-=PCTechTalk=- Re: Attn: ~ Don Wilcox ~ " The golden memories of computing "

Those two computers are terrific tools for someone to learn the basics of 
using a computer.  If you can, find a used computer dealer at the flea 
market and pick up a few DOS based programs.  WordStar, dBase3, PCTools etc.

Those were the days when everything came with a printed manual and cost 
about 1/4 the price of today.  I paid $75 for WordStar and got two full 3 
ring binders of instructions and information.  The most important of which 
was the list of files used by the program, what they were used for and where 
they were placed on the hard drive.  Try finding that kind of information 
today.

When I upgraded to a 286/16 I had to get a utility to slow down the computer 
when I played some of my games.  They were written for the older slower 8MHz 
machines and went way too fast to be playable without the utility.  Imagine 
someone complaining because their computer was too fast!?!?!?!

Playing around with those old DOS programs and learning how to use some of 
the DOS commands will provide a good background for understanding what 
actually goes on behind the GUI of Windows.

I really miss DOS.  If I could get software to run on it today, I never 
would have switched to Windows.

Don

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "LiL OL Me" <mytoybox1@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <pctechtalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, December 30, 2006 1:30 AM
Subject: -=PCTechTalk=- Attn: ~ Don Wilcox ~ " The golden memories of 
computing "


> Re:
> How long has it been since you saw a 5-1/4 inch disk?  Can you say double
> density?  Please pass the disk notcher.... Don
> Hi ... I am not old enough to have actually experienced some of the 
> thing`s that you are speaking of ... but I own a couple of PC`s that do go 
> back away`s .
>
> I bought an IBM 8088 computer from a fella and it still work`s really well 
> ... it use`s the 51/4" disk`s that you referred to . The computer came 
> with an origional 8088 instruction manual ( actually it`s a red cloth 
> three ring binder) .
>
> He also gave me a box of unused 51/4" floppies to go with it ... along 
> with some extra memory strip`s if I ever needed them . It has an A and B 
> drive and everything work`s .
>
> I also bought an elderly Gateway 2000 386/25 PC which has a drive for the 
> 51/4" floppies and a regular 31/2" floppy drive that use`s the DD floppy 
> disk`s . It only has 8 Megabytes of Ram so it`s not an Internet accessing 
> computer . But it as well as the IBM 8088 operates on the DOS system ... 
> so this is another thing that I have been able to get used to and operate 
> .
>
> I figure that one of these day`s I will run into a collector who will be 
> thrilled to get these machine`s .
>
> In the mean time they are in the back bed room and plugged in to keep the 
> clock`s running . I turn them on once in a while just to check them out .
>
> Teri Lee

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