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 )
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Check back to see updates new exhibits as they are registered!
Registered exhibits:
30 Years of Windows 95 — Andrew Taylor — Simpsonville, SC
A celebration of Windows 95’s 30th anniversary showcasing various builds and updates of the operating system throughout its lifespan. You can see period-appropriate mid 90s desktops from 486 to Pentium II, plus a Thinkpad running Windows 95!
Midrange Madness: big.LITTLE Edition — The Crusty Computer Club — Atlanta, GA
Midrange Madness returns – bring the clown car! Experience Gertie, the 800-pound System/34, play games, print art, on a tiny terminal and printer! Play with the world’s smallest AS/400, connected to a gargantuan 5251 block mode terminal and 6262 hammer bank printer! Play Wordle/400 and sign our guestbook! Come learn about the computers that used to – and sometimes, still – drive the world of business!
The Crusty Computer Club is a Georgia-based 501(c)3 charity whose mission is to preserve and educate the public about IBM’s computing history. We are Joe George, James Mahoney, Dave Brown, and Sean Ellis.
DOOM LAN — David Kuder — Atlanta, GA
Multiplayer DOOM, LAN gaming the way it was in the 90’s. The Doom LAN triggers memories of LAN parties of days past and introduced many to a multi-player experience. Stop by, fight the forces of Evil, and tell tales of great battles fought and won.
Apple II: The Classics, The Quirks, and The Icons — Kyle Richardson — Stockbridge, GA
This exhibit showcases the full spectrum of Apple II computers released in the USA—from well-preserved classics to battle-worn survivors, each with a story to tell. Relive the thrill of The Oregon Trail, where dysentery still lurks around every river crossing, chase down Carmen Sandiego, who remains just as elusive as ever, or test your wits in the legendary Lode Runner, dodging enemies and outsmarting complex mazes in a race for hidden treasures. Whether you’re here for nostalgia or discovery, come celebrate the machine that launched a generation of digital pioneers!
Atari computer history — Raul Santelices — Roswell, GA
See the entire Atari computer line in action. From the late 70’s to the early 90’s, from 8 bits to 32 bits, including portables.
Bottom Barrel Bell — David Brown — Cumming, GA
Bottom Barrel Bell’s expanding network footprint. Try the Western Electric PBX 555 and Stromberg Carlson switchboards to handle calls. Connect with our 56k, ISDN and ADSL network. Browse the 90s Internet, listen to RealPlayer and Flash sites.
Commodore 8-bit — Dan Goswick — Blairsville, GA
This exhibit will feature various Commodore Computers, from PET to C64. (from the 70’s and 80’s) (I suspect a number of these will be ones Dan has expertly restored — ed.)
The Future That Never Was: Starring The Panda Project — Ryan Ashford — Centerville GA
Throughout history there have been successes and failures, but none slipped the minds more than that of The Panda Project. The promising company stationed out of Boca Raton Florida promised so much, had an elite team of some of the PC industry’s finest members, but the world just wasn’t ready.
A Look at the Lynx — Mark Little — Atlanta, GA
This comprehensive exhibit showcases the world’s first color handheld console, the Atari Lynx, which hit the market in 1989 and was discontinued by 1994. One working Atari Lynx I console from 1989, along with two working Atari Lynx II consoles from 1991, all of them sporting new LCD screen upgrades, are available for hands-on gaming. Additionally, all 71 original-release game cards plus a dozen or so after-market and home brew releases, all with original manual booklets or posters and all in original cartons, will be on display, along with various cases and other add-on accessories. And take-one handouts outlining the brief history of the Atari Lynx and its legacy are also available. Plus, Mark Little, host and creator of the Atari Lynx HandyCast podcast, will be on hand in person to show off the system and its small but amazing library of games, many of them ports of popular arcade hits of the time. If you’re a recent gamer, a retro gamer, or you’re just plain curious about seeing this ahead-of-its time system, be sure to check this must-see exhibit out. But bring lots of AA batteries…
…just kidding; power will be provided.
A Look at Windows Development Builds — Nolan Gilmore — Tucker, GA
This exhibit will focus on showcasing some developer releases of the Windows Operating System. These were private builds/releases used by Microsoft (and choice third-party developers) to evaluate new Windows features before they could be released to the public. These versions can have many differences to the final product, such as three separate buttons in place of the start button in early builds of Windows 95, or a completely different theme compared with what was released for some early builds of XP, and some (i.e., most) of them are just really buggy.
In recognition of the 40th anniversary of the operating system that we know and love (or at least put up with), builds from roughly the first 15 years of Windows’ life, starting with Windows DR5 from 1984, through to Windows Whistler (XP), will be displayed. All of the development builds will be running on period correct hardware for all to explore and play around with (and hopefully not cause too many crashes).
Compact Macs: Evolution — Josh Clark — Marietta, GA
Come see, and use, different models of the original compact all in one Mac design. Note how the design language morphed over time from the original to the Color Classic and even beyond.
Past Forward: Unplanned Endurance — Bryan Basil — Chattanooga, TN
Planned obsolescence is synonymous with today’s Apple, but unrecognizable to the company at its origin. The Apple II, a testament to this longevity, lived a long life – but this exhibit imagines a world where the Apple II never ever faded, where its form factor evolved alongside technology rather than being replaced by it. A tribute to the durability, hackability, and accidental longevity of a design that refused to die.
A History of the PC 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!
Pittsburgh Classic Mac Lab — Scott Baret — Pittsburg, PA
Out there, it’s 2025. In here, it’s always 1992. Come experience an authentic Macintosh lab, complete with the networkable version of Oregon Trail, Kid Pix, Carmen Sandiego, and all your favorites from the good old days of educational computing!
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, Color Computer, RC2014, and Apple II. Meatloaf is a separate project that has shared goals with FujiNet but is more focused on Commodore systems and has a few other things in mind that are beyond the scope of FujiNet. Both are open source /open hardware projects and are sharing code and ideas. Come see the future of 8bit computing!
The CoCo — Alex Evans — Stone Mountain, GA
Stop by and view most of the common (and one uncommon!) CoCos. You’ll see all three major CoCo models along with one strange blue one. And see some modern add ons for the venerable and much loved machine
Fun with the TI-99/4A — Alan Rateliff II — Tallahassee, FL
Play your favorite old-school 99/4A games, draw on the SuperSketch, and challenge Dragon’s Lair!
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) or play some Pong! The Vectrex may be available as well
Windows 98 Internet Experience — Logg Tandy — Gainesville, GA
This exhibit will have a Windows 98 computer hooked up to the Protoweb web proxy (late 90s internet recreation – https://protoweb.org/) for that Windows 98 internet experience. We will also have an “appropriate” printer for anyone who wants to doodle in MS Paint.
Workstations of the ’90’s — Christopher Teaderman — Dallas, GA
Representing the early 1990s, we have the Amiga 4000/40, one of the last 68040 machines on the market, capable of proper multitasking and even near-flawless Macintosh emulation.
Representing the late 1990s and the turn of the millennium, we have the SGI Octane2 in dual 600 MHz R14000 and VPro V12 configuration, a potent example of the premium-priced UNIX workstations of the day.
TI-99/4(A) and MSX: Two Paths Through the 8/16 Bit Eras — Jon Guidry — Dacula, GA
Come explore several unique home computers from the 1980s—the Texas Instruments TI-99/4(A) and the MSX global standard. See how each system approached gaming, graphics, and expansion in different ways. This hands-on exhibit features original hardware, cartridges, and modern upgrades that bring these classic machines back to life.
Vintage Geek Museum — April Violet — Knoxville TN
Come learn about the Vintage Geek Museum in Knoxville where you can step into the golden age of tech! Explore hands-on exhibits featuring classic computers, retro video games, and iconic gadgets from the 70s, 80s, and 90s. From Apple II to Atari, relive the roots of modern tech and play your way through geek history.
Idun Cartridge for Commodore 128/64 — Brian Holdsworth — Cary NC
Come see a demonstration of the many capabilities of the Idun cartridge connected to a C128 and C64. Idun merges the worlds of retro and modern computing by the simple addition of a $15 Raspberry Pi SBC to the Commodore’s expansion bus. The open hardware and Commodore software combination brings high-speed virtual peripherals like hard drives, floppy drives, expanded memory, network, and even additional processors AND Linux to the Commodore.
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!