Re: My First Computer (was Computing Editorial)

["Ross Simpson" <yeah_whatever>]

"Exegete" <millers@noneofyourbusiness.com> wrote in message...

> Only from reading.
> The Mark One was electro-mechanical, if I remember correctly.

Yes, the Harvard Mark I was different from some of the later machines &
somewhat more reliable than them too, since it was made up of using Relays
instead of Tubes (or valves). The advantage of Tubes was they could run
faster (which meant those generation of computers which used them were
quicker than those without), however they required more service when the
tubes blew, which was pretty much within every few minutes if I recall
correctly, but you'd have to remember that those systems used 1000s of tubes
& when one blew it would have to be located & replaced.

> Until Win2000/XP, the basis of all M$ "personal" Windows were based on
> CP/M, through it's descendant MS-DOS. If Glen were a teacher/student of
> computer science surely he would know that.

The 'nixs have been going for a while. Maybe he's one of those who stays as
far away from Micro$-off as possible. :-)

Ross.