How long have you been using computers for?

Question

I got a computer for my children when they were 2, 7 and 11, in 1983, a Commodore 64, and got a teenager to teach me so that I could teach them. Now they are better at it than me and I'm 60 going on 16!

Answer 1

My brother and I had the C64 back in 1983 and both did some simple programming edits based on the Commodore magazines at the time. We also messed around with copies of our software to change things like the amount of money or resources in a game (Ultima IV I think was the game we did this to as well as others). Since that time, I've worked on a variety of systems ranging from Dec Ultrix, Dec Alpha, Sun OpenWindows, Sun Solaris, SGI IRIX, HP-UX, IBM AIX, VMS, RH Linux, MS Windows 3.1.1/95/98/NT 3.51/NT 4.0/2000/XP/2003. I was 13 years old when we got the C64 and learned a little from my Uncle who also had the C64 around the same time.

Answer 2

I started in 1978, using the Boroughs B6700 mainframe at college. Punched cards and punched tape were the norm then. Although there were two graphics terminals that we used to play a star wars type game on (while no one was looking, as tying up the mainframe cpu time like that was a little antisocial).
Later Comodore Pets.
Built by own 6502 based computer, linked it to Prestel, programmed in machine code and later assembler. 256 bytes of video memory was a bit of a challenge, along with a max of 2K ram to run the programs in.
Have worked with 8 inch floppy disc, later 5 1/4 discs (hard and soft formatted).
Used C/PM and M/PM, later Dos.
I remember when Window 3.0 was supplied on 5 1/4 discs and Windows 3.1 on 3 1/2 discs.
Designed databases in Dbase 11 on a C/PM machine and ported them to a PC running Dbase 11 on Dos though the serial port.
Copied 12 floppy discs worth of customer data from Apple 11 to a PC via the serial port.
Ported data from Amstrad PCW (3 inch discs) (a c/pm machine) to PC via the serial port.
Sending files on the internet makes live too easy these days.

Kids these days don't know they are born.

Answer 3

I started out in 1976 on a dumb terminal in my high school that connected thru an acoustical modem (look it up) to a mainframe downtown. Had a Commodore Vic-20, then a 286, then ran the Apple II gamut (II+, IIc, IIe, IIgs), then back to IBM clones.

Answer 4

I had a Timex Sinclair 1000 in 1982 and have had several computers after that. I remember when I got the Apple IIE, man I loved that computer. So I guess that I have been using them for 25 years. :)

Answer 5

I got my first computer when I was 10. It was a Packard Bell with Windows 3.1 and the first program I ever ran was the game Solitaire.

Answer 6

I started in 1970, but I have been away from them and just got back into computers in 1995.

Answer 7

Started by building a Sinclair ZX80 [1980] and starting the first computer school club.

Answer 8

32 years

Answer 9

My first experience was on the VAX in college, in 1987. My first personal computer was an Amiga 500.

Answer 10

I'm using a computer? LOL, not the way I do it, it's more like abusing my computer. I don't do it very well even after 10 years, I still can't use the damn thing very well.