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Retro Computing Roundtable

A Tech News and News podcast

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Retro Computing Roundtable

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RCR Episode 290: MiniDisc vs. 8-track

Aug 11, 2026 1 hr 53 min

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) 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 Listen/Download:

RCR Episode 289: ZIP me down to Maxis Sim City

Jul 8, 2026 1 hr 46 min

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

RCR Episode 288: NeXT, Sound Blaster, and IRC

Jan 25, 2026 2 hr 6 min

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:

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All episodes

RCR Episode 290: MiniDisc vs. 8-track

Aug 11, 2026 1 hr 53 min

RCR Episode 289: ZIP me down to Maxis Sim City

Jul 8, 2026 1 hr 46 min

RCR Episode 288: NeXT, Sound Blaster, and IRC

Jan 25, 2026 2 hr 6 min

RCR Episode 287: Eureka!

Jan 9, 2026 1 hr 49 min

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

Nov 25, 2025 2 hr 12 min

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

RCR Episode 285: You’ll Have Mail

Jun 4, 2025 2 hr 21 min

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...

RCR Episode 284: Hammer time

May 26, 2025 1 hr 51 min

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:

RCR Episode 283: A STRANGE GAME

May 23, 2025 1 hr 22 min

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

RCR Episode 282: End of Line

May 23, 2025 1 hr 43 min

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 rcrpodcast@podcast.social on Mastodon rcrpodcast.com o...

RCR Episode 281: The IBM PC and its sticks of ennui

Jan 26, 2025 2 hr 5 min

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

RCR Episode 280: Cheap home computers

Dec 30, 2024 2 hr 11 min

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 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 279: A spree de Calc

Dec 27, 2024 2 hr 8 min

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

RCR Episode 278: Words and Lasers

Nov 18, 2024 1 hr 40 min

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: 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: feedback@rcrpodcast.com rcrpodcast@podcast.social on Mastodon Vintage Computer Forum RCR Podcast on Facebook Throwback Network on Facebook Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John XShow audio files hosted by CyberEars Listen/Download:

RCR Episode 277: Trinity

Oct 6, 2024 2 hr 17 min

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: TRS-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 Feedback/Discussion: feedback@rcrpodcast.com rcrpodcast@podcast.social on Mastodon Vintage Computer Forum RCR Podcast on Facebook Throwback Network on Facebook Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John XSh...

RCR Episode 276: Press P to proceed

Sep 27, 2024 1 hr 28 min

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: feedback@rcrpodcast.com rcrpodcast@podcast.social on Mastodon Vintage Computer Forum RCR Podcast on Facebook Throwback Network on Facebook Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John XShow audio files hosted by CyberEars Listen/Download:

RCR Episode 275: Bill and Paul’s Excellent Interpreter

Aug 4, 2024 1 hr 36 min

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: Penguin 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: feedback@rcrpodcast.com rcrpodcast@podcast.social on Mastodon Vintage Computer Forum RCR Podcast on Facebook Throwback Network on Facebook Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John XShow audio files hosted by CyberEars Listen/Download:

RCR Episode 274: The SEQUEL

Jun 21, 2024 2 hr 11 min

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: 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: feedback@rcrpodcast.com rcrpodcast@podcast.social on Mastodon Vintage Computer Forum RCR Podcast on Facebook Throwback Network on Facebook Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John XShow audio files hosted by CyberEars Listen/Download:

RCR Episode 273: Ethernet

Jun 10, 2024

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: feedback@rcrpodcast.com rcrpodcast@podcast.social on Mastodon Vintage Computer Forum RCR Podcast on Facebook Throwback Network on Facebook Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John XShow audio files hosted by CyberEars Listen/Download:

RCR Episode 272: int age=0;

May 25, 2024

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: feedback@rcrpodcast.com rcrpodcast@podcast.social on Mastodon Vintage Computer Forum RCR Podcast on Facebook Throwback Network on Facebook Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John XShow audio files hosted by CyberEars Listen/Download:

RCR Episode 271: TOMLINSON@BBNA

Apr 11, 2024 1 hr 42 min

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) 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: rcrpodcast@podcast.social on Mastodon Vintage Computer Forum RCR Podcast on Facebook Throwback Network Throwback Network on Facebook Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John XShow audio files hosted by CyberEars Listen/Download:

RCR Episode 270: Time Zero

Apr 7, 2024 2 hr 1 min

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: US Robotics (1997) US Robotics X2 (with Woz) Hayes: Say Yes to the Future Retro Computing Gift Idea: EOR #$FF (David Youd) EOR #$FF on archive.org Auction Picks: Carrington: Toaster Mac cotton dust cover C64 canvas dust cover Embarrassed by your Amstrad? 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: rcrpodcast@podcast.social on Mastodon Vintage Computer Forum RCR Podcast on Facebook Throwback Network Throwback Network on Facebook Intro / Closing Song: Back to O...

RCR Episode 269: Considered harmful

Jan 7, 2024 2 hr 6 min

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: SHRDLU SHRDLU in action (YouTube) Terry Winograd’s PhD thesis. How SHRDLU got its name. Douglas Englebart’s Mother of All Demos (YouTube) Douglas Englebart’s Mother of All Demos (Wikipedia) Edgar Dijkstra: Go To Statement Considered Harmful David Tribble: Go To Statement Considered Harmful, a retrospective UNIX timeline Ritchie: The Evolution of the Unix Time-sharing System Retro Computing News: Open AC-1 kit Wizardry modern remake Deathlord Relorded The Making of Karateka World’s longest-running PCjr Vintage Computer(-related) commercials: Aquarius Doom 2 Ordimini Retro Computing Gift Idea: Doom Guy: Life in First Person (John Romero) Auction Picks: Carrington: Wings out of Shadow Mission on Thunderhead iMac G4 in Toronto 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: rcrpodcast@podcast.social on Mastodon Vintage Computer Forum RCR Podcast on Facebook Throwback Network Throwback Network on Facebook Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John XShow audio files hosted by CyberEars Listen/Download:

RCR Episode 268: KansasFest/A24eVR megapodcast

Jan 7, 2024 1 hr 37 min

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 Juiced.GS A2Central.com Open Apple A2Stream file: a2stream file for this episode: http://lo-fi.rcrpodcast.com/rcr268.a2stream Feedback/Discussion: rcrpodcast@podcast.social on Mastodon Vintage Computer Forum RCR Podcast on Facebook Throwback Network Throwback Network on Facebook Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John XShow audio files hosted by CyberEars Listen/Download:

RCR Episode 267: Turtles all the way down

Dec 4, 2023 2 hr 12 min

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: Chevy V8 engine replica built using LEGO & Apple II Port of Space Taxi to the Atari 8-bit systems (VITNO) Space Taxi (Wikipedia) Myst demake PETSCII BBS Builder GEM ported to a Dana word processor Vintage Computer(-related) commercials: C64 between too expensive and too small 3M disks C64 job interview 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: rcrpodcast@podcast.social on Mastodon Vintage Computer Forum RCR Podcast on Facebook Throwback Network Throwback Network on Facebook Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John XShow audio files hosted by CyberEars Listen/Download:

RCR Episode 266: The Apple II Age

Aug 11, 2023 2 hr 16 min

Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting), Quinn Dunki, Blake Patterson, with guest Laine Nooney Topics: 1966, and The Apple II Age Two topics this time: First, some things from 1966, and then, a discussion with Laine Nooney on their newly published book The Apple II Age: How the Computer Became Personal. Topic/Feedback links: The Apple II Age: How the Computer Became Personal (University of Chicago Press, 2023, Laine Nooney) Laine Nooney Don’t Copy That Floppy: The untold history of Apple II software piracy (Excerpt from the book) Carterfone Hush-a-Phone (1921) (eBay) ELIZA—A Computer Program For the Study of Natural Language Communication Between Man and Machine, Joseph Weizenbaum, Communications of the ACL, 1966. Apollo Guidance Computer (Wikipedia) BIT-C-128 Video DAC Retro Computing News: A2VGA – Pico IIe Card Appril2 CrossRunner (a new IIGS emulator) Jordan Mechner, Replay Deep dive into a Sol-20 New 386 DOS PCs in 2023? Vintage Computer(-related) commercials: Danny Ross presents Timex/Sinclair 1500 and 2068 at Boston Computer Society, October 26, 1983 Apple IIGS commercial Retro Computing Gift Idea: Opis 192 Cable C Candlestick phone Upcoming (or recent) gatherings: VCF Midwest (Sep 9-10, 2023, Elmhurst, IL) Tandy Assembly (Sep 29-Oct 1, 2023, Springfield, OH) Auction Picks: Blake: Timex/Sinclair 1500 Another Timex/Sinclair 1500 Paul: Seiko SmartPad See also: Seiko SmartPad2 See also: SmartPad2 in action MacroMind-Paracomp MacRecorder Sound Studio Pro Breakout II A2Stream file: a2stream file for this episode: http://lo-fi.rcrpodcast.com/rcr266.a2stream Feedback/Discussion: rcrpodcast@podcast.social on Mastodon Vintage Computer Forum RCR Podcast on Facebook Throwback Network Throwback Network on Facebook Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John XShow audio files hosted by CyberEars Listen/Download:

RCR Episode 265: Poolside computing arrives

May 19, 2023 2 hr 3 min

Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting), Quinn Dunki, Blake Patterson, and Carrington Vanston Topic: Poolside computing arrives We look back on a few highlights of 1965, including the Programma 101, the PDP-8, Moore’s Law. We talk analog computers, Visual BASIC, sticky mice, and more. Topic/Feedback links: Moore’s Law (Wikipedia) Moore’s Law (NYT) PDP-8 The incredible story of the first PC, from 1965 Olivetti Programma 101: Memory of the Future Olivetti Programma 101 (Wikipedia) Project TACT A history of Visual BASIC The Xerox Alto turns 50 Retro Computing News: Jacob Ziv Infinite Mac A history of Visual BASIC Globus analog spaceflight computer Technology Connections video on stereo records Puyo Puyo 1979 video of father watching son program an Apple II Followup interview with same father and son today A2Central reboot Vintage Computer(-related) commercials: Visual BASIC launch Triumph of the Nerds part 1 Olivetti Programma 101: Memory of the Future Retro Computing Gift Idea: The UNIX pipe card game Upcoming (or recent) gatherings: VCF East (Apr 14-16, 2023, Wall, NJ) CoCoFest (Apr 22-23, 2023, Chicago area, IL) Indy Classic Computer and Video Game Expo (Apr 29-30, 2023, Indianapolis) VCF Southwest (June 23-25, 2023, Dallas area, TX) KansasFest 2023 (July 18-23, Kansas City, MO; July 29-30, online) VCF Southeast (July 28-30, 2023, Atlanta, GA) VCF West (Aug 4-5, 2023, Mountain View, CA) VCF Midwest (Sep 9-10, 2023, Elmhurst, IL) Tandy Assembly (Sep 29-Oct 1, 2023, Springfield, OH) Auction Picks: Blake: Newtech Model 6 Music Card Reproduction (S-100 bus) Carrington: Mostek Bytewide button I’ve Got Mnemonic Plague button I Confessed to Cringely button Paul: Your Computer Sanyo MBC-550 IBM System/360 RPG Programming Sticky mouse Quinn: Commodore 1901 See also: Commodore monitors by model A2Stream file: a2stream file for this episode: http://lo-fi.rcrpodcast.com/rcr265.a2stream Feedback/Discussion: rcrpodcast@podcast.s...

RCR Episode 264: Double bucky, you’re the one

Feb 27, 2023 1 hr 35 min

Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting), Quinn Dunki, and Carrington Vanston Topic: Double bucky, you’re the one We look back on a few highlights of 1964, including the double bucky, SABRE, and BASIC. Topic/Feedback links: The term “double bucky” is coined The double bucky song BASIC is introduced (successor to DARSIMCO and DOPE) IBM introduces SABRE CDC 6600 supercomputer ASR-33 PicoMite ChatGPT on an Apple IIGS Retro.directory What is retro.directory? (YouTube) Retro Computing News: Tetris: the movie NABU: Network adapter from nabu.ca NABU: Marduk emulator NABU ROMs from nabunetwork.com MouSTer Hoard of retro fonts Vintage Computer(-related) commercials: Adobe Illustrator 88 Nintendo Tetris Sabre Retro Computing Gift Idea: M0110 triple-mode keyboard YouTube demo VTech LS916 retro handset Physically appears to fit See also RCR episode 41 Auction Picks: Carrington: Macintosh SE: zero drives is better than one Paul: Make your II+ respectful again Aspirational drive badges Sabre flip-zone Lisa 2 See also: replacement Lisa motherboards Apple III Plus prototype @World modem for the Pippin A2Stream file: a2stream file for this episode: http://lo-fi.rcrpodcast.com/rcr264.a2stream Feedback/Discussion: @rcrpodcast on Twitter Vintage Computer Forum RCR Podcast on Facebook Throwback Network Throwback Network on Facebook Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John XShow audio files hosted by CyberEars Listen/Download:

RCR Episode 263: The year of the gopher

Feb 19, 2023 1 hr 49 min

Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting), Quinn Dunki, Earl Evans, Michael Mulhern, and Carrington Vanston Topic: The year of the gopher We begin 2023 with a shift to new hosting providers, that require encrypted communication. How/should we access the modern web from old computers? Topic/Feedback links: Building a new C64 (Retro Recipes) LinuxJedi’s GoFloppy Gameboy Tetris ported to the Apple II Retro Computing News: Chuck E. Cheese still uses floppy disks in 2023 PC Magazine discontinuing their digital edition Computer Museum uses GreaseWeazle to help exonerate Maryland Man (cctalk) Lisa Source code available (press release, CHM) Lisa: Apple’s most influential failure (CHM) Happy 40th birthday, Lisa (CHM) Before Macintosh: The Apple Lisa New timepiece for a classic mac – part 1 Vintage Computer(-related) commercials: I adore my 64 PIZZA with mushrooms and a mouse Scotch brand electrical tape Retro Computing Gift Idea: Shargeek 35W GaN retro charger Auction Picks: Carrington: Mac86 co-processor for the Macintosh SE Black Macintosh TV that is neither a Macintosh TV nor black Sinclair One Per Desk See also: Tezza’s Telecom Computerphone Earl: HP-85 computer, 16K memory module Paul: Sharp CE-153 software board Final Cartridge III See also: Final Cartridge III+ A2Stream file: a2stream file for this episode: http://lo-fi.rcrpodcast.com/rcr263.a2stream Closing notes: Dorm, text adventure release candidate and packaging PunyJam #3 Feedback/Discussion: @rcrpodcast on Twitter Vintage Computer Forum RCR Podcast on Facebook Throwback Network Throwback Network on Facebook Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John X Show audio files hosted by CyberEars Listen/Download:

RCR Episode 262: 60 years between Bell 103 and today” s InterNet

Dec 25, 2022 1 hr 51 min

Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting), Quinn Dunki, Earl Evans, and Michael Mulhern Topic: 60 years between Bell 103 and today” s InterNet In 1962, the world gained Spacewar! and the Bell 103 modem. Topic/Feedback links: Spacewar at masswerk.at Spacewar! History of Spacewar! Computer Space Bell 103 NCR CRAM NCR CRAM product brochure. BBC archive, speaking with Douglas Adams about the HHGTTG game A few Apple II clones Microsci Havac, review, Creative Computer Oct 1984 A Computer Called LEO (book, Georgina Ferry) NitrOS9 Ease of Use project 8 bit Shack Linus Akesson 15 years of scene spirit Going online in the early 90s part 2, Goto10 substack Retro Computing News: Adrian finds a white ceramic 6502 in his digital basement Modular display for retro systems NABU (York University) NABU retroNET Leo Binkowski, games programmer for NABU, on the local news in 1984 NABU auction Adrian’s Digital Basement’s NABU DJ Sures’ playlist of NABU hacking IBM 5150 Christmas ornament that plays DOOM IBM 5150 Christmas ornament that plays DOOM (Hackaday) Vintage Computer(-related) commercials: “Pack up your troubles (pack up your family)” – Seattle World’s Fair 1962 MS-DOS 5 Upgrade rap Bell Data-Phone Retro Computing Gift Idea: 4X magnifying glass with stand See also: One of these on Paul’s OCC1 Auction Picks: Earl: Amiga 500 Keyboard Michael: FORTRAN 5 Paul: Old Apple II with Disk II number 61 A very thin book IBM postcard from 1962 Seattle World’s Fair Crayperweight Craysler mug OCC1 for $50 BIN OCC1 glare guard Microsoft muMath 80 See also: MuMath 80 in the Microsoft catalog See also: MuMath 80 review in BYTE See also: MuMath 80 review in Creative Computing Suncom Joy Sensor See also: Joy Sensor review in Video and Computer Gaming Illustrated See also: Suncom Aerobic Joystick ad Best keypad layout (Micromodule 85) A2Stream file: a2stream file for this episode: http://yesterbits.com/media/a2s/rcr262.a2stream Feedback/Discussion: @rcrpodcast on Twitter Vintage Compute...

RCR Episode 261: Cause the Commodordian is Keeping Up With You

Dec 9, 2022 1 hr 53 min

Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting), Quinn Dunki, and Carrington Vanston Topic: Cause the Commodordian Is Keeping Up With You 1961 was all fine and good, but someone has made an accordion out of two Commodore 64s and a bunch of floppy disks. Topic/Feedback links: Neural net on a C64. Minus zero at fourmilab OS 2200 Unisys 2200 Series architecture BBC archive on Infocom 1985 Floppy disk supplier says business is booming. Reuters story. Oct 20, 2022. Lotus 1-2-3 for Linux. Tavis Ormandy. Lotus 1-2-3 for UNIX ported to Linux (video). The Commodordion (video). The Commodordion (write-up). Linus Akesson. the sixtyforgan Compiler Explorer Compiler Explorer: ZX Spectrum Compiler Explorer: Sega Upcoming CHM source code releases Previous CHM source code releases Kathleen Booth obituary. Inventor of assembly language. Assembly language Laine Nooney: The Apple II Age (forthcoming book) Laine Nooney Open Apple podcast #49 (talking with Laine Nooney) Teletext on a BBC Micro – Matthew North Music Interactive Ceefax Viewer Retro Computing News: Mastodon client for MS-DOS DOjS Neurons in a dish play Pong (allegedly interesting) The Skeptic’s Guide podcast #901 (on whether the Pong-playing neurons are interesting) 2FA on a C64 Turbo Button for modern PCs Angry Birds for the Apple II (8-Bit Shack) Angry Birds for the Apple II (video) Angry Birds for the Apple II (VITNO) ISA emulation Vintage Computer(-related) commercials: Lotus 1-2-3 rocks Commodordian ADAM (legal) Retro Computing Gift Idea: HDD Clicker See also: HD Clicker write-up Auction Picks: Carrington: Creative Computing binary dice Macintosh Extended Keyboard carrying case Paul: COSMAC Super Elf See also: COSMAC Super Elf Decimal skills Newton apps Ventless Apple II case Badgey the card reader Coleco high speed digital data pack C-250 See also: Coleco high speed digital data pack C-250 Nobody does cool like Microsoft A2Stream file: a2stream file for this episode: http://yesterbits.com/media/a2s/rcr261.a2strea...

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RCR Episode 290: MiniDisc vs. 8-track

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Podcast details

Created by: Retro Computing Roundtable
Status: Inactive
Latest episode: Aug 11, 2026
Episodes: 30
Release period: Monthly
Avg. episode length: 1 hr 55 min
Explicit: No
Language: English

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