I slightly changed this question to Your life without a computer: What did it look like?
My husband was born into an engineering family. His dad was a university professor of computer science in Cuba and Mexico, and his mom was an IT specialist in Cuba. Both worked as a web developer and software engineering manager in America.
In the early 2000s, computers were very expensive in Japan. I think over $2500 (= about 250000~300000 yen) each. I didn’t have enough money, so I rented one in the university library every time.
By the way, my major was Spanish and Latin-American studies. I liked studying about language, culture, history, gender, and art.
Engineer’s bedroom in 2004
TV, DVD player and CDs…
Japanese university in 2005
I have written about how I met my husband.
One day, I talked to the professor in an elevator. He asked me if I wanted to be a student coordinator for exchange students. I agreed and got a job.
My husband was one of the few Spanish speakers and came to study the Japanese language and computer history. We became language partners and life partners later.
During the lecture
What is the professor teaching?
Sea urchin (uni)!? Why?
Look at students…🥱😪
In the 1980s, NEC (Japanese) computers were popular in Cuba. He got his first (NEC) computer at 10 and started learning how to use it. But the instructions were written in Japanese.
He had always been interested in Japanese computers but could not read Japanese. So, after entering university in America, he chose a computer programming major and also studied Japanese.
Even today, many engineering students and engineers are interested in Japanese. I am happy. 😊
And by coincidence, the Japanese professor who I met in an elevator is specializing in Cuban politics and history.
We still keep in touch with this professor.
Your life without a computer: what does it look like?
Two weeks ago, I spent 4 days without a computer. I was OK. 😅
Photos by LILI & iStock
7 responses to “Your life without a computer: what did it look like? 20 years ago…”
Nice trip to the past!
Thank you. 🙏😊 Are you an engineer? I think you told me so… Nowadays, computers are cheaper than before.I always buy used computers and replace them every 3 to 4 years.💻
If Software Engineer counts. My exposure to technology started with a radio. My grandfather taught me how to find illegal stations like VoA Europe, RFE, and Deutsche Welle because he was visually impaired.
with a shortwave radio?
He had something like Selena-215. However, the Internet says this one was after 1985, and his radio was from before 1980.
That’s amazing how you and your husband met. 🙂 I don’t think I could go without a computer… lol.. have you ever seen The Lawnmower Man?? Sort of like that.
Hi, I am Gen Y (born in the 1980s). At 17 or 18, I had a pager and a PHS (Personal Handy-phone System). Technology was part of my life, but computers were big, and the internet was slow.
I came to America in 2008. At that time, my phone was a Motofone…
Yes, I know the movie. 🙂 I could spend time without a computer only for a short time. I would get bored without games and YouTube.😅