Today’s writing prompt asks about my first computer.
Write about your first computer.
I received my very first computer on my 15th birthday. An (8-bit) Atari 130XE. This single device enabled me into the field of work I now enjoy doing today.
I remember the thrill of teaching myself Atari BASIC, and creating complex (for the time) software applications. I even wrote a Unix-like operating interface for one of the programs I wrote because I thought it was just too cool.
The Atari 130XE had a hefty (again, for the time) 128 kilobytes of RAM, where the extra 64K could be utilized as a RAM disk. A RAM disk is a “disk drive” that simulates the functionality of a physical disk within the memory of a computer. This allows for significantly faster file saving and loading compared to conventional disk drives. However, it’s important to note that the contents of a RAM disk are lost when the power is turned off. That RAM disk worked really well!
A lot of folks do not realize the importance of this early computer. The Atari 8-bit line was a breakthrough in design with custom I/O, sound, and video chips. The SIO (serial input/output interface) port, which the Atari 8-bit line of computers used for external peripheral connections (such as floppy disk drives and printers), is a prime example of how advanced this comptuer was for the time. In fact, the engineer who designed the Atari SIO interface was also involved in the development of the modern day USB interface we all enjoy today. How cool is that?
I have such fond memories of playing many games on this computer with my Dad. One of the more memorable was a packaged game titled, “Super BoulderDash,” which was BoulderDash I and BoulderDash II packaged together under the Electronic Arts (yes, that EA) label. I have an updated version of this game on my MacBook, remastered for it’s 40th Anniversary.
I couldn’t be anymore thankful for my Mom and Dad gifting me this mighty fine piece of hardware, it started something that has turned into a rather rewarding career.
What about you? What was your very first computer? What made it such a great memory for you?