EricBall's Tech Projects

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My name is Eric and I'm a packrat

Entry posted by EricBall July 6, 2009

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Yesterday I tidied up the corner of the basement where I store all my computer (and other tech) junk. I have no idea how I ended up with a dozen (or more) IEC power cords. I should keep enough of the best looking ones for the working PCs and monitors I currently have and toss the rest. Or figure out how to make them into a modern art exhibit and sell 'em to some gallery.

I also have a whack of serial cables which I'm trying to justify keeping. I don't think I have an external modem hiding anywhere - not that I have a big reason to use a modem anymore. I think I used them at one point to LapLink to an old PC to pull stuff off the harddrive. These days I'd just attach the harddrive to a USB adapter. So I guess I'll toss them as well - or add them to the modern art exhibit.

However, sometimes that old junk is usefull. Apparently an old 5.25 floppy drive cable can be used as an SD card socket.

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Mezrabad 148

Posted July 12, 2009

I feel your pain. I've accumulated four 486s (computers, monitors, mice and keyboards), with the hopeful intent of playing good old fashioned Doom someday. I think I finally have four complete "sets". However, I've realized that, unlike setting up an Atari console with four paddles to play Warlords, for instance, setting up and networking four old PCs can be a bit of a chore. The lure of Doom, just isn't enough for all that work (which would only be up for an afternoon or two). Fortunately, I got them all for free. Unfortunately, getting rid of the monitors won't be free, if I understand local environmental laws these days.

For me, even if there's a use for some of the stuff I've saved, I'm disinclined to actually do anything with it, although art exhibit sounds like a good idea.