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First computer

pwhavens

pwhavens
First computer
Oct 31 2009, 10:23 AM EDT | Post edited: Oct 31 2009, 10:23 AM EDT
Heh, my "first computer" was a shared seat on a Hewlett Packard 2000 in 1976 <http://www.decodesystems.com/hp2000/>. Remote users accessed the CPU machine via smart typewriter terminal connected with a telephone handset placed in an acoustic cradle. (The CPU was located in Raleigh, NC and I was located in Wilmington NC. I would program the machine in Time Shared BASIC to calculate statistics (means, standard deviations, etc.) and manipulate data arrays. It was like working with a rudimentary, self-programmed spreadsheet....only, at the time I didn't have the word "spreadsheet." I used my brain to keep the data array visualized as the typical spreadsheet application does now. I used a pencil and typewriter for word processing...eeewwwww.
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Baby_Apple
Baby_Apple
1. RE: First computer
Nov 1 2009, 8:39 AM EST | Post edited: Nov 1 2009, 8:39 AM EST
Your story is very interesting, thank you for sharing it with me.
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CryingDove
CryingDove
2. RE: First computer
Nov 1 2009, 5:49 PM EST | Post edited: Nov 2 2009, 9:01 PM EST
My first computer was "Etch-A-Sketch". It had two knobs as an input device. A screen that was sorta like a early Plasma screen. It was totally realtime. And all I had to do is shake the red and white computer case, to "delete all files". I loved it.
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Baby_Apple
Baby_Apple
3. RE: First computer
Nov 1 2009, 7:59 PM EST | Post edited: Nov 1 2009, 7:59 PM EST
Hahaha! I used to have an Etch-A-Sketch too.
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