Computing Pioneers Share Their First Tech Memories

An anonymous reader writes "Major names from the world of computing and technology such as Vint Cerf, William Gibson, Richard Stallman, Michael Dell and Hermann Hauser have shared their memories on their first computers and what inspired them to get involved with the computer. Highlight's include Cerf recalling his experience with the valve-based US air defense network Sage — as seen in Dr Strangelove — and Acorn co-founder Hauser building an eight bit computer out of marbles and a shoebox."

Comments

Stallman ROFL

[sproketboy]

Question: "What modern technology do you wish you had growing up and why?"
Stallman: "In terms of freedom, computing technology is getting worse."

Nice sidestep Richard. How about just answering the simple question? We would have been interested in your answer.

Re:Stallman ROFL

[nurb432]

We would have been interested in your answer.

Define "we". Most of us have tired of him decades ago.

Re:Stallman ROFL

[Anrego]

The man is incapable of a light hearted discussion or joyful reminiscing.

He has tuned every molecule in his body towards his views on software. I don’t actually think the man is capable of thinking in other terms.

Re:Stallman in a sentence

[kiwimate]

I felt sad for the guy when I'd finished reading the article. He seems constantly annoyed and bitter. Everyone else in the article was excited, reminiscing about what sparked their passion for technology or computing. Stallman was just angry.

Re:Stallman in a sentence

[Pope]

Apple's latest computers don't even allow users to freely choose what applications to install.

Spreading the FUD a little thick there, huh, Stallman? But since you don't actually use them, I'm not surprised at all at your willful ignorance.

I don't understand . . . . .

[bogidu]

Most of them wished they had the internet when they were growing up. Granted, I'm about a generation behind most of them and got my first internet access account when I was 23, however I have to admit that over the last 10 years the 'potential' of the internet has pretty much turned to crap thanks to a) ISP Corporatism b) government meddling & c) the mistaken belief by so MANY groups that it is something that needs to be "CONTROLLED".

Personally i'm starting to take the pov that anything that has occurred on the internet could have eventually happened with 'near-line' or 'on-line' bbs's. I mean honestly, has http actually made things BETTER, or just more accessible by the masses?

Re:Stallman in a sentence

[Capt.DrumkenBum]

More and more Stallman is coming across as a bitchy little shit. I wish he would just shut his pie hole.
For the record I respect what he has done in the past with GNU, and free software, it is just the last few years he has started sounding like a whiny little bitch to me.