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The computer built to last 50 years (2021)

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Re: The computer built to last 50 years (2021)

#11

Post by abrookewood »

JohnJamesRambo wrote: post #2

The Commodore 64 was introduced 40 years ago. I’m not sure 50 years is that long or hard for a computer to do? This article is written like 50 years is undicipherable hieroglyphics territory. I can still remember LOAD “*”,8,1 like it was yesterday. And original Commodore 64s still run today.

What about the load times? I remember waiting what felt like hours, hoping that the game I wanted to play was going to load successfully from tape, watching those flashing lines like a hawk - and frequently being disappointed!

Re: The computer built to last 50 years (2021)

#12

Post by progre »

ultra_nick wrote: post #7

Can electrical circuits last 50 years?

Sure! Re-capping is a thing though. Vintage computer enthusiasts will sometimes desolder the old electrolythic capacitors in their machines and replace them with new ones. Apparently 70:ties and 80:ties era caps go bad after 40 years or so.

Re: The computer built to last 50 years (2021)

#13

Post by ecliptik »

nynx wrote: post #5

Right now, I don’t see how a general purpose computer could last 50 years. The article refers to it being modular, but you’d have to replace so many parts… would it still be the same computer?

The MNT Reform [1] is an attempt at this. All parts replaceable and upgradable, with full schematics and design docs available when possible.

I can’t find the exact quote, but the SoC and batteries were chosen because they are expected to still be manufactured 30 years out.

Obvious drawbacks are compared to other laptops it’s under powered, bulky, and expensive, but as one review pointed out, “This is the laptop you'll need when the asteroid hits” [2].

1. https://mntre.com/media/reform_md/2020-01-18-finishing-refor...

2. https://www.inputmag.com/tech/this-is-the-laptop-youll-need-...

Re: The computer built to last 50 years (2021)

#14

Post by zepto »

l0b0 wrote: post #9

> For most typewriters, restoration is only a matter of taking the time to do it. There’s no complex skills or tools involved. Even the most difficult operations could be learned alone, by simple trial and error. What. Let's say an internal piece failed because of mechanical stress caused by lack of lubrication or a jammed foreign object. How do you figure out "by simple trial and error" which piece failed, why it fa…

Agreed. My current Mac is 8 years old and is easily going to be useful for many more years. I think most people keep their phones for more than 2 years these days.

Re: The computer built to last 50 years (2021)

#16

Post by firebones »

My HP-11C is going on 36 years old, flawless, and is reportedly Turing complete [1]. Echoing the @dbtc comment that there are likely many special purpose computers that are closing in on this.

[1] https://www.hpmuseum.org/cgi-sys/cgiwrap/hpmuseum/archv020.c...

(If this is inaccurate about the 11c, and I'd love to hear why, then in a few years I'll see how my MacSE is doing. Just doing a casual assessment due to...late night.)

Re: The computer built to last 50 years (2021)

#17

Post by Findecanor »

ultra_nick wrote: post #7

Can electrical circuits last 50 years?

If they had been designed to be, I think they can.

In the case of the Commodore 64, which turns 40 this year, there are many that run fine today, but some early revisions have chips that were always prone to run hot. Also, the I/O chips could get damaged from using faulty or alien peripherals because the ports hadn't been designed to protect against them. My 30-year old Amiga 1200 had to get new capacitors last year but my five year older Amiga 500 didn't — because it had capacitors of higher quality in the first place.

An important aspect for longevity is also to design to make parts replaceable: for repair or upgrade. Some people do use 40-50 year old IBM Beam-spring keyboards with their modern computers, but with a new circuit board that has a USB controller.

Re: The computer built to last 50 years (2021)

#18

Post by habeebtc »

> The machine will be built to communicate in written format. It means writing and reading. That covers already a lot of use cases. Writing documents. Writing emails. Reading mails, documents, ebooks. Searching on the network for information. Reading blogs and newsletters and newsgroups.

Really, this is most of what I use my phone for. Even the sites I read voraciously are mostly text (where I can get it anyways). Except the occasional streaming during some bored moments, my smartphone experience would be improved by less images and video.

Re: The computer built to last 50 years (2021)

#20

Post by ecliptik »

zepto wrote: post #15
cpsns wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have a TRS-80 from 1984 and it still works fine, that's pushing 40 years and I have zero doubt I'll still be able to use it in another ~10.

What can it do?

A couple days ago there was a post [1] on using an Atari 800 in a modern setting which is a few years older than the TRS-80 [2],

1. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=30033895

2. https://www.auvik.com/franklyit/blog/atari-800-online/

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