Computer

Screenshots From Developers & Unix People (2002)

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In 2002, Anders Jensen-Urstad collected desktop screenshots from prominent developers and Unix users for Unix.se. Noteworthy contributors include Dennis Ritchie, Brian Kernighan, and Richard Stallman, showcasing various Unix systems and preferences. Most desktops displayed a preference for command-line interfaces with minimal GUI use. The collection is a nostalgic glimpse into the developers’ environments at the time, with the article revised in 2015 for additional context.

https://anders.unix.se/2015/10/28/screenshots-from-developers–unix-people-2002/

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Defeating a 40-year-old Copy Protection Dongle

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Dmitry Brant’s blog features recent challenges with outdated software protection, including defeating a 40-year-old hardware dongle for a legacy RPG-based accounting program still running on Windows 98. The blog details a software archaeology process to extract data and bypass the dongle’s simplistic copy protection, ultimately allowing access to the software’s source code and enabling historical preservation.

https://dmitrybrant.com/2026/02/01/defeating-a-40-year-old-copy-protection-dongle

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M8SBC-486 (Homebrew 486 Computer)

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M8SBC-486 is a homemade 486 computer motherboard, built from scratch, aimed at running Linux and DOOM. It’s “kinda PC compatible” with some limitations (e.g., missing DMA impacts sound support). Features include a 4-layer PCB, 5V 486 CPU socket, and support for certain ISA cards and DOS operating systems. The project is experimental and a hobby, reflecting extensive research on older x86 chips. Supported by PCBWay, the project has various compatibility notes for hardware and software. More details can be found on multiple dedicated subpages.

https://maniek86.xyz/projects/m8sbc_486.php

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What Was the Secret Sauce That Allows for a Faster Restart of Windows 95 if You Hold the Shift Key?

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Shift key during Windows 95 restart triggers faster restart via EW_RESTARTWINDOWS flag, allowing a quick resume unless memory fragmentation occurs, leading to a full reboot instead. Assembly code manages memory and state requirements. Fast-restart may fail on consecutive attempts due to driver issues.

https://devblogs.microsoft.com/oldnewthing/20260119-06/?p=111995

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Press Start: How Controllers Shaped Video Game Design—and Where Interfaces May Go Next

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Game controllers have shaped video game interfaces, evolving from simple designs to complex navigational systems. Modern gaming incorporates varied features, enhancing player experience while maintaining intuitive interaction through consistent controller layouts. As technology advances with AR/VR, these navigation principles can inform broader UI design across platforms, emphasizing user engagement and seamless accessibility.

https://www.figma.com/blog/press-start-video-game-navigation/

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Learning Retro Computer Electronics Fault Finding and Restoration

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TLDR: Guide for retro computer repair: focus on safety, visual inspection, mechanical checks, cleaning, power checks, and diagnosing issues without extensive disassembly. Use minimal invasive methods and grow skills through experience while avoiding unnecessary damage. Join communities for support and resources.

https://retrogamecoders.com/learning-retrocomputer-electronics/

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