Early Vid: Owning Computer Stores in the '90s
Added 2024-04-11 19:08:44 +0000 UTCDad and I sat down to talk about his experience owning and operating computer stores and a PC wholesale operation from 1995 to the early 2000s.
Thank you so much for all the questions everyone submitted, it really helped us form the basis of the interview. If I missed or didn't quite cover your question I apologize, please ask any questions you have here and I can ask Dad directly!
Planning to put the video live on the channel tomorrow afternoon.
Comments
I enjoyed this video as much as I hoped I would! Thanks for prompting us for questions, it was such a great Patreon perk. It is crazy how quickly that window of profitability opened then closed for him. Hearing about his love for computers enduring even after the tough wind-down is really inspiring. Your story about running around the warehouse playing with old tech unlocked a core memory for me. My father was the program director for a radio station and I, like you, have found memories messing around with old equipment. The main engineer was shared my multiple stations in the region so when he wasn't around I would go through his work/storage area (which was a closet sized walk in bank vault) which was packed with just about everything. Like you, those experiences are likely why I made a career in IT. You've also helped me realize I need to get some stories from my Dad on tape for posterity. Thank you for bringing us this great content and especially for your Dad to give us a glimpse into the world of 90s computer retail!
Callan Christensen
2024-04-15 06:05:03 +0000 UTCglad you liked it! yeah I'm realizing maybe I should've gotten a map in there for everyone else haha
clabretro
2024-04-13 11:48:30 +0000 UTCWhat a fun video, cheers! Being from the west coast it was easy to follow along with all the areas mentioned in and around Seattle, which made the whole thing feel even more mid-‘90s nostalgic for me.
Liquorist
2024-04-13 05:26:59 +0000 UTCyeah wild they're still around! I do plan to archive all those newsletters, I'll post whenever I get that done!
clabretro
2024-04-12 22:26:26 +0000 UTCA while back when you first mentioned Computer Renaissance I did a quick Google search. I didn't know until then that Play It Again Sports and Plato's Closet were franchises and related franchises at that. Looking at the current franchising company's site, it becomes obvious because all the logos, including CR, have the O made out of two arrows. Doing more research after watching this video, I was very surprised to see that a bunch of Computer Renascence franchises still exist. But not surprised that the franchiser isn't franchising any new ones. Neat that there are 3 in Alaska. Do you and your father have plans to upload the Computer Renaissance newsletters somewhere like archive.org?
Will G.
2024-04-12 15:57:20 +0000 UTCglad you enjoyed it! maybe dad will make another appearance someday
clabretro
2024-04-12 15:25:52 +0000 UTCWell, that was an awesome watch. Thanks to YOU and YOUR DAD for taking the time to speak about this stuff. The Guy clogging the answering machine is my takeaway of the story. If he wants and actually can share some of the stuff he was doing at Boeing, I'm sure that will get some interest. Love to see more of this format! Cheers!
Sgt. Silver
2024-04-12 14:51:57 +0000 UTCthank you! really glad you enjoyed it
clabretro
2024-04-12 03:48:24 +0000 UTCModern day oral tradition. Awesome video. Thanks to you and your dad for taking the time. Such an important time in computing, and your dad’s insights were fascinating.
Brook McKnight
2024-04-12 03:06:11 +0000 UTCThank you!! he's always been a grinder haha
clabretro
2024-04-11 22:44:42 +0000 UTC😂
clabretro
2024-04-11 22:44:07 +0000 UTCBrad is a 10X DadOps engineer - legendary. Hustlin' hard his entire life with FTE + entrepreneur; I feel this! Also building embedded systems to this day?! Dang! Anyway Loved this video big time, keep up the great work - this style is so unique, I want more. PS: Surprised you didn't wait for Sun, Jun 16, 2024. This one hits.
vivi
2024-04-11 22:35:30 +0000 UTCThe MCAS mention had me rolling in my seat.
Will G.
2024-04-11 22:32:32 +0000 UTCOh geez I see how that could be confusing. He worked at Boeing up until 1995, did the computer stores full time for eight years or so, then went back to Boeing in the early 2000s. For a period right when he went back is the overlap he's talking about when he was trying to supplement the losses from the stores with the salary from Boeing. He retired from Boeing in 2017 and in the end had a total of 32 years there.
clabretro
2024-04-11 20:09:47 +0000 UTCOne point of confusion: did your dad work for Boeing before, during or after running the computer stores? Or some/all of the above?
Dan
2024-04-11 20:03:18 +0000 UTC
