Computing Pioneers Share Their First Tech Memories 99
An anonymous reader writes "Major names from the world of computing and technology such as Vint Cerf, William Gibson, Richard Stallman, Michael Dell and Hermann Hauser have shared their memories on their first computers and what inspired them to get involved with the computer. Highlight's include Cerf recalling his experience with the valve-based US air defense network Sage — as seen in Dr Strangelove — and Acorn co-founder Hauser building an eight bit computer out of marbles and a shoebox."
Gibson's a cyberpunk pioneer.... (Score:5, Interesting)
...not a computer pioneer.
Hell, the man himself admitted he didn't know thing one about computers when he wrote 'Neuromancer.' They were magic boxes to him.
Why Gibson? (Score:5, Interesting)
Don't get me wrong - he's a hell of an author. But his inclusion seems a bit odd, given that he doesn't really work in "the computer industry".
Of course, neither does Michael Dell.
Thanks, folks. I'll be here all week.
Re:I don't understand . . . . . (Score:4, Interesting)
Also, you're talking about the "potential" of the Internet, the forecasted outlook of where it's going. It isn't looking stellar with the reduced competition among ISPs and politicians trying to restrict it. Back in the 90's, the Internet was a mystical land that was going to revolutionize everything. Lots of potential.
And it happened. It DID revolutionize how we do... quite a lot of things. And right now, in it's current state, it's pretty awesome. A vast swath of the Internets potential has been realized. Welcome to the future.
Finally, being more accessible by the masses IS BETTER. That bar has constantly been lowered. Facebook and all didn't do anything you couldn't have done with a bit of code and a personal website (and/or BBS), but it made it easier. And it's a good thing. Or do you want to have to string together an array of shoe-boxes with marbles?
Matrix (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:Stallman in a sentence (Score:5, Interesting)
He is angry. I had the, uh, "pleasure" of hearing him speak in person at the University of Glasgow, then do a Q&A session. He had brief jolly (lucid?) periods when he was rambling on by himself, but many of the questions sent him off on a tirade. When he was asked why most systems are GNU/Linux rather than GNU/Hurd he practically became incoherent, raving on about compromised principles (note: his principles, not Linus's), long term damage to Freeeedom, and the Great Patent Threat. I swear he was foaming at the mouth at one point. Of course, he didn't answer the question in any meaningful way.
Also, he stank. I don't mean that in a jocular "Ha ha, smell hippy" sense, I just mean that up close, he really did look filthy and reek of stale sweat. It was physically repugnant to be near him, and if you don't think that does or should matter, well, I do because basic hygiene is common courtesy, and Stallman's lack of it shows contempt for others. It's not the way to make friends or influence people, which is basically Stallman's job.