@baqui63 This. They had the greatest selection of nerdy shirts and gadgets. I still wish I’d bought an Aperture Labs or Black Mesa shirt back in the day.
@baqui63 wow, i didn’t even realize they went (mostly) under until reading your comment. the more you know. i usually buy from them once a year at xmas, when i feel like i haven’t picked out enough presents for my partner but i can’t think of what else to get. favorites include the death star popcorn bowls and the enterprise pizza cutter.
I used to look forward to my DAK catalog, but they went away and when they came back it’s even less than meh. And Archie McPhee. I used to ask for a surprise bag from Archie every year for Christmas. Now I hunt for IRKs and BOCs
@enville I used to live a couple of blocks from their HQ in Canoga Park, CA. They had an outlet shop there where they sold irregulars or returns. I browsed there regularly, bought stuff on occasion (including my first bread maker).
@enville I still have a (386!) laptop I got from DAK. doesn’t power on and it weighs about 10#, but it was fun joking with my son that we got him a new computer for Christmas.
@enville came to say archie mcphee, although i have purchased from them. (despair pennant, hell is other people pin, squishy tardigrade. also received a free tiny rubber chicken as well as a rubber chicken centerfold.)
@freidkin Back in the day when they were the only place to find their particular kind of inventory, I used to buy stuff semi-regularly from Edmund Scientific.
I used to get a catalog called Catalog Favorites that had random stuff I liked looking at. I did buy a framed picture of Tom and Jerry from it once when I was younger that still hangs in my bedroom after 20 years.
@rpstrong When I reached adulthood and could buy my own toys, I eventually bought a Big Bang carbide cannon. I bought my directly from the company. They are still around and you can not only buy the Bangsite, but all the old classic cannons themselves.
@katbyter No clue. I think they’ve probably been replaced by VS.
edit: I was right. An interesting history can be found at Wikipedia. Factoid: the founder was the inventor of the push-up bra.
I remember many hours perusing Computer Shopper. I’d build paper based tables of features and prices and read reviews for days. I did eventually buy a Gateway 2000 right after Pentiums came out.
@tweezak I used the CS to build several computers ‘back in the day’. Now you can’t touch the ones that you can buy from OD/Staples, Best Buy, Sam’s/Costco, etc for the $$ if you try to buy it and build it.
@chienfou@tweezak
There are reasons to build your own, but you already know them if you’re building your own. Usually because you need/want the computer to do something that they don’t make one with those features. Or you haven’t found the specialty company that builds PCs to spec to do what you need/want it to do. Then you’re in the “how much is your time worth vs paying someone else who does X for a living to do something you only need to do once” dilemma.
I built a mini-ITX (small form factor) low-power, quiet PC for a homework PC for the kids a few years back, but that’s been replaced by sub-$500 chromebooks/laptops. I built a bigger one (still a mini-ITX) for a semi-portable gaming rig, and that is now the media center PC.
So yeah, the days of building a PC are the modern replacement for building a hot rod.br
@chienfou@tweezak I was noting that the days of DIY PCs to save money are over, and that’s really what Computer Shopper was about. I did the same thing - pored over it and geeked out over the specs of new products. Fun times.
It was the analog version of the endless items available from countless websites now, when that wasn’t a trivial thing to do - hooking up a database of inventory to a dynamic catalog, with a shopping cart and e-commerce. That used to be a big deal and required lots of money and access to technical people. Now, a couple of clicks on a WordPress site to install some plugins and you’re done. For free. Or be a reseller on a top reseller-friendly site (amazon, ebay, newegg, bestbuy, aliexpress, etc.). For free.
@chienfou@mike808 I still like to pick my own components. Off the shelf machines often skimp in the worst places like power supplies. When your PSU croaks it can take out a lot of things with it and if you didn’t build the system you may have trouble replacing parts. Especially if your $500 box is all embedded components without any room for expansion. I recently spec’d out a really nice ~$560 box for my church based around an AMD Ryzen 3200G and an Asus motherboard. I think it’s still better to build than buy for the peace of mind that you have good, hand-picked components.
@PlutoIsAPlanet They used to have really cool stuff listed for American cars, but I never ordered because their shipping was outrageous. Came so close to ordering side pipes and adapters for the Challenger…
@mehtenizer I look at stuff like is what on this website and some of the items makes me wonder about the person who decided that was a good idea to make. Or, for that matter, how they even thought up some of that stuff to begin with.
The Sportsman’s Guide.
I don’t think it’s quite what it used to be, and I confess to having participated in two orders from that catalog, but I looked forward to its arrival every month.
I also really liked looking at the Oriental Trading catalog when I was a kid.
I would have picked Think Geek if they were still around, though I actually have gotten a few things from them.
@baqui63 This. They had the greatest selection of nerdy shirts and gadgets. I still wish I’d bought an Aperture Labs or Black Mesa shirt back in the day.
@baqui63 I got a zero-point energy manipulator.
@baqui63 Think Geek is still barely alive under it’s parent company, Gamestop. Meh.
@baqui63 wow, i didn’t even realize they went (mostly) under until reading your comment. the more you know. i usually buy from them once a year at xmas, when i feel like i haven’t picked out enough presents for my partner but i can’t think of what else to get. favorites include the death star popcorn bowls and the enterprise pizza cutter.
@jerk_nugget That pizza cutter is awesome. Bought it for a friend several years ago. It was really well made but maybe too nice to ever use.
POPSOCKETS! SPA KITS! POLLY POCKETS! AWESOME!
@Fuzzalini i agree! the quality vs. price thing at TG was pretty wildly varied and you never really knew what you’d get. that turned out to be easily one of the best things for a great price. i have another pizza wheel i use more -
https://www.amazon.com/ZYLISS-Pizza-Cutter-Wheel-Slicer/dp/B002IT37Z6
just bc i prefer this style for functionality but the enterprise one truly works great. now it can stay pristine tho
@callow Yeah, I guess you could call it alive… were it mine, I’d probably pull the plug and/or shoot it.
Zillow
@rockblossom yeah, I browse there often …
I used to look forward to my DAK catalog, but they went away and when they came back it’s even less than meh. And Archie McPhee. I used to ask for a surprise bag from Archie every year for Christmas. Now I hunt for IRKs and BOCs
@enville I used to live a couple of blocks from their HQ in Canoga Park, CA. They had an outlet shop there where they sold irregulars or returns. I browsed there regularly, bought stuff on occasion (including my first bread maker).
@enville I still have a (386!) laptop I got from DAK. doesn’t power on and it weighs about 10#, but it was fun joking with my son that we got him a new computer for Christmas.
@enville came to say archie mcphee, although i have purchased from them. (despair pennant, hell is other people pin, squishy tardigrade. also received a free tiny rubber chicken as well as a rubber chicken centerfold.)
@ybmuG What’s the operating system, some version of DOS?
@phendrick I believe it came with 5.0. I think I upgraded, but that would be like 30 years ago, so.
J Peterman ftw.
https://www.jpeterman.com/
/giphy j peterman
@stinks
@thismyusername “That’s… not bad!”
Archie McPhee and Edmund Scientific.
@freidkin Back in the day when they were the only place to find their particular kind of inventory, I used to buy stuff semi-regularly from Edmund Scientific.
@DrWorm @freidkin In that case, might as well also mention HeathKit.
https://morningsave.com/
@2many2no I came here to mention MorningSave, too.
dudeiwantthat.com
@IcePopBOD That site is amazing! I have been going through the what is this thing pages. Thanks!
I voted Meh though I do buy a $5 VMP membership every month, and an occasional t-shirt.
Heh. My mother gets Current, Lillian Vernon, and of course the ever classic Fingerhut.
@ruouttaurmind I think I received more gifts out of Fingerhut than from any other source via my grandma.
I used to get a catalog called Catalog Favorites that had random stuff I liked looking at. I did buy a framed picture of Tom and Jerry from it once when I was younger that still hangs in my bedroom after 20 years.
@tnhillbillygal I like that one too. Actually I think I have one sitting on my end table right now. Fun stuff!
The Sears & Roebuck?
I picked Hammacher Schlemmer, just cuz i like to say the name…
I remember as a kid thinking the crap in the Johnson Smith catalog (whoopee cushions, joy buzzers, fake vomit) was cool.
@DrWorm It took me a while to save up for that Big Band carbide cannon . . . but it was worth it.
@rpstrong When I reached adulthood and could buy my own toys, I eventually bought a Big Bang carbide cannon. I bought my directly from the company. They are still around and you can not only buy the Bangsite, but all the old classic cannons themselves.
uncommon goods
@stolicat just got this catalog this week & agree.
Uncommongoods.com
I love the quirky yet classy items but usually out of my budget
Anyone want to get me these? https://www.uncommongoods.com/product/ocean-winch-salt-and-pepper-mills
@CaptAmehrican save $50 if you don’t want the stand.
https://www.houzz.com/product/133361706-galleyware-ocean-winch-salt-and-pepper-mills-traditional-salt-and-pepper-shakers-and-mills
@CaptAmehrican Any place I could get an ocean wench, cheap?
@phendrick nothing associated with boats is cheap.
@CaptAmehrican @phendrick Except tall ship crew where pay is seriously cheap.
I love https://www.thisiswhyimbroke.com/
Any of the jewelry catalogs like Zales, etc.
Neiman Marcus and Tiffany
Frederick’s of Hollywood
@tweezak I’m waiting for them to add a centerfold.
@tweezak Are they still around?
@katbyter No clue. I think they’ve probably been replaced by VS.
edit: I was right. An interesting history can be found at Wikipedia. Factoid: the founder was the inventor of the push-up bra.
Shop Modern Innovations for overly expensive stuff, and Spencer Gifts because it is Spencer.
They still send out catalogs?
Thisiswhyimbroke.com
Lots of looking. Don’t think I’ve actually bought anything they’ve linked even though there’s been tons of stuff I’m interested in.
@RiotDemon oh funny I didn’t see you said this and I just posted it too. Great minds, you know
@RiotDemon You probably need this from there
https://www.thisiswhyimbroke.com/glass-skull-beverage-dispenser/
I remember many hours perusing Computer Shopper. I’d build paper based tables of features and prices and read reviews for days. I did eventually buy a Gateway 2000 right after Pentiums came out.
@tweezak I used the CS to build several computers ‘back in the day’. Now you can’t touch the ones that you can buy from OD/Staples, Best Buy, Sam’s/Costco, etc for the $$ if you try to buy it and build it.
@chienfou @tweezak
There are reasons to build your own, but you already know them if you’re building your own. Usually because you need/want the computer to do something that they don’t make one with those features. Or you haven’t found the specialty company that builds PCs to spec to do what you need/want it to do. Then you’re in the “how much is your time worth vs paying someone else who does X for a living to do something you only need to do once” dilemma.
I built a mini-ITX (small form factor) low-power, quiet PC for a homework PC for the kids a few years back, but that’s been replaced by sub-$500 chromebooks/laptops. I built a bigger one (still a mini-ITX) for a semi-portable gaming rig, and that is now the media center PC.
So yeah, the days of building a PC are the modern replacement for building a hot rod.br
@mike808 @tweezak I did enjoy the process, and, like building a hot rod, it is nice to know how it works so you can take care of it when it doesn’t.
@chienfou @tweezak I was noting that the days of DIY PCs to save money are over, and that’s really what Computer Shopper was about. I did the same thing - pored over it and geeked out over the specs of new products. Fun times.
It was the analog version of the endless items available from countless websites now, when that wasn’t a trivial thing to do - hooking up a database of inventory to a dynamic catalog, with a shopping cart and e-commerce. That used to be a big deal and required lots of money and access to technical people. Now, a couple of clicks on a WordPress site to install some plugins and you’re done. For free. Or be a reseller on a top reseller-friendly site (amazon, ebay, newegg, bestbuy, aliexpress, etc.). For free.
Everything changes.
@chienfou @mike808 I still like to pick my own components. Off the shelf machines often skimp in the worst places like power supplies. When your PSU croaks it can take out a lot of things with it and if you didn’t build the system you may have trouble replacing parts. Especially if your $500 box is all embedded components without any room for expansion. I recently spec’d out a really nice ~$560 box for my church based around an AMD Ryzen 3200G and an Asus motherboard. I think it’s still better to build than buy for the peace of mind that you have good, hand-picked components.
@chienfou @tweezak
For me, today’s version of Computer Shopper (with a crowdsourced flair) is https://pcpartpicker.com/
My build (now the media PC)
@tweezak Damn it, because of you I’m going to be watching Weird Al videos all night.
I mean, it’s like a week after your comment, and I’m not sure why I’m here, but whatever. Weird Al is good.
@mossygreen I haven’t seen that one. Pretty funny. Weird Al is clever, I must say.
Barnes and Noble
How is Touch of Modern not on the list?
Funny Side Up (AKA The Lighter Side)
Jc Whitney. I have no idea why I liked looking through the catalog…
@PlutoIsAPlanet They used to have really cool stuff listed for American cars, but I never ordered because their shipping was outrageous. Came so close to ordering side pipes and adapters for the Challenger…
LTDcommodities.com
i really do come here mostly for the descriptions. maybe i buy one thing a year or so.
http://www.dudeiwantthat.com/
@mehtenizer I look at stuff like is what on this website and some of the items makes me wonder about the person who decided that was a good idea to make. Or, for that matter, how they even thought up some of that stuff to begin with.
The Sportsman’s Guide.
I don’t think it’s quite what it used to be, and I confess to having participated in two orders from that catalog, but I looked forward to its arrival every month.
I also really liked looking at the Oriental Trading catalog when I was a kid.
harbor freight
What about https://jonsguide.org/?