Computing on My Own Terms
I don’t make typical, “normal” decisions about how I use computers. And I am quite happy with that.
I don’t make typical, “normal” decisions about how I use computers.
“Oh, you want a computer? Here. Choose between a Chromebook, a Windows laptop, or a Mac.”
The heck with that!
I’ll use DOS. Or Amiga OS. Or Linux.
Or, heck, if I am going to use a Mac… you better believe that bad-boy is either 68k or PPC-powered and running MacOS 9 or earlier!
“But. But. You won’t have access to the massive software libraries of Windows and macOS!!!”
To which I reply… “So?”
Almost every game I play was made before the year 2000 anyway — and probably runs great in one emulator or another. And I have no burning need to run the same software as every other human on the planet. That just doesn’t enter into my decision making process.
You can have your Google Docs and Word 365… I’ll enjoy my Wordperfect, Wordgrinder, and Abiword. No biggie!
When it comes to computers — as with all areas of my life — I go where my heart takes me.
If I want to run Microsoft Windows 10 (or Windows 11)… I will. But will I want to? Not friggin’ likely.
Not when there are other glorious systems out there for me to enjoy. Haiku. MorphOS. Linux. Plus older systems like a 486 running DOS and Windows 3.11. Or a Powerbook 180c running MacOS 7.something. Or, heck, a Commodore 64. The C64 is a tight machine!
“Wait. You want to run Windows 3.11?! In 2021!?!?”
Sure! Why not? If a computer is useful and fun to use in 1993 — or 1982 for that matter — it still is in 2021! Is it a perfect system? … ha! Not by a long shot! But it sure does make me smile!
Old. New. Doesn’t matter!
When it comes to computers, there is only one question I ask that determines whether I will use it or not:
Am I happier because I use this computer?
If the answer is yes… then I use it!
Doesn’t matter why it makes me happy.
Doesn’t matter if other people would make the same decision.
Doesn’t matter in the slightest!
My computers are a part of my life. A part of me. I identify with my, specific, computers. The hardware. The OS. The software available. No matter how quirky they may be (and, often, because of it)!
Perhaps that is strange for some but, hey, I’m a nerd. I grew up in the 1980s where that was more common among us nerds. Just how G-d made me.
That decision making process is exactly the same for when I choose which On-Line services I use.
“You’ve gotta use YouTube! That’s what’s expected of you when you publish videos!”
BAH!
YouTube is yucky.
Spies on you, manipulates you… and censors you. Double-yuck-yuck.
GMail, Facebook, etc.? That’s a big ol’ “NO” from me.
So what do I use, right now, in 2021?
I publish articles and podcasts to Substack. Interact with my community on my own social media platform (Lunduke.Locals.com) — which, as it happens, is also where I publish videos.
I play On-Line games on my telnet BBS (bbs.lunduke.com) and, if I’m getting “non-BBS games”, it is probably from GOG.com.
For E-Mail? I use KolabNow. Have for years. Love it.
Each of those services makes me smile. Each for their own, unique reasons.
My life is better — happier! — because of those decisions.
Are there perfectly valid reasons people might want to use YouTube? Or Gmail? Sure! But those don’t make me happy. So the heck with them!
And cell phones! Don’t even get me started on cell phones! (Have you heard the good word about PalmOS and Windows CE based smartphones? They are so goofy and fun!) Sometimes I use an Android phone. Sometimes an iPhone. And, yes, sometimes a PalmOS phone. Why not?
As I stopped trying to justify my computing choices — based on practical, business, or popular reasons — the happier I became with my computers. And happier in general!
I’m not telling you to use the systems I use.
Because, quite honestly, the choices I make would probably not work well at all for most people. And that makes my choices even more fun! My computing experience is a unique one. With a personality and vibe all its own.
I hope that every one of you out there can find the same thing. That same… oneness with your computing.
Whatever that may be.
You deserve it.