by Corey Chambers
In the late 1970s, the world of computing was on the brink of a revolution, and I found myself at the heart of it all. It was 1977 to 1979, and I was just a young enthusiast, eager to explore the burgeoning world of technology. My bold tech adventures began at the Byte Shop in Long Beach, one of the first Apple computer stores, more than 20 years before today’s Apple Store was invented. Conveniently located near California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) — in this small shop, my life changed.
Warning: Intimate details are included in this true personal story of pubescent experiences. Those who are easily disturbed by the thoughts, feelings and experiences of this daring 13 year old gay geek might want to skip this one.
The Byte Shop was a treasure trove of possibilities, one of the few havens for computer enthusiasts at the time. There were only a handful of Byte Shops across the country at the time, making it a rare gem. It happened to be in my nice, clean middle class neighborhood of Los Altos, a few blocks from my school, Stanford Junior High, and only one block from my best friend Lenny. We met in school, engaged in many social and entrepreneurial activities, but we particularly enjoyed technology. We initially went there together, and I also went by myself. This particular shop became my sanctuary, a formative place where I could immerse myself in the wonders of computing.
From the moment I first laid eyes on the Apple II, I was captivated. “TA-DA!!!” The excitement was instantaneous and palpable. Before me was the first user-friendly, powerful, and consumer-friendly computer. The Apple II was a marvel, a beacon of what the future held. The Byte Shop also sold other other computers of the era, which were monochromatic and emitted little to no sound. The Apple II boasted color, sound, and basic graphics. It had a keyboard and, soon after its release, floppy disk drives— a monumental leap from the horrendously slow and unreliable cassette tapes that were still in use.
At the Byte Shop, Lenny and I were granted the extraordinary privilege of using the Apple II at no cost, whenever it was not occupied by staff or customers. Each session was a voyage of discovery. The vibrant colors, the keyboard, and the ability to create to play many games, use powerful utilities, and to create my own programs, were unlike anything I had experienced before. It was clear that this machine was more than just a novelty; it was a harbinger of change. So extremely attractive, the powerful tech object would lure me in time and time again to wear out my welcome. I spent so much time at the Byte Shop, occasionally interfering with prospective Apple sales to actual customers. I’m sure I caused the patient salesperson to occasionally sweat. It’s the place where I first remember catching a whiff of my own maturing 13-year old armpits for the first time. Time to try start freeloading on dad’s Sure spray deodorant.
Simultaneously, we had the good fortune of gaining very early access to the Cyber and RSTS mainframe computers at the CSULB computer lab. These hulking giants still relied on punch cards and magnetic tape, a stark contrast to the sleek and nimble Apple II. I spent countless hours learning BASIC, crafting simple text-based adventure space games on both the mainframe and on the Apple 2. One of my favorite pastimes was playing the ubiquitous Star Trek game, a perfect fit for a Trekkie like myself who had attended the Star Trek convention in Los Angeles less than two years prior. The mesmerizing experience of navigating the universe of Star Trek further fueled my fascination with computers and tech.
In addition to my mainframe escapades, I began learning basic electronics in the university’s electronics lab, thanks to a no-cost tutor friend whom we met on the campus. Upon learning about our new free teacher, Leonard’s generous and vigilant mother said, “Be careful: He might be a queer. Do you know what a queer is?” Len played dumb and responded “no,” while I admitted “yes”. She responded, “I figured YOU would.” The fact was that most everyone our age in Long Beach knew because “fag” and “queer” were heard as daily junior high school taunts. By that time, Lenny was already more than knowledgeable. He was more than cooperative, engaging in the experiences and benefits of my own active pubescent queerness and my slightly androgenous appearance.
Speaking of queers, computers and teen circumstances, one day I used the Byte Shop restroom, and quite accidentally walked out with my zipper unzipped. In the adjacent office sat a business man, who happened to look a lot like the famous Byte Shop founder who gave Steve Jobs his first big order, Paul Terrell. It could have been any of five Terrell Brothers (or none of them, per my fuzzy memory.) The man happened to notice that my hot dog stand was open, and he generously offered to help me zip up my pants, and, in the process, seemingly diddled my 13 year old boyhood just a bit. The same man later leaned against a chair back, atop of which my hand was resting. I felt his seemingly excited manhood pressing against my hand. It occurred to me to be deliberate and inappropriate (I was not into older men). I told my older brother about these uncomfortable encounters, and he promptly told my dad, who sternly ordered me not to go back to the Byte Shop. I was able to stay away for just a few months. With abundant energy and enthusiasm at that age, I was walking and bussing around Long Beach and the Greater Los Angeles Area doing a very large number of new things. I was not overly sheltered, delicate or fragile, so the advantages certainly outweighed the dangers of the Byte Shop.
I was shocked when my best friend Lenny was able to talk his mother into buying him an Apple II, from the same Byte Shop store. I stayed over at his house for days at a time, playing, programming and experimenting with the very expensive device, which cost around $1,200 altogether with the floppy drive. That’s like a middle class 12 year old child getting a $4,500 computer today. Most people in the world had no access to these amazing tools at that time (My family could not even afford an Atari video game). Hanging out at his housea for countless hours, several days at a time, I played on my friend’s apple the entrepreneurial Lemonade Stand game, enjoyed imaginative adventure games, and had conversations with an early attempt at an A.I. chat program called Eliza. Len taught me a great deal about computers and programming. Did you know that there are no truly random numbers? That’s right. The Apple 2 taught me that nothing is random. Things only seem random because we don’t have all of the information about how things come about.
While these intimate details would be omitted from most tech memoirs, the pubescent biological connection was part and parcel to the tech because of the time, place and my own personal circumstances and personality. Computers are sexy, and, in my case, that must be emphasized. For teen boys of today, tech might be just a tool for homework or hushed release. For me, the Apple II was part and parcel of a much bigger picture. As a gay man today, it’s not necessarily about having kids — it’s about learning more, later focusing more on work (24/7 of enjoyable work is fantastic life/work balance for me), and culminating in giving back to society in a very profound way.
The Apple II stood out as a beacon of what was to come. It was clear that computers were destined to change the world profoundly. The Apple II’s user-friendly interface and powerful capabilities made it accessible to a broader audience, laying the groundwork for the personal computing revolution. Adventurous, attentive Lenny and his Apple made a childhood dream come true, creating one of the most exciting and impressive periods of my life. It was the dawn of a new era, and I knew I was witnessing something truly unique and powerful for the future.
Nothing is random. In 2013, I finally got my own Apple computer, a fully loaded MacBook Air, which has ever since been with me nearly 24/7. Looking back, those early days at the Byte Shop and CSULB were more than just a formative experience; they were a glimpse into the future. The Apple II ignited a passion within me, a realization that the future had indeed arrived. Computers would become a cornerstone of modern life, and I was fortunate enough to be there at the beginning, experiencing the thrill of discovery and the promise of endless possibilities.
Thank God I had free-range parents! Enjoyment and accomplishment won big over fears and harms. Should the Byte Shop have been a place where all family members could go without any kind of bothering or molestation? Of course. Nevertheless, the life experiences that I encountered, good and bad, prepared me to be able take on any challenge far into the future. This comprehensive immersion in hardware, software and personalities enriched my understanding and appreciation of technology, business and life. The convergence of these experiences—the powerful Apple II, the imposing mainframes, the intricacies of electronics, along with complex personal interrelations — painted a vivid picture of the future. Words cannot describe the range and level of excitement that I felt, and the appreciation that I still carry today.
The introduction of the Apple II computer transformed my world in ways I could never have imagined. It ignited my passion for technology, leading me to learn COBOL programming and eventually become a satellite navigation telemetry computer system operator in the at the Space Test Center, Onizuka Air Force Base in the Silicon Valley. This foundation in technology and relationships around computing set the stage for my current ventures. Today, I am channeling that same innovative spirit into Entar Real Estate LLC, a visionary enterprise poised to become the trillion-dollar real estate company of the future. With a focus on integrating advanced technologies like blockchain and AI, I am now accepting investors who share the vision of revolutionizing the real estate industry. The journey that began with the Apple II has come full circle, as the innovations of the past continue to inspire and drive the breakthroughs of tomorrow.
Friends, family and qualified investors may request information on owning part of the trillion dollar real estate company of the future, Entar Real Estate LLC. Not available to the general public. Fill out the online form.
Copyright © This free information provided courtesy Entar.com with information provided by Corey Chambers, Broker DRE 01889449. We are not associated with the seller, homeowner’s association or developer. For more information, contact 888-240-2500 or visit WeSellCal.com Licensed in California. All information provided is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified. Text and photos created or modified by artificial intelligence. My friend’s name has been changed to protect privacy. Properties subject to prior sale or rental. This is not a solicitation if buyer or seller is already under contract with another broker.
