Hong Kong Computer Society - enterpriseinnovation.net

HKCS: 40 years
COVERSTORY
gramming sheets,’ program codes were
transcribed (‘punched’) onto paper
punch-cards or punch-tapes, then read
by card or tape readers and then ‘compiled’
with a compiler which generated
executable program codes and a program
listing. Debugging was painful—
sometimes memory images had to be
‘dumped’ or listed and decoded in binary
(0s and 1s).”
“Testing had to be performed overnight
as resources were limited,” said
Lai. “Many entering the computer/IT
field could not handle it and sought other
avenues of employment.”
The HKCS takes shape
“The first generation of Hong Kong
computer professionals was born and
bred through the [early] few computer
vendors and users,” said Lai. “As the
sector was still at its infancy and there
were few opportunities or platforms for
sharing computer knowledge and experience,
the need for a computer professional
body in Hong Kong was apparent.
This professional body was to promote
the development and application of IT,
to promote professionalism in the industry,
and foster fraternity among those individuals
in the computer community.”
Lai said a group of individuals from
key computer users organizations (including
HK Bank, CLP, HKE, Cable and
Wireless) and vendors came together
and established the Hong Kong Computer
Society. “Recruitment of the first
members took place in 1970 and initially
around 200+ were recruited,” he said. “I
was member number 179.”
Hong Kong IT enters the 70s
“Growing acceptance of computing
by Hong Kong’s major organizations
heralded the arrival of computing in
the daily lives of ordinary people,” said
Conway. By the mid 70s most of the
bills that arrived in the mail—from utilities,
bank statements and so on—were
printed on computers.” But one of the
first places people actually came face to
face with computers was in the banks.
“When banking staff got electronic teller
terminals, the whole customer experience
changed.” Another development in
the 1970s was the launch of the URBTIX
online ticketing system.
The decade also marked the launch
of Hong Kong’s first purpose-built data
center with the construction of Telecom
House on Fenwick Street. Many of Hong
Kong’s leading organizations took up
residence. Major tenants included the
government, newswire services like AFP
and the then “Royal” Hong Kong Jockey
Club, whose totalizator—the board that
lists the current odds position and final
payouts for each horse in a race—was
based there.
“I recall when we put the first computer
into COL’s premises at Asian House,”
said Conway. “We had to knock a huge
hole in the outside wall and lift it up using
a crane. The police even had to stop
traffic on Hennessy Road from 3:00-
5:00AM.”
Conway said that the first microcomputers
arrived in Hong Kong in 1977.
And while they were primitive by today’s
standards, they caused tremendous
debate in business circles, not all of
it positive. “I recall a former chairman
of the Hong Kong Bank saying to me,
‘never in my lifetime will you have individual
computers. Where would you put
your security?’,” said Conway, adding
that this gentleman is still alive and well,
although presumably not on Facebook.
The HKCS matures
“From inception, establishment and
development, HKCS has been engineered
as a professional body,” said Lai.
“In the early days, the program consisted
of speakers meetings, seminars, visits
to computer installations, and also social
activities. Whenever prominent or
knowledgeable IT personnel came to
HK, they were invited to give a talk.”
”My first engagement with HKCS was
over 20 years ago when my manager
invited me to join their annual dinner
event,” said Fred Sheu, director, marketing
and business development, HP
Enterprise Business, HP HK. “Charles
Kao was nominated and received HKCS
Distinguished Fellow that year. There’s
no doubt that the HKCS has helped build
a great foundation for Hong Kong’s ICT
industry!”
The System/360 is unloaded from a “walla-walla” at Causeway Bay
continued on page 18 4
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Nov 2009 Computerworld Hong Kong 17