Show notes
Apple at 50: First Macs, HyperCard, iPod Halo, and Memories from the Early Days - Part 1 The hosts celebrate Apple's 50th anniversary (recorded April 1) and recommend David Pogue's book "Apple at 50," including his Computer History Museum interview. They invite listener stories and discuss first Apple computers (Apple IIe/IIc/II Plus), early BASIC programming habits, and Apple's influence in schools via HyperCard/HyperTalk. Jerry recounts starting on PC compatibles in a tool-and-die business, moving into Macs for music/MIDI and Finale, and shows a 1989 receipt for a Macintosh IIx system costing about $7,000 (roughly $14,730 in 2026 dollars). Listener Dwayne Moss shares memories working at Apple, concerts at sales conferences, seeing Steve Jobs introduce the iPod at Town Hall, and being hired and laid off three times. The group reflects on the iPod's Windows support, the "digital hub" era, early CD burning, Airport cards, Macworld/iPhone displays, Newton hardware, and transitions from PowerPC to Intel to Apple silicon. 00:00 Apple Turns 50 00:40 David Pogue Book Pick 01:59 First Apple Computers 03:56 Learning BASIC Early 06:34 Jerry's First Macs 09:25 Sticker Shock Pricing 11:55 From Punch Cards to AI 13:42 HyperCard Magic 15:38 Listener Story Dwayne 18:30 iPod Halo Effect 20:37 Digital Hub Creativity 24:15 CD Burning Nostalgia 26:31 Iconic iPhone Sounds 27:26 First Business Macs 28:49 Early WiFi Upgrades 30:35 Offline Computing Era 31:45 Macworld iPhone Memories 36:09 Newton Surprise Find 39:12 Early Influences 39:55 Jerry Career Pivot 46:23 Vintage Server Rooms 50:33 G4 to Intel Shift 50:55 Wrap