When I started this post, I was looking for a picture of me (presenting as a male) next to the very computer I used when in college over 50 years ago. By today's standards, a first generation smartwatch puts it to shame. But, in its day, it was a great machine for the scientific crowd.
But why did I start off with computers today?
The answer is simple: almost everything I did or saw today of note had computing as a theme.
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My first job had me working at a firm known for maintaining credit ratings for businesses large and small. If one was born in my generation, you'd know the firm by the letters D and B. In Computerworld (then a print publication), the firm was described as having "more money than god" - and for good reason. At the time, it had one of the largest data centers in the Northeast, all in a suburban NJ location.
The only reason I was hired by the firm was that my college used the same computer system (not IBM), and it was impossible to find people who knew both Assembly and Fortran languages for the machine. My one accomplishment of note was to develop a source code management system for the firm, one which was in place until they retired their XDS machines and migrated to IBM equipment.
The next time I visit the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, CA, I will donate an original manual for their system. At least, something I acquired 50 years ago will find a proper home.
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Because of my early experiences with computers, I am always amazed at how far we've come with the machines. This morning, I had a Zoom meeting with my niece. She lives in London and I live in the NYC suburbs. And yet, it was like we were on a videophone connection imagined just 60 years ago. The connection was clear, and she communication was flawless. Too bad that many of the people who imagined these devices didn't live long enough to see them.
But with newer technology comes problems. After my chat with my niece, I watched a video from Adam Savage (Mythbusters). His guests showed that almost any computer can be easily hacked. The average person should assume that he has no privacy, and keep his credit report locked at all times (except when applying for a loan or credit card). Virtually all of our private date is out on the dark web, and the only thing we can do is basic computer hygiene such as never using anyone else's USB stick, devices, wires, etc. with your computer.
And finally, came the weirdest thing of the day. I own shares of 2 of the big 3 cruise companies, and use them to get shareholder perks (cruise credits). Today, I couldn't use the usual mechanism to get cruise credits due to a glitch on my broker's site. Seems like the one stock I needed to reference had changed its ticker symbol (slightly), and stockperks.com couldn't handle what was being reported by my broker. I called the broker around 5 pm, and it took 20 minutes (and 3 levels of support) to get the issue resolved. The ticker symbol change was percolating through their system, and that I should expect to see a correction tomorrow.
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Most of my life, my experiences have revolved around computers in one way or another. When I got tired of thinking computers were a be all and end all, my friend WDS couldn't understand it. I feel that it's something akin to spending a lifetime with a spouse. The power of the flame is gone, but the embers are still there keeping you warm....
PS: Problem with brokerage resolved overnight. Stock perks worked properly the next day.
