Show HN: My Windows XP portfolio with working Game Boy and iPod

#1

Post by mitchivin » Sat, Jun 20, 2026, 7:18 PM UTC

I posted my portfolio here about a year ago (https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=45154609) and while there was a big response, it was very mixed! It'll probably be similar this time, but regardless of your thoughts about the concept, I think I've done a pretty good job creating one of the most nostalgic corners of the internet, especially with the latest additions.

It'll always be up for debate whether this is an effective way to get noticed as opposed to a standard, quick and easy portfolio, but I'll die on the hill that this is way more fun for both parties, every day of the week.

Show HN: My Windows XP portfolio with working Game Boy and iPod
mitchivin.com

Re: Show HN: My Windows XP portfolio with working Game Boy and iPod

#2

Post by andai » Sat, Jun 20, 2026, 7:30 PM UTC

Awesome. Props for the iPod clickwheel. I miss my Classic!

Re: Show HN: My Windows XP portfolio with working Game Boy and iPod

#3

Post by iJohnDoe » Sat, Jun 20, 2026, 7:30 PM UTC

So friggin’ cool. I think it’s really fun and when you can instantly entice people to click around and explore then you have already succeeded.

Re: Show HN: My Windows XP portfolio with working Game Boy and iPod

#4

Post by mitchivin » Sat, Jun 20, 2026, 7:33 PM UTC

andai wrote: post #2

Awesome. Props for the iPod clickwheel. I miss my Classic!

haha thanks! turns out it isn't as easy as searching for a standard audio file for the sound (being a machine sound i guess/think?) so I had to find someone doing ASMR and cut it up hahah

Re: Show HN: My Windows XP portfolio with working Game Boy and iPod

#5

Post by mitchivin » Sat, Jun 20, 2026, 7:34 PM UTC

iJohnDoe wrote: post #3

So friggin’ cool. I think it’s really fun and when you can instantly entice people to click around and explore then you have already succeeded.

That was the idea! I can't stand here and say that it's made me completely stable in my freelance career but it defintely got some eyeball's on me that would have no clue who I otherwise was

Re: Show HN: My Windows XP portfolio with working Game Boy and iPod

#6

Post by freshnode » Sat, Jun 20, 2026, 7:35 PM UTC

You've nailed the feel. Ignore the nay sayers!

Re: Show HN: My Windows XP portfolio with working Game Boy and iPod

#7

Post by mitchivin » Sat, Jun 20, 2026, 7:39 PM UTC

freshnode wrote: post #6

You've nailed the feel. Ignore the nay sayers!

thanks mate! it was countless hours of obession & frustration back in the days of Sonnet 3.5

For sure! Im a big advocate for anything outside the box haha

Re: Show HN: My Windows XP portfolio with working Game Boy and iPod

#8

Post by po1nt » Sat, Jun 20, 2026, 7:48 PM UTC

That Windows XP loading bar brings me back. Great job.

Re: Show HN: My Windows XP portfolio with working Game Boy and iPod

#9

Post by mitchivin » Sat, Jun 20, 2026, 7:58 PM UTC

po1nt wrote: post #8

That Windows XP loading bar brings me back. Great job.

thanks boss!

Re: Show HN: My Windows XP portfolio with working Game Boy and iPod

#10

Post by bartread » Sat, Jun 20, 2026, 8:19 PM UTC

I mean... I like it. I remember your post from last time where, apparently, I got the top comment.

It looks like you've dealt with the UX issues I ran into previously (e.g., back/forward behaviour), but I did almost immediately spot a different oddity in your portfolio...

When you click on "My Projects" and then use the left nav to switch between "All", "Image", "Web", etc., it highlights the relevant projects rather than filtering out the irrelevant projects... which does feel a bit weird. I guess I understand it give you only have four projects in there but that's perhaps the other issue: I'd really like to see more projects than you're showing off here.

But, I mean, I still like it - I really like it. It's a lot more characterful than the vast majority of other portfolios I've seen and the attention to detail is very strong overall.

Again, something I said last time that I'll repeat here: if you were applying for a design or UX role with this I'd certainly interview you. I'd have to be unhinged not to.

(And, FWIW, I thought I gave you fairly balanced feedback, but clearly managed to piss a few people off so maybe, again, we'll both be in for another roasting - or at least a rather mixed bag of comments. Regardless, I wish you the absolute best.)