Roosenmaallen.com » Vintage Computers http://roosenmaallen.com Computers, spirituality, and the other things that make me go. Mon, 21 Dec 2009 14:25:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Easily the coolest/nerdiest Queen tribute ever made http://roosenmaallen.com/2009/04/25/bohemian-rhapsody-on-computer-beeps/ http://roosenmaallen.com/2009/04/25/bohemian-rhapsody-on-computer-beeps/#comments Sat, 25 Apr 2009 15:14:38 +0000 Eddie Roosenmaallen http://roosenmaallen.com/?p=50 Bohemian Rhapsody played on old computer beeps

(found via Neil Gaiman’s blog, he found it at El Reg)

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]]> http://roosenmaallen.com/2009/04/25/bohemian-rhapsody-on-computer-beeps/feed/ 0 Geek Porn: Unboxing a mint PowerBook 1400 http://roosenmaallen.com/2008/04/21/geek-porn-unboxing-a-mint-powerbook-1400/ http://roosenmaallen.com/2008/04/21/geek-porn-unboxing-a-mint-powerbook-1400/#comments Mon, 21 Apr 2008 12:10:10 +0000 Eddie Roosenmaallen http://roosenmaallen.com/?p=41 A member of the LEM PowerBooks list got their hands on a factory-sealed PowerBook 1400, and shared the unboxing photo set:

I can haz powerbook?
Slideshow at Photobucket »

Very nice set.

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]]> http://roosenmaallen.com/2008/04/21/geek-porn-unboxing-a-mint-powerbook-1400/feed/ 0 Why Super Nintendos Lose Their Colour http://roosenmaallen.com/2008/01/03/why-super-nintendos-lose-their-colour/ http://roosenmaallen.com/2008/01/03/why-super-nintendos-lose-their-colour/#comments Thu, 03 Jan 2008 14:08:48 +0000 Eddie Roosenmaallen http://roosenmaallen.com/2008/01/03/why-super-nintendos-lose-their-colour/ I found a great article about the whys and wherefores of plastic yellowing in classic machines:

Vintage Computing and Gaming | Archive » Why Super Nintendos Lose Their Color: Plastic Discoloration in Classic Machines

The article focuses mainly on the SNES, but mentions old Macs as well, and should apply equally to anything made of the official “this is a computer” grey or beige plastic.

The short version: Plastic is an organic compound (made of basically the same stuff as people) which breaks down over time. As it breaks down, it reacts differently to light and turns yellow. If the composition of the plastic is not perfect (exactly correct proportion of catalysts, flame retardants, pigments, &c.), the breakdown will occur faster. It’s also accelerated by visible and UV light, heat, and oxygen.

The yellowing is caused by the chemical composition of the plastic changing, so it’s irreversible. The author does go on to list some ways to mitigate the damage, but reiterates that there is no non-destructive way to fix it — you can remove the damaged plastic, or cover it.

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