What was the first computer you ever used? - SV650.org

timwilky · 07-10-15, 01:49 PM

Bet there are some real oddities in answer to this question.

For me.

GEC 4082, running OS4000 in about 1979 to run FORTRAN calculation code. I had been programming for about 2 years by then.

Fill in coding sheets and send them off, next day get back a typed listing, correct it and send it back. Get back an updated listing.

When happy, give authorisation to compile, get back error or run report.

How wonderful to be able to get my hands on a keyboard. No cost associated with compile/run.

Luckypants · 07-10-15, 03:28 PM

Do you not count the computer at the data center you sent your coding sheets off to? I do, ICL1900 (I think).

ophic · 07-10-15, 03:48 PM

Sinclair ZX81. I guess a totally bog standard answer.

littleoldman2 · 07-10-15, 04:00 PM

Foxborough something, it was 1976, it ran a chemical plant making Ibuprofen.

timwilky · 07-10-15, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luckypants

Do you not count the computer at the data center you sent your coding sheets off to? I do, ICL1900 (I think).

That would be an IBM 370, but it took up a data centre and I never got past the reception desk.

Mark_h · 07-10-15, 04:36 PM

RML480Z was the first real computer. Played with a few hex things before then, I think they were called Menta's or somethign like that. They looked a bit like ZX80s.

First one at home was a second hand ZX81 followed by a Spectrum which I upgraded from 16k to 48k myself with an internal RAM upgrade which was fun at the time.

When I started work as a field engineer at Datapoint I used to work on Datapoint 1100s which booted from a c90 tape and the fancy ones had a 128k 8" floppy disc or the real fancy ones a 5meg hard drive which was about 2 foot across.

07-10-15, 05:37 PM

I can't remember exactly, Either an Amstrad something or other or an Apricot. I am pretty sure my dad still has both. Would have been some time in the mid 80's. Wrote a couple of Basic programs from a cookbook from the library. I don't specifically remember which I used first, my dad always had a computer at home as long as I can remember. He still has a 8" floppy drive, and I believe some disks that fit it.

Richie · 07-10-15, 05:50 PM

ICL model 85, commodore pet, RML380Z, ZX80-81 ORIC-1, then BBC modelB

07-10-15, 06:22 PM

BBC thing in school in the early 80s

07-10-15, 06:34 PM

First one at home was zx spectrum, then my dad had an Amstrad dos thing in late 80s iirc. After that we had a Mitsubishi pentium 166 mmx in the mid to late 90s

I got big into PC gaming and built an Athlon (I think?) Dp 3200 rig then an intel e6300 followed by a q6600 water cooled beast that I still have, but it's died as of last month

Going to build a raspberry pi thing to replace it tho I think as its only used for kodi these days as I do everything else on my iPhone

07-10-15, 01:49 PM	#1
timwilky Member Mega Poster Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Not in Yorkshire. (Thank God) Posts: 4,116	What was the first computer you ever used? Bet there are some real oddities in answer to this question. For me. GEC 4082, running OS4000 in about 1979 to run FORTRAN calculation code. I had been programming for about 2 years by then. Fill in coding sheets and send them off, next day get back a typed listing, correct it and send it back. Get back an updated listing. When happy, give authorisation to compile, get back error or run report. How wonderful to be able to get my hands on a keyboard. No cost associated with compile/run. __________________ Not Grumpy, opinionated.

07-10-15, 03:28 PM	#2
Luckypants Moderator Mega Poster Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Nr Ruthin Posts: 7,056	Re: What was the first computer you ever used? Do you not count the computer at the data center you sent your coding sheets off to? I do, ICL1900 (I think). __________________ "Your Viffer sounds like it is raising hell! Spot on." - Witchery 17/4/08 Snow Plough Appreciation Society - Member #3

07-10-15, 03:48 PM	#3
ophic Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Whyteleafe Posts: 3,395	Re: What was the first computer you ever used? Sinclair ZX81. I guess a totally bog standard answer. __________________ Silver SV650SK3, Fuel exhaust

07-10-15, 04:00 PM	#4
littleoldman2 Member Mega Poster Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Cramlington Northumberland where we are truely blessed Posts: 1,385	Re: What was the first computer you ever used? Foxborough something, it was 1976, it ran a chemical plant making Ibuprofen. __________________ used to be littleoldman but forgot password due to failing memory

07-10-15, 04:36 PM	#6
Mark_h Member Mega Poster Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Fleet, Hampshire Posts: 2,448	Re: What was the first computer you ever used? RML480Z was the first real computer. Played with a few hex things before then, I think they were called Menta's or somethign like that. They looked a bit like ZX80s. First one at home was a second hand ZX81 followed by a Spectrum which I upgraded from 16k to 48k myself with an internal RAM upgrade which was fun at the time. When I started work as a field engineer at Datapoint I used to work on Datapoint 1100s which booted from a c90 tape and the fancy ones had a 128k 8" floppy disc or the real fancy ones a 5meg hard drive which was about 2 foot across. __________________ Don't want to be the quickest; don't want to be the best; just want to be the one having the most fun. XL125Varadero -> Curvy SV650N-Y -> SV1000N-K3 -> Multistrada 1200s Twin-tastic stuff. Minister for Sustainability *Aliquid prudentissimus delectabiles et intelligentes in adamasset lingua.*

07-10-15, 05:37 PM	#7
ClunkintheUK Guest Posts: n/a	Re: What was the first computer you ever used? I can't remember exactly, Either an Amstrad something or other or an Apricot. I am pretty sure my dad still has both. Would have been some time in the mid 80's. Wrote a couple of Basic programs from a cookbook from the library. I don't specifically remember which I used first, my dad always had a computer at home as long as I can remember. He still has a 8" floppy drive, and I believe some disks that fit it.

07-10-15, 05:50 PM	#8
Richie fantabulas Mega Poster Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Nr Durham Posts: 4,940	Re: What was the first computer you ever used? ICL model 85, commodore pet, RML380Z, ZX80-81 ORIC-1, then BBC modelB __________________ My Flickr photos

07-10-15, 06:22 PM	#9
Stinka Guest Posts: n/a	Re: What was the first computer you ever used? BBC thing in school in the early 80s

07-10-15, 06:34 PM	#10
Stinka Guest Posts: n/a	Re: What was the first computer you ever used? First one at home was zx spectrum, then my dad had an Amstrad dos thing in late 80s iirc. After that we had a Mitsubishi pentium 166 mmx in the mid to late 90s I got big into PC gaming and built an Athlon (I think?) Dp 3200 rig then an intel e6300 followed by a q6600 water cooled beast that I still have, but it's died as of last month Going to build a raspberry pi thing to replace it tho I think as its only used for kodi these days as I do everything else on my iPhone

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