alt Hacker NewsIn the early 1980’s, what did people use home computers such as Atari’s and Commodore 64’s for? Mostly playing games; nerds also used their computer with the goal seeming to be… using their computer.
It wasn’t (only) that, though; they also learned, so that, when people could afford to buy computers that were really useful, there were people who could write useful programs, administer them, etc.
Same thing with 3D printers a decade or so ago. What did people use them for? Mostly tinkering with hard- and software for days to finally get them to print some teapot or rabbit they didn’t need or another 3D printer.
This _may_ be similar, with OpenClaw-like setups eventually getting really useful and safe enough for mere mortals.
But yes, the risks are way larger than in those cases.
Also, I think there are safer ways to gain the necessary expertise.
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Back in the early 80s, some people used home computers as seriously as they used work computers:
- organize follow-up reminders for business calls. Automate a modem-based upload.
- crunch investment options in commodities. Not in an econometric way, but a table listing which analyst said what and which analyst was silent. Automate a modem-based upload.
So, with regard to the article, we can presume the author did claw-like things with DOS. As he aged, now he probably needs to organize many trips to doctors and specialists. Who is doing all that administration for your older folks?
I used the Commodore 64, and later MS-DOS on an AT, to do typical computer tasks. Word processing, simple programs to automate things, spreadsheets, databases. We had a copy of Enable, a "Works"-like suite. I didn't have income taxes but I knew people who used DOS programs for that. Online things, mostly BBS for me, using Telix or Telemate and some QWK mail reader. BASICA programming. My machine wasn't really powerful enough for Windows and I didn't have a mouse.
My Dad used PC-Scheme a lot, working on his side projects.
Of course, also games.