Welcome to the archived messages from In The 00s. This archive stretches back to 1998 in some instances, and contains a nearly complete record of all the messages posted to inthe00s.com. You will also find an archive of the messages from inthe70s.com, inthe80s.com, inthe90s.com and amiright.com before they were combined to form the inthe00s.com messageboard.
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Subject: What was the first computer you ever used?
The first computer I ever got to use was a Commodore 64 that a relative of my foster mother's had in her home. We were visiting this wonderful person for the weekend-she lived in New York state-and her husband asked me if I wanted to try it out. I played a funny game called "Lightsaver" where you had to catch the falling lightbulbs in a basket before they hit the ground and broke.The more bulbs I caught,the higher my score!
But the computer which really fueled my interest was the Apple IIgs,because it had a lot of creative software made for the coolest member of the Apple II'family',such as Broderbund's "The Print Shop IIgs Edition"to create cards,banners,and signs. I used it to make personalized greeting cards for my friends,and to make birthday banners and holiday stuff for the day program I attended. Later on I became an 'official' volunteer for the whole agency,teaching my peers computer skills and doing work throughout the agency,including data entry on the IBM's they had there. I'm glad the PC-Compatible is pretty much THE standard,I enjoy all the things they can help me get done! :D
Subject: Re: What was the first computer you ever used?
In 1981 our school had two Radio Shack TRS-80s. We could compute math problems, program basic Basic, and play simple games. One I remember in particular, it had no graphics, just text. You were a bomber pilot, and your goal was to nuke a series of Soviet cities, ending with Moscow. You had to textually avoid getting shot down, and navigate so you didn't run out of fuel and so forth. "Omsk Destroyed," "Leningrad Destroyed, "Moscow Destroyed," ahhh the days of the Evil Empire before Gorby!
The TRS-80 was affectionately nicknamed the TRASH 80.
:-/
Subject: Re: What was the first computer you ever used?
Wow Maxwell! Here I thought I was going to be the only one who used some antiquated computer! My first was from Radio Shack...A Texas Instrument. It plugged into the TV set and as you said, you could do BASIC programming and play a couple of games. Pong and some Snake game. I remember I used to program the computer to scroll something stupid across the screen....'Sue Loves ____' LOL! (Hey, what can I say....I was 10!!!
After a while, those games became a little boring and real video games came out! Yeeeehawwww!!!
Subject: Re: What was the first computer you ever used?
Quoting:
In 1981 our school had two Radio Shack TRS-80s. We could compute math problems, program basic Basic, and play simple games. One I remember in particular, it had no graphics, just text. You were a bomber pilot, and your goal was to nuke a series of Soviet cities, ending with Moscow. You had to textually avoid getting shot down, and navigate so you didn't run out of fuel and so forth. "Omsk Destroyed," "Leningrad Destroyed, "Moscow Destroyed," ahhh the days of the Evil Empire before Gorby!
The TRS-80 was affectionately nicknamed the TRASH 80.
:-/
End Quote
Whoa, I thought I was the only one that remembered the TRASH-80! I lived on this as if I was the only person (or nerdy type) that knew what a computer was...I used to hang out after hours at high school to try and use machine language to program. Remember when the Apple II e was the most progressive computer to use? I ended up playing games like Castle Wolfenstien instead of actually getting anything done...ahh high school days...
Subject: Re: What was the first computer you ever used?
i remember seeing my first computer in elementary school. i believe it was an old apple. the whole school had to share like 10 computers to take tests on and in middle school playing oregon trail and number munchers.of course then you couldn't just turn on the computer to make it work you had to hit in little code like buttens or numbers. oh the age of the large not so graphic or functional computers. now we have computers that could fit in a pocket:)flat screens andd internet .
Subject: Re: What was the first computer you ever used?
I remember the first PC-compatibles were humoungous and left little space on the desktop for the keyboard and the mouse! The tower-type computers are DEFINITELY an improvement! ;)
Subject: Re: What was the first computer you ever used?
The first computer experience I can remember is in 3rd grade which was 1984 for me..we used a computer lab which had a bunch of apple computers and we got to play "Oregon Trail" for a hour. It was my favorite day of the month!
We also got to play with "Print Shop". ;D
Subject: Re: What was the first computer you ever used?
I think it was either an Atari or Apple,I'm not so sure. ??? ;D
Howard
Subject: Re: What was the first computer you ever used?
Quoting:
Wow Maxwell! Here I thought I was going to be the only one who used some antiquated computer! My first was from Radio Shack...A Texas Instrument. It plugged into the TV set and as you said, you could do BASIC programming and play a couple of games. Pong and some Snake game. I remember I used to program the computer to scroll something stupid across the screen....'Sue Loves ____' LOL! (Hey, what can I say....I was 10!!!
After a while, those games became a little boring and real video games came out! Yeeeehawwww!!!
End Quote
Remember the scene in NatLamp's Vacation with the TV monitor computer? Clark mapped out the trip on it. "Rusty, don't eat the truckster!" We used to make those scroll programs, saying stuff like "Scott is an A-hole" over and over.
Our first home computer was an Apple IIe. My dad hoped we'd become expert programmers. Never really happened. I used to play A LOT of Castle Wolfenstein, though.
I do remember using a primitive Apple in some library. I played a game called "Lemonade Stand" with a couple of other kids. You ran a lemonade stand and you had to budget your supplies, compete against other kids' lemonade stands, and try to make a profit. Exciting, huh?
:-/
Subject: Re: What was the first computer you ever used?
Wow..these posts bring back memories! We had a Radio Shack TRS-80 also. It was 9th grade, 1981-82, and we had one in the library that you had to sign up for. We had one classmate that was an electronics wizard and he latched on to this thing quickly. He wrote a program with a very blocky, clumsy John Hinckley trying to shoot at the President and always missing of course! Black and white graphics and you had to use your imagination but we thought it was the coolest thing.
Subject: Re: What was the first computer you ever used?
I believe it WAS Atari. ???
Howard
Subject: Re: What was the first computer you ever used?
Mine was the Apple IIe. It was the latest greatest thing at the time. :D
Subject: Re: What was the first computer you ever used?
A 48K Apple ][+ w/ two 5.25" floppy drives and a 300 baud accoustical modem.
Subject: Re: What was the first computer you ever used?
If I remember correctly, which I probably don't, the first computer I ever used looked something like this..
http://www.old-computers.com/museum/photos/apple_iii.jpg
Subject: Re: What was the first computer you ever used?
Quoting:
If I remember correctly, which I probably don't, the first computer I ever used looked something like this..
http://www.old-computers.com/museum/photos/apple_iii.jpg
End Quote
Do they sell them on Ebay?
Howard
Subject: Re: What was the first computer you ever used?
you can actually buy the monitor and keyboard separately on ebay for more than $200.
...
Subject: Re: What was the first computer you ever used?
Quoting:
you can actually buy the monitor and keyboard separately on ebay for more than $200.
...
End Quote
And it still works after 20 years?
Howard
Subject: Re: What was the first computer you ever used?
The first computer I remember using was a Commodore VIC20 that belonged to my uncle. It was there that I learned how to play Pac Man, Donkey Kong, chess, and my all time favorite- Shamus. (and I just recently learned that you can download Shamus online now for your PC- woohoo!!) That had to be a good 20 years or so ago, and believe it or not I still have that old thing and it still works! I do have to replave an A/V cable though. ;D
Subject: Re: What was the first computer you ever used?
Another computer I used at various times was one of Compaq's first portables. It had an Intel 286 chip in it,and was about as big as a small microwave oven. The keyboard went over the screen when the computer was not being used. It had stuff like WordStar(one of the first pro word processing software programs)installed. I was at a mental-health consumer retreat in Bondville,Vermont,and the consumer advocacy group KNEW I was into computers,so they brought the darn thing. I'm not surprised that Compaq's products are as popular as they are,seems they ALWAYS made good,RELIABLE PC's. ;)
Subject: Re: What was the first computer you ever used?
I used a Texas Instruments TI99 around 1982 / 83.
I used to attach one of the old cassetter recorders to it...
Subject: Re: What was the first computer you ever used?
First computer? Being from the UK, my introduction was on a Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48K. I remember my dad bringing it home one evening back in 1983, plugging it into the TV and loading up Spectral Invaders. What brilliant graphics, colour, sound!
It began a love affair with my Speccy (and 128K machine) lasting 10 years. Ah, the memories...
Subject: Re: What was the first computer you ever used?
My first "PC" was a Grid Systems "Gridcase 2" laptop. Man that machine was cool. All-magnesium black case with black keys.
No hard drive...only had one floppy drive.
The styling is awesome. Looks like Darth Vader's computer.
Subject: Re: What was the first computer you ever used?
Does anyone remember the Colecovision "Adam" computers? They were supposed to "revolutionalize" home computing.
Instead of a floppy disk they used regular compact music cassettes, which meant it took FOREVER to get at data.
The product line was a total flop. My buddy was selling them and could not give them away.
Subject: Re: What was the first computer you ever used?
Quoting:
Does anyone remember the Colecovision "Adam" computers? They were supposed to "revolutionalize" home computing.
Instead of a floppy disk they used regular compact music cassettes, which meant it took FOREVER to get at data.
The product line was a total flop. My buddy was selling them and could not give them away.
End Quote
I remember seeing the "Adam" advertized, but what was the advantage of cassette supposed to be? How did you access the data?
Subject: Re: What was the first computer you ever used?
I believe the first one I used was also an Apple. We had like 20 or so computers and there were like 30 something of us in the class so we would have to take turns. :)
Subject: Re: What was the first computer you ever used?
My first computer was a Commodore 64
Subject: Re: What was the first computer you ever used?
Lyricsboy wrote
Quoting:Does anyone remember the Colecovision "Adam" computers? They were supposed to "revolutionalize" home computing.End Quote
Quoting:
I believe the first one I used was also an Apple. We had like 20 or so computers and there were like 30 something of us in the class so we would have to take turns. :)
End Quote
What about an Adam's Apple? Arf arf arf! ;D
Subject: Re: What was the first computer you ever used?
Me and some friends would stay in at lunchtimes to play a Galaxians clone on the BBC Micro at school. Until one time the dinner lady threw us out, the cow...
Subject: Re: What was the first computer you ever used?
Quoting:
Me and some friends would stay in at lunchtimes to play a Galaxians clone on the BBC Micro at school. Until one time the dinner lady threw us out, the cow...
End Quote
Galaxians was my favorite video game. I had a hand-held miniature version of Galaxians and the Atari version. The dinner lady threw you out, eh? Here in the States we call them "lunch ladies," a stereotype (the cows). They're sort of dumpy matrons in their fifties and sixties with sour demeanors. Can't blame them, they get dirt wages and a lot of lip from the kids.
Quoting:"...there's this state law that she has to wear a net on her head, but she's got arms like an ape. She's got no net on them! Just on her head, where she's bald altogether!"
--Robert KleinEnd Quote
Subject: Re: What was the first computer you ever used?
Yeah, I remember those small arcade game versions, somewhere between a handheld and a console. They were cool.
Subject: Re: What was the first computer you ever used?
I'm not quite positive, but probably the TI-99 my dad bought. My friend Bev and I would type REM statements all the time to output some phrase. You could do some BASIC on it but I hardly did anything. My dad showed me some things, but I don't even think he used it that much.
Must have been later when my mom brought back an Apple from school (for the Summer?). I think it could have been a IIc. Anyway, I remember the Lemonade Stand thing there. There was some graphical game called Bushido. Also, there was this way-cool game called Wizard's Castle. No graphics, very simple set-up, but it was all strategy and thinking about what you would do. You chose what kind of character you'd be, then what weapons you'd buy, etc. A "map" of the castle showed 1 of 8 floors at a time, w/tons of rooms. As you went thru them the ? would disappear so you'd see the most important feature of that room (like, a Monster inside). You'd choose which rooms to go in consecutively and instructions would tell you what you're encountering, then you choose what to do.
I spent way too much time trying to beat that game!
Subject: Re: What was the first computer you ever used?
Mine was a TSR-80 color . All I used it for was to help me with Math . It had a slot in the side or games .
Subject: Re: What was the first computer you ever used?
Quoting:
What about an Adam's Apple? Arf arf arf! ;D
End Quote
Lol. Very clever.
Subject: Re: What was the first computer you ever used?
Quoting:
First computer? Being from the UK, my introduction was on a Sinclair ZX Spectrum 48K. I remember my dad bringing it home one evening back in 1983, plugging it into the TV and loading up Spectral Invaders. What brilliant graphics, colour, sound!
It began a love affair with my Speccy (and 128K machine) lasting 10 years. Ah, the memories...
End Quote
Lol. Ah the memories indeed, Optimus Prime. My uncle had a Spectrum+2 and I loved it! He bought 3 computer magazines a month with free games on the cover (Crash, Your Sinclair and Sinclair User) and by the time we had finished, we had over 800 games for it!
Of course, anything from Codemasters was my bag. I loved The Dizzy games (especially Magicland Dizzy) which were about an egg which wore a pair of boxing gloves and he had to go about solving puzzles - really good stuff. 8)
80sladUK and I were talking about the annoyance of getting a tape error after waiting 10 minutes for a game to load up. Oh happy days. ;D
Subject: Re: What was the first computer you ever used?
A 48K Apple ]extremely close to owning an Coleco Adam as the cost was less than half of what equivalent systems were going for in those days.
Nice Apple 3 that was posted here, I had one of those but donated it to a computer museum in 1998. Worked well, although periodically I had to drop it from about 15 cm above the table to ensure the expansion cards and chips were seated properly. ;D (Seriously!). Apple 3's periodically turn up in "buy n' sell" papers. $200 is FAR too much for one. I got mine for $10 when I was collecting every old Apple system I could find.
Subject: Re: What was the first computer you ever used?
Quoting:
Must have been later when my mom brought back an Apple from school (for the Summer?). I think it could have been a IIc. Anyway, I remember the Lemonade Stand thing there. There was some graphical game called Bushido. Also, there was this way-cool game called Wizard's Castle. No graphics, very simple set-up, but it was all strategy and thinking about what you would do. You chose what kind of character you'd be, then what weapons you'd buy, etc. A "map" of the castle showed 1 of 8 floors at a time, w/tons of rooms. As you went thru them the ? would disappear so you'd see the most important feature of that room (like, a Monster inside). You'd choose which rooms to go in consecutively and instructions would tell you what you're encountering, then you choose what to do.
I spent way too much time trying to beat that game!
End Quote
I think my firiend's dad had this on their computer. But, I don't remember the text. I remember there were just lines for the rooms and it would simulate walking through the hallways, etc. No, it can't be because I distinctly remember the wizard having a sword and fighting the demons. Anyone have any clue what this would have been?
Oh, BTW, you can still get Oregon Trail and Lemonade Stand. And, does anyone remember the game where you were a little thing, you had a hammer to break the "floor" where the little creatures would fall in, then you'd whack them with the hammer for points? Hubby (who has 2 college degrees in computer something or other) thinks I'm crazy. ;D
Subject: Re: What was the first computer you ever used?
Quoting:
Lol. Ah the memories indeed, Optimus Prime. My uncle had a Spectrum+2 and I loved it! He bought 3 computer magazines a month with free games on the cover (Crash, Your Sinclair and Sinclair User) and by the time we had finished, we had over 800 games for it!
Of course, anything from Codemasters was my bag. I loved The Dizzy games (especially Magicland Dizzy) which were about an egg which wore a pair of boxing gloves and he had to go about solving puzzles - really good stuff. 8)
80sladUK and I were talking about the annoyance of getting a tape error after waiting 10 minutes for a game to load up. Oh happy days. ;D
End Quote
The game mags of the mid- to late-1980s kinda went downhill once the covertape-wars started. I liked the demo tapes Crash used to have, though.
About the only Codemasters games I played a lot were BMX Simulator and ATV Simulator.
I remember the tape loading errors (especially annoying on newly-bought tapes!), and the hours spent tweaking the volume levels to get them working :)
Subject: Re: What was the first computer you ever used?
Quoting:
Another computer I used at various times was one of Compaq's first portables. It had an Intel 286 chip in it,and was about as big as a small microwave oven. The keyboard went over the screen when the computer was not being used. It had stuff like WordStar(one of the first pro word processing software programs)installed. I was at a mental-health consumer retreat in Bondville,Vermont,and the consumer advocacy group KNEW I was into computers,so they brought the darn thing. I'm not surprised that Compaq's products are as popular as they are,seems they ALWAYS made good,RELIABLE PC's. ;)
End Quote
that would be the Compaq Portable II (a smaller version of the Compaq Portable, which was an XT). I ran my BBS on one for about two or three years (the predessor to this website)
my first computer I used, was an Epson QX-10, a CP/M based machine. Had my father waited a little, he might have ended up with the QX-16 which did DOS and CP/M. Dual floppy drives and 384K of RAM (which was a lot for 1984). I used it to learn BASIC and do a lot of word processing, up until I was 16 or so. I used a lot of Commodore 64s and Apple IIe's too.
Subject: Re: What was the first computer you ever used?
Wow. What a memory that is for me!
The first was a PET Commodore, which was the very first
high school computer, and the one I used in the early 1980's. It was a very slow, and extremely wimpy processor.
Top that off with only 8k of memory!!!!
It preceded the Commodore 64 by 2 years, I think.
My laptop that I have now is over 2,000 times more powerful.
Most hand-held calculators that are used today are more powerful than that old antique I used!!
Subject: Re: What was the first computer you ever used?
Quoting:
Oh, BTW, you can still get Oregon Trail and Lemonade Stand. And, does anyone remember the game where you were a little thing, you had a hammer to break the "floor" where the little creatures would fall in, then you'd whack them with the hammer for points? Hubby (who has 2 college degrees in computer something or other) thinks I'm crazy. ;D
End Quote
Yes, I remember that game very well. It's not your fault Hubby was too busy studying to play games. ;)
Subject: Re: What was the first computer you ever used?
My school had some sort of Apple. We used to have big assemblies where the principle would punch in codes to the computer which would make this toy turtle walk around.
Subject: Re: What was the first computer you ever used?
THE ONE I MADE OUT OF LEGOS AND CARDBOARD THAT TURNED ME INTO THE BIONIC MAN:)
Subject: Re: What was the first computer you ever used?
The first computer I ever used?
Well, I would guess that it was an IBM 360 mainframe. I was typing at a green-screen dumb terminal, (or a paper printout terminal connected to a 300 baud acoustic modem) so I am not sure. But that is what most of the computers were at my mom's work. :P
If you mean, Personal Computer, it would be a Commodore PET. The first computer I could call MINE was a Commodore VIC-20, and the first I bought with my own money was a Commodore 64.
If you mean an IBM clone, it would be a Franklin PC-8000. It was a 4.77 MHz 8086, with 512k RAM and 2 5¼" 360k floppy drives. I eventually added a 3½" 720k floppy and a 40 MB SCSI hard drive (a big deal in 1990). For those that remember, Franklin got sued almost into extinction in the 1980's for cloneing the Apple II.
Oh wow, those were the days! Of course, I also remember working on the Lisa, the TRS-80 (model I, II, and III), an IBM DisplayWriter (word processor, stored data on 8" 250k single-sided floppy disks!), Macintosh (the original model, circa 1984), SX-64, TI-99/4A, Atari 400/800, Atari ST, Amiga, Kaypro, and a few other's I can't exactly remember what they were. lol
Subject: Re: What was the first computer you ever used?
Commador vic20 and later on Commador 64
in high school I used a IBM 130 I think that was almost 20 years ago for me
Subject: Re: What was the first computer you ever used?
Quoting:
Commador vic20 and later on Commador 64
in high school I used a IBM 130 I think that was almost 20 years ago for me
End Quote
What I'm running now is a brand-new Compaq Presario S6100NX 2.5 Ghz with 256 MB RAM and an 80 GB hard drive,with a DVD-ROM drive AND a CD-RW drive! My monitor is an AMW 17-inch flat-screen(16 inch viewable)and a very inexpensive but RELIABLE HP color deskjet printer. Compared to the Packard Bell I used to own,this is a "Mercedes"(meaning-way better, waaaaay FASTER!!)