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What are some examples of people using mainframes in every day life? Also, is it apparent really to the end-user that such a thing is running on a mainframe? I know ATM machines often use mainframes. Supposedly Farmland does too.

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closed as not a real question by Dennis Williamson, John Gardeniers, womble, Zoredache, Chopper3 Jan 14 '10 at 12:43


2 Answers 2

Just so you know where im coming from, Im a 26 yr/old working on mainframes as we speak.

I think you would be surprised. Almost all banks use them for their core infrastructure. So although that means that the website where you do your transactions on doesnt run on a mainframe, your account details are on a mainframe. And all interbank transfers of money are done mainframe-to-mainframe.

Most large department stores, all transactions will be done on a mainframe. Have a look at their tellers. These are probably backed by a mainframe.

Airlines, Insurance agencies. telecom companies, Center-link (Government benefit agency) in Australia, has mainframes at their core. if you own a dishwasher, the manufacturing of that will have a mainframe, and possibly your car also. If you think of any company that would have benefitted heavily by computerised resources especially in the big end of town 30-40 years ago, you can bet their core infrastructure is mainframes.

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I have a vax in my garage that I use in every day life. I've installed a dorm-sized fridge on the left, and use the remainder of the cabinet to store tools.

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