Retro Computing Roundtable

Retro Computing Roundtable

Earl Evans and Carrington Vanston

Gather 'round a virtual table to discuss today's news about yesterday's computers. Co-hosted by Earl Evans and Carrington Vanston.

2 hours 17 minutes

RCR Episode 277: Trinity
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:
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:
A2Stream file:
- a2stream file for this episode: http://lo-fi.rcrpodcast.com/rcr277.a2stream
Feedback/Discussion:
Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John X
Show audio files hosted by CyberEars

Listen/Download:
6 October 2024, 5:34 pm
1 hour 28 minutes

RCR Episode 276: Press P to proceed
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:
  - Apple 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:
Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John X
Show audio files hosted by CyberEars

Listen/Download:
27 September 2024, 6:17 am
1 hour 36 minutes

RCR Episode 275: Bill and Paul’s Excellent Interpreter
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:
A2Stream file:
- a2stream file for this episode: http://lo-fi.rcrpodcast.com/rcr275.a2stream
Feedback/Discussion:
Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John X
Show audio files hosted by CyberEars

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4 August 2024, 12:46 am
2 hours 11 minutes

RCR Episode 274: The SEQUEL
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
- Earl
  - Vintage Commodore PET Model 4016-12 Computer UNTESTED
- Paul:
  - Blue 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:
Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John X
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Listen/Download:
21 June 2024, 4:19 am
RCR Episode 273: Ethernet
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:
  - Terrible 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:
Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John X
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Listen/Download:
10 June 2024, 3:37 am
RCR Episode 272: int age=0;
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:
  - Archives 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:
Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John X
Show audio files hosted by CyberEars

Listen/Download:
25 May 2024, 5:36 am
1 hour 42 minutes

RCR Episode 271: TOMLINSON@BBNA
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:
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)
  - Pocket 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:
Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John X
Show audio files hosted by CyberEars

Listen/Download:
11 April 2024, 12:21 am
2 hours 1 minute

RCR Episode 270: Time Zero
Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting), Quinn Dunki, Earl Evans, and Carrington Vanston

Topic: 1970

In 1970, (Unix) time and Life began. Also, Pascal was “published,” Forth was first used by other programmers, Shakey the robot shook, DRAM appeared.

Topic/Feedback links:
- Recollections about the development of Pascal (Niklaus Wirth)
- The evolution of Forth (forth.com)
- Shakey the Robot (YouTube)
- 75 years of innovation: Shakey the Robot (SRI)
- conways game of life (Google search)
- Martin Gardner’s Scientific American article (Scientific American, Oct 1970)
- DRAM (Wikipedia)
- Aquarius+ (GitHub)
- Aquarius+ (AtariAge)
- The current state of the Aquarius computer (YouTube, VCF West 2023)
Retro Computing News:
- UTM
- Adrian Black becomes a full-time retro content creator
- WiFi Retromodem V3
- ThinkPad 701C
- Restoring the 701C butterfly laptop (YouTube)
- IBM ThinkPad 701C “butterfly” keyboard (YouTube)
- Tezza Stewart is back! (YouTube)
Vintage Computer(-related) commercials:
Retro Computing Gift Idea:
- EOR #$FF (David Youd)
  - EOR #$FF on archive.org
Auction Picks:
- Carrington:
- Earl:
  - C64/V20 keyboard cover
- Paul:
  - Tandy 200 with a black screen
  - Apple Interactive Television Box (original auction gone now, different one)
  - iMac VGA-revealing cover
    
    See also: iMac G3 description (mac27.net)
  - Computer Napoleonics (SSI)
    
    See also: Computer Napoleonics (Paul’s, on archive.org)
  - BBC Micro, US version, sort of
    
    See also: BBC Micro B US (Chris’ Acorns, Computing History)
  - AC-3 in its box (Radio Shack acoustic coupler)
  - The Controller in its box
A2Stream file:
- a2stream file for this episode: http://lo-fi.rcrpodcast.com/rcr270.a2stream
Feedback/Discussion:
Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John X
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Listen/Download:
7 April 2024, 3:56 pm
2 hours 6 minutes

RCR Episode 269: Considered harmful
Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting), Quinn Dunki, and Carrington Vanston

Topic: 1968-1969

In 1968 and 1969, we had SHRDLU, the Mother of All Demos, Go To being considered harmful, and Unix.

Topic/Feedback links:
Retro Computing News:
Vintage Computer(-related) commercials:
- Aquarius
- Doom 2
- Ordimini
Retro Computing Gift Idea:
- Doom Guy: Life in First Person (John Romero)
Auction Picks:
- Carrington:
- Paul:
  - Apple IIGS ADB keyboard
  - Sealed Knight of Diamonds folder
  - Amnesia
    
    See also: Amnesia Remembered (John Aycock)
    
    See also: Amnesia manuscript
  - Canon X-07
    
    See also: Canon X-07 (oldmachinery)
  - Ordinathan
    
    See also: Ordinathan (YouTube)
  - Mouse nest
  - Aquarius
  - Digi-Comp I
  - Mindset
    
    See also: Mindset
A2Stream file:
- a2stream file for this episode: http://lo-fi.rcrpodcast.com/rcr269.a2stream
Feedback/Discussion:
Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John X
Show audio files hosted by CyberEars

Listen/Download:
7 January 2024, 11:09 pm
1 hour 37 minutes

RCR Episode 268: KansasFest/A24eVR megapodcast
Various podcasters who attended the KansasFest 2023 or virtual A24eVR event relate their experiences and thoughts, in the annual “megapodcast” tradition.

Participants:
- Paul Hagstrom
  - Retrocomputing Roundtable
  - Drop /// Inches
- Ron
  - Ron’s Computer Videos
- Kat (LadyAiluros)
  - Retro Metal
- Javier Rivera
  - Retro Repair Roundtable
- Chris Torrence
  - Assembly Lines
- Josh
  - 48KRAM on Twitch
- Ken Gagne
A2Stream file:
- a2stream file for this episode: http://lo-fi.rcrpodcast.com/rcr268.a2stream
Feedback/Discussion:
Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John X
Show audio files hosted by CyberEars

Listen/Download:
7 January 2024, 10:42 pm
2 hours 12 minutes

RCR Episode 267: Turtles all the way down
Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting), Quinn Dunki, Earl Evans, and Blake Patterson

Topic: 1967

1967 gave us Logo and the floppy disk, so we talk about that, and then many other things.

Topic/Feedback links:
- Logo (Wikipedia)
- LogoWriter tape 1 (The Daily Papert)
- LogoWriter tape 1 (Vimeo)
- Logo Week (ByteCellar)
- TurtleSpaces
- JSLogo
- History of the Floppy Disk (Wikipedia)
- Ejecting a floppy in space
Retro Computing News:
Vintage Computer(-related) commercials:
Retro Computing Gift Idea:
- Turtle USB mouse
Auction Picks:
- Blake:
  - IBM 7362149 83 Key Beamspring Keyboard For 5251 Display Station
    
    See also: Beam spring (Deskthority)
- Earl:
  - Commodore IEEE-488 Interface Cartridge for Commodore 64
- Paul:
  - Memotech ZX81 keyboard
  - IIGS and Lego TC Logo setup
  - How to build a working digital computer out of paper clips
    
    See also: How to build a working digital computer out of paper clips (archive.org)
  - Vintage tech that looks like Homer Simpson:
    
    Exhibit A (Commodore 1541 drive)
    
    Exhibit B (Power Mac 7100/80)
    
    Exhibit B2 (Quadra 650)
  - The Controller
  - Pairs well with VisiCalc (Your Blood Pressure cassette)
  - Pie-Man from Bearware
    
    See also: QVision Apple II Review 1983 video
    
    See also: Bearware (MOCAGH)
A2Stream file:
- a2stream file for this episode: http://lo-fi.rcrpodcast.com/rcr267.a2stream
Feedback/Discussion:
Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John X
Show audio files hosted by CyberEars

Listen/Download:
4 December 2023, 4:06 am
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