OT: Who has the oldest computer?

[mslove]

"dsi1" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

Wellllll, the IBM PC came out in 81. The VIC 20 was out in that year. The
C64 followed in 83.

Paul

[mandabbyx]

On 4/18/2011 12:56 PM, Sqwertz wrote:


Ah, Memories of MemMaker.

[Elsa84]

In article ,
[email protected] says...

Just for reference, I didn't write that I had a Microbee.

[K-Jean]

On 2011-04-20, J. Clarke wrote:


Depends on what those old mainframes were intended for. I learned
computing on them and considered them perfect for the job. HP
terminals and Unix databases (MM?). Dedicated keyboards customized
for utilizing that particular database made them fast, easy, and
efficient. Also, pretty much goof-proof. They did what they were
intended to do and allowed no other functions cuz there was no other
features or programs.

Later, we introduced LANs of desktop PCs, still with interface cards
to the mainframes. Lo and behold, dozens of access points via floppy
drives. Games + porno = viruses. The first LAN was down for 2 wks
and we fell back to the dumb terms.

Later still, web access. Still more viruses. People installed games.
My immediate senior cow orker played games or learned CG (lightwave) 6
outta 8 hrs day. People yakked or surfed the web, bullshited, etc.
Different depts bought different platforms and software, many not
compatible. The mainframes with database kept it all together.

Eventually, one division went to an all M$ based network with $6M of
custom database software. More effort, more moves, less efficieny.
when I left whole depts were selling off incompatible
software/platforms cuz of incompatibility. Chaos reigned. Buried
beneath it all, those old mainframes and database kept it together
company wide.

Didn't see how it shook out, as I was layed off and retired, but I've
seen the insanity of choice and it's not pretty.

I know we can never go back, but the cloud and mainframes are two
entirely differnt issues. All networks use servers. It's the basis
of computing. But, giving your data to a third party vs maintaining
it on your own servers is two entirely different things. A company's
or govt agency's servers? Fine. Not my choice. Maybe even a govt
agency using an independent commercial cloud, still not too bad. The
govt can bring some heavy guns to bear. BUT, me entrust MY data to a
3rd party on a worldwide network? Not in my lifetime!! I've seen
paper files lost in commercial storage fires.

Not only that, but the govt is profoundly inept/stupid! The CA state
govt sold millions of photocopies of birth certificates to a private
commercial genealogy website, ferchrysakes!!! They were viewable
worldwide for months till some guy sued. You want morons like that in
control of your personal/professional/private data? If so, yer a
fool.

nb

[Kanoe]

On Apr 22, 8:16?am, Stu wrote:

==
I see that no has mentioned the Commodore 128d. Not too many around.
One piece metal case with built in vastly improved floppy drive. Basic
unit made in Germany. Dual monitor switchable from C64 40 col. mode to
C128 80 col. mode sat on top of computer. I had an expansion module
which plugged into the back. Very nice unit until a power-line spike
took the whole works out. Commodore didn't support any of its
products...no wonder they went belly-up.
==

[hechicera_de_la_alma]

The only computer I have (and am posting from) is a 1998 vintage Aptiva.



Brian
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