AboutMe
Me myself an I
My name is André van Weert, born on Friday, June 1, 1973, in Almelo, Netherlands. My parents are Johannes Willi Kottier (father) and Jantje van Weert (mother). My childhood is something I don’t look back on fondly. My parents divorced when I was four, and my mother started a new relationship with a man named Evert. Somewhere along the way, I changed my last name to my mother’s because I had no contact with my father at the time
I know I wasn’t an easy child, but the way my mother and her partner raised me could be described as abusive. Punishments included being confined to my room for seven to fourteen days or being beaten with a belt while my pants were pulled down. I haven’t had much contact with my mother in the past 30 years.
At around fifteen or sixteen, I left home to find my father in Almelo. Strangely, even after all those years, I remembered where my grandmother lived. The time that followed wasn’t ideal either, though I believe my father tried his best. Eventually, things escalated to the point where I ended up in a boarding school until I was seventeen or eighteen. At my own request, I petitioned the court to revoke my mother’s parental authority, and the court granted it.
My life truly changed in 1994, the year I got my first job in IT, despite not having studied or trained for it. This was a turning point, a moment when I discovered what I could achieve through determination and passion.
Another significant milestone in my life was the year 2000 the best year of my life. This was the year my beautiful daughter was born. Her arrival brought immense joy and fulfillment and marked the beginning of a renewed relationship with my father. From that point on, we reconnected, and I saw how he approached everything differently as a grandfather. He became the best grandpa anyone could wish for, and that meant the world to me.
"I will miss you, Dad. See you in heaven someday."
First Computer

My first computer was a Sinclair ZX Spectrum around 1985 I remember the magazines where you had to type over the code for your computer like, Computer Totaal/Hobby Computer Club Magazine hours and hours of typing and then nothing because of a typo somewhere in your code. The use of Audio cassettes on your compact cassette players/recorders, what a relief when we could use the floppy drives. Then the schoolyard trading started to trade games or software. Running home from school to see your new games loading waiting and then....,,, fail due to wear or bad sectors.
I have seen all these things and I'm getting old.
IBM PS/1 model 2133

If I remember correctly, it was 1992 when I bought my first computer, an IBM PS/1 model 2133. At 19, I didn’t have the finances to afford it myself, so I ended up going to a store called Dixons not the wisest choice to take a loan for it, looking back. But that decision marked the start of something exciting. I began experimenting with telephone lines (I had two of them) and ended up creating my very own BBS (Bulletin Board System). It was a whole new world, and diving into it taught me so much about computers, communication, and the early internet.
On my BBS, I hosted a collection of software and games (most not legal), which quickly became a hit with the local tech enthusiasts dialing in. I even added a few custom-made ASCII art images, which were a big deal back then! Those ASCII creations brought a unique touch to the system, and I loved watching how something as simple as text could transform into art. Running the BBS wasn’t just about sharing files; it was about creating a little community where people could connect, chat, and explore. Each time the modem would buzz and beep with a new connection, it felt like opening the door to a whole new interaction. It was my own corner of the digital frontier.
Prince of Persia
Prince of Persia 2, The Shadow and the Flame (1993) "He Who Should Steal The Flame Must Die"