The progression went quickly then from a 400 Mhz AMD-1700 MHz AMD - 2200 MHz AMD - 3000 MHz AMD. I've also had laptops for the last 10 years - 700 MHz AMD - Core 2 Duo Intel - Dual core AMD
Starting early with computers meant I was using 300 baud modems, connecting to local BBS's, typing in programs from Compute! and other computer magazines, using those ridiculously unreliable 5 1/4" floppies, playing text based adventures like Zork and playing great games like Winter Games. It was a lot of fun, but it was a lot of work. Which meant computers weren't really mainstream, which meant I was pretty much a nerd.
Today, computers are absolutely everywhere. People use them today as easily as they used to use their TV's and radios. It's just another way to consume media for many. More importantly it's a way for the world to connect. I could tell you how good the old days were in computing, but the things we can do today are incredible. Being able to collect and disseminate information almost instantly has changed the speed at which the world works and created entire new industries, while destroying information outlets of the past. Computers and the internet have empowered us - anyone can have instant access to almost all of the information in the world. And all of this has happened just within my lifetime.
I've got 27 years of playing, programming, building and repairing computers. I started on bulletin board systems in 1985, then QLink, Genie, AOL, and finally the internet in 1995. I was also an electronics tech in the Air Force and a phone man for a short stint. I've even built a couple of microprocessor controlled robots, which is something I'm getting back into as my kids become interested in the hobby.
I've also always had an affinity for writing. I've always been better at the written word than the spoken word. Writing clears my mind and makes me examine the subject more thoroughly and objectively than I would in casual conversation. When something is written down, it seems more substantial and permanent than if you are just shooting the breeze. Not to mention - look at the potential audience you have here. I can get to the entire world! When I made my first website at GeoCities back in 1998, I was always amazed when I would see visitors from Germany, Austrailia, Malaysia, etc. Prior to the internet, these were just people I had read about in a book. Now I was communicating with them!
In 2003, I wanted to start a website, so I spent a few days at whatever domain registrar I was using at the time going through all the domains that could have anything to do with computers. I was pleasantly surprised when MEANPC was available. Only 6 letters, it had PC in it, was easy to remember and a little edgy. Wasn't to crazy about MEAN being in the URL, though. It wasn't my intention to make people think either I or my PC were assholes.
So I started my website and ended up recruiting others to write with me. At one time we had 7 of us working on the site. It was starting to gain a little traction, then people started losing interest, or bickering or wanted to just do their own thing. Since then I've had a few iterations of MeanPC, and have always disliked what it turned into. Either it was too fluffy, too profit centered, or just no fun. Above all, I've got to have fun with this.
So this time, it's going to be just me writing whatever the hell I feel like writing about that day. And I'll try and do it everyday. I hope a lot of people read and enjoy what I have to say. Thanks for coming by.
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