Happy 20th birthday to my beloved VLC — the finest software known to mankind

I still remember when I first met you, VLC. It was the early 2000s. The family computer had a hard drive measured in megabytes, and it was impossible to find a good bit of software to play video files I… acquired. But, in my darkest moment, you appeared and helped me watch a grainy rip of a South Park episode.

And you know what? You’ve never let me down since. Thank you, VLC. I love you. Dearly. Forever and forever, you and me, running through the fields into Valhalla. Together.

Yes — on February 1, one of the internet’s finest institutions turned 20. Clap. Cheer. I SAID CLAP AND CHEER. Stand up. Louder. LOUDER.

A tiny bit of history. VLC — run by the VideoLAN non-profit — was founded in France all the way back in 2001, a time when the majority of Americans didn’t even have internet access. Even in regular human terms, 20 years is a long ass time, but online? That’s geological.

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What’s even more impressive is how VLC has navigated these past two decades. In that time, the internet has changed beyond recognition; from a scrappy, creative upstart, to a moneymaking machine that sits at the center of our society. Yet, amidst this, VLC has remained true to its core values. The software remains open source, free to download, has no adverts, and includes no bloatware — it simply plays video files and, to this very day, is the very best at it.

VLC window 20 years — This is literally just what VLC looks like when I open the app. I put it here to break up the article a bit. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, VLC!

It’s not simply this commitment to its values or its efficiency that makes me love VLC so much, it’s our history together. Since I first downloaded the software all those years ago, it’s rarely left my computer. One of the first things I do with a new machine is install VLC.

The software has been a constant companion on my most personal possessions. It has never let me down and has been instrumental in what must be months of entertainment at this point.

I could continue to wax lyrical about VLC’s consistent improvements, its staunch values, and effectiveness, but sometimes less is more.

So, happy 20th birthday, VLC. Here’s to many, many more. Love you.

Story by Callum Booth

Callum Booth is a freelance journalist with over a decade of experience. Previously, he was the Managing Editor of TNW, where his reporting (show all) Callum Booth is a freelance journalist with over a decade of experience. Previously, he was the Managing Editor of TNW, where his reporting was cited widely, including in VICE, the FT, and the BBC. Callum’s writing has appeared in The Verge, The Daily Telegraph, Time Out, and many more. He covers the full spectrum of technology, with a particular focus on how it shapes our daily lives. And a lot of regulation stuff too. Outside of work, Callum’s an avid bookworm, a Fisherman’s Friends addict, and resolutely unshaven. Follow him on Twitter @CallumBooth or visit www.callumbooth.net.