Dawn of home computing

Press, 31 January 1984, Page 23

Dawn of home computing

Bv

STEVEN DARNOLD

Prior to 1900 the only people with motorcars were rich enthusiasts. The newfangled horseless carriages were complicated and expensive, and they required real dedication to keep them on the road. Those who bought cars tended to be less interested in transportation than in the thrill of mastering the new technology. By 1920, however, this had all changed. Thanks to the Model T Ford, ordinary people were buying and using automobiles in large numbers. In a few short years the new technology had gone from an enthusiast’s hobby to a vital facet of everyday life. Today, the home computer is going through the same transition that the automobile went through in the early years of this century. In 1978 the first home computers were produced: the Commodore PET, the Apple 11, and the TRS-80 Model 1. By today’s standards they were expensive and not very useful. Not only were there few programs available, but all three brands had design flaws which limited their utility. Nevertheless thousands of enthusiasts bought the early home computers and

struggled to make them work, just like the nine-teenth-century enthusiasts struggled to make their automobiles work.

In the last six years, the home computer has come a long way. Thousands of useful programs are now available for the main brands, and prices have dropped sharply. In New Zealand it is common to see home computers in appliance shops and to see them advertised on television. In December Santa Claus put an unprecedented number of home computers under Christmas trees.

We are at the dawn of home computing. In motorcar terms, it is 1910. The first Model Ts are on the road, and ordinary people are showing a serious interest in the new technology. The roads are pretty rough and petrol stations are scarce, but the utility of the motorcar is growing. In the same way, the utility of the home computer is growing today, but if you buy one right now, you are still a bit of a pioneer.

In 1910 the owners of motorcars contacted automobile clubs for maps and information on road conditions and petrol stations. Often this information meant the difference between a smooth journey and

a disaster. In 1984 a computer club can provide a similar service for home computer users. If you are a home computer pioneer, then a computer club will probably save you time, money and frustration.

Computer clubs are good sources of information. If you are looking for a particular type of program or accessory, then someone in the club will probably be able to tell you where to get it. Moreover, club members will be able to warn you about undesirable products and dealers. If you are having trouble with a program or your computer is behaving strangely, then someone at the club will probably be able to help you. Computer clubs are good sources of programs. Most clubs have libraries of public-domain programs which are available to members for a nominal charge. Some of these programs are superior to commercial programs selling for as much as $4O. If you buy commercial programs without first seeing what is in the public domain, then you are probably wasting your money. A list of computer clubs is often printed on this page. If there is a club for your brand of computer, then you will probably benefit from joining it.