You got a computer in that era because you thought you talked to them and they did what you asked them to do.

Then you got the computer and when it started up you got a flashing K. It was a bit of a disappointment. But you flicked open the hefty manual, started reading and before long you were hooked.

One career later, I now have a computer that is very, very close to what I wanted all those years ago but with a significant and irritating genie attitude to granting my wishes.

Now if we can just tone down the genie stuff…

Kids weren’t getting computers, their parents were.

Because you could get pirated games from the other kids at school. Or at least that seemed like the most popular reason.

To play the games that were included in books and magazines as BASIC program listings that you could type in and play.