The first computer that I built was an IBM PS2 that came without a hard drive. It was 1987, and a friend showed me how to add a HUGE 20 Megabyte hard drive, and we used the computer to run the reservation system for our office at UW-Stevens Point. I also spent significant time in the computer labs, and was introduced to the wonders of networking.
By 1991 I had gotten a job building PCs to order for customers in a small Milwaukee PC store. The first computer that I built for myself was a 486DX running at 33 Megahertz. By know the RAM had increased to 16 Megabytes, and the hard drives were up to 120 Megabytes. I remember that it was a big day when Windows 3.1 came out, and the PC finally got a graphical user interface that worked (well sort of). I also started installing networks for businesses around the area, and began to investigate Novell and Microsoft certifications.
Fast forward another 19 years and I am now a manager of a computer network. I have worked on all sorts of PCs, Macs, Unix workstations, and even mainframes. I had obtained many Microsoft and Cisco certifications, most of which have now expired. The changes in technology have been astounding. With the advent of 3-D displays and mobile network, I can only guess at what the next 20 years will bring.
Oh my gosh. I remember that Star Wars game. Which computer store did you work for? I am curious if I ever bought something or referred someone to you.
ReplyDeleteAlso, what platform do you use at home? Many people I know of who have used one of the versions of Unix have stayed with that rather than going back to a Windows product.
I'm quite sure my little Catholic grade school on the north side of Milwaukee never had a computer in it. Reading these posts brings back some fond (and not so fond) memories. I know my high school still taught typing class on an IBM Selectric. My mother told me to take typing in HS but I told her typing was for girls. So what do I do all day every day...? Just goes to show you that mother is always right.
ReplyDeleteThat is so crazy to think at one point 20 megabytes was considered a large hard drive. When I look back at my first computer, which I got in 1998, it had a 10 GB hard drive and I thought that was large, but even that looks mini compared to storage capacities today. It really looks like you have a lot of experiences with computers and you have seen a lot in the past 30 years. You say that you can only guess what will happen in the next 20 years..it would be neat to log the types of machines you have been working with from the past until 20 years from now. Your grandchildren would be amazed!
ReplyDeleteThe name of the store I worked at was Computer Components Incorporated. I was a great learning experience, but not the best job as one day my paycheck bounced. I quit soon after, and about 6 months later the owner ended up going to jail for embezzlement and check kiting.
ReplyDeleteI do not currently have any non-Windows machines at home. My currently job only allows Windows, and I no longer try loading different OS's just to see how they work. I am a big fan of Ubuntu Linux however, and I use an Ubuntu boot CD whenever a friend comes to me with a computer that needs repair.