The Family Computer: Where Our Online Lives Began

Enjoying the show? Support it here. Before we carried the internet in our pockets, it lived in one place. The family computer. Whether it sat in the corner of the living room, the spare bedroom, or the family office, it was a shared space where homework, games, emails, music, and late-night internet adventures all happened on the same machine. In Episode 6 of Artifacts, Danny Brown explores what it meant to grow up with a family PC, from negotiating whose turn it was to use the internet to the unforgettable sound of a dial-up modem connecting you to the world. But this isn't really a story about old computers. It's about a time when technology brought us together instead of pulling us apart. When the internet was something we shared, discoveries happened by accident, and one computer held the digital fingerprints of an entire family. Because sometimes the objects fade. But the feeling doesn’t. Get Involved If you enjoy Artifacts, you can support it with either a one-off tip, or become a monthly Archivist. No commitment - just a simple way to say thanks. Show your support here. If you enjoy the show, I'd love for you to leave a rating or review on your favourite podcast app! And please let your friends know they can listen for free on Apple Podcasts or their preferred podcast app, or online at Artifacts Podcast. Products I Use for Artifacts Note: these may contain affiliate links, so I get a small percentage of any product you buy when using my link. My equipment: RODE NT1-A large diaphragm condenser mic Rodecaster Pro II audio production studio Sony MDR-7506 Studio Monitor Headphones Elgato Wave Mic Arm Low Profile Recommended resources: Captivate.fm podcast hosting, distribution, analytics, and monetization Hindenburg Pro recording and editing Auphonic mastering tool for audio post production Beehiiv email marketing