Zez Retro
@zezretro.bsky.social
Zez Retro and the Cathode Ray Podcast on YouTube. Taking about analog video, CRTs and Hard Off Hunting in Japan.
The plot thickens, ChatGPT thinks it’s 5:4!
November 14, 2025 at 2:06 PM
The plot thickens, ChatGPT thinks it’s 5:4!
What do you think, is this EIZO monitor 4:3? I just won it for 5€ and took a punt as EIZO is a great brand and I don’t have any of their screens. If it is 4:3 then it’s a retro jackpot
November 14, 2025 at 12:55 PM
What do you think, is this EIZO monitor 4:3? I just won it for 5€ and took a punt as EIZO is a great brand and I don’t have any of their screens. If it is 4:3 then it’s a retro jackpot
Next 10c pickup: Microsoft Encarta Resource Centre. Sealed, from 1998
Seems to be an add on which supports students doing school projects.
The digital version of those projects packs they used to sell at the newsagent which you would cut out and paste onto a cardboard sheet.
Seems to be an add on which supports students doing school projects.
The digital version of those projects packs they used to sell at the newsagent which you would cut out and paste onto a cardboard sheet.
November 14, 2025 at 10:19 AM
Next 10c pickup: Microsoft Encarta Resource Centre. Sealed, from 1998
Seems to be an add on which supports students doing school projects.
The digital version of those projects packs they used to sell at the newsagent which you would cut out and paste onto a cardboard sheet.
Seems to be an add on which supports students doing school projects.
The digital version of those projects packs they used to sell at the newsagent which you would cut out and paste onto a cardboard sheet.
Note that the manual only translates the text and they don’t bother to recapture the screenshots with the Estonian edition.
November 13, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Note that the manual only translates the text and they don’t bother to recapture the screenshots with the Estonian edition.
1€ big box find: MS Office 97 in Estonian.
Many Estonians have a similar story: back in 97 there really were not Estonian words for the functions in Windows and Office. The translations felt weird and forced.
I’ve bought a lot of retro PCs here and I’ve never seen these main apps in Estonian.
Many Estonians have a similar story: back in 97 there really were not Estonian words for the functions in Windows and Office. The translations felt weird and forced.
I’ve bought a lot of retro PCs here and I’ve never seen these main apps in Estonian.
November 13, 2025 at 10:13 AM
1€ big box find: MS Office 97 in Estonian.
Many Estonians have a similar story: back in 97 there really were not Estonian words for the functions in Windows and Office. The translations felt weird and forced.
I’ve bought a lot of retro PCs here and I’ve never seen these main apps in Estonian.
Many Estonians have a similar story: back in 97 there really were not Estonian words for the functions in Windows and Office. The translations felt weird and forced.
I’ve bought a lot of retro PCs here and I’ve never seen these main apps in Estonian.
Bought a dot matrix printer, paper and a cable for 24€. Vinted is great, no one in Estonia has one but a bunch of seller in Poland do.
Untested but I bet it works.
That sound is going to take me back…
Untested but I bet it works.
That sound is going to take me back…
November 10, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Bought a dot matrix printer, paper and a cable for 24€. Vinted is great, no one in Estonia has one but a bunch of seller in Poland do.
Untested but I bet it works.
That sound is going to take me back…
Untested but I bet it works.
That sound is going to take me back…
Big box software back in the day was not messing around. I found a MS FoxPro 2.6 box and manuals for 10c and it’s THICC.
There are no less than 8 books.
As I understand FoxPro was a low code desktop database something like FileMaker?
It originally came with 7 floppies but they were missing
There are no less than 8 books.
As I understand FoxPro was a low code desktop database something like FileMaker?
It originally came with 7 floppies but they were missing
November 7, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Big box software back in the day was not messing around. I found a MS FoxPro 2.6 box and manuals for 10c and it’s THICC.
There are no less than 8 books.
As I understand FoxPro was a low code desktop database something like FileMaker?
It originally came with 7 floppies but they were missing
There are no less than 8 books.
As I understand FoxPro was a low code desktop database something like FileMaker?
It originally came with 7 floppies but they were missing
Found a good deal on NT Server 4.0 big box because the disc doesn’t come with the jewel case (and thusly no serial). I have plenty of those anyway
Nice condition although “good deal” is always relative being a European when everything has atleast 30€ of shipping + VAT.
Nice condition although “good deal” is always relative being a European when everything has atleast 30€ of shipping + VAT.
November 3, 2025 at 4:31 AM
Found a good deal on NT Server 4.0 big box because the disc doesn’t come with the jewel case (and thusly no serial). I have plenty of those anyway
Nice condition although “good deal” is always relative being a European when everything has atleast 30€ of shipping + VAT.
Nice condition although “good deal” is always relative being a European when everything has atleast 30€ of shipping + VAT.
My Sun Ray 2 thin client arrived as complete new old stock, it doesn’t seem to have been opened at all!
So fresh, so clean, such pristine Sun cardboard.
I’m busy so I’m no rush to set it up.
Its just a cardboard box but it’s a Sun cardboard box 😀
So fresh, so clean, such pristine Sun cardboard.
I’m busy so I’m no rush to set it up.
Its just a cardboard box but it’s a Sun cardboard box 😀
November 1, 2025 at 12:17 PM
My Sun Ray 2 thin client arrived as complete new old stock, it doesn’t seem to have been opened at all!
So fresh, so clean, such pristine Sun cardboard.
I’m busy so I’m no rush to set it up.
Its just a cardboard box but it’s a Sun cardboard box 😀
So fresh, so clean, such pristine Sun cardboard.
I’m busy so I’m no rush to set it up.
Its just a cardboard box but it’s a Sun cardboard box 😀
Found an Office 95 big box and manual for 50c locally so of course I now needed to spend 25€ to get the media which goes with it.
Turns out the box is “standard” and the media is “professional” but who’s counting
Turns out the box is “standard” and the media is “professional” but who’s counting
October 30, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Found an Office 95 big box and manual for 50c locally so of course I now needed to spend 25€ to get the media which goes with it.
Turns out the box is “standard” and the media is “professional” but who’s counting
Turns out the box is “standard” and the media is “professional” but who’s counting
Encarta 99 for 10c, I’ll take that!
The front has a blurry stamp which says “Raamatukogu” which means “Library” in Estonian. The other words are too smudged to make out.
The front has a blurry stamp which says “Raamatukogu” which means “Library” in Estonian. The other words are too smudged to make out.
October 29, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Encarta 99 for 10c, I’ll take that!
The front has a blurry stamp which says “Raamatukogu” which means “Library” in Estonian. The other words are too smudged to make out.
The front has a blurry stamp which says “Raamatukogu” which means “Library” in Estonian. The other words are too smudged to make out.
I’ve got a thing for thin clients.
When I was in primary school our class computer didn’t work and I pulled it apart only to find it had no hard disk….
It was about 85€ to get this old new stock Sun Ray 2. I’ve got a genuine Sun X2200 M2 ready to go.
Time to order some of them Java cards!
When I was in primary school our class computer didn’t work and I pulled it apart only to find it had no hard disk….
It was about 85€ to get this old new stock Sun Ray 2. I’ve got a genuine Sun X2200 M2 ready to go.
Time to order some of them Java cards!
October 25, 2025 at 1:14 PM
I’ve got a thing for thin clients.
When I was in primary school our class computer didn’t work and I pulled it apart only to find it had no hard disk….
It was about 85€ to get this old new stock Sun Ray 2. I’ve got a genuine Sun X2200 M2 ready to go.
Time to order some of them Java cards!
When I was in primary school our class computer didn’t work and I pulled it apart only to find it had no hard disk….
It was about 85€ to get this old new stock Sun Ray 2. I’ve got a genuine Sun X2200 M2 ready to go.
Time to order some of them Java cards!
Wow. Someone in my city is offering "CD burning services".
Not Blu-ray, just straight up CD-R burning for 10€.
"Don't let the development of modern technology prevent you from accessing the content you need. Buy now and get a CD with the content you want!"
Don't hate the player I guess...
Not Blu-ray, just straight up CD-R burning for 10€.
"Don't let the development of modern technology prevent you from accessing the content you need. Buy now and get a CD with the content you want!"
Don't hate the player I guess...
October 24, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Wow. Someone in my city is offering "CD burning services".
Not Blu-ray, just straight up CD-R burning for 10€.
"Don't let the development of modern technology prevent you from accessing the content you need. Buy now and get a CD with the content you want!"
Don't hate the player I guess...
Not Blu-ray, just straight up CD-R burning for 10€.
"Don't let the development of modern technology prevent you from accessing the content you need. Buy now and get a CD with the content you want!"
Don't hate the player I guess...
This sale tag is interesting “Tallinn Department Store Home Goods” and then a price in old Estonian kroons, the pre €€ currency.
Meaning: this wasn’t just some flea market knock off, it was sold in legit department stores back in the day
Meaning: this wasn’t just some flea market knock off, it was sold in legit department stores back in the day
October 22, 2025 at 12:18 PM
This sale tag is interesting “Tallinn Department Store Home Goods” and then a price in old Estonian kroons, the pre €€ currency.
Meaning: this wasn’t just some flea market knock off, it was sold in legit department stores back in the day
Meaning: this wasn’t just some flea market knock off, it was sold in legit department stores back in the day
Any gamer who grew up in Eastern Europe will recognize these: yellow Dendy cartridges.
The Famicom knock off produced for the Easter bloc, seems like everyone I know had one of these at home.
A new colleague found out I was a collector and offered
The Famicom knock off produced for the Easter bloc, seems like everyone I know had one of these at home.
A new colleague found out I was a collector and offered
October 22, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Any gamer who grew up in Eastern Europe will recognize these: yellow Dendy cartridges.
The Famicom knock off produced for the Easter bloc, seems like everyone I know had one of these at home.
A new colleague found out I was a collector and offered
The Famicom knock off produced for the Easter bloc, seems like everyone I know had one of these at home.
A new colleague found out I was a collector and offered
Thift store score today.
Audio cassettes sell for a premium in Estonia because they were late to the western technology party.
Found his sealed 5 pack of Type II TDK tapes from 1991 for 5€, an absolute steal and definite slipping from the store.
Audio cassettes sell for a premium in Estonia because they were late to the western technology party.
Found his sealed 5 pack of Type II TDK tapes from 1991 for 5€, an absolute steal and definite slipping from the store.
October 13, 2025 at 11:13 AM
Thift store score today.
Audio cassettes sell for a premium in Estonia because they were late to the western technology party.
Found his sealed 5 pack of Type II TDK tapes from 1991 for 5€, an absolute steal and definite slipping from the store.
Audio cassettes sell for a premium in Estonia because they were late to the western technology party.
Found his sealed 5 pack of Type II TDK tapes from 1991 for 5€, an absolute steal and definite slipping from the store.
Why does a dachshund keychain from Lindex look like the dog is doing old timey blackface?
October 12, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Why does a dachshund keychain from Lindex look like the dog is doing old timey blackface?
Early 2000s programming book covers were something else..
October 12, 2025 at 2:46 AM
Early 2000s programming book covers were something else..
The local IT college was selling old servers cheap, I got a Sunfire X2200 M2 1U server for 20 bucks.
It’s purely for curiosity, it’s x86 hardware but genuine Sun gear doesn’t come up often around here
It’s purely for curiosity, it’s x86 hardware but genuine Sun gear doesn’t come up often around here
October 8, 2025 at 12:14 PM
The local IT college was selling old servers cheap, I got a Sunfire X2200 M2 1U server for 20 bucks.
It’s purely for curiosity, it’s x86 hardware but genuine Sun gear doesn’t come up often around here
It’s purely for curiosity, it’s x86 hardware but genuine Sun gear doesn’t come up often around here
Windows 2000 Professional, "not for retail or OEM distribution" with bonus "Customer Support and Diagnostics Tools" disc behind, 10€
Windows 2003 R2 Standard, got it for 6€ because it has a valid serial
Windows 2003 R2 Standard, got it for 6€ because it has a valid serial
October 2, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Windows 2000 Professional, "not for retail or OEM distribution" with bonus "Customer Support and Diagnostics Tools" disc behind, 10€
Windows 2003 R2 Standard, got it for 6€ because it has a valid serial
Windows 2003 R2 Standard, got it for 6€ because it has a valid serial
If retro operating system software comes up for sale up to 3 countries away, I am all over it.
NT4 Workstation in cardboard sleeve for 11€.
SQL Server 7.0, the last "NT" version was 7€ which came with a surprise extra NT install disc hidden behind. 👇
NT4 Workstation in cardboard sleeve for 11€.
SQL Server 7.0, the last "NT" version was 7€ which came with a surprise extra NT install disc hidden behind. 👇
October 2, 2025 at 9:53 AM
If retro operating system software comes up for sale up to 3 countries away, I am all over it.
NT4 Workstation in cardboard sleeve for 11€.
SQL Server 7.0, the last "NT" version was 7€ which came with a surprise extra NT install disc hidden behind. 👇
NT4 Workstation in cardboard sleeve for 11€.
SQL Server 7.0, the last "NT" version was 7€ which came with a surprise extra NT install disc hidden behind. 👇
What’s even more useless than ancient operating system disks? Ancient anti virus big box. Still for 2 bucks….
September 24, 2025 at 12:28 PM
What’s even more useless than ancient operating system disks? Ancient anti virus big box. Still for 2 bucks….
MORE POINTLESS RETRO OS SOFTWARE.
Windows NT 4.0 boot floppies
I want more big box software from the turn of the century!
I want that big blue Windows NT 4.0 Workstation box but haven’t found a bargain yet on what is essentially just expensive cardboard
Windows NT 4.0 boot floppies
I want more big box software from the turn of the century!
I want that big blue Windows NT 4.0 Workstation box but haven’t found a bargain yet on what is essentially just expensive cardboard
September 23, 2025 at 11:43 AM
MORE POINTLESS RETRO OS SOFTWARE.
Windows NT 4.0 boot floppies
I want more big box software from the turn of the century!
I want that big blue Windows NT 4.0 Workstation box but haven’t found a bargain yet on what is essentially just expensive cardboard
Windows NT 4.0 boot floppies
I want more big box software from the turn of the century!
I want that big blue Windows NT 4.0 Workstation box but haven’t found a bargain yet on what is essentially just expensive cardboard
If you grew up in Eastern Europe, one of these two desks was your first computer table
September 19, 2025 at 4:23 PM
If you grew up in Eastern Europe, one of these two desks was your first computer table