How old were you when you joined AT? Where were you in life? Where are you now?

[JM Aggie08]

My 6 year anniversary on the boards has just passed, and it's crazy to think about what all has happened in that 'short' amount of time.

Having started on the boards at 16 and still in high school, I am now 22, graduated from a 4 year university, and hold my first full-time job doing exactly what I wanted to do.

What's you story?

 

[Saint Nick]

Started posting on here at probably age 17. Mostly used the forums to buy/sell/trade computer parts. Hmm, back then I was a lot different. Definitely have grown up over the years.

AT has actually been a pretty big part of my life. I've heeded many of the advice given on this forum.

 

[sixone]

Oh...how innocent I was when I started posting here. I had no idea how disgusting people could be.

 

[Xecuter]

Joined when I was 13 for the BST forum. Now in school for engineering

 

[Deeko]

I was 15 and had just finished my sophomore year of high school. I'm older now, and presumably no longer in high school. I'm also moderately less of an obnoxious brat.

 

[MixMasterTang]

I joined when I was 22, married and had an 18 day old baby. Now am I divorced and have a 10 year old and 7 year old and am not nearly as broke or scared as I was then

 

[rasczak]

Oh...how innocent I was when I started posting here. I had no idea how disgusting people could be.

lmao, it's not the real world but the internets that taught you that?

I was 29. Before that I lurked for about 3 years. I haven't changed much personally.

 

[sixone]

lmao, it's not the real world but the internets that taught you that?

I've been very lucky, in the real world. I appreciate it much more than I did before I lost my innocence.

 

[clamum]

I was 20 and just about done with my second year of college at a community college before transferring for my Bachelor's.

I'm 29 now and working at a job doing what I've wanted to do since high school (lulz, software developer). I've definitely grown up over the years I guess.

 

[rasczak]

I've been very lucky, in the real world. I appreciate it much more than I did before I lost my innocence.

It's funny how something so artificial as the internets really makes you look at the real world a bit more cynically. Sometimes I wonder how things would be if I had never discovered it.

 

[vshah]

i was a 17 and a freshman in college when i signed up. some of my earlier posts are ridiculously emo. now I'm 26 & happily married

 

[sixone]

It's funny how something so artificial as the internets really makes you look at the real world a bit more cynically. Sometimes I wonder how things would be if I had never discovered it.

I wouldn't call it artificial. Anonymity lets people show their real selves in a way they probably wouldn't in the real world.

 

[HardcoreRobot]

came here when building first comp near the end of high school.

since then went to college, got a real job, moved across the country, went to college again, got a different new job, bought a house, got a wife, got another new job, built a child.

seems like so long ago

 

[TecHNooB]

I wouldn't call it artificial. Anonymity lets people show their real selves in a way they probably wouldn't in the real world.

the internet is extremely useful in this regard

 

[vi edit]

20 or so, working 3rd shifts through college and used this as a way to waste time. Now 34 working 1st shifts, wife, 2 kids and using this as a way to waste time.

The more things change the more they stay the same.

 

[BarbeQueGuy]

Joined on my 41st birthday, been here for over 11 years.
Took a promotion with my company and moved to another division in 2001.
Married another member(Jewelee) from ATOT in 2002 and am happily married, was SIL to hzl eyed grl for a while and still keep in touch.

Don't post often but do a lot of reading in the forums.

 

[sixone]

the internet is extremely useful in this regard

It certainly is! I've learned quite a lot, especially in L&R.

 

[Nintendesert]

I only recently joined, I lurked for many many many years. I think back in the early days when I first started doing computer builds. I've gone through college, a few wars and now onto a new career. Time flies.

I'm not sure why I eventually signed up, I guess I wanted to have my opinions heard in this chorus of retardation that is the AT forums.

 

[z1ggy]

20, in college, party animal who slayed poon every weekend.

Now, 24, own my own house, and don't do a whole lot except work and exercise. Don't slay much poon *sad face*.

 

[Krazy4Real]

I remember back in the good ole days when there weren't so many subforums and the ATOT effect was actually something to behold.

*sigh*

Regardless, I was still in college. I actually lurked for two years before joining. I wish I joined sooner, I might already be lifer.

 

[DanTMWTMP]

I lurked for a few years, and did set up an account. I lost the password to the original account, and forgot the username (mods changed it because original username was inappropriate). It changed to fusetalk, then changed to vbulletin. I had the snowman avatar for the longest time, until vbulletin.
I lurked/initially joined in high school. I saw the site grow rather quickly. I joined again officially in 2001 while in college. It's been over 11-13 years since I lurked/joined the site. I joined in the college dorm room, and now I'm posting from the middle of the Pacific Ocean (and now own my own small place California..$$$).

I wanted to do something about computers for my career, and here I am, traveling the world on Navy research ships, helping with science while providing IT support and programming for the research fleet. I'm not home for like half the year. I thank AT for providing all the good technical info and reviews for my personal endeavors and professional career. I still rely on the site for very good explanations of hardware in the IT field. I enjoy the community, and had the pleasure to meet several of you in meet-ups over the years.

 

[olds]

I was 17 and a senior in high school.
Now I am 53 and thinking about retirement.

 

[fatpat268]

19 when I joined (25 now). Dropped out of school after 2.5 years because scholarship ran out, and I decided I didn't want to take a large loan on. Held a couple of low paying part time jobs, became a bum, and recently got a new, decent paying job. I look to finish up my degree in a few years with the money I'm saving up.

 

[Nintendesert]

I was 17 and a senior in high school.
Now I am 53 and thinking about retirement.

Are you telling us that Anandtech existed before Anand?

 

[Lummex]

I was 18 or 19, i think. Was in a silly relationship that broke my heart right around the time I became active on these forums. I was kinda emo and immature.

Now I'm almost 23 and find that I am a much stronger, level-headed person. Though i still have ups and downs and may be having a rough time, I've found a way to love life at the core of it all.