Banquet Speaker of TCF 2007
Sol Libes Abstract : The personal computer is the result of the efforts by many hobbyists building their own computers in their homes, basements and garages. Beginning in the 1960's, companies discarded aging computers and components. These found their way to amateur radio flea markets, junkyards, and dealers of used electronic equipment. Hobbyists bought these units for experimentation at home. They transformed computers originally designed for military, commercial, and business use into general-purpose programmable personal computer systems. Sol Libes was one of these computer hobbyists. He will talk about these early hobbyist efforts. Sol will show pictures of hobbyist-built computers constructed in the 1960's and 1970's. This was long before one could buy a Personal Computer in a store. Bio : Sol a retired Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Programmin. He has a BA from the City University of New York and an MS from Rutgers University. Sol is the author of 16 books, most on Personal Computer hardware and software design. Many have been translated into foreign languages. He has authored over 300 magazine articles that have appeared in more than 30 different magazines and journals. From 1975-1981 he was a monthly columnist in Byte magazine (for many years the leading Personal Computer magazine). From 1979-1987 he was the Editor of Microsystems Journal (a publication for computer hardware and software designers). For many years he was a member of the IEEE Computer Standards Committee developing PC hardware interface standards. He also served as a consultant to several companies on PC hardware and software design. Sol founded the Amateur Computer Group of New Jersey in early 1975. It is the oldest Personal Computer Club in the world. Sol served as ACGNJ President for many years. In 1976 Sol, together with Allen Katz, founded the Trenton Computer Festival. Sol is currently an instructor at Ewing SeniorNet teaching seniors how to get the most out of their personal computers. |