I don't know. I read about them but could never afford one. I started out with a Timex Sinclair. With the 16K memory expansion, the entire system cost me $88. I learned BASIC programming on that one. Then I went to the Color Computer until a few years later when I got an IBM compatible 286 with a huge 20MB hard drive on a card.
Really cool memories, eh? I recall a big clunky 50Mb hard drive a guy had & we were all like, whoa. I learned some Basic in HS but we moved & I didn’t continue with programming. We had a Digital Systems hole-punch TAPE fed computer at that school and I’d hangout after school learning the basics. I started building desktops in Saudi Arabia buying cards, chips, cases & stuff at the Riyadh computer souks (markets). My first was a 386DX4 and it proudly supported a tape backup drive. All software over there was bootleg. I loved it, I miss it and stopped all my servicing & repair later in States after experiencing dealing with some really nasty customers. I stayed in Aerospace cuz fixing machines was easy…but dealing with people was not.
Sidenote…on Christmas Eve last I fixed my neighbors system and they paid me with Christmas fudge. THAT, was rewarding as sugar isn’t my friend but DANG what a nice treat!! 😂
I fixed a computer for someone, and they gave me homemade chocolate candy and cookies.
I also did some work on someone else's system, and they ordered a pizza for my wife and me. They were originally from another state. I hooked up their sound card and speakers and asked them what their favorite radio station was. I found it on the internet and had it playing for them in just a minute. That impressed them.
For most things I do, I don't charge anything, but I get paid anyway.
Same exact way I do things! It got where my time was more precious than any fees. It was usually rewarding, but a couple people ruined my enthusiasm at the end.
I don't know. I read about them but could never afford one. I started out with a Timex Sinclair. With the 16K memory expansion, the entire system cost me $88. I learned BASIC programming on that one. Then I went to the Color Computer until a few years later when I got an IBM compatible 286 with a huge 20MB hard drive on a card.
Really cool memories, eh? I recall a big clunky 50Mb hard drive a guy had & we were all like, whoa. I learned some Basic in HS but we moved & I didn’t continue with programming. We had a Digital Systems hole-punch TAPE fed computer at that school and I’d hangout after school learning the basics. I started building desktops in Saudi Arabia buying cards, chips, cases & stuff at the Riyadh computer souks (markets). My first was a 386DX4 and it proudly supported a tape backup drive. All software over there was bootleg. I loved it, I miss it and stopped all my servicing & repair later in States after experiencing dealing with some really nasty customers. I stayed in Aerospace cuz fixing machines was easy…but dealing with people was not.
I see you're younger than I am. Microsoft BASIC came out after I left college.
Yeah, I’m 60.
Sidenote…on Christmas Eve last I fixed my neighbors system and they paid me with Christmas fudge. THAT, was rewarding as sugar isn’t my friend but DANG what a nice treat!! 😂
I fixed a computer for someone, and they gave me homemade chocolate candy and cookies.
I also did some work on someone else's system, and they ordered a pizza for my wife and me. They were originally from another state. I hooked up their sound card and speakers and asked them what their favorite radio station was. I found it on the internet and had it playing for them in just a minute. That impressed them.
For most things I do, I don't charge anything, but I get paid anyway.
Same exact way I do things! It got where my time was more precious than any fees. It was usually rewarding, but a couple people ruined my enthusiasm at the end.