Hands-on demonstrations of historic computing are the heart of the Vintage Computer Festival series. Also don’t forget to check out the Vendors coming ( they’re at the bottom of the page)
We are full for this show.
Check back to see updates new exhibits as they are registered!
Registered exhibits:
TI-99/4A Nostalgic — Alan W. Rateliff, II — Tallahassee, FL
Step up into the past with classic TI-99/4A games; experience SuperSketch, one of the first home computer drawing tablets; challenge modern home-brew games on the F18A VDP replacement; marvel at the official TI-99/4A release of “Dragon’s Lair!”
Beige Beauties – Classic Macs — Joshua Clark — Marietta, GA
Get hands on with some compact and classic Macintosh models from the late 80s and early 90s. Come chat about what it takes to maintain these devices and the modern solutions that make it easier, like BlueSCSI.
Sinclair Stuff — Theodore Evans — Stone Mountain, GA
They’re small, they were cheap, but they still were cool! This exhibit will showcase various Sinclair models and other related machines. Come learn more about this machines that started in the UK
Experience the Texas Instruments TI-99/4a Home Computer — Mark Little — Atlanta, GA
This display celebrates the 43rd year since the official introduction of the Texas Instruments 99/4a Home Computer (June 30, 1981 in Chicago), the home micro-computing market’s first machine with a 16-bit processor. This interactive display includes: a working TI 99/4a console (classic silver/black) with a working Speech Synthesizer; a working TI 99/4 console released in 1979, the predecessor of the 4a; a working TI Program Cassette Recorder; a working Peripheral Expansion Box (PEB) with 32k Memory Expansion and two half-height floppy drives; a pair of original TI remote controllers (joysticks); at least twenty command module (cartridge) games for anyone to play, including popular favorites such as Parsec, Munchman, and Buck Rogers (all in original boxes); various software on 5 1/4″ floppy disks; and manuals, books, and period advertising related to the TI 99/4a. In addition, visitors can “take a look under the hood” of both the TI-99/4a console and inside the mammoth PEB. Take-one hand-outs are also available outlining the timeline of the TI 99/4a’s history, from its inception all the way through to the price wars with Commodore in 1983 that forced Texas Instruments’ abrupt withdrawal from the home computer market in 1984. Lastly, this year’s exhibit again features a rare working Texas Instruments CC-40 Compact Computer, TI’s final home computer, which was manufactured for less than a year beginning in March of 1983.
Midrange MADNESS — Sean Ellis — Opelika, AL, Joe George — Atlanta GA, James Mahoney — Marietta GA
Midrange Madness returns to Vintage Computer Festival Southeast! (So big it requires 3 exhibitors!! ). Explore the world of big IBM business computers from all eras of computing history – see a FULLY WORKING System/34! Plus enjoy the System/36, and multiple AS/400s and iSeries! Print out cool text art with our line printers – hammerbanks and all! PLUS, learn about VCF/400 – the system that’s powering ALL of our exhibit kiosks this year! See? Business computers don’t have to be boring!
The Apple Lisa Documentary — David Greelish — Orange Park, FL
The exhibit contains information on the recently released documentary film, “Before Macintosh: The Apple Lisa.” Plus, information about the history of the Lisa, and how it became the unofficial prototype Macintosh. An emulator of the Lisa will be available, and DVDs of the movie for sale.
— NOTE: The documentary will be presented at Friday @ 8 PM and Sunday @ Noon. Check the event schedule for the room location. David will be available at both showings for Q&A
The Road to Mac OS X — Josh Justice — Conyers, GA
How did we get from classic Macs to Mac OS X? Try out all the steps along the way: the failed attempts, the alternatives, and the “next steps” to the OS we use today. We have original hardware running:
- Apple Copland
- BeOS
- NeXTSTEP
- Rhapsody
- Mac OS X Developer Previews
Your Friendly Local Computer Store — Andrew Taylor — Simpsonville, SC
Step back in time to 1988 for the full independent computer store experience! A full range of custom-built systems, accessories, peripherals, you name it!, all original leftover stock from Express Computer Stores, a small local chain from the mid-to-late 1980s.
Lookups, Log Scales, and Linkages – An Overview of Pre-Electronic Computing — Nolan Gilmore — Tucker, GA
This exhibit will present an overview of the mathematical aids and devices used to perform complex calculations before the rise of modern electronic computers. Objects on display range from the developmentally ancient (lookup tables & the abacus), to the early modern (Napier bones & Gunter’s scales), and to the not so long ago (slide rules, mechanical & electromechanical calculators). Some notable items on exhibit will include a c. early 19th-century Gunter’s scale, a 4’ instructional slide-rule, a Curta mechanical pocket calculator, and a Monroe electromechanical adding machine (with automatic division).
Video and Handheld Gaming from the 1970’s — Pete. Rittwage — Augusta GA
Before the 1980’s brought us all the bright colorful computer technology, we had the bland earth tones of the 1970’s. Enjoy playing with dozens of handheld electronic games (from way before the Game Boy) and play the first home video game system, the Magnavox Odyssey! Many old pong consoles will be available as well.
Commodore Computers — Dan Goswick — Blairsville, GA
This exhibit will feature various Commodore Computers, from PET to C64. (I suspect a number of these will be ones Dan has expertly restored — ed.)
Reach out and touch someone — David Brown — Cumming, GA
From human to automatic telephony switching. Make a 70 year call, switch calls by hand through our network. See how the telephone network has evolved thru history! (This is going to be a fun hands on exhibit! — ed.)
Telephone Time Travel: Make a Phone Call Like It’s 1979! — Jon Guidry — Dacula, GA
Curious about old-school touch-tone and rotary phones from the 1970s and 1980s? Explore this Bell System technology that businesses used back then! Visit our interactive exhibit to experience it firsthand. Parents, bring your kids and show them how to make phone calls using Western Electric rotary and touch-tone 1A2 phones! We will have connections to the “Reaching out and touch someone” exhibit, and the wider show!
Apple II’s: The good, bad, and still ugly — Kyle Richardson — Stockbridge, GA
In the wild, wild world of vintage computers, components are found in a wide range of conditions. This collection focuses on Apple II’s starting with the Apple II+ through to the Apple IIGS. Complete systems will be displayed with most in “good” condition, fully functioning, and fully interactable. Some systems are still “bad”, especially the “Darth Vader” Bell & Howell Apple II+. Lastly, some systems may be considered “ugly” as they bear the hallmarks of their prior ownership through etchings, writing, and even 80’s goodness, puffy stickers!
#FujiNet / Meatloaf — Jaime Johnston — Jonesboro, GA
Stop by to see the latest developments in FujiNet and Meatloaf. FujiNet began as a network adapter for Atari 8-bit personal computers and has grown into a multi-use all-purpose peripheral targeting multiple platforms including Coleco Adam, Commodore 64, Apple II, and TRS-80 Color Computer. Meatloaf is a separate project that has shared goals with FujiNet but is more focused on Commodore systems. Both are open source /open hardware projects and are sharing code and ideas. Come see the future of 8bit computing!
Behind the Screens — Mike Bates — Franklin NC
Ever wonder about the equipment that you would see in a Cable TV Headend? We demonstrate the local forecast computers from The Weather Channel and the computer behind Prevue Guide.
A History of the Graphical User Interface — Nathan Lineback — Marietta, GA
See where Microsoft Windows started, what GUIs came before it and try them out for yourself, at a blazing 4.77mhz. Interactive demonstrations of VisiCorp Visi-On a GUI for the PC that came before Windows, Microsoft Windows 1.0, and many more such as GeoWorks, GEM, OS/2, and even Microsoft BOB!
Grizzly Widgets Limited — David Kuder — Smyrna, GA
AS/400’s aren’t just boring beige and sometimes broken. They can also game! Check out a selection of games – new and old – running on machines that were never meant to have fun.
- Data Attack! – A 1-dimensional game of strategy!
- 2048 – The smashing numbers together slide puzzler.
- Daleks – Play a deadly game of dodgems with The Doctor’s most persistent foes.
Amiga Workstations — Christopher Teaderman — Dallas, GA
Come experience the Amiga 2000 and 4000 big-box workstation models first-hand, with a slew of games, demos, and some surprisingly modern upgrades from the Amiga’s devoted community. Want to see a Raspberry Pi replace a 68000? The A2000 has a PiStorm! How about HDMI output for native video and not just RTG? The A4000 has a ZZ9000 that does just that and a whole lot more!
Emulation With the Amiga 2000 — Ryan Ashford — Macon, GA
Experience the oddity of MSDOS emulation on the Commodore Amiga 2000. Get hands on with simultaneous multitasking using groundbreaking hardware across multiple operating systems, software packages, and user interfaces. Learn why that despite the hardware prowess, the system ultimately never got off the ground and became a footnote in computing history.
The Texas Instruments 99/4: The Lengthy Legend of Personal Computing — Jon Guidry — Dacula, GA
Explore the TI-99/4, a trailblazing personal computer that’s as long as its legacy! This fully expanded exhibit showcases the 99/4’s extensive array of peripherals, taking up an entire table length. Discover its innovative hardware, groundbreaking software, and the vibrant community that still celebrates its contributions. Whether you’re a vintage tech enthusiast or a curious newcomer, this exhibit offers a captivating glimpse into a pioneer of a today’s computers.
RS-232, Serial Comms, and TDM Networking — Tom Major — Leondardtown, MD
Demo of Time Division Multiplexing including T1, DS0, and various serial communications. Getting computers connected in the 1980’s and 90’s.
The clicky-clack Tic-Tac-Toe Computer! (1961) — Jim B. Steiner — Atlanta GA
Jim returns with a show favorite, the Tic-Tac-Toe computer! This device was designed from scratch, using parts and electromechanical relays from 6 pinball machines (and a piece of furniture). The computer started as a project for the high school humanities class, but when the science fair coordinator heard of it, he encouraged Jim to finish it in time to enter it in the school science fair. Additionally Jim was further inspired by the 1960 winners, the inspiration for the movie “October Sky” Rocket Boys from the small town of Coalwood, West Virginia. Needless to say, their success led him to have it finished in time to enter the school science fair. The Tic-Tac-Toe Computer then progressed from the High School Science Fair to the Regional Science Fair and to the State Science Fair. Come see it still in operation and try your luck at beating it!
Floppy Days/ANTIC Podcast – Early Luggable Computers — Randy Kindig — Lebanon, IN
The Floppy Days Podcast (floppydays.com) has been producing content for over 11 years now, covering details of early personal computers as well as providing interviews with numerous influencers of the day. The ANTIC Podcast (ataripodcast.com) has also been producing content for over 11 years, providing monthly news on the Atari 8-bit computer line as well as over 400 interviews with people involved with the platform over the past 40 years. On display will be portable (actually, Luggable) computers from the early 80’s, such as the Commodore SX-64, the Tandy 4P, and the Osborne Executive. An Atari 8-bit computer will also be on display.
Retro Universe — Jordan Doth — Landrum, SC
In the wild, wild world of vintage computers, technology is found in a wide range of conditions. This collection includes a mix of vintage tech from the 60’s to 90’s. Complete systems will be displayed with some “good” systems being fully functional and interactive, some “bad” systems in need of repairs, and some “ugly” systems in need of cleaning and restoration. Some repairs and restorations will be actively demonstrated.
That 70s Show: Altair 8800b-dm and SWTPC 6800 — Tina Ashford (Museum of Technology @ Middle Georgia State University)