ldstephens

On: Old software still has value

In a recent post, Andreas at 82MHz wrote about how old software can still be useful and fun. It’s a good read, so I wanted to share it here.

He set up a 2006 MacBook with its original OS and iLife suite and had a great time using GarageBand with a MIDI keyboard. Even after 20 years, the hardware and software still work and are a joy to use. Just because something’s outdated doesn’t mean it’s useless.

For example, authors George R.R. Martin and Robert J. Sawyer still write using WordStar for DOS, a program last updated in 1992. Sawyer even shares his setup online, complete with documentation.

It’s a good reminder that sometimes the tools we need and love are the ones we’ve had all along.