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I first learned to program on an Apple ][e at school; was ecstatic when we got one at home. Technically this was after being taught Apple Logo, but I don't consider that my first language.

In Middle school I still remember learning IF PEEK(-16384)>127 THEN a key was pressed; the most important statement in moving from prompt based games to action based games. (Another good one POKE(49200) for a "click" through the speaker).

In High school I learned about Beagle Bros. and their BASIC compiler; running some of my games 10 times after... really allowing me to make something fun.
http://beagle.applearchives.co...

Eventually that gave way to Turbo Pascal, which gave way to C++.

Now to find copies of all the old Beagle Brothers Software titles

http://beagle.applearchives.com/the_software/

I didn't have hot chick posters on my wall in high school, I had Beagle Bros posters... http://beagle.applearchives.com/the_posters/poster_3.html http://beagle.applearchives.com/the_posters/poster_5.html ...there was plenty of time for girls when I was at the arcade, my bedroom was dedicated to hosting a BBS and coding!

I didn't have hot chick posters on my wall in high school, I had Beagle Bros posters... http://beagle.applearchives.com/the_posters/poster_3.html http://beagle.applearchives.com/the_posters/poster_5.html ...there was plenty of time for girls when I was at the arcade, my bedroom was dedicated to hosting a BBS and coding!

There were CPU cards for the Apple ][, but these were complete computers on a card that simply allowed use of the Apple ][ I/O.

Most of these were just a CPU (usually a Z80) and the minimal logic necessary to take over from the 6502 on the motherboard. A relatively small handful of cards included their own RAM; it was far cheaper to use what was already in the computer.

The only Apple II expansion card that comes to mind that really was a complete computer on a card was the Applied Engineering PC Transporter, which had an 8088-compatible CPU, up to 768K RAM, an MFM floppy controller, CGA-compatible graphics that could also drive an analog RGB monitor (commonly used with the IIGS), and most of the other bits that would make up a complete PC/XT-compatible computer. More recently, a Carte Blanche could be configured as a nearly standalone computer, running in an Apple II or on a board that provides Apple II expansion slots.

Agreed.

One of the best/funniest for "The floppy disk anthem" would have to be Beagle Bro's "Silicon City" two-liner

RUN TL:CHUGGACHUGGA

Two floppy drives.
One steam-engine starting up =)

i.e.

1 HOME:POKE 50,223:FOR X=150 TO 255:SPEED=X:PRINT PEEK(49385) + PEEK( 49386);:PRINT "CHUGGA";:PRINT PEEK( 49387);:NEXT:END

It would alternate turning on/off the floppy drive motors of the 2 floppy drives. =)

http://beagle.applearchives.com/the_software/vintage_beagle_bros_softwar/silicon_salad.html
https://www.google.com/search?q=beaglo+bros+chuggachugga

http://beagle.applearchives.com/posters.htm