windows 95 site

I built the old version of this website with React as an interactive Windows 95 desktop. But…why? A few reasons! First, I love the aesthetics of early consumer computing interfaces. Windows 95 captures this era perfectly: more color, 3D effects, pixelated realism, etc. It's also just an operating system that deserves to be memorialized. It made computers more accessible by popularizing the start menu, taskbars, and more. And for me, it was my first experience using a computer.

This version of the site got lots of complements (including from some of my favorite hackers!) and drove some neat connections. But I want to use my personal website for more things that don't work well with this particular style, so I put it away for now. I'll build other retro tech inspired apps in the future. People frequently reached out about how to make their own. I recommend using React, react-draggable or the Framer Motion library to make it feel like a desktop, and icon sets like this. The rest is state management and clever styling (keen eyes will notice the simulated Cathode Ray Tube monitor lines!).