Re: [libreoffice-users] Re: Microsoft Revisits the '80s With MS-DOS, Word for Windows Source Code,

On 04/07/2014 07:50 AM, CVAlkan wrote:
> Your point is valid, but only in today's context.
>
> It's hard to remember that, back then, the idea of actually "storing" your
> document on one of those computer contraptions was somewhat left of absurd.
>
> If the document was important, or even if it needed to be retained for legal
> reasons, it would have been put in the traditional and reliable storage
> mechanism known as a "file cabinet." Even back then, floppies were regularly
> reused after the document was "done." And the idea that hard drives would be
> available for less than a gazillion dollars per megabyte (and what the heck
> was a megabyte anyway?). So, the best format was a silly and irrelevant
> discussion.
Yes, the official copies were the ones printed out not on the floppy.
> The only things the new-fangled computer was good for (at least in terms of
> word processing) were permitting changes without using White-Out,
> automatically performing word wrap, and such things - and, remember, for
> secretaries and typists, these were AMAZING capabilities. And did any of
> them have the slightest suspicion that they were looking at what would
> become their replacements? When was the last time you saw a typing pool? (if
> you don't recall, that was where the typists went swimming during their
> lunch breaks).
LOL about the typing pool
Also, when computer thingies became fairly common most older 
professionals (mostly men) were miserable typists. Into the 80's one of 
the most difficult skills for the military to find was typing because 
very few boys learned to type. So anyone who could type moderately 
decently became the company clerk; it was too valuable a skill to waste 
on being a rifleman.
> Thus, screen space was quite important. Back then, the concentration was on
> improving the generation and presentation of documents.
>
> So - if you were kidding, I apologize for responding seriously. We often
> forget that, back in the dark past, Ken Olsen (DEC) couldn't conceive of
> anyone ever having a computer in their home (what would he have thought
> about "in their pocket"?). And Bill Gates famously said he couldn't see any
> need for more than 16k of memory (he seems to have changed his mind over
> time).
DEC no longer exists. I think their remains were bought by Compaq; now 
part of HP.
> Have a great week ...
>
>
>
> --
> View this message in context: 
> http://nabble.documentfoundation.org/Microsoft-Revisits-the-80s-With-MS-DOS-Word-for-Windows-Source-Code-tp4103960p4104377.html
> Sent from the Users mailing list archive at Nabble.com.

--
Jay Lozier
jslozier@gmail.com


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