It was computer lab day. I was a sophomore in high school. We traipsed to the "High Tech Center" as a class and plopped down in our seats. Everyone acted bored, but the buzz in the air was palpable. We were getting on the Internets, people!
Computers were stacked back to back on two extra long tables with anxious high school students staring at them. Our teacher told us we could use the chat feature.
Who exactly were we going to be chatting with? Who was on the other side of this computer and how did they get here, to chat? I had NO idea. I ended up half-heartedly, and nervously, "chatting" with someone. I mean, what exactly was I supposed to say to a faceless person by the name of whizkidz1019? Who asked. for. my. address. Thankfully, I think I had some sense about me then that I knew I probably shouldn't be giving my address to a complete stranger.
I continued to attempt the awkward stranger chat thing over the next few weeks until someone had the sense to shut it down at school. I think that was probably one of those things - it seemed like a good idea at the time, you know?
For your viewing pleasure, the computer pictured below is the funkiest, skinniest, tallest little computer I had ever laid eyes on and quite similar to the ones we used for chatting and other school appropriate things. Surely. Pictured below, the Macintosh Color Classic.
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| Wikipedia image |
All this new-fangled technology and information was shoved in front of me and whipping past me at an alarming rate. I knew I needed to grab hold.
This post was inspired by the prompt, “memories of early days of the internet” from Write on Edge.
Mom to 2 kiddos, wife, me. Living, laughing, loving.
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9 comments:
omg - how hilarious that the school was encouraging random chat conversations!!! Whizkid indeed!
Do you remember word processors? Those things that weren't even computers? Totally Dos? Omigod, we were living in the dark ages! (Just kidding. There is something profoundly peaceful about that time before Internet, cell phones, and the ability to connect with anyone and everyone in 2.4 milliseconds.) I had a computer like the one pictured until...I think it was 2005. I'm. Not. Joking.
Wow, chat in high school. Wouldn't happen now for sure!
Nice post. Love the pic. I'd forgotten all about those computers. Never used one, but I always thought they seemed so high tech and special.
Oh my! I can't believe that was at school! And I so agree- must have seemed like such a great idea at first!
Hey, you gotta love that dinosaur!
Charming story by a lovely mama with an awesome smile and darling kiddos ;-)
Some classics you have got! You made me think of the first time I have chatted, so sweet story!
Home Removals
In college, we could chat with other students who happened to be in our system. That meant we, in Laramie WY, could interact with friends up north at a small college in Powell WY.
These people became good friends. We even visited each other, even though it was a eight hour drive through the nowhere of central Wyoming to do so.
oh my goodness that is so funny! i remember in grade school we had computer too. i have no idea what they did, i just remember the black screen and green letter/number display. but we were sooooo excited. things have changed A LOT in 25 years, that's for sure. visiting from VB and new follower! great blog : )
http://lulbird.blogspot.com
Hi Mandi. Caught your link to this post on She Writes. Yes, a little late! I was thinking the same thing, allowing students to chat? Funny. Hey, when I was in high school we didn't even HAVE computers. That's how old I am. Thanks for a fun read!
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