Friends,
I’ve been away for a little while, so it seems like a good time to share some of the things that readers are most interested in: typewriters and old computers!
Typewriters, you say? Of course. I may have mentioned that I’m working on a fallback position in case this whole copywriting thing doesn’t work out. Specifically, where will I land when AI slop sloshes over into the bucket of marketing I rely on for a living. With the previous generation of typewriter repair people seeking retirement, an opening seems to be opening.
But I’m also struck by this sort of thing, which is not new and not unexpected, to keep old computers running to support aging infrastructure. Is there a future for the retrocomputing community to keep the trains running? Do I need to learn COBOL, or Fortran, or settle into CP/M?
Is CP/M the future of computing that doesn’t spy on you and doesn’t sell your information to bad guys? I’m sure it’s not! It’s still interesting. (also, RIP Gary Kildall).
I think we’re in for an interesting time as far as computing goes. I think we’re also in for a terrible time in terms of jobs, retirement, healthcare, rule of law, and civility. It’s time to meet your neighbors, friends. they might need your help pretty soon.
Your pal,
– bob