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Welcome to the Goodwill Computer Museum (Video)

Posted by Roblimo on from the don't-be-scared-they're-just-old-computers-like-grandpa-used-to-use dept.

Goodwill Industries rehabs computers and sells computer parts, at least in Austin, Texas. The Goodwill Computer Museum is a natural outgrowth of that effort. In this video, museum curator Lisa Worley takes Slashdot's Timothy Lord on a tour of the museum. Remember that TRS-80 you threw away in 1982? Well, they saved several of them to stimulate your nostalgia-based pleasure nodules. Ditto many other devices both common and rare, including a pre-Dell computer made and signed by Texas computer celebrity Michael Dell. So sit back and enjoy the ride, as Timothy does the walking and Lisa does the talking, kind of like Night at the Museum -- but without CGI dinosaurs and other life forms getting between you and the classic computers.

15 of 72 comments (clear)

  1. Museum? Looks more like... by TWX · · Score: 2

    ...my living room, years ago, though with more space between artifacts...

    Anyone need a peek/poke ISA card for bit-wise operations?

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  2. Gave up by mypalmike · · Score: 2, Informative

    The pre-video ad was like 3 hours long so I gave up.

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    1. Re:Gave up by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      #epicfail

      I can't tell, is it Twitter or 4chan that you think you are posting on?

    2. Re:Gave up by Megane · · Score: 2

      4chan would have flayed him alive for being hipster enough to use a hashtag. He probably even read it while saying "hashtag" out loud.

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  3. Remember that TRS-80 you threw away in 1982? by The+Grim+Reefer · · Score: 2

    Yes, but I think it was closer to 2002 when I finally did. I usually try to purge accumulated computer stuff every 10 years, give or take. With the exception of a Pentium Pro, I don't have anything older than a P2. But it's going to be time to clean house again soon. Every time I throw something away that isn't at least 10 years old, I end up needing it two weeks after it's gone. Then I have to pay a stupid amount of money to replace something that I had all along.

    1. Re:Remember that TRS-80 you threw away in 1982? by n1ywb · · Score: 3, Informative

      The problem with old computers is power consumption. A newer Atom or ARM will do the same job at 2 watts that a clunky old PC would consume 200 for. $0.15/kwh * 200 watts * 24 hours * 365 days = $262.8. That'll buy a lot of RaspberryPIs and their power consumption is practically negligable. The other problem is they're big. If you only run it infrequently and real estate is not an issue then whatever, might as well keep the old one.

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      www.n1ywb.com
    2. Re:Remember that TRS-80 you threw away in 1982? by sootman · · Score: 2

      I used to have a dual-PPro. I wish I still had it, but for a different reason.

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  4. Re:Museum? Looks more like... by lord_mike · · Score: 2

    No, but I could use an 8-bit ISA CGA video card and a CGA monitor if you have one. :-)

  5. Weird Location by dodgerfan · · Score: 3, Informative

    I visited there last year when I was in Austin for Formula 1. We happened to stumble upon the location as it's located in a strip mall right next to a Wal-Mart. The museum is pretty cool and has some neat stuff. If you are in the area it's definitely worth a look. There is also a great Goodwill computer store right next door with parts for older stuff (Mostly Dell, of course).

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  6. Re:Museum? Looks more like... by arthurpaliden · · Score: 2

    My basement until my wife finally won the argument.

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  7. Re:Museum? Looks more like... by Wintermute__ · · Score: 2

    My basement until my wife finally won the argument.

    My basement today. I'll sure miss my wife.

  8. See also Living Computer Museum in Seattle by Beryllium+Sphere(tm) · · Score: 2

    They keep old classic minis in working order. Want to see a DEC 20 in operation?

  9. Re:Free Admission by PopeRatzo · · Score: 2

    If I can figure out a way to get to Austin without having to be in Texas, I'm in.

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  10. Re:Throw down. by TheloniousToady · · Score: 2

    Glad there's someone else out there who can relate! I actually had a Superboard II, which was the Challenger 1P without a case, as you may recall. Years later, I bought a C4P for cheap at a hamfest. Also, I may have the most complete set of Ohio Scientific documentation still in existence. (It's nice to have something to brag about, even if nobody cares.)

  11. Re:Museum? Looks more like... by arthurpaliden · · Score: 2

    But rearranging the junk was half the fun ....

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