First post, by gerry
Having followed various retro computer forums, YouTube channels etc I note that there quite a few things that enthusiasts do that I don't:
Replicate - try to get the exact PC from some period in my past
Authenticate - build a PC with strictly period authentic parts
Optimise - update every driver, check every ram module pairing, overclock and so on for optimal performance
Idealise - to create an idealised 'ultimate windows x' machine with all the top of the range parts compatible with it
Benchmark - compare various benchmarks and fine tune accordingly
Stretch - try to load windows 10 on a P2 or try Windows 98 on a quad core
things I do, however;
Solver - I do like making an old troubled PC work again, sometimes spending too long coaxing some old machine into use only to not really use it!
Modernise - always happy to use a more modern OS or part that may not have existed when the machine was made
Collect- I have a collection of working PCs and Laptops beyond what I can practically use with any regularity. Some have sat for a few years between boot ups! Likewise with parts, I don't have a vast collection but I doubt I will even use all the floppy drives, optical drives and ram modules that I have
Economise - everything retro I have is cheap or free
So on the whole I think I'm not as much of an enthusiast as many, I enjoy retro PCs and can't bring myself to throw something out if it works (or if I can make it work!) but I rarely feel a need to optimise anything, buy upgrades or create new builds from scratch.
But I definitely enjoy seeing what others get into though!
How about you - what kind of things do you see a lot of enthusiasm for among fellow retro PC folk that you personally don't do?
(Also, hello! this is a great forum 😀 )