Before Silicon Valley turned into what it is today—endless tech campuses and VC pitches—there was this little thing called the Homebrew Computer Club. It wasn’t fancy, it wasn’t organized like a conference, and it definitely wasn’t about business plans. It was just a bunch of people who were genuinely obsessed with figuring things out, meeting up to share what they’d been working on, and seeing what was possible with these new things called microcomputers.
People drove in from all over. Not because they had to, but because they wanted to. Some of them had real jobs in tech, others were just super into electronics as a hobby. But the thing that brought everyone together was this shared excitement about making things. You’d show up with some rough project—a circuit that half-worked, maybe some code you wrote the night before—and you’d find yourself surrounded by others who got it. Not just got it, but were excited to help, ask questions, or jump in with suggestions.
There was this openness to it all. No gatekeeping. No “I know more than you” attitude. Someone might stand up and demo their homemade memory board, someone else might pass around a bug fix for a BASIC interpreter. It was basically a room full of people geeking out together, and the energy was real. You could feel it. Even if half the stuff went over your head, it was impossible not to be inspired.
Honestly, it just looked like fun. People laughing when things broke. Cheering when stuff worked. Hanging out afterward, eating pizza and scribbling ideas on napkins. It was chaotic and imperfect and awesome.
And that’s the thing—these weren’t just random projects. Some of what was shown off there actually changed the world. Wozniak brought the first Apple computer prototype. Wherever the group met, its members came together to share the latest breakthroughs in personal computing, swap circuit diagrams, and trade programming advice. This open and collaborative atmosphere became a breeding ground for ideas that helped shape the future of technology. Wozniak later recalled: “Without computer clubs there would probably be no Apple computers.” But no one was thinking about IPOs or product-market fit. They were just doing it because it was cool. Because it felt like the future.
It’s kind of wild to think about. People traveling miles just to sit in a folding chair and talk about memory addresses or DIY circuit board. But that’s what made it special. You showed up, shared what you had, learned something new, and left feeling more motivated than ever. It wasn’t about being the best—it was about being part of something.
In a way, that’s what I think a lot of us are still chasing. That raw, unfiltered excitement of making stuff with others who care. Not for likes or followers, but for the simple reason that it’s fun.
Now, if we return to the present time, technology has advanced significantly. Large tech companies have emerged, whose hardware or software we use daily—whether at work or in our personal lives. Today, there are more opportunities than ever before: anyone can write software, run servers at home, print various things with a 3D printer, build an entire enterprise-grade data center at home, or experiment with AI. Only your imagination and willpower are the limit. The results depend on how much you’re willing to invest – both in building a home lab and in meeting people.
And there are people who run enterprise software like VMware Full Stack or other hypervisors at home, monitor their electricity usage with real data center monitoring software and sensors, or even build and program their own tools. Some have multiple server racks filled with servers or shelves packed with Intel NUCs and mini PCs. Others have highly documented home labs, complete with dual power sources—just like in actual data centers—and some even use solar, wind, or hydroelectric power. These individuals are known as home labbers.
What I want to say is this: we have more possibilities than ever before, but at our core, we are still human. That same spirit that once lived in the Homebrew Computer Club is still alive today at events like VMware Explore.
Many well-known data center technology enthusiasts, major home labbers, and tech influencers attend events like VMware Explore. Much like during the golden days of the Homebrew Computer Club, these modern gatherings are full of people openly exchanging ideas, discussing what tootahey’ve built, how they’ve solved problems, and what new developments they’re working on. They often push hardware and software to limits even the original developers didn’t know were possible. These events offer the chance to meet new friends, share knowledge, and have real conversations with people who truly understand you. Everyone is incredibly friendly and easy to talk to. You never know who you might meet—maybe someone with whom you’ll start a company that could change the world, just like the Apple 1 did.
A few years ago, I had the chance to attend VMware Explore in Barcelona, where I met many inspiring home labbers, including Marc Huppert, known as the HomeLabKing. I had the opportunity to sit down and talk with him. That conversation was one of the most exciting I’ve ever had—and the best part was that I got answers to many technical challenges I’d been trying to solve. He had faced the same issues and had already explored them thoroughly, providing clear and well-reasoned insights.
I also had the chance to meet William Lam, a name familiar to almost every home labber.
In addition, I met many members of the Scottish VMUG (VMware User Group). I owe a significant part of my journey and growth to their support and guidance. They played a major role in my journey, and I’m grateful I had the chance to meet and connect with them personally.
Recently, I flew to the U.S. to attend the NVIDIA GTC AI Conference. This was another event similar to VMware Explore that I had the chance to attend. My main reason for going was to meet other AI, tech, data center enthusiasts, and home labbers. It was an expensive trip that I paid for entirely out of my own pocket, but it was 100% worth it. I had the chance to speak directly with people who have been working in AI/ML, GPUs, vGPUs, and data center solutions for over 10 years.
Talking to them gave me real insight into where the trends are heading, what people are working on, and why. I mostly spoke with engineers, and it was a lot of fun. Sometimes I didn’t fully understand what they were saying, but they were kind enough to explain things in simpler terms. What I really liked was that many engineers would just pull out a laptop from their backpack and show me how they were training AI models and what tools they were using. Looking back, it felt like a fast-paced training bootcamp. The only sad part was that it ended too soon—and I had to fly back to my home country. I didn’t attend any sessions because every session was recorded anyway, and I can watch them later at double speed. I focused entirely on networking.
Have you ever heard the saying, “If you want to become a billionaire, hang around with billionaires”? It’s the same with home labbers. If you want to become a truly successful home labber and build something incredible, then events like these are the best place to be. Use the opportunity whenever you can.
This year’s VMware Explore is especially designed to foster even more of this kind of organic networking and peer-driven learning. By merging The Expo and The Hub into one dynamic space, the event brings people and programs closer together—right when it matters most for making authentic, meaningful connections.
Register now: https://www.vmware.com/explore/us
Las Vegas, Nevada | The Venetian Convention and Expo Center
August 25 – 28, 2025