Computing Across America

Computing Across America, Chapter 28 by Steven K. Roberts April 8, 1984 We ain’t got no accent, man, but ah kin shore tell yore from the noath. — Teenager in Vancleave, Miss. It was a land of spring green, little yellow flowers, and open, windy fields. I rode along with the sudden feeling of being…

Computing Across America, Chapter 27 by Steven K. Roberts April 2, 1984 (photo above by Dan Burden) Panaceas are a dime a dozen.— Kacy Branstetter The first big issue of the panhandle involved a fork in the road. I pedaled south from fragrant Tallahassee, the dogwoods and azaleas flashing in the sun, flowers brightening even…

Computing Across America, Chapter 26 by Steven K. Roberts Tallahassee, Florida — March 22, 1984 photo above by Dan Burden The bicycle is a learning machine. — Dan Burden Every subculture has its gurus and pioneers. The early wizards of the microcomputer world were elevated to legendary status within a decade of the industry’s birth;…

Computing Across America, Chapter 25 by Steven K. Roberts Tallahassee, Florida March 18, 1984 photo by Dan Burden Now, when I start singing, you duck…— instructions for taking a shower As the miles unfolded, I became increasingly fascinated by the intertwined threads of connections. It was not uncommon to meet someone randomly, crash at their…

Computing Across America, Chapter 24 by Steven K. Roberts Anastasia State Park March 6, 1984 Travel makes a wise man better but a fool worse.— Thomas Fuller I awoke in my tent, confused by the insistent sound that pierced the night and shattered my dreams. I was still groping for the telephone with a sleepy…

Computing Across America, Chapter 23 by Steven K. Roberts Gainesville, Florida February 14, 1984  And the road, like a woman, lies down before him.— Nancy Johnson, “Ballad of Spooner,” Mellow Lady Security vs Freedom Commitment vs Change Love vs Wanderlust Must those be forever mutually exclusive? Freedom and security, freedom and security — the dilemma keeps resurfacing like…

Computing Across America, Chapter 22 by Steven K. Roberts Northern Florida January 31, 1984 (photo by Katy Peden, Clearwater)  You’re taking the trip and the trip’s taking you in equal measure. If it takes you five years to finish, the pace will still be exactly right.— Barbara Bernstein There are many ways to travel. You can drive to…

Computing Across America, Chapter 21 by Steven K. Roberts Gulf of Mexico January 22, 1984 If a man must be obsessed by something, I suppose a boat is as good as anything, perhaps a bit better than most.— E. B. White I wandered the docks of Fort Zachary Taylor with a yellow plastic band affixed to…

Computing Across America, Chapter 20 by Steven K. Roberts Key West, Florida January 19, 1984 It’s better to burn out than fade away.— Neil Young Nothing had changed, but everything was different. I rode the familiar streets, taking a serpentine route to where I supposed the action was. I didn’t have the money to stay on…

Computing Across America, Chapter 19 by Steven K. Roberts Key West, Florida January 13, 1984 You can’t have paradise and a network node.— Charles McGuinness (Photo above by Barbara Bernstein, taken in the garden of Key West’s idyllic Merlinn Guest House as I signed in to check mail and upload a story.) I stood and…