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legacydevice · 10 months

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Do you know what old pc I should get for retro gaming?

Thanks for the question! Keep in mind that this is written from the assumption that you have no/very basic knowledge of older computers, so I apologize if this comes off a bit patronizing! Even if you know quite a bit, other people reading may not and I want to make sure people are knowledgeable before making a purchase!

If you dont care about hardware, and your current pc can handle it, I'd recommend setting up a VM with the operating system of your choice (windows xp would probably have the most flexibility). Look up a tutorial on how to set up a VM with VirtualBox, and you can easily find .iso files of your operating system of choice online. (Obviously be careful of what you download). This is also convenient because if you dont own physical copies of your games it's pretty easy to get the files from the internet archive and transfer them to the VM! If you need any more help with this, feel free to send me an ask and I can help you out!

If you're a hardware lover like me though, I definitely understand wanting to have the experience of the real thing! Please keep in mind im not totally educated about specs and technical stuff, so take my opinion with a grain of salt and look for others input as well (followers please add on / correct me)!

A lot of it depends on the kind of games you want to run, if you're fine with only 2d games you should be fine with most computers that have an appropriate cpu/ram for the year it was made! However, running 3d games will definitely need a good gpu. There are plenty of people on ebay who sell custom built computers geared towards retro gaming, I'd recommend looking into listings of those even if you do not want to buy on eBay just to get an idea of what you would like!

I personally use Facebook marketplace to look for old computers that I want to buy. A lot of times you can get pretty good deals on there! While not a gaming oriented computer, I got my micron millennia, including the crt monitor, keyboard, mouse, and speakers all for $80! It also runs pretty much any games I want to play on there, but I haven't tried any beefier 3d games yet so I'm not sure how it will do with those. You can also check local thrift stores around you as well, I've been able to find a Dell optiplex for $40 once before. I would recommend local shops rather than goodwills since most goodwills usually sell their good stuff online for auction, but it doesn't hurt to check if you're feeling lucky!

Keep in mind that buying locally very much depends on if you can drive/have access to a car, so I totally understand if this isn't an option for you. I also have only ever lived in the US so your buying options will probably be different if you are in another country. If you know of any local retro tech enthusiast groups, they could probably help you out specific to your location! Again, Facebook is a good resource to find local groups.

The other option is buying from eBay. It will be more expensive because of shipping but you can at least get something more geared to your specifics and it's more convenient if you do not have access to transportation. Searching up something like "custom retro gaming pc" or "vintage gaming pc" should help you out!

Also, if this is your first time buying an old computer, or you do not have any experience with technology repair, you may want to buy from someone who has that experience and has already refurbished the computer for you. Blown capacitors and shitty power supplies are no joke, they can be very dangerous! If you absolutely need a computer that is advertised as not working/not tested, take it to someone who knows what they're doing before plugging it in. Again, I apologize if this comes off as patronizing but I want to make sure everyone is safe and no one has any bad experiences that may turn away people from this hobby!

Another recommendation I'd give is to get something you like! I know this might be a bit obvious, but I really like windows 98 because of nostalgia reasons, and my roommate would often ask me why I didn't get a pc with windows XP. Personally all the games I want to play run fine on 98, and i'm willing to use a VM for games that need XP. Get something that makes you happy if it is within your budget and convenient for you!

I apologize if this is a bit rambly! I'm waiting for an oil change and im bored lol. Other people feel free to add on and im willing to answer more questions if needed :)

#txt

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ask-lmanburg · 2 years

Text

[A bell rings, as Wilbur pushes open the bakery door, the scent of bread filling the room]

Niki?

Oh, hey Wil! Wasn't expecting to see you today but its a nice surprise.

Have you had many customers today?

Not too many, but enough. I've still got some stock left if you want something.

No, it’s alright I wouldn’t want to put a dip in your profits or anything.

Oh its no problem, most of the leftovers get thrown out at the end of the day anyway. Really you'd be doing me a favor, I always feel bad wasting food.

I mean, if it wouldn’t be any trouble, go ahead.

[Niki turns to the shelves behind her and grabs a loaf of bread and two chocolate cookies, setting one down in front of Wilbur and the other in from of herself as she sits at the counter, putting the loaf of bread between them.]

So if you didn't come for any of my goods, what did you come for? Not that I mind or anything, just curious.

[Wilbur takes the cookie, shifting his wings behind his back and out of Niki’s vision.]

Can’t I just want to visit my best friend?

Aw, of course you can. We haven't hung out enough recently anyway.

[She takes a bite of her own cookie.]

I know, I’m busy all the time. Or I’m on bedrest, which is worse.

It's not just you, I've been so caught up in things recently, I haven't made much time for friends. I think I got so used to having to wait weeks between letters to talk to you, I almost forgot I could just…walk over to your office and see you, funny as it sounds.

[Wilbur waves a hand.]

It’s fine, it’s fine. Don’t worry, I get to see you now and that’s the important bit, yeah?

Yeah, it is.

[They eat for a while, catching up and enjoying each other’s company, when Wilbur grows quiet, remembering why he wanted to come in the first place]

…I uh… I may have omitted my reason for coming.

[Niki raises an eyebrow but she doesn't look surprised. Eating the last bite of her cookie, she smiles at him.]

Oh?

It’s uh- it’s my wings, I can’t tell if they’ve been getting any better and it’s really starting to bother me, because it doesn’t seem like it and I just- could you check? Please?

Oh, of course, um, you can head into my backroom, there's more space there. I, I'll close up the front of the shop so no one barges in while we're busy.

Yeah, that’s fine. Thank you Niki, I really appreciate this.

I'm happy to help you Wil, how I can and always.

[Wilbur sits on a chair in the backroom, pulling his coat off so Niki can have easier access to the injury.]

Still, thank you.

I'm going to unwrap the bandages you have now and examine the wound, let me know if anything I do hurt or feels off in anyway okay?

Okay. Just do what you have to.

[Niki works in silence for a few minutes, examining the wound and the wing, occasionally looking to a notebook splayed open on the table next to her and jotting down notes in the margins.]

Okay, I'm done with the examination. You look to be healing well, there's no signs of infection and the areas surrounding the direct wound seem to be in good shape as well. I can't see any physical signs of lingering paralysis or numbness surrounding the wound either. Have you noticed any feelings or moments like that in your wing?

Sometimes? Usually if I stay in one place for too long or something. It get really hard to move or feel it.

[Niki hums in response, reading from her book of notes for a moment.]

That should be normal, and should hopefully go away in a few weeks. As it heals, make sure to stretch out your wing and move it, that should help with the numbness and stiffness. Let me know immediately if it ever gets worse, or persists for a long period of time, okay?

I will, don’t worry.

Do you have any other questions, or things you want to know about?

No, no, I think that’s it. Thank you Niki, really.

I'm happy to do it.

#Public speaking #out of the oven

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