4 ms·

I grew up in Germany during the home computer boom in the 80s and there was a definite anti-computer vibe at the time, my classmates thought I was contributing

I grew up in Germany during the home computer boom in the 80s and there was a definite anti-computer vibe at the time, my classmates thought I was contributing to the destruction of the high culture that was so superior to the US. Even though there were many cool platforms I think ultimately the pro-tech and pro-business atmosphere in the US drove the smaller competitors in Europe out of business. Which isn't to say that European companies aren't strong in some areas. Here at hp we love STM32 micros (French/Italian), German robotics and automation equipment, optical equipment and of course ARM, which is a direct outgrowth of the pioneering European micro culture.

pjc50 6y ago
I'm surprised and disappointed that was the prevailing culture in Germany, which is famous for its engineering culture; I guess that's limited to mechanical engineering? The British microcomputer boom had a huge boost from a classic "dirigiste" state direction, involving the BBC producing a TV series to educate the public and a matching computer to work along at home with. That led to Sophie Wilson being hired straight out of Cambridge to produce it, and ultimately to ARM.
- wink 6y ago
  100% - if you look at the landscape now, everything digital is still pretty much new and not working ("Das Internet ist für uns Neuland" in 2013). Broadband is worse than in other countries, government interaction is pretty much non-digital and other things (there recently was a big thread about a government game development grant that was so startup-adverse that the person telling the story was lucky to not have been bankrupted) and it goes on and on. Also remember all the pixelated houses in Google maps? I wanted to look something up yesterday, image was made in 2008 and everything is pixelated. Despite working in tech I don't see Germany in any sort of leading role in anything digital or IT and this won't change.

pjc50 6y ago

I'm surprised and disappointed that was the prevailing culture in Germany, which is famous for its engineering culture; I guess that's limited to mechanical engineering? The British microcomputer boom had a huge boost from a classic "dirigiste" state direction, involving the BBC producing a TV series to educate the public and a matching computer to work along at home with. That led to Sophie Wilson being hired straight out of Cambridge to produce it, and ultimately to ARM.

wink 6y ago
100% - if you look at the landscape now, everything digital is still pretty much new and not working ("Das Internet ist für uns Neuland" in 2013). Broadband is worse than in other countries, government interaction is pretty much non-digital and other things (there recently was a big thread about a government game development grant that was so startup-adverse that the person telling the story was lucky to not have been bankrupted) and it goes on and on. Also remember all the pixelated houses in Google maps? I wanted to look something up yesterday, image was made in 2008 and everything is pixelated. Despite working in tech I don't see Germany in any sort of leading role in anything digital or IT and this won't change.