Retro Computing Roundtable

RCR Episode 288: NeXT, Sound Blaster, and IRC

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 rcrpodcast.com on bluesky Vintage Computer Forum RCR Podcast on Facebook Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John X Listen/Download:

RCR Episode 287: Eureka!

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 Listen/Download:

RCR Episode 286: Somehow all Myst

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: Retro Computing News: Vintage Computer(-related) commercials: Retro Computing Gift Idea: Auction Picks: Closing notes: Other ways to experience this episode: Feedback/Discussion: Intro … Continue reading RCR Episode 286: Somehow all Myst →

RCR Episode 285: You’ll Have Mail

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  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 rcrpodcast.com on bluesky Vintage Computer Forum RCR Podcast on Facebook Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John X Listen/Download:

RCR Episode 284: Hammer time

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 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 rcrpodcast.com on bluesky Vintage Computer Forum RCR Podcast on Facebook Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John X Listen/Download: