In 10th grade (1985/86), I had a friend who worked in a small computer store. I was into computers so I dropped in one time to check it out. He introduced me to his boss and after a brief conversation he asked if I was interested in programming. I was. He loaned me a PC clone , let me borrow his car to get it home, and I was off.

I had exaggerated my knowledge (and my boss clearly knew that) so I skipped school the next few days and dug into the amazing manuals and got up to speed on DOS, on Clipper (a DBASE III compiler), and edlin and finished the task in a couple of weeks.

I took the pay and bought the computer and wrote Clipper programs for the next few years. Those nights spent staring at amber text were so satisfying. I’m very grateful to have been given that opportunity.