Before Our Attention Was a Commodity: Memories of a Pre-Web Internet

a year ago

The author reflects on their early experiences with the pre-web Internet, using public terminals and university computers in the late 1990s.
They recall playing games like Tetris and Scorched Earth on public Macs and PCs, and learning the command line on VT100 terminals.
The transition from text-based interfaces to graphical ones like Mosaic marked a significant shift in their computing experience.
A programming class in high school introduced them to Turbo Pascal and structured programming, sparking a lifelong interest in coding.
The author highlights the political implications of access to technology, contrasting private university resources with public school equipment.
They express concern over the current lack of accessible, open learning spaces for underprivileged kids, who often only have locked-down devices.
The author advocates for public investment in technology education, such as providing Linux computers to all kids and allowing easier sideloading on Apple hardware.
They believe that expanding these opportunities will benefit society by fostering the next generation of tech innovators.

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