[vcf-midatlantic] Great vintage computer article.

[Dave McGuire]

On 04/12/2017 11:46 AM, Ethan wrote:
>>  Games are a big driver of some types of technology, yes.  But they're
>> not the only driver, and they're certainly not the only reason this
>> stuff exists, as much as we'd likely all be more comfortable living in
>> toyland without the realities and responsibilities of grownup life.
>>  (I know I sure would, the way this day has been so far)
>
> We have seen the game toy GPUs migrate away from video games to physics
> computations and what not (CUDA) as well as helping to drive fascinating
> real-life experiments in internet funnymoney (Cryptocurrencies.)

   Of course, I acknowledge this, and I think it's great.  I use a few 
CUDA arrays here, in fact.  I did not say that games play no role in 
driving technology.

> I don't do much gaming outside of arcade/pinball (I so wanted my
> initials on the Wizard of Oz machines at the Silverball Museum during
> VCFEast. Had one good run, hit 200,000... 300,000 required. Doh.)
> Everytime I see the modern games, I'm just amazed at what they're doing.
> Movie quality in high resolutions rendered real time, so beautiful.

   I agree.

> Most vintage systems have their merits, but it's easier to get the
> public interested in things outside of business tasks. They can relate
> to games I guess.

   I'm sure some people can.  But there's also more to computing than 
games and business.  It's a big world.  The point I'm trying to make is 
that many times, we (the community) belittle the history by labeling it 
all as playtoy games or boring business stuff.  Yes, it is those things 
too, but as we all know, there's a lot more to it than that.

              -Dave

-- 
Dave McGuire, AK4HZ
New Kensington, PA