During my research for the best and fastest hardware, I came across a number of pictures of customized computer cases. Modding, as it was known, was introduced to me just as custom model car building was when I was a teenager. Flipping through magazines at the news stand became clicking through pages of the Internet. I was aw-struck and fascinated by this artistic medium.

Case modding seemed to be a growing and popular pastime for a young crowd of PC gamers and power users. And it was pretty much relegated to just customizing the case of the computer – cool paint jobs or graphic decals and vinyl appliqués. A handful of hard core modders were fabricating parts out of plastics, wood and metal and some were heavily modifying obsolete computer cases and other objects. I saw cases made from brief cases, TVs, auto tires, old radios and even a toilet. Most were based on current PC cases and a number of case manufacturers were beginning to offer cases with pre-cut acrylic side panels and blow holes.

Never one to be quite satisfied with being average at anything, I think I decided early on that my computer building project was going to be a little more than just a case mod. I never bought a piece of furniture without taking into consideration the other items and accessories around it. I never threw on a shirt without some thought of what pants, socks and hat would go with it. I didn’t shop for new wheels for my car without a clear plan on how they would go with the paint job or what tires would look good wrapped around them. To me, modifying the computer case also meant modifying the monitor, keyboard and mouse – or trackball, in my case. And heck, why not the table it sat on too.

I became the Mad Modder. It was fitting. I’m a bit of a grump, or mad, if you will. I was a burgeoning modder. So I referred to myself as “The Mad Modder.” CPU Magazine seemed to like the phrase and in one of their early features of case modders, they called Functional Design the “Mad Reader Mod.”

Enjoy the pictures and I hope you will take the time to read about some of my work and projects modding computers and their peripherals here at Grump’s Place. Your comments are always welcome.

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I love computers – software, hardware…
I prob’ly spend way too much time on my computers, but they are just so fascinating. I got my first one in 1991, intimidating as Hell, but needing something to help me keep the books. It wasn’t long before I was fiddling around with the settings, trying to squeeze more performance out of a 386DX with 1MB RAM, a 4MB HDD and running MS-DOS 5. Then I discovered something quite different from my pet peeve about working on cars – I didn’t get any grease on my hands when I popped the hood.

Even more than tweaking the software and settings, I loved not getting my hands dirty, so to speak. It seemed my computer always had the case or side panel off. I learned by trial and error, and believe me, there were a lot of errors. I read everything I could get my hands on and I started “going online.”

In those early days of my online experiences, I was paying toll charges to dial into CompuServe on a 9600Kbps modem – and being lucky to connect at 8 or 900. My first month’s bill was $300.00 more than normal. But, boy, was I havin’ fun.

On these pages, you’ll find all kinds of computer related content. Let me warn you though, I am not a computer professional, I am only a hobbiest/enthusiast. Yes, I’ll charge to install some hardware or software for you and if you want to buy one of my mods, it’ll cost you plenty. But I don’t want you to confuse me with someone who does this for a living. ‘Course, you never know what the future will hold.

My main purpose for sharing these computer experiences is purely self indulgence and braggadocio. Of course, I do want you to enjoy it and take something away when you leave. I’ll try to direct you to the best sources for help and do my best to explain my modding techniques. I’ll try to keep a list of downloads you might find interesting and I’ll provide you with links to all my favorite sites. Above all, I want you to enjoy yourself here and to like it well enough to send your friends and associates over to visit. Please feel free to link to me any time.

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That was a long time ago. These days I don’t do much with the computers except use them. Lung disease has sapped my energy and the dust that collects inside these things really taxes my breathing when I get too close. But I enjoy the remenise and I hope you will too.