[SATLUG] home computer

[Mike Wallace]

> Y'know, I've seen that picture on the web half a dozen times or more
> and, while I can understand the teletype (I've used those in the Air
> Force), and all the guages, and the monitor is cool, I have NEVER been
> able to understand the purpose of the steering wheel, or valve handle,
> or whatever that thing is, on a "computer".


I believe the larger wheel operates the "ahead" main engine throttles
and the smaller wheel operates the "astern" main engine throttles.  A
computer that big needs a steering mechanism in order to move it
around from place to place.  There are various alarms and gauges for
cooland temperature and pressure, and power level.  Among other
things, there's the all important emergency reactor shutdown switch in
case something goes wrong with your nuclear powered "computer."

;-)