Old Computers

Usborne Computer Books

8
3 months ago
by Andy in ,

Here are some scans of the Usborne computing books I own. Did you own any of these?

  • How To Make Computer Model Controllers
  • Usborne Guide To Computer Jargon
  • Practice Your BASIC
  • Simple BASIC

The sound of the dialup, pictured

0
3 months ago
by Andy in

I found this article today by Oona Räisänen via @rickasaurus on twitter. Makes a very good read. The audio clip will bring back many memories for most of you.

If you ever connected to the Internet before the 2000s, you probably remember that it made a peculiar sound. But despite becoming so familiar, it remained a mystery for most of us. What do these sounds mean?

You can find the rest of the artice at : The sound of the dialup, pictured

Hermann Hauser Announced as Patron of New Cambridge Computer Museum

0
1 year ago
by Andy in ,

A leading figure in the worlds of technology, science and business, Dr Hauser has agreed to take on this important role 30 years after the company he co-founded – Acorn Computers – unveiled the BBC Micro, the machine which, along with the Sinclair ZX Spectrum, epitomised the British home computer boom of the early 1980s. The BBC Micro ultimately changed the history of computing in the UK by bringing home computing within reach of the general population. In 1984 he was voted the UK’s ‘Computer Personality of the Year’.

Photograph left to right: Director - Jason Fitzpatrick, Trustee – Dr Lisa McGerty, Patron - Dr Hermann Hauser, Trustee - Peter Robson.

In the late 1980s Acorn went on to develop the ARM processor forerunner of the processors still manufactured by ARM Holdings and found in 95% of today’s mobile phones. Since then Hermann has been responsible for setting-up numerous technology companies and in 1997 co-founded Amadeus Capital Partners Ltd, a venture capital company. During his career he developed strong links with Cambridge, and has played a big part in the city’s enterprise culture.

Read the full story here : Hermann Hauser Announced as Patron of New Cambridge Computer Museum

Tony Sale, Colossus computer conservationist, dies.

0
1 year ago
by Andy in

Tony Sale, the brilliant engineer who led the rebuild of Colossus, the first modern computer, has died aged 80.


The mammoth project to recreate the code-cracking Colossus capped a career built around electronics and computers.

Most recently, Mr Sale drove the campaign to save Bletchley Park, where Colossus aided Allied code-cracking efforts during World War II.

You can read the complete article on the BBC Website.

Want to buy a BBC Micro? Read this!

0
1 year ago
by Andy in ,

Michelle wanted to buy a Acorn BBC Model B. She decided to buy one from Retro Clinic. She is very pleased with her purchase!

So, whats better? A random BBC of eBay or one from Retro Clinic? Michelle explains her experience.

Take a look at this… £160 delivered.


Now think about how I got my hands on my other BBC this year. E-bay auction for £50 delivered. Sound like I got a good deal?

Well, first things first, remove from the Retro Clinic machine, the “Data Centre” and the sideways ram chip. That brings Retro Clinics price down to £90. A difference of £40. Keep that in mind.

Now lets take this the other way. Add the lowest cost solid state upgrade you can get, to the e-bayed PC, namely the MMC system at £25. That’s £75 against £150, (I’ve knocked a tenner off for the sideways ram) a difference of £75, but the difference in functionality and usability is considerable.

So initially it looks like the e-bay unit has still saved a chunk of cash. But is that really so? I mean, look at the extra manuals and materials that come with the Retro Clinic offering. 2gig CF card in the IDE slot for a start. A 2gig USB stick. Plus, the whole thing has been refurbished; no fear of the smoking death when you turn this baby on.

You can read the rest of the article at Retro Clinic makes sense.

Sega Dreamcast – Crazy Taxi video

0
2 years ago
by Andy in ,

Short HD video of the demo mode and some actual (bad!) gameplay by me. Dreamcast was hooked up to my LCD monitor via a VGA box. The Sega Dreamcast was a console released in late 1998. It replaced the Sega Saturn. The Dreamcast was discontinued in March 2001. This was the last console ever produced by Sega – they purely publish games now.

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