Vintage Geek

Thirty-four years ago, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak built the first Apple computer in Jobs's garage and sold it for $666.66. Now, one of the original Apple-1s can be yours with the highest bid in a Nov. 23 auction at Christie's in London. The computer, believed to be one of about 200, comes in the original box. The return address is Jobs's California residence, and the package even includes a handwritten note from Jobs on notebook paper.

Find out more about the original computer (including how you can get in on the bidding action) after the break.

When I peruse Etsy (which is often), I always end up scoring something awesome. Case in point: this Cassette Tape Sticker Pack ($9). I mean, I didn't know I needed vinyl cassette tape stickers that are "ever so slightly larger" than the real thing, but once I saw them, I had to have them.

But taking a cruise around the rest of Beepart's shop, I found a treasure trove of vinyl goodness that you can adhere to your walls, your laptop, even your Trapper Keeper. I've picked out some of my faves in the retro geek/robot categories below. Check them out, and I dare you to try to not click "Buy."

Just in time to create a new generation of fans is the limited theatrical release of Back to the Future: AMC theaters will be showing two screenings of the film across the country on Oct. 23 and 25! It's hard to believe that this year marks the 25th anniversary of the film, which is a geek girl's dream for obvious reasons: time travel, love, and science — holla! And don't get me started about the sequel — if we can get hoverboards and flying cars by 2015, as the film predicted, it's going to be real fun getting to work.

It's also the film that almost never was. Well, not as we know it, at least. Before Michael J. Fox came on the scene, Eric Stoltz (who is rockin' it in Caprica, BTW) was originally cast to play Marty McFly. The Blu-ray edition of the 25th anniversary BTTF has original footage of Eric in the role and Steven Spielberg and Robert Zemeckis explaining why they had to let him go. Eric ended up OK, landing the starring role in the '80s classic, Some Kind of Wonderful, shortly after.

To see footage of Eric as Marty McFly, keep reading.

As you may already be aware, I'm a big fan of vinyl records. You just can't duplicate their rich tones on an MP3, but some have certainly gone out of their way to try. A man after my own heart, Justin Timberlake recently told a German newspaper that he too prefers vinyl over digital recordings. Although modern man Justin is currently starring in The Social Network as digital mastermind (and Napster founder) Sean Parker, he says he frequently tosses on old Beach Boys and Beatles records, which come with warm and rich sounds you can't find on a digital recording.

Are you a vinyl freak like me and Justin or want to get on the vintage geek train for the first time? Go ahead — get yourself a good record player (I have a few suggestions for you here), then head out to your local record shop and browse the racks!

It was a gorgeous weekend here in San Francisco, so I took advantage of it to go on a night walk with some friends. We started talking about how Jupiter was the closest to Earth in 50 years (if you noticed a bright star close to the moon last week, that was it!) and how you could see four of Jupiter's moons with just binoculars. I realized that everything I knew about these moons was straight from one of my top geeky computer games of yesteryear — Where in Space is Carmen Sandiego?

That feisty fugitive taught me a lot of facts about space, not least of which are that Io looks like a pizza and that Europa is a frozen ball of ice with water underneath. Who knew that while I was chasing all those V.I.L.E henchmen around I'd actually retain the information years later?

So, fellow Carmen Sandiego fans, which game was your favorite? Where in Time? Where in the World? Or did you have another go-to geeky computer game?

Want to reminisce about the olden days of tech? Join our Vintage Geek Group and get in on the fun, and your story could be featured on GeekSugar!

Photo source: Moby Games

Regardless of its potentially impractical size or weight (remember how heavy the Etch A Skech seemed when you were a kid?), I love this iPad case! The Headcase Etch A Sketch iPad Case ($39) is an officially licensed Etch A Sketch turned iPad case just in time for the classic toy's 50th birthday.

The case is made of durable plastic, with rubber feet and a felt backing to keep your device safe. There are also specially cut holes in the case to allow access to all buttons and ports on your iPad. The back even features a retractable stand that allows you to prop your iPad at a typing-friendly angle.

I was a huge Etch A Sketch fan as a kid; I love that this vintage favorite has resurfaced in a fun new way!