ABSTRACT
Early forms of computer based training (CBT) were developed entirely on mainframe computers, because CBT required the power then only available on large systems and microcomputers did not yet exist. This chapter describes the main types of mainframe systems such as piggyback systems, embedded systems and dedicated systems. If a piggyback system is used to train employees to use the mainframe, this is called embedded computer-based training. Embedded CBT has four main elements, accordingly to Bentley: the training system, the operations system, the interactive help system, and a training database. On a smaller geographical scale, dedicated mainframe systems are used to support CBT that is separate from the operational systems and runs on the developers' own computers. The decision about using a mainframe or not is unlikely to turn on the authoring system, because there is plenty of choice for both mainframes and microcomputers.
