Subj : RE: Perceptions
To   : Mortar
From : Mike Dippel
Date : Tue Jan 13 2026 22:42:12

On 1/13/2026 9:46 AM, Mortar wrote to Mike Dippel:

->   Re: Re: The Birth of HobbyNet
->   By: Mike Dippel to Amessyroom on Tue Jan 13 2026 09:18:06
-> 
->  > My first computer was a Texas Instrument (forgot the model # maybe 99-4a))
->  > and I was very happy with it.  I figured I didn't need a real computer,
->  > until I purchased one.
-> 
-> Believe it or not, your TI 99/4a /was/, by definition, a real computer.  Just
-> because its specs weren't as good as others (yet better than some), doesn't
-> make it any less a computer.  You didn't purchase a "real" computer, you
-> bought a better computer.

I had some extras that made it a great computer.  Speech synthesizer, cartridge games 
and the entire "Plato" series.  Plato helped my kids learn various topic areas.  I was able 
to join an user group early on and they helped me immensely.

I also was able to learn a bit of Ti DOS and was able to create a program that would help 
me create a database that helped me at work.

I certainly don't regret it.  I subscribed to Boardwatch magazine which had line-by-line 
scripts that I could copy and run.

Mike Dippel
 
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