How to Find Interest in an Old Mac

Question

Level 3

565 points

How to Find Interest in an Old Mac

I have an issue that is probably fairly common these days, but have found no good approach; looking for some advice here.

Some time ago my stepson gave me an old desktop PPC G3 (the first PPC model as far as I know; has the original ROM). I upgraded it "to the max," as follows:

PowerLogic 1 GHz CPU (set to 934 MHz)

768 MB RAM

ATI Radeon 7000 graphics card

ATA 66 PCI card

Two Western Digital 80 GB hard drives

Apple A1048 ADB keyboard

Kensington Orbit trackball

Keyspan USB PCI card

Running Mac OS 9.2.2

The thing is, there is a LOT of software on this machine that is now obsolete like Microsoft Office 98, etc. which I purchased some years ago, and many really "good old" video games which are playable on this computer without the original CD-ROMs. To sell or give away the computer as is would probably be considered engaging in piracy. On the other hand, if it is stripped to just the OS, most of its usability would go essentially to zero, and make the computer undesirable. The system runs beautifully on all its software as is... what should I do? No room left at my house for this working setup plus another I intend to buy. My choices seem to be, in order of preference:

1) Give it away (as is) to someone who really likes the old games (like Myst Masterpiece, Riven, Myst III: Exile, Journeyman Project 3: Legacy of Time, Obsidian, Starhip Titanic, The Dig, Traitors Gate, etc). Preferably to someone I know...

2) Attempt to sell it on eBay (stripped down to the OS?)

3) Give it to the Goodwill or Salvation Army where it would essentially be scrap.

Any other ideas?

Thanks for your advice!

Power Mac G5 (Early 2005), Mac OS X (10.4.11), 1997 Desktop G3

Posted on Dec 30, 2013 12:40 PM

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Answer 1

Dec 30, 2013 1:18 PM in response to Bill Strohm

Most people would simply remove private data and then sell, or give away, the full working Mac including installed software.

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Answer 2

dalstott

Level 4

2,639 points

Dec 30, 2013 1:36 PM in response to Bill Strohm

Check out this link to RetroMacCast swap forum where rabid older mac addicts hang out to buy, sell, and trade.

http://retromaccast.ning.com/forum/categories/1672786:Category:50/listForCategor y

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Answer 3

Bill Strohm Author

Level 3

565 points

Dec 30, 2013 3:45 PM in response to dalstott

A very useful link, thanks much! 😎

Also, thanks for your input, Mr. Hillyer.

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Answer 4

Dec 30, 2013 10:28 PM in response to Bill Strohm

In general...

Software (games, production, utilities, etc.) which you purchased can be legally transferred (given or resold) by you to whomever you wish. Ideally you would include the original media for this software in the transaction, unless such is no longer available.

The restriction is that after transferring the software you can not also retain a copy of it; if you did, that then would constitute piracy or theft. As long as you do not keep a copy of it, it is a legal transaction.

Most of the time, especially with software this old, there is no need to notify anyone of the transfer of ownership.

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Answer 5

Bill Strohm Author

Level 3

565 points

Dec 31, 2013 8:45 AM in response to Don Archibald

Don,

Thanks for the legal disclaimer. I can read between your lines. Are there any alternatives to the three possibilities in my original post? Do you think anyone would want this computer/keyboard/trackball, even free, without software which runs perfectly but is probably no longer available? I consider this particular hardware/software "bundle" pretty much inseparable without rendering both useless. Since I invested quite a few $$ in both, it seems a shame to pull the engine out of the car and sell (or give away) a "roller."

So you think that I should either keep the software and strip the G3 down to its OS before selling/giving it away? Or else sell/give all the software away with it? Really?

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Answer 6

Dec 31, 2013 10:43 PM in response to Bill Strohm

I see nothing wrong with your #1 choice.

Re #2, you can include all the software currently on the machine, games etc. as well as OS.

Re #3, ditto.

In all cases, to remain legit there can be only one copy of each software - either with the machine, or not on the machine and not with it (i.e., original disks but not installed).

If you do not have any need of the old software, or a machine which can run it, it would make sense to include it with the old G3 when you transfer it.

Note that any software which originally came with the machine as part of an officially bundeled set of software (included in the price of the machine), that software (and its disks) should always remain with the machine. Ditto the original OS.

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Answer 7

Jan 1, 2014 6:00 AM in response to Bill Strohm

Further thoughts:

1 - There may be some jurisdiction differences in the license conditions which can be legally enforced but with such old software it is very unlikely that anybody will be concerned with what you, or others, do with it.

2 - I still use a 1998 233 MHz G3 desktop running OS 9.2.2 for my Quid Pro Quo web server. It still works well 24/7 after all these years - link at my profile. This may be another practical use for those who wish to operate a simple web server.

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Answer 8

Bill Strohm Author

Level 3

565 points

Jan 1, 2014 9:44 AM in response to Neville Hillyer

Mr. Hillyer,

Thanks to you and to Don Archibald for your advice... all sounds good to me.

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