MobileRead Forums - View Single Post - Okay, Are there really any iPad alternatives?

scottjl · 05-02-2010, 04:17 PM

lol. you want to start comparing old systems my first personal computer at my house was an apple ][ with a 1mhz 6502 and 4k of ram. i loaded programs off of audio cassette.

yes. i love to tinker (run several linux servers in my house for everything from multimedia servers to a professional testing lab) but on the other hand the general public doesn't have the knowledge or the time to tinker. they just want to buy something "that works". hence the popularity of kindles, nooks, ipads, sony readers, etc.

linux 2.0 might be gone, but if you want to back to unix roots you can always run BSD.. or you could always go back to multics (my first OS) or CP/M..

btw. the apple ][ is in storage in my basement, i dig it out now and then, and it still works need to reseat chips once in a while, clean the cassette player with some alcohol, but it is functional.. as is my //e and other equipment i've kept over the years. surprisingly some elephant brand 5.25" floppies are still readable after 30+ years. elephants never forget..

05-02-2010, 04:17 PM	#82
scottjl Reader of Books Posts: 1,632 Karma: 2697 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: none	lol. you want to start comparing old systems my first personal computer at my house was an apple ][ with a 1mhz 6502 and 4k of ram. i loaded programs off of audio cassette. yes. i love to tinker (run several linux servers in my house for everything from multimedia servers to a professional testing lab) but on the other hand the general public doesn't have the knowledge or the time to tinker. they just want to buy something "that works". hence the popularity of kindles, nooks, ipads, sony readers, etc. linux 2.0 might be gone, but if you want to back to unix roots you can always run BSD.. or you could always go back to multics (my first OS) or CP/M.. btw. the apple ][ is in storage in my basement, i dig it out now and then, and it still works need to reseat chips once in a while, clean the cassette player with some alcohol, but it is functional.. as is my //e and other equipment i've kept over the years. surprisingly some elephant brand 5.25" floppies are still readable after 30+ years. elephants never forget.. Last edited by scottjl; 05-02-2010 at 04:20 PM.