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 5 minutes

RCR Episode 281: The IBM PC and its sticks of ennui
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:
Vintage Computer(-related) commercials:
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:
Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John X
Show audio files hosted by CyberEars

Listen/Download:
26 January 2025, 11:35 pm
2 hours 11 minutes

RCR Episode 280: Cheap home computers
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:
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:
Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John X
Show audio files hosted by CyberEars

Listen/Download:
30 December 2024, 4:49 am
2 hours 8 minutes

RCR Episode 279: A spree de Calc
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:
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:
Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John X
Show audio files hosted by CyberEars

Listen/Download:
27 December 2024, 2:53 pm
1 hour 40 minutes

RCR Episode 278: Words and Lasers
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:
- Paul:
  - Math 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:
Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John X
Show audio files hosted by CyberEars

Listen/Download:
18 November 2024, 4:23 am
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

Listen/Download:
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
Show audio files hosted by CyberEars

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
Show audio files hosted by CyberEars

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
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