Dr Dobbs Journal, February 1998

 

GeezerWare
Eugene Eric Kim

 

Computer collectors and assorted old-timers converged at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, California, last fall for the inaugural Vintage Computer Festival. Organized by Sam Ismail, the fair comprised an exhibit of old computers, a flea market, and a series of talks.

The highlight of the event came when Lee Felsenstein and Bob Marsh, the creators of The Sol (an 8080-based computer built in 1975 and named after Popular Electronics Technical Editor Les Solomon), showcased their original prototype and turned it on for the first time in 20 years to see if it would work. It didn't, but Marsh noted, "It didn't blow up--I consider that a tremendous victory."

James Willing, sysop of an early BBS, gave a particularly interesting presentation on the history of BBSs, revealing that his BBS ran on an Altair and one phone line for 13 years, until he finally retired the Altair in 1992. Other interesting speakers included Bill Fernandez, employee #4 at Apple, and Lincoln Spector, humor columnist for Computer Currents.