COMMENTS

16 responses to “Open Thread Update: The End of a *Bop TWEE!* Era”

1. I not only still have a DVD player, I have a VHS player and a land line. Oh yes. I remembered the other day that I have an MP3 player, otherwise known as an Ipod. It still works. The great thing about these older technologies is I don’t have to constantly download new updates. My cell phone does not run my life. And I don’t trust the Cloud.

   I remember not being able to use my phone when using AOL. I don’t miss that.

   Reply to Virginia Small

   1. Same here. I have a dvd player and DVDs, wish I had a VCR, still have vinyl LPs and CDs. Our library provides a multitude of dvds and cds — for free. Why pay for streaming? Yes, I have a land line which is very reliable — and a smart phone. I could go on. (I remember dial up — can do without that). Yes, we have computers (desk and laptop). But sometimes I wish I still had an IBM Selectric — such a wonderful, useful machine! I could go on.

      Reply to Pat

2. While I was a student back in the late 1990s, I had dial-up with AOL. Well, several years of dial-up caused me a lot of issues due to being kicked off the internet too many times. I checked around, and AT&T had an offer that worked better for me and my budget. I had to get a new telephone to upgrade that at the time, and the Phone company was able to come into the house and check the wire for their equipment to be changed. Everything has been working since that time.

   Reply to Betty L. Southerland

3. My first telephone-connected online memory is Prodigy, backed by Sears and IBM. We started with a 300 baud dial-up device. Until I won a raffle at my computer club meeting: 2,400 baud here-we-come!
   We ended up with a 2nd phone line, just for Prodigy, and all the games, and stuff I don’t remember. We all used it from about 1998 to 2001 when it was overtaken by the whatevers coming next.

   Reply to Malcolm Spitalnick

4. In early ’93, I got my first account with an ISP called Delphi. When I connected to a university server in Australia, I was amazed! No graphics then, all text based, web didn’t exist. Went on to learn programming and eventually have a career in networking and technology.

   Reply to Sheldon

5. I remember the first time I saw something animated on a computer screen: it was Charlie Chapman doing a little dance.

   Reply to Mary

6. I was a grad student in Computer Science in the 80s. I was fortunate to be able to log on to the computers (in the computer center) from home since the school’s access points for students closed around 11 PM. I used an acoustic modem at 300 baud (maximum speed of 300 bits per second) using an ADS viewpoint terminal. An acoustic modem is one where you make the call and them put your telephone receiver down into the modem. The ADS viewpoint terminal was dumb – no computing power on its own.

   Reply to Linda Saus

7. In 1978, I was writing industry publications about electronics and video, including VCRs, cable TV and home computers. I started hearing about interactive technologies and companies such as QuantumLink (AOL’s prececessor name), CompuServe and others. I recognized their significance, especially after I saw other BIG companies sniffing around (AT&T, IBM, major banks and media firms). So I started my own publication to track their progress. It changed my life and shaped my career. Early Adopter!

   Reply to G H Arlen

8. Not so fond memories of AOL and the initial internet! My stepson was living with us, and we knew he stayed on the computer a lot. We could hear the modem dialing up to connect. He was/is a computer geek, so we figured he knew what he was doing–that is until we received a $1,500 phone bill!

   The internet and instant access make life easier and more convenient. One just has to be really careful they don’t get scammed. I still enjoy my years old Wii game to try and get some exercise.

   Reply to Debbie Salyer

9. My first online experience was with ComputServe which came out a little before AOL I think. That was in the early 1980s.

   Reply to JNowak

10. My first dial up IPS was free from 11 PM until 6 AM so that was my prime time. I met a lot of people living on the west coast.
    I joined a bulletin board for Figure Skating Fans. No Facebook or other social media then. We were like a family. I am still friends with one of them after 30 years.
    Most poignant memories grieving together when we learned of Princess Diana’s death in real time. And how my FSF friends were so concerned and supportive of me on 9/11/2001.

    Reply to Carol Barnhart

11. When my husband and I decided we were ready to have our own computer in ’94 or ’95 we had it custom built. They wondered why we wanted a half gig when surely we’d never need more than the quarter most folks asked for LOL.
    It was so slow I could launch a search on Web Crawler and go make a pot of coffee, and be lucky if it was done loading answers by the time I had my mug ready. Nevertheless, it opened up a whole new world for me. Never looked back.

    Reply to Sylvia W

12. I still own VHS and Beta (wow). Would like to have the time to transfer my old shows to PC (then to USB)
    Transfer services won’t do it as it’s considered piracy today. I have thrown out a lot of them; just keep my favorites.

    Reply to Renee F

13. Oh, yes, I remember AOL and dial-up connectivity. And wonderful mysterious DOS, before it was replaced by that boring Windows. I recall my beloved DOS screensaver, which can’t be used with Windows !?!? All very strange.

    Still have my landline, proudly defending it against Pac Bell trying to get rid of same. My DVD and VHS players set below my flat screen TV. Turned off the TV in 2016, however, and watch most stuff on laptop and YouTube. Kept all my CDs and play them regularly!

    Reply to dr jeanne powell

14. I presently live in Plattsburgh, NY. I have learned so much from Jesse & Nathan about how to use all these new tech devices and I am still learning! I can now FaceTime my extended family (even very far away.). I can take photos and can create albums., photo books and canvas prints, as well as calendars, cups and glasses all with photos on them. I know now how to use Spotify and Canva, find recipes, make flyers! My whole life has changed.

    Reply to Vesta Mason

15. It was 1986, and I was getting ready to send my very first batch of electronic insurance forms for a large psychiatric practice.
    What had taken days to input, print, sort and mail was now supposed to get “uploaded” to an insurance clearing house for processing and payment within weeks instead of month!
    The excitement grew as we dialed the number to connect…heard the “handshake” of connection and the various times as our computers connected.
    Internet changed my career!

    Reply to Peggy