Welcome to classic-computers.org.nz

Ever since I saw a TRS-80 Model 1 playing Blackjack back in 1979, I've had a fascination with microcomputers.

Of course these days computers (we've stopped calling them microcomputers) are simply consumables, and have morphed into common household gadgets such as HD Recorders, phones and Ipods. High quality computers can be bought at unheard-of prices. Terms such as virtual tape deduplication and cloud computing are the jargon of the 21st century. However, back in those pre-Internet years from 1975-86 computers were wondrous, mysterious and all different. "Micros" seemed to point to an exciting future, and that is exactly what came to pass.

This webspace is devoted to the computers and computing culture of those years, from my own personal perspective and often with a "down under" flavour. The reason for its existence is to preserve some history before it's forgotten by those of us that were there, or so it can be discovered by those that weren't. If you enjoy retro-computing, there is likely to be something on this site for you!

Have a look around. If you are a classic computer collector, consider adding your name and details to the collectors lists. If there are vintage computer items you want to acquire or dispose of, or if you have a classic computer reflection of your own, post a note in the forums. If you've old floppy disks which need reading I can help.

If you've been here before and wondered what's changed, the news and updates page would be a good place to start.

Don't forget to sign the guestbook before you go.

(Last edited on 14th December, 2011)

Classic-Computers.org.nz websites

A Tribute to the Dick Smith System-80
(Extensive information on this Australian/NZ classic)

My Vintage Collection
(My own computer rest home residents and what I think of them)

My Vintage Computer Blog!
(Adventures in keeping these old machines up and running, along with other random jottings)

A Floppy Disk File Extraction and Recovery Service
(People kept asking me to do this so I decided to make it official)

New Zealand Bits and Bytes Microcomputer Magazine Archive
(Scanned copies of early issues)

New Zealand Vintage Computer Collectors
(Lists of NZ vintage computer collectors. What they have, what they want and what they have spare)

New Zealand Vintage Computer Forums
(Post here if you want a vintage item, have one for sale, or wish to share your own NZ classic computer experience)

Other links you should know about

The Vintage Computer Forums
(Active international community of fellow vintage computer enthusiasts)
The Retrobits Podcast
(Audio series on classic computers)
The Obsolete Technology Website
(Comprehensive coverage of many vintage models from a private collector)
Vintage Computers | The Collectors Weekly
(Collectors e-zine with a Vintage computer section)
Collectable Detectives
( Classic Computer Links, and thousands more links to old vintage antiques)