Retrocomputing, in its purest sense the practice of using older computer hardware and software lines, has seen a surge in popularity due to the increasing cost of outdated components. As The New York Times highlights, a wider market squeeze on electronics parts has damaged the affordability of self-repair, and has led to the rise of a movement dedicated to supporting the use of these devices. With this has come a flood of new information and hardware that retrocomputing enthusiasts are tasked with documenting and discussing; which has, in the first instance, enabled the historical preservation of older web content.
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The success of DPGraph
Some of the most beneficial aspects of computing are also the most fundamental features of how the PC operates and much of modern software. Mathematically powered functions, such as a random name picker or randomized number operator, can help to generate the results needed by software, and it’s that mathematical precision that is fundamental to PC and web content. One of the most important websites in this regard is DPGraph, which has been running since 1997, according to Gizmodo, yet is still one of the most important tools available on the internet for scientists. Replicating the tools of graphical calculators, and then some, it’s a great show of how the retro foundations of computing stay relevant today.
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Tackling privacy issues
Computing has always been an area of huge innovation – yet, data protection standards have clearly not always been up to scratch. This is clearly seen in the latest reports on the retrocomputing trend; according to Wired, retrocomputing enthusiasts are finding huge troves of data on outdated media forms, such as floppy disks. The ethical dilemma here is on whether that data should be released and reproduced or not. While a lot of this data has important historical value in terms of mapping out the intentions of programmers, and the plans they had for the operating systems and services of the future, it remains personal data. Furthermore, there is a question of security – many of the data banks uncovered have defense links.
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The lighter side
For all of the serious undertones concerning retrocomputing, it remains a very fun and relevant past-time that modern developers can learn a lot from. The Register highlights the work of one avid retrocomputing hobbyist who has configured Minecraft to run on a 20-year old PC, and has used PHP libraries to now recreate old browsers in a style more fitting of modern browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. While fun projects that show the value of long-term coding, and the benefit of long-standing libraries, they also provide important lessons to modern programmers about the benefits of simple design.
Retrocomputing is certainly a fun past-time, but it has a huge role to play in shaping modern computing. The flashy and sleek services and interfaces of day hide the crucial role that retro design and architecture have to play in the very services relied on today.
