graemeknows

Now I'm wondering what happened to my old bike! ?

Greetings, Programs! This is my first post here so I figured I would start with a story. This photo is of my older sister using our family's brand new Atari 800XL shortly after we received it for Christmas ~1985. It was the first computer I ever used and I absolutely loved it. I played endless hours of games, learned to program in BASIC, wrote stories, and marveled at what I thought at the time was an amazing piece of incredibly advanced technology. Fast forward about 10 years or so and my sister SOLD THE COMPUTER - DISK DRIVES, GAMES, AND ALL - AT A YARD SALE WITHOUT ASKING ME. Now, I didn't know this until I went back to recover the system from my parents attic in the early 2000s. As you can imagine, I was crushed (yes, I still speak to my sister but I mention this HORRENDOUS, TERRIBLE CRIME from time to time.) Did I mention she also sold my comic book collection? But, I digress. Anyway... Fast forward another 10 years or so. By then, I am working at IBM and while I was traveling in Berlin, I went to a wonderful computer and video game museum. Much to my surprise and delight, they had an 800XL on display! I was elated. I hadn't seen one up close since... well... you know. Once I got home, the search was on to find my own. I visited flea markets in the area and I would see one from time to time. But they were usually in terrible condition. One 800XL I came across had been described to me as being in "mint condition." When I found it, I picked it up and dirt came pouring out the bottom. Clearly, I had to rethink my search strategy. It was time for, you guessed it, EBAY! It didn't take long until I found an 800XL in good working condition, with the power supplies, and the box! I even found an original manual! I have it at my house now and I use it with my teenage sons. They get a real kick out of it. I am just getting started in learning about all the vintage and modern tech I can use with it. I can't tell you how exciting it was to fire it up that first time and run the self tests. Now I know what you're thinking, and the answer is no: I have not told my sister about it! ?