idea i wish i had time for: a little pcb that converts any old computer (8/16/32bit) into a network terminal UI to interface with any modern CRUD/database/API (i imagine a library of community developed software adapters that run on that pcb or on a server), so any old machine could be used for speedy data lookup/entry.
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i imagine the UI a bit like this, or like old filemaker https://www.visidata.org/
parts of this already exist of course, for all retro platforms there are serial- or bus-to-net/wifi adapters, there are BBS style gateways for the web, frogfind etc. but i don't know of a toolkit to make these talk to something like inventree over API
the most comfy way would be if the thing would bring its own ROM with the software that's needed, and which renders the (T)UI. for c64 this would be an expansion port cartridge, for amiga zz9000 could easily do this, on PCs it could be an ISA/PCI card, for classic Mac NuBus etc
the only downside is that the old machines use a lot more power than modern laptops/tablets, especially the CRTs, and they take more space. so you'd need to do a calculation of electricity cost and CO2 exhaust of keeping an old machine running vs the cost of trashing it and using a new machine
@mntmn well what are we really saying when talking about energy?
Only the plug current?
The petrol and water needed for designing , making and transportation of new hardware?
The minerals extraction? The wars related to this? The ecological damage?
Now there are less manufacturers than before, achieving competitive top edge technology. This is more closed source firmware, less social justice, more techno-billioners... This count as energy?
Truly it's a debate
@gentooza in terms of energy, lets only look at the running cost, and lets assume green energy. in terms of CO2, i think there should be calculators for new devices (i'm sure they're not perfect, but can maybe give an indication).
@mntmn I don’t think that even some years of a digital device consuming 5kWh/day can offset the amount of CO2 necessary to dispose and recycle an old device and allow production of a new one.
@invernomut0 right, that's also my feeling