Retro / Eco Computer Club

Let’s compute like it’s 1999

Retro / Eco Computer Club

Motto: Let’s compute like it’s 1999

Summary

Retro / Eco Computer Club is a community programme that helps people explore a slower, lighter, and more independent way of using computers. The club draws on Marshall McLuhan’s idea that the medium is the message and treats the early web and email era as a useful template. We focus on practices that predate attention harvesting feeds and AI driven filtering, while reviving the strengths of simple publishing and direct communication. Alongside practical skills, the club supports mental health self care through calmer, more intentional digital habits and an ethical approach to technology.

This is the first project from JAMM Labs, a new Scavenger Labs initiative. Partners include Todmorden Makery, FLOSS Manuals, and Scavenger Labs.

Why now

  • Social feeds and algorithmic filtering shape what people see and value.
  • Many devices are discarded despite being capable of useful work.
  • Simple, open protocols like email, RSS, and plain HTML offer resilient, low cost ways to learn, publish, and collaborate.
  • The shift from academically supported networks such as JANET and DARPA era infrastructure to commercial platforms changed participation. We use this history to build critical media literacy.

Who it is for

People interested in low impact approaches to computing, including beginners. Suitable for neurodiverse learners, with multiple ways to take part, a choice based approach, and an informal club atmosphere.

We also recognise that some people may come simply needing help with computers. Volunteers will offer advice and, where possible, direct help. Where appropriate, we will suggest ways to improve skills. However, as we are all volunteers, support may be limited at times. We will always try to be clear about what we can and cannot offer.

Aims

  1. Build practical confidence with simple websites, email, and open formats.
  2. Develop critical media literacy about filtering and information overwhelm.
  3. Promote ecological practices, including repair, reuse, and low energy computing.
  4. Support mental health self care and ethical computing habits.

What we do

  • Make a simple website: hand crafted HTML and Markdown, static pages that load fast on older equipment.
  • Email basics: lists, attachments, filters, and privacy.
  • Use RSS and newsletters: follow topics without addictive feeds.
  • Write and publish: short posts, zines as PDFs, and a shared directory of participant sites.
  • Fix and repurpose: clean and set up refurbished laptops, lightweight Linux.
  • Tilde servers (for example tilde.club): get shell accounts, use SSH and SCP to publish your site.
  • Command line email: use a terminal mail client to manage mail without a web interface.
  • Hacker ethos and command line skills: learn command line workflows, text tools, and responsible, curious problem solving.

Participation and atmosphere

There was a sense of wonder about the computers and technology being made available to explore at home and in clubs in the 1980s and 1990s that this club tries to recreate.

In terms of how learning happens the club takes an informal and social approach that suits both the goal of building community and the needs of some learners related to neurodiversity.

Specifically this involves: choice based tasks, calm pacing, and multiple participation modes. Sessions welcome different communication styles, pair or solo work, and quiet making time.

Equipment and tools

  • Refurbished laptops, USB sticks, power meters for demos.
  • Free software: a text editor, a lightweight browser, simple image tools, terminal utilities.
  • Optional hosting: school or library server, static site hosting, or a tilde server account.

Future directions

  • Low cost retro audio: use older laptops and portable recorders to plan, record, and publish radio shows and interviews.
  • Retro video production: revive broadcast quality miniDV cameras and FireWire workflows to storyboard, shoot, and edit short videos, then publish to personal sites rather than social feeds.