So, I went into quarantine with...the incorrect set of equipment.

I got a Windows XP laptop running.

It's been a fun machine to work with.

It can't even get to the download page for any modern browser (probably) because it doesn't have modern encryption standards.

I have 3 other laptops here which are all down for a variety of reasons. And because of generational changes I can't just swap things around and magic myself up a coherent device...

I have maybe 4 desktops I can also wire up once I dig out the right peripherals.

Anyway, I'm telling you, that WinXP machine is a trip! Essentially, most websites (servers) simply reject it

I can't even get to "update" sections because (I suspect) this computer can't understand newer encryption models.

I'm going to have to boot off a thumb drive to make it functional.

HOWEVER I've also learned a point which I forgot....

This thing is wicked fast! As responsive as any modern gaming rig.

It's not the size of your RAM stick, it's how you use it!

Where appropriate I have told my clients to stick with people who coded back when memory was an issue, because they know how to conserve every bit.

(This is very specific advise that most people shouldn't follow).

I was just like "woah WinXP laptop, I haven't turned you on in 5+ years and you're faster out of the box than anything I'd buy."

That box is like an old car.

Yeah we improved on the design and added some extra stuff......... But sometimes it's nice to see an old machine just fire up and be like "waiting on you, boss..."

I might turn it into an old school gaming rig I set in a corner and pull out for nerds.

Everyone (worth their salt) will be like "woah, what did you do to make it so fast?!" And I'll be like "nah, that's stock hardware."

I've always privately contended that consumers didn't get hungrier for their computing needs, but that programmers got sloppier once they didn't have to worry so much.