I learned Logo in elementary school, and some scraps of basic in junior high, but I have no doubt that my baseline computer systems engineering knowledge came about because if I wanted to play video games, I had to get my drivers and my EMS and XMS squared away.

When I hear people today ask, “how do I get into security?” My immediate answer is that you’re going to need a very underpowered 486 and a copy of Wing Commander 3 if you really want to do it right.