The mid 90's - When playing PC games was a full time job

We all remember the days of going to your favorite software store and picking up the newest game to play on PC. There was nothing like it. Back in the 80s-90s computer software was a market all its own. Consoles were completely separate and even pailed in comparison to some of the newest PC games. Playing games Like X-Wing and Rebel Assault 1 and 2 made you really appreciate the beige box.

There was also a nerdy underbelly to the whole scene. To get certain games running on the newest version of Windows (We're talking Windows 95 here) you had to adjust settings on your system to create a virtual DOS environment for the game to play in. This old print out is actually from my X-Wing floppy box from when I had to adjust my expanded memory and sound card settings. I actually enjoyed doing stuff like this as I would learn more and more about computers through the years.

After wrangling CONFIG.SYS, and taking AUTOEXEC.BAT to the batting cage, I always had more fun knowing that I worked at getting the game to play. Even my first CD rips were moving files in DOS to the hard drive to play Rebel Assault and Wing Commander II. Today I work with computers every day and have to help people with the most basic tasks. I enjoy tech support very much because I have to be creative in the way I present a solution. A simpler way without all the tech lingo.  It reminds me of the old days before I knew about port settings and couldn't even dream of wireless networking in my home.

 

It really amazes me how much I got into computers just from playing games. It was a major interest for years. I was building PC's for family members and friends on a regular basis. I got into Linux and had a great time using a different platform for quite a while. I'm on Mac now and couldn't be happier, but I still have a special place in my heart for the old Windows based PC.

The fun of Thrifting

Being a nerd and being a chronic thrift store shopper, or "thrifter" are usually two in the same. Although some trips only warrant a mediocre NES game, or a classic role playing book, you're retrieving another treasure to add to the pile nonetheless. Tonight was rather fruitful in many ways.  Whether it's the Super Mario Bros. Mushroom Tin my wife found me, or the complete 1977 GAMBLER board game I found, both have almost equal worth to me in their own way.

Some of the honorable mentions tonight include these 3 board games.  I found the other release of Terrace (with a hulking 10 lb board) and found that the boards were made in Lake Oswego, OR. Just minutes away from my old place of work. That one was only $2.99. You can't beat a brand new Lord of the Rings collectors edition checkers for less than seven dollars. It was only $2.99 for the Gambler Board game that ended up being complete and near perfect condition (no tears on any box corners)

Just look at those beautiful orbs of plastic.  Such an awesome game.  This 1992 Mensa edition mentions Star Trek TNG on the back of the box, rather than the front of the box on the 2nd release. Can't wait to use this as my main Terrace board now. It has the old Lake Oswego Oregon PO Box molded into the bottom of the board.

I am really excited about this one.  Horse racing! Lottery! Sweepstakes! Too many awesome things to mention. You can't beat the game pieces that resemble The Price is Right dollar signs. Here's a couple more shots of this beauty.

The icing on the cake of this thrift really came through in the electronics section. Not an  ex-rental. Not a beat to heck bottom of the closet charity piece. A pristine copy of Super Metroid for SNES, for much less than I was willing to pay for this gem. I've loved this game for years but have only beat it twice a long, long time ago.  Can't wait to get a new battery in there and revisit one of my favorite classics.  That's it for tonight folks. Good luck thrifting!