OpenClaw is the most fun I’ve had with a PC in 50 years • The Register
February 20, 2026
Opinion Fifty years ago this month, I touched a computer for the first time. It was an experience that pegged the meter for me like no other – until last week.
My first encounter happened in New England where the winters produce something close to cabin fever. My friend Bobby’s mother forced us out of his house one Saturday morning, packing us off with his dad, who had to spend the day at the office. Bobby seemed excited. I couldn’t see why.
Mark Pesce is a very long-term friend now in the world of technology. We’re of a very similar vintage and I think heritage when it comes to computing. Very early, somewhat accidental adopters and non-stop users of these technologies for over 50 years. In my case, just a little bit less.
Here Mark talks about his first experience with computing and then his most recent revelatory one. I will admit to having a little part to play in this story. I badgered Mark after I first used Claude Bot, now called OpenCLAW, a few weeks ago, and had a moment like he describes. Pretty hard to describe why, but when he got himself up and running as he describes here, he had a moment like that too.
