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1995 (when I got my first home computer). Boy those were the days! Everyone knew when you were going online because the 14.4K modem was so loud; also we didn't have multiple phone lines so I regulated most of my internet use to after 10pm.
In 1996. I started with an AOL diskette, like so many other people. I remember the harshest insult on usenet back then was to call somebody an 'aol-er'.
1989 more or less, when compuserve connected up. Got my first C-64 in 1983 IIRC, and was online within a year to BBSs. I remember hating the time limitations on some, where you could only be on for 15min, because it was someone's home phone and the line had to be available to a number of users. Wrote my first niche market commercial program for the C-64 back around 1985 and sold about ten copies.
1989 more or less, when compuserve connected up. Got my first C-64 in 1983 IIRC, and was online within a year to BBSs. I remember hating the time limitations on some, where you could only be on for 15min, because it was someone's home phone and the line had to be available to a number of users.
Me too. Back then, Compuserve was metered, so in addition to worrying about tying up the phone line, you had to pay by the hour to use it. I think it was something like $12/hour for most of the service, while some premium areas cost $30/hour.
I had broadband access at my work desktop in 1993, before there was even much of a World Wide Web. I used to access online resources with Gopher and TELNET.
I purchased my first pc around 1990 -- an IBM PS/2 55sx. (It's still in a closet. ) It came with Windows 1.0 - which I hated and therefore removed.
My first online service was Prodigy, dial-up of course. Prodigy users developed a nice community of folks -- particularly on the "Alfloat" travel board, a place for cruise enthusists. Many of these people have found each other again on Cruise Crictic.
I was "RRRS42A" and proudly never, ever became an AOL-er.
I had BOTH AOL and Compuserve doing research on my dad in WWII I managed to have bills in the 2-300 range on EACH service.....when AOL went to one monthly billing I dropped Compuserve....that was in about 1994 0r 5
It was before '95 for me. I'd count it as '91 when I moved to college and had access there. Personally in home was two or three years later.
Cool thread idea. I wish more people would come over and vote in it.
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