Exploring Ideas

Early phase: Training at Pratiksha Computer Centre began with the Sinclair ZX Spectrum in the mid-1980s, operating with BASIC and audio cassettes (Compact Cassette) as storage media, where students learned BASIC programming and used audio cassettes for saving programs . One of the most famous computers of that era was the Sinclair ZX Spectrum, released in 1982 in the UK and later brought to India by enthusiasts. At that time, the Spectrum was a rare machine in Kerala, and many students experienced their very first exposure to computers through this platform. Transition phase: By the time Personal Computers (PC) first became available in Kerala through sellers in Ernakulam, Saji Kallat immediately brought them to the institute. The centre introduced IBM PCs and compatibles, starting with Intel 8086 processors that used 5.25-inch floppy disks for storage. Students learned to boot the systems using floppy disks and practiced commands in text-only DOS environments...

Early beginnings with computers: In the mid-1980s, Abin P had his first exposure to the Sinclair ZX Spectrum . Programs were typed in BASIC and saved on ordinary audio cassettes, with the computer converting digital data into sound that could later be reloaded. This hands-on experience sparked a lifelong fascination with machines, electronics, and the process of learning by experimenting. Background: In the late 1990s, while working as a Software Instructor at a computer institute in Kozhikode, Abin P developed a keen interest in websites and the emerging internet. At that time, the internet had not yet reached Kozhikode. Abin immersed himself in computer magazines, which became his classroom. These magazines carried screenshots of websites, code samples, and detailed articles that explained how the web functioned. Using only these printed resources, he taught himself HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) coding and began designing complete websites on a Windows PC with a simple text ...