Tangentially related: if you haven't already, I'd suggest dabbling in development for these "retro" systems. Not only will they teach you about memory management, &c but you will also be able to familiarize yourself with architecture of decades past. Much like a Shakespearean scholar doesn't just reader William's texts, but also attempts to understand the sociopolitical climate in which they were written; so, too, ought a proficient programmer see where she has come from to integrate not just "best practices" but an optimism which guides her progress.
Or one could just read Stack Overflow. shrugs