Analysis of information sources in references of the Wikipedia article "Scientific Time Sharing Corporation" in English language version.
Powered by a big Amdahl 470 computer at STSC's Bethesda headquarters, it comprised a series of mailboxes assigned to Carter, Mondale and various other individuals and groups within the campaign staff. Toting portable terminals, Carter and Mondale were able to keep track of each other's frenetic schedules. Moreover, each was able to keep tabs on the other's public statements and positions to avoid catastrophic contradictions. Mailbox soon became the tie to bind the other computer applications that were already humming away in the political machine. If Mondale had an idea on tax reform, for instance, he would transmit it through Mailbox to Stuart Eisenstat in the issues room. Eisenstat would take a look at it, see if additional data was needed from the New York Times data bank, and then send the combination package to Carter. Even while airborne, Carter was constantly feeding messages to his mailbox. The jet wasn't connected to the system by radio hook-up, but magnetic tape devices were on board so typists could continue to capture data. Once Peanut One touched down, the telephone company would rush in with five pairs of communications lines, and the system would again start purring.
The Jimmy Carter and Walter Mondale presidential campaign used the commercial STSC MAILBOX service to coordinate their campaign schedules. MAILBOX ran on a single Amdahl 470 system with dial-up and/or hardwired access intended for within-company access.
