Where great old Macs live again!
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James Wages
- 38, Male
- Aichi Prefecture
- Japan
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Latest Activity
Yes, Kathryn, I have:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/66071596@N00/3825168977/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/66071596@N00/3825970198/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/66071596@N00/3825168855/
Very, very nice. Have you done computer shells this way also?
You are correct that the 3% peroxide I used is available at most any drug store (although I purchased mine online here in Japan). But RetroBright is not a "product" at all. It is a "method of deyellowing plastics" as described on its Wiki here:
h...
A 3% H₂O₂ solution is available at every pharmacy - 'RetroBright' may be a product sold only in the U.S..
Congrats. The results are spectacular!
Large plastics were deyellowed with my "corn starch" gel version of RetroBright, while small parts such as the keyboard keys were submerged in the liquid version. I used regular 3% hydrogen peroxide to clean everything, and as you can see from the...
Did you apply it with a cloth or put the parts in a bath ?
Great results anyway.
Profile Information
- When did you get your first Mac?
- 1984 - Mac 128k
- How many Macs do you own?
- 4 - SE/30, 512k w/serial HD20, 512k w/internal GCC HyperDrive20, G4 Cube
- Where do you live?
- Japan
- How did you hear about RetroMacCast?
- Google search for classic Mac stuff
James Wages's Photos
James Wages's Blog
Compact Mac Analog Board Components
I acquired a Mac 128k/512k (it came with both logic boards) and a GCC HyperDrive 20 Mac 512k over the last few years ago. Since then, I've spent a lot of time examining the innards of these two classic beauties. Being an electronics hobbyist with an EE degree, I certainly enjoy tinkering. One thing I discovered is that electronic components, especially old electrolytic capacitors, are often in need of replacement to get the machine back in original working condition. I visited a variety of sourc… Continue
Posted on December 30, 2008 at 6:30pm —
My first Mac
When recently filling out the new RetroMacCast member form, I reflected on my first home computer back in 1984 -- a Macintosh 128k. What a simple yet ground-breaking machine, destined to forever change my view on computing and life in general. No, the Mac does not capture my every waking hour, but it has inspired my love of computers and technology, ultimately leading me to study electrical engineering in college which in turn brought me to Japan.
This first Mac was not actually "my" Mac (at th… Continue
This first Mac was not actually "my" Mac (at th… Continue
Posted on October 28, 2008 at 8:40am —
The SE/30 That Does It All
I was recently interviewed by Giles Turnbull of Cult of Mac who had seen my SE/30 and Newton photo on Flickr. I felt especially honored that Giles decided to run this article on these classic Apple machines.
UPDATE: How funny. I became a new member just today and after posting my blog entry, I deci… Continue
UPDATE: How funny. I became a new member just today and after posting my blog entry, I deci… Continue
Posted on October 25, 2008 at 6:30am — 5 Comments
Comment Wall (7 comments)
- At 2:14am on July 20, 2009,
Kathryn said…
- James, thanks so much for the link on the Pismo PRAM Problem the "PPP" as it shall be forthwith named. I'm looking forward to taking in all the info on this site, I want my Pismo to have a long and fruitful life as any Pismo owner does. I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks a million!
- At 5:52pm on March 21, 2009,
James Wages said…
- Hi Joe,
Well, I can tell you the Yen is no longer ¥360 to the Dollar now! But that's good news since I get paid in Yen! Not sure how to compare with what it was like in the 70's. I first arrived here in 1994. Japan hasn't changed much since then, except for the increase in consumption tax in 1996 which has dragged down the economy since that time. Funny, the prime minister is now talking about raising the consumption tax yet again, even at a time of economic disaster like this! So I guess to summarize, Japan really hasn't changed to much since the 1970's. Socialism remains as it always has.
I've got my Hyperdrive Mac in storage, so I will need to get it setup and then examine the software. Once I see which programs you require, I will need to transfer them to floppy, then use my SE/30 to transfer the date to my G4 Cube, which I can in turn send along to you. Please PM me with your email address so I can get this to you. But it won't be today though. It may take me a week.
Thanks for your comment!
- At 12:06pm on March 21, 2009,
Joe Vogel said… - Hi James. I appreciate your posts!
I am looking for some software for a Mac 128 (512) w/Hyperdrive.
The Hyperdrive screen comes up on boot but that's it. It won't load the system.
The light on the hyperdrive works and some disk reading can be heard before the screen comes up but...not after it comes up.
BTW.. i was stationed in Japan back in the 70's. How's life there now.
Domo arigato, James San.
Joe
- At 1:44pm on February 14, 2009,
Alan said… - Thanks for the message James. Hope things are well in Japan. Enjoyed looking through your photos.
- At 1:19am on October 28, 2008,
James Wages said…
- With the Yen being stronger than the US Dollar right now (thank God, I get paid in Yen), there's yet something more to envy I suppose. But life in Japan is very different than the US. Gas will cost you double what you pay in the US (yes, even at today's prices) thanks to high taxes (socialism). Cantaloupe melons can cost anywhere between $15 and $50. The Japanese idea of a good steak is a rather questionable quality piece of meat marbled with an enormous amount of heart-stopping fat, selling for far more than you want to pay. Prices for educating one's children in the English language is beyond all comprehension. But there are many perks too such as living in the safest society in the world, being in a culture where things are rather predictable (99% homogeneous population), being able to teach one's native tongue of English for a living (useful if your employer goes under), not having to file a tax return to the Japanese government each year because your employer does it for you (unless you have very special situations which dictates the need for a separate return), and being in a society that loves to tinker with old Macs. Okay, not everyone here likes to tinker, but if there is such a thing as a MacHead, they exist here in Japan. Here's a website hosting products offered by one such MacHead (in Japanese only, sorry).
I've not spotted a good condition Color Classic II here yet, but they do exist and their Japanese owners are very proud of having such prizes indeed. I have spotted the coveted PowerBook 550c on Yahoo Auctions Japan a few times though.
- At 10:40pm on October 27, 2008,
Kathryn said…
- Japan? Oh, I'm so jealous!!! Have you seen any Color Classic II (s) around? I have read that they were only released in Japan. But, that's not why I'm jealous. It's Japan, oh, and your amazing Kung Fu with the SE/30.
- At 7:16am on October 25, 2008,
James said… - Welcome James! Is it just a coincidence that we happened to talk about your interview on this week's episode?
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