I am often asked how I learned computers, why I write, how long I have written these columns for the Daily News-Record, and how did I get to do the radio show on WSVA? So, for the first of my 2022 articles, let us review something I believe is boring, but you asked a lot.
My computer experience came from a job; however, not a computer related job. I was a banker who made large commercial loans at a bank in Virginia, but only projects developed out of state. I was always a gadget guy; I had a handheld calculator with the red LEDs and people “thought” I knew stuff. In 1981, the best financial programmable calculator ever made (still considered that by many), the HP-12C, came out, shown on left. I got one for work and used the heck out of it for many years. The president of the bank came to me one day and asked, since I was the gadget guy, if I wanted to try something new. “Sure thing!” In come two guys with a big off-white thing with a screen. It was an IBM PC, model 5150 computer, below. The president told me to stop my current job for six months and learn how to use this new-fangled thing to make money for the bank. As the computer guys left, I asked them how to turn it on. It all started then. I took a class or two and realized I could hunt and peck to figure most of it out. Around 1992, I started teaching computer courses at technical centers and community colleges. In 1999, I became a full time IT guy for the local cell phone company.
Next, how about this writing thing? I have a friend who has a friend and introduced us. She was a successful writer. She had about 12 novels under her belt, now more like 20, and many magazine articles. I talked to her about my desire, possibly like yours, to write the next “Great American Novel.” I had problems keeping it going after a couple of chapters. I would get bored and move on to something else. She suggested I write something smaller, regularly, and keep it going, building up the habit of writing more often. I intelligently said, “Uh, like what and for who?” She said, “To write, you must write about something you enjoy and can talk about. As for the who, call your local paper and tell them your idea.” So, I emailed the DNR editor, thinking, “No one wants to read something by a computer nerd.” I told them I would like to write a computer column for the local people. He said, “OK” right off the bat. They published my first column for the DNR in January 2002. That means I just completed my 20th year writing. The novel still has starts and stops; mostly stops.
Finally, how about the computer radio talk show? Around 2006, I called WSVA and spoke to someone there. I asked if they had seen my articles in the DNR. They said yes. I asked if they would like me to do an occasional computer talk show for the local listeners. He said, thanks, but no thanks. I hung up broken-hearted, thanks to Frank. Three years later, around the end of 2009, I received a call from someone else at WSVA. They asked if I could do a short blurb about some computer thing coming up. I said, “Sure!” I did a 15 minute talk on that now long-lost threat. Jim Britt called the next week and asked if I would like to do a monthly show. He said, “It could be interesting.” Dang straight dude! My first radio talk show was with Jim on the third Monday in January 2010. At this time, that show and schedule continue.
What could be next? TV! No, a professional told me I have “a face for radio.” Next week I will resume with the regular first one or two articles on 2021 in review. Happy 2022!