 When I was a teenager I spent a large amount of time tweaking my operating system: how the user interface looked, its behavior, sometimes it's low-level plumbings. While I did learn some stuff doing that, learning wasn't the goal. I did it because it was fun. It was useless, but fun! In a world of corporate-infused boredom, I think you should have fun too with computers. 1/3 4 comments
But that doesn't mean you can't do it anymore. You'll have to steer away from the mainstream, macOS in particular but Windows too, and even mainstream Linux desktop environments which have sadly decided to copy the corporate bullshit. But it can be done! Pick a smaller BSD, do a weird Gentoo install, deliberately use an older machine, do as many mistakes as needed. Do not feel compelled to go with the mainstream. Have fun and don't let the joy of playing with computers be taken from you. 3/3  @gabrielesvelto You can see a bit of this whimsy in Jurassic Park. Remember when you typed the password wrong, the IT guy’s face appears on screen and you hear his voice go “ah ah ahh” meaning “o no you don’t.” That kind of silly personalisation was how you knew he was skilled with the computer. He was a user who was definitely in charge. |
Gregory's Server
Some things have changed for the worst: back in the day you could tweak the user interface to your heart's content. That was before Steve Jobs wanted to have knobs and other bullshit. Before "touch interfaces" ushered an era of idiotic minimalism where you can't tell what an icon does, or how it's different from the other. Back in a day where interfaces were supposed to be consistent between applications, and *customizable*. When the *user* was supposed to be in charge. 2/3