Computing used to be shite. Thats what most of the console generation will tell you. Well, I like using old machines. Programming the C64 in assembler is a most rewarding pastime. Learning the ins and outs of old computer systems is something I enjoy. Sometimes through emulation on my Amiga, but I've also got quite a collection of antique systems. Heres some general ramblings on this theme. (Most technical and historical notes on Commodore machines were referenced from "Commodore World").

·	Commodore Nostalgia
·	Oric Nostalgia

And, for those of you who are interested, here are all the machines in my collection I consider to be "retro". (and no, I don't count my Amiga 4000 as "retro" :).

Acorn BBC Micro Model B (x2, 32k)
  + Diskdrive
  + Microvitec monitor
Acorn BBC Master 128
  + Diskdrive
  + Microvitec monitor
ACT Apricot PC
  + 10mb Hard disk (or "Winchester")
  + 2 floppy drives
Apple IIe
  + 2 disk drives
  + Monochrome monitor
  + 80 column videocard
Atari 1040ST
Atari 65XE
Commodore 64 MkII (newstyle case, red LED, oldstyle SID)
Commodore 64 MkIII (newstyle case, green LED, newstyle SID)
  + 1541 disk drive
Commodore Amiga 500 (1MB Chip Ram)
Commodore PET
Commodore VIC-20
Radio Shack TRS-80
Research Machines 380Z
  + Ram expansion
  + Graphics card
  + Serial IO card
  + Parallel IO card
  + 2 disk drives (i even have UNIX, and CP/M for it :)
Sinclair ZX Spectrum (x2, rubber keyed style)
Sinclair ZX81 (1xBuilt, 1xUnbuilt kit)

Machines I used to own:

Atari 2600 (swapped for Oric Atmos, wish I hadn't ;)
Oric Atmos (died)
Texas Instruments TI-99/a (died)