tezza
October 2nd, 2007, 03:24 AM
Hi Everyone,
I've had a passion for computers ever since I got a Dick Smith System-80 (PMC-80 if you are in North America, or Video Genie in Europe) in 1981. Anyway, up to this point my main interest has always been in the more historical aspects of microcomputing and, in particular, keeping alive the memory of my first machine (see http://www.webweavers.co.nz/system-80)
However...recently I've been inspired to start a small collection, mainly due to listening to the podcasts from Earl Evans at http://retrobits.libsyn.com/ . Also the kids have left home so there is a bit of room (only a bit mind, you).
Anyway, I started the collection about 2 weeks ago. My very meger collection of antiques so far is:
2 x working Dick Smith System-80s
A working EACA Colour Genie
A working Ohio Scientific Challenger 1P
A working Mac Classic II
A working Model I00 (somewhere on it's way to NZ from Canada at the moment)
A Non-Working Osborne I.
The Osborne I was a bit of a disappointment. I got it off an auction site. It mustn't have been used for a while, because after a few minutes of use it blew a couple of capacitors in the power supply. I've replaced these with modern equivalents, but perhaps some damage was done because all I get now is garbage on the screen, and now and again the disks will start spinning for no reason. Oh well....one of the hazards of dealing with antique equipment I guess. I'm not an electronics whiz, so it made me think perhaps I should not be collecting these at all! (-:
However despite this one setback, I enjoy these old machines...the designs, the innovations and the human stories around them. It's fun to look at them, preserve them and play with them now and again. I think it's also important for younger people to see where the technology they use today has come from.
Over the next year or so, I hope to get the following (see below). It's not an easy thing to do from New Zealand though. I look with envy to you guys in larger countries where the vintage pool is much larger...
Anyway, I'll see how I get on....
Cheers
Terry (tezza)
The wanted list
Commodore 64
Commodore VIC-20
Commodore PET
Apple II
Atari 800
Sinclair ZX81
Sinclair ZX-Spectrum
Original IBM Personal Computer
Radio Shack TRS-80 Model 1
MITS Altair 8800
Compucolor
Exidy Sorcerer
Radio Shack Color Computer
Epson HX-20
Kaypro II
Jupiter ACE
Apple Lisa
Spectravideo
Sinclair QL
Commodore Amiga 500
Poly (NZ made computer)
I've had a passion for computers ever since I got a Dick Smith System-80 (PMC-80 if you are in North America, or Video Genie in Europe) in 1981. Anyway, up to this point my main interest has always been in the more historical aspects of microcomputing and, in particular, keeping alive the memory of my first machine (see http://www.webweavers.co.nz/system-80)
However...recently I've been inspired to start a small collection, mainly due to listening to the podcasts from Earl Evans at http://retrobits.libsyn.com/ . Also the kids have left home so there is a bit of room (only a bit mind, you).
Anyway, I started the collection about 2 weeks ago. My very meger collection of antiques so far is:
2 x working Dick Smith System-80s
A working EACA Colour Genie
A working Ohio Scientific Challenger 1P
A working Mac Classic II
A working Model I00 (somewhere on it's way to NZ from Canada at the moment)
A Non-Working Osborne I.
The Osborne I was a bit of a disappointment. I got it off an auction site. It mustn't have been used for a while, because after a few minutes of use it blew a couple of capacitors in the power supply. I've replaced these with modern equivalents, but perhaps some damage was done because all I get now is garbage on the screen, and now and again the disks will start spinning for no reason. Oh well....one of the hazards of dealing with antique equipment I guess. I'm not an electronics whiz, so it made me think perhaps I should not be collecting these at all! (-:
However despite this one setback, I enjoy these old machines...the designs, the innovations and the human stories around them. It's fun to look at them, preserve them and play with them now and again. I think it's also important for younger people to see where the technology they use today has come from.
Over the next year or so, I hope to get the following (see below). It's not an easy thing to do from New Zealand though. I look with envy to you guys in larger countries where the vintage pool is much larger...
Anyway, I'll see how I get on....
Cheers
Terry (tezza)
The wanted list
Commodore 64
Commodore VIC-20
Commodore PET
Apple II
Atari 800
Sinclair ZX81
Sinclair ZX-Spectrum
Original IBM Personal Computer
Radio Shack TRS-80 Model 1
MITS Altair 8800
Compucolor
Exidy Sorcerer
Radio Shack Color Computer
Epson HX-20
Kaypro II
Jupiter ACE
Apple Lisa
Spectravideo
Sinclair QL
Commodore Amiga 500
Poly (NZ made computer)