Weird Computer Contest

myrmepropagandist

Weird Computer Contest
A contest to see the strangest computer being used to read mastodon/the fediverse. The prize is a cool drawing from me just for you.

Rules:

1. Post a reply to show your device and why it is strange. Can mean hardware and software. A photo is better.
2. You can't go *too* much out of your way to use some goofy device that you don't ever really use.
3. Winner selected by general consensus.

This is *not* just an excuse to see/post photos of strange computers.

Rocketman

@futurebird I don't use it all that frequently, but I do have a Microsoft Surface tablet running Debian

Cowboy Who?

@futurebird I feel like @tschak and the #fujinet kids might have some weird classics

? Offline

@futurebird I'm using (relatively) normal hardware, BUT...

The laptop (Panasonic Toughbook) on my desk is just an X-terminal. Firefox is actually running on my server, which is in a Connection Machine cabinet that I'm using as a 19" rack. (The Connection Machine is a legendary supercomputer from the 80s. They only made 30 of them. One is currently at MOMA, one is at the Smithsonian, etc., etc.)

So... normal server, sitting in what is perhaps the coolest 19" rack ever made. (The CM was, sadly, empty when i got it.)

? Offline

@futurebird maybe not that strange, hardware/software-wise, but it is my only mobile computer device, so very not going out of my way at least: e-ink phone with physical keyboard.

Trammell Hudson

@futurebird treo 650's built in IMAP email client can fetch mastodon posts over the cell network using mop3

Marta Threadbare

@futurebird other than two ~2010 netbooks with Windows XP, the Switch with LineageOS 22 (Android 15)? not that weird anyways.

A Reptile Dysfunction :verified_dragon:

@futurebird Not sure if it's the weirdest, but currently replying to this using my VT-100 masto client :3

gonna reply to this with photos since terminals don't support photos

A Reptile Dysfunction :verified_dragon:

@futurebird

? Offline

@CowboyWho @futurebird Different FujiNet systems running Mastodon, a thread...

Atari 8-bit, written in BASIC.

? Offline

@CowboyWho @futurebird Coleco Adam, with FujiNet.

? Offline

@CowboyWho @futurebird TRS-80 Color Computer with FujiNet.

Colin McMillen

@futurebird Here's my entry. I hope it fits the bill!

Edit: of course, I had to edit using a normal device to attache the actual picture.

llewelly

@futurebird does not having a working camera qualify as strange? (Also, I don't have another camera to photo either of my computers with). (The only other strange things about my computers is that they are old; laptop is from 2012, the other from 2017, but budgeted for $300 at that time. )

Daniel V.

@futurebird anyone wanna help me figure out connecting my old TRS-80 model 100 to the internet? and figure out an ActivityPub implementation that is written in basic and can run on… I think it’s got 16Kb of memory?

Kauz

@futurebird this is probably the strangest computer I own, that I can use to read Mastodon.
It's double screen tft+eink book reader on Android 1.6. One can interact with it using tft touch-screen and there's also a button that syncs its content with the eink screen. In a book-reading app the tft display can be turned off, but that doesn't really help with the battery life anyway.
Not gonna lie, using http proxy for opening https-only websites is not very smart thing to do regularly, but the contest rules ask to show Mastodon being red, so I'm doing it.

? Offline

@futurebird 55 inch touch screen like they use on news shows and stuff. The computer is a built in module, i5-2520, running Windows 7 professional. This was before the module interface became a standard but it's close. The employee price for the display without the computer was $75 (obsolete). They later regretted selling these because they needed parts donors. I stole the computer. My everyday for almost 10 years.

? Offline

@futurebird welp time for the Hypercard fediverse client then ~Chara

Chebucto Regional Softball Club

Weird Computer Contest