The Subjective Life of a Computer User

The SUBJECTIVE• LIFE OF A COMPUTER USER From Commodore to iPad, the members of Generation X saw some incredible advancements in technology and computing. This techno-lution shaped them into the mass-consuming, technophiles we know them as today. Let's take a look at the journey of this plugged-in generation. FROGGER This game, distributed by Sega, occupied many of the afternoons that should have been spent on primary school grammer, or was it grammar? COMMODORE C64 NINTENDO NES 1982 1985 For most computer users, their first computer was a Commodore capable of spreadsheets and data basing. But all they cared about was Frogger. The Mecca of video gaming, the Nintendo NES defined a generation of Americans, and plumbers. Great Video Game Crash Floppy disc reigns supreme 1983 You have died of dysentery. - OREGON TRAIL MACINTOSH This game became particularly popular in elementary schools, because nothing was more educational than dying of dysentery. 1984 MACINTOSH PORTABLE 1989 Apple launched the Macintosh, its first commercially successful home computer and your first taste of the Cult of Apple. Apple launched the Macintosh portable, a revolutionary portable computer that so many people knew so little about, primarily because no one could afford one. 1989 CDs build momentum WINDOWS 2.0 1987 World Wide Web is launched Microsoft launched an upgraded version of its faulty Windows 1.0. Users then spent hours making lewd pictures in MS Paint. 1991 Your mind is blown WINDOWS 95 AMIGA 600 1995 1992 Weeer t Wws The usual 'oohs and aahs' for Amiga computers were replaced by a 'huh?" for the Amiga 600. You sensed the end was near. Windows o5 is launched. The old distraction of beer pong and TV was replaced by the internet and computer games. R.I.P. Commodore 1994 AOL REIGNS SUPREME STREET FIGHTER ALPHA Hotmail accounts are cool 1994 1995 1996 HADOUKEN! Spam mail prevalent 1996 CHATROOM Buddy List Setge Peosle The melodic sound of dial-up echoed throughout A'Buddy List. middle class America. Everyone had a favorite AOL E Coworkers (/11 Friends (1327) chatroom and a new species of human was bred from Family (755) these chat rooms, the troll. MErianger pw S intarneDiane в маеsаm A Thafanou Staamie BUDDY LIST PALM PILOT 1997 1996 Any Maage AIM launched buddy lists and millions of people compared list sizes- the bigger the better. Palm pilot produced its line of personal data assistants. It was especially popular among people who liked to look busy. DELL, DELL, DELL 1996 APPLE IMAC G3 Dell began to dominate the home computer market. Millions began to purchase their ultra affordable PCs. Consumers were 1998 satisfied up until 6 months after their purchase when they realized their laptops were actually made out of gum and Apple launched the iMac. An era of color coordinated electronics began and you coordinated your Mac colors, to your discman colors to your Nokia cellphone colors. aluminum foil. NAPSTER IS KING 2000 The wonders of peer to peer illegal music downloads were discovered. However, all The 21st century saw a super saturation of desktops and laptops. Computers that were only two years old became nearly obsolete. In addition, the internet became an that faded when you were sued by Sony. IPOD 2001 integral part of day to day living. You could purchase your Coldplay tickets online and then blog about how their lyries made you feel on your Myspace page. The term 'geeking-out' was first used to describe the sensation you feel when you get your hands on your first iPod. MORE, MORE, MORE The 21st century OSx 1999 The sleek, new MAC OSX launched becoming the default operating system and solidifying the Cult of Apple. Switch to Facebook from MySpace 2006 IPHONE IPAD 2007 2010 The next 'it' item that revolutionized the tech industry was the iPhone with its mobile abilities, guaranteeing a concerned populous that they would never break free of the internet, even on the go! The iPad is launched in early 2010, and became an instant success for those who needed an iPod the size of a hard covered book. Sources: W3C, CNET, PC Museum.com, Computer History.org. Microsoft.com, Commodore.ca. PC World