Tech the Hard Way

Thing 7: Blog about Technology
Since I have been involved with computer technology since the 1970s, I have seen a number of changes. The first computer I ever accessed was an IBM 370 that was located on a campus about 100 miles away. My project partner and I could only get time on the computer at 2:00 AM and then had to use a converted IBM Selectric typewriter as our input terminal. One little mistake in spelling or syntax in our computer program and we would be pulling another early morning shift in the basement trying to get it right. I have fond memories of this experience only because my project partner was an attractive coed named Ruth.

Now, however, I understand that getting my feet wet in the bad old days of “tired iron” mainframes and “mini” computers like the Honeywell DPS6 was not such a bad experience after all. For there is nothing like mounting 10-inch reels of computer tape onto a refrigerator-sized tape drive to make you appreciate a 4mm tape cartridge. Turning on your computer and seeing nothing on the green-on-black CRT but a blinking cursor waiting for your command is pretty intimidating compared to the friendly, colorful start-up screen of a Windows or Apple GUI. It all seems so much easier now, that it is hard to get discouraged when I have to learn a new program or an upgraded operating system. Now, it’s just fun.