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#1
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Many of us have worked in "IT" or a related field. All of us at one time or another have been affected for better or for worse by the "offerings" from Microsoft, Apple, Cisco, Motorola, etc. or the many PC manufacturers who have come and gone through the years. Thought it might be fun and different to share experiences with some of the earliest technology that you have used. Feel free to post anything--good or bad...
![]() I got my start with computers long before I was ever in school by helping my dad with reports and calculations for his work (Sales Executive for GM). He had a "T1" line and if I was "good" I was allowed to spend time on it. It turned out to be good experience for what I do today. One of my earliest memories is using '"Lotus 1-2-3". Perhaps the "granddaddy" of all PC-based business applications. The first version I remember ran under "DOS" and used the "CGA" graphics color scheme. ![]() (Note to younger members... The "82" on the chart refers to "1982.") ![]() Last edited by a9127; 01-16-2019 at 07:46 PM. |
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The first computer I used was a Commodore 64. It had two 5-1/4" floppy drives. One ran the program in use and the other was used for saving files. The monitor was a portable tv. I only used a very basic word processor, but I thought it was just the greatest thing ever and much more fun to use than a typewriter.
Last edited by ila; 01-16-2019 at 08:19 PM. Reason: Made a correction and added photos |
#3
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In my office, I have an antique IBM PC/AT motherboard, 20MB Hard Drive, Paradise "EGA" card, and 1.2Mb floppy drive from my first "real" computer that was passed onto me by my Dad way back when... The "AT" used an Intel "286"processor running at a blazing 8Mhz.
![]() ![]() By the way, ila's "Commodore 64" with real floppies was quite advanced for it's time. ![]() ![]() My Dad had a Compaq DeskPro 386 (about $10,000 back then) and a "T1" line paid for by General Motors. I used to help him with stuff before I was even in school. If I was "good" I was allowed to use it for fun. Not that there was much to do then (alt.binaries.erotica). ![]() God I feel old that I even remember what all this stuff was. ![]() Last edited by a9127; 01-17-2019 at 12:12 PM. |
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In the early '90s I was moving into a job that involved a lot of work on computers. My Commodore knowledge wasn't enough to get by in my new position. I was advised to take some courses to get me up to speed so I went on a course that was conducted on weekends only. For a long time I thought that the computers we used on the course were Atari, but I'm not so sure anymore.
The course taught DOS, a pretty basic word processor, Lotus 1-2-3, and db III+. I really hated db III+ as it was the most awkward program to be able to do anything. |
#5
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These antiques should bring back memories both good and bad...
![]() IBM "AT" motherboard. This "monster" had an Intel 286 processor running at 8mhz. Considered "blazing fast." For 1984... ![]() Paradise "EGA" graphics card. An "upgrade" from the awful Cyan Magenta White palette of "CGA" this standard allowed 16 colors at a time (if memory serves me) from a total of 64. Enough to show "dirty pictures." Well almost... ![]() IBM thought a "High Capacity" 5 1/4" floppy would be enough for the future. They were wrong... ![]() Computer Science textbook from 1969. This was given to me by a professor who retired the year I first started teaching. It means a lot to me and occupies a special place on my bookshelf. Interestingly, the algorithms, data storage concepts, and system design principles are still valid 50 yeas later. ![]() Anyone know what this is? There was a time that everyone had to access the Internet through a "Dial Up" connection. If you know what "RS-232" is you get an "A". Class dismissed... ![]() How about these? Know what they are used for? No, of course not. Everything is wireless now. The date on the case says "June 2001." ![]() Last edited by a9127; 10-26-2020 at 01:22 AM. |
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It looks like I get an A. Make that an A+ as I not only know what an RS-232 cable is, but I used them and repaired them.
I know the tools in the tool case quite well as I've used them for work and not just at home for my own purposes. To go back a really long ways (for the computer age) I remember when base 2 arithmetic was introduced in the primary grades at school. We were told it was because we were now in the space age and not the iron age. At the time no one (teachers and pupils) knew that the arithmetic was to be the basis on which we were to learn all about computers and computing. Of course at the time computers weighed a few tons, occupied complete rooms, and were only used by big corporations and utility companies. |
#7
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#8
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![]() My own students (college) don't know "Base 2." They also don't think we landed on the moon. I help my nieces (8 and 10) with their homework. They are both very smart. But the math problems are like "circle the picture with five cats." Or "count to 100." The 10 year old is starting to do multiplication and division. Last edited by a9127; 01-20-2019 at 12:35 PM. |
#9
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![]() ![]() Did either of you have the "VIC-Modem"? The "oldest" computer I have ever used was a "NorthStar" running "CP/M." Its case was made of wood (Hehe..hehe...hehe he said "wood"). It belonged to one of my professors in grad school. He said he bought it in 1979. It was still running after all those years! He let me try using "WordStar." I wrote a memo to him updating my research proposal then printed it off on an equally ancient "dot matrix" printer. (Fun fact: WordStar used the S, E, X, and D keys for "cursor movement." ![]() Last edited by a9127; 01-20-2019 at 12:36 PM. |
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I've seen a couple of old tape drives, but I've never used any. The first computer I ever bought was a Gateway 2000 486 33Mhz. I almost bought a 286 from someone I knew that was selling it, but then I saw an advertisement for a new 486 and it was cheaper than the used 286. The first modem I ever used was on radio teletype circuits. At a guess I would say it was 15 inches wide by 10 inches high by 18 inches deep and weighed around 20 pounds. It wasn't a digital modem as radio teletype back then was analogue. The first digital modem I had was when I got my internet connection. It weighted a couple of pounds (if that much) and was about the size of my two hands together. I've been through a few more versions since then with my current one being the size of one of my palms and weighing just a few ounces. I've heard of Word Star, but never used it. My first printer was a wide carriage dot matrix and I had a 24 pin cable that connected it to my computer. |
#11
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Back in 1954 this was one possible "vision" of what home computers of the future might look like.
![]() Made by RAND Corporation, it was expected to be in use by 2004! According to the caption, it was "easy to use" with its Teletype interface and Fortran language. My favorite part is the "wall mounted display." ![]() ![]() ![]() |
#12
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I got a laugh from what looks like a ship's wheel on the computer. I wonder if RAND thought their computer had to be steered. I'll bet the energy consumption of that was measured in MWh. |
#13
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I remember of seeing pictures of computers in the 50's. They were as big as a room.
My brother used a computer in the late 60's. He put in a program , punched in a long code of numbers and letters for what seemed like twenty minutes. Then pushed one more button and the screen went totally red for 3 seconds. That was the program ! |
#14
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Somehow the prospect of watching Internet porn on that doesn't seem so appealing. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() I wondered about the "ship's wheel" as well. It kind of reminds me of an old movie I once saw about submarines. Looks sort of like the "control room." Thinking the same thing. Wonder how much power "one in every household" would consume? (Also Fortran isn't exactly "user friendly" and was mostly used in engineering applications. I can see entire families sitting around this thing at night writing code together... ![]() ![]() Last edited by a9127; 02-07-2019 at 03:01 PM. |
#15
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My very first computer was a sliderule. They were quite good and fast for multiplying, dividing, and trigonometry. The C and D scales were especially useful. I'm quite sure I could find that when I was proficient in using one that I could multiply or divide two numbers faster than someone using a calculator.
I've attached 3 sample pictures so that those that are unfamiliar with a sliderule know what one looks like. |
#16
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Cisco 2500 series router. Have one similar to this sitting on a shelf in my office. Some company donated several to our school. I earned a CCNA years ago. Don't really work with this stuff anymore. Kept one just for fun. Who remembers "token ring"?
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#17
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#18
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Simple "token ring" example from 2001.
![]() (My students find it amazing that computers once were connected with wires... ![]() Last edited by a9127; 03-02-2019 at 10:02 PM. |
#19
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I remember those diagrams (not those particular ones, but similar).
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#20
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Not a PC, but certainly "older" technology. In 2004-05, the phone to have was the Motorola "Razr" V3. I had the standard "silver" one but my "ex" had to have a "pink" one. Just like Paris. That's either "cute" or "ick" depending on how you see it. Fifteen years later I'm strongly leaning towards "ick."
![]() ![]() ![]() Word is now they are coming out with a "foldable" Razr V4 smartphone. Estimated price: $1,500 USD. Must have one... Must have one... Must have one... ![]() Last edited by a9127; 03-05-2019 at 12:20 PM. |
#21
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Before smartphones there were smart pagers. RIM kicked off the revolution in texting and mobile email access with their 900 series pagers with full text capability. My job at the time required me to carry a 950 model shortly after its introduction.
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#22
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But I think this guy has surpassed everyone for collecting old technology. ![]() |
#23
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#24
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the Digital PDP 11s were a hoot. The paper feed DEC Writers gave you a hard copy of all your keyboard interaction. Now where did I put those logs from the early 80s.
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#25
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From PC Magazine. “The Biggest Software Flops of All Time.”
![]() I remember some of them. Netscape and Joost for example. And I had a Palm Pilot. Mine was the color m505 from 2001. ![]() Even worse, I remember and actually used “Mosaic.” That was in the earliest days of the “Web.” Maybe 1993? A graphical browser! Awesome! Younger members might like to see what a “Web Page” in 1997 looked like. ![]() Of course I remember upgrading to Windows Vista in early 2007 (at major expense). I had just started my “technology” blog then. One of my first articles was a review of Vista. I wasn’t kind. I documented that it had “crashed” necessitating a total restart (and losing everything) no less than 23 times… ![]() Here’s the link: https://www.pcmag.com/feature/345740...m_medium=title Last edited by a9127; 06-05-2019 at 12:11 PM. |
#26
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I remember when Netscape came out and it was the best there was at the time. It was easy to use. I never had a problem with it. The MS started bundling IE with Windows and before anyone realized it Netscape was gone. I also remember the big uproar caused by MS when IE became a basically free program. The world was going to end, but obviously it hasn't.
There was a lot of hype around Vista when it came out. I had friends who jumped right on it and then started complaining about it. By the time I got Vista a lot of the problems had been fixed plus computers had advanced enough that Vista worked quite good. I used Vista until the computer I had broke down due to hardware failure. I think ME was a much worse version of Windows than was Vista. Harvard Graphics wasn't mentioned and I don't consider it a flop. I do wonder what happened to it as it was easy to use and had features that PowerPoint wouldn't have for many years. |
#27
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I will see that list of flopped software and raise it by a muted meow from the widely panned CueCat!
The Wikipedia article is kind compared to the comments I remember in the day: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CueCat |
#28
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![]() The "nose" scanned the code. Never used it. We have it somewhere... probably in a box in the garage. "QR" codes and smartphones have made this obsolete. Besides it used a wire. Even in 2000 it was clear the next thing was to eliminate that. Never knew they invested $185 million in it. ![]() |
#29
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![]() Harvard Graphics was awesome. The company was probably late in porting it to "Windows" in the 90's or people were just too easily satisfied with PowerPoint. I have found in Business, in general, it's hard to get away from the "Office" suite. That may change in the future. But do you remember the "Paper Clip"? Maybe one day the "digital assistant" will look like the "Real Doll" I configured in the "Dating" thread. ![]() |
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#31
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Not everything is “in the cloud.” “Mainframe”? Remember those? They’re still around…
![]() This was in my inbox this morning. From “eWeek”: Quote:
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#32
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This was in my Twitter feed this morning. Party like it's 1985! Fuck yeah.
![]() ![]() This is "Windows 1.01." If you used a PC back then, you either ran "DOS" by itself or "Windows" that acted as a shell providing a "user friendly" interface. ![]() That "game" is called "Reversi" and appeared on several later versions of windows well into the 90's. I used to be really good at it. How many remember playing it? I actually sort of like the colors. I think to get this color scheme you had to have an "EGA" card or else it would appear in B/W. Both at an "amazing" 640X480 pixel resolution. ![]() My first real interaction with Windows would not come until 1990 with the "much improved" Windows 3.0. By then, it was posible to get a "VGA" display and have resolutions up to 1024X768, still OK for some applications today. But most monitors of the time were only 14" or 15". NEC offered a 17" Multisync that I (with money earned from doing computer projects for other people) paid over $1,500 USD for in 1995. Think of what you could get today for that. When we moved out of our old offices last year our university's "IT" department had to call a "recycling" service to dispose of it safely. All monitors back then were "CRT" design. Think "Die Hard" where Bruce Willis uses a monitor strapped to a chair to detonate the explosive in the elevator scene. I'm sure my university would not have appreciated me tossing it down one of our elevators. ![]() ![]() Finally, my "favorite" Windows 3.0 theme. This was called "Flourescent" and what I used most of the time. There is also a bright red and yellow theme called "Hot Dog Stand" that still has fans today. I've seen versions for "Windows 10" even. Buy really, why would you want that? Last edited by a9127; 07-14-2019 at 12:31 PM. Reason: Added video from Die Hard. |
#33
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In the earliest days of PC’s, long before YouTube, Twitter, and “Social Media” ever existed, everybody knew that personal computing technology wasn’t ever going to be used for anything “good.”
![]() ![]() ![]() “Astrotit” was a popular “shareware” PC game from 1987. Especially revealing of just how “primitive” graphics were back then is that each of these screenshots is 320x200 resolution, common for many monitors of the time. Compare it to the screen you’re currently using. Amazing isn’t it? Note the “Cyan Magenta White” color palette. Unless you owned an “EGA” graphics card, that was it. Until “VGA” became standard a few years later. Offering up to 1024x768 resolution and “unlimited” colors, VGA was the first to be able to show real pictures. Most of them dirty… ![]() |
#34
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In 1992 I had a state of the art 14 inch monitor with a 640 x 480 resolution. My VGA card would display 16 colours.
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#35
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Had to think about what the "oldest" working piece of technology I own is. I think it is a Casio fx-11 "Scientific" calculator from 1974.
This belonged to my dad. I last "fired it up" sometime last year. It takes 4 AA type batteries. Power switch is "iffy" but if you wiggle it enough it will turn on. One of the most interesting features is the green flourescent tube display and the "little" zeroes. So "ninety" looks like "9o." (Pictures courtesy of Casio) Last edited by a9127; 10-25-2020 at 11:26 PM. |
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#37
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Anyway, here's the "real deal." It still works. Hardest part was finding 4 "AA" batteries around the house. All our remotes take "AAA." Came to life right away. Not bad for 45... ![]() On this calculator, ℼ is 3.141592. ![]() The instructions are yellowed and crumbling. Hope I don't forget how to use it. ![]() And you can see the "little zeroes" I was talking about. ![]() To put this all in perspective. In 1974: Skylab was still active. It would fall back to Earth in 1979. The US speed limit was 55 MPH (about 88 kph). ![]() Nixon (US President) was embroiled in the "Watergate" scandal and facing impeachment. He would resign in August. In April, tornadoes caused many fatalities in the mid-west United States during what was known as the "Superoutbreak." It wouldn't be surpassed until 2011. "California Jam" took place featuring many hard rock bands of the era. Black Sabbath featuring Ozzy was one of the headliners. You can find the entire thing on YouTube. ![]() "Streaking" was popular around the world. ![]() ABBA was very popular. "Waterloo" was #1 in the UK (Agnetha ![]() Last edited by a9127; 10-25-2020 at 11:26 PM. |
#38
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A little bit of calculator humour.
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#39
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The reason why if you've ever tried to sort numbers on your computer and got a string that went like this:
1, 10, 11, 100, 101, 2, 20 is because Bill Gates and, by extension, Microsoft don't know how to count. ![]() |
#40
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Well, that has always worked for me...
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#41
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If all else fails that what I also do.
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![]() I think the floppy icon is a 5 1/4" disc; when floppies really were floppy. I'm thankful for the early versions of Excel. They showed me that working with a spreadsheet program was very easy. As the programs got more complex I easily adapted to the changes because of the background knowledge I had. |
#42
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From computer antiquity.
![]() Ila, yes that is a 5¼” floppy icon on the Windows 2.0 screen. Here’s a couple of rare “finds.” Knew these were around somewhere. Had to go digging in our garage this morning. Might take these in to show my students. They, like me now, store everything “in the cloud.” I still use a USB drive for backup but almost everything I do for school or work is stored on-line so I can get it anywhere, anytime. ![]() Except for that stuff… Sorry, no “early porn.” ![]() ![]() The first two disks are a “promo copy” of Excel that was sent to my dad. Copyright 1988. I remember installing this for him. On a “Compaq 386.” He didn’t know how. Sorry dad... ![]() The other is an original copy of Tetris. Copyright 1987. In Russian! Will have to play it with my friend Aleksandra ![]() ![]() Published by Spectrum HoloByte. Russia was known as the USSR (CCCP) back then. The box even featured the “hammer and sickle” logo. Sorry, don’t have it anymore. Very historical. As I remember, it was much more fun to play than any of the “modern” versions. Like what's on my phone. Last edited by a9127; 10-25-2020 at 11:24 PM. |
#43
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On thing that stood out for me on the Excel discs was "Copy Freely." That used to be normal. Now users are threatened with legal action if they copy some things. Times sure change.
One time back in the early days of PCs I took a 2 day word processing course. Sitting in a corner of the classroom was an old computer that was no longer used. This computer stood out for me because it used 8" floppy discs for storage as compared to the (at that time) ultra-modern 3-1/2" discs. I've attached a picture to compare the 8, 5-1/4, and 3-1/2 inch discs. |
#44
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ila and others might enjoy these "old" computer books I found in my office today. The "77"on the Fortran Book means "1977." Older than me by several years but looks to be in much better shape.
![]() "Hacking Exposed." ![]() "Disaster Recovery." Younger members, the cover picture is of the remains of the World Trade Center on 9/11/2001. Jon Toigo is a friend of mine. Got this at a seminar I attended years ago. Good reading. ![]() Back in the days when I was still trying to learn more about the "IT" thing. From 2003. Was still listenening to "nu-metal." ![]() ![]() ![]() Well then again... Some skills never "grow old." This book is titled "Mathematics For Data Processing." Another "inherited" book but I am old enough to remember the term "Data Processing." Long before the Internet, Social Media, "Smartphones," "apps," "wi-fi," and free porn. ![]() And this antique... The first "web server" I ever set up. It was for a class project. Ran an early version of Red Hat Linux. If I remember correctly our "team" named it "fight club." Of course we did. ![]() ![]() Last edited by a9127; 10-25-2020 at 11:02 PM. |
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I got my network administrator qualifications in what now seems like another lifetime. Back then network operating systems were all DOS based (my qualification isn't from Novell). I actually enjoyed typing all instructions on the command line. I remember one instructor telling us that passwords were buried deep in the system and that no one would ever find them. That sounded like a challenge so I went exploring. It was interesting what I found in the file system, but I never did find where the passwords were stored. |
#46
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I edited the permissions file preferences for myself to have a much wider view. Then I remember changing peoples passwords when they forgot theirs. The CS instructor kept saying that it was not possible. But in many ways we all knew very little then compared to today. |
#47
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Like most of you guys, I have been cutting my teeth back in the 1980's. Back then, I used all sort of machines. Like C64, Amiga and early Dos PC's. I still use C64, Amiga and Dos PC's today, as they are my hobby. I have like 4 Amiga's and a couple of C64's and then 6 AT machines and 2 ATX machines. (286, 486's, Pentium, Pentium3 and Pentium 4) Then tons of spare hardware in boxes and so on.
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#48
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The Norton Utilities “Disk Editor.” This was Version 7.0.
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#49
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I am of the belief that anything can be found. A simple "deep scan" of my PC this morning turned up the following. Wonder why this would be on my computer?
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#50
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Don't ask me why I was browsing for stuff like this as a 14 year old.
![]() http://www.jeff-goldsmith.org/amusingrefs.html Or why I came across it today... Guess I was just curious to see if the page was still out there. Had been talking about "search engines" with a friend and somehow remembered this and wanted to see if it was still around. It was. ![]() Here's a screenshot of "Alta Vista" from 1997. You know, before there was Google. I used this a lot for school (and other things obviously ![]() |
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