68kMLA Classic Interface
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| A different kind of conquest... | |
| Posted by: joethezombie on 2017-08-12 16:02:32 So the other day I was working in a town about 4 hours away from home. It’s far enough away that items on craigslist or letgo wouldn't normally show up in my feed, so I thought I’d quickly check for old Mac treasures before leaving the area. Well, listed in yet another town even further away was a lowly Macintosh SE. It was about another 2.5 hour drive, on top of the 4 I had already driven, so I really wasn’t going to drive all that for an SE. But looking at the picture, I notice this incredible aluminum carry case with it. Knowing that I would never see another one in my lifetime, the lure of the prize kept eating at me throughout the work day. I couldn't stop thinking about it, and I normally don't obsess about such things. But the idea of that case finally broke me down, and I made arrangements to pick up the lot the next morning for $100. I left my hotel at 5:00AM, and had the most amazing drive up around Yellowstone. The Tetons were peaking their interests through the haze as the sun rose, all while the mighty Madison continued its never ending carve through the valley. It was absolutely stunning, and I was happy I took the trip, even if the Mac and its trophy case turned out to be a bust. Expecting a quick trade of cash to goods, I instead was welcomed at the driveway by a very nice and somewhat elderly gentleman, “You must be Joe, come in for some coffee!”. I am so happy I accepted, as the conversation with him and his lovely wife over that cup of coffee is one of the most enjoyable conversations of my life. He was amazed I’d had driven so far for an old Mac, but I was soon to be amazed about his history with that Mac. The man was the original owner of the machine, purchased while working at Lockheed Missiles and Space. The device was instrumental in developing sensors and imaging techniques in solar studies. We talked a bit about how the Mac had been quite the world traveler, with that aluminum case protecting it and the important scientific data it had accrued during many voyages to Japan and other far away places. Asking where he’d been was answered with a huge range of world destinations, but one stunning answer that was literally out of this world. Space. You see, this very nice gentleman turned out to be an astronaut and had flown aboard the space shuttle. Indeed, the aluminum case is marked with his mission patch prominently displayed on top. I’d say the conquest here is complete, even if it had ended without collecting the Mac and the case I had so sought after: a cup of coffee with an astronaut, talking about old Macs, family, and adventure. Life cant get much better than that. | |
| Posted by: markyb86 on 2017-08-12 16:15:31 That mac has one amazing backstory! | |
| Posted by: BadGoldEagle on 2017-08-13 01:09:38 Wow, that's impressive. I knew the Mac Portable went up into space but I didn't know some compacts did! We need pics, Joe, PICS! This is the best find ever, you lucky guy! | |
| Posted by: mactjaap on 2017-08-13 04:09:44 Thuis is impressive!!! Could you share pictures! | |
| Posted by: PB145B on 2017-08-13 05:26:20 That is just too cool! | |
| Posted by: IlikeTech on 2017-08-13 05:30:16 That is absolutely awesome! Pictures!!! | |
| Posted by: joethezombie on 2017-08-13 10:52:49 First off, I didn't mean to infer that this system was ever in space. It was not. This SE was purchased by Lockheed Missles and Space at the request of the astronaut after the shuttle mission, and used to continue the research on solar data collection and imaging. A little more on the computer, it's an SE running System 6 with these upgrades: 4MB RAM Upgrade MASSmicrosystems Power2 Expand! 50MB HDD Radius Accelerator 25 Radius 2PG DISPL TPL) Interface Card Unfortunately, the actual two page display monitor was tossed out just a few years ago. (DANG IT!) I've named it "AstroMac", and I did take some pictures for you guys:    I have all the documentation, purchase requests, and receipts for the system. Even the warranty cards filled out by the astronaut but never sent in. It's a treasure. | |
| Posted by: mactjaap on 2017-08-13 11:13:16 MEGA COOL! | |
| Posted by: techknight on 2017-08-13 14:15:51 It was worth it for the memorabilia/backstory alone. And as a plus, it has an accelerator in it! Don't know if its an 020, or an 030, but it has one. Im sure the previous company scrubbed the HDD, but you never know. | |
| Posted by: Trash80toHP_Mini on 2017-08-13 14:24:28 Radius 25's a 68020/68881 board. Congrats! What OS is installed? What are the ROM revisions on the two Radius cards? We'll get that VidCard up and running! [😉] ]'> | |
| Posted by: 68krazy on 2017-08-13 14:46:33 Wow, coffee with an astronaut, AND you got a sweet decked-out SE with a space case. This is a legendary conquest. Congrats! Well-written and well-told story too, I might add. | |
| Posted by: mrpippy on 2017-08-14 10:56:23 What a cool story, and historical artifact! I couldn't help but do some stalking, and look up the Shuttle mission and astronaut: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/STS-51-F https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loren_Acton | |
| Posted by: mactjaap on 2017-08-14 12:21:06 I like the "stalking" part. This gives the SE more and more status! | |
| Posted by: techknight on 2017-08-14 18:14:31 This is more of a showpiece conversation museum type thing than anything. I like the history, and actually I like things with unique histories in general. Its more fun that way. | |
| Posted by: trag on 2017-08-16 14:19:22 Huh. I was a flight controller on that mission. I remember sending burritos through the pneumatic tube system during LOS. | |
| Posted by: trag on 2017-08-17 11:01:35 My mistake. Went home and checked my memorbilia, then wiki. I was a flight controller on Spacelab 3, not on 2. 51-B, not 51-F. In my defense, 32 years ago... | |
| Posted by: BadGoldEagle on 2017-08-17 15:23:29 Still pretty impressive, trag! | |
| Posted by: falen5 on 2017-08-18 08:58:53 Great looking Macine, with an even better looking case, with an even a better story. Great stuff. I always ask for any history on a machine either face to face , phone or message. When I recap a machine I usually put a sticker inside the case listing the work, when I did it ,and my name. If theres a history with the machine I sometimes write a text document detailing the machines history and let it sit on the desktop. Next owner can add their story to the list. Who knows, in 2030 I might buy an old Mac and discover I recapped it back in 2014!! Joe make a history for that machine and keep it with the machine. It just adds to the machine so much. Great post joethezombie | |
Posted by: Trash80toHP_Mini on 2017-08-18 11:15:1832 years ago...LOL! I had no idea you were anywhere near my age! No wonder you're in TX. VERY cool Burritos in orbit . . . in a very small enclosed space? :🙂 | |
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