On Thu, May 30, 2024 at 2:06 AM John Herron via cctalk < cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote:
> Only because I thought it would be funny to hear ChatGPT's wrong answer. > Here is ChatGPT's answer on the first personal computer. > > ME> What was the first personal computer? > ChatGPT> The first personal computer is a bit of a debated topic, but one > of the earliest and most influential examples is the Altair 8800, released > in 1975. It was developed by a company called MITS (Micro Instrumentation > and Telemetry Systems). The Altair 8800 was a build-it-yourself kit based > on the Intel 8080 microprocessor, and it featured toggle switches and LED > lights for input and output. This computer is often credited with sparking > the microcomputer revolution and inspiring a generation of computer > enthusiasts, including a young Bill Gates and Paul Allen, who famously > developed a version of the BASIC programming language for the Altair. > > (Pouring gas on the fire, but thought it was funny.) > > I honestly do agree that in our modern PC world, prior to the smartphone anyway, the first major micorprocessor-driven microcomputer that was successful in the US is the Altair. This would be a fun topic for a series of online debates. There seem to be a few angles 1) First microcomputer of the modern style (desktop computer running home/small business applications) 2) First computer that was primarily used as a personal computer but not necessarily practically or large-scale 3) First inadvertent use of a computer as a personal computer (i.e. first application developed for personal use on a machine not originally designed for such a purpose) more? BIl
