My Computer Graveyard

For those who have been reading my blogs over time would be aware of my interest in graveyards. To me, a graveyard is a place where one can learn something about the past. Now most of the graveyards I have been to are graveyards where we bury our loved ones once they have passed on.

There are many types of graveyards. Author Stephen King once wrote about a pet cemetery where people bury their deceased pets. In my house, I have a different type of graveyard… a computer graveyard.

Over the past years, I have run a small “on the side” computer repair business. One habit of mine was that I never threw any old computer parts out just in case I needed them. As a result, I have acquired all types of obsolete computer parts as well as a number of obsolete computers. Every once in awhile I reminisce as I look at the old dinosaurs and when I do, old memories flood back to my mind. Below, are a few examples of some of the computers and the memories they invoke…

Apple II

I had never seen a personal computer until my very last day at University in 1983. As I was clearing out residence, a summer school student was setting up his new Apple II computer as he prepared for the summer semester. University was a good memory for me.

Commodore PET

Shortly after University, I took a computer programming course. This was my first experience with working on personal computers. I don't remember much about computer language other than it was called BASIC. The only two commands I remember are PEEK and POKE. One was for colour and the other for sound. Which one was sound and which one was colour is now a mystery for me!




Commodore VIC 20

Now there was a good computer! It was the first computer that got to play computer games on. Games such as Astro and a couple of other games whose names I forget. It was then that I ended up with tendonitus in my fingers... my first experience with a computer related injury.

Commodore 64

The first computer that I ever had in one of my classrooms. It was my first experience in word processing. It also had a great war game installed. I can't remember the name but I got to sink ships. Nope... wasn't battleship! This was my first experience in computer game addiction.


Apple IIe

While working for the Boys & Girls Club, I ran the computer lab. This was my first experience working with Apple computers. The only software I remember was Appleworks. I didn't spend too much time on these computers as the club members were always on them.

Atari 800

One day I came across an Atari 800 in its original box on top of my neighbour's garbage can. I snapped it up and brought it home. I have never tried to run it and yet I refuse to junk it. One day, I shall give it a go and get it going. I have taken it apart and looked inside it but that's about it. This was my first experience taking a computer apart.

IBM PC

I was responsible for purchasing 10 of these computers for the Boys & Girls Club. This is where I received my experience in setting up computers. Since then, I have owned an unknown number of PCs. I have also used my experience on PCs to finance a number of family projects as well as pay many bills. I have installed Windows 3.0, 3.1, .311 for Networks, Windows 95, 98, 98SE and ME, Windows 2000, Windows XP Home and Professional and Linux Mandrake and Red Hat. I have no idea how many times I have installed these operating systems. Each and every time I have worked on a computer, I have learned something new.

iMac G4

I just recently acquired one of these. It does not work and so I have to fix it. I set a goal of getting it fixed by the end of February... It doesn't look like I am going to meet that goal. I have absolutely no idea what I am doing!

So... Do any of these computers bring back any of your memories? It is amazing how objects such as these can invoke our memories!