Back in the dark ages (the early '60s), I was teaching math to seventh graders. One of
the units was on using the base 2 number system. I knew there were computers in the world
but I had never even seen one, much less used one. I only knew that the base 2 had to do
with "ons" and "offs," the language that computers understand.
My first experience with computers was in 1981 when I took a course in using standalone
word processors--the Lanier No-Problem Word Processor, the IBM System 6 Word Processor,
the IBM Displaywriter, and electronic typewriters. For one who had stayed up many nights
typing and retyping theses and dissertations, this was a "miracle machine" to me. It was
"love at first sight - er, use." Where have you been all my life, I thought! In conjunction
with the word processing course, we studied BASIC computer programming. Wow, imagine
making a computer do what you wanted it to do, I thought!
Little did I know then that within a few short years, my livelihood and my hobby and my
"passion" would be computers. I cannot imagine working in any other area which I would
enjoy as much as I did this one! For many years I taught in the computer field and continue
to be amazed at what they can do. Even though I retired in August of 1997, I still enjoy
working with computers.
Technology is moving so rapidly that it is hard for those of us in the field to
keep up with what is happening. How could anyone not want to learn about the computer,
especially now that the World Wide Web brings to our very homes information on virtually
any topic? We can take virtual trips without ever leaving our
homes, simply by linking to WWW sites with information about most cities in the world.
How exciting to receive mail from anywhere in the world in just a few minutes! What an
education to discuss through Usenet or Yahoo groups or Google groups
almost any topic of interest with others who have an
interest in the same topic! And what makes all this possible? The computer and the
Internet! Following are links to some of the major computer related companies:
While I am no longer teaching, I still use my computer and spend entirely too much time
on the 'net! (smile)
Please E-mail Carol Tapp
with comments.
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Page last modified November 9, 2006; 11:15 p.m.