Comments on: What was your first computer?

On the anniversary of the ENIAC unveiling, we asked industry pros to reminisce about their first computers. Tell us about yours.

[jmerry2000]

Datapoint 2200

My first real computer experience was a GE-635 mainframe. But as far as mini-computers, I started out on the Datapoint 2200 around 1973 with 16K of memory and two cassettes supporting multiple users and entire suite of business accounting software. It's amazing that the operating system could fit into 4K with occasional swapouts to cassette or disk - now it takes not megs but gigs.

[jmerry2000]

Datapoint 2200

My first real computer experience was a GE-635 mainframe. But as far as mini-computers, I started out on the Datapoint 2200 around 1973 with 16K of memory and two cassettes supporting multiple users and entire suite of business accounting software. It's amazing that the operating system could fit into 4K with occasional swapouts to cassette or disk - now it takes not megs but gigs.

[dhan.tamang]

computer need

Information technology (IT) have come to our country of late. Thanks to the people who toiled so much for the service of the humanity. Being a very simple teacher I want to give my warmest regard and heartfelt thanks to the first brain DELL Brain. This is my first talkback message. In this first talkback I have used somebody's computer to be member. If there is any donor do think of me as a very genuinely needy person. A second hand laptop would be of great help for me to contribute informations on the web. Do help me. You can write in the following address. I will surely reply:
[e-mail]
or [e-mail]
looking forward for a dream come true.
Bye

[dhan.tamang]

computer need

Information technology (IT) have come to our country of late. Thanks to the people who toiled so much for the service of the humanity. Being a very simple teacher I want to give my warmest regard and heartfelt thanks to the first brain DELL Brain. This is my first talkback message. In this first talkback I have used somebody's computer to be member. If there is any donor do think of me as a very genuinely needy person. A second hand laptop would be of great help for me to contribute informations on the web. Do help me. You can write in the following address. I will surely reply:
[e-mail]
or [e-mail]
looking forward for a dream come true.
Bye

[sheilawash]

My First Computer

I bought my first PC, January 1985. It was a Compac portable (I still have it)about the size of the standard weekender suitcase, maybe not quite as deep. It closes with the keyboard and came with two floppy disks. I was familar with the PC for about two years prior. The corporation for which I worked had PCs for a few computer specialists and every once in awhile I had access. I recalled that those early PCs had a phone receiver built-in. It was for internal networking only and it used the receiver from the regular desk phone. The timing for my own PC was based on a decision to open my own consulting business. The reasoning then was that the PC would take the place of a secretary. I am now motivated to breakout of storage that first Compac PC and take a detailed look. It has been quite a journey these 20-odd years since.
Sheila Washington
BIZPRENEUR INC
San Diego/New York

[sheilawash]

My First Computer

I bought my first PC, January 1985. It was a Compac portable (I still have it)about the size of the standard weekender suitcase, maybe not quite as deep. It closes with the keyboard and came with two floppy disks. I was familar with the PC for about two years prior. The corporation for which I worked had PCs for a few computer specialists and every once in awhile I had access. I recalled that those early PCs had a phone receiver built-in. It was for internal networking only and it used the receiver from the regular desk phone. The timing for my own PC was based on a decision to open my own consulting business. The reasoning then was that the PC would take the place of a secretary. I am now motivated to breakout of storage that first Compac PC and take a detailed look. It has been quite a journey these 20-odd years since.
Sheila Washington
BIZPRENEUR INC
San Diego/New York

[vanrock70]

IBM 1130 with XEQ "system"

In 1967 the IBM 1130 was the first computer you could see over, that was designed to run the same software as the "360" series. The first OS for the series, OS 360, came along a year later. I learned FORTRAN II in two days, began punching cards, and a career was born. I worked for Xerox, so a year later, the first computer with a "real" OS that I used was the Sigma 7, made by SDS, soon renamed XDS when Xerox bought the company.

[vanrock70]

IBM 1130 with XEQ "system"

In 1967 the IBM 1130 was the first computer you could see over, that was designed to run the same software as the "360" series. The first OS for the series, OS 360, came along a year later. I learned FORTRAN II in two days, began punching cards, and a career was born. I worked for Xerox, so a year later, the first computer with a "real" OS that I used was the Sigma 7, made by SDS, soon renamed XDS when Xerox bought the company.

[SoftTest123]

Alwac IIIe

I first programmed an Alwac IIIe at Oregon State University (then College) in 1958. It was the first undergraduate class in computer programming and there were 12 students. There was no assembler or compiler for the Alwac so all programming was in machine language in hexidecimal (I/O was via a Frieden Flexowriter) worsened by the fact that the instruction format did not fall on hex boundaries. Sure was a good experience. For my class project I programmed trapazoidal integration and I believe I was the only student to have a program running at the end of the semester.

At that time, at night, someone was running a 32x32 matrix inversion for hog breeding selection and the program required 8 hours which, coincidentally, was the MTBF of the system. They simply reran the problem every night and after about a week they got results.

I remember reading an article in Datamation about the decommissioning of the last Alwac IIIe but I gather from Internet chatter that they still exist somewhere.

Alan A. Jorgensen, Ph.D.
Cyber Entomologist
"Garbage In, Apology Out"
(((((((((((((((0=)))))))))))))))

[tomwest1]

Alwac IIIe also

I also used the ALWAC IIIe at Oregon State University. I was a freshman in electrical engineering in 1967 when we used the ALWAC for our first computer class. They had several newer/better/faster machines and I never found out why they had us use it. It was beyond obsolete by 1967 but it was interesting to use it. I wonder if it is still around somewhere.

[SoftTest123]

Alwac IIIe

I first programmed an Alwac IIIe at Oregon State University (then College) in 1958. It was the first undergraduate class in computer programming and there were 12 students. There was no assembler or compiler for the Alwac so all programming was in machine language in hexidecimal (I/O was via a Frieden Flexowriter) worsened by the fact that the instruction format did not fall on hex boundaries. Sure was a good experience. For my class project I programmed trapazoidal integration and I believe I was the only student to have a program running at the end of the semester.

At that time, at night, someone was running a 32x32 matrix inversion for hog breeding selection and the program required 8 hours which, coincidentally, was the MTBF of the system. They simply reran the problem every night and after about a week they got results.

I remember reading an article in Datamation about the decommissioning of the last Alwac IIIe but I gather from Internet chatter that they still exist somewhere.

Alan A. Jorgensen, Ph.D.
Cyber Entomologist
"Garbage In, Apology Out"
(((((((((((((((0=)))))))))))))))

[tomwest1]

Alwac IIIe also

I also used the ALWAC IIIe at Oregon State University. I was a freshman in electrical engineering in 1967 when we used the ALWAC for our first computer class. They had several newer/better/faster machines and I never found out why they had us use it. It was beyond obsolete by 1967 but it was interesting to use it. I wonder if it is still around somewhere.

[J.A.M.B.]

HPw2207- a6130n

"Brent Brian", if you are reading this we got your classmates info,our first ever computer was just set up August 2007-"Steve Ballah" Says,write us at> jamb02atcharterdotnet -see ya' soon

[J.A.M.B.]

HPw2207- a6130n

"Brent Brian", if you are reading this we got your classmates info,our first ever computer was just set up August 2007-"Steve Ballah" Says,write us at> jamb02atcharterdotnet -see ya' soon

[brentrbrian]

Honeywell H200, IBM Sys/370, IBM Sys/3, PDP-11 ...

The Honeywell had core memory and the boot rom was a diode array (if memory serves me right).

Ah, the good old days.