How I got my start with Computers?

[DB]

I started with two top end Lenovo workstation laptops and learned the hard way about their reliability. I was also uneasy about their security being made in China. I've since moved to MSI top end workstation laptops and at least so far so good. The MSI laptop uses a 400 watt power adapter which is pretty shocking... It will run on battery but less than hour if the CPUs are loaded up but I don't need it to. It is always plugged in.

[Smokin Joe]

Yup.  Had a friend in high school whose dad worked for the NRL and had a terminal at home.  We were on arpanet while it was still nonpublic, but we mostly just played the text-based Star Trek game.

We had terminals that looked like something out of Dr. Strangelove, and phone cradles next to them. You called up the Department's number for the Mainframe at UVa. and did what you did. We got the number for another Department and used theirs...

[roamer_1]

I started with two top end Lenovo workstation laptops and learned the hard way about their reliability.

Yeah. I heard that. One of my favorite form factors I have ever used was my beloved Lenovo 11e. I can't think of what it was called anymore, but back in the palm pilot days, I had me a little clamshell outfit that you could throw in a tray tied to your desktop, and it would sync outlook - It was painfully inadequate, and trying to type on it with these damnable thumbs was nigh onto impossible... But what it almost was, was almost...

Well that 11e Yoga was the real thing. Big enough to use, really use. bearably awkward to really type on... Could use a spreadsheet with it ... I went through 4 of em in 2 years, and loved em anyway...

Looking now for HP's version of that HP Elitebook 365.  I want one bad.

[Bigun]

I started with two top end Lenovo workstation laptops and learned the hard way about their reliability. I was also uneasy about their security being made in China. I've since moved to MSI top end workstation laptops and at least so far so good. The MSI laptop uses a 400 watt power adapter which is pretty shocking... It will run on battery but less than hour if the CPUs are loaded up but I don't need it to. It is always plugged in.

Built in UPS! I'm not pushing anything that hard these days.

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

I started with two top end Lenovo workstation laptops and learned the hard way about their reliability. I was also uneasy about their security being made in China. I've since moved to MSI top end workstation laptops and at least so far so good. The MSI laptop uses a 400 watt power adapter which is pretty shocking... It will run on battery but less than hour if the CPUs are loaded up but I don't need it to. It is always plugged in.

My experience with Lenovos has been good... dell laptops on the other hand...

QC with computers has noticably declined since the pandemic IMO. I've worked in various IT shops, it used to be rare to receive a DOA machine in a new batch of corporate machines, now we get quite a few.

[DB]

My experience with Lenovos has been good... dell laptops on the other hand...

QC with computers has noticably declined since the pandemic IMO. I've worked in various IT shops, it used to be rare to receive a DOA machine in a new batch of corporate machines, now we get quite a few.

In the last approximately 5 years I bought around 11 Lenovo laptops. Four still work. All the failures have been internal power supply issues. One of those that failed was an expensive high-end fully loaded P1. It died not long after the manufactures warranty expired. I expect more from a computer that cost over $5k. So I'm done with Lenovo.

[DefiantMassRINO]

The power supply on my craptop - 2011/2012 HP Mini 10.1" 1104, Atom N2600, 4GB RAM (upgrade), SSD (upgrade) - finally died.  I bought a replacement used HP Mini 10.1" 210-4150, and upgraded it.  I love the 10.1" form factor because it makes it easier to use in bed.

I used it to run 32 Bit Windows 7/10 so I could use a 16-bit NTVDM to run 1991/1992 Sid Meier's Civilization for Windows 3.1.

On 64 bit Windows, I would need to use DOSBox with Windows 3.1x.

I suspect many newer laptops run hot because of all the components crammed in a small space, possibly using passive cooling (fanless) versus active cooling (fan).

I prefer to buy used/owned laptops so I can upgrade memory and storage which can give an older computer new life or longer life.  I then tune the crap out of them to get the most out of power saving to keep component temperatures down.

Many new laptops in the price point I'm willing to pay would probably come with too little memory and slower storage.

I'm underwhelmed with the storage I/O speed of my work Dell laptop.

[DCPatriot]

[Fishrrman]

Until 1986, I was one of those people who, if asked if I had a personal computer, would have replied "what would I need one of those for?"

Then, after seeing a friend demo his recently bought Apple //c by logging into Compuserve, I decided to get one. DIdn't have much of an idea as to what I'd DO with it...

So I got an Apple //c and a monochrome monitor. Ended up with a cheapo "phone modem" (as described above) so I could go online.

Compuserve seemed like too much money to be worth it ($12 per hour back then), so I signed up for "the poor man's Compuserve -- GEnie" @ $6 per hour).

Since I worked pretty much "on call" in those days, I ended up getting a second phone line for the computer so the railroad could reach me when needed. I bought 100 feet of weatherproof red/green/yellow/black phone wire from Radio Shack, and ran the 2-line hookup outside the house and through a hole from a cable tv hookup that was no longer there. Thirty-five years later, that cable still works for my remaining phone line (the phone comes in over the internet via VOIP, but the old wires now connect to my fiber optical interface in the basement).

About 6-7 months later in the spring of 1987 I took a look at the Mac (back then a Mac SE with a 9' b&w display), and decided to try one of those.

I've been a Mac guy ever since. Mac SE; SE30; IIci; PowerMac 6100; a couple of SuperMac "clones"; a Mac "tower" (g4); iMac 24"; and three Mac Minis (2012, 2018, and most recently an m4).

I still have files originally created on my //c in 1987 on my m4 Mini today, 38 years later. Who in the forum can match that?

PC's and Windows have always frustrated me. I can run Windows "in emulation" on the Mac, but have only needed that for a few very specific tasks.

Never needed to use computers "at work" -- RR engines (at least back then) didn't have them. Eventually at Amtrak we did have a computer in the sign-up room running Windows, and you could check on train schedules, consists, etc.

I can't understand the "Apple hate" from a lot of traditional-minded folks (even here). Rush was a BIG fan of Macs throughout his life, and it sure didn't cramp his style.

Having said that, most other Apple products don't interest me, not because of politics or ideology -- just don't need or want them.

But for me, the Mac made the difference.
I would have hated computers, if I had been forced to use Windows.
But I enjoy using the Macs all day long!

[Cyber Liberty]

The problem I always had with Apples was they have always been expensive.  I did have one for a while during the Vista fiasco because I needed Parallels to run Windows NT and my company's VPN software.  Nothing worked on Vista because there was zero backwards compatibility. 

After that I went back to a Windows machine.

[Bigun]

The problem I always had with Apples was they have always been expensive.  I did have one for a while during the Vista fiasco because I needed Parallels to run Windows NT and my company's VPN software.  Nothing worked on Vista because there was zero backwards compatibility. 

After that I went back to a Windows machine.

I can't stand Apple because EVERTHING they produce is proprietary and thus much more expensive than it should be. Having said that, I'm all for anyone who enjoys using their products and paying for them.

[DB]

I still have files originally created on my //c in 1987 on my m4 Mini today, 38 years later. Who in the forum can match that?

A number of us. I still use tools (not very often now) I wrote in the mid 80's along with the files that go with them. I have 5-1/4" floppies from the 80's...

[Bigun]

A number of us. I still use tools (not very often now) I wrote in the mid 80's along with the files that go with them. I have 5-1/4" floppies from the 80's...

I'll admit that I do not. As far as I can determine there is not a floppy disk or CD left in this place. Files have been updated to new formats many times over the years.

[Sighlass]

Anyone here ever use a modem like this?

Lol, nope, but I did use the phone (party line) with about a 20' stretch .. Man our pastor's wife across the street could talk and talk and talk (she had the other half of the party line).

[DB]

Lol, nope, but I did use the phone (party line) with about a 20' stretch .. Man our pastor's wife across the street could talk and talk and talk (she had the other half of the party line).

I had a black phone that was essentially identical to that when I was a teenager... I hooked it to my audio equipment and put a volume control on the side of the phone so I could play music during the call... The good old days...

[roamer_1]

A number of us. I still use tools (not very often now) I wrote in the mid 80's along with the files that go with them. I have 5-1/4" floppies from the 80's...

ALL my floppies left in the Great Root Beer Disaster of 98. A whole gallon jug of A&W popped the glass off it's bottom, ran down into my computer, and out onto the desktop, and down into a barely open drawer of floppies... Hundreds of em. ALL of em. Filled that drawer 3" deep. There just ain't no coming back from that one.

ALL my Win3.11wfwg and before stuff. ALL my DOS stuff. Had to start from scratch.  And went to CDs for backup after that.

[DB]

ALL my floppies left in the Great Root Beer Disaster of 98. A whole gallon jug of A&W popped the glass off it's bottom, ran down into my computer, and out onto the desktop, and down into a barely open drawer of floppies... Hundreds of em. ALL of em. Filled that drawer 3" deep. There just ain't no coming back from that one.

ALL my Win3.11wfwg and before stuff. ALL my DOS stuff. Had to start from scratch.  And went to CDs for backup after that.

I got a 5-1/4" floppy drive off of eBay that I hope to get into one of my old computers that still has a floppy drive controller to get the data off - if that is possible after all these years...

I'll add that I do have files from 1987, perhaps earlier, on my primary NAS drive that I use for backup.

[roamer_1]

I'll admit that I do not. As far as I can determine there is not a floppy disk or CD left in this place. Files have been updated to new formats many times over the years.

I have a tool set designed around techs and IT folks that I have distributed for years and years. I rewrote em for WinNT when win2k came out and did alright through vista... Then again for XP... then again for xp sp-4, which busted just about everything. Then I patched it for a while, kniting it back together with batch files... The last real rewrite it went through was for win7 - But I had been kludging it for so long that the new distribution never caught on, even though it was my best work ever, by far.

So it goes.

I still use those tools. But I haven't rewritten anything in a coon's age, and probably never will. The website is gone. it's not distributed any longer.

So it goes. 

[corbe]

   @Fishrrman

I can't understand the "Apple hate" from a lot of traditional-minded folks (even here). Rush was a BIG fan of Macs throughout his life, and it sure didn't cramp his style.

 


   I believe, like most 'Apple Haters' here, that Rush's endorsement of Apple and/or Trump in 16 happened after his 4th Marriage to Kathryn Rogers in 14, he knew he needed the $$$ for three failed attempts before.

@Texas Robin

[DB]

ALL my floppies left in the Great Root Beer Disaster of 98. A whole gallon jug of A&W popped the glass off it's bottom, ran down into my computer, and out onto the desktop, and down into a barely open drawer of floppies... Hundreds of em. ALL of em. Filled that drawer 3" deep. There just ain't no coming back from that one.

ALL my Win3.11wfwg and before stuff. ALL my DOS stuff. Had to start from scratch.  And went to CDs for backup after that.

I think I've only taken out a keyboard or two via soda disasters...

[Bigun]

I think I've only taken out a keyboard or two via soda disasters...

I've been amazed at how much abuse they can take and keep right on functioning.

[roamer_1]

I got a 5-1/4" floppy drive off of eBay that I hope to get into one of my old computers that still has a floppy drive controller to get the data off - if that is possible after all these years...

I'll add that I do have files from 1987, perhaps earlier, on my primary NAS drive that I use for backup.

I think my DEV tree is still backed up, all the way back to 98... But none of it matters anymore. Everything changed so much that I don't even use that old stuff for bakin bits. Anything before Delphi D-6 may as well be gone. I have newer Delphi, but I kinda hung around D6... So much of my work was in the no-man's land between the cmdline and windows, and d7 sucked at that.  Tried going to Lazarus, but it never really took.

And I am old-skool. Never got the hang of OOP or OOB, or any of that. Making gigantic fat-ass programs like that.... All my stuff is inline. most of my modules are self-written and super tight. No added crap at all. So all my stuff is super light, and very streamlined. Because I write inline.

But that don't matter much anymore, I guess.

[roamer_1]

I think I've only taken out a keyboard or two via soda disasters...

It was horrifying. And utterly by chance. a freak accident. Almost God telling me to go to CD. 

[DB]

I think my DEV tree is still backed up, all the way back to 98... But none of it matters anymore. Everything changed so much that I don't even use that old stuff for bakin bits. Anything before Delphi D-6 may as well be gone. I have newer Delphi, but I kinda hung around D6... So much of my work was in the no-man's land between the cmdline and windows, and d7 sucked at that.  Tried going to Lazarus, but it never really took.

And I am old-skool. Never got the hang of OOP or OOB, or any of that. Making gigantic fat-ass programs like that.... All my stuff is inline. most of my modules are self-written and super tight. No added crap at all. So all my stuff is super light, and very streamlined. Because I write inline.

But that don't matter much anymore, I guess.

I've got essentially all of my Email going back to 1996 when I first signed up for an ISP. Not just backed up, but readily available/searchable in Thunderbird. I created archive folders for each year and have moved everything forward with each new computer. Surprisingly it is all only a little over 40 GB of data including all the pictures and attachments over that time. It is compressed.

But... Now with age, I'm starting to get nervous that it may be time to start cleaning a lot of that out...

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

Ironically, i just had to initiate a warranty for my lenovo after singing their praises... i never learn. :D

[DefiantMassRINO]

I can't beat 1987 5.25" floppy disks.  My first office job did have Attachmate Word Processing Machines that had dual 8" floppy drives.

[roamer_1]

I've got essentially all of my Email going back to 1996 when I first signed up for an ISP. Not just backed up, but readily available/searchable in Thunderbird. I created archive folders for each year and have moved everything forward with each new computer. Surprisingly it is all only a little over 40 GB of data including all the pictures and attachments over that time. It is compressed.

But... Now with age, I'm starting to get nervous that it may be time to start cleaning a lot of that out...

I did that too - though it is all in Outlook PSTs...
At EOY, usually as a matter of processing with the last quarter, I copy the archive.pst to '2025 archive.pst' (or the like) and then clean the archive.pst out so it's fresh.

Since that also handles my voice messaging, that has really saved my butt a couple times, where a contractor said he needed me to do something in a message that was off-contract...

A lot of times that kind of thing happens on word and the change order happens after-the-fact. Well, then I get around to giving him the change order, and the work is already done, and then he says he won't sign, and he won't pay....

Until I let him know that I still have his voicemail authorizing the work, neatly backed up on my network...

Heeheehee. 

Sometimes it's good to be a geek.