Low Spec or Old computers still working..?

[billybob linux]

The other day I was looking for low spec or old computers that are still running and working. I was really looking to see what low power or low spec systems others had configured as servers.
I came across a web site running on a C64 built in 1982 still working as a web server and serving up pages (slow but it did work). I thought that was maybe pushing the technology a bit until I came across a web site running on a zx spectrum !

Has anyone else come across similar setups, old computers still working or being used in unusual situations.:)

[Evil_Bert]

I don't have anything that old, but I do have a laptop still going strong that I bought in Sep 2001 (so that's over 10 years old now). It's been half-way round the world and back, too.

As for servers on the web, I wouldn't know.

[Sicinthemind]

You would be suprised what runs great without a GUI. :)

[Evil_Bert]

I almost forgot.

Where I used to work for many years, we had computers that were built in 1978 ... and they're still there, still running today. :blink:

They're kinda special purpose jobs, and not connected to the internet.

[PabloTwo]

I still own two C128's, both in working order, but they've been packed away in a closet for many years now unused. I Googled about using a C64/128 for internet use, and yes, found articles about how to do that. Lantronics makes, or made, a couple of different C64/128 serial port to ethernet converters needed for that.

My very first connection to the outside world via computer was on my C128 using a 300 baud modem to dial into a Juno email account.... 300 baud man, the 1200 baud modem available for the C64 back then was too expensive for my budget. There was a guy in my neighborhood who used his C64 as a dial-in BBS. He had a hdd connected to it. Nobody used hdd's on their C64/128's back then.. they were sickly expensive. He worked for an electronics manufacturing co. that gave him their old 28.8Kb/s commercial grade modem when they upgraded so something higher speed, which he used. That 28.8Kb/s modem cost the Co. $20,000 when it was new.

Once I got into ham radio, I mostly used my C128 to run a ham packet radio program called Digicom, using a homemade dual speed 300/1200 baud AX.25 packet modem. How far we've come.

[billybob linux]

Thanks for the feedback :)

I came across this site here with a good collection of some old computers photos and a short history for each one.
http://royal.pingdom.com/2009/12/11/retro-delight-gallery-of-early-computers-1940s-1960s/

The collection includes the first commercial computer with hard drives and the worlds oldest working digital computer.
BTW, if you think your desktop or laptop takes up too much space you might change your mind when you see these computers.

I did try but I could not see a BSOD anywhere :D

[pete_1967]

I prefer these sites for a trip down the memory lane:
http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/
and
http://www.computerhistory.org/

[ElderSnake]

Struth... and I thought my 2001 laptop was an old server!

[Wayne]

And I thought the G4 iBook still being used here was an antique! :dance:

[kona0197]

Actually I think the G4 notebooks are used more than you think out there. wonder why they never made a G5 notebook.

[Wayne]

Because the G5 ran too hot for laptops. Fried knees aren't popular...

[ElderSnake]

I've always been fond of my old iBook G4. I've ran Ubuntu on it mostly after it initially had OSX Leopard on it. I used Leopard for a few weeks but found it a bit sluggish for the old machine and missed the customizations of Linux so I whacked Ubuntu on it. Sure I lost the ability to play any Flash but otherwise it's a nice machine. It has much better battery life than my Sony Vaio that's for sure.

[Wayne]

I think the batteries whacked in the G4 here. It's never been unplugged. Must be getting on for six years now.