Defining Moments in IT History.
A 200-word explanation of what the defining moment was in IT history. In this case, the "Killer App" which made the Sinclair ZX80.
This small snippet was originally written for a competition in "Computing" Magazine in May 2001.
You may misunderstand my reason for nominating Sinclair's ZX80 as the defining moment in IT history.
True, it introduced fame and fortune to a generation who kick-started a programming revolution -putting computing power in the hands of the masses. Neither am I focusing on the revelation that Computing could be Graphical; foreshadowing the Client/Server revolution and the visually-orientated Internet ?
NO. There was one "Killer App" which defined the paradigm shift; PONG.
Surely you remember the bats missing that white ball, as you lost 10-12 against your neighbour ? Here was something more significant; Pong was multi-user. You did not play as a single-user against Pong (a solo, narcissistic habit); you played against someone else.
How many family relationships were strengthened (or ruined) as the scores mounted ? Here was drama, a common bond. Unlike passive TV, multi-user games involved other people, personalities, opinions, complaints of cheating, victory cries and tears.
The computer had brought about new forms of social interaction.
As I run NetMeeting across the Atlantic, host family pictures on the web, or email my CV to another .COM, I remember that I am dealing with other people. People like me, interacting with each other.
The computer is just a tool.