Retrocomputing

Retrocomputing is a term used to describe the use of early computer hardware and software today. Retrocomputing is usually classed as a hobby and recreation rather than a practical application of technology; enthusiasts often collect rare and valuable hardware and software for nostalgia purposes. However some do make use of it [ [http://www.catb.org/retro/ The Retrocomputing Museum] ] . Retrocomputing often gets its start when a computer user realizes that expensive fantasy systems like IBM Mainframes, DEC Superminis, SGI workstations and Cray Supercomputers have become affordable on the used computer market, usually in a relatively short time after the computers' era of use.

Many people have personal computer museums, with collections of working vintage computers such as Apple IIs, IBM PCs, ZX Spectrums, Atari and Commodores. However, many users use emulation software on more modern computers rather than using real hardware. This is not considered to be retrocomputing by many, as it is merely an application of modern computer hardware.

Historical retrocomputing

A more serious line of retrocomputing is part of the history of computer hardware. It can be seen as the analogue of experimental archaeology in computing. Some notable examples include the reconstruction of Babbage's Difference engine (more than a century after its design) and the implementation of Plankalkül in 2000 (more than half a century since its inception).

Vintage computers

The personal computer has been around since approximately 1976. But in that time, numerous technological revolutions have left generations of obsolete computing equipment on the junk heap. Nevertheless, in that time, these otherwise useless computers have spawned a sub-culture of vintage computer collectors, who often spend large sums to acquire the rarest of these items, not only to display but restore to their fully functioning glory, including active software development and adaptation to modern uses. This often includes so-called hackers who add-on, update and create hybrid composites from new and old computers for uses for which they were otherwise never intended. Most of this hobby centers on those computers manufactured after 1960, though there are collectors who specialize in pre-1960 computers as well.

Apple Inc.

The earliest of the Apple Inc. personal computers are among some of the most collectible. They are relatively easy to maintain in an operational state thanks to Apple's use of readily available over-the-counter parts.

*Apple II The Apple II series of computers are some of the easiest to adapt, thanks to the original expansion architecture designed into them. New peripheral cards are still being designed by an avid community that still thrives, thanks to the longevity of this platform, manufactured from 1976 through 1993. Numerous websites exist to support not-only the legacy users, but new adoptees who weren't even born when the Apple II was discontinued by Apple.

*Macintosh Perhaps because of its friendly design and first commercially successful graphical user interface as well as its enduring Finder application that persists on the most current Macs, the Macintosh is one of the most collected and used of the vintage computers. With dozens of websites around the world, old Macintosh hardware and software is put into daily use. Many maintain vast collections of functional and non-functional systems, which are lovingly maintained and discussed on worldwide user forums.

IBM

* IBM 1130 computing system from 1966 which still has a following of interested users, albeit mostly via an emulator rather than the actual machine.
* The IBM 5100 also has an avid collector and fan base.

Tandy/Radio Shack

* The Tandy/Radio Shack Model 100 is still widely collected and used as one of the earliest examples of a truly portable computer.

Mailing lists

cctech, also known as the "Classic Computers Discussion List", is an electronic mailing list about old computer technology, and is run by the [http://www.ClassicCmp.org Classic Computing] organization.

ee also

* Retrogaming
* Computer museum
* History of computer science
* History of computing hardware
* Computer Conservation Society
* SIMH, the multi-system emulator.
* Vintage Computer Festival

References

[http://simh.trailing-edge.com/docs/dtjn02pf.pdf "Preserving Computing's Past: Restoration and Simulation"] Max Burnet and Bob Supnik, Digital Technical Journal, Volume 8, Number 3, 1996.

External links

* [http://www.vintage.org/ Vintage Computing Festival] , Sponsoring vintage computer hobbyist gatherings around the world.
* [http://www.ccagshow.com/ The Classic Computing and Gaming Show] , Yearly event held at the end of May in Cleveland, Ohio
* [http://www.marchclub.org/ Mid Atlantic Retro-Computing Hobbyists (MARCH)] , Covering the east cost US, centered about the InfoAge Museum.
* Eric S. Raymond's [http://www.catb.org/retro/ Retrocomputing Museum] for reimplementations of old programming languages.
* [http://www.vintagecomputing.com Vintage Computing and Gaming] Blogazine
* [http://www.bytecellar.com Byte Cellar] :: The Vintage Computing Weblog
* [http://www.retromagazine.eu RETRO] - German paper mag about digital culture
* [http://www.lotek64.com Lotek64] Free German pdf-magazine about retrocomputing
* [http://www.practicalpc.co.uk/reviews/books/digitalretro.htm Digital Retro book review]
* [http://lowendmac.com/ Low End Mac] Vintage Apple Support website and forums.
* [http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/ The Centre for Computing History] The Centre for Computing History - UK Computer Museum
* [http://classicgaming.free.fr/ ClassicGaming News] ClassicGaming, RetroComputing & DemoScene
* [http://www.vintage-computer.com/ Vintage-Computer.com] Online museum, history, discussions forum and marketplace.
* [http://mccworkshop.com/computers/computer1.htm mccworkshop.com/computers/computer1.htm] The computer history page at mccworkshop.com

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