Do You Remember?

I’d wager most of you likely couldn’t recall where you were or what you were doing on January 1, 1997, unless it was a recovery from one of those spectacularly unforgettable New Years parties where you kissed the girl of your dreams and somehow managed not to blow your chips or pass out from complete intoxication. As we leave our youthful era behind, it can certainly pose a challenge bringing to mind events from 20 years ago (hell sometimes 20 minutes ago). But in any case, two decades past seem like ancient history now.

It was during that time in which dinosaurs roamed the earth and a dial-up connection to America Online (AOL) was one of the only ways to access the World Wide Web. I had dabbled online here and there but kept it to a minimum, because honestly who wanted to pay an hourly fee for super slow access? Not this poor college student! I was still using cassette and VHS tapes to record stuff for crying out loud.

OK I’m digressing (and making myself feel old in the process). After AOL started unlimited access in December 1996, I joined the ranks of users fighting for a connection to get online. With the fear of hourly surcharges behind me, my internet presence skyrocketed. I discovered AOL included 2 megabytes of personal web space. Woah. 2 MEGAbytes. I mean, that’s more than any of us would ever need, right?

Here my interest in web development began its epic journey. It started out with a profound declaration: “I want to make a web page!” I didn’t know how, or where to start. Basically I had no bloody idea what I was doing, but I was gonna make a page anyway, dadgummit. With the aid of a friend showing the ropes, I mercilessly swiped code off other websites and threw it all together.

There, I admit it. I stole code.

Ah, I feel redeemed!