Retro Computing Archives

Advantages and disadvantages of Windows 3.0

Dave Farquhar Retro Computing January 19, 2016February 28, 2021AMI, amiga, excel, Microsoft Office, new hardware, Once Windows, radio shack, unix, windows nt, Windows XP

I hear the question from time to time what the advantages and disadvantages of Windows 3.0 were. Windows 3.0, released in May 1990, is generally considered the first usable version of Microsoft Windows. The oft-repeated advice to always wait for Microsoft’s version 3 is a direct reference to Windows 3.0 that still gets repeated today, frequently.

Although Windows 3.0 is clumsy by today’s standards, in 1990 it had the right combination of everything to take the world by storm.

Dave Farquhar

David Farquhar is a computer security professional, entrepreneur, and author. He started his career as a part-time computer technician in 1994, worked his way up to system administrator by 1997, and has specialized in vulnerability management since 2013. He invests in real estate on the side and his hobbies include O gauge trains, baseball cards, and retro computers and video games. A University of Missouri graduate, he holds CISSP and Security+ certifications. He lives in St. Louis with his family.

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Who bought Commodore

Dave Farquhar Retro Computing January 14, 2016August 23, 2018amiga, commodore, dell, IBM, samsung

Commodore International went out of business in 1994, after nearly a decade of declining revenue. But the company left a significant legacy, which leads to some logical questions. What became of Commodore? Who bought Commodore?

Dave Farquhar

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Mehdi Ali: Commodore spinmeister

Dave Farquhar Retro Computing December 22, 2015October 28, 20181980s, 1990s, amiga, christmas, Chrysler, commodore, commodore 128, commodore 64, IBM, irving gould, Mehdi Ali, Office Space, stock scam, XT

I found the thumbnail biography of one Mehdi Ali recently. It reads, in part:

“His prior experience includes serving as the President of Commodore International, where he accomplished a major operational turnaround.”

I don’t think he and I share the same definition of “major operational turnaround.”

Dave Farquhar

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Commodore 64 vs VIC-20

Dave Farquhar Retro Computing December 7, 2015October 26, 20221541, 1980s, 6502, amiga, atari, atari st, commodore, commodore 64, jack tramiel, Microsoft Basic, MOS, power brick, public domain

How do you compare the Commodore 64 vs VIC-20?

The Commodore 64 and its predecessor, the VIC-20, look a lot alike, and the VIC-20’s design certainly influenced the 64. The 64 is the best selling computer model of all time, and I argue the VIC-20 was the first really successful home computer. The success of the two machines allowed Commodore to surpass Radio Shack as the sales leader in the computer industry. Yes, both Commodore and Radio Shack outsold Apple.

But even though the two machines are closely related, there are significant differences between them. It’s important to remember that in the 1980s, two years was a comparatively long time because the market was moving so fast. Plus, the VIC-20 was always supposed to be an entry-level machine. In 1982, the 64 was supposed to be fairly high-end. Let’s compare and contrast the two venerable machines.

Dave Farquhar

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How to connect a Commodore VIC-20 to a TV

Dave Farquhar Retro Computing November 23, 2015April 18, 20181980s, antenna, atari, atari 2600, commodore, RCA, video connector

Connecting old computers and consoles to not-as-old televisions is frequently a challenge. Sadly, the VIC-20, Commodore’s runaway bestseller from 1982, is no exception to that. Here’s how to connect a Commodore VIC-20 to a TV.

Unfortunately, there are fewer options for connecting a VIC than there are the slightly newer and more common C-64, but I’ll walk you through the options you do have.

Dave Farquhar

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Why were early computers beige?

Dave Farquhar Retro Computing November 12, 2015September 5, 20191980s, 1990s, apple, apple ii, atari, atari st, Benjamin Moore, Bennington Gray, commodore, commodore 64, IBM

It’s a common question: Why were early computers beige? In some ways it seems a curious color choice today.

Dave Farquhar

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Make your own null modem cable

Dave Farquhar Retro Computing, Servers and Networking November 3, 2015March 11, 2024cat5, cat5e, classmate, phone wiring

One of my coworkers needed to make a null modem cable last week, and most of the sites he found made it far, far too difficult. All you really need is 3 wires. Here’s how to make your own null modem cable.

Most of the time, you only need three pins. In fact, I never needed more than three pins, no matter what I was connecting. Usually, a 3-wire null modem cable is more than sufficient.

Dave Farquhar

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Need a Commodore motherboard? Believe it or not you’re in luck

Dave Farquhar Retro Computing October 23, 2015October 20, 2015amiga, amiga os, commodore, commodore 64

Individual Computers is working on, of all things, a replacement Amiga motherboard that will fit in an Amiga 500 or Amiga 1200 case.

The board will use the AGA chipset that the Amiga 1200 used, but the board will be built using a modern process, modern materials, and as many other modern components as possible.

Dave Farquhar

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Happy 20th birthday to Windows 95

Dave Farquhar Retro Computing, Windows August 24, 2015October 1, 2021apple, best buy, IBM, intel, unix, Windows 9

It was on August 24, 1995 that Windows 95 was released, amidst much anticipation. It was the most widely anticipated Windows release of all time, and the runner up really isn’t close. The idea of people lining up for blocks for a Microsoft product sounds like a bit of a joke today, but in 1995 it happened.

I received a free copy of it because I worked at Best Buy in the summer of 1995 and I aced Microsoft’s test that demonstrated sufficient aptitude to sell it. A few weeks later I landed my first desktop support gig, ending my career in a blue shirt, which means I probably never actually talked anyone into buying a copy of it.

I got plenty of Win95 experience over the next couple of years though.

Dave Farquhar

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