NEW OLD STOCK, UNUSED – The Newsroom by Springboard (Commodore 64/128, 1985)
This is a phenomenal, once-in-a-lifetime find for vintage computer collectors.
Offered here is an absolutely complete, NEW OLD STOCK (NOS) set of The Newsroom software by Springboard, released in 1985 for the Commodore 64/128 system.
These disks are 100% UNUSED and NEW.
This set has been meticulously preserved, sitting undiscovered in dark, cool storage in a basement for the last four decades. It is as close to walking into a computer store in 1985 and buying it off the shelf as you can get.
What is Included:
This is the most complete set imaginable, just as it left the factory. It includes:
Primary Clamshell Binder (Manual Holder): The main light beige plastic Springboard case. It is open to display the pristine manual and the untouched stack of disks.
User Manual (MINT Pages): "The Newsroom in Detail: The Complete Guide to Creating a Newspaper." The blue cover has some minor cosmetic corner wear/age, but the interior pages are crisp, untouched white, rich with detailed instructions, featuring multiple sample mini-newspaper layouts.
A Stack of Three (3) UNUSED 5.25" Floppy Disks: These disks are in their factory-pristine state. They include:
Disk 1: Master Program (Pristine label, copyright 1985).
Disk 2: Clip Art (Sides A and B, pristine label).
Bonus Disk (Pristine label, technical specs: 1S/2D, SS/DD).
A Second, Closed Clamshell Binder: This second matching case is presented in exceptionally clean condition, with the embossed Springboard logo.
A Set of 4 (Four) Loose Sample Newspapers: Separate, loose cream-colored pages featuring fanned-out sample newspaper layouts from the manual.
Detailed Condition Report:
Please inspect the high-resolution photos carefully, including the condition detail shots (image_9.png), which show the stunning state of preservation:
Floppy Disks: These are the centerpiece. Since they are unused, the disks themselves are immaculate, with pristine write-protect notches. The magnetic surfaces have never been touched by a disk drive head, and all edges are clean with zero corrosion.
Clamshell cases: Both binders are clean, with the second closed case being exceptionally clear-of-scratches. The main binder shows minor corner wear from age.
Manual Pages: The pages inside the manual are pristine and white. The blue outer manual cover shows minor light corner wear from general age/storage, but is fully intact.
Storage Odor/Age: This set is completely odor-free. Unlike many vintage paper and plastic items from this era, it carries absolutely no musty basement or storage smells.
Important Preservation Notice:
While these disks are New Old Stock and have never been used, they are 40 years old. Due to the inherent nature of vintage magnetic media (often referred to as 'bit rot' or magnetic degradation over time), functionality cannot be guaranteed. This item is sold as a rare, museum-quality preservation piece.
