Re: A Link of note

[Roy and/or Janet Miller <millers@inetnebr.com>]

Paul Schlyter wrote:

> In article <394CFED7.6C096A46@swbell.net>,
> Rubywand  <rubywand@swbell.net> wrote:
>
>
> >  Sure, some of those involved in early small computing built kit after
> > kit and/or fiddled with numerous hardware projects. Others, once they had a
> > small computer, used it for nothing but trying out 'the language of the
> > month', running primes sieves, and experimenting with sorts.
>
> Why would "computer as a hobby" imply hardware experimentation?  Couldn't
> a hobby involve mostly software?  E.g. not merely trying out the "language
> of the month" but actually implementing one?
>
> > There were, certainly, some hobbyists within small computing. However,
> > the vast majority of those involved were genuine users.
>
> Not in 1977 -- unless you count those who puhcned cards and handed in
> the card deck to be run at some mainframe.  But in the micro scene,
> there wasn't hardly anything in 1977 for those who wanted to be just users.
>
> > And, when you focus upon users of BASIC, the number of hobbyists is truly
> > miniscule. If these users messed with hardware at all it was to have the
> > hardware and be done with it. They were interested in using their computers
> > to play games, balance checkbooks, write music, and create useful programs.
>
> And why is messing with the hardware a "hobby" while messing with the
> software isn't?
>
> There were a lot of hobby programmers out there, and there proably still
> are.
>
> > A computer is a tool. Using a computer may be interesting, beneficial,
> > and/or entertaining but, in general, it is no more a "hobby" than using
> > a lawnmower.
>
> Suppose you experiment with different lawnmowers or different configurations
> of your lawnmower, or perhaps even constructed your own lawnmower?
>
> There are still a lot of hobby programmers out there -- they are the
> ones writing all those freeware programs available on e.g. SimTel.

Wow. After all the times we've crossed swords Paul, for once we are speaking with one
voice. :-)

Roy