Subj : Re: Participation
To   : Dave Drum
From : Ben Collver
Date : Tue Jan 14 2025 23:27:41

  Re: Re: Participation
  By: Dave Drum to Ben Collver on Tue Jan 14 2025 06:31:32

DD> My first computer was one I built myself from a sandwich baggie full
DD> of parts and a mimeographed (remember those?) sheet of instructions. No
DD> keyboard - programmed w/dip switches. And no storage.

Where did you get the parts and instructions for your first computer?

In old scifi magazines i saw ads for "paper computer" kits.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CARDboard_Illustrative_Aid_to_Computation

Mimeographs were slightly before my time, but i recall a retired teacher
waxing nostalgic about them.  I seem to recall she said something about
the smell, and about blue ink.

My first computer was an IBM AT with a clacketyclack keyboard and two
full-height 5.25" floppy drives, which technically count as storage.

I did construct a crystal radio and dabbled with making my own
components such as diodes for crystal radios and a rectifier to convert
AC from a wall outlet to DC.

MMMMM----- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.06

      Title: Rhubarb Radio Pudding
 Categories: Puddings, Fruits, Sauces, Citrus
      Yield: 6 Servings

MMMMM--------------------------PUDDING-------------------------------
      1 c  All purpose flour
    1/3 c  Sugar
  1 1/2 ts Baking powder
    1/2 ts Baking soda
    1/4 ts Salt
  1 1/2 c  Rhubarb; diced
    1/4 c  Raisins
    1/2 c  Milk
      1 lg Egg
    1/2 ts Vanilla

MMMMM---------------------------SAUCE--------------------------------
      1 c  Water; boiling
    1/4 c  Brown sugar; packed
    1/4 c  Butter
      1 tb Lemon juice
      1 ts Lemon rind; grated
        pn Nutmeg

  Set oven @ 350°F/175°C.

  Pudding: In bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking
  powder, baking soda and salt. Stir in rhubarb &
  raisins. In separate bowl, beat together milk, egg and
  vanilla just enough to combine; stir into flour
  mixture. Turn batter into greased 8" square baking
  dish.

  Sauce: In boiling water, stir sugar and butter
  till sugar dissolves and butter melts. Add lemon
  juice, rind and nutmeg. Pour gently over batter.
  Bake at 350°F/175°C for 30-35 minutes till pudding
  is golden brown on top and centre is firm to touch.

MMMMM

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