[vertis]

I can trace my success as a software engineer to the 'too big' presents my parents bought me for xmas/birthday. I had a desktop computer of my own as 10 year old in 1992, and a laptop, a Powerbook 190 with a 16 grayscale screen, in 1995. A 33.6k modem also in 1995 (and a second phone line because my parents got sick of me tying up the main line).

I only had these things because my parents recognised my interests and bought things that were WAAAY too big for birthdays/xmas.

[jjeaff]

Same for me. And I keep this in mind when trying to help or trying to not be judgemental of people who are less fortunate than myself.