Retrocomputing

Retrocomputing is a term to describe the use of old computer hardware and software.

Contents

1 Retrocomputing by hobbyists 2 Historical retrocomputing 3 See also 4 References 5 External links

Retrocomputing by hobbyists

One form of retrocomputing is a recreation or hobby, which is often misunderstood by non-enthusiasts, since it involves a mixture of nostalgia and horror (about things like JCL). It often involves maintaining or emulating obsolete hardware.

Historical retrocomputing

A more serious line of retrocomputing is part of the history of computing. It can be seen as the analogue of Experimental archaeology in computing.

Some notable examples include:

• Reconstruction of Babbage's Difference engine (more than a century after its design)
• The implementation of Plankalkül in 2000 (more than half a century since its inception).

See also

• History of computing hardware

References

• Owad, Tom (2005). Apple I Replica Creation: Back to the Garage. (http://www.applefritter.com/replica) Rockland, MA: Syngress Publishing. Copyright © 2005. ISBN 1-931836-40-X.

External links

• Apple I Owners Club (http://www.applefritter.com/apple1)
• Obsolete Computer Museum (http://www.obsoletecomputermuseum.org/)
• The Retrocomputing Museum (http://www.catb.org/~esr/retro/)
• Eric Smith's Retrocomputing page (http://www.brouhaha.com/~eric/retrocomputing/)