NDMarks Loc: Dublin, Ca

For the guy that started in computers with the old Apple, I first got into small computers with the Radio Shack Color Computers, although I worked for a company called Control Data that had the possibly the most powerful computers in existence. The neat thing is that our current cell phones have more power than those old huge computer systems. I have had the chance to see technology grow smaller.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

I started with a CoCo also! Got to know that thing inside out, put in 64K of memory, and even added an EXOR function to RS Basic in the disk controller ROM. Even got the chicklet keyboard to replace the membrane keyboard.

I started out doing disk head R&D evaluation at Sperry Univac.

SO MANY changes over the years, eh?

Red6

I like the way that you stated that and I think you are correct. While I use a computer daily, I find the simpler things in life actually give me more satisfaction.

I like the computer because it opens up so many learning opportunities and gives us access to so much stored knowledge. But there is also too much distraction from what is important in the interactions with other people and things in life. While I enjoy research on the computer I feel more relaxed and content just enjoying a walk or visit to a park or other outdoor places.

In regards to photography on trips, I find that most of my shots are mere snapshots and very few shots taken while traveling are of any quality. And truthfully, we very rarely even look at our travel photos after the trip other than the photos taken on our phones. So I no longer carry much of a photography "kit" when I travel. I carry a small travel camera and am even considering just using my iPhone.

Less is sometimes more and simpler is always best.

flyguy Loc: Las Cruces, New Mexico

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Chromebooks are available for under $200, and they would be fine for email. I don't know if many of these folks have cell phones. I can't imagine my life without a computer.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Neither can I. Been using them since about 1980.

Canisdirus

Heh...addiction isn't a passion. That would infer a choice.

As for computers..it depends...there is an age line still out there.

When they became a thing...some folks at a certain age at the time said...nope.

Their social life is...actual reality. The virtual world is a very poor substitute if you have that already.

rdemarco52 Loc: Wantagh, NY

I started with an IBM PC Jr.

Vantheman

Many people are prisoners to their phones.
That why they are called “cell phones “.

jlf1938 Loc: Acworth, GA

What surprised me is that out of the group of twenty-one, only eleven have computers. How can they live like that? Even with a basic Chromebook, they could get and send email, browse the web, and use Facebook and YouTube. I'm not about to start promoting this, but it was a surprise to me to learn that so many are unconnected.

I got started decades ago with the Apple IIe, and I've been hooked ever since.[/quote]

I was employed by United Air Lines, now United Airlines, in 1961 and by 1965 we were using Sperry Rand Computers. There were made by IBM, BTW. My experience dates back quite a bit and I am happy for it. My grandchildren come to me with their problems, instead of the other way around.

Continue reading if you are interested in a little description of the Sperry Rand. The monitor was a CRT, as that is all there was back then, but the keyboard, Wow! It was about 40 inches long and had two sets of keys. The set of keys on the left side was the standard keyboard that we are used to today, but the set of keys on the right side were all symbols that you can only find with ASCII codes. They were not used in my department, but were made to help the "Load Planning Dept." calculate the information needed by the Captain and Co-Pilot for take-off, i,e, speed, flaps and ailerons position, etc. Anyway, it is the only time I had ever seen such a long keyboard. We had this type of equipment for only two years and then we went to a more standardized computer and they were blue instead of the old time beige.