Comments on: Where has the BA book been, Part VIII: River ran through it http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/28/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-viii-river-ran-through-it/ I am an astronomer, writer, and skeptic. I likes reality the way it is, and I aims to keep it that way. My real name is Phil Plait, and I run the Bad Astronomy blog. Tue, 14 Feb 2012 18:23:05 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Barton Paul Levenson http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/28/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-viii-river-ran-through-it/comment-page-1/#comment-61355 Barton Paul Levenson Wed, 02 Jan 2008 15:43:59 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/28/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-viii-river-ran-through-it/#comment-61355 I programmed PDP-11s in FORTRAN for years. Now I can't get a job as a FORTRAN programmer. Only scientists appear to use the language any more, and they don't seem to hire programmers to do their programming. *sigh* I programmed PDP-11s in FORTRAN for years. Now I can’t get a job as a FORTRAN programmer. Only scientists appear to use the language any more, and they don’t seem to hire programmers to do their programming. *sigh*

]]> By: Nigel Depledge http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/28/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-viii-river-ran-through-it/comment-page-1/#comment-61354 Nigel Depledge Sun, 30 Dec 2007 14:39:06 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/28/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-viii-river-ran-through-it/#comment-61354 Buzz, I never saw a PDP-1, but I have used (briefly) a PDP-11. It had four hard discs (14" platters, none of the namby-pamby micro mini stuff you get these days), which each had a capacity of 1 MB per side. That was a whole 8 MB of disc space. It also had two 8" floppy drives. One day, it suffered a head crash on disc 0 (i.e. the first disc it accesses during boot-up, so it could no longer find out where the OS was stored). You could actually see the groove the head had carved in the disc. :) Buzz, I never saw a PDP-1, but I have used (briefly) a PDP-11. It had four hard discs (14″ platters, none of the namby-pamby micro mini stuff you get these days), which each had a capacity of 1 MB per side. That was a whole 8 MB of disc space. It also had two 8″ floppy drives.

One day, it suffered a head crash on disc 0 (i.e. the first disc it accesses during boot-up, so it could no longer find out where the OS was stored). You could actually see the groove the head had carved in the disc. :)

]]> By: Michael Lonergan http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/28/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-viii-river-ran-through-it/comment-page-1/#comment-61353 Michael Lonergan Sun, 30 Dec 2007 03:14:34 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/28/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-viii-river-ran-through-it/#comment-61353 PDP-1? :) I just had to wiki that to see if it was the latest game machine. Apparently it was the first! PDP-1? :)

I just had to wiki that to see if it was the latest game machine. Apparently it was the first!

]]> By: Buzz Parsec http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/28/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-viii-river-ran-through-it/comment-page-1/#comment-61352 Buzz Parsec Sun, 30 Dec 2007 02:08:01 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/28/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-viii-river-ran-through-it/#comment-61352 VICs? TX1000s? Huh? My first game machine was a PDP-1. :-) VICs? TX1000s? Huh? My first game machine was a PDP-1. :-)

]]> By: Michael Lonergan http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/28/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-viii-river-ran-through-it/comment-page-1/#comment-61350 Michael Lonergan Sat, 29 Dec 2007 17:11:15 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/28/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-viii-river-ran-through-it/#comment-61350 Thomas, I find it amazing that people are still using those old machines for some very practical purposes! I came across a website several months ago devoted to retro-computing, and, boy did that bring back memories. I had a friend in High School (early '80's) that built Apple compatible machines in his basement. Everyone laughed at him. I used to work at Radio Shack, selling the old Tandy Computers! My first "real" computer was a TX 1000, 286 processor. Thomas, I find it amazing that people are still using those old machines for some very practical purposes! I came across a website several months ago devoted to retro-computing, and, boy did that bring back memories. I had a friend in High School (early ’80′s) that built Apple compatible machines in his basement. Everyone laughed at him. I used to work at Radio Shack, selling the old Tandy Computers! My first “real” computer was a TX 1000, 286 processor.

]]> By: Thomas Siefert http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/28/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-viii-river-ran-through-it/comment-page-1/#comment-61351 Thomas Siefert Sat, 29 Dec 2007 11:48:56 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/28/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-viii-river-ran-through-it/#comment-61351 Michael, I started dreaming about getting a Sinclair ZX80 and later a VIC 20, but it wasn't until Commodore 64 came that I stepped into the computer world. The company I work for now used to have their main products with a Z80 chip as the core processor. It used to excite me to no end not only was I working with that ground breaking processor, I was doing it for practical purposes and getting paid to do it too. Michael, I started dreaming about getting a Sinclair ZX80 and later a VIC 20, but it wasn’t until Commodore 64 came that I stepped into the computer world.

The company I work for now used to have their main products with a Z80 chip as the core processor. It used to excite me to no end not only was I working with that ground breaking processor, I was doing it for practical purposes and getting paid to do it too.

]]> By: Michael Lonergan http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/28/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-viii-river-ran-through-it/comment-page-1/#comment-61349 Michael Lonergan Sat, 29 Dec 2007 07:34:10 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/28/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-viii-river-ran-through-it/#comment-61349 Thomas, I remember my first gaming machine, a VIC 20. (She may not know what that is/was.) :) Thomas, I remember my first gaming machine, a VIC 20. (She may not know what that is/was.) :)

]]> By: Thomas Siefert http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/28/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-viii-river-ran-through-it/comment-page-1/#comment-61348 Thomas Siefert Sat, 29 Dec 2007 07:28:10 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/28/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-viii-river-ran-through-it/#comment-61348 I'm sure that if she was my age, she would be a former Amiga user. I’m sure that if she was my age, she would be a former Amiga user.

]]> By: Michael Lonergan http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/28/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-viii-river-ran-through-it/comment-page-1/#comment-61347 Michael Lonergan Sat, 29 Dec 2007 06:57:16 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/28/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-viii-river-ran-through-it/#comment-61347 You guys must have waaaayyyyy to much time on your hands. I can't even see the games! :) I guess I need to buy an xbox 360, PS 3, and wii, just to be fashionable! You guys must have waaaayyyyy to much time on your hands. I can’t even see the games! :)

I guess I need to buy an xbox 360, PS 3, and wii, just to be fashionable!

]]> By: Tim G http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/28/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-viii-river-ran-through-it/comment-page-1/#comment-61346 Tim G Sat, 29 Dec 2007 06:17:35 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/28/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-viii-river-ran-through-it/#comment-61346 I am playing HL2: episode one on my XBox 360. Even though I am enjoying it, I can still understand its limited appeal and am actually looking forward to games with characters you can have a conversation with. One day, games will make me cry. I am playing HL2: episode one on my XBox 360. Even though I am enjoying it, I can still understand its limited appeal and am actually looking forward to games with characters you can have a conversation with.

One day, games will make me cry.

]]> By: drichardet http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/28/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-viii-river-ran-through-it/comment-page-1/#comment-61345 drichardet Sat, 29 Dec 2007 05:30:01 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/28/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-viii-river-ran-through-it/#comment-61345 wow a girl gamer! see games aren't just for men! women like them too! wow a girl gamer! see games aren’t just for men! women like them too!

]]> By: smittypap http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/28/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-viii-river-ran-through-it/comment-page-1/#comment-61344 smittypap Sat, 29 Dec 2007 05:27:45 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/28/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-viii-river-ran-through-it/#comment-61344 I like the Crazy Albert mouse pad. Where did you get that? I like the Crazy Albert mouse pad. Where did you get that?

]]> By: River http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/28/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-viii-river-ran-through-it/comment-page-1/#comment-61343 River Sat, 29 Dec 2007 04:49:33 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/28/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-viii-river-ran-through-it/#comment-61343 Yes, those games really are my games. :) I've even made a Portal ringtone for my phone. Yes, those games really are my games. :) I’ve even made a Portal ringtone for my phone.

]]> By: Michael Lonergan http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/28/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-viii-river-ran-through-it/comment-page-1/#comment-61342 Michael Lonergan Sat, 29 Dec 2007 03:59:05 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/28/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-viii-river-ran-through-it/#comment-61342 Anyone notice the tag line, "pretty pictures"? Is Phil referring to River or his book? Anyone notice the tag line, “pretty pictures”? Is Phil referring to River or his book?

]]> By: Tim G http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/28/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-viii-river-ran-through-it/comment-page-1/#comment-61341 Tim G Sat, 29 Dec 2007 03:56:48 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/28/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-viii-river-ran-through-it/#comment-61341 Hey, shouldn't this be <b>Part IX</b>? Hey, shouldn’t this be Part IX?

]]> By: brian t http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/28/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-viii-river-ran-through-it/comment-page-1/#comment-61340 brian t Sat, 29 Dec 2007 02:21:33 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/28/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-viii-river-ran-through-it/#comment-61340 Those boxes on the right: Guild Wars! You have the classiest readers, 'tis true... Those boxes on the right: Guild Wars! You have the classiest readers, ’tis true…

]]> By: Tim G http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/28/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-viii-river-ran-through-it/comment-page-1/#comment-61339 Tim G Sat, 29 Dec 2007 02:07:39 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/28/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-viii-river-ran-through-it/#comment-61339 She writes poetry...recherché poetry! Are those really her games? She writes poetry…recherché poetry!

Are those really her games?

]]> By: Michael Lonergan http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/28/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-viii-river-ran-through-it/comment-page-1/#comment-61338 Michael Lonergan Sat, 29 Dec 2007 00:45:20 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/28/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-viii-river-ran-through-it/#comment-61338 Halcyon, I noticed that! River is cute! River, my number is ....................Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz... Sorry, so tired, up late listening to some guy on a weird radio show.... where was I? Halcyon, I noticed that! River is cute! River, my number is ………………..Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz… Sorry, so tired, up late listening to some guy on a weird radio show…. where was I?

]]> By: Halcyon Dayz http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/28/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-viii-river-ran-through-it/comment-page-1/#comment-61337 Halcyon Dayz Sat, 29 Dec 2007 00:29:48 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/28/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-viii-river-ran-through-it/#comment-61337 You bunch of geeks! There is a <i>girl</i> in that picture. ;) You bunch of geeks!

There is a girl in that picture.
;)

]]> By: Nigel Depledge http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/28/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-viii-river-ran-through-it/comment-page-1/#comment-61336 Nigel Depledge Fri, 28 Dec 2007 22:20:53 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/28/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-viii-river-ran-through-it/#comment-61336 Games?? You call those games?? Pah! C'mon, guys, where is BattleTech? Where is Traveller? Where is Warhammer 40,000? Games?? You call those games?? Pah!

C’mon, guys, where is BattleTech? Where is Traveller? Where is Warhammer 40,000?

]]> By: John http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/28/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-viii-river-ran-through-it/comment-page-1/#comment-61335 John Fri, 28 Dec 2007 21:42:34 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/28/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-viii-river-ran-through-it/#comment-61335 I'm in love. I’m in love.

]]> By: Matt http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/28/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-viii-river-ran-through-it/comment-page-1/#comment-61334 Matt Fri, 28 Dec 2007 20:09:51 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/28/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-viii-river-ran-through-it/#comment-61334 World of Warcraft is also tucked in there alongside a couple games that I don't recognize... World of Warcraft is also tucked in there alongside a couple games that I don’t recognize…

]]> By: brian j. parker http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/28/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-viii-river-ran-through-it/comment-page-1/#comment-61333 brian j. parker Fri, 28 Dec 2007 20:03:42 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/28/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-viii-river-ran-through-it/#comment-61333 I'm glad I'm not the only one who immediately registered the quality level of the games. River wins. I’m glad I’m not the only one who immediately registered the quality level of the games. River wins.

]]> By: PsyberDave http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/28/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-viii-river-ran-through-it/comment-page-1/#comment-61332 PsyberDave Fri, 28 Dec 2007 19:49:21 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/28/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-viii-river-ran-through-it/#comment-61332 ORANGE BOX R00LeZ! ORANGE BOX R00LeZ!

]]> By: Jay Solis http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/28/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-viii-river-ran-through-it/comment-page-1/#comment-61331 Jay Solis Fri, 28 Dec 2007 19:29:07 +0000 http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2007/12/28/where-has-the-ba-book-been-part-viii-river-ran-through-it/#comment-61331 Plus Bioshock and Mass Effect! Plus Bioshock and Mass Effect!

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