OT: Who has the oldest computer?

[Darek]

On 4/17/2011 1:08 PM, Portland wrote:

I've got an Apple II and an original Mac that belonged to my kids but I
upgrade my desktop PC about once every 6-7 or so years or so. It seems
necessary because peripherals change. A lack of powered USB ports was
quite evident this year. People tell me that you can add powered hubs
but that was not very successful. I usually keep the old one running for
about a year and then dispose of it.

Currently I have (output from Belarc)
3.20 gigahertz Intel Core i5 650
32 kilobyte primary memory cache
512 kilobyte secondary memory cache
4096 kilobyte tertiary memory cache
64-bit ready
Multi-core (2 total)
Hyper-threaded (4 total)
500GB hard disc
A 23-inch monitor.

This cost me considerably less in *actual* (not CPI adjusted) dollars
than the machine I bought in 2003, which was 32 bit, had half the speed,
1/4 the memory, a 100 GB disc, a 19 inch monitor and was single core.

--


James Silverton, Potomac

I'm "not"
[email protected]

[FiEND [MiSSY STAN]]

On 19/04/2011 1:45 PM, atec77 wrote:

I'm more amazed that you managed to keep it functioning all this time.
They weren't all that reliable when they were new....


Krypsis

[All4God]

On 18/04/2011 2:17 PM, Sqwertz wrote:

The Plus/4 was an orphan... It was rolled out by Commodore then promptly
dumped,along with its siblings the C16 and the 116. Poor sound quality,
no sprites, minimal software and peripheral incompatibility. These
machines were doomed from day one. But then, Commodore made a lot of
poor business decisions back then which is why they aren't around now.

Krypsis

[Go Bananas]

On 4/19/2011 2:18 PM, atec77 wrote:

I have no doubt that you are correct about this. The only part where
you're a tiny bit off is that most people want to just use their
computers and browse and run apps and have no desire to become computer
security experts or make a go at running alternative OSes i.e., Linux.

I stuck my Atom machine with Ubuntu 10.XX on the front desk and it runs
fine. I can't use it myself because it won't run any of the programs
that I use to program hearing aids. I sure wish that it did but that's
the breaks.

[Gods SonFlower]

On Sun, 17 Apr 2011 10:08:58 -0700 (PDT), Portland
wrote:


I have a few oldies that I keep just for fun. The oldest was built for
my granddaughter when she was 4. She's now 18. It's one of the huge
old boxes about 30"x18"x10"H. A real monster! I loaded it
way-back-then with kids math software that she mastered in no time.

The other 5 are about 3-5 years older in stages. I owned a "Bulletin
Board" when they were just starting and one of the PCs was loaded with
the first version of "WorldGroup" software and had a then
"State-of-the-art" 12 CD changer in it with "RocketPort" software.
What trip they are to see running now. You can take a nap while they
load. hehe

Memory lane is such a funny road to travel.....hahaha

[myd00dlebug]

Brooklyn1 wrote:

Could be a calculator not a computer. I would say no. I did own a slide
rule for about two years. My first calculator cost $90 for a simple four
function calculator with a single memory store and recall button. Oh the
good old days of my teenage years. Toys I bought with my paper route money.

--
Enjoy Life... Nad R (Garden in zone 5a Michigan)

[zozzie]

Mark Thorson wrote:



You merely need to go to the Settings app-->General-->Location services:
OFF. In 9-1-1 emergency, the GPS chip still will get them your location.

And in case you didn't know the cellular frequency bands have been
scannable for 30 years or more. While not legal to listen in, it IS
possible. Nextel cellular uses IDEN encryption and is only listenable by
law enforcement as a wiretap measure. Most police departments use Nextel
for sensitive comms since they can't be scanned.

None of this is news solely related to the iPhone!!!

"The sky is falling! The sky is falling!"

Andy

[mrsx.parson]

"Portland" wrote

It is what the virus software looks for to find the infected files.



256 is woefully inadequate these days. Memory changes and you may not
easily find the right type for an older computer. Check places like eBay
though. First, find out what type you need and try to get up to at least 2
Gig.

At some point though, you will find that the best solution is a new machine.
They are getting very cheap. My guy has them as low as $500 with Win7, 4
gig of memory and huge hard drive.

[ddd3]

On Apr 20, 5:24?pm, Andy wrote:

==
Many years back I built a very crude set-up which received the cell
phone frequencies. They were converted to VHF and I listened to them
on my multi-band radio through VHF low I believe. The communication
tower in this area could be seen from my window so I got a very strong
signal. It wasn't illegal to listen but it was illegal to tell anyone
else what you heard. I listened to cheating wives and gossipy
neighbors until I got tired of it all and dismantled the apparatus.
Most of today's communication is encrypted I believe.
==

[Melody C]

On 2011-04-20, dsi1 wrote:


I love it when ppl say stupid stuff like this, like ppl spring from
the womb knowing how to use Windows. What horsecrap! If you can
learn to buy, load, and use software on a Windows box, you can learn
to use Linux. It's not freakin' magic, fergawdsake.

Worse, most ppl don't even KNOW how to run Windows. Windows is the
most compromised platform in the World. Why? You can buy all the
security software in the store, but if you don't even know how to set
up an XP box with a separate user acct with no permissions, you're
wasting your time/money. Most ppl haven't a clue. If they do have a
clue, they LEARNED it. Whatta concept!

nb