10 May
2007
10 May
'07
4:26 p.m.
It was jaw dropping incredible stuff like this, that got me into the
field. Funny thing now is, I'm so jaded by technology, so little gets
me excited anymore with modern pc's and technology, but gimme a Vax or
an Atari or the like, stuff is far more interesting and exciting. I
think it has to do with how challenging it is to have these systems do
what modern systems do transparently with little to no intervention.
I always find it funny to see a modern day computer "engineer" -- ask
them the mem port and irq of com1 on a PC and usually you'll get a
stuttering response, blank stare or the typical - "well plug and play
will set it up" --- technology has become so far removed from the user
and even the tech, that many have no idea how the h*ll the things even
function on the most rudimentary level.
I love early "gee whiz" stuff, far more fun!!!
Curt
Chuck Guzis wrote:
As much fun as playing Airfight at 1200 baud with a
plasma
touchscreen was back in the 70's, did Plato accomplish anything? I
was given to understand that the level of instruction delivered was
no better (at best) or considerably worse (at worst) that traditional
pedagogical methods.
It was an interesting "gee whiz" toy for the time, but did it leave
any lasting legacy? I've yet to hear someone say "If it weren't for
PLATO, I'd be pushing a mop at the local Wendy's."
Cheers,
Chuck