On Sunday, February 25, 2018 at 2:48:00 AM UTC-10, Gary wrote:
>
> Arrghh! Mea culpa! I wasn't one of those lucky high-speed kids
> though. I used a Vicmodem (model 1600) at 300 baud for both my
> Vic-20 then later the C-64. It was plenty fast enough for my
> text-only online use at the time.
>
> I've still got all that too..both computers and many of the
> extras like disk drive, 8k ram extension cartridge (lol). I think
> I even have a 16K ram cartridge (boioinngg!). Printer too. Many
> game cartridges and naturally a box of my own software all stored
> on cassette tapes.
>
> My first modem:
> http://www.commodorespain.es/wp-cont...-imagen-01.jpg
> This package also came with a cassette tape of very basic
> terminal software. Side one for the Vic-20 and side two was for
> the C-64
>
> I was going to take a pic of mine on my signature kitchen counter
> with pez ferret but this one is the same and isn't all blurry.
>

A computer with 64KB of memory for 600 bucks? That was revolutionary back in 82. It was so compelling that I knew I had to get one by the time I finished reading the press release. That was one of the biggest no-brainer ever. It was so big that it is the best selling computer ever.

I learned more on that machine about programming in a week than the college level programming course I took in 74. Those computers forced you to think about things in a formal, sequential manner, didn't they? That might be useful for kids these days.

Getting my greasy little paws on a C-64 may have been the best experience of my life although, buying a 1541 drive and then another one might have been the worst experience in my life.