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WestMichRad

(3,074 posts)

34. Former "batch station operator " here

Reply to LuckyCharms (Original post)

Sat Feb 7, 2026, 06:52 PM

Saturday

I opened (early morning) the computer lab at my university for a couple years (late 70s). Primary job was to dispense printouts to users, also helping people who were struggling with card reader problems. My skills with programming were minimal… but that is probably overselling my talent. At any rate, working that job helped pay for my education.

I like the advice you offered. Probably better than anything I could’ve sputtered!

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I got in a really interesting phone conversation with a young woman last night. [View all] LuckyCharms Friday OP

Things have changed so much. markodochartaigh Friday #1

Check this out! You used to be able to buy cigarettes... LuckyCharms Friday #3

Sure, markodochartaigh Friday #9

I'm a few years older and I did all that stuff too FakeNoose Friday #2

I remember dropping mine in the snow! LuckyCharms Friday #5

You didn't have a sort machine? unblock Friday #4

I don't think so... LuckyCharms Friday #6

Wow, what a memory! FakeNoose Friday #13

That you are able to share that story; priceless. cachukis Friday #7

OMG, I remember typing out those punch cards Ocelot II Friday #8

LOL LuckyCharms Friday #12

Hahahahaha!! unblock Friday #15

so luckycharms is code for insert real name here? msongs Friday #10

Yes LuckyCharms Friday #11

SHE WAS A HUMAN RIGHT??? and she WILL remember all you said, ok, May-be half of what you told her... a kennedy Friday #14

I'll bet that young lady put LuckyCharms in the front of her Rolodex FakeNoose Friday #16

Yes! Definitely human! We had a long conversation... LuckyCharms Friday #18

"I got in a really interesting phone conversation with a young woman last night" True Dough Friday #17

What is a 1-900 number? LuckyCharms Friday #19

I've seen True Dough Friday #20

Do you have these numbers... LuckyCharms Friday #21

I could check, True Dough Friday #22

Things have changed so much and so fast Wicked Blue Friday #23

The safest jobs in America are the plumbers and electricians, they will never be laid off FakeNoose Saturday #24

I told my daughters many times to learn plumbing Wicked Blue Saturday #32

At TAM my husband could not use the mainframe until night when it was available. efhmc Saturday #25

That sounds familiar! LuckyCharms Saturday #31

I remember that from university. The Madcap Saturday #26

Did you ever ask her how she got your phone# and knew your DU Name? Fla Dem Saturday #27

I didn't ask, but I'm a regular contributor to the university LuckyCharms Saturday #28

OK, thanks. Just found it ominous that she was able to connect your DU name with your phone #. Fla Dem Saturday #29

I'm sorry, I don't think I worded my OP well... LuckyCharms Saturday #30

Attending ticker tape parades in NYC though several decades there was the time that.... electric_blue68 Saturday #33

Former "batch station operator " here WestMichRad Saturday #34