Not exactly like doing research in an unspoiled wildland environment :)

But avidly collecting data from natural science experiments that have so much more to offer than people have been gathering.

For this particular analytical technique, I really thought computers were going to be helpful once they came within reach whether it was mainframes or not.

It took until 1984 IIRC before I could figure that more powerful desktop PCs than I could justify, in more uniquely equipped chem labs would surely be as advanced as in this article by the late 1980's.

Gee was I disappointed :(

The Reagan Recession really did put a damper on things for a few decades to follow.

XRD has come a long way since, but still always seemed like it could benefit from more effective use of the computer the whole time.

No time like the present :)