Old Computers, and Challenges 07/19/23
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The 2023 "Old Computer Challenge" happened recently over at solene's.
I didn't take part, but wanted to write about the notion.
If my office space was organized differently, I would always have at
least two of my old computers nearby, but as it stands, I only have
one. My 8088 sits on its own desk, behind my main workstation, as I
have most likely mentioned before. I'm writing this post from that
system.
A bit about the setup, as that is half the fun:
* Epson Equity I+
* 8088 CPU (I believe it's an NEC version)
* Main disk is an original 8-bit IDE card with a more modern IDE2CF
adapter, 1gig CF card with a 256MB DOS partition in use
* Graphics is an 8-bit Oaktech VGA card, I think 256k memory
* System RAM is the standard 640kb, which is enough for anybody
* Network car is an 8-bit ethernet NIC of I-can't-recall variety
* Keyboard is the original Epson keyboard that came with this system
* There's a Genius three-button serial mouse attached
* Monitor is a modern VGA 14 or 15" LCD
Now, when I say that I'm writing this post from that system, here's
what I mean:
* The 8088 is booted up, and a packet driver is loaded
* I'm using mTCP's telnet client to telnet to a local pi running a
debian system with telnetd
* From there I'm using ssh to connect to SDF (because my CS keys
aren't on the pi), then hopping over to CS
In other words, I'm not typing this to upload later, I'm typing in
live from the 8088, and will publish (save) it when I'm done. I would
connect directly from the 8088 to CS, but the 8088 just doesn't have
the power to do SSH (I have a few clients, but can't get them
operational with the modern auth schemes).
Of course, the process of connecting to a more powerful system through
the internet is as valid as it ever was--which is ever since home
computing was a thing. So, I don't feel unauthentic about my setup in
the slightest.
***
As for the OCC, I didn't participate (and my 8088 is too old for the
challenge, really.) But, I figured I'd at least do *something*, which
is all I can do at the moment. And, to be honest, in the grand scale
of the earth and its inhabitants, I'm very blessed to be able to do
even what I'm doing (meaning, I'm glad that I don't have to hike miles
for water each day, and that I can waste time on whims with you all).
My work, such as it currently is, would not be possible from this old
8088, even with ridiculous efforts. My work such as I'd have it, would
be. An 80386 might suffice for the present work (in fact, I'm fairly
certain it could be done), but not this lovely Epson. The challenge's
512MB is far more than I'd personally need for most tasks that I do
(but not all). I'd rather change my job to lower my tech requirements,
than change my computer, but that is a work in progress.
