Rebuilding the Computer Room
This essay reflects on the evolution of the 'computer room' from a fixed, bulky appliance location to the ubiquitous, portable computing environment of today. It traces the transition from desktop PCs to laptops as the primary driver of computing freedom.
Why it matters
It provides cultural context on how the physical relationship between humans and technology has fundamentally changed over the last few decades.
One of my distinct memories of childhood is the “computer room”. When I was young, computers weren’t a ubiquitous feature of our lives; they were bulky appliances with a fixed location, and you had to go somewhere to use them.
Personal reflection on technological history with no political or economic agenda.
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