On Wed, Mar 23, 2005 at 11:48:33AM -0700, George Stacey wrote: > Rats, Byron! It's this use of the "exclusive" condition that stops me. My > little old Classic is running happily along on System 6 -- and, yes, I use > it every day for writing, keeping finances straight, storing TidBITS issues, > and so on -- and I suppose I get 50 points for having it online, as you do, > but only with IMAP mail and a Lynx browser on a text-only shell account -- > but, drat, it's not an EXCLUSIVE situation! Because I also use a big honkin > G3 Molar with OS 9.2.2 for other computing -- including ADSL high-speed > Internet browsing and most of my e-mailing. > > I expect that's where most of us are -- running System 6 on compacts or > other early Macs, but also using a later machine as well, and likely running > System X on it. > > So it's an interesting question: who among us is using ONLY a retrocomputer? > And, incidentally, ONLY System 6?
To clarify a few things: The duration of the competition would be one month, and it would take place in the summer. I selected the summer because people are more likely to entertain themself outdoors, rather than in front of the computer. In the sense of "it must be a Macintosh running System 6", there are no such restrictions. System 7 came out in 1992. Windows 3.1 and even Windows NT existed before August 1995. So there is a lot of choice! Since the only real restrictions are on the CPU/mainboard and operating system, there are a tonne of things you can do. Yes, you can even get a 68040 running System 7.5.5 online. This includes DHCP and PPPoe, for those of us with high-speed connections. It is not as though you have to use the machine for the entire duration either. Let's say that you participated for 28 or the 31 days. During the week you are stuck using a modern machine at work, but you stuck to using a qualifying machine at home. That would still be 20 points per day multiplied by 20 days, or 400 points. You head to the library on two Saturdays and use their modern catalogue, so you are stuck with 10 points per day multiplied by 2 days, or an additional 20 points. But the remaining Saturdays and every Sunday you used your trusty SE and nothing but your trusty SE, so that would be 50 points per day multiplied by 6 days, or an additional 300 points. That means you have 720 points just for using your old machine when you can. (And you didn't even use your SE for three days!) Okay then, so how do you beat the guy who drives courier for a living (ie. no exposure to modern computers)? After all, 50 points per day multiplied by 31 days is 1550 points. Your not even half way there. That's where the other challenges come in. You have a potential 500 points for getting your machine online and using all of the protocols mentioned. So if you love networking (of the digital variety), then you may have a leg up. Or maybe programming is your thing. Perhaps there could be 50 points for submitting a small demo, and 500 points for the demo which wins "best of show". Or maybe you like desktop publishing and/or working with bitmapped (B&W) graphics. Have 50 points for an entry, and 500 points for the best of show. Ditto for colour graphics work, video, 3-D modelling, etc. (anything which is visual and can be judged is fair). If you think that living without Mac OS 9.2.2 is too restrictive because you cannot do your email or browse the web, well, you just don't know the platform. The Retrochallenge would give you an opportunity to learn more about it, while helping (or even heckling) your competitors. It would give lists such as this one a breath of life (because a lot of people would use System 6). It may also give you that little kick in the rear you need in order to do something really neat with that old IIci or Apple IIgs. And finally, it is called the Retrochallenge because it is meant to be a challenge. It is a challenge to rediscover what people were doing with these very capable machines in the past. It certainly isn't a challenge to do stuff with our old boxes. ;-) Byron. -- System6 is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... 123Inkjets.com <http://lowendmac.com/ad/123inkjets.html> Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> System 6 Heaven <http://www.euronet.nl/users/mvdk/system_6_heaven.html> System6 info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/system6.html> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:system6@mail.maclaunch.com> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/system6%40mail.maclaunch.com/> iPod Accessories for Less at 1-800-iPOD.COM Fast Delivery, Low Price, Good Deal www.1800ipod.com
