Artfield '2012 - a parade of retro computers

This weekend we Voronezh again was interesting festival exhibition Artfield '2012
please do not break, ph much as finish - will tell.
plus a little taken away from him

Recently, though Voronezh has found a second wind and began to live a cultural life with renewed vigor. It was simply no time to get bored. The next event that I attended literally just turned out to be an exhibition of retro computers Artfield '2012 - an event uncommon and interesting even for those who are very far removed from computers.

As it turned out, the festival has been held annually since 2004. The event is for non-commercial and informal. Organizers - enthusiasts and collectors from different cities. The exhibition itself was held in Voronezh House of Youth at Ave Revolution, d.22. I leave their impressions last, but for now tell you about some particularly interesting exhibits, providing photos of some interesting facts

Domestic computers
And this exhibit is called "BK-0010.01," which stands for "home computer". First developed in 1983 in Zelenograd, and position the computer for learning at home. Total produced 162 thousand of computers, of which 78 000 - for retail sale. So, in 1990 BC-0010.01 sold at a price of 750 rubles - that while the average salary was 3-4. Even this model could be connected not only to black and white, but also a color TV. The computer includes a 32 KB RAM. An interesting feature was that the computer is released, and the software to write for him, no one was going. Almost all software was created mainly by amateur users. As a result, they were written more than 800 different games (Arkanoid, Monkey Island, and even the Prince of Persia) and many other useful programs.

Here the Soviet computer in 1985 - "Electronics MS 0585". Moreover, it was designed and manufactured not just anywhere, but in Voronezh at the "Processor"! Well developed ... completely copied from the American DEC Pro-350. The computer came with a monochrome or color monitor, on the board already had 512 KB of RAM and the hard disk volume of 5 MB. Generally speaking, the design of this machine can not be called successful: because of ill-conceived layout and inefficient cooling system "MS 0585" constantly overheated and broke down. The quality of connectors and connections, too, leaves much to be desired. Thus, up to now we have lived isolated instances, one of which you see in the picture above.

"Partner 01.01" - produced in Ryazan in 1987. In 1990, its retail price is 700 rubles. Showing off 64 KB of RAM, however could not boast even graphics mode. All that was available - a two-color text mode (25 lines). Made in the then popular candy bar arrangement. The board, power supply and keyboard are arranged in a single package. It weighed all this splendor 3, 7 kg. With the software business there situation was already a little better. On the computer was a complete Operating System pre-installed "Monitor", the BASIC interpreter and line editor. With the support of external modules connected, it became possible to read programs from cassettes.

"Search" - a computer developed in 1988 in Kiev. Traditionally, it has been partially cloned IBM PC / XT, however, had a more perfect 5 MHz processor, 512 KB RAM, had a four-color graphics mode and in general was quite a modern machine. Even able to read floppy disks and had a wide selection of various expansion units. The computer was notable for the fact that as the operating system MS DOS played there, rather than domestic developments. In mid-1991 it exceeded the value of 1050 rubles.

Foreign computers
This grandfather of all the computer industry - Commodore C64 comes from 1982. According to the Guinness Book of Records, Commodore 64 is still the best-selling computer models. Throughout its history it has been sold 17 million copies of this model. Commodore C64 It was the "killer" game console industry in the form in which they were popular then. In total, for the computer it was written about 10 thousand gaming, office and other programs. RAM - 64K plus - it is possible to increase the amount of memory card that fits into a special slot, which also installed cartridges that extend the capabilities of your computer. The set comes with either computer-controlled tape or disk drive, equipped with a built-in processor. In addition, connected drives, printers (including "Electronics 6512»), MIDI-devices. Two ports for joysticks, mice and others (including analog devices). As you can see, it was one of the first computers in the sense in which we now see this concept.

American Atari ST1040, unreleased since 1986 - another interesting exhibit. At the exhibition it was equipped with a monochrome monitor Atari SM124, although it may be connected to color. Interesting fact: Atari ST1040 was the first personal computer with a massive amount of RAM 1 MB. Immediately after the release of the retail sales of its cost was $ 999! Computers of this type is used in the studio and live work of the famous Queen.

While in the Soviet Union only started to develop antediluvian monstrous personal computers, the Japanese Toshiba has put on the market ... so, you do not oboznalis - This notebook! This happened in 1987. The device is naming Toshiba T3200. It is interesting to make a comparative analysis of the characteristics of retro-laptop with its more cumbersome Soviet counterparts. 4 MB RAM, 40 MB hard disk, floppy disk drive - impressive? Particular attention should be paid to the monitor: it is the expansion of gas-plasma monitor 720h400 with variable contrast. Even then, the computer supports both MS DOS, and the latest MS Windows 1.1. It weighed all this splendor is also great - 8, 5 kg ...

Yes, my dear friends! Here is a rarity creation of Apple Inc. - Classic Macintosh SE FDHD. 1 MB RAM, 20 MB hard disk space, a monochrome display and 7, 7 kg of live weight. It is currently at, for those years.

Amiga A600HD - unintentional successor Amiga A500. Released in 1992, a new computer from Commodore was originally to receive the designation A300, but at the last moment changed his name to the more ... cool, even though the first models retained the original name engraved. This model is carried on board 1 MB of RAM, expandable to 4MB, and the hard disk 40 MB. His appearance continued to attack Commodore gaming consoles on the market.

Macintosh Perfoma 630. Computer, entered the short-list of 10 "most unfortunate creatures Apple». I sold it a year from 1994 to 1995. fabulous price - $ 2000! 4 MB of RAM, expandable up to ... 68 MB, 250 MB hard disk space - is already very mature performance. Computer sold in countless complete sets: with and without a monitor with a TV tuner, CD-ROM, on volume of different hard drives. The reasons for the failure of the model to explain all the different ways. It is very strange today to read that people complained about the unskilled technical support Apple. And some people do and believe what just came out, more democratic MS Windows 95 just sentenced a whole lot of Mac Perfoma death. Note from Apple logo then was somewhat different:

Bull's

And look prehistoric Mac OS:

Keyboard with "apple" button:

Magic Mouse? Mighy Mouse? That's the real evolution epplovskih mice. And then they were one touch.

Game consoles
Dendy Junior - the joy of all the children of the 90s. Unfortunately I was this joy for life deprived. I am ashamed to admit, I first played in it only today. Maybe you have not heard, but Dendy - it actually palёny clone of one of the consoles Nintendo, was collected in Taiwan from Chinese parts. And as the former Soviet Union Nintendo has never been, and could not be, this hack has earned it considerable popularity. In the sale it first came in 1992 at the price of $ 93. The project was so successful that in 1994 the company enters the turnover of 5 million. $ And the annual production of set-top boxes in the amount of 125 thousand. Units per year. But the glory did not last long. Already in 1996 the company has completely turned its activities by stopping the production of consoles ever. Interestingly, some unnamed Chinese company still produce a clone of the now legendary Dendy.

Nintendo Game Boy comes from 1989. In the market of portable electronic games, Nintendo failed to beat anyone so far. The secret of success was simple: a tiny monochrome screen, stereo four-channel function GameLink. Whenever, for whatever reasons, Game Boy sales were on the decline, Nintendo released a new version of the device, and sales rose again. In November 1996, there was Game Boy Pocket, which was less than its predecessor in size by 30%, but had a larger screen and with only two batteries AAA. He was later released on Game Boy Color c color display, then the Game Boy Advance.

Sega Dreamcast - a project that was not destined to develop. Trying to recapture their market niche consoles, Sega the company releases a new model in 1998. Dreamcast was designed to compete with the PlayStation and Nintendo 64. The prefix was released fifteen months before the release of the PlayStation 2 and three years before the GameCube with the Xbox. However, it failed to gain popularity before the release of the PlayStation 2, and Sega has decided to close the project and leave the market game consoles, as it turned out not forever. Fun fact: the production of this particular consoles suddenly resumed again in 2006. In fact, set-top boxes have been recovered from the remains after the production. Once recovered consoles ran out, Sega still sells the game for them. Dreamcast famous for a rich set of plug accessories, from pistols and rudders to electronic fishing rods.

From the author:
This is probably all. Finish your tedious and protracted digression Anyway, all this is a must see and feel their own hands. Only poklatsav for thirty years, you can feel the keyboard aytishnym spirit of the time. Many thanks to all who participated in the organization of the festival. Be sure to come back next year, in anticipation of new and exciting items!

Now I add a little bit of himself:
The exhibition was not only to touch, see and play in the exhibits, but also to compete with others. For example championships are held «Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3» (Sega Mega Drive).