I can't help but continue to watch auctions

[middletoe]

Fortunately, many more games are being ported to Macs, and there are still old DOS games that I own but haven't yet played. Those that don't work in Scumm will work in Boxer, which is DOS Box for Macs.

Using DOSBox, with or without the Boxer FrontEnd, you should be able to install and play pretty much any DOS game on your Mac. Compatibility of the Mac version of DOSBox with DOS games is essentially the same as compatibility of the PC version. The biggest problem is getting the files on theMac if all you have is the floppies. Even with a USB floppy drive, it's a whole lot easier to use a floppy drive on a PC, where the floppy is the A; drive and you don't have to worry about how or where the Mac is mounting the floppy. Of course FrontEnds like Boxer will make that simpler on the Mac.

There was one game I bought at GOG which used DOSBox but which only had an installer for the PC version. Since I had a PC, I installed the game on PC, then copied the files over to the Mac (using a USB flash drive) and the game worked fine on the Mac. The Mac version of DOSBox worked the same way as the PC version. I have no idea why GOG didn't just provide a Mac version of the game because it would not have taken much work, and they've done far more complex configurations to get games working. Why play it on the Mac and not the PC? Because at the time (2009-2010) the monitor for my iMac was FAR SUPERIOR to any of the monitors I had for my PCs. Apple has always provided good monitors, whether on their iMacs, Powermac laptops, or other iThings.

I like Mac OS a whole lot more than I like Windows. Unfortunately the current Mac OS Catalina no longer works with 32-bit Mac programs and games, which is almost all of them. Though I do have an older Mac Mini that I got used from Amazon, I refuse to update it past Mojave, which at least gives you the choice of whether or not to use 32-bit Mac programs or only 64-bit programs.

I will probably never buy another new Mac because of the 64-bit-only limitation. I am very disappointed by that, because as I said I like Mac OS, which is far less naggy than Windows. I could save up for a new iMac, but what would be the point if it can't play any of my older Mac games or use any of my other Mac software which is 32-bit. Maybe Apple will eventually make Catalina like Mojave, leaving it up to the user whether or not to allow 32-bit programs (and games).

[LadyKestrel]

I haven't bothered with floppies. The DOS games I have are on CD, so copying the files and putting them into ScummVM is fairly easy. I've played Discworld, Touche: The Fifth Musketeer, Shivers, Beneath a Steel Sky, and Toonstruck that way, and they all ran beautifully in OS 10.9 & 10.10. I used Boxer for Callahan's Crosstime Saloon and Spycraft.

I'm not interested in Catalina either, although I'd like to upgrade to 10.12 (whichever mountain that is). I have 10.11 on my small iPad, but I really prefer a big screen and mouse for playing. Unfortunately, I waited too long to install 10.11 on my newer iMac. It's now outsourced, so I don't know if I can trust it.

[middletoe]

I'm not interested in Catalina either, although I'd like to upgrade to 10.12 (whichever mountain that is). I have 10.11 on my small iPad, but I really prefer a big screen and mouse for playing. Unfortunately, I waited too long to install 10.11 on my newer iMac. It's now outsourced, so I don't know if I can trust it.

.
I can't keep all the OS versions straight either. I always have to look them up.

Mac OS X 10.0 – code name "Cheetah", released to end users on Saturday, March 24, 2001
Mac OS X 10.1 – code name "Puma", released to end users on Tuesday, September 25, 2001
Mac OS X 10.2 – also marketed as "Jaguar", released to end users on Friday, August 23, 2002
Mac OS X Panther – version 10.3, released to end users on Friday, October 24, 2003
Mac OS X Tiger – version 10.4, released to end users on Friday, April 29, 2005
Mac OS X Leopard – version 10.5, released to end users on Friday, October 26, 2007
Mac OS X Snow Leopard – version 10.6, publicly unveiled on Monday, June 8, 2009
Mac OS X Lion – version 10.7, released to end users on Wednesday, July 20, 2011
OS X Mountain Lion – version 10.8, released to end users on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
OS X Mavericks – version 10.9, released to end users on Tuesday, October 22, 2013
OS X Yosemite – version 10.10, released to end users on Thursday, October 16, 2014
OS X El Capitan – version 10.11, released to end users on Wednesday, September 30, 2015
macOS Sierra – version 10.12, released to end users on Tuesday, September 20, 2016
macOS High Sierra – version 10.13, released to end users on Monday, September 25, 2017
macOS Mojave – version 10.14, released to end users on Monday, September 24, 2018
macOS Catalina – version 10.15, released to end users on Monday, October 7, 2019
macOS Big Sur - version 11.0, announced at WWDC 2020 on Monday, June 22, 2020 and is currently in development

.
My old iMac came with Leopard, which I eventually updated to Snow Leopard.
My Mac Mini came with Sierra or High Sierra -- I forget which, and I immediately updated it to Mojave, which was lucky because very shortly afterwards Mojave was no longer available from Apple anymore.

You used to be able to order a retail DVD of Mac OS versions at Amazon, and that's how I got Snow Leopard. But the more recent versions of Mac OS seem to be on burned discs like this one
and not retail discs.
The person selling these probably downloaded them from Apple's website and stored them until he could sell them years later, when Apple refused to sell them anymore.
Mac OS Mojave is available from Amazon on a USB flash drive instead of a DVD disc.
I'm guessing it would install faster from a Flash drive, but I'd trust a retail DVD more.

For some reason it's not possible to download newer Mac OS X versions from Apple without tricks like these...
https://osxdaily.com/2018/09/29/downloa ... installer/
https://www.macworld.co.uk/how-to/downl ... x-3629363/

So there are things about Apple and Macs that I like a lot, but also things they do that drive me crazy.

[lakerz]

Hey, this is my kind of thread! Nostalgia for the old big box games with great box artwork + goodies inside. I admit my ebay viewing has lapsed, I was not sure if there were PC games left that still saw strong bidding demand. Anybody know if games like Alice: interactive museum or Yellow Brick Road still have demand? I may need to try and raise money soon. I got a LOT of the big box games in good to pristine condition, just not sure which (if any) are wanted.

[middletoe]

I admit my ebay viewing has lapsed, I was not sure if there were PC games left that still saw strong bidding demand. Anybody know if games like Alice: interactive museum or Yellow Brick Road still have demand?

.
I kind of doubt there's much demand for those particular two games -- at least not at eBay.
Of course you never know for sure, and all you need is two determined collectors to start a bidding war.

But I think you'd probably have better luck selling the games in adventure game forums that have a trading section than on eBay.
Or GameTZ. Some people at GameTZ will buy or sell instead of trade if you ask them, and there is a listing for Alice: Interactive Museum there.
http://gametz.com/Games/PC/Alice%3A+An+ ... useum.html

Except for a relative handful of devoted adventure game collectors who were playing back around the mid-to-late 1990's, there probably aren't many people who've heard of Alice: Interactive Museum.
18 or 20 years ago, when Windows 98 was my main operating system, I might have been interested in buying it, but not now. It's not so convenient to get the old games going anymore when I have to drag out an old computer, and check its BIOS battery and the state of its power supply -- or try to get a VM running. I used to be able to just pop in the disc and go.

[Gelert]

Hi lakerz! How are you my old (not so old ), friend? Good to see you here.

I do think people will buy. But things have certainly changed. GameTZ has died a bit and many of our old familiar traders have left. It's worth listing though, I suppose. I've been tempted to end my membership, but haven't as yet.

Your best bet (if you ever wanted to sell), I'd say is one of the Facebook Adventure game collectors groups. Big Box Game Collectors, Big Box Game Collectors Marketplace, Point & Click Adventure Games, Adventure Games, Point-N-Click Adventure Fans Unite, Big Box Computer Games Australia, etc.. If not to sell on them, then to get a feel of demand. A couple of them have very enthusiastic collectors.

On eBay, one of the guys regularly gets big bucks for collectables. His auction are watched for with zeal on these FB groups. Others sell on at least the Marketplace one as well.

What I will say is that most sought after games (more than ever nowadays), are sealed, unused. You'll even see ones that weren't ever regarded as 'future collectibles' achieving decently high bids, or direct FB sales, when they're sealed.

On such groups the passion for 'old' boxed games is undergoing a renaissance. Fans who've only known DVD cases and downloads have a high appreciation for 'our old' formats in nice boxes. You'll be surprised at unlikely titles that are sought after (certainly not just Adventures).

So, in summary, Alice and YBR indeed WILL have willing buyers out there. But you'll need to put out patient, persistent, tactful feelers to uncover them . . best done on these FB groups. Condition is important though.

I very rarely sell or buy anymore and only keep a cursory eye going for the 'neverfounds', but there is a niche market and it's certainly not on the wane. Nostalgia is a wonderful thing. Think 'vinyl records'; Don't think 'Beta Max'.

Anyway, hope you're keeping well and that you wake up tomorrow with whichever election result you wish for (no comment from me!

Gelert

[lakerz]

Thanks middletoe for the feedback. I have a strong feeling that vast majority of PC gamers feel the way you do. Heck, I feel that way most days. I just want to game without the hassle of spending hours trying to get old hardware working and/or emulation and configuring it all ha ha ha. The older I get, the more I just want something to work!

Edit: I had forgotten about gametz. I have an account but not accessed it in forever. I just reactivated it, thank you!

[lakerz]

Hi Gelert! I am kinda old now ha ha ha. Feeling it. I still drop by your old (awesome) site from time to time. I still love your game index! I'm well just been keeping a low profile (as usual). How are you, what have you been up to in 2020?

I really appreciate your feedback, especially suggestion of utilizing FB adventure game groups and marketplace. I admit I have never been into social media and do not have any accounts set up in social media, but I may have to register a FB account just to access those groups. Do you mind giving out the ebay account that gets the views/bids? I'd be interested in checking it out. Both my Alice Interactive and YBR are sealed/boxed in great condition, so that is good I guess. I have many other games like that too. Again, I will check out FB groups to see what is what. I will make that my project to focus on here to end 2020. :-)

[skeeter]

Thanks Gelert for the facebook suggestions. I didn't realise they were there. Nice to see an Aussie group, I have joined it to have a look around.

[Gelert]

Hi lakerz. Yes, of course. It's gamecare.
He gets bomkers prices and I think it's purely because he has had masses of games to sell and has accumulated 'watchers' over time. I've only ever bought one demo of a game from him. If you look back at his 'sold' itms in eBay, you'll see daft prices he's achieved, like, for e.g., £80 for Escape Fom Monkey Island and £104 for Sins of The Fathers. Almost always excellent, sealed condition. You might know him from forums. Name is Mark.

I've had a quiet year, but last year I went on a 2 month trek across a few islands in the Arctic Circle (Norway), as I'd just finished working. Yes! I'm getting on a bit now. This year, though, quiet, but not so quiet, because II've been enjoying double granddad babysitting duties on my two grandsons. Fun, but chaotic!

Barring a miracle, AdventurePoint.co.uk may be either disappearing or becoming stripped of much of its info in the new year, unfortunately. It's a Flash website and its hoster is seemingly very unhelpful so far in helping me retain it in its current form. Moonfruit. Anyway, we'll have to see, but it's looking bad.

Otherwise, happy days! Good to hear from you my not-so-old pal.

Gelert

Hi Gelert! I am kinda old now ha ha ha. Feeling it. I still drop by your old (awesome) site from time to time. I still love your game index! I'm well just been keeping a low profile (as usual). How are you, what have you been up to in 2020?

I really appreciate your feedback, especially suggestion of utilizing FB adventure game groups and marketplace. I admit I have never been into social media and do not have any accounts set up in social media, but I may have to register a FB account just to access those groups. Do you mind giving out the ebay account that gets the views/bids? I'd be interested in checking it out. Both my Alice Interactive and YBR are sealed/boxed in great condition, so that is good I guess. I have many other games like that too. Again, I will check out FB groups to see what is what. I will make that my project to focus on here to end 2020. :-)

[lakerz]

Gelert- I'm really sorry to hear about your website. Man, that was a LOT of blood/sweat/tears to input all of that information. All to be done in by flash.

Thanks for info on gamecare (Mark). I will most definitely check it out. Getting a FB accounted started is on my to do list so I can link up to those groups you mentioned.

A 2 month arctic circle island trek you say? Sounds like a workout! I'm hoping to travel a bit in 2021, as I'm taking a work sabbatical. Depends on Covid vaccine of course. Have fun with the grandchildren.

[Gelert]

lakerz

[Kickaha]

Sorry your site may be going Gelert - as I maintain a database site I know how much work such sites are.

I would have indexed your site but as it was Flash that was very difficult. Flash has been pretty well superseded as web technology.

[draclvr]

Yeah, Flash is going to be the undoing of a lot of things. The websites supporting it are getting to be few and far between. Most browsers and dropping it too.

[colpet]

Hello folks. It has been a while. I've wandered over and this thread caught my eye. Nice to see a few familiar names.
I have recently started playing games again, since I got a new computer system - my last was a Win 7 that could run XP with a CRT monitor. Some of you may remember me as a big Riven/Myst fan, so I had some catching up to do with Quern and Obduction.
The quality of these games and my new rig just blew me away.
Anyhow, I've been looking at my collection of games recently (and computers--Win 95 and up) wondering what the heck I'm going to to do with all this. So this discussion was an interesting read. I have some of the indie games and some that were mentioned here in my collection.
It is just nice to know that I've got company and, perhaps a market (i.e. the Facebook groups), when the time comes to move these games on.