Welcome — Computer Roomhttps://computerroom.net/tags/welcome/A little room on the internet.en-gbHugoThu, 24 Sep 2026 15:48:00 +0100The computer is onhttps://computerroom.net/journal/2026/09/the-computer-is-on/Thu, 24 Sep 2026 15:48:00 +0100https://computerroom.net/journal/2026/09/the-computer-is-on/Hello and welcome. I wanted to set up my own little corner of the internet, where everyone (including myself) can pop in and out of as desired. I was inspired by the actual computer room that was in my parents’ house growing up. Back then, in the 2000s, technology was something that existed in a particular physical space, not something all-consuming, all-knowing and in your face all the time. I would go to the computer room, turn on the clunky grey PC and buzzing CRT monitor, and wait for a long time before it was ready to use.Hello and welcome.

I wanted to set up my own little corner of the internet, where everyone (including myself) can pop in and out of as desired.

I was inspired by the actual computer room that was in my parents’ house growing up. Back then, in the 2000s, technology was something that existed in a particular physical space, not something all-consuming, all-knowing and in your face all the time. I would go to the computer room, turn on the clunky grey PC and buzzing CRT monitor, and wait for a long time before it was ready to use.

If I wanted to surf the World Wide Web, I’d have to check if anyone else was using the modem. Going online meant listening to an array of buzzing and beepy R2-D2 noises and then I was there. Connected to the rest of the world.

The Internet used to feel open, personal, and hugely exciting before commercial interests took over and kept us fed on an algorithm of slop. You found new websites by following links, stumbling onto personal websites with a huge diversity of designs. Social media (if that is even the right word for what existed at the time - Piczo, MySpace, Bebo) was all about personalisation and expression. I marvelled at what could be done and the ways I could interact with others and personalise my own sites. The WWW was a really exciting place to just exist in and explore for a while. When I was done, I turned the computer (and monitor) off and went on with my life. A simpler time.

I am nostalgic for what the future used to feel like, rather than just wanting this past back. I think that theme will unite a lot of what I’m going to write about on this blog.

I’m not a web developer so I used Claude Code to build out this site for me. But everything I post will be completely me, full of imperfections. Its all self-hosted on my little Debian box. I want this room in the internet to be my own little corner; cosy, but open to all. My own little space where I can think out loud for a bit, then leave and get on with my life. Just like before.

Thanks for visiting the Computer Room. I’ll be back soon, but this feels like an ok start.

Alex

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