« previous next »
Pages: [1]

Author Topic: ATTN: "Adult" (i.e. creakingly old) computer dweebs  (Read 3235 times)

Hawkmoon

  • friend
  • Senior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 27,359
ATTN: "Adult" (i.e. creakingly old) computer dweebs
« on: July 04, 2012, 09:39:53 PM »
I am under orders to rid the house of "stuff." Such assignments are extremely difficult for me because, as all real men know, "stuff" that hasn't been used or even looked at for ten years will automatically be urgently needed with 48 hours of having been disposed of. Nonetheless, dispose I must.

Amongst the detritus I found a pile of old computer software binders. For those old enough to have encountered such, remember when computers and software came in actual boxes, with printed documentation on real paper pages? And the higher class stuff was on 5-1/2 x 8-1/2 looseleaf pages in a nice, 3-ring, hard-cover binder WITH a hard slipcase. Yeah, some of you remember, I'm sure.

I have a pile of the binders and slip cases. Does anyone have a need (or even a "want") for such? Anybody who wants them can have them for the cost of shipping. I just hate to throw them away (which explains why they've been sitting in the same corner for twelve years).
Report to moderator   Logged
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
100% Politically Incorrect by Design

Tallpine

  • friends
  • Senior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 23,172
  • Grumpy Old Grandpa
Re: ATTN: "Adult" (i.e. creakingly old) computer dweebs
« Reply #1 on: July 04, 2012, 09:51:56 PM »
Someday, someone will find a book and wonder what the hell it is  ;/
Report to moderator   Logged
Freedom is a heavy load, a great and strange burden for the spirit to undertake. It is not easy. It is not a gift given, but a choice made, and the choice may be a hard one. The road goes upward toward the light; but the laden traveller may never reach the end of it.  - Ursula Le Guin

lee n. field

  • friend
  • Senior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 13,624
  • tinpot megalomaniac, Paulbot, hardware goon
Re: ATTN: "Adult" (i.e. creakingly old) computer dweebs
« Reply #2 on: July 04, 2012, 10:47:05 PM »
Quote from: Hawkmoon on July 04, 2012, 09:39:53 PM
I am under orders to rid the house of "stuff." Such assignments are extremely difficult for me because, as all real men know, "stuff" that hasn't been used or even looked at for ten years will automatically be urgently needed with 48 hours of having been disposed of. Nonetheless, dispose I must.

Amongst the detritus I found a pile of old computer software binders. For those old enough to have encountered such, remember when computers and software came in actual boxes, with printed documentation on real paper pages? And the higher class stuff was on 5-1/2 x 8-1/2 looseleaf pages in a nice, 3-ring, hard-cover binder WITH a hard slipcase. Yeah, some of you remember, I'm sure.

I have a pile of the binders and slip cases. Does anyone have a need (or even a "want") for such? Anybody who wants them can have them for the cost of shipping. I just hate to throw them away (which explains why they've been sitting in the same corner for twelve years).

<snort>  I've got a binder or two with "Cromemco" on the cover.  (You'll probably need to look them up.  They've been gone for a long time.)

And binders for TRS-80's Z-80 assembler documentation.
Report to moderator   Logged
In thy presence is fulness of joy.
At thy right hand pleasures for evermore.

Phyphor

  • friend
  • Senior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 2,330
Re: ATTN: "Adult" (i.e. creakingly old) computer dweebs
« Reply #3 on: July 04, 2012, 11:13:08 PM »
Lee, I had that too, as well as TRS-DOS & TRS-80 BASIC (both the ROM BASIC and the TRS-DOS enabled versions,)

Oh god, I remember Scripsit & Visicalc.... *shudder*
Report to moderator   Logged
"You know what's messed-up about taxes?
You don't even pay taxes. They take tax.
You get your check, money gone.
That ain't a payment, that's a jack." - Chris Rock "Bigger and Blacker"
He slapped his rifle. "This is one of the best arguments for peace there is. Nobody wants to shoot if somebody is going to shoot back. " Callaghen, Callaghen, Louis La'mour

Jamie B

  • friend
  • Senior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 2,866
  • I am Abynormal
Re: ATTN: "Adult" (i.e. creakingly old) computer dweebs
« Reply #4 on: July 05, 2012, 01:29:21 AM »
Apple IIe

Ugly green, then amber screen text

Quattro Pro

Lotus 1-2-3

DOS 3.0, 3.5, 5.0, and 6.3

Windows 3.0

Shudder...........
Report to moderator   Logged
Greatness lies not in being strong, but in the right use of strength - Henry Ward Beecher

The Almighty tells me He can get me out of this mess, but He’s pretty sure you’re f**ked! - Stephen

Phyphor

  • friend
  • Senior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 2,330
Re: ATTN: "Adult" (i.e. creakingly old) computer dweebs
« Reply #5 on: July 05, 2012, 01:39:01 AM »
MS-DOS 2.11 and windows 1.0 - gah.
Win 3.0 was actually almost useful - until 3.1.
Report to moderator   Logged
"You know what's messed-up about taxes?
You don't even pay taxes. They take tax.
You get your check, money gone.
That ain't a payment, that's a jack." - Chris Rock "Bigger and Blacker"
He slapped his rifle. "This is one of the best arguments for peace there is. Nobody wants to shoot if somebody is going to shoot back. " Callaghen, Callaghen, Louis La'mour

Tallpine

  • friends
  • Senior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 23,172
  • Grumpy Old Grandpa
Re: ATTN: "Adult" (i.e. creakingly old) computer dweebs
« Reply #6 on: July 05, 2012, 09:45:03 AM »
I remember most of those, but back in the 1980s I was still working on old bulldozers and stuff instead of computers.

I actually first taught myself to program using macros on Lotus 1-2-3.
Report to moderator   Logged
Freedom is a heavy load, a great and strange burden for the spirit to undertake. It is not easy. It is not a gift given, but a choice made, and the choice may be a hard one. The road goes upward toward the light; but the laden traveller may never reach the end of it.  - Ursula Le Guin

Scout26

  • I'm a leaf on the wind.
  • friend
  • Senior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 25,997
  • I spent a week in that town one night....
Re: ATTN: "Adult" (i.e. creakingly old) computer dweebs
« Reply #7 on: July 05, 2012, 11:40:06 AM »
BURN THE FLOPPIES !!!!!


Having said that.

I had a Quartto Pro.

I also still have my COBOL, RPG, Assembler and DBaseIII books.
Report to moderator   Logged
Some days even my lucky rocketship underpants won't help.


Bring me my Broadsword and a clear understanding.
Get up to the roundhouse on the cliff-top standing.
Take women and children and bed them down.
Bless with a hard heart those that stand with me.
Bless the women and children who firm our hands.
Put our backs to the north wind.
Hold fast by the river.
Sweet memories to drive us on,
for the motherland.

lee n. field

  • friend
  • Senior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 13,624
  • tinpot megalomaniac, Paulbot, hardware goon
Re: ATTN: "Adult" (i.e. creakingly old) computer dweebs
« Reply #8 on: July 05, 2012, 11:46:38 AM »
Quote from: scout26 on July 05, 2012, 11:40:06 AM
BURN THE FLOPPIES !!!!!



Monday I had someone come in with a 5.25 floppy, wanting something off it.  Date on the label was in 1987.

I actually had a 5.25 at home, never used.  Managed to find a floppy cable with the card edge connector.  And a computer with BIOS that supported 5.25.  And diddled the jumpers on the drive so it got seen as A: (no second floppy in BIOS, card edge connector was for b:).  Alas, nothing visible on the disk.   There's an off chance, given the age, that it was made with an Apple II, in which case he's SOL anyway.

They wanted someone's resume, to help with writing his obituary.
Report to moderator   Logged
In thy presence is fulness of joy.
At thy right hand pleasures for evermore.

Boomhauer

  • Former Moderator, fired for embezzlement and abuse of power
  • friends
  • Senior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 14,364
Re: ATTN: "Adult" (i.e. creakingly old) computer dweebs
« Reply #9 on: July 05, 2012, 07:47:06 PM »
Quote from: scout26 on July 05, 2012, 11:40:06 AM
BURN THE FLOPPIES !!!!!


Having said that.

I had a Quartto Pro.

I also still have my COBOL, RPG, Assembler and DBaseIII books.

Scout, remember this?



Report to moderator   Logged
Quote from: Ben
Holy hell. It's like giving a loaded gun to a chimpanzee...

Quote from: bluestarlizzard
the last thing you need is rabies. You're already angry enough as it is.

OTOH, there wouldn't be a tweeker left in Georgia...

Quote from: Balog
BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD! SKULLS FOR THE SKULL THRONE! AND THROW SOME STEAK ON THE GRILL!

Phyphor

  • friend
  • Senior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 2,330
Re: ATTN: "Adult" (i.e. creakingly old) computer dweebs
« Reply #10 on: July 05, 2012, 07:56:04 PM »
Quote from: lee n. field on July 05, 2012, 11:46:38 AM
Monday I had someone come in with a 5.25 floppy, wanting something off it.  Date on the label was in 1987.

I actually had a 5.25 at home, never used.  Managed to find a floppy cable with the card edge connector.  And a computer with BIOS that supported 5.25.  And diddled the jumpers on the drive so it got seen as A: (no second floppy in BIOS, card edge connector was for b:).  Alas, nothing visible on the disk.   There's an off chance, given the age, that it was made with an Apple II, in which case he's SOL anyway.

They wanted someone's resume, to help with writing his obituary.

Wait a sec, do you still have that floppy?

If so, go download an emulator.  Lots of emulation software has utilities to move data from old Apple formats over to a PC filesystem.  Converting it shouldn't be too hard, either.
Report to moderator   Logged
"You know what's messed-up about taxes?
You don't even pay taxes. They take tax.
You get your check, money gone.
That ain't a payment, that's a jack." - Chris Rock "Bigger and Blacker"
He slapped his rifle. "This is one of the best arguments for peace there is. Nobody wants to shoot if somebody is going to shoot back. " Callaghen, Callaghen, Louis La'mour

Hawkmoon

  • friend
  • Senior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 27,359
Re: ATTN: "Adult" (i.e. creakingly old) computer dweebs
« Reply #11 on: July 05, 2012, 09:16:03 PM »
Quote from: Phyphor on July 05, 2012, 07:56:04 PM
Wait a sec, do you still have that floppy?

If so, go download an emulator.  Lots of emulation software has utilities to move data from old Apple formats over to a PC filesystem.  Converting it shouldn't be too hard, either.


Except that a 5-1/4" floppy is probably so old that there isn't any magnetic image remaining. I've had commercial software media on 5-1/4" floppies go bad within two or three years of purchase. Can your drive run a CHKDSK on the floppy? That might at least tell you if it's in a recognizable format but just too faded to be read.

I used to have a PCTools utility that included a special type of recovery switch for their format command. Instead of reformatting the diskette by erasing all the data, it progressively read each track, reformatted the track, then restored the data. It was able to rescue a number of marginal disks. I might still have an old floppy somewhere with that utility on it, if it would help. Although a DEFRAG might accomplish much the same task.
« Last Edit: July 05, 2012, 09:19:42 PM by Hawkmoon »
Report to moderator   Logged
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
100% Politically Incorrect by Design

Scout26

  • I'm a leaf on the wind.
  • friend
  • Senior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 25,997
  • I spent a week in that town one night....
Re: ATTN: "Adult" (i.e. creakingly old) computer dweebs
« Reply #12 on: July 05, 2012, 09:33:08 PM »
Quote from: Avenger29 on July 05, 2012, 07:47:06 PM
Scout, remember this?





Yes, but they wouldn't let us shoot the computer or the disks....
Report to moderator   Logged
Some days even my lucky rocketship underpants won't help.


Bring me my Broadsword and a clear understanding.
Get up to the roundhouse on the cliff-top standing.
Take women and children and bed them down.
Bless with a hard heart those that stand with me.
Bless the women and children who firm our hands.
Put our backs to the north wind.
Hold fast by the river.
Sweet memories to drive us on,
for the motherland.

lee n. field

  • friend
  • Senior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 13,624
  • tinpot megalomaniac, Paulbot, hardware goon
Re: ATTN: "Adult" (i.e. creakingly old) computer dweebs
« Reply #13 on: July 05, 2012, 10:17:06 PM »
Quote from: Phyphor on July 05, 2012, 07:56:04 PM
Wait a sec, do you still have that floppy?

If so, go download an emulator.  Lots of emulation software has utilities to move data from old Apple formats over to a PC filesystem.  Converting it shouldn't be too hard, either.


Nope.  Gave up, and let it go with minimum labor.  The lady said if it didn't work, they'd all just get their heads together and try to remember stuff, which would probably make for a better obituary anyway.
Report to moderator   Logged
In thy presence is fulness of joy.
At thy right hand pleasures for evermore.

RoadKingLarry

  • friends
  • Senior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 21,841
Re: ATTN: "Adult" (i.e. creakingly old) computer dweebs
« Reply #14 on: July 06, 2012, 01:41:23 AM »
Quote from: Phyphor on July 05, 2012, 01:39:01 AM
MS-DOS 2.11 and windows 1.0 - gah.
Win 3.0 was actually almost useful - until 3.1.

Back when Windows was just a program.
Somewhere I have an unopened copy of 3.1.

1st computer we had was a Commodore 64 complete with a cassette tape for storing programs. The wife and I would spend hours and hours entering programs from computer magazines then more hours debugging to get to play some game with AASCII graphics and text.
Report to moderator   Logged
If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or your arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen.

Samuel Adams

Hawkmoon

  • friend
  • Senior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 27,359
Re: ATTN: "Adult" (i.e. creakingly old) computer dweebs
« Reply #15 on: July 06, 2012, 05:32:16 PM »
Now that the APS protocols regarding thread hijacking have been duly observed ...

Does anybody want a stack of old software binders and slip cases?
Report to moderator   Logged
- - - - - - - - - - - - -
100% Politically Incorrect by Design

Ben

  • Administrator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 46,305
  • I'm an Extremist!
Re: ATTN: "Adult" (i.e. creakingly old) computer dweebs
« Reply #16 on: July 06, 2012, 07:04:19 PM »
Quote from: Hawkmoon on July 06, 2012, 05:32:16 PM
Now that the APS protocols regarding thread hijacking have been duly observed ...

Does anybody want a stack of old software binders and slip cases?

Wait! I didn't get my "my first computer" thread drift in!

Report to moderator   Logged
"I'm a foolish old man that has been drawn into a wild goose chase by a harpy in trousers and a nincompoop."

grislyatoms

  • friends
  • Senior Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 3,740
Re: ATTN: "Adult" (i.e. creakingly old) computer dweebs
« Reply #17 on: July 07, 2012, 12:02:30 PM »


Thanks anyway, I'm all set... :P
Report to moderator   Logged
"A son of the sea, am I" Gordon Lightfoot
Pages: [1]
« previous next »