Wanted: Old Computers - Page 4

@mrsamsonite: Those are all nice! I'll send you a PM.

Kim,

I have one of those wierd old ATT phone things to hook you up to the internet.

Has two ear pieces to communicate through a standard phone, and a keyboard with one of the blue letter screens on it.

No idea what they are called, just crossed my mind so I thought I'd pass it along.

If I remember and end up in the garage later, I'll snap a picture.

Hi Jake.

Based on your description, it sounds as if that might actually be a TTY (teletypewriter) for communicating with the hearing- or speech-impaired. Does it look pretty much like this?



If so, then it's a TTY, or "text telephone." This device essentially works like a modem: It transmits and receives tones corresponding to the various keyboard characters, which it then displays as text on that little LED screen above the keyboard. Both callers have to use a TTY in order to communicate.

You are correct.

And here I was thinking it was to hook up to the inter webs


Now the next question, sell or scrap lol

Didn't get out there last night.

It does have a kind of antique interwebby look. At first I thought you might be talking about an ancient modem or even a Jurassic-era fax machine, but the keyboard and LED text display gave it away -- it's not for the interwebs, it's for old-school texting!

As for the sell-or-scrap question, some of these TTYs actually do sell on eBay, so if yours works and is in good condition, you might as well give that a shot. If it doesn't sell, you might want to donate it to an organization for the hearing-impaired in your area (if any of them could use it). There are probably some older people out there who still prefer to use this kind of system. I know these devices are still manufactured today, so someone is using them.

Originally Posted by FLimits

It does have a kind of antique interwebby look. At first I thought you might be talking about an ancient modem or even a Jurassic-era fax machine, but the keyboard and LED text display gave it away -- it's not for the interwebs, it's for old-school texting!

As for the sell-or-scrap question, some of these TTYs actually do sell on eBay, so if yours works and is in good condition, you might as well give that a shot. If it doesn't sell, you might want to donate it to an organization for the hearing-impaired in your area (if any of them could use it). There are probably some older people out there who still prefer to use this kind of system. I know these devices are still manufactured today, so someone is using them.

If I had two of them, I'd probably try to wire them between the house and garage so I can talk to my wife

Thanks, Mike! Does this mean you like the Hard Drive Bible?

73, FLimits

Another professional business transaction and pleasant experience with Kim, her knowledge of electronic antiquities is impressive but her broad knowledge of the e-waste field even more so. Two thumbs up from me, if I only had more to give.

Is there any interest in Apple stuff? I have an old DuoDrive (no cords) and some Apple Newton's hand held computers.

Originally Posted by parttimescrapperMD

Is there any interest in Apple stuff? I have an old DuoDrive (no cords) and some Apple Newton's hand held computers.

There's always interest in Apple stuff, especially the Apple II line of models. Your Duo Drive is an Apple II peripheral, so that's definitely interesting. The Apple Newton is historically significant because it's an early example of a small pen-computing device and has an early ARM processor.

I'll send you a PM and get some details from you. Thanks!

Any value here?

Apple 2c

5 inch floppies?

Thanks for the email, Jonniebrass. I sent a response.

FLimits, I have many vintage computers in storage. I e-mailed you several months ago and am still waiting for a reply. Cleaning out my unit this weekend. Everything must go. If you're interested in getting first pick before they hit eBay, please return my correspondences.

Hi Holistic. OK, sorry about that -- I know we exchanged a couple of messages and was sure I'd sent you a follow-up with some questions, but I just found that final message buried at the bottom of my "Drafts" folder. Anyway, I was just asking about the condition of the 3 items for which you had requested estimates (whether or not they work, their cosmetic condition, an extras). I'll just go ahead and provide you with some "ballpark" numbers for those models, and if those look OK to you, we can take it from there.