Vintage computing!

“Commodore is Back.”

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“What's inside the new Commodore 64x”

Sometimes… I just need to smile again.

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“one of the catchiest theme tunes ever written for a computer game…”

I went to the Land of Lost Content in Craven Arms, Shropshire (UK) last weekend, and can report that in amongst the almighty collection of stuff from the last 80 years or so there are a few (though only a few) vintage computer items. I noticed two Commodore Pets -- a 2001 with the chiclet keyboard and a 4032 -- as well as an Atari 800. There were also one or two electronic games (eg a Simon) and an original boxed Stylophone too.

Despite the lack of electronica, I'd still recommend a visit to anyone passing through Craven Arms. It's hard to show just what the place is like as you can't take photos inside, but a guy named "lazyhour" on Flickr has either got permission or been a bit naughty, and has a few photos here. The ones that look like scenes from a semi-abandoned junkshop are the most representative!

The Beeb has an interesting piece on a new 8-bit micro kit by Julian Skidmore, the FIGnition. The name alludes to the fact that it runs a variety of FIG-Forth. John Honniball is also interviewed, and says he built the FIGnition kit in around an hour.

The FIGnition is already on sale in kit form for £20; orders are being accepted now but won't be processed until next month. It's currently PAL-only, and thus not on sale to the US. If I weren't the world's most useless solderer, I might even be tempted at that price!

This was posted in an anonymous (and thus screened) comment a few days ago:

Hello! I hope this comment reaches you guys at the LiveJournal blog for vintage computing. Just wanted to tell your readers about the Vintage Computer Festival East 7.0, May 14-15, 2011, in Wall, New Jersey[, USA]. Lectures in the mornings; exhibits in the afternoons. Details are in the flier at snarc.net/vcfe7flier.pdf ... thanks! We'd really appreciate it if you can post something.

I'll add the website given in the flier, which is:

www.vintage.org/2011/east

Quite interesting, though devoid of any real shocks.

Today I visited the Living Computer Museum, its owned by Paul Allen and Technically part of Vulcan Inc. The best part about the museum is they offer free accounts on the VAX-11/780 they have (Running VMS), the XKL TOAD-1 (TOPS-20) and the DECSYSTEM-20 (TOPS-10).

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[and not the other way around]

D' ye know, as I sit here I think I could reproduce this guy's setup. I may no longer have the printer, but I did, and the rest I still do. (Except the coffee cup. I WANT that coffee cup.)

http://design.osu.edu/carlson/history/PDFs/lubar-hollerith.pdf


Yah, it's the same image, as it turns out. O well.

As is my habit, i picked up some free gear awhile back, but never got around to getting it running.

As is not usual for me, i've accepted that i'm never going to get around to it. :)


So i have the following up for grabs:


HP ScanJet 4p

• color flatbed scanner
• takes up to legal size (8½"x14") paper
• looks in good condition but never tested -- got it at a freecycle swap and never got cables to test it

Apple Personal LaserWriter

• greyscale laser printer
• got from a friend at a small business a few years back
• should be in working order, but never got the SCSI or AppleTalk (!) converters necessary to play with it

So, yes, i have no idea if they're running as of now, but someone with the right cables and skills at least has a fair shot at it. I sadly don't have the time to play with 'em.

Location is greater Baltimore/DC area. If anyone wants me to ship, i'm willing to work something out.


I'll give it a couple of weeks on here before i blast it on freecycle/craigslist. Thanks!