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I'm skeptical because Guinness World Records is a marketing agency masquerading as a ratings house / record keeper. I googled "oldest software still in use" an

I'm skeptical because Guinness World Records is a marketing agency masquerading as a ratings house / record keeper. I googled "oldest software still in use" and the rest of the internet think it's MOCAS, the USA DOD contract management software, launched in 1958, two years earlier than Guinness' earliest guess for either of its options mentioned in the article: https://fossbytes.com/mocas-worlds-oldest-computer-program/ https://fossbytes.com/mocas-worlds-oldest-computer-program/ Sorry to be "that guy" but I'm just really cynical about Guinness and records in general. Plenty of their records really are just fun, and I can't find a profit angle for this article for either the IRS or whoever manages SABRE, so I guess I'm just being a snark.

kwertyoowiyop 4y ago
Agreed. I would trust them regarding the world’s largest burrito or sourest lemon, but not this.
nemomarx 4y ago
It could be PR for the IRS? A bit of public attention to make a play for funding to replace or upgrade this system, etc?
lioeters 4y ago
I for one appreciate your "but actually" comment, the relentless pursuit of facts over fluff. As an aside, I always thought "snark" was a real word, but apparently it's a neologism meaning "snide or sarcastic remark". It's also the name of various fictional creatures, including The Hunting of the Snark by Lewis Carroll, as well as in A Song of Ice and Fire. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snark https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snark
NikolaNovak 4y ago
Generally I feel the "Guinness World Records" is "valuable" in that "somebody somewhere put some level of thought and rigour into some record I would never have even realized existed". Not an absolute definitive agency, and when there EXISTS a more official agency, take those; but it's a fun read of "these are reasonably close to the extreme in this obscure area I never thought of"
jdsully 4y ago
It was invented by a beer company to help settle debates in a pub. Guinness records are just a fun thing to appreciate even if not perfect.
0xcde4c3db 4y ago
> Guinness World Records is a marketing agency masquerading as a ratings house / record keeper In case this is news to anybody, the basic shape of the grift is that while anyone can theoretically apply for a record and submit proof, the requirements are fairly stringent and complex. And wouldn't you know it, Guinness World Records offers various levels of "consulting" on setting/breaking a record, including defining the record to break, setting up an event, and flying out an adjudicator to witness the record being broken.
- charcircuit 4y ago
  To clarify, by defining a record to break that includes making up new categories so that you automatically get the world record by being the only competitor. There are also records like "First Rubik's Cube", which are impossible to beat.
Terretta 4y ago
You're right to be cynical. I have had 'continuously running' software system in house as old as they reference. From first hand experience, I'd imagine it's not something folks are crowing about. Your reference is older than what I had in house.

kwertyoowiyop 4y ago

Agreed. I would trust them regarding the world’s largest burrito or sourest lemon, but not this.

nemomarx 4y ago

It could be PR for the IRS? A bit of public attention to make a play for funding to replace or upgrade this system, etc?

lioeters 4y ago

I for one appreciate your "but actually" comment, the relentless pursuit of facts over fluff. As an aside, I always thought "snark" was a real word, but apparently it's a neologism meaning "snide or sarcastic remark". It's also the name of various fictional creatures, including The Hunting of the Snark by Lewis Carroll, as well as in A Song of Ice and Fire. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snark https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snark

NikolaNovak 4y ago

Generally I feel the "Guinness World Records" is "valuable" in that "somebody somewhere put some level of thought and rigour into some record I would never have even realized existed". Not an absolute definitive agency, and when there EXISTS a more official agency, take those; but it's a fun read of "these are reasonably close to the extreme in this obscure area I never thought of"

jdsully 4y ago

It was invented by a beer company to help settle debates in a pub. Guinness records are just a fun thing to appreciate even if not perfect.

0xcde4c3db 4y ago

> Guinness World Records is a marketing agency masquerading as a ratings house / record keeper In case this is news to anybody, the basic shape of the grift is that while anyone can theoretically apply for a record and submit proof, the requirements are fairly stringent and complex. And wouldn't you know it, Guinness World Records offers various levels of "consulting" on setting/breaking a record, including defining the record to break, setting up an event, and flying out an adjudicator to witness the record being broken.

charcircuit 4y ago
To clarify, by defining a record to break that includes making up new categories so that you automatically get the world record by being the only competitor. There are also records like "First Rubik's Cube", which are impossible to beat.

Terretta 4y ago

You're right to be cynical. I have had 'continuously running' software system in house as old as they reference. From first hand experience, I'd imagine it's not something folks are crowing about. Your reference is older than what I had in house.