story's persistence stems from its encapsulating the difficulty of predicting technological advancements and the dramatic evolution of computers from room-sized behemoths to ubiquitous personal devices. Various possible sources and similar quotes exist, but none definitively link the famous phrase to IBM or Watson.
Hacker News commenters discuss the often-misattributed quote about the limited market for computers. Several point out that the quote's origins are murky, with some suggesting it's a distortion of Howard Aiken's or Thomas Watson Sr.'s sentiments, while others link it to anecdotally attributed quotes in the early days of mainframe computing. Some highlight the difficulty of predicting technological adoption and the shifting definition of "computer" over time. One commenter mentions a similar misattribution regarding the market for automobiles, illustrating a broader pattern of underestimating transformative technologies. The overall sentiment reflects a shared understanding that such quotes, while entertaining, are often historically inaccurate and ultimately demonstrate the fallibility of early technological forecasting.
Summary of Comments ( 95 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43282668
Several Hacker News commenters pointed out that the article's title is misleading. They clarified that 56k modems didn't rely on digital phone lines in the way the title implies. Instead, they exploited the fact that the trunk lines between central offices were digital, while the "last mile" to the user's home remained analog. This allowed the modem to receive data digitally at the CO's end and convert it to analog for the final leg, maximizing the speed within the constraints of the analog local loop. Some users also shared anecdotal memories of early modem technology and discussed the limitations imposed by analog lines. One commenter noted the importance of echo cancellation in achieving these higher speeds. A few commenters discussed related topics like the technical reasons behind the asymmetry of upload and download speeds and the different standards used for upstream communication.
The Hacker News post "56k modems relied on digital trunk lines" has generated a moderate number of comments, mostly focusing on clarifying technical details and sharing personal anecdotes related to dial-up modem technology.
Several commenters delve into the specifics of how PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) encoding is used in the phone system and how this relates to the asymmetric speeds of 56k modems. They explain that the upload speed was limited by the analog-to-digital conversion process at the user's end, while the download speed could take advantage of the digital signal already present in the trunk lines. This discussion includes nuances like the use of µ-law and A-law companding in different regions, affecting the achievable bitrates.
Some comments offer corrections or expansions on the original article's points. For example, one commenter clarifies that not all calls were digitized end-to-end, especially for international calls, and that the digital sections were typically within the telco's network rather than extending all the way to the user's home. Another points out the role of echo cancellation in enabling full-duplex communication. There's also discussion about the limitations imposed by regulations on the maximum power output of modems, a factor that contributed to the speed cap of 56k.
A few comments offer personal recollections of working with or experiencing dial-up technology. These anecdotes add a human element to the technical discussion, highlighting the frustrations and limitations of the technology, such as the susceptibility to noise and the difficulty of achieving the theoretical maximum speed. One user even recalls the specific model of modem they used.
A couple of comments touch on related topics like the use of ISDN and the evolution of DSL technology. While these are not central to the main discussion, they provide additional context about the broader landscape of data communication technologies during that era.
While there isn't one single "most compelling" comment, the collection of comments provides a valuable supplement to the original article, offering greater technical depth and personal perspectives on the intricacies of 56k modem technology.