When I was a youngster the first computers I got my hands on were analog, each with its own specific task (AHRS, AFCS, NAV, LABS). The problem was it was really hard to borrow an aircraft to run them on.
The first computer I used belonged to my boyfriend and I was in my 30s- a brand new TRS which was one of the first generally available for home use. He wanted me to enter all of the customer base for his business- so I took a night school class and learned basic.
We used to load the cards (in numerical order) with the program and the question; then run to the other end of the room to see if it even printed the program correctly; the answer was an afterthought at the bottom of the printer paper. It was about methodology and process then. Key-Punch Operator for the win.
The first computer program I wrote was on punch cards.
The rationale for putting the switch in the back was to prevent users from accidentally shutting it down. My current desktop computer is a tower case that sits on the floor with the on/off and reset switches on the front. At least once a week, one of my cats bumps up against the switch and shuts it off.
The first computer I used was a PDP-1. I entered programs using a teletype printer, which was also its display, and saved them on punch tape.
The first computer I owned was a Sinclair ZX81. Its display was black and white, so I used a black and white TV for it, and stored programs on audio cassette.
first computer i worked with was an IBM 1440 in a college course.everything by punch cards. by the end of course they upgraded to an IBM 360. My frist personal was a Commadore 64. and i’ve forgotten most of the dos commands that i had to use
NCR Century System (not sure which model) followed shortly by Atari 2600, Vic 20, PET, Apple II, C-64 and tons others…
NCR Century, and DEC VAX are the only non-personal computers that I’ve used that I remember (or know) what I was actually running on. I’ve used a few other big systems, but I didn’t always know what they were running on, as I was just following instructions out of books or instruction sheets, without having learned about the whole system that was running.
Suffice it to say, I actually understand what is going on inside these “magic” boxes to make them type characters an move arrows around on the screen when you move a mouse around, as I’ve created code to do that. And I understand it from an electronics stand point too, having built things for them from scratch (although I never built a complete computer from scratch or kit).
The company I worked for (now out of business) seemed way ahead in riding the computer wave. Our sales managers posted expense reports via computer technology, plus a lot more analysis was done. I think it made me appreciate the technology more and now, the technology is mind-blowing to me. Love it!
rubinocreative Premium Member over 13 years ago
Sneak peak. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Daddys-Home/175279239689?ref=ts
What was the first computer you owned/used? http://www.facebook.com/pages/Daddys-Home/175279239689?ref=ts
x_Tech over 13 years ago
When I was a youngster the first computers I got my hands on were analog, each with its own specific task (AHRS, AFCS, NAV, LABS). The problem was it was really hard to borrow an aircraft to run them on.
cdward over 13 years ago
When I was a kid, computers were programmed with cards and had giant reels of tape.
Plods with ...™ over 13 years ago
Didja know it takes 243 punch cards to get a print out of a naked woman?
(Honors class)
vldazzle over 13 years ago
The first computer I used belonged to my boyfriend and I was in my 30s- a brand new TRS which was one of the first generally available for home use. He wanted me to enter all of the customer base for his business- so I took a night school class and learned basic.
sunnydog over 13 years ago
We used to load the cards (in numerical order) with the program and the question; then run to the other end of the room to see if it even printed the program correctly; the answer was an afterthought at the bottom of the printer paper. It was about methodology and process then. Key-Punch Operator for the win.
Lyons Group, Inc. over 13 years ago
My first computer was a Compaq Presario in 2000. Retired in 2006.
runar over 13 years ago
The first computer program I wrote was on punch cards.
The rationale for putting the switch in the back was to prevent users from accidentally shutting it down. My current desktop computer is a tower case that sits on the floor with the on/off and reset switches on the front. At least once a week, one of my cats bumps up against the switch and shuts it off.
Coyoty Premium Member over 13 years ago
The first computer I used was a PDP-1. I entered programs using a teletype printer, which was also its display, and saved them on punch tape.
The first computer I owned was a Sinclair ZX81. Its display was black and white, so I used a black and white TV for it, and stored programs on audio cassette.
llong65 over 13 years ago
first computer i worked with was an IBM 1440 in a college course.everything by punch cards. by the end of course they upgraded to an IBM 360. My frist personal was a Commadore 64. and i’ve forgotten most of the dos commands that i had to use
GESWho over 13 years ago
NCR Century System (not sure which model) followed shortly by Atari 2600, Vic 20, PET, Apple II, C-64 and tons others…
NCR Century, and DEC VAX are the only non-personal computers that I’ve used that I remember (or know) what I was actually running on. I’ve used a few other big systems, but I didn’t always know what they were running on, as I was just following instructions out of books or instruction sheets, without having learned about the whole system that was running.
Suffice it to say, I actually understand what is going on inside these “magic” boxes to make them type characters an move arrows around on the screen when you move a mouse around, as I’ve created code to do that. And I understand it from an electronics stand point too, having built things for them from scratch (although I never built a complete computer from scratch or kit).
lin4869 over 13 years ago
The company I worked for (now out of business) seemed way ahead in riding the computer wave. Our sales managers posted expense reports via computer technology, plus a lot more analysis was done. I think it made me appreciate the technology more and now, the technology is mind-blowing to me. Love it!