UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum - View Single Post - Early personal computers

samjmann · 22nd May 2020, 8:14 pm

stevehertz, you've pretty well summed up where I was back in the early eighties with computers. Like you, I could see that you could learn about them with the basic games etc, but as for using them in everyday life, I didn't really see the link. I stayed in the servicing trade as the thrill of getting something back to life was a real buzz, and is so still today. That said, I should have pushed myself more into the computing side of things during the eighties, as clearly that's where it was all headed.

Computing has changed the servicing trade in many ways for the good, just look at the number of trees saved from conversion to service manuals by the PDF! Up to quite recently there were engineers who were still very 'digital afraid' and refused to learn, but their days are numbered. I use my old laptop every day, have fixed it a couple of times, but still find a computer a means to an end, rather than an interest in it's own right.

SJM.

22nd May 2020, 8:14 pm	#41
samjmann Heptode Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Nottingham, UK. Posts: 648	Re: Early personal computers - what for? stevehertz, you've pretty well summed up where I was back in the early eighties with computers. Like you, I could see that you could learn about them with the basic games etc, but as for using them in everyday life, I didn't really see the link. I stayed in the servicing trade as the thrill of getting something back to life was a real buzz, and is so still today. That said, I should have pushed myself more into the computing side of things during the eighties, as clearly that's where it was all headed. Computing has changed the servicing trade in many ways for the good, just look at the number of trees saved from conversion to service manuals by the PDF! Up to quite recently there were engineers who were still very 'digital afraid' and refused to learn, but their days are numbered. I use my old laptop every day, have fixed it a couple of times, but still find a computer a means to an end, rather than an interest in it's own right. SJM.