And another tech pioneer passes on.

[crfriend]

Such is life that inevitably and inexorably death follows. Today the world of computing lost another one of the "good guys", Douglas Engelbart. Mr. Engelbart's contributions to the field of computing are legion, but he's best known as the inventor of the "mouse" -- that silly little thing that clutters our desks and makes the window-based world, be it Microsoft or X, actually useful.

Godspeed, Doug, we'll leave the (blinken-)lights on for you.

[Caultron]

Ah yes, the (blinken-)lights...

ACHTUNG! ALLES LOOKENSPEEPERS!

Das computermachine ist nicht fuer gefingerpoken und mitten grabben.

Ist easy schnappen der springen werk, blowenfusen und poppencorken mit spitzensparken.

Ist nicht fuer gewerken bei das dumpkopfen.

Das rubbernecken sichtseeren keepen das cotten-pickenen hans in das pockets muss; relaxen und watchen das blinkenlichten.

[Big and Bashful]

Ah yes, the (blinken-)lights...

ACHTUNG! ALLES LOOKENSPEEPERS!

Das computermachine ist nicht fuer gefingerpoken und mitten grabben.

Ist easy schnappen der springen werk, blowenfusen und poppencorken mit spitzensparken.

Ist nicht fuer gewerken bei das dumpkopfen.

Das rubbernecken sichtseeren keepen das cotten-pickenen hans in das pockets muss; relaxen und watchen das blinkenlichten.

Excellent!

[Caultron]

This ("ACHTUNG! ALLES LOOKENSPEEPERS...") was a minor craze among techno-geeks back in the 60's and 70's, before the word "geek" had even been invented. It appeared in computer rooms all across America, and probably elsewhere.

[crfriend]

This ("ACHTUNG! ALLES LOOKENSPEEPERS...") was a minor craze among techno-geeks back in the 60's and 70's, before the word "geek" had even been invented. It appeared in computer rooms all across America, and probably elsewhere.

There was one of those taped to the front of the Data General NOVA 840 that graced the computer-room at my old high school in the 1970s and '80s and which is now part of my collection (Yes, it still runs). The piece of paper was lost somewhere along the line, but a replica graces the RCS/RI facility in Providence, Rhode Island (USA).

Another one that was popular at the time read something like, "When you're up to your arse in alligators it's sometimes hard to remember that your original mission was to drain the swamp!"

As an aside, the term "geek" did exist, but denoted a carnival freak who would (appear to, and sometimes might) bite the heads off of small animals.

[Caultron]

As an aside, the term "geek" did exist, but denoted a carnival freak who would (appear to, and sometimes might) bite the heads off of small animals.

Eew!

[Kilted Musician]

This ("ACHTUNG! ALLES LOOKENSPEEPERS...") was a minor craze among techno-geeks back in the 60's and 70's, before the word "geek" had even been invented. It appeared in computer rooms all across America, and probably elsewhere.

The Geek shall inherit the Earth! If it weren't for the Geeks and the Nerds, we wouldn't be having this conversation!

--Rick

[Kilted Musician]

This ("ACHTUNG! ALLES LOOKENSPEEPERS...") was a minor craze among techno-geeks back in the 60's and 70's, before the word "geek" had even been invented. It appeared in computer rooms all across America, and probably elsewhere.

From my Flickr page...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcrider/48 ... hotostream

--Rick

[crfriend]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcrider/48 ... hotostream

Sad: Sorry, the page you requested was not found.

[Kilted Musician]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcrider/48 ... hotostream

Sad: Sorry, the page you requested was not found.

Hi Carl... not sure what the problem is. Oh... yes I do. Yahoo... I'll post the pic on my website in a couple of days from now. Thanks for letting me know of the problem...

--Rick

[Sinned]

I found it OK. Spelled "Geeck". But the photo was clear enough.

[skirtingtheissue]

This ("ACHTUNG! ALLES LOOKENSPEEPERS...") was a minor craze among techno-geeks back in the 60's and 70's, before the word "geek" had even been invented. It appeared in computer rooms all across America, and probably elsewhere.

There was one of those taped to the front of the Data General NOVA 840 that graced the computer-room at my old high school in the 1970s and '80s and which is now part of my collection (Yes, it still runs). The piece of paper was lost somewhere along the line, but a replica graces the RCS/RI facility in Providence, Rhode Island (USA).

Yes! I remember that very well. We had that saying (minus the "alles lookenspeepers") near our PDP-8/S circa 1969-1972 at my boarding school. It of course was well equipped with blinking lights. It had 4K of memory.

As an aside, the term "geek" did exist, but denoted a carnival freak who would (appear to, and sometimes might) bite the heads off of small animals.

I was familiar with that long ago and understood that the geek bit off the heads of live chickens and snakes.

About the mouse... I was captivated by the mouse when it appeared with the Apple Lisa computer. I thought the Lisa was the coolest thing ever but balked at the $6000 price tag.

[Milfmog]

My favourite computer notice was on the door to the Upkeep and Evaluation section at RAF Swanton Morley. The notice read:

In future this office will have a staff of three:

One man, one dog and one computer.

The function of the man is to feed the dog; the function of the dog is to keep the man away from the %&*$£%$ computer.

It always made me chuckle.

Have fun,


Ian.