Retro computing expo transforms Kitchener farm into tech time capsule

In the event you like cumbersome keyboards and two-inch screens, Kitchener’s Steckle Heritage Farm was the place to be Sunday.

The World of Retro Computing Expo featured computer systems, video video games and kind writers relationship again to the Seventies.

About 100 machines from manufacturers together with Commodore, Tandy and MacIntosh had been on show on the one-day free interactive occasion.

“There’ll all the time be nostalgia in computer systems,” says World of Retro Computing founder Justus Jurica. (Tyler Kelaher/CTV Kitchener)

“From the 70s you actually needed to inform [the computer] what you wished it to do,” mentioned World of Retro Computing founder Justus Jurica. “Now, they’re starting to know what you need it to do.”

Nostalgia was the secret on Sunday and Jurica doesn’t see that disappearing from the sphere anytime quickly.

“The evolution of computer systems is rising on a regular basis and there’ll all the time be nostalgia in computer systems,” Jurica mentioned.

“[It’s] actually cool seeing the stuff my dad and mom used previously,” mentioned attendee Erik Jarnevic. (Tyler Kelaher/CTV Kitchener)

Whereas some machines on the expo on Sunday had been of their authentic situation, others had critical upgrades.

“It is a 1981 Commodore PET 2001,” defined one particular person in attendance. “I made a decision to place a whole new laptop within it, it’s my fundamental laptop. Something I can do on my laptop computer, I can do on my desktop.”

As retro computing fanatic Kirk Rietveld defined, previous computer systems can nonetheless have fashionable makes use of.

“We are able to join previous computer systems and the web, we will speak to folks on-line utilizing computer systems from 40 years in the past. So even simply because it’s previous doesn’t imply it needs to be thrown out,” Rietveld mentioned.

Having fun with some retro video games. (Tyler Kelaher/CTV Kitchener)

Others on the occasion had been in search of elements for his or her units.

“I would like a floppy drive, possibly a graphics card could be nice,” mentioned Taylor Allen. “This desk is ideal for me, that is what I’m in search of. You possibly can’t actually get these things anymore.”