v0.3 of Heffalump (a Mastodon client for PalmOS) is out now! This release (finally) adds the ability to view your own past toots, as well as replies (to both your own and others' toots).
Where the #ICQ „Uh-Oh“ sound really came from: Not Worms or Lemmings, as some are telling you. Instead Windows 3.0 MultiMedia Edition from 1991 contains the exact same sample as „ohoh.wav“. #retrocomputing#windows#1990s
I cannot date this, but apparently some time in the distant past (possibly 80’s?) the International Harvester tractor company used punch cards for inventory and parts ordering. #retrocomputing#farming
i'm finally opening up boxes of software from my archive that haven't seen the light of day in 15-20 years. today, i found a program that has never been archived or probably seen in over 40 years.
i absolutely adore this dungeon mastering program for the TRS-80 that was distributed in ziplock bags in 1982
i can find only one mention of it on the web - the august 1982 issue of TRS-80 Rainbow magazine that advertises it for $19.95 + S&H
happily, i found the cassette, which has never been archived anywhere AFAIK. i am scanning in the printed documentation, along with making a recording of the tape.
The Lucasfilm's Habitat beta footage has been released finally. Check out the post on my site for links to YouTube, as well as the raw transfers over at the Internet Archive.
Data Digger for Windows 95 is a program that can open certain corrupted files, allowing you to dig through them and extract the text you need. You must set the system date to 1996 before using it, or it will refuse to open.
What was the last printed magazine article to publish detailed plans for building your own computer, and when was it? 1990s? Early ‘80s? I’m talking about plans with detailed schematics and PCB layouts, like the Mark-8 or COSMAC ELF. #VintageComputing#RetroComputing
This one almost pains me to post, I want one of these so bad. But it’s pickup only in San Diego, CA: A NEXTStation along with MegaPixel display, keyboard & mouse is up for auction! Current price is $61. Only a few days left, it ends on May 29th. For anyone close enough to San Diego, this might be a heck of a deal because the pickup only tends to go for reasonable prices from what I’ve seen. Take a look here: https://www.shopgoodwill.com/Item/199889590
If you remember a time when using floppy disks didn’t seem weird, you’re probably at least 30 years old. Floppy disks or diskettes emerged around 1970 and, for a good three decades or so, they were the main way many people stored and backed up their computer data.
However, it’s now been over a decade since the last floppy disc was made, and it wouldn’t even have enough capacity to store a modern smart phone picture. So why do some people still love using them? BBC Future speaks to some of the floppy disk faithful to find out.
Finally found some time to work on my #AppleLisaClone – the clone CPU board seems to work in my original 2/10. However, the Lisa complains about I/O error 51 (parallel ports VIA) or I/O error 1 (undef'd) or hangs with the hourglass cursor. With the clone CPU, I cannot power down using the power button, this works with the original CPU. The floppy needs fixing and my clone parport board seems to have a problem (static on screen when it's inserted, see video) – lots of work ahead! #retrocomputing
At a certain point in time your stuff is geeky high-tech, the next moment you walk into the „early telecommunications“ exhibition in a museum and there‘s your old mobile phone. 😆
(Museo nazionale della scienza e della tecnologia Leonardo da Vinci, Milano) #tech#history#retrocomputing
i am fascinated by this typeface history. as it turns out, Gerald Giampa was the owner of the LTC Spire typeface when it was licensed for use in the GeoWorks operating environment.
i had no idea that he was canadian, and moved his foundry to Prince Edward Island before it was destroyed in a tidal wave. P22 bought his font faces, and designed this absolutely gorgeous traditional web site called The Giampa Tour. it disappeared from the web over 10 years ago, and this is probably the first time it has been seen in a decade. it's full of incredibly nerdy typeface history, including some fantastic rants on how shitty Adobe was to deal with, even back in the late 1980s. 😆
this is what the world wide web was made for, and i'm so glad WBM managed to preserve a working copy, as P22 has been out of business for many years - and its website gone with it.
i've rebuilt the entire site using the WBM's snapshot for public viewing here, where it will remain as an online museum and tribute to Gerald Giampa's incredible work:
when @radiofreelunch extremely generously offered to send me a "couple" old Newtons, i balked. i had an old MP2100 years ago, and it was tough to get software loaded on them, even with all the correct hardware
driving home an hour later, i thought: what the hell is wrong with me, i'm turning down a free newton?! 😅
a week later, this amazingly heavy bundle of Newtons and Newton peripherals arrived. thank you good sir :D
Pictured:
Newton MessagePad (+box/software)
Newton MessagePad
Newton Message Pad 110
Newton MessagePad 120
Newton Fax Modem (battery-powered!)
there is extensive battery leak/corrosion from the AA batteries on each of them, so they'll spend the next few months getting some TLC. hopefully most survive!
Remember that sashiko stitching inspired design I did a few weeks ago? I finally tried plotting it. To me, it’s very reminiscent of chrysanthemum flowers. What do you see?
Plotted on a HP 7585B from 1983 on 11x15 watercolor paper.