Computer and me

Computer had been part of my life since the day I own my first custom assembled Intel Celeron 466 desktop PC, a birthday gift of my 11th birthday. This thing had change my life totally.

Before I own a PC, I was taught to operate a computer when I was 5. The very first computer that I used to learn is my uncle’s notebook computer, using the Microsoft Windows 3.11. I learn how to on and off the computer, play the Paintbrush and Solitaire. The old notebook computer did not have a touchpad, instead there is a trackball at the lower right of the notebook, and the mouse button 1 is on the right panel near the trackball. That notebook is bulky and heavy, but it was a very sophisticated and a high tech device which can only owned by businessmen and rich guys.

Later, I joined a computer tuition class in my primary school when I was 7. Learnt to use a old computer which are powered by Intel i486, and DOS. Monochrome monitor, no mouse nor pointing device, two 5.25inch floppy disk drive… that was the computer that I used to learnt. That time, I learnt a drawing software, the Picture Maker. However, how to draw without a mouse? It was sound funny, we learnt to draw using a keyboard. That time, I was found that I have interest and talent in computer operation, because I could learn faster and know more than any others.

I love to read the flyers, news and advertisements of the computer products. I had even collect them. No choice, I love anything related to computer, I wish to own a computer. I was addicted to computer. Like others, I love computer because I can play game and drawing by it, clicking the icons see what will appear or happen.

My first computer is a great machine. Running clockspeed at 466MHz, 64MB SDRAM,10GB HDD, 15” CRT, CD-ROM, mouse and keyboard, running Microsoft Windows 98. It was an economic and ‘OK’ specs on that time, able to do Office 97, Photoshop 4, play Star Craft, CS… The year I own a desktop computer is the early age of Internet in Malaysia. I subscribed a 56K TMnet and this changed my life too. How Internet changed my life will be described in the next post.

In the years I use my computer, I experienced uncountable times of the technical problems. Since I was novice, I had no choice to send it to the shop and spend hundred bucks to fix it. Due to this reason, I started to learn to fix it on my own. And I always share my problem with my friends who more pro in this. When I was form 5, I joined IT brigade in my secondary school, a newly established school uniform body which in charge of the IT labs. I learnt a lot from there.

Till today, I learnt various situation and to apply solution, to maintain the performance and to enhance the computer. Thanks to the spoiled computers, my friends, and my computer. These encouraged me to learn and work more in computer maintenance, and given me opportunities to help others when they need, and to improve my knowledge.

Now, besides of learning computer maintenance, I started to learn programming too. The reason that I want to learn programming will be explained in next post.