date: Sun 29 Jun 2025 12:01:57 AM PDT
subj: escape computing electronics operating systems
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One of the great escapes I used to enjoy was computing and
electronics. I did this enough to have computing become my
career. I used to love exploring a new system, like the nix
systems, Thunix, SDF, Tilde town, Tilde club, almost any BBS I
could find (dial up days, and telnet).
Exploring a new operating system was always a great time. What
the OS UI interface had to offer. The install screens, the
style of the OS and artistry in the graphic design, would bring
a sense of novelty to the exploration.
I remember installing RedHat Linux 5.1 that was amazing to me.
Or getting a ultra small linux system like HAL 91 linux.
Trying to make the OS connect to a network was an adventure as
well.
Programs/Applications. I remember finding out about emacs, and I
used it for years, then I found vim and switched. Stuff like
midnight commander (mc), or last file manager (lfm), ranger,
screen, or tmux, all great fun.
Installing and using my older OS MSDOS on a computer, or
FreeDos.
Windows server versions are on the list as well.
All these adventures helped keep me immersed in the systems for
which my career is based on.
Hardware was a great escape as well. Like a new keyboard. I used
to love to test all the keyboard in the Frys computer store. I
still enjoy using different keyboards. I wish I could bring
those keyboards to work and use them as my daily, but the one I
want to bring is too clicky.
Other hardware like old network gateway devices with CLI
interfaces are fun to interact with.
Retro 8 bit C64, VIC20, C128 are also fun. I like using the disk
commands on those systems and attempt to transfer data from
floppy to floppy.
These days things things are not as fun as they used to be.
Computing is a time consuming endeavors. Sitting there messing
with computers just for messing sake takes away from
responsibilities. Although its a great escape I feel the weight
of responsibilities chores, and it all feels like its slipping
away from me.
I guess this is the change of who I was to who I am.
