Atari Targets Retro Community

Just a quick note that there was a post on Slashdot recently about Atari issuing a Cease and Desist order against atari2600.org.

Here is the original post from Slashdot:

http://games.slashdot.org/story/11/08/22/1959255/Atari-Targets-Retro-Community-With-Cease-amp-Desist

And here is the AtariUser article that the Slashdot article referenced:

http://atariuser.blogspot.com/2011/08/atari-continues-efforts-to-alienate-and.html

Please take a moment to read both articles, and feel free to comment here if you wish. This is just ridiculous! Retro-computing fans are the ones that have helped keep the Atari brand alive.

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.

Updates, Atari music, videos, and more.

Yeah, I know it's been a while, I profusely apologize for not posting sooner.

I just added a couple new links (Retro Isle, and Retrocomputers) and I am finally catching up with the email.

One interesting email I received included a link to a site of music made entirely on Atari XL/XE computers and recorded on an Atari800XL. If 8-Bit music is your thing then check out YERZMYEY - "XL DIGITAL" (July 2010). I haven't downloaded anything from the site, and the email address of the person who sent me the link is no longer valid, so download at your own risk and if you do be sure to let me know what you think.

If you are in to classic retro computing video's then out QLvsJaguar's YouTube Channel for some really great videos.

I can always use more news so be sure to keep the emails and links coming, and yes, I promise to post them more promptly.

Cheers,

Jim Cox

1st annual Vintage Computer Festival Southwest

The notice below was recently posted to the Yahoo ColorComputer Group, and I thought I would repost it here for the benefit of others:

"The 1st annual Vintage Computer Festival Southwest will be held August 7th and 8th, in the Rio Grande Ballroom, in the E.H. Hereford University Center, University of Texas, Arlington. The event is sponsored by the Museum of Information Technology at Arlington, the UTA College of Engineering, the UTA Office of Information Technology and Vintage Tech. The VCF is an international event that celebrates the history of computing. There have been VCFs at several locations since 1997."

Below are the pertinent URLs:

• The Museum of Information Technology at Arlington: http://mit-a.com/
• Vintage Computer Festival: http://www.vintage.org/

Drop me a line if you have any other vintage computing news or announcements that you would like posted to this blog, and feel free to join the 8-Bit Retro Computing Group on Linkedin.com

Video: IBM 5100 First Portable Computer commercial 1977

Well it has been a while since I posted to this blog, so I thought that this classic commercial from MrClassicAds would be a great way for me to get the ball rolling again:



I love the line "It weighs about 50 pounds". Now that's a portable, or at least that was the standard back when I graduated from high school.

Feel free to comment and if you have any suggestions for links drop me a line, and if you are on Linkedin.com you are welcome to join the 8-BIT RETRO COMPUTING Group.

Cheers ~ Jim

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

Video: FPGA Tuning C64 SID Jeri Ellsworth

Here's a video for all you Commodore 64 and Jeri Ellsworth fans out there:



I need to do some digging around to see what other classic systems and chips are emulated with FPGAs.