Restoring a ZX Spectrum+ Toastrack

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Restoring a ZX Spectrum+ Toastrack: Celso Martinho discusses his efforts to restore a ZX Spectrum 128K Toastrack, sharing childhood memories and detailing the restoration process. Initially assessing the device’s condition, he made various repairs, including reflowing solder, upgrading the power regulator to a DC-DC Buck converter, cleaning the edge connector, improving video signal quality, and replacing the keyboard membrane. He also switched to HDMI video output for better quality. After enhancements, the restored Toastrack is now fully operational and ready for use.

https://celso.io/posts/2025/06/28/toastrack/

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DOS Zone

DOS Zone: Play classic DOS games online with mobile and offline support. Features a collection of titles; includes Russian and international classics. Recent hot titles include Half-Life: Deathmatch, Heroes of Might and Magic III, and DOOM. Support the project to keep it ad-free.

https://dos.zone/

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WebAIM: History of the Browser User-agent String

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Browser user-agent strings evolved from early browsers like NCSA Mosaic to the competitive landscape involving Netscape, Internet Explorer, and others like Firefox and Chrome. This tangled history shows various browsers mimicking each other for compatibility, leading to a confusing mix of user-agent strings that often begin with “Mozilla,” rendering them largely ineffective for accurate browser identification.

https://webaim.org/blog/user-agent-string-history/

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Computer Replicas as Time Capsules

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Computer Replicas as Time Capsules: Obsolescence Guaranteed creates functional replicas of historic computers, preserving their legacy through hands-on experiences. Projects span significant milestones in computing history from the 1950s to 1970s, focusing on interactive computing and foundational technologies. Future projects aim to explore earlier computing innovations, ensuring the preservation of computer history.

https://obsolescence.dev/

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A History of the Internet, Part 2: The High-tech Gold Rush Begins

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TLDR: The Internet’s evolution in the ’90s saw the rise of the World Wide Web, introducing browsers like Mosaic and Netscape, amid the dot-com boom. Innovations like hypertext, email, and graphical interfaces spurred rapid online growth. However, the bubble burst in the early 2000s, leading to significant market declines despite earlier exuberance. The next article will explore companies that emerged post-collapse.

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/06/a-history-of-the-internet-part-2-the-high-tech-gold-rush-begins/

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Manx

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Manx is an open-source catalog of manuals for vintage computers, particularly minicomputers and mainframes. It hosts 22,165 manuals, with 10,104 available online across 61 websites. Many manuals are not easily discoverable via search engines due to limited text conversion. The search engine allows queries by part numbers, titles, and keywords. Users can contribute additional manuals or information. Key contributors include Paul Williams (original implementation) and Richard Thomson (current maintainer).

https://manx-docs.org/about.php

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Still Booting After All These Years: The People Stuck Using Ancient Windows Computers

Many people still rely on outdated Windows systems, experiencing everyday challenges due to aging technology. Examples include ATMs operating on Windows XP and trains using Windows 3.11. Organizations often avoid upgrades for cost and complexity reasons. While some users find this technology frustrating, others, like those in creative fields, value the unique experiences provided by legacy systems. The persistence of old software highlights Microsoft’s historical impact and raises concerns about cybersecurity and knowledge transfer issues in a tech-forward world.

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20250516-the-people-stuck-using-ancient-windows-computers

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From: Steve Jobs. “Great Idea, Thank You.”

Steve Jobs sent an email to new NeXT Systems Engineer Steve Hayman, replying “Great idea, thank you” after Hayman naively set up an email alias for Jobs’ address ([email protected]) to his own. Initially panicking over misdirected emails, Hayman corrected the alias back to Jobs and explained his mistake, receiving a cherished written acknowledgment from Jobs. Hayman reflects on this unique interaction and his career, which began with Jobs and ended with Tim Cook.

https://blog.hayman.net/2025/05/06/from-steve-jobs-great-idea.html

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A Brief History of the Numeric Keypad

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Numeric keypad history: Originated from calculators and cash registers, with different layouts (e.g., 9-0 for calculators and 1-3 for phones) due to ergonomic choices, technological constraints, and user familiarity. Key innovations include Jean-Baptiste Schwilgué’s 1844 calculator, Felt’s Comptometer (1884), and Sundstrand’s 3×3 layout (1914). The evolution influenced phone designs, maintaining familiarity in modern devices. Keypad design reflects historical patterns and user preferences.

https://www.doc.cc/articles/a-brief-history-of-the-numeric-keypad

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