How Much Fun Is Your Computer Without Internet? (Full Version)

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MistressDarkArt -> How Much Fun Is Your Computer Without Internet? (12/5/2013 7:39:19 PM)

I got my first computer, a well-used 8086 (you read that right!) in 1984. It actually had two 5.25 inch floppy disk drives, one to run the system and the other to save things on. Internet for the common person was several years in the future, especially since I lived in the middle of the bay on my boat. That ancient relic was endlessly fascinating to me back then.

Remembering that time got me wondering: how much would you enjoy your computer/laptop/tablet/phone if it wasn't online?




shiftyw -> RE: How Much Fun Is Your Computer Without Internet? (12/5/2013 7:54:56 PM)

I enjoy doing work on it...like video editing or photo editing...things of that nature...but, its not really that much fun without the internet.



littlewonder -> RE: How Much Fun Is Your Computer Without Internet? (12/5/2013 8:02:06 PM)

I wouldn't. I do everything with the internet. All my work is saved in the cloud. My career is internet based, my contact with my family and friends is online. Without any of that, a computer is basically useless to me.



poise -> RE: How Much Fun Is Your Computer Without Internet? (12/5/2013 8:04:30 PM)

I would break out my oldie but still goodie Hoyle Classic Games CD and have a blast.



RottenJohnny -> RE: How Much Fun Is Your Computer Without Internet? (12/5/2013 8:12:45 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: MistressDarkArt

I got my first computer, a well-used 8086 (you read that right!) in 1984. It actually had two 5.25 inch floppy disk drives, one to run the system and the other to save things on. Internet for the common person was several years in the future, especially since I lived in the middle of the bay on my boat. That ancient relic was endlessly fascinating to me back then.

Remembering that time got me wondering: how much would you enjoy your computer/laptop/tablet/phone if it wasn't online?



I go back a little further with a Commadore PET that my school had. But my first home computer was a Texas Instruments TI-99 that used a portable cassette player as a hard drive. Ahhh, those were the days. [:)]

Oddly enough however, it wasn't until this year that I managed to get an internet connection faster than a dial-up modem. Having been stuck with dial-up for so long, I learned to avoid the internet because all the websites started packing more and more graphics and video crap on them. A regular modem just can't cope with that and surfing the web was a pain in the ass. So now, I can go without the internet without feeling like a vampire on a day pass.



tj444 -> RE: How Much Fun Is Your Computer Without Internet? (12/5/2013 8:15:29 PM)

well,.. except for the online viruses/Trojans, [X(] the internet is great! it tends to be where I get "news", not the tv or newspapers.. most of all to me, its like having a library at your fingertips (although you might have to verify certain info),.. I can get a lot of info I use online and it saves me a trip & schlepping to wherever to get it.. its like having your personal tutor with youtube and online free vids & online forums to ask for solutions or advice, its an alternative TV if you don't want to pay for & held hostage by cable tv.. its a place to sell your junk.. er.. I mean your lovingly gently used items.. people can find a job, car, get directions, etc.. its one place to advertise your business or service or products,.. for some people its a place to raise money to help someone else or for some other worthy reason.. and for people that have moved, its a place to webcam/chat with family and friends.. for business and personal, email wouldn't be possible without the internet.. I admit tho I have an addiction to the internet.. I could live without it (temporarily) but I would go crazy if it was for more than a few days.. I mean, what did we do before the internet!???? man, that was like the stone age!

oh and lets not forget about all the jobs created at the NSA so they can spy on us & how much fun those nosy dudes must have! [8|]



MistressDarkArt -> RE: How Much Fun Is Your Computer Without Internet? (12/5/2013 8:31:58 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: RottenJohnny

<snip> So now, I can go without the internet without feeling like a vampire on a day pass.


[sm=rofl.gif][sm=rofl.gif][sm=rofl.gif][sm=rofl.gif][sm=rofl.gif]

Congratulations, Johnny!



MistressDarkArt -> RE: How Much Fun Is Your Computer Without Internet? (12/5/2013 8:34:44 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: tj444

I could live without it (temporarily) but I would go crazy if it was for more than a few days.. I mean, what did we do before the internet!???? man, that was like the stone age!



I agree. The audiobooks would be used up after a few days; then I'd start kicking ass and taking names.



MasterCaneman -> RE: How Much Fun Is Your Computer Without Internet? (12/5/2013 8:47:21 PM)

I write a lot when I'm not online, do photo editing and sorting, and I've got a bunch of free books from Gutenberg on here. I can have fun without being connected.



LittleGirlHeart -> RE: How Much Fun Is Your Computer Without Internet? (12/5/2013 8:56:18 PM)

very little.

i'd still love it for writing erotica an stuff an storing pics but that's it



MistressDarkArt -> RE: How Much Fun Is Your Computer Without Internet? (12/5/2013 8:56:45 PM)

MC, every once in a while the power goes out here for lengthy periods, thus the router shuts off. Before the smartphone came along, I would just light some candles and listen to books on my mp3 player or invite the neighbors over to play music. It was quite nice. But I've gotten so accustomed to having information at my fingertips 24/7, I know I would get testy if it went on too long.



MasterCaneman -> RE: How Much Fun Is Your Computer Without Internet? (12/5/2013 9:04:13 PM)

That's why I have a backup power supply. Two of those combo jump-starters/compressors/power supply. Each one holds enough juice for 8-10 hours on my laptop, and in the daytime, I can charge 'em both with my wee generator. Power grid around here's shaky, especially in the winter.

But if it's too much to do, I can still write the old-fashioned way, although my cursive needs work. And I've got a ton of books around here as well.



LadyPact -> RE: How Much Fun Is Your Computer Without Internet? (12/5/2013 9:04:23 PM)

I think I'd go through withdraw. I could make candles for a week or so but after that, I'd be missing WoW.



Missokyst -> RE: How Much Fun Is Your Computer Without Internet? (12/5/2013 9:28:30 PM)

If I wasn't always working via computer I would like my computer a lot more. I have a ton of seek and find games loaded on as well as some slot games.
Since I don't care for tossing my money away in gambling I really like the versions of slots I have on my machine much more.
I also use it for photo editing and writing something I hope to publish someday. It is also a handy place to store my 100 G of music files.
I like the web but I use my computer for other things.



MalcolmNathaniel -> RE: How Much Fun Is Your Computer Without Internet? (12/5/2013 10:25:39 PM)

~FR~

Without the net I'd be exploring my machine more. Writing code, modifying code, and basically making the world like I'd want it to be. Then I'd look up from my keyboard and realize that geeks working together over the net had already done and surpassed what I was working on.a

Then I'd play six bazillion games of Free Cell.

There is a possibility that this entire post is made of fiction. Except for the Free Cell bit.



MistressDarkArt -> RE: How Much Fun Is Your Computer Without Internet? (12/5/2013 11:58:27 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: MasterCaneman

But if it's too much to do, I can still write the old-fashioned way, although my cursive needs work. And I've got a ton of books around here as well.


MC, someone just told me schools don't teach cursive writing anymore. Apparently, there's no longer a need for it. OK, now I officially feel old. [&:]



fluffycupcake -> RE: How Much Fun Is Your Computer Without Internet? (12/6/2013 12:17:23 AM)

I can still remember some cursive letters that I learned in middle school (I am only 23 though). It's a shame that cursive isn't being taught anymore, as I found it fun, and useful.

...I also had a computers class in elementary school, learning how to type the proper way, (which I never use. lmao) But you really only need to use the proper way if your job has a whole lot of typing...



But anyways...back on subject of the topic. lol. Without internet...I'd play solitaire. o_o Because my laptop is so clogged up with stuff, it's not like I can draw on my tablet with it. lol. Oh, I'd also read books on my Kindle (the $69 one).



BitaTruble -> RE: How Much Fun Is Your Computer Without Internet? (12/6/2013 12:27:06 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: MistressDarkArt
how much would you enjoy your computer/laptop/tablet/phone if it wasn't online?




::twitch::



freedomdwarf1 -> RE: How Much Fun Is Your Computer Without Internet? (12/6/2013 12:42:15 AM)

I use my PC a lot.

I'm on it just about every waking moment of my life doing something.
When I'm asleep I leave my PC's doing something - they are rarely idle for more than an hour a day.
But... apart from a few sites like CM, the odd email, and online banking (which I can do by phone with text), I don't actually use the internet much at all.

I don't own a smart phone, iPad, laptop, or any other mobile device and I don't watch TV at all, so my trusty (but old) PC's are my main source of entertainment.
I'm usually video editing/rendering and burning DVD's.
When I get time, I do like to play a few games.
Unfortunately, on my main PC, I'm running out of hard drive space. Even though I have about 4,500Gigs on this one, I can't install more than about 3 or 4 of the bigger games (eg: Neverwinter Nights 2) without taking one of the other ones off.

One day, I'll be able to afford a remote RAID server and keep more stuff off this machine.
But until then, I'm happy pottering about with my videos and games and I could live without being hooked up for quite a while.




Raijin -> RE: How Much Fun Is Your Computer Without Internet? (12/6/2013 1:36:46 AM)

Personally I could go without internet myself, as i would get back into Airbrush work & custom metal fabrication and anodizing , maybe spend less time plugged in and more time developing something unique, i know I'd get more sleep and I'd have less time for others and more time for me.
I know it sounds a bit greedy but hey i tend to look at it as the internet being what it is a good thing in small doses but with as much as we as a community use it , its actually a bad thing IMO , people tend to rely on it for everything social networks, are a good thing but in real time people spend more time on the pc then in real Life talking with others around them.
Children especially have become so attached to the internet and social gatherings found online that they have developed an anti-social association with not only their parents but their physical well being as well.
but all things set aside the truth is without the internet i as a custom PC builder would be out of a job if i ever lost it

but if the internet did go down
i have around 200k movies and about 250k songs to occupy my time with and around 30 excellent game titles to keep me occupied



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