MSDN Flash Poll #14: My First Computer was a…

I thought it would be fun this time around to try and find out what people’s first experience of computing was.

I have no doubt that I’ve missed off many machines I could have included so, as a one-off special offer, I’m prepared to add things to the list while the poll is running. This has only ever happened once before – in very exceptional circumstances in what has become known as Clojuregate – so I’m predicting anarchy.

Anyway, get on with it.

Comments

• Anonymous
  December 09, 2010
  Oh yeah baby, Dragon 32 with Microsoft Basic, yep Microsoft all the way

• Anonymous
  December 09, 2010
  MITS Altair 8800 using Altar Basic in 1977

• Anonymous
  December 09, 2010
  Before I ever got my hands on an IBM PC I had been working on various mainframe computers such a IBMSystem 360, IBM System 370, Burroughs 6500, DEC PDP11 etc. so the IBM PC was by no means my first experience of computing. Perhaps you need to rephrase the questions and make it ".. experience of personal computing .."

• Anonymous
  December 09, 2010
  Before I ever got my hands on an IBM PC I had been working on various mainframe computers such a IBMSystem 360, IBM System 370, Burroughs 6500, DEC PDP11 etc. so the IBM PC was by no means my first experience of computing. Perhaps you need to rephrase the questions and make it ".. experience of personal computing .."

• Anonymous
  December 09, 2010
  I voted for Atari 400/800 but I had the ECS for the Intellivision www.intellivisionlives.com/.../ecs_tech.html and before that the Basic Cartridge for the Atari 2600. I wonder if they live on in my dads loft ?

• Anonymous
  December 09, 2010
  The comment has been removed

• Anonymous
  December 09, 2010
  My first computer was an Exidy Sorcerer (not on your list). My second computer was an Atari 800.

• Anonymous
  December 09, 2010
  I am old enough sadly for my first machine to have been Compukit UK101 (Ohio Scientific Superboard for US readers).  1978 or ’79 and cost 200GBP which got you a 6502 processor and 2K RAM with an 8K ROM. I have just reacquired it and I am really looking forward to powering it up again. Then graduated to an Atari 400 which cost 400GBP plus 200GBP for a 14” colour TV to use as a monitor while my wife and I watched a 24” B&W TV Happy days!!!

• Anonymous
  December 09, 2010
  The comment has been removed

• Anonymous
  December 09, 2010
  Tangerine Microtan 65.  Came as a kit and had a hex-only keypad.  Was luxury when we later got the full keyboard...

• Anonymous
  December 09, 2010
  A full keyboard?  You were lucky!  ;) As far as I know the Sinclair MK14 only ever had a hex keypad and came with 256 bytes of RAM as standard. It was fun at the time... I do remember envying the Microtan...

• Anonymous
  December 10, 2010
  Mine was a Compukit UK101 The expanded 4k RAM version!

• Anonymous
  December 10, 2010
  The comment has been removed

• Anonymous
  December 12, 2010
  My first home computer was a BBC Model 'B', but the first computer I ever coded on was an ISC Compucolor II.  I used to sneak into my father's polytechnic at the weekend to use them.

• Anonymous
  December 14, 2010
  The comment has been removed

• Anonymous
  December 17, 2010
  The comment has been removed