OK, I'm back. First, the bad news: We were only allowed to pick up one complete computer system, and that was only what we could carry. I did manage to snag a IIgs, I don't know the ROM version yet. After he went through the list it was smash & grab from then on, but all the PC Jr. stuff (including a
new color monitor) was gone, along with all the Commodore PETs.
Now for some good news regarding the Commodore PETs: The owner said that for anyone who missed out on a Commodore PET that they needn't worry, he has literally about 100 more of them in a warehouse at his other location. So here's his email if you're interested: Alan Nishioka
And for some bad news again: There was so much stuff there I could have spent hours and hours and hours combing through it all. I wanted to stay there until the wee hours of the night, but I had an engagement I couldn't miss.
So I grabbed as much as I could in about 30 minutes. However, what I grabbed, is totally awesome.
And now a short list of the choice TOTALLY AWESOME EPIC LOOT I was able to snag, quite possibly go down in Conquest History.
(OK, I'm exaggerating, but it's history for me) :
1. Two brand new HRM Microcomputer Lab Project kits. These things are AWESOME. I remember using them in my physics class back in high school. I'm totally stoked. One kit is the "Motion" kit. It comes with lots of hardware: a motion detector (awesome), a "Red Box" interface hub (for multiple devices), interface card, and data cable. The other one is the "Sound" kit. It comes with the same controller card and Red Box hub, but includes a really cool transparent microphone so you can see the circuit board and everything. Both kits come with lesson plans for teachers and worksheets for students.
I'm hoping they'll work on my IIgs. I'm going to talk to the Physics teacher cuz they're still perfectly applicable. It'd be fun to have an Apple II being used in modern science curriculum.
(Pics to come)
2.
][ in a Mac emulation software, mint condition, never used. This is the "Not for sale" Retail Demonstration version. Has 3 floppies, 2 for the Mac and 1 for Apple II, complete with documentation. This is the
first Apple II emulation software in existence, and I have the Reseller version. This will go on my trophy mantel of vintage crap that only nerds care about.
3.
The FingerPrint Plus Apple II interface card, mint, unused. This is a really nifty card. It allows you to take screenshots of your Apple II and print it directly to a printer! How freakin' cool is that?!
4. The infamous
Wildcard 2 copy protection busting card! I think this is perhaps the crowning glory in the lot. Major props to my brother who spotted the box. During the preview (the owner let everyone in 30 minutes before we got to grab stuff), my brother had no idea what it was and asked me, "Is this any good?" My jaw hit the floor. Keep in mind this is not during my turn, this is during the preview. So I took the box and strategically hid it behind a Monitor III labeled "broken." When my name was called, there were two people ahead of me that grabbed as much Apple II equipment as possible. There were professional scavengers there I was certain someone would've grabbed it. When it was my turn to go in, I made a b-line for the place where I hid it and SCORE! I did a jig right there in the store, I couldn't help myself. I got a few stares, but it was worth it. |)
5. Not one, but TWO shrinkwrapped copies of
VisiCalc, the very first spreadsheet program. These were located in a back room with a bunch of other software. I only got a quick glance before I had to go. It was another room I could have spent hours in. Also in that room I was able to grab a boxed Koala Pad (someone else snagged a shrinkwrapped one right above my dumb bald head that I didn't see) and I think the entire suite of Apple StyleWare GS productivity software (paint program, AppleWorks compatible word processor, fonts, clip art, printer drivers, and others bits and bobs.)
6. OK, and now for the main event! *drum roll* Again, thanks to my brother who spotted this. Sit back in your seats ladies and gentlemen, because this is a show stopper... a mint condition, never before played, complete with documentation, straight from District of Columbia in the beautiful United States of America, and presented on state of the art VHS cassette: DON'T COPY THAT FLOPPY!
