The IDIMS image processing system (A VAX minicomputer) I used to work on at Gulf Oil in the '80s had a half dozen disc drives, each with an astonishing 400 Mb of RAM. Each drive was a separate unit approximately 2'x2'x3'. It looked like a laundromat. We spent most of our time reading satellite images (both original and processed data) on and off two 9" tape drives to make room. The system consisted of the drives, two minicomputers, an array processor (a custom built number cruncher about the size of large freezer, three dumb terminals, two image display devices, and a dedicated room with approx 1000 square feet of floor space and special air conditioning and power facilities.

Our IDIMS system was supposedly identical to the CIA's: probably the most sophisticated and capable in the world. It cost several million dollars. Everything it could do was well within the capability of the ten year old desktop I am working on right now.

We shelled out about $2000 for Mm Recluse's new system; although a lot of that also includes special warranties, support plans, and premium installation assistance and customer support goodies. We also got all new peripherals with it, printer, mouse, keyboard and monitor and some security software.

We wound up paying less for it than we payed a decade ago for the machine it replaced.