A Word Processor

Write about your first computer.

First you had the typewriter, then the electric typewriter, then the telex machine, the word processor, and finally the computer.

The first telex machines that could transmit messages abroad didn’t show the user what they were typing. If the keys went down it was connected, if they didn’t it wasn’t. You literally typed blind and you had to be good. I used one of those.

With the next generation you had paper so you could see. Less fun and less of a challenge. If you wanted to save your work you could switch the punch tape on and it would stream out a 3/4” wide tape with lots of holes in it. I could read those holes!

Then the word processor arrived. Basically an electronic typewriter with a screen. At last you didn’t have to re-type an entire page for one mistake, or try to make Tippex look natural!

After that was the Spectrum, a games machine with a keyboard. Our wedding video was edited on one of those.

Then finally the desktop computer, and it took off from there.

When Microsoft invented the WYSIWYG view – what you see is what you get – the life of a typist was complete! Prior to that you saw the document on the screen but that might not be what printed out. It was frustrating but Microsoft saved us all.

So yes, that’s how old I am.

The original computer was an accountant. That’s what accountants, or bean counters were called.

They were computers, now they use computers, (and swear at them). The beans were probably more reliable! 🤣

I’m off to count sheep. If you don’t use that term it means imagining counting sheep to bore yourself to sleep. In actual fact counting sheep is challenging, hilarious, and quite exhausting if they’re on the loose! As my husband knows, he used to help his uncle on his sheep station in New Zealand.

Think I’ll stick with the beans! As he did – he’s an accountant.

Best love

Amorah – Deb