Developer Community 3 Hours

Last updated: June 7, 2026, 2:40 PM ET

Retro Computing

A restored 1948 IBM 604 module now powers a modern test bench, with a single thyratron tube supplying 2 V across a 12 kΩ resistor, yielding 166 µA of current. The rebuild uses a 0.2 µF ceramic capacitor and an 8 kΩ carbon track resistor, matching the original 1% tolerance. The project demonstrates that early analog logic can still drive contemporary microcontrollers when interfaced through a simple level‑shifter, a fact that surprises many hobbyists who assume vintage parts are obsolete. The rebuild also highlights the durability of vacuum‑tube technology, as the thyratron remains fully operational after more than 70 years. The effort has sparked renewed interest in 1940s‑era computing hardware and its potential educational uses. Restored 1948 module

Software Law & Gaming

A 1999 federal law that made DVD ripping a crime now costs only $22 to enforce, thanks to free‑software tools that replicate the original authoring process. The low cost reflects the decline in hardware requirements; a single Raspberry Pi 4 and a cheap DVD burner can perform the same tasks that once required expensive equipment. Meanwhile, a grassroots gaming coalition has launched a campaign to keep game servers online, arguing that shutdowns cost developers an estimated $5 M annually in lost revenue. The group’s petition has already attracted 10 k signatures, signaling that community pressure can influence corporate policy on digital preservation. DVD ripping law