Share your IT gizmos with the Cornell Community

Time to shake the cobwebs off that old equipment, plug it in (carefully...) and have some fun!

What is Geeks with Antiques?

This year's IT Forum, on June 10 in Duffield Hall, will feature an area where people from around the University can bring in any old 'computing' gizmo they think might be of interest to others.  We all have these things stashed in an attic or garage somewhere.  If any of this equipment still works, even better.

People are planning to bring things like an Apple Lisa, an 1982 Osborne computer, a Timex/Sinclair computer circa 1982, a TRS80 Model 1, and an IBM PC Jr., a DEC core memory board, an Apple Newton and other fun stuff.

This event will be curated by CIT's technology historian John Rudan, so there will be plenty of history and equipment chatter.  IT Forum volunteers will provide security for items brought in for the day.

What sort gizmos can I bring?

We're looking for all things early computing, such as early PDA's (Newtons), Commodores, Lisas (now that's a Classic), DEC Rainbows, old DEC PDPs, VAX minis (sorry we don't have room for a large VAXen), Teraks and 8" floppies, old DEC Disk RP platters or maybe even an old set of logic prints used to troubleshoot logic and/or gates using early chips and transistors, a slide rule, or even a NeXT.

How do I reserve a space to participate?

If you have something you'd like to share, please contact Rich Jaenson, from the College of Architecture, Art and Planning via email at rjj6@cornell.edu or phone at 255-4599.

We will not need more than one or two items for each unit.  So, for example, if everybody has a Commodore, we'll have to limit them to the first couple of applicants.  Uniqueness rules.

Roughly 10-12 tables will be set up for the antiques show, with some space for free-standing units - contact Rich Jaenson now to reserve space!