I got my first computer about a month or two before the KT opened. I had used a computer at work, but it was DOS. When Windows came out, I couldn't understand why people waited in line to get it, or what a mouse was used for. We were blown away when we started that Gateway up and saw the color!
I can't imagine life without my computer...or digital photography, which wouldn't be possible without a computer.

We've had computers since the 1980s. My first one was an Amiga--very much like today's Macs with its beautiful graphics and neat features. I was disappointed when it wasn't marketed well, and was discontinued.

My DH's first computer was one of the very early Dells. It was the top of the line at the time. It had a tiny 40MB hard drive (my Amiga had none), and I think it cost $6,000! Since then we've had many. I presently have two desktops, but miss having a laptop to take to bed. They're so nice and warm. LOL

Got mine around 96. Dial up. The more often you went online, the more it cost.

Now, I am about to get me a lap top. Just have to decide which model. :)

Moni

We had an early IBM PC -- and 'dial up'! Computers are kinda like TV's. You used to pay thousands of dollars to get minimal goods, and now you pay very little and get more than you can use.

My present laptop is missing a hinge, but I'm hanging on until I see an I-Pad with a detachable keyboard! (OK, now I suppose someone will explain that I could get that today.) I want to be able to read books and newspapers and do email and forums -- all on one gizmo. Did I mention I wwant it cheap?

I graduated from the old Commodore 64 which I had back int the 80's It was a good learning tool and prepared me for what are called PCs today

Been working on computers since 1966. The first computer I ever ran was an IBM 1401. Punch card input and paper listing out - only.
Bought my first home system, a Commodore64, back about 1983.
Had a system from work at home in the mid-late 80's than ran CPM - for doing word processing, spread sheets, etc.

In the mid 1980's, the company I worked for bought a company called MITS, and it's "desktop" computers ran DOS. A small group of us went to CA to learn how to use it, to get ideas for applications. No hard storage, we had to type in the program in BASIC, then any variable input that was needed. My first program in DOS was to calculate batting averages.

First used a Windows PC at work, reluctantly traded in my mainframe terminal for it. Must have been early 90's...it ran Windows 3.1.

Got my first home PC in 1995, when I went into consulting. It was a Compaq(and my last Compaq), and I also bought a Toshiba laptop, for travel.

Over the years, i've had many PCs and laptops, bought my last PC in 1992, and still have it(in a closet). I use strictly laptops and my phone now. Get new ones every 2-3 years.

I bought my first computer 14 years ago. (I was 72 then.) I had used a computer where I was working, but that was just for letters and bookkeeping, and I knew I had to have one.

So I went to Staples and bought a Packard Bell. What I didn't know was that to get on the Internet you had to have a modem. Duh! They didn't bother to tell me or even ask about it. Even so I learned a lot and at that time (maybe still?) there was Juno email, and you didn't need to be on the Internet for that. So I emailed my friends, wrote my stories, was given a Print Shop program and made scads of greeting cards, even T-shirts, etc.

After a while I sold it and bought a Hewlett-Packard. First I had dial-up. Later I sold that and bought a second HP, and I've moved on to my 3rd HP. Very thankful for broadband. I don't ever want to not have a PC. I was asked recently if I had to give up TV or my computer, which would I give up? No question . . . I would give up TV easily.

I don't need or want a laptop. But I do need a new Chair!!

Sue

I have worked on computers since 1977, tho at that time what we had were called 'dumb terminals'. They really didn't do anything but book travel reservations, mainly airline seats but also limited hotel and car reservations. All our bookings were held by the airline mainframe. Eventually we morphed into real computers, I think that was about 1987 or so.My first home computer was around 1990, today we have 4 working desktops in the house and my laptop that goes about every place I go, along wtih my blackberry!

monica_pa.....I was in college and we used punched cards. I remember dropping a stack! :0)

Didn't own a pc until DH got a watch that downloaded graphed scuba diving info and he wanted print outs. :0) 1980 something. Paid $50 for everything with a monochrome screen.

I started working on computers in 1991 at work, got one for home in 1996, cannot imagine being without a computer. I practically live on it.

I also have a laptop that we watch TV on.

My sister had a webtv for many years and recently discontinued it and is trying to learn how to use her husband's computer instead. She hates it and wants her webtv back. I never had any trouble learning how to use a computer, so I don't understand the difficulty she is having. Using a computer seems second nature to me. I do remember having a little trouble learning how to use a mouse though.

I got a webtv about 15 yrs ago, and just loved it. I didn't think I would ever get used to the pc.a couple years later. I miss my webtv and lack of those viruses!I joined the KT on my webtv, I think it was about 1999.

Joann, I agree the webtv was great. Loved sitting on my couch with my feet up and clicking away. I still have it but it is not hooked up. I had even bought an extra one incase mine went out. I also bought the small scanner to send pictures. It worked pretty good.

My office sent me to a "Train the trainer" computer class in 1987. I remember because it was in downtown Brooklyn and I was 7 months pregnant. A terrible commute from Long Island. i then trained 50 plus people in my office. Some couldn't believe I did not have a computer at home until the year 2000. i mainly got one for my kids. These days I mainly use my computer for socualization,banking, recipes, looking things up, an occasional business letter.

my parents (who are/were CPA's and CFP's) beta tested some of the first business Tandy's in the 1970's w/ punch cards and then this gawd awful monster printers that had their own sound deadening casing LOL. i'm sure some 7" (or was it 9") floppy disks are around their storage office LOL. we got one at home in the early 80's and in 1983 i started using a Commodore64 at high school learning basic. used that for the 3 remaining high school yrs.

in college, 1986, i started on the LAN system for my science & math courses plus we had a mail system. our homework was done on there and submitted as well as research for my independent EPA grant work. at some point in the early 90's i got my own PC in my apartment and about 16 yrs ago i got online at home. 14 yrs ago met my DH online at Gardenweb :-) 13 yrs ago moved to orlando, DH is a techie god so really got into it. we changed from dial up to DSL had multiple puters & a thinkpad laptop (imagine a closet full of puter 'stuff'). 10 yrs ago went to cable modem and got more laptops...

computers are constantly present in our lives for the last 16 yrs. in 2004 we went 24 days w/o power and it is very damaging to puters to be run on generators (different power cycles) so we rarely got on, we both work on them all day anyways. it was very difficult 6 yrs ago to not have instant access to banking, maps and general info. we communicate w/ everyone via puters. when we have friends over it's not at all unusual for all of us to sit around w/ our laptops or EVO phones online LOL. LOVE it! ~ liz

I (reluctantly) got my first computer in 1997/98 and only because our wonderful grandchildren were being stationed in Okinawa, Japan and I was told we could communicate via email, and even instantly with pictures and a chat app. I became a believer...after really struggling with computers in college in 1981/82 with punch cards etc. and swearing I was just too "old" to learn! I am still "learning" and swear a photo class in in my future(age 75 and counting)....just need to DO IT! Nanny

I got one when I went to University in my 40's. DOS 5 era. I wanted a typewriter but my DH refused stating the computer was the way to go. He may have changed his mind had he known how deeply involved I became and how costly this new hobby would become.

BTW....I wasn't too impressed initially when I finished my first essay and went out to lunch before finishing the bibliography. You guessed it a power failure and I hadn't done a save.

Started with the Apple II, then lost my job due to Bunkernomics and was bored and curious about computers so I dived in head first and bought into a computer store. As they say, the rest is history.

My husband was using them long before I was, way before windows, during the punch card era. I remember he was so proud when he got one of the very first "portable" computers the Osborne which was the size of a large suitcase with about a 6" screen, the screen was black with neon yellow text. Horrible thing. But man was he the hot ticket with his carry along pc LOL (he had 2 of them)
I really do not remember the first one we had at home, before windows 3, but we did have an IBM with windows 3.1, that I recall. I think the first we got connected online was maybe around 1996 and definitely dial up through MSN.
Before that we did use the juno email that would dial up on it's own with out an ISP connection.
I was so thrilled when I found out our house near Dallas was in the test area for the first of the Verizon Fios fiber optic, I signed up to be a test house and was so happy to be flying along and not dealing with DSL any more.
When we moved here I was devastated to leave my FIOS behind but luckily we have very very fast cable here so I have no complaints.

I was lucky to have a good friend that is a linux programmer and coder, that took me under his wing and became my linux guru. He pushed me to install linux on one of my computers many years ago and man I am so glad he did.
I do still have a few windows computers here but I dearly love using linux, not many worries about infection.

I have my little netbook I can use in my recliner plus my Pandigital Novel tablet that I can carry around and use anywhere I want, especially laying in bed to read. A few desktops and my husbands laptop.
I don't think I would know what to do with out a computer handy.

for those that have never seen the Osborne portable computer which came out in I think the 80's here it is.
{{!gwi}}
"The machine was shipped as a full package including all the hardware and software a user could need including: 64K RAM, Z-80 CPU, 5" CRT, two floppy drives, keyboard, serial ports, CP/M operating system, WordStar, SuperCalc, and two versions of BASIC: CBASIC and MBASIC. The machine also had the ability to connect with scientific equipment via a built-in IEEE-488 interface, and could run an optional external monitor via the built-in port. Not only was the machine complete, it was cheap - $1795." It weighed 25 lbs.
Osborne 1