Recollectionware: The AMIGO computer (not to be confused with the AMIGA computer)

OK, I need some help from the readers of this blog. About the time I was getting out of college (1982) I remember reading an article in one of the computer magazines about a new computer coming out called the AMIGO (not to be confused with the AMIGA computer).

It was supposed to be a modular systems with a backplane that would allow users to run software from various other computer systems by the use of plug in cards which had different processors on them.

For example if you wanted to run TRS-80 software on your AMIGO you would plug in a Z-80 card that not only had the Z-80 processor but also sockets for TRS-80 ROM. There was also supposed to be a 6502 card for the Apple II.

I vaguely remember visiting a local store that was supposed to have one, but I cannot remember if there was one at the store of if it was "on order" (read vaporware).

Does anyone know if the AMIGO computer was ever built, or if it was just vaporware. If it was built, does anyone have one in there collection and would they be willing to provide a photo I can post on the blog?

Drop me a line or leave me a comment if you have any information about this 80's era computer.

Cheers,

Jim Cox
PS: If you are asking what the Hell is "Recollectionware", well it's that memory of some technology from the past that sticks in the back of your mind and not only drives you nuts, but drives your friends and coworkers nuts because you are constantly asking them about it, and their memory is worse than yours.

FORA.tv - Steve Wozniak: How I Invented the Personal Computer

FORA.tv has an excellent video featuring Steve Wozniak.

I tried to embedded a 5 minute segment where Woz was talking specifically about the Apple I and II, but for some reason the embedded code kept going the wrong section of the video.

So instead I am just going to point you to the 5 minute section here at FORA.tv

Enjoy ~ Jim Cox

About that "History of the Internet" video, and something for the Apple II crowd

I have received a couple of emails about how the video in the previous post "Video: History of the Internet" is a little on the inaccurate side, so I would like to invite those of you who are a little more up on their about the history of the internet than I am to comment at that post, and state what you believe the inaccuracies are. (That's a subtle way of encouraging comments to this blog huh? :)

I'll try and do some more research on my own and follow up with another post at a future date, or if someone else want's to submit a more historically accurate article for this blog, I will be happy to post it for them.

Remember that this blog is for members of both the 8-Bit Retro Computing and Vintage Computing & Computers groups on Linkedin.com, so if you are a member of either of those groups you can submit articles for this blog. I am also open to allowing non-members to submit articles and news, so drop me a line if you have something you would like to add to this blog.

Now I haven't done much in the way of adding links or news for the Apple II fans out there, but I do plan to do so in the near future. In the mean time here's a picture I snagged from this site at Flickr that should bring back some memories for you Apple geeks.

Please feel free to comment, and drop me a line if you have any suggestions, concerns, or corrections for anything posted in this blog. And as always, please let me know of any links I should add to the links list in the sidebar. Cheers ~ Jim Cox

Amazing video of a large vintage computer collection

Update 05/18/09: Steve just left a comment stating that the Color Computer 1 is not actually black, but it just looks that way due to the lighting ~ Jim

Original Post:

This is just an incredible video of a very large collection of vintage computers and gaming systems. For all you Radio Shack Color Computer collectors take a look at the black Color Computer 1.



Here is the URL for Steve Benway's site: http://www.benwaysworld.co.uk/

If you have any news or links to add for this blog just drop me a line. Thanks! ~ Jim

New CoCo links, and some cool CoCo videos

A friend of mine suggested some CoCo links for me to add to the CoCo Links ( Tandy Color Computer ) list, so I have gone ahead and added them. Check them out when you have the time.

My friend also sent me some cool looking CoCo vidoes; two are Radio Shack Commercials, and the other is a video of the Boink Bouncing Ball demo. Here they are:

• Radio Shack Tandy CoCo 3 Commercial: Merry Christmas HQ: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3dtQ01MFlg
• 80's Radio Shack Color Computer Commercial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2jRuh1bAxw
• Boink Bouncing Ball demo on CoCo 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eonlhPhv01s

I rcouldn't find much in the way of retro computing news except the Slashdot article below:

• Slashdot: Apple IIe Emulator Released For the Wii

This blog could use a lot more links, especially for the Apple II, Commodore, and Atari links lists. Feel free to leave a comment with your link suggestions or any leads for articles. You can also send me an email by clicking the "here" link in the "Welcome" section on the left-hand side.

PS: I just found this great CoCo posting! Check it out: The Color Computer (a.k.a. CoCo).