Firsts

From: Joe <rigdonj_at_intellistar.net>
Date: Sun Jan 11 10:53:12 1998

At 06:51 AM 1/11/98 -0600, you wrote:
>Here's a questionthat is probably going to generate some passionate debates:
>What are the firsts?
>first video game
>first TV video game
>first personal computer (I think I know that one)
>first portable computer
>first laptop
>first GUI
>first OS
>etc...
>It would be interesting to compile a list of first with their date of
appearance.
>-----------------------------------------------------------------------
>Francois Auradon.

   Wow, those questions should stir up a hornet's nest! I'll in my two
cents worth.

   Personal Computer: IBM called the 5100 a personal computer and also a
portable computer. I think they called it a personal computer since it did
not normally support any remote terminals and only supported one user at a
time. the 5100 was IBM's first "personal computer" but I don't know if it
came before or after PCs from other manufacturers.


   Portable Computer: IBM also called the 5100 a "portable computer". I
guess they considered it a portable computer because everything was in one
unit. It was certainly NOT portable in the sense that one person could
pick it up and move it around. It's huge and it's heavy and there aren't
even any handles on it. Not to mention the fact that it has an unprotected
glass screen and there was no protective case for it, the keyboard or the
rear connectors. Even the early KayPros and Compaqs were much more
portable than a 5100! To me at least, it's very questionable wheather or
not the 5100 should be considered a "Portable Computer". The HP 85 was
built similarly but at least HP provided a case as an option.

   Joe
Received on Sun Jan 11 1998 - 10:53:12 GMT