Dave’s been doing a lot of videos on the PDP-11. I’m trying to figure out when this started. I found several within the past few months. Why the sudden interest? As of today, I count 9 video’s mentioning the PDP on his channel. But nothing before a year ago. To hear him talk, the PDP-11 holds a place in his heart. So why no mention for 5 years? Odd.
So far this is the oldest one I’ve found (and it’s a short), from a year ago.
The very first video I found on his channel (not concerning the PDP) of his is from 6 years ago see below.
OK I found my answer. His fondness for the PDP, stemmed from a friend having a PDP in their dining room and using UNIX on it in school. This lead to an interest in Linux in 1992. He says most of the hardcore CS stuff in school was on the PDP.
So nostalgia plays a large part. Same with me. One thing I envy about his story, is it began with UNIX, with me it was RSTS/E, which I loved. However I think UNIX is a more serious OS. After all it’s still a thing and RSTS/E isn’t
He talks about it (3 years ago) here…