VivianAug 23, 2023
David Pierce
A few months ago I saw a picture of this weird computer made of wood. I went to LA to meet the guy who made it, and found a new vision for how we build and use gadgets. And, of course, to play with the wood computer! https://www.theverge.com/23841276/mythic-computer-keegan-mcnamara-pc-builder
Mythic Computer is trying to change the PC world one wood computer at a time

Computers used to be made out of wood, endlessly customizable, and totally personal. Now, from Apple to Dell to HP, they’re all metal rectangles. Keegan McNamara and his company Mythic Computer are trying to bring the old ways back.

The Verge
Aug 23, 2023 at 2:38pmElk
Show threadMaccaTheMeerkatAug 23, 2023
@davidpierce can they put it in a suitcase for @alex_cranz ?
Show threadMatt BirchlerAug 23, 2023
@davidpierce Oh hell yeah, this thing is gorgeous. I want to build a woodworking space just so I can put this in there.
Show threadDavid PierceAug 23, 2023
@matt Right?!? Suddenly I’m like, I need more wood shavings on my desk for the vibes
Show threadPablonius Monk 🇺🇦Aug 23, 2023
@davidpierce "AFK" I had to look that one up: "Away From Keyboard". Delightful to see a young guy inspired like this in the woodworking workshop. It's reminiscent of Woz.
Show threadyour auntifa liza 🇵🇷 🦛 🦦Aug 23, 2023
OMGOMGOMGOMG @davidpierce i too have sketches for a wood computer of my own! i have seen iterations of RaspberryPis mounted in all sorts of funky ways and it's at the top of my bucket list
Show threadMidsouthMouth.OctaviaKeatsAug 23, 2023
@davidpierce
There is so much that is favorable with the aesthetic. Think how much cooler it would be with sustainable +/or other scrap materials. Speaking of cooler, though, the same challenges come up as with adjacent cottagecore steampunk + solarpunk aesthetics: humidity + temperature control. With those addressed, I'd see this approach as a net win.
Show threadbrozu ▪️Aug 23, 2023
@davidpierce Stunning 😳😍
Show threadOz LublingAug 23, 2023
@davidpierce great story and video.
Show threadChristopher LawleyAug 23, 2023
@davidpierce This is gorgeous! All computers and devices should be made of wood.
Show threadHwoodsAug 23, 2023
@davidpierce An E-Ink display would take this to another level!
Show threadStefan Baur 8 * 💉Aug 23, 2023
@davidpierce Oh, hi! Meet the #grannophone! https://www.grannophone.de
Das Grannophone

Show threadroyalAug 23, 2023
@davidpierce Oh that's beautiful.
Show threadteamtuckAug 23, 2023
@royal @davidpierce Having a machine like this, with #neovim and access to a limited amount of things is a really neat idea.
Show threadYaqub. MAug 23, 2023
@davidpierce A thing of beauty, but don't think about a startup this going to take much of trees to cut down
Show threadOfficer-involved poopingAug 23, 2023
@davidpierce I really like the spirit, and wholeheartedly agree, but it seems very odd to be so self-consciously twirling in the last square inch of the dancefloor available to anyone without a direct line to a chip fab. The components we use are functionally opposed to "personal" computing, in form (um processes), and function (undocumented), and part of an ecosystem of bloat and marginal novelty.
Show threadOfficer-involved poopingAug 23, 2023
@davidpierce bunny's work is a pragmatic rebuttal to these trends, collapse os is both pragmatic and philosophical, this feels more like a lament.
Show threadIsho'yeAug 23, 2023
@davidpierce Cool-looking bit of kit. Unfortunate the guys involved with bringing it to life are crypto-weenies. Really sours my opinion.
Show threadRGAug 23, 2023
@davidpierce Cool computer. Poor ergonomics.
Show threadneoludditeAug 24, 2023
@ravigupta @davidpierce It looks amazing, but just the thought of typing on it makes my neck cramp up.
Show threadLAURENAug 23, 2023
@davidpierce I love wood. I bought a skin for my laptop that is a mixed wood laminate. This is phenomenal 🤩
Show threadBen ZaninAug 23, 2023
@davidpierce @ian to this thread I summon a wild @technomancy
Show threadtechnomancyAug 23, 2023

@gnomon @davidpierce @ian nice!

mine's not cool enough to use hardwood but it does have the advantage of a shoulder strap

https://atreus.technomancy.us/markiv

Show threadJoyographicAug 23, 2023
@davidpierce I used to have an Apple ][ in a wooden case
Show threadĸurthAug 23, 2023
@davidpierce anyone ever say again that Terminus is an ugly font. Perfect for wooden cabinets ❤️
Show threadGuy who's trying his best :(Aug 23, 2023
@davidpierce Damn, I'm way out gunned
Show threadKristinMuHAug 23, 2023
@davidpierce recommending this to my work for the next time we evergreen our computer fleet
Show threadëRiCAug 23, 2023
@davidpierce Awesome! Someone knows the font its using!?!? 🤔
Show threadkechpajaAug 23, 2023
@davidpierce That is absolutely gorgeous, and I hope he succeeds at what he's trying to do.
Show threadChristopher MimsAug 23, 2023
@davidpierce be still my heart
Show threadJack Regan Aug 23, 2023
@mimsical @davidpierce That thing is so cool
Show threadExiled New YorkerAug 23, 2023

@davidpierce I seem to remember people building PCs into non-restorable antique radio cases back in the day, some of them were really nice.

https://www.instructables.com/1940-radio-computer-case/

1940 Radio Computer Case

1940 Radio Computer Case: 1940's TRUETONE radio. Removed radio parts, refinished the wood and hardware. Installed a DVD/RW, modified and installed a Compaq computer chassis. Mounted a 120MM cooling fan where the speaker use to be. The on/off and tuning knobs are now pus…

Instructables
Show threadBc Clarity Carlton-MartinAug 23, 2023
@davidpierce Mushrooms will eventually replace trees for fibre and hemp for building.
Show threadSascha Pallenberg 🇹🇼 ♻️ ⚡Aug 24, 2023

@davidpierce great story and a gorgeous build! reminded me of the mods Jeffrey Stephenson builds for some 20 years or so

http://slipperyskip.com/

.

Jeffrey Stephenson Design

Jeffrey Stephenson Design

Show threadAnthony SoraceAug 24, 2023
@davidpierce @kayserifserif Goegeous. I’ve been dreaming about something very similar, but more swept back and portable like a Model 100, for about two years now. Maybe once the kids are back in school…
Show threadDavid CollantesAug 24, 2023
@davidpierce does anyone knows the font being used on that terminal screenshot?
Show threadDavid D. LevineAug 24, 2023
@davidpierce @corbden The wood computer reminds me of the old Sol-20, which had walnut side panels. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sol-20
Sol-20 - Wikipedia

Show threadHolly A. GultianoAug 24, 2023
@davidpierce Very pretty case, but hmu when the internals are made of wood/plants too
Show threadGarth CoghlanAug 24, 2023

@davidpierce
The link to the story on the guy who makes chips in his garage - mind-blowing!

https://www.wired.com/story/22-year-old-builds-chips-parents-garage/

This 22-Year-Old Builds Chips in His Parents’ Garage

Sam Zeloof combines 1970s-era machines with homemade designs. His creations show what’s possible for small-scale silicon tinkerers.

WIRED
Show threadtrumpresistanceAug 25, 2023
@davidpierce
Oh god, it has a toggle switch. I MISS toggle switches!
Show threadGreg NewmanAug 26, 2023
@davidpierce this is amazing!
Show threadSimon WistowAug 26, 2023
/cc @jesse in the unlikely chance you haven’t seen it