Author: Ryan

  • Compaq X Williams Racing

    As Williams currently sits atop the F1 midfield (Go Alex! Go Carlos! Go James!), I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the team’s brief, but glorious Compaq sponsorship.

    A picture of a Williams-branded Compaq desktop PC. I can’t find any information about it other than a picture. If you have any more details or context, let me know!
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  • A Brief, but Surprising History of Nuts.com

    The box from my recent Nuts.com order

    After reading How The Internet Happened, I’ve been thinking a lot about the dot-com bubble and all the “thing-we-sell dot com” sites that popped up during this time.

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  • Sunday Scaries 3/30/25

    I figure if I’m running a blog I may as well get a little personal and blog-y. That’s what these posts will be; every Sunday, whatever’s top of mind.

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  • Mini Book Review: How the Internet Happened: From Netscape to the IPhone – Brian McCullough

    Not a definitive history of the internet but rather an in-depth look at some of the companies and products that (as of 2018) made the biggest impact.

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  • Welcome to Standard Issue Computing!

    This is probably not a surprise to anyone who follows my Bluesky account, but I’ve been really into vintage computer stuff for the past couple of years. This sparks joy for me, so I’m shifting my focus to retro and modern computer games, hardware, software, accessories, history, books, documentaries, etc.

    What’s new:

    • Computer (PC and beyond) focus
    • More (non-game) software, hardware, history
    • This blog!
    • The Standard Issue Computing podcast (coming this summer)

    What’s the same:

    • Consistent Bluesky posts (don’t worry: games will still be rated on the (not)patented Fun Factor / Vibe scale)
    • For better or worse, all words, pictures, photos, and videos by me
    • No AI slop

    I hope this sparks joy for you as well,

    Ryan

    DefStanVGA

  • Spring Break in New Britannia

    Yesterday I had (much-needed) sinus surgery (scheduled during my spring break to avoid missing work). It was a pretty miserable experience and once I got home I re-wrapped my nose in gauze and took the medicines the doctor prescribed. I’m not sure if it was the Norco, but when I sat down at my computer in search of a distraction, Shroud of the Avatar: Forsaken Virtues called to me.

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