👉 Cowboy computing is a term used to describe the informal, ad-hoc, and often self-organized methods by which individuals in the early days of computing, particularly in the 1970s and 1980s, shared, accessed, and utilized computing resources. This approach was characterized by the use of personal computers connected via local networks, such as dial-up modems, to form a loosely structured "cowboy" network. Users would connect their computers to these networks, often without formal agreements or centralized management, to share files, software, and computing power. This decentralized model allowed for flexibility and resource sharing but also posed challenges in terms of security, reliability, and standardization, reflecting the frontier spirit and DIY ethos of early computing enthusiasts.
