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[ Retro Scan of the Week ] Hemingway's Computer?

July 28th, 2008 by Benj Edwards

Ernest Hemingway's New Computer - Microstuf Crosstalk AdvertisementPapa's got a brand new modem. (click above for full ad)

[ From Personal Computing, 1983 ]

Discussion topic of the week: What's your favorite computer- or video game-related book?

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This entry was posted on Monday, July 28th, 2008 at 12:36 pm and is filed under Computer History, Vintage Computing, Humor, Retro Scan of the Week. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

11 Responses to “[ Retro Scan of the Week ] Hemingway's Computer?”

  1. Dan Says:
    July 28th, 2008 at 12:59 pm

    Marketing Guy #1: Hey, what do you think about putting a nice, big image of our modem next to the copy on the Advertisement?

    Marketing guy #2: Nah, man. Those crates are bitchin! Let's focus on them instead!

  2. Multimedia Mike Says:
    July 28th, 2008 at 11:28 pm

    You mean, like, our favorite computer manual or video game instruction booklet? :-) I always liked the instruction booklet for the original Legend of Zelda game.

    As for fictional literature based on technology, I was always partial to a short story called "0wnz0red" published at Salon.com some years ago: http://dir.salon.com/story/tech/feature/2002/08/28/0wnz0red/index.html

  3. Kitsunexus Says:
    July 29th, 2008 at 3:54 am

    Fact: The Secret Guide To Computers by Russ Walter

    Fiction: The SUPERCOMPUTER Choose Your Own Adventure Book

  4. Layne Says:
    July 29th, 2008 at 8:11 am

    What about the Pac-Man themed joke book? Or the Atari Force comic books that came with certain cartridges? Or the "How to Win at Video Games" book from the 80′s?

    Oh, and I think that guy is printing out plans for extending his sons skateboard ramp that you can see throught he window…… :D

    Layne

  5. Benj Edwards Says:
    July 29th, 2008 at 11:50 am

    Any book is fine — i.e. "a written or printed work of fiction or nonfiction, usually on sheets of paper fastened or bound together within covers."

    I was mostly thinking of works over 100-200 pages in length, but I guess Atari Force can count. :)

  6. Geoff V. Says:
    July 29th, 2008 at 2:31 pm

    The Terminal Man by Michael Crichton.

  7. GeorgeR Says:
    July 29th, 2008 at 5:14 pm

    Totally lame, but I'd have to say first thing that comes to mind is Lucky Wander Boy. It is just so good and weird and wonderful.

  8. Geoff V. Says:
    July 30th, 2008 at 7:19 am

    "For whom does that sweater toll for? It tolls for thee!"

  9. Benj Edwards Says:
    July 30th, 2008 at 10:53 am

    I almost said the same thing about modems, Geoff. It was hard to resist. :)

  10. Jim Ulrich Says:
    July 30th, 2008 at 3:54 pm

    I don't know why, but I love to find out what happened to these compaines Benj features. Here is what I found out:
    Microstuf became DCA/Crosstalk Communnications around the late '80′s. They later merged with Attachmate in 1994, which is still in business today.
    Sources:
    http://www.columbia.edu/kermit/ftp/e/cbx.txt
    http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-15916985.html

  11. Rockin' Kat Says:
    August 9th, 2008 at 6:38 am

    I recently read "On The Edge: The Spectacular Rise and Fall of Commodore"

    I thought it was pretty good.

    http://www.amazon.com/Edge-Spectacular-Rise-Fall-Commodore/dp/0973864907/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1218281829&sr=8-2

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