Retro Computing Roundtable

Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting), Quinn Dunki, and Kay Savetz

Topic: 1990

1990 saw a decline of various personal computer magazines, as well as the introduction of the Video Toaster. Apple started misting the market with computer variants.

Topic/Feedback links:

• RCR episode 90
• Macintosh LC
• Macintosh Classic
• Macintosh IIfx
• Macintosh IIsi
• Computer mags in 1990 were an interesting mix of modern and dying (Compute’s Gazette, BBC Acorn, Atari Explorer, the last issue of Antic) and MSX which was both.
• MiniDisc (actually 1992)
• https://www.minidisc.wiki/ (home of Web MiniDisc Pro)
• MZ-RH1 MiniDisc player/recorder with USB data export support
• Photoshop 1.0
• Video Toaster

Retro Computing News:

• Interim Computer Museum
• Intellivision: How a videogame battled Atari and almost bankrupted Barbie
• Adventures in Videoland
• Adventures in Videoland playthrough
• 2-XL

Vintage Computer/discussion-related commercials:

• MiniDisc system infomercial
• Minute Rice
• Family Computing magazine
• 2-XL by Mego
• Keeping up with the Commodore
• Super Breakout
• Various 1980s ads (The Clapper)
• Lotus 123

Retro Computing Gift Idea:

• PBTfans 1984 R2 keycaps

• See also: Big Mac at CHM

Auction Picks:

• Paul:

• CORE remote

• CL 9 (company)
• Celadon PIC-100 (rebranded CORE, post CL 9)
• MagicLink PIC-1000 (no relation, but had IR remote capability)

• Oric-1

• Oric-1 (Wikipedia)

• Pravetz 8D (Oric-1 clone)
• Elizabethan typing
• Sargon II
• MC-10
• Chaos the software
• Three tiny Apple programs
• Lisa floppies

Closing notes:

• Kay’s 2025 Wrapped
• Softalk for the IBM PC
• Enter magazine (at time of recording)
• Teaching and Computers

Other ways to experience this episode:

• a2stream file for this episode: http://lo-fi.rcrpodcast.com/rcr290.a2stream
• YouTube episode 290

Feedback/Discussion:

• feedback@rcrpodcast.com
• rcrpodcast@podcast.social on Mastodon
• rcrpodcast.com on bluesky
• Vintage Computer Forum
• RCR Podcast on Facebook

Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John X

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Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting), Quinn Dunki, and Earl Evans

Topic: 1989

Several things happened during the final year to begin prior to The Simpsons hitting the airwaves. For example, Sim City and PKZIP came out. Tim from CERN proposed an information sharing architecture. Everyone on the bus started playing with Game Boys.

Topic/Feedback links:

• SimCity
• Mac Office (Word 4, Excel 2.2, PowerPoint 2.01, Mail 1.37)
• ZIP format introduced

• Phil Katz
• ARC

• Tim Berners-Lee proposed WWW
• Microsoft SQL Server announced
• Nintendo Game Boy
• Macintosh Portable

• Ejecting a disk in space

• RCR episode 89

Retro Computing News:

• MBASIC-2025: Modern MBASIC 5.21 Interpreter & Compilers
• Microsoft: the Zork source code is open sourced.
• Usagi Electric TI homebrew
• Rebecca Heineman (Burger Becky)

Vintage Computer/discussion-related commercials:

• Wisk
• TRS-80 Model II
• SQL Server

Retro Computing Gift Idea:

• Max Build More Retro Building Bricks Unboxing Toy

Auction Picks:

• Earl:

• Atari 600 XL Home Computer Near Mint . Never Used. Was In Storage For 40 Years

• Paul:

• Myst board game
• Tandy 16B.
• TS1500 command cartridge player

• Timex Computer Corp Winter 1983 catalog
• Available cartridges included Supermath and Flight Simulator.
• TS 1500 in case
• TS 1500 in box
• TS 1500 description

Closing notes:

• We’re covered in Compute’s Gazette

• Issue number 5, in Brian Cox’s Podcast Corner

Other ways to experience this episode:

• a2stream file for this episode: http://lo-fi.rcrpodcast.com/rcr289.a2stream
• YouTube episode 289

Feedback/Discussion:

• feedback@rcrpodcast.com
• rcrpodcast@podcast.social on Mastodon
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• Vintage Computer Forum
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Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John X

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Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting), Quinn Dunki, and Earl Evans

Topic: 1988

In 1988, NeXT introduced its cube, bundled with Mathematica 1.0. IRC was developed. Sound Blaster changed gaming. Microsoft Office was announced. Lots of software was developed, and hardware incrementally improved.

Topic/Feedback links:

• NeXT cube
• Laser 128EX/2
• Mathematica

• Celebrating 35 Years of Mathematica (YouTube, first few sections show it in action on an SE/30)
• The Mathematica Story – A Scrapbook

• Sound Blaster (but 1990? 1989?)
• Microsoft Office (announced 1988, shipped 1990)
• IRC developed – /me likes this
• Apple IIc Plus – last 8-bit computer introduced by Apple?
• IBM PS/2 Model 70
• Lemonamiga games for 1988

Retro Computing News:

• Video of production of new Commodore 64s in the factory
• Ken Shirrif repairs a Commodore PET

Vintage Computer(-related) commercials:

• Amstrad Portable PC
• Microsoft Office System: It’s Showtime

Retro Computing Gift Idea:

• Viking Electronics DLE-200B Two-Way Phone Line Simulator

• See also: Open House H650 Integrated Voice Networking System

Auction Picks:

• Earl:

• Altos 580 Computer, Z80 system, supported multi-user MP/M, could accommodate hard drives, 4 RS232 ports

• See also: http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/altos/580_Series_5/

• Paul:

• NeXT Cube
• NeXT Video Cable
• Amstrad PPC 640
• Adventure International Buckaroo Banzai
• Akalabeth
• Contributed Programs

• See also: Street Life (Apple II disk image)

Closing notes:

• Ivan Loves the 80s
• Steve Jobs Unveils the NeXT Computer

Other ways to experience this episode:

• a2stream file for this episode: http://lo-fi.rcrpodcast.com/rcr288.a2stream
• YouTube episode 288

Feedback/Discussion:

• feedback@rcrpodcast.com
• rcrpodcast@podcast.social on Mastodon
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Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John X

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Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting), Quinn Dunki, and Blake Patterson

Topic: 1987

The Acorn Archimedes became the first computer sold based on the ARM chip. Even today, the last does not appear to be in sight. 1987 also bought us Perl, the IBM PS/2, VGA, Hypercard. CompuServe gifted us GIF. Beyond 1987, we talk BBC BASIC, Quantum Link, and more about the Commodore Colt than you ever wanted.

Topic/Feedback links:

• Acorn Archimedes
• IBM PS/2
• VGA
• Larry Wall wrote Perl
• Bill Atkinson designs Hypercard
• CompuServe introduced a proprietary graphics interchange format. Great. Took off like gangbusters. Like a gift to the online world.
• So Far; The First 10 Years of a Vision (Apple turned 10)

Retro Computing News:

• The Commodore acquisition happened
• One line Tetris (Rheolism) (Hackaday)
• Rheolism
• How Rheolism works

Vintage Computer(-related) commercials:

• Commodore Colt at Best Buy
• Acorn Electron
• IBM PS/2

Retro Computing Gift Idea:

• The Apple II Age: How the Computer Became Personal (Laine Nooney)

• See also: INIT HELLO wrap-up discussion (YT)
• See also: RCR episode 266 with Laine Nooney

Auction Picks:

• Paul:

• Commodore Colt
• Spectravideo Compumate VCS keyboard

• CompuMate (Wikipedia)
• I turned my Atari 2600 into a REAL COMPUTER (YT, 8-Bit Show And Tell)

• Actual Quantum Link software package
• Alternate universe (to Apple users) SoftDisk: LoadStar

• Cf: SoftDisk

Closing notes:

• INIT HELLO

Other ways to experience this episode:

• a2stream file for this episode: http://lo-fi.rcrpodcast.com/rcr287.a2stream
• YouTube episode 287

Feedback/Discussion:

• feedback@rcrpodcast.com
• rcrpodcast@podcast.social on Mastodon
• rcrpodcast.com on bluesky
• Vintage Computer Forum
• RCR Podcast on Facebook

Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John X

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Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting), Quinn Dunki, Jack Nutting, and Blake Patterson

Topic: 1986

IDE, IMAP, IIGS, and even some other things that do not begin with “I” were introduced in 1986.

Topic/Feedback links:

• Apple IIGS
• MacBook Wheel
• SCSI-1
• IDE
• IBM PC XT/286
• IMAP
• ShaderGlass

Retro Computing News:

• The Myst Graph: A New Perspective on Myst (and Part II)
• Postage-stamp-sized Atari 8-bit compatible FPGA hardware device
• Ice-T, a VT100/102/52 terminal emulator for the Atari 8-bit
• Bill Atkinson passed away (Wired)
• Building a dream PC in 1993
• Shufflepuck Cafe for the Apple II
• Retro Recipes is buying Commodore

Vintage Computer(-related) commercials:

• Gateway
• Myst board game
• What is the @ (Good Morning America)

Retro Computing Gift Idea:

• Strong Magnetic Field warning stickers
• Also Magnetic-Field-Warning cookie cutters

Auction Picks:

• Blake:

• 1980s AMust Corp. Mini Robot-1 Simulator Arm HX-3000 Australia (EARLY ROBOTICS)

• Paul:

• PowerBook Weight Saving Device
• The Toy Shop (C64)

Closing notes:

• Alien Beast Inspector
• INIT HELLO

Other ways to experience this episode:

• a2stream file for this episode: http://lo-fi.rcrpodcast.com/rcr286.a2stream
• YouTube episode 286

Feedback/Discussion:

• feedback@rcrpodcast.com
• rcrpodcast@podcast.social on Mastodon
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Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John X

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Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting), Quinn Dunki, and Blake Patterson

Topic: 1985

The year of the Amiga arrives, NeXT is founded, the first .com site appears, Quantum Computer Services begins its journey toward becoming AOL.

Topic/Feedback links:

• Commodore Amiga
• Installing FS-UAE on Mac
• Amiga Forever
• Ample
• NeXT
• https://symbolics.com/
• symbolics.com museum
• Symbolics
• Aldus PageMaker
• Apple LaserWriter
• Enterprise
• Super Mario Bros
• Microsoft Windows 1.0
• Quantum Computer Services founded, which became AOL
• GameLine
• GameLine (eBay)
• Atari Compendium: Longevity (mentions Supercharger)
• Arcadia/Starpath Supercharger (eBay)
• A modern news story on AOL

Retro Computing News:

• The First Perfect Computer (upgrading an Amiga 1000)
• INIT HELLO
• Computer Museum at System Source
• National Electronics Museum
• Bloop Museum
• CuriousMarc visits System Source
• Usagi Electric visits System Source
• Usagi Electric gets a Bendix G15 to run the first half of a test program
• DigiBarn
• The SuperFo Harlequin 128
• The Leningrad-1
• Original Soviet key cap kit

Vintage Computer(-related) commercials:

• America Online
• Enterprise 128
• Super Mario 2

Retro Computing Gift Idea:

• Commodore4ever VertiPort

Auction Picks:

• Blake:

• Vintage Olympia EX 100 Typewriter Extension CP/M Computer Word Processor Systel

• Paul:

• The PC-8001 They Didn’t Want You To See. Picture number 6 will shock you.
• Mario Bros 2 ripped burned floppy disk

• The 202 Alliance
• Mario Bros (202) on Internet Archive, hit Esc while “202 Alliance” is being painted
• Real pirates buy Apple Cats
• The Curse

• Apple catalogs (including last one with Apple //e)

Closing notes:

• Rasberry Pi MIDI hat
• Stronghold

Other ways to experience this episode:

• a2stream file for this episode: http://lo-fi.rcrpodcast.com/rcr285.a2stream
• YouTube episode 285

Feedback/Discussion:

• feedback@rcrpodcast.com
• rcrpodcast@podcast.social on Mastodon
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Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John X

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Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting), Quinn Dunki, Blake Patterson, and Kay Savetz

Topic: 1984

Apple introduced the Macintosh and Apple //c in 1984, IBM introduced the PCjr, HP introduced the LaserJet, and FidoNet began distributing mail.

Topic/Feedback links:

• Apple //c
• IBM PCjr
• Christmas 1984: The Great Apple //c vs. PCjr Battle
• Macintosh

• The 1984 Superbowl ad (YT)
• The 1984 Superbowl ad

• FidoNet

• https://www.fidonet.org/
• FidoNews
• Subtext (classic Mac BBS with FidoNet support)

• HP LaserJet

• LaserJet in HP’s own Virtual museum (warning: QuickTime 5 required)

• CHM discusses Lisa source code with Bill Atkinson

Retro Computing News:

• SyncTerm
• Playing with toy interfaces – Rich Gold, Mattel Toys
• Video Game History Foundation Library opens
• Storing data on cassette with a modem

• KCS modem

Vintage Computer(-related) commercials:

• Apple //c
• IBM PCjr
• Macintosh

Retro Computing Gift Idea:

• Tiny TV

Auction Picks:

• Blake:

• Atari SC1224 Vintage Color Monitor (specifically, red)

• RDKL Inc’s YT video about this collection

• Kay:

• Vintage The Microperipheral Corporation Computer Speech Synthesizer?

• No, almost certainly a Sofcast Shuttle Communicator
• Interview with Michael Darland, Microperipheral Corporation and Sofcasting

• Paul:

• AnDATAco front panel

• AnDATAco

• Speech recognition processor for Hero 1 and Apple II

• New overpriced belts
• ITT 2020
• US ZX-81 (auction long gone)

• Timexsinclair.com on ZX-81

Closing notes:

• Super Impulse Space Invaders (eBay search)

Other ways to experience this episode:

• a2stream file for this episode: http://lo-fi.rcrpodcast.com/rcr284.a2stream
• YouTube episode 284

Feedback/Discussion:

• feedback@rcrpodcast.com
• rcrpodcast@podcast.social on Mastodon
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Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John X

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Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting), Kay Savetz, and Carrington Vanston

Topic: 1983

In 1983, Apple gave us Lisa, the ImageWriter, and the Apple //e. Atari gave us the XL line, Microsoft gave us (Multi-Tool) Word, Lotus gave us 1-2-3, David Lightman gave us wardialing. The era of it being always DNS began.

Topic/Feedback links:

• Apple Lisa
• Apple ImageWriter
• iOMEGA Bernoulli Box

• Demo of Bernoulli Box A220
• Bernoulli Box brochure
• PCMag review of the Bernoulli Box

• MIDI

• ANTIC interview 447: Robert Moore and Paul Rother (Hybrid Arts MIDIMate)
• ANTIC interview 448: Frank Foster (Hybrid Arts MIDIMate)

• Microsoft Multi-Tool Word

• Multi-Tool Word in Infoworld May 30, 1983
• Microsoft Word in PC World Nov 1983

• Lotus 1-2-3
• TRS-80 Model 100
• Apple //e
• Atari 1200XL
• DNS
• It’s always DNS
• MSX
• WarGames

• The WarGames IMSAI etc.
• History Lesson

Retro Computing News:

• Z80-sans
• 50 years of Oregon Trail
• Angry Robots! New puzzle game for 68K Macs
• Bill Atkinson accidentally doxxed Douglas Adams on The Computer Chronicles
• FlatMac (Hackaday)

• FlatMac build video

Vintage Computer(-related) commercials:

• Lotus 1-2-3 rocks
• Atari XL home computer
• TRS-80 Model 100

Retro Computing Gift Idea:

• Brew Atari

Auction Picks:

• Carrington:

• Portal (different auction)

• Kay:

• TELEVIDEO 990 Terminal 63 Units (in a field!)
• TEC Micro-Tec Model 70 X CRT VDT Terminal

• Paul:

• Keep your vintage computers from looking crappy by using dust covers
• Symantec Bedrock

• Bedrock (framework)

• Inside NeXT 2024 edition
• This Apple-1 tape does not look authentic to me
• Bernoulli Box 10+10

Closing notes:

• ANTIC interview: Robert Leyland: AtariArtist, KoalaPainter, Murder on the Zinderneuf, The Dragon’s Eye

Other ways to experience this episode:

• a2stream file for this episode: http://lo-fi.rcrpodcast.com/rcr283.a2stream
• YouTube episode

Feedback/Discussion:

• feedback@rcrpodcast.com
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Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John X

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Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting), Quinn Dunki, Michael Mulhern, and Kay Savetz

Topic: 1982

In 1982, Commodore launched the Commodore 64, GCE launched the Vectrex, Brøderbund launched a rescue helicopter. Computers reached TV, and Flynn drove a light cycle.

Topic/Feedback links:

• Commodore 64
• MAX Machine in Japan (Ultimax elsewhere), formerly VICKEY
• Spawned RUN magazine, but people failed to follow this advice in droves
• Tron

• Apple III

• Choplifter

• Choplifter: The Complete History (YouTube, Slopes Game Room

• Pitfall!

• Classic game postmortem GDC 2011

• Vectrex
• The Computer Programme (10 part BBC series) first broadcast in January 1982

• The Computer Programme BBC archives
• Bits & Bytes
• Computer Chronicles IBMS PS/2 (1987)

• Minitel
• NABU
• The Sketch Show, Secretary, series 1 episode 2

• The Sketch Show

Retro Computing News:

• AltStore
• Mini vMac4ios
• Action Retro installs Mini vMac4ios
• The Commodore Thermostat (Commodore History, YT)

• Commodore Thermostat on eBay

• A 9958 in your C64

• The V9958 is a bad design. No, really (Andy Hu, YT)

• http://bsky.app

•

Vintage Computer(-related) commercials:

• Timex/Sinclair 1000
• Tron sweepstakes
• Vectrex

Retro Computing Gift Idea:

• Atari joystick decanter set

• Atari 2600+
• Atari 400 mini
• Atari 7800+
• Plaion
• ANTIC interview 439: Making modern Atari hardware

Auction Picks:

• Michael:

• Four APC magazines

• Paul:

• MAX Machine

• On Mercari via buyee
• On Mercari via Zenmarket

• Apple II+ from Pirates of Silicon Valley
• QX-16 (not QX-10 as labeled) (auction long gone)
• Epson QX-10
• Softside 1983, Relaaax issue (auction long gone)

• Softside 1983 Relaaax on IA

Closing notes:

• ANTIC interview 446 Mary Eisenhart (Microtimes magazine)

• ANTIC Mary Eisenhart interview, video version

• Homeputerium 10 line programming contest

A2Stream file:

• a2stream file for this episode: http://lo-fi.rcrpodcast.com/rcr282.a2stream
• YouTube episode

Feedback/Discussion:

• feedback@rcrpodcast.com
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Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John X

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Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting), Quinn Dunki, and Blake Patterson

Topic: 1981

In 1981, we started communicating with AT commands and Kermit. Timex/Sinclair released the 1000/ZX-81. We got the BBC Micro and the ABC 800. IBM introduced the PC, for business, no fun allowed. And MS-DOS. And more.

Topic/Feedback links:

• Sony 3.5 drive
• Quick, hide in this closet! (folklore.org)
• IBM PC

• “Atari” design

• MS-DOS
• Osborne 1
• Xerox Star
• IPv4
• Kermit
• kermitproject.org
• C-Kermit 10.0 beta 11 released in early August
• Hayes Smartmodem 300
• Hayes AT command set
• Sinclair ZX81
• Timex/Sinclair 1000
• BBC Micro
• ABC 800
• Donkey Kong
• E-mu Emulator

Retro Computing News:

• Thomas Kurtz obituary (Legacy.com)
• Dartmouth BASIC at 50
• CHM in memoriam Thomas Kurtz
• San Francisco Muni will stop using floppy disks Any Day Now
• Atari ST Notebook (it was real)
• The Pentium as a Navajo weaving (Nat Gallery of Art)
• Ward Christensen passed away
• CBBS for winter contact in the Chicago computer hobbyists’ group. Feb 1978, written up in Byte Nov 1978
• Ward Christensen obituary (NYT)

Vintage Computer(-related) commercials:

• Magnavox TV with built-in Odyssey
• Super Pong
• HayesStack

Retro Computing Gift Idea:

• Floppy disk cookie cutters.

Auction Picks:

• Blake:

• RARE DCS Industries Slot Box for Tandy EX HX 1000 A SX TX SL TL SL/2 TL/2 RL RLX

• Paul:

• 3D printed TI cartridge tray.
• Warez wear.
• Omnitronix cassette interface
• NeXT Cube.
• Programma 101 (sold at $4000, 2 bids)

Closing notes:

• Estate Sale (wound up with Super Pong, not much else).

Streams:

• a2stream file for this episode: http://lo-fi.rcrpodcast.com/rcr281.a2stream
• Behind-the-scenes livestream recording of this episode (YouTube)

Feedback/Discussion:

• feedback@rcrpodcast.com
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Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John X

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Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting), Quinn Dunki, and Carrington Vanston

Topic: 1980

In 1980, Commodore introduced the VIC-20, Sinclair introduced the ZX80, Tandy introduced the Color Computer, and HP tried to breed a computer out of calculators. Also other things happened. Which we discuss!

Topic/Feedback links:

• VIC-20
• Sinclair ZX80

• See also: MicroAce (timexsinclair.com)

• HP-85

• See also: Tandy PC-4

• Tandy Color Computer
• Intel 8087
• Pac-Man
• Epson MX-80

Retro Computing News:

• ​​Apple’s best keyboard reimagined (YouTube)
• Update on the Business IIGS (original auction gone, but: Incider Jan 1989 cover)
• Daily news from a dot matrix printer
• APFram. APFram
• Atari Portfolio
• It was all Boris Vallejo

Vintage Computer(-related) commercials:

• Pac-Man Cereal
• VIC-20
• Timex/Sinclair 1000

Retro Computing Gift Idea:

• Inflatable Pac-Man costume

Auction Picks:

• Carrington:

• The Usurper, one of the last text adventures
• The Odyssey, one of the worst named adventure games

• Paul:

• Apple-Cat II with expansion box

• Starring the Computer: Vacation (1983)

• Apple IIGS upgrade (finished at $720, 11 bids)
• Blank floppies (finished at $111.50, 9 bids)
• Because we all want to be able to say “And over here, this is my Grundy NewBrain” (bought now at $850)

• See also: Grundy NewBrain

• Timex/Sinclair 1000 with box (finished at $15, 1 bid)
• Because we all want to be able to say “And over here, this is my Jupiter Ace”

• See also: Jupiter Ace

• A moment of silence for the keyboards that have been parted out
• OCC-2 (bought now at $499)

• See also: OCC-2

• 16K RAM chips sans RAM

A2Stream file:

• a2stream file for this episode: http://lo-fi.rcrpodcast.com/rcr280.a2stream

Feedback/Discussion:

• feedback@rcrpodcast.com
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Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John X

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Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting), Quinn Dunki, and Carrington Vanston

Topic: 1979

In 1979, VisiCalc’s rampage began, and models 400, 800 (Atari), II (TRS-80), and 4 (TI 99) arrived.

Topic/Feedback links:

• Wordstar
• VisiCalc
• TI 99/4
• Intellivision
• Asteroids
• Atari 400/800
• MUD1
• StarMud review
• TRS-80 Model II
• Motorola 68000
• Compu$erve

• CB Simulator

• Robert Williams becomes first human killed by a robot

Retro Computing News:

• Unicode 16.0 adds more Symbols for Legacy Computing
• Existing Unicode symbols for Legacy Computing
• Unicode symbols for Legacy Computing working group document
• Unscii font
• Grace Hopper lectures archived and released
• Warhol’s lost Amiga art, found
• Wallops: a modern IRC client for classic Mac OS
• Famous Computer Cafe
• Computerland audio commercials (with gaps for filling in local deals)
• Mol (Baldur’s Gate demake for TRS-80 Model 100 and ZX Spectrum)
• Dungeons & Dragons Systems Reference Document
• RadioShack catalog archive

Vintage Computer(-related) commercials:

• Radio Shack
• Intellivision

Retro Computing Gift Idea:

• Insert Coin keychain

• See also: iBot G3

Auction Picks:

• Carrington:

• Mockingboard in box (Auction gone, but here’s a similar WorthPoint image)
• InvisiCalc

• Scanned at MOCAGH

• Paul:

• Business IIGS (original auction gone, but: Incider Jan 1989 cover)
• Amdek Color-I (original auction ended, here is similar one)
• ZuluSCSI

• See also: http://zuluscsi.com/

• TI 99/4a replacement power supply
• ZX81/TS1000 keyboard replacement
• SE / SE/30 replacement power supply

• Video for installing the SE/SE/30 replacement PSU (YouTube)

• SIO2PC USB-C

• See also: Set up RespeQT for SIO2PC (Atariprojects.org)

A2Stream file:

• a2stream file for this episode: http://lo-fi.rcrpodcast.com/rcr279.a2stream

Feedback/Discussion:

• feedback@rcrpodcast.com
• rcrpodcast@podcast.social on Mastodon
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Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John X

Listen/Download:

Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting) and Carrington Vanston

Topic: 1978

In 1978, we got WordStar and LaserDisc. Not VisiCalc.

Topic/Feedback links:

• Wordstar (Wikipedia)
• VisiCalc (Wikipedia) almost!
• Laserdisc
• Exidy Sorceror lot discussed in episode 182, November 2018
• DEC VAX (Wikipedia) again?

Retro Computing News:

• Grace Hopper lecture found but can’t be released
• Living Computer Museum will start auctioning things
• Gen One (Christie’s)
• Legends of Adventure: The Story of Sierra On-Line
• Unboxing an Apple-1 (YouTube)
• Apple-1 number 18

Vintage Computer(-related) commercials:

• Wordstar commercial (Computerland)
• Lotus 123 running alongside your good applications
• Coleco Adam scholarship

Retro Computing Gift Idea:

• SC131

• SC131 (YouTube)

Auction Picks:

• Carrington:

• X*Press X*Change
• Apple Bunny key repeater
• Dancing Baby screensaver

• Paul:

• https://www.ebay.com/itm/134472119655?nordt=true&orig_cvip=true&rt=ncMath Sequences
• Fix your Apple Plotter (auction long gone)
• FujiNet for Adam (different auction, and also ended)
• Atari power cube

• Apple //c power cube (mozzwald)
• Another Atari power cube (mozzwlad)

• NABU RomWBW option card (auction long gone, but see below)

• NABU forums post about the RomWBW option card

• Newton 2000/20001 internal USB-C connectivity board (auction long gone, but see below)

• Newtonsales

• Model 100/102 ROM

• Model 200 ROM

• Atari 2600 power adapter
• Model 100 set
• July 1978 Disk II notes

A2Stream file:

• a2stream file for this episode: http://lo-fi.rcrpodcast.com/rcr278.a2stream

Feedback/Discussion:

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Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John X
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Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting), Quinn Dunki, and Carrington Vanston

Topic: 1977

In 1977, XMODEM, VAX, and FAT arrived. And the Atari VCS (2600). And the TRS-80 Model 1, Commodore PET, and Apple II.

Topic/Feedback links:

• Atari 2600 (Wikipedia)
• Atari 2600 Pac-Man (Wikipedia)
• Tod Frye discusses Pac-Man 8K homebrew (YouTube)
• TRS-80 Model 1 (Wikipedia)
• TRS-80 Model 1 (trs-80.org)
• Commodore PET (Wikipedia)
• Commodore PET (commodore.ca)
• Apple II (Wikipedia)
• XMODEM (WIkipedia)
• FAT (Wikipedia)
• DEC VAX (Wikipedia)
• UNIVAC (Wikipedia)

Retro Computing News:

• Electromechanical Lunar Lander
• Tim Hunkin (YouTube channel)
• Apple II emulator on the CoCo3 (GitHub)
• Apple II emulator on the CoCo3 (YouTube)
• Michael Mahon’s Burroughs 220 emulator (KansasFest 2016 presentation)
• Michael Mahon’s Burroughs 220 emulator
• Choplifter reverse engineered
• Using fountain pens with pen plotters
• The Graphics Scientist

Vintage Computer(-related) commercials:

• Atari 2600 Pac-Man
• TRS-80
• VIC 20 vs Atari and Intellivision
• The Choplifter
• Pac-Man and other MB board games

Retro Computing Gift Idea:

• Ben Eater’s World’s Worst Video Card

• World’s Worst Video Card (YouTube, part 1)

Auction Picks:

• Carrington:

• Defender ENTEX
• Defender MB (auction long gone)
• Popeye
• Pooyan
• Turbo
• Turtles
• Board games based on 8-bit arcades (boardgamegeek.com)

• Paul:

• https://www.ebay.com/itm/134472119655?nordt=true&orig_cvip=true&rt=ncTRS-80 model 1 set
• PET 2001
• Home security sticker (HERO robot)
• Western Union Telefax receiver
• Bull Questar 200

• Bull Questar
• Groupe Bull
• List of Groupe Bull products
• Micral: First personal computer using a microprocessor
• Micral at MO5
• “A talk with the father of computing” (Wired)
• Computer Museum Catalog of Personal Computers

A2Stream file:

• a2stream file for this episode: http://lo-fi.rcrpodcast.com/rcr277.a2stream

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Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John X
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Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting), Blake Patterson, and Carrington Vanston

Topic: 1976

In 1976, Bill Gates wrote a letter, and the Queen sent an e-mail. Two 1s (Apple- and Cray-) appeared on the scene.

Topic/Feedback links:

• Zilog Z80 (Wikipedia)
• CP/M (Wikipedia)

• Incidental mention: Kaypro 2000

• An Open Letter to Hobbyists (Wikipedia)
• Apple-1 (WIkipedia)
• Cray-1 (Wikipedia)
• The Queen sent an email
• 5.25″ Floppy Disk (computerhistory)
• Public Key Cryptography

Retro Computing News:

• Riven (Digital Antiquarian)
• RealMyst
• Atari 2600 Myst Demake
• Atari 2600 Myst Demake Longplay (YouTube)
• Atari (not really) acquires Intellivision (not really)
• ICQ is shutting down
• USB-C power for the Apple //c
• JQuickTake

Vintage Computer(-related) commercials:

• Space games:Intellivision vs. Atari
• Apple QuickTake

Retro Computing Gift Idea:

• Core16 Interactive Core Memory Kit

Auction Picks:

• Blake:

• NeXT NU I/O Sound box in 3d Printed Case

• Carrington:

• New ALPS mechanical keyboards for Apple IIe

• Paul:

• https://www.ebay.com/itm/134472119655?nordt=true&orig_cvip=true&rt=ncApple CTW titles (auction long gone)

• See instead: Compute! magazine review (1983)

• Lo and Behold & Ringmaster (auction long gone)

A2Stream file:

• a2stream file for this episode: http://lo-fi.rcrpodcast.com/rcr276.a2stream

Feedback/Discussion:

• feedback@rcrpodcast.com
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Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting), Quinn Dunki, Michael Mulhern, and Blake Patterson

Topic: 1975

In 1975 we got the Altair 8800, Micro-Soft.

Topic/Feedback links:

• MITS Altair 8800 (Wikipedia)
• History of Microsoft (Wikipedia)
• 6502 (Wikipedia)

Retro Computing News:

• A1222+ “Tabor” Now Available for Purchase
• KansasFest 2024 registration opens
• Z80 EOL announcment
• Z80 EOL (hackster.io)
• Z80 EOL (techspot.com)
• Sega AI
• BASIC turned 60

Vintage Computer(-related) commercials:

• Apple IIc
• Netpliance i-opener

Retro Computing Gift Idea:

• Zilog Z80 (mouser)

Auction Picks:

• Blake:

• BackSID

• Paul:

• https://www.ebay.com/itm/134472119655?nordt=true&orig_cvip=true&rt=ncPenguin Map Pack
• Lode Runner board game

• Magnet for the super-fans

• MITS Computer Notes v1n1
• Apple //c patent
• i-opener

A2Stream file:

• a2stream file for this episode: http://lo-fi.rcrpodcast.com/rcr275.a2stream

Feedback/Discussion:

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Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting), Quinn Dunki, Earl Evans, and Carrington Vanston

Topic: 1974

1974 brought us the SCELBI 8H, SQL, and the Captain Crunch whistle.

Topic/Feedback links:

• SCELBI (Wikipedia)
• The SCELBI-8H, Probably the First Advertised Personal Computer Sold in Kit Form
• The SCELBI Mini-Computer (Mike Willegal)
• Build your own SCELBI 8H (Mike Willegal)
• Mike’s Hobby Blog, category: 8008. (Mike Willegal)
• Mike Willegal introduces the SCELBI 8H at VCF W 2020
• SQL (Wikipedia)
• John Draper (John Draper, Captain Crunch, Wikipedia)

Retro Computing News:

• A][ VGA MINI card
• FLEX64K
• FLEX64K video (YouTube)
• Original GlobalTalk article (Paul Rickards)
• Marchintosh page for GlobalTalk
• FozzTexx GlobalTalk docker image (GitHub)
• Cat Fight (GitHub)
• Brutal Deluxe: Mr. Sprite

Vintage Computer(-related) commercials:

• The Most Personal Computer (1982 Apple ad)
• SQL Server

Retro Computing Gift Idea:

• Before Macintosh: The Apple Lisa (Lisa documentary by David Greelish, Vimeo)
• Yes, again.

Auction Picks:

• Carrington

• OSHA workers building construction game for Apple II
• Apparently Choplifter was also bought by some people
• The most personal computer?

• Earl

• Vintage Commodore PET Model 4016-12 Computer UNTESTED

• Paul:

• https://www.ebay.com/itm/134472119655?nordt=true&orig_cvip=true&rt=ncBlue Cray
• TG Select-a-port
• Bid or the Apple II collection gets it. You have 3 days.
• MPF-III/312? 311? 310?

• See also: Microprofessor III (Wikipedia)

• Apple IIe dehancement kit

A2Stream file:

• a2stream file for this episode: http://lo-fi.rcrpodcast.com/rcr274.a2stream

Feedback/Discussion:

• feedback@rcrpodcast.com
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Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John X
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Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting), Quinn Dunki, and Earl Evans

Topic: 1973

1973 brought us Ethernet and the TV Typewriter, and more.

Topic/Feedback links:

• Ethernet (Wikipedia)
• TV Typewriter (deramp.com)

Retro Computing News:

• Greaseweazle v4
• Apple II pendulum clock (GitHub)
• Chips to Lode Runner (Eric Badger, YouTube)
• Ben Eater 6502 kits

Vintage Computer(-related) commercials:

• Atarisoft radio ad 1983
• TRS-80 Pocket Computer

Retro Computing Gift Idea:

• Before Macintosh: The Apple Lisa (Lisa documentary by David Greelish, Vimeo)

Auction Picks:

• Earl

• Commodore 1581 3D-printed case (different auction)

• Paul:

• https://www.ebay.com/itm/134472119655?nordt=true&orig_cvip=true&rt=ncTerrible mouse (Lisa 1 mouse) (different auction)
• Atarisoft Track and Field (different auction)
• Art Department for LisaDraw on Twiggy disks (auction long gone)
• Coleco Adam replacement power supply
• Guide to playing The Hobbit

• See also: RCR Episode 251

• CARDIAC (auction long gone)

• See also: CARDIAC (Drexel University)

• College guide to personal computers book

A2Stream file:

• a2stream file for this episode: http://lo-fi.rcrpodcast.com/rcr273.a2stream

Feedback/Discussion:

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Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John X
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Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting), Quinn Dunki, Blake Patterson, and Carrington Vanston

Topic: 1972

1972 brought us C (good enough for us), Pong, Magnavox Odyssey, and more.

Topic/Feedback links:

• Dennis Ritchie on the development of C (ACM SIGPLAN Notices, March 1993)
• Pong released (Wikipedia)
• Atari founded (Wikipeda)
• A history of Syzygy/Atari (Michael Current)
• Magnavox Odyssey (Wikipedia)

Retro Computing News:

• Computer science pioneer Niklaus Wirth dies aged 89 (Developer Tech)
• Thinking Back on Turbo Pascal as it Turns 40 (Bytecellar)
• Dave Dunfield source code (including ImageDisk) (Classiccmp announcement)
• Dave Dunfield source code (including ImageDisk)
• Replacement Injection Molded Inner Bezel for Apple iMac G3 (MacEffects Kickstarter)

Vintage Computer(-related) commercials:

• Super Pong
• Magnavox Odyssey promo video

Retro Computing Gift Idea:

• Squarepainter painted pixel art

Auction Picks:

• Blake

• IBM 5561-P Model 40 (auction long gone)

• See also: IBM JX (Wikipedia)

• Amiga A1060 sidecar for the Amiga 1000 (different auction)

• See also: Amiga Sidecar (Wikipedia)

• Carrington:

• RAMWorks III + VGA extender (different auction)

• Paul:

• https://www.ebay.com/itm/134472119655?nordt=true&orig_cvip=true&rt=ncArchives I stickers

• Archives II stickers (auction long gone)
• Archives III stickers
• Definite stickers
• See also: Archives Inc (Wikipedia)
• See also: Archives Business Computer, Archives Inc., Davenport, Iowa 1979-1983 (YouTube documentary)
• See also: Mention in On Computing 1980

• Apple III in box (auction long gone)
• Atari PC3 (different auction)
• Duo 2300c (different auction)

• DuoDock

• Apple floppy box

• See also: Apple gift catalog

• A+Disk-Disk=A

A2Stream file:

• a2stream file for this episode: http://lo-fi.rcrpodcast.com/rcr272.a2stream

Feedback/Discussion:

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Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John X
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Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting), Quinn Dunki, and Carrington Vanston

Topic: 1971

1971 brought us Computer Space, the Intel 4004, the Kenbak-1, and Email.

Topic/Feedback links:

• Computer Space
• It’s the year 2022, let’s play Computer Space (YouTube)
• Intel 4004
• Kenbak-1 (“arguably the first personal computer”)
• Ray Tomlinson of BBN sent the first email message in 1971

Retro Computing News:

• John Romero and John Carmack reunion live on Twitch, Dec 10, 2023 (Twitch)
• Apple Time Warp podcast – Nasir Gebelli interview (part 1 of 3)
• MECC 6502 Simulator (YouTube)
• MECC 6502 disk simulator working disk image (Brutal Deluxe MECC archive)
• Ayaneo AM01 retro style mini PC
• Ayaneo AM01 retro style mini PC announcement video (YouTube)
• Ayaneo AM01 retro style mini PC (Indiegogo campaign)

Vintage Computer(-related) commercials:

• Newton commercials
• See some dinosaurs
• Atari XE ad

Retro Computing Gift Idea:

• Dust covers!

• VITNO on Etsy (several options)
• Fabric Atari cover (eBay)
• Transparent Atari cover (eBay)
• Retro computer comforter (prior gift idea)

Auction Picks:

• Carrington:

• JLPGA PowerBook 170 (different auction)

• Paul:

• MacIvory card (auction long gone)
• Graphics Magician for Mac (auction long gone, program on Macintosh Garden)
• https://www.ebay.com/itm/134472119655?nordt=true&orig_cvip=true&rt=ncPocket computers (different auction)

• See also: Forever 1500
• See also: Pockemul
• See also: Invasion Force
• See also: Sharp PC-1500 ad from Japan (YouTube)

• Turn anything into a 6100/60av (auction long gone)
• Mac OS 8.5 in-store demo (different auction)
• Newton faxmodem (different auction)
• Mouse cables
• SIMON SAYS PRINT “HELLO” (different auction)

A2Stream file:

• a2stream file for this episode: http://lo-fi.rcrpodcast.com/rcr271.a2stream

Feedback/Discussion:

• rcrpodcast@podcast.social on Mastodon
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• Throwback Network on Facebook

Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John X
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