Apple Network Server 500 (2020)
Added 2025-10-04 21:50:24 +0000 UTCMarch 2020, as I was finishing up this video, the COVID-19 pandemic had spread to Canada. In my day job, I was an 'essential worker', but many others were not so fortunate. By April, when I released this video, people were home-stuck and starved for entertainment. As a result, this video gave my channel the largest bump ever, and I would pass 5,000 subscribers so fast, I didn't even have time to recognize it.
The video was a wonderful coincidence of quietly wishing I had access to one of these beasts, and an out-of-the-blue offer by Jon Purdy to borrow his for a video. I had it for about 6 months in 2019 and then gave Jon and friend, Dave, a tour of the collection when they picked it up. In conversation, they were throwing-out so many references from my videos, I could hardly keep up with them. Jon and Dave became long-time supporters here. Dave has also helped me with some 3D printing and Jon has kept in touch, meeting-up for lunch earlier this year. Jon liked to make reference to the ANS as "his retirement", a call-back to the 'Mactiques Road Show' guy planning to retire on the proceeds of his compact Mac .
In the video, before I start my tour of the ANS, I cover Apple's history with server products. I also pay homage to the late Syd Bolton and his contributions to vintage computing.
What else? I have yet to try Shiner beer. Oh, and I'm told plotters are still relevant.
Comments
Glad you enjoyed revisiting the video. You are correct, Dante. I forgot I had done the credits in widescreen. To complicate things, Handbrake insists on compressing it to 4:3, so that's why you are losing the credits.
65scribe
2025-10-07 03:52:26 +0000 UTCIt was beautiful to visit this again. Thank you. By the way, why were the credits zoomed in? I couldn't read all of the info on the left.
Dante Blando
2025-10-07 03:39:38 +0000 UTCThanks for providing that epilogue, Jon. It's reassuring to know that the machine will continue to represent the existence and history of that product line. And keep you in $20 bills for the rest of your life. :)
65scribe
2025-10-06 01:42:56 +0000 UTCHi Tristan. Great to hear from you! I'm sure that pin will be found someday :)
65scribe
2025-10-06 01:28:37 +0000 UTCThis video immortalized that ANS 500. I figured there would be no greater purpose after that so I passed it on to someone worthy in 2022. (Based on my strict criteria of β giving me money, and β‘ being able to lift it.) They were able to exhibit it at VCF East shortly afterwards. The $500 I sold it for will contribute a steady $20/yrπ° in retirement income (in 2022 dollars at 4% SWR ).
Jon P
2025-10-05 12:27:03 +0000 UTCStill need to find you that AIX pinβ¦
Tristan
2025-10-05 05:39:26 +0000 UTCGreat video π
Michael Hodgson
2025-10-05 02:22:06 +0000 UTC
