Tech Help

A few years later, I was still using my IBM, but I learned to build desktop computers. 

My children were older and wanted to play games and I wanted to experience the wonders of colour on the new websites that were being built.

From this era, I still have a complete set of Microsoft DOS operating system and one of the first anti-virus suites. Viruses were a new threat to computers. Central Point PC Tools was familiar to me from my previous copy of an earlier version that I obtained from Friendlyware Computers. 

 

One of the first internet service providers in the Vancouver area was Mindlink! BBS service.

After my introduction to Peacenet and other Usenet groups, I realized there was a whole world of interesting reading to explore.

In 1991, I became member number 256 on Mindlink! and began to explore. I had a 300 baud modem with dial-up.

I learned to telnet and a bit of Unix was all I needed to navigate mainframe computers. This information allowed me access to computers all over the world in major corporations and universities. There was no security. It was very hit and miss though because often there was nothing that I was interested in reading. 

When I started using computers there was very little help available. So manuals were precious sources of information.

 

 

 

 

 

The BBS was always interesting because there was interesting news about technology and computers on Usenet. We had IRC chat and from the command line I could type SHOUT and send a text to every internet user logged in to the system.

 

 

 

 

There was a culture of respect and politeness. It seems that early internet users were mostly technicians, professors, researchers and other similar, highly educated individuals. I was a rare artist, but there were quite a few writers.

 

In 1987, I worked for a computer store named Friendlyware located on the north side of  Kingsway, near Tyne St., in Vancouver. The owner, John, was an enthusiastic salesman who promoted computers for business use. One of my tasks was to learn all of the business software and teach it to the new owners of the computers. I quit my job just before my oldest son was born in January 1988. 

When I got the IBM Convertible, I finally stopped using my Apple II+. To my surprise, a lot of the software that I had kept from the store worked on this machine. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I always liked to use Professional Write, it only required one disk and it was a very full featured software. This is all DOS software designed to run on XT desktop computers.

 

In the early 1990s this was my computer, an IBM PC Convertible. The operating system was DOS 3 on floppy disk.

It was the first commercial computer to use the 3.25″ floppies – replacing the previous 5.5″ floppies.

This was the first computer of mine that went on the internet with a 300 baud dial-up modem.

I created my first internet art work – a text based piece. In 1990, I was introduced to the internet by a friend named Lynn, who showed me Peacenet and other Usenet groups. I decided to take this laptop to the Stein Valley Festival that was being held in Boundary Bay. Lynn was hosting a table for peace at the event, so I went with her and her Japanese friend. While the Japanese woman made origami cranes to give away and Lynn handed out pamphlets, I collected messages for peace and tried to explain to the participants that the messages would travel to Japan on the internet. As soon as I arrived home, Lynn used her account and I was able to post the messages to the Hiroshima Nagasaki Peace project group.   

There were no websites then as Mosaic, the first browser I used,  was not yet introduced. The internet was completely democratic because my text looked the same as text written by the richest person on my tiny screen. It was all about content, not presentation.

The screen only displays monochrome – not colour.  

 

 

A top view with the handle extended.

 

 

 

 

 

I removed the battery when I put the computer into storage. It fits in the compartment on the back.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The charger takes a regular 3 prong plug  that I did not put in the photo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was lucky to have the clip on adapter that came in a separate box with instructions. this attachment added weight and size, but allowed use of a regular serial port printer.

 

Even then, few printers worked with a parallel port connection. I realize I should have taken a photo of the other side of the adapter with the serial port!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I still have all the manuals and instructional materials that came with the computer.

The colourful cardboard box is full of DOS information and the small blue manual has several parts.

Finally going through my second box of vintage computer items and I have the manual for the Apple II+ MIDI Interface card from Passport Designs. Even if I am not able to assemble a Syntauri system, this card may work to connect external MIDI synths.

 

 

 

 

 

Here is the Mountain Computer manual for the Apple II+sound cards