FPF 2019 Retro Computer Room

[Maverick1978]

Hello everyone!

We've a new addition to Freeplay Florida this year - the Retro Computer Room!

This is an idea that Bill (hamster) has wanted to see come to fruition for awhile, and talking about it last year, we're going to make it happen this year!

It will be a curated side-room, not on the main floor. We'll have volunteers there throughout the show, on shifts, to ensure that every volunteer can still enjoy the show daily and attend the panels that they'd like to attend! If you're interested in donating a few hours' time over the weekend, please DM me! Myself and the other three volunteers I've already lined up will be glad for the help!

So, besides introducing the area, I'd like to know what YOU would like to see out of this section! Are there any specific computers that you'd like to see? Any games?

My thoughts were to have a very small section that would be for displaying rare, but non-working machines, solely present for their historical significance. Specifically my non-working Commodore PET-2001, and my working Apple Lisa - it's just too rare, and too under-used to be powered on all weekend. Have you got working PET examples? Anything else from late 1970's/early 1980's that's rare which you'd want to bring?

Then for the living museum, I've got many examples available. Speaking for my own systems, some would have modern storage solutions (CF/SD internally, Gotek USB, etc), some would use OG floppy disks, but all would retain their original outward appearance (I'm not a fan of franken-systems for displays such as this):

IBM PC 5150 (8088)
IBM AT 5170 (286)
IBM Eduquest (486, relatively rare all-in-one aimed at, you guessed it, the educational world)
Tandy 1000 HX
Kaypro 16 (8088 "luggable" laptop w/ CGA green-screen CRT)
Commodore SX-64 (first color portable, integrated CRT)
Tandy CoCo 3
IBM PCjr
IBM 5140 (first modern-style IBM Laptop, LCD screen)
IBM L40/SX (second modern IBM Laptop, LCD screen)
IBM PS/2 Model 70 (to represent the PS/2 innovations that became the standard for the next 25 years)
Amiga 500
Commodore 64 (do we need a Commodore 128? - is there a memorable 128-only game?)
Commodore Vic-20 (OMEGA RACE!!!)
Commodore Plus/4 (built-in apps in ROM, failed attempt aimed at business market)
Atari ST
Atari 800
Apple IIgs

I've also an "ultimate" 486 computer that I'd love to bring... an IBM P-series with a DX/4-100 processor, Roland midi, Sound Blaster Pro 2.0, and meets the MPC specs (remember those?)... basically my dream machine circa 1995. This one has a menu system and many games installed, including Wing Commander II and the classic Sierra and LucasArts games with their great soundtracks.

I've also a crap ton of other PC systems, both IBM and others, but I figure we're pretty well represented with the above systems that have some level of historical significance, rather than just being a bog-standard PC-Compatible. Though I am considering bringing my oddity PC compatible - the Commodore Colt. I just don't have a matching monitor for it. Also loosely considering my Gateway 586 desktop with a GUS Classic installed - one of the actual computers used in the filming of Trixter and Fusecon's Mind Candy Vol 1 DVD, purchased directly from Fusecon several years ago.

Some stuff I don't have that I'd love to see:  TRS-80, Coleco ADAM, Mattel Acquarius, Heathkit / Intel / Commodore Learning system (think the MOS Kim, ie a "trainer"), Osborne I (first "portable" computer)

I'm personally a fan of seeing original complete/matched systems whenever possible - this means CRTs would be on anything I bring, all appropriate to the machine its connected to. They're bulky and difficult, but they're so much more authentic, and IMO, necessary to the experience for a museum, which is our aim across the board for the Freeplay show, I think.

Does this sound good to you guys? What else would you like to see there? Do you have computers you'd like to bring (with appropriate software/monitor)? Do you have any of the above list, and want to lessen my load? (that would be EXTREMELY welcome!)  Do you have any ideas of software that you would like to see running on these systems?

Lots of questions, lots of possibilities - let's make this a community effort, and a great spot to hang when you need a rest from the main floor!

Looking forward to your input,

-Mav (David)

[HammysHangout ( Hammy )]

i have:

TRS-80 ( Portable ) , Model 100,  TRS-80 Model 4P , Coleco ADAM, and just got a Mattel Aquarius ( With Advanced D&D & Tron Deadly Discs )  , Brian J has a Model iii

[WhiskeyTangoFoxtrot]

I’ll see what I can dig up.


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[Maverick1978]

i have:

TRS-80 ( Portable ) , Model 100,  TRS-80 Model 4P , Coleco ADAM, and just got a Mattel Aquarius ( With Advanced D&D & Tron Deadly Discs )  , Brian J has a Model iii

I’m still not sure about the size of the room, or if I’ll actually need to bring the 11-12 systems I was thinking about bringing (wasn’t kidding about appreciating some others bringing some of these!! Laugh)

Also not married to the idea of a non-working display only piece in the Pet-2001, or even a limited-showing piece in the Apple Lisa. The idea is there only because they’re cool, historically significant pieces.

I’m not overly familiar with the TRS-80 line. Are there decent games/software on the system (hopefully with screen savers) where we could justify a table of the silver and black!? There’s no denying how cool those machines look when lined up!

Software wise on PC, I was thinking basic Gorilla, Commander Keen, Thexder (or Zeliard), a LucasArts game (Maniac Mansion maybe!?), ie stuff that would be recognizable and accessible. Fun part will be seeing if I have enough joysticks and game pass around to field so many.

Was hoping you could bring your AT (or loan me your xt-ide for the show) - I seem to have misplaced all but one of mine, and may need to order a few more. Maybe even see if I can get Glitch to donate a few for use at the show in exchange for an advertisement on the PC’s description cards. I’ll get you a hard drive cover piece for your AT case too - I should have a few laying around. I do have an Apple IIgs system (no apple monitor) I could bring, but I’m far from adverse to seeing you or someone else bringing one!

@wtf - would love to see what you can come up with! If you’ve something cool but it’s not quite complete or whatever, mention it! Between us, we might still get an awesome display out of it!

[HammysHangout ( Hammy )]

There are cool text based games for a lot of the systems.

I have a fully working pet .

as for number of systems, it all depends on how many pinballs and arcades get submitted we may have to take over the hallways

[k7]

i'll mail you my usb robotics 33.6kb modem and my okidata microline 180...so you can get onliine and download a 2K picture in 4 hours. then print it up in another 20 minutes.

[Evil Genius]

I have a six-64 and a couple 128’s.

[FUNWIZ]

Seeing computers and the retro gaming systems that got us where we currently are in the game world, cool, but that leaves out the programming systems, testers and the old system analyzers that repaired the game boards.  I would also like to see the old game testers and related things used to keep the old stuff up and running.  Just a thought. 

[Tempest_Super_#1_funguy.]

I have an Osbourne portable and a zx spectrum I could loan out for the show if interested.

[bjones]

I have a ton of pre-pc computers including the atari lineup, sinclair 1000, neXt cube, the apple II lineup (IIplus, IIe, IIgs), Digital PDP11, and on and on.

[PunkicCyborg]

I bring my Japanese computer every year and will be happy to bring them again this year 
Sharp X68000
FM Towns
MSX 2+
PC-98