1983 NY Times memo outlines newsroom’s computer policy
Note: that’s computer—singular—as in one. Plus, an uncommon history of ‘common sense,’ famous literary misquotes, a Reddit book exchange, Budweiser gives its Clydesdale foal a name, Richard III’s roots in PR, and more.
Once upon a time, long before companies ever had to safeguard against sullen employees live-tweeting mass layoffs or uploading a snapshot of some pious customer’s receipt, neither brands nor newsrooms worried about establishing such exhaustive social media policies. In fact, The New York Times barely had any technologies to concern itself with, at least not by today’s standards.
An anonymous memo dated Oct. 25, 1983—obtained by Geek.com—that was sent to Times staffers details the explicit use of its solitary newsroom computer. Only one computer? No wonder the old lady went gray.
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