This book is for anyone interested in a brutally honest story of running a computer store, starting in the pivotal year of 1995 – a time when computers and the Internet were blossoming into the forces they are today. It's a tale of lessons learned, challenges faced, and triumphs celebrated in an ever-evolving industry.

I am Jürgen Schwanitz, born in Germany in 1976 and an immigrant to America at the age of thirteen. My fascination with computers started early, ignited by my father, who worked in office furniture and data security in Germany. He often brought home old computer equipment, and by five or six years old, I was already dismantling and exploring these machines, driven by curiosity and wonder.

My first personal computer, a Commodore VIC-20, was a gift from my parents, intended to help me improve my spelling in school. However, I quickly found myself more captivated by the computer itself and the world of programming than by its intended educational use. This marked the beginning of a lifelong passion, one that transcended beyond mere spell-checking to shaping my future career path.

My journey is not just about technology but also about adapting to a new country, learning, and growing with every challenge. In these pages, you'll find not just the history of ACT Computers but also the experiences and insights I've gained over the years."