[smokel]

Most kids that grew up during the timeline you described had no interest in computer architecture. The small minority that did care is probably the same size now.

The other 99% who were into yoyo-ing back then are now into TikTok, that's all.

[Swizec]

> The other 99% who were into yoyo-ing back then are now into TikTok, that's all.

Hey dude, some of us were yo-yoing while waiting for Gentoo to build from stage 0. Compiling an OS on a single-core Athlon takes time.

For the 3 days it takes to build all the way up to KDE, you have no computer. Hope you didn’t forget something

[lucaspiller]

Don't forget the fan controllers to try to make it silent and the neon lights. I still have that machine at my parents house, used it a couple of years ago to rip all my teenage CDs to digital formats.

[picofarad]

distcc-pump And, I forget what the toolchain setup is called, but on gentoo its literally just `emerge -1av <toolchain-thing> distcc` on machine with beef and just `emerge -1 distcc` on athlon...

I found out how to do it consistently in 2010 and its like black magic knowing how to target a real OS at BS hardware.

[Swizec]

I was doing this in 2003 and my computer was also the internet/network router for our house. When that thing was down, you had no access to external information that you didn’t pre-save somewhere.

One time I forgot to install network drivers and had to download them through my flip phone via GPRS and then awkwardly load onto the computer via a clunky USB connection. Fun times.

Also my English wasn’t this good yet. I’m sure it would’ve been a lot easier had I actually understood all the tutorials and documentation fully.

[knotimpressed]

Some of my least favourite nights and most cherished childhood memories involve troubleshooting broken or missing network drivers the only functional Linux box I had working. Never had to use a flip phone, but sure came close a few times.

Nothing I’d ever willingly re-live if given the chance, but always fun to look back on and grin.

[themanmaran]

I'd wager that even if you didn't nerd out on computer architecture, just living through progression of CDs -> mp3s -> ipods -> streaming gives kids a better grounding than the iPad is where music comes from they have today

[trumpdong]

At school we have Disney Plus with a box with a thing with a hole in it! https://www.reddit.com/r/KidsAreFuckingStupid/comments/1tv4f...

[lukan]

I would argue yoyo is way more healthy than TikTok.

[petemill]

The difference is more of those people can use local file management than the new generation joining office environments.