My Computer Hobby

My Computer Hobby

While my main focus over the years has been on my stove and fireplace career, I've maintained a hobby in computers since about 1987. My interest in computers was piqued in about 1979 while in school. One of my classes was about computers and I learned to type in programs on a Commodore PET. After I married in 1987 I started using computers as a business tool and eventually became the "IT" department for our local small business.

Over the years, as we have upgraded our computer systems I have retained the old systems and otherwise procured many other computers that have been cast off as obsolete. I picked up a few "vintage" computers along the way and now have many systems that are now considered either vintage PC's or good for retro computing.

Some of our family friends and customers know I am interested in computers and occasionally drop off their ailing systems to me in hopes that I can fix whatever is wrong. I maintain a small computer lab at home where I experiment and learn new things about all these "old" machines. This remains a hobby for me and i do not generally advertise my computer skills to the public. My "day job" keeps me busy and remains my primary focus (The Cracker Mill Hearth is our family business). But recently I have become more interested in joining the growing community of vintage and retro computer enthusiasts world wide. After some 30 plus years tinkering with computers I have some historical perspective that may be of interest to some of the younger folks.

So now, starting in 2016, I intend to share more of this hobby on the internet using blogs, youtube, and websites. Of course, I have to learn more about how to do all of this. I figured I would start here, in a blog, since I have always been good at writing. I will attempt to document my experience and what I am learning as I go along. There are already many fine outlets for learning about these old computers and computer history in general. I only hope to add my own collection and history to the already established library associated with this hobby.

Sean