David Fox 🌻🥸Mar 19, 2023
In 1977, my wife Annie and I opened the first public access microcomputer center. The Marin Computer Center was a nonprofit org in a library of a repurposed elementary school. We started with 9 Processor Technology Sol-20s and one Equinox. Eventually we had 40 micros (Atari, Apple II, TRS-80, Pet) people could rent for $1.50/hr. So many Marin kids got turned onto computers and went on to do great things. Jump to page 7 of this 1978 People’s Computers article by Annie
http://www.loopcntr.net/repository/1018.pdf
Show threadIvan Sagalaev Aug 20, 2023
@DavidBFox wait, are you guys the ones who wrote a book on BASIC as well? I read it in the early 1990s, and in Russian translation it was called "BASIC for all" (I couldn't find the original name.) This book started my passion for programming and it hasn't subsided since. Just wanted to say big, big thank you!
Show threadDavid Fox 🌻🥸
@isagalaev Annie wrote Armchair BASIC and I’m credited as a coauthor (mostly her work). Look it up and see if it’s the same book.
Aug 20, 2023 at 7:54pmWeb
Show threadIvan Sagalaev Aug 20, 2023

@DavidBFox yeah, that must be it! Please send my regards to Annie then!

I don't have the book anymore, but I remember it was talking about computers not actually being super intelligent, but just very good at repeating things. It was a powerful insight for a 15-year old me :-)

Show threadDavid Fox 🌻🥸Aug 22, 2023
@isagalaev Annie says, “so glad something I wrote had so much meaning in your life.”