I’ll be the first to admit it: I had difficulty paying attention in school. I spent a lot of time daydreaming – particularly when a subject didn’t interest me. That explains why the harder school became, the worse my grades got.
There were a few exceptions to the rule, though. Ask me to write a story and my brain was happy. Sit me in front of a computer and I would be mesmerized for hours. I always excelled in those areas.
Thus, it’s no surprise that I managed to find a career that lets me do both. A mix of writing and building websites combines two of my favorite things. And yes, I still sit at a computer all day.
How did I get here? I thought it would be fun to look back at the technology that shaped me.
Computers as a Rare Treat
My first exposure to computers came in elementary school. It was the mid-1980s and our school had a small room with a few Apple IIe systems. They were big, clunky desktop devices that likely weighed more than me. The setup was anything but ergonomic, with thick keyboards placed on a table that was way too high for a child to reach comfortably. In that way, it was also my introduction to carpal tunnel syndrome.
Trips to the computer room were rare and I thought of them as a special occasion. A few times a year, we’d head in to play games like The Oregon Trail or practice our math skills. These sessions had a major impact on me.
Our family didn’t have a computer at home (we wouldn’t get one until I was 16). I was desperate to get my hands on one. So, I made a beeline to displays set up in stores like RadioShack or Hills. If a person I was visiting had a computer, that’s where I’d be for the entirety. Years later, I would spend a lot of time at my sister’s house playing SimCity.
What attracted me to these devices? I’m sure the games had something to do with it. But I also felt like they were futuristic. Remember, this was the heyday of new wave music and Max Headroom. Computers helped us invent new things and do what others couldn’t. Even as a kid, I could see how they were changing our lives.
The opportunity to sit down in front of a computer was a taste of the future. That excited me more than any toy.
If You Need Me, I’ll Be at the Arcade
Personal computers whet my appetite for technology. But the local arcade is where I fell in love with it.
We were fortunate to live across the street from a mall. It wasn’t the most exciting place in the world, but it did have a digital oasis for me to waste time in.
I was a near-daily presence at the Space Port Arcade. Many hours were spent playing Spy Hunter, Pole Position, Marble Madness, Ms. Pac-Man, 720°, and other classic games. They held my attention like few things could.
I recall my mom frequently coming in and asking “Are you done yet?” I also had a funny (to me) habit of sticking out my tongue while playing (just like Michael Jordan).
I also challenged myself to see how long I could make a dollar last. An hour or more of gaming wasn’t unusual – a stark contrast to modern arcades, where $20 lasts about 20 minutes. Seriously, it’s worse than a casino.
I still frequent a classic arcade in my area – shout out to Timeline Arcade in Hanover, PA! The games and the experience of being around them are still meaningful. It may be the thing I miss most about childhood.
Searching for a Career Path
I knew I wanted to work with computers. However, I wasn’t sure of the specifics. I couldn’t think of an obvious path.
I received my first PC back in 1994. We didn’t have an internet connection or even a printer. So, I spent most of my time exploring Windows 3.1.1 and MS-DOS. I learned how to load games from a floppy disc or CD-ROM (of course). I also discovered the pain of re-installing Windows after a system crash – all valuable lessons.
My first online experience was with AOL. It was $20 a month for 5 hours of access and additional hours were $5 each. Needless to say, I ran out of my allotted hours very quickly.
It wasn’t until an unlimited internet provider came to town that I fully embraced the internet. My parents weren’t thrilled that my modem tied up the phone line, though. 😅
Thankfully, all that time spent online paid off. I became curious about building websites and started experimenting with HTML. I was amazed that anyone could view the source code of a page. I used this little browser feature to continue my learning.
Web design, such as it was in those days, became a passion. So did the web itself. You can read more about that in: The Web as a Plot of Land
Still Looking for What’s Next
Technology still fascinates me all these years later. I enjoy watching the evolution of computing power. I know, desktop systems aren’t as popular as they used to be. But they still reign supreme in speed, storage capacity, and multitasking. And there are some things you just can’t do on your phone.
I’m also thinking about artificial intelligence (AI) quite a bit. I use it in my day job to generate code and some menial tasks. Who knows what we’ll be doing with it a few years from now.
All the gadgets and gizmos do come at a cost, though. I’m old enough to recognize the downside of technology – or the humans who control it. User privacy and security are on the back burner while companies keep marching forward – consequences be damned. It has certainly taken the shine off the industry.
Even so, I can’t imagine myself becoming resistant to technology as I get older. The desire to experiment with it is in my blood.