It might be difficult for non-programmers to realize but the first computer that touches you really defines who you are as a programmer. Without you realizing it at the time, it sets up so many paths in the life of a programmer that the single machine becomes like a cornerstone of whatever you do later. And you always go back to your first computer.
Other people might have partially similar experiences with their first car or guitar. Possibly. I wouldn't know.
While I might have had an innate interest in programming, it was C64 that verified it for real. Without C64 I would have turned out to be a very different programmer or worse, I wouldn't have started programming at all. I owe so much to that machine--and all that in terms of what most people can't understand.
"Without you realizing it at the time, it sets up so many paths in the life of a programmer that the single machine becomes like a cornerstone of whatever you do later. And you always go back to your first computer."
My first computer was a Heathkit, my grandfather brought me. We built it together. I wish I still had it. I miss that machine. Worthless today, except in a collection. And to me.
But my second was a Commodore VIC20. Another machine with a solid place in my heart. Also wish I still had it.
After the VIC its IMB clones, MSDOS, DRDOS, Windows - blah blah blah until the later 90's when I brought my first Mac.
Of course now, it's hard to romanticize a any computer. Since they so common place.
I agree. My first was a Commodore Plus/4 which had no games and barely any programs (at least not any I could get a hold of as a 10 year old boy). So I took up reading the manuals that came with it, learned BASIC, and created my own games. It was probably good that I didn't get a C64 until much later, otherwise I'd have probably just played games the whole time.
Other people might have partially similar experiences with their first car or guitar. Possibly. I wouldn't know.
While I might have had an innate interest in programming, it was C64 that verified it for real. Without C64 I would have turned out to be a very different programmer or worse, I wouldn't have started programming at all. I owe so much to that machine--and all that in terms of what most people can't understand.
What a funny world.