Back in the Day

The speed of innovation and improvement in the world of computers is almost inconceivable. Over the past two and a half decades, personal computers have changed from slow and bulky machines affordable only to the wealthy, to the sleek, powerful, and affordable computers of today. In this essay I will discuss several moments in this progression that stand out most in my mind.

My earliest memories of computers are from first grade. We had an Apple PC in the corner of our classroom. I don’t know what model it was, but it was gray. I remember that it had a small blue screen with white letters. It also had a 5.5 inch floppy disk drive. The only thing I remember ever doing with it was playing a geology video game. The object was to break rocks of different harnesses with the right kind of hammer. During the rest of my early elementary grades, my only contact with computers was in the class room. I do remember when my family got our first PC. It was a Packard Bell in '93 or '94. I played different DOS games on it. It also used Windows. That was my first experience with that operating system. As a kid, I don’t remember ever having trouble learning how to use the computer. Paintbrush, on Windows was probably my favorite program in those days.

I think my least favorite memory of computers is from typing class in fifth grade. It was horrible. It should have been exciting, after all we weren't in the classroom reading books. My teacher, Mr. Levy, constantly stressed that, "This isn't a game...these aren't toys...". It was very frustrating trying to remember where the letters were located. We had upside down shoe boxes covering our hands so that we wouldn't look at the keyboard, but we all peeked anyway as soon as Mr. Levy turned his head. It wasn't until several years later that I was finally able to type proficiently.

I don't remember my earliest experience on the internet. I do remember using my dad's work computer to send my first email. This was probably in 1995. I lived overseas for a few years after that and the internet was not available in our home. I got to use it at school and at my dad's office though. When we returned to the states we finally got internet access in our house. It was a big change. Our access to the net was pretty limited for the three years that we were abroad. When we got back to America, pop-ups and banners were making their first appearance. They were so frustrating. What did we ever do be for pop-up blockers were invented?

The next major event that I remember was the change from dial-up to cable modems. My friend next door was the first person I knew who got cable. It was absolutely amazing. I couldn't believe how fast it went. I never realized how slow our modem was until I got to use his. My parents wouldn't spend the money on cable internet for a few more years though. The spread of cable internet seemed to happen around the same time that Napster came out. It was definitely a cultural phenomenon. Being able to download any song you wanted in just minutes for free was so awesome. I also remember when Napster was first shut down. It didn't stop p2p music sharing though. Now there are dozens of Napster rip-offs.

I definitely spend more time on the internet than ever before. I check the news, watch all sorts of media, and connect with friends from around the world. I have to check my email several times a day. Vie never used a typewriter in my life. I also cant remember the last time I used a card catalogue in a library. The internet has become an integral part in our daily lives. The newest advancement in technology that interests me is the portable handheld devices with the ability to access the internet. Within four or five years, today’s model of the iphone will look like an antique. The new devices will be cheaper, more powerful, and more widespread. I cant wait!