VCF 2026! give away all the things and maybe get a few more

VCF 2026 - DemoIt’s that time of year again, and the Vintage Computer Festival.  When i clean out my garage and marvel at all the incredible past computing and electronics that are kept working with love and proficient attention to maintenance.  not my first visit, or even my second.

VCF 2026 - Cart of Equipment VCF 2026 - Car of EquipmentThis year i brought three carloads, with xServes, xRAIDs, and fiber channel gear!  Time Capsules in original packaging.  iMacs and laptops from many generations and many operational statuses.

VCF 2026 - xServes & Fiber Channel VCF 2026 - Time Capsules in boxVCF 2026 - Dirty NES gamesThere was a demo of adult themed “dirty” original nintendo games. i never knew.  custom cases, or custom lights, here was an Amiga 500 made clear.  looking good.

VCF 2026 - Amiga 500 demo

Two of my dream systems were in the consignment room.  i was proud that i didn’t go home with a 20th Anniversary Mac nor a MacTV.  it was hard, but had to be done.

VCF 2026 - Mac TV on consignmentVCF 2026 - 20th Anniversary Mac on consignment

Rehashing an old Mario trick

After watching the Mario movie with kids, i dropped original NES Super Mario Bros on them.  They enjoyed the new (to them) gameplay, while marveling at the limitations: you cannot go back?  With me remembering a surprising number of secrets, i got a bug in me to revive this ancient trick.  Unfortunately, i wasn’t able to get it working correctly in the limited lives i had.  Undaunted, i finally completed it just a few days later while waiting on an OS upgrade.

my favorite part was that it overflowed the numerals and became pictures when displaying the remaining lives. if you got too many extra lives, it ended the game.

Super Mario Lives - Crown Blue Square