New Zealand Vintage Computer Forums

In another forum (TradeMe -- > System 80 haul) gavo says...

>Nice repair there Tez. It makes me wonder if there is (or should be) a register of
>enthusiasts that are willing (and capable) of repairing old machines in NZ that other
>enthusiasts can send their stuff to for repair (after negotiation of course). Although by
>necessity most enthusiasts probably need or have some electronics skills, I suspect
>there are some repairs that are either too complex or dangerous for the average
>user (no offence to anyone - I consider myself an average user) to attempt without
>the right skills or experience. If it were known that there was a network of people
>with skills to be able to repair some of these other machines, maybe a few more would be saved?

>Just a thought

Yes, I have thought about this subject myself. Problem is some faults a extremely simple to diagnose and fix and some are just damm hard. It is the diagnosis that takes the time. 8-bit machines are relatively simple to fix once you know what's wrong but there is usually no way to estimate how much time it will take. Sometimes it can take 10 minutes, sometime days and sometimes you can never find out what's wrong with it.

Interesting concept though, and worth discussing. Certainly for people that live close to one another, the concept of helping each other with their machines should be encouraged. It's a good way to get to know fellow enthusiasts. Kind of like the computer clubs of yesteryear except with the focus on restoration, preservation (and nostalgia). Philip Avery and I occasionally get together and I hope to keep in contact with Kenneth in Levin too. Maybe we should organise a coffe-shop meeting one weekend afternoon where some of us from Palmy/Wanganui can meet you guys from Wellington in person. Could be a good social event where we can chew the fat about vintage computers. What do you think?

tezza wrote:Philip Avery and I occasionally get together and I hope to keep in contact with Kenneth in Levin too. Maybe we should organise a coffe-shop meeting one weekend afternoon where some of us from Palmy/Wanganui can meet you guys from Wellington in person. Could be a good social event where we can chew the fat about vintage computers. What do you think?

I've often though of trying to organise spome sort of vintage computer gathering. I think it's a great idea and I'd be keen to meet up with others and put faces to names.

tezza wrote:Interesting concept though, and worth discussing. Certainly for people that live close to one another, the concept of helping each other with their machines should be encouraged. It's a good way to get to know fellow enthusiasts. Kind of like the computer clubs of yesteryear except with the focus on restoration, preservation (and nostalgia). Philip Avery and I occasionally get together and I hope to keep in contact with Kenneth in Levin too. Maybe we should organise a coffe-shop meeting one weekend afternoon where some of us from Palmy/Wanganui can meet you guys from Wellington in person. Could be a good social event where we can chew the fat about vintage computers. What do you think?

I actually quite like the idea of an ad-hoc club of ethusiasts who ocassionally get together for a chin wag - the internet is a great resource, but I think it lacks the personal touch that often makes these kind of communities work - or that could just be me

In anycase, I think its a good idea.

gavo wrote:I actually quite like the idea of an ad-hoc club of ethusiasts who ocassionally get together for a chin wag

Why that's retro 80s talk!

Seems to be some support for a face-to-face get-together for a meet-and-greet/names-to-faces afternoon by a few of us in the lower North Island anyway. Levin might be a good 1/2 way place? Any interest from other Wellingtonions, or anyone else from Manawatu/Wanganui for that matter?

If people are receptive to the idea, I say let's do it. I'll contact everyone that's expressed an interest by private mail (via this board) next week and we can arrange something.

I'd be interested in this too.

I'm working on it....I'll get back to everyone via this forum in the next few days. Looking at weekend of October 2/3.

tezza wrote:I'm working on it....I'll get back to everyone via this forum in the next few days. Looking at weekend of October 2/3.

I'll be away from that weekend until the weekend of 16/17th October. I'd be able to do 25/26th September or 16/17 or later.

Hi,

Ok, we’ve firmed up on this. Sorry if this doesn't suit everyone but it’s THIS WEEKEND (18th September).

Philip Avery (pavery) and I will be calling into see Kenneth (old-system-80 user) this Saturday morning in Levin. At lunch time (12 o’clock) all three of us will retire to Whispers café. This is on the main road through Levin between the two sets of lights. It would be great if some of you others within driving distance could join us there at 12 for a couple of hours. It will be a good chance to meet, discuss our interest and put names to faces!

It might pay to let me know if you can come (post on here or send an email) just so we know what to expect from a logistic point of view. Should be fun! (Andrew, hopefully you can make it. Other weekends are tricky for me. Gavin, is this a trip where the wifedoesn'tneedtoknow )

P.S. If you are coming from Wellington, Whispers café is on your right after the first set of traffic lights.

tezza wrote:Ok, we’ve firmed up on this. Sorry if this doesn't suit everyone but it’s THIS WEEKEND (18th September).

Great, I will be able to make this.

I'll see you there

tezza wrote:Hi,

Ok, we’ve firmed up on this. Sorry if this doesn't suit everyone but it’s THIS WEEKEND (18th September).

Gavin, is this a trip where the wifedoesn'tneedtoknow )

Bugger. I cant make it this weekend - wife would end up knowing as she is working this Saturday and my job is making sure the little one makes it to and from a birthday party (otherwise they might be coming with me!). Sometimes wives and kids can be so inconsiderate (dont tell them I said that!)

Sounds like its going to me good tho and I'm honestly sorry I will miss it. Hopefully next time. Anyway, have a great time!

Hi Guys,

Enjoyed the meeting yesterday. Good to meet you Andrew. Kenneth I hope that speed alternation on drive 2 makes a difference. I'd be inclined to whip the circuit board off the top and just check the head assembly moves on the rails freely. While your doing that, see if the problem follows the circuit board by putting it on another drive and seeing if the problem follows it. See if that drive read/write test fails at track 39 again.

Good choice of venue Kenneth. Wild weather coming back, in fact Philip Avery had to stay at out place last night as a slip closed his way home to Wanganui! We spent the night watching "Get Lamp", a DVD series on text-based adventure games. Good stuff!

tezza wrote: We spent the night watching "Get Lamp", a DVD series on text-based adventure games. Good stuff!

oooh, sounds interesting. Given that I've got several Adventure/IF writing books already (and have even read bits of some of them which is a bit achievement for me with books),which I think pretty well cover the history, Infocom, Colossal Cave, Sierra etc, how comprehensive is the series? What's the running length? Is it good because it appeals to our nostalgia, or could it be shown to the current young age game players and be entertaining and informative?

Pity the ask price wasn't a bit lower. $40US is a bit cost prohibitive, when a lower cost could have meant much higher sales volume. Interestingly, judging it as a dvd video production it's expensive (from a buyer's perspective and expectation), but as a game package it would be about right, which obviously where the pitch lies with all the Infom-esque boxing and additions. The packaging was quite a part the gaming experience then. Unlike a stupid article I was reading a month or so back complaining that the cover art of old games were not a reflection of the quality of the graphics and game play. That author was an idiot.

Get Lamp is very good. I now want to drag out the old Infocom games.

What I like about Jason Scott's documentary's is that he lets the people concerned tell the story. There is minimal narration but clever editing so the story IS told. I enjoyed his documentary about BBS's too.