Retro Computing Roundtable

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: Retro Computing News: Vintage Computer(-related) commercials: … Continue reading RCR Episode 281: The IBM PC and its sticks of ennui →

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: Retro Computing News: Vintage Computer(-related) commercials: Retro Computing Gift Idea: … Continue reading RCR Episode 280: Cheap home computers →

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: Vintage Computer(-related) commercials: Retro Computing Gift Idea: Auction Picks: A2Stream file: Feedback/Discussion: Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John XShow … Continue reading RCR Episode 279: A spree de Calc →

Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting) and Carrington Vanston Topic: 1978 In 1978, we got WordStar and LaserDisc. Not VisiCalc. Topic/Feedback links: Retro Computing News: Vintage Computer(-related) commercials: Retro Computing Gift Idea: Auction Picks: A2Stream file: Feedback/Discussion: Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John XShow audio files hosted by CyberEars Listen/Download:

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: Retro Computing News: Vintage Computer(-related) commercials: Retro Computing Gift Idea: Auction Picks: A2Stream file: Feedback/Discussion: Intro / Closing Song: Back … Continue reading RCR Episode 277: Trinity →

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: Retro Computing News: Vintage Computer(-related) commercials: Retro Computing Gift Idea: Auction Picks: A2Stream file: Feedback/Discussion: Intro / Closing Song: Back … Continue reading RCR Episode 276: Press P to proceed →

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: Retro Computing News: Vintage Computer(-related) commercials: Retro Computing Gift Idea: Auction Picks: A2Stream file: Feedback/Discussion: Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John XShow audio files hosted by CyberEars Listen/Download:

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: Retro Computing News: Vintage Computer(-related) commercials: Retro Computing Gift Idea: Auction Picks: A2Stream file: Feedback/Discussion: Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John XShow audio files hosted … Continue reading RCR Episode 274: The SEQUEL →

Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting), Quinn Dunki, and Earl Evans Topic: 1973 1973 brought us Ethernet and the TV Typewriter, and more. Topic/Feedback links: Retro Computing News: Vintage Computer(-related) commercials: Retro Computing Gift Idea: Auction Picks: A2Stream file: Feedback/Discussion: Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John XShow audio files hosted by CyberEars Listen/Download:

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: Retro Computing News: Vintage Computer(-related) commercials: Retro Computing Gift Idea: Auction Picks: A2Stream file: Feedback/Discussion: Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John XShow audio files … Continue reading RCR Episode 272: int age=0; →

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: Retro Computing News: Vintage Computer(-related) commercials: Retro Computing Gift Idea: Auction Picks: A2Stream file: Feedback/Discussion: Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John XShow audio files hosted by CyberEars … Continue reading RCR Episode 271: TOMLINSON@BBNA →

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: Retro Computing News: Vintage Computer(-related) commercials: Retro Computing Gift Idea: Auction Picks: A2Stream file: Feedback/Discussion: Intro … Continue reading RCR Episode 270: Time Zero →

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: Retro Computing News: Vintage Computer(-related) commercials: Retro Computing Gift Idea: Auction Picks: A2Stream file: Feedback/Discussion: Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by … Continue reading RCR Episode 269: Considered harmful →

Various podcasters who attended the KansasFest 2024 or virtual A24eVR event relate their experiences and thoughts, in the annual “megapodcast” tradition. Participants: A2Stream file: Feedback/Discussion: Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John XShow audio files hosted by CyberEars Listen/Download:

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: Retro Computing News: Vintage Computer(-related) commercials: Retro Computing Gift Idea: Auction Picks: A2Stream file: Feedback/Discussion: Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz … Continue reading RCR Episode 267: Turtles all the way down →

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: Retro Computing News: Vintage … Continue reading RCR Episode 266: The Apple II Age →

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: Retro Computing News: Vintage Computer(-related) commercials: Retro Computing Gift Idea: Upcoming … Continue reading RCR Episode 265: Poolside computing arrives →

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: Retro Computing News: Vintage Computer(-related) commercials: Retro Computing Gift Idea: Auction Picks: A2Stream file: Feedback/Discussion: Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz … Continue reading RCR Episode 264: Double bucky, you're the one →

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 … Continue reading RCR Episode 263: The year of the gopher →

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 … Continue reading RCR Episode 262: 60 years between Bell 103 and today” s InterNet →

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 … Continue reading RCR Episode 261: Cause the Commodordian is Keeping Up With You →

Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting), Quinn Dunki, Earl Evans, and Blake Patterson Topic: Recommended Standard 232 and Programmed Data Processor-1 1960 brought us RS-232 and the PDP-1, more COBOL, and curly braces. Topic/Feedback links: Recommended Standard 232 A proposal for character code compatibility. The great curly brace trace Demo of the Digirule 2A Digirule 2U Legacy … Continue reading RCR Episode 260: Recommended Standard 232 and Programmed Data Processor-1 →

Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting), Quinn Dunki, and Carrington Vanston Topic: Little bit taller, COBOLler We consider 1959, and mostly come up with COBOL, then spend some time in an engagement-generating excercise, not quite remembering a remarkable number of things. Topic/Feedback links: COBOL at Britannica.com COBOL at Smithsonian. Grace Hopper on Letterman Gorilla Banana, a rebranded … Continue reading RCR Episode 259: Little bit taller, COBOLler →

Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting), Quinn Dunki, and Carrington Vanston Topic: Tron and Perceptron In 1958, the Perceptron arrived and Lisp was defined. We talk a bit about things we came across that were associated with 1958. Topic/Feedback links: Setting up Genera in Linux Bell Labs 101 modem Tennis For Two Perceptron Open Worm Deviant Oliam … Continue reading RCR Episode 258: Tron and Perceptron →

Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting), Earl Evans, and Carrington Vanston Topic: The dot matrix impact Spending some time revisiting the calmer, quieter days when our printing was done by forcefully slamming pins through an ink ribbon onto perforated paper, pushed along by rotating spikes. Topic/Feedback links: Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration. Trailer Multimedia HyperGuide: A Windows … Continue reading RCR Episode 257: The dot matrix impact →

Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting), Quinn Dunki, Earl Evans, and Carrington Vanston Topic: Keep calm and carry on Episode 0 has arrived. Topic/Feedback links: The 6502 overflow flag explained The 6502 overflow flag explained mathematically The 6502 overflow flag explained at the silicon level ZX80 8K BASIC ROM upgrade Floppy Days 114: Howell Ivy, Exidy The … Continue reading RCR Episode 256: Keep calm and carry on →

Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting), Quinn Dunki, Earl Evans, and Blake Patterson Topic: The One With All The Ones The Retrocomputing Roundtable has reached the end of its 8-bit run. Topic/Feedback links: Byte 8-bit computing Nibble Big boxes history video Traveler (Wikipedia) Traveler (Imperial Encyclopedia) Traveler (Mongoose Publishing) Mayday 2022 Manhunt Wonderful Things (story about Manhunt) … Continue reading RCR Episode 255: The One With All The Ones →

Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting), Quinn Dunki, Earl Evans, and Carrington Vanston Topic: Fortran, for better or for worse The year 1954 brought us Fortran (not named after the year though) to help us with our math, and development of SAGE to scan the skies for threats. Topic/Feedback links: IBM 650 Drum memory Wurlizter SideMan (not … Continue reading RCR Episode 254: Fortran, for better or for worse →

Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting), Earl Evans, Michael Mulhern, and Carrington Vanston Topic: Prebricked drives Episode 253 relates to 1953. Core memory begins its long dominance of the RAM space, the IBM 701 is introduced. A year that was kind of between things, so as one might expect the conversation keeps sliding into a discussion of … Continue reading RCR Episode 253: Prebricked drives →

Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting), Quinn Dunki, and Carrington Vanston Topic: UNIVAC liked Ike Episode 252 relates to 1952. The year when UNIVAC correctly called the election early and nobody believed it. The year the paper introducing the Huffman code compression algorithm was published. And the 50th anniversary of all the things that happened in 1902. … Continue reading RCR Episode 252: UNIVAC liked Ike →

Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting), Charles Mangin, and Carrington Vanston Topic: Memories of Whirlwind I It's been 71 years since 1951. So, we talk about some things kind of loosely related to 1951, including computer music, the Whirlwind I, and memory technology. Topic/Feedback links: Whirlwind I Jim Butterfield C64 training tape David Ahl's BASIC Computer Games, … Continue reading RCR Episode 251: Memories of Whirlwind I →

Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting), Earl Evans, and Carrington Vanston Topic: Computing Machinery and Intelligence It's been 72 years since the year Turing published the paper that outlined the Turing test. So: Let's talk about interactions we've had relating to artificial intelligence in some form or another. Topic/Feedback links: RetroMagazine issue 12, English version Total Replay … Continue reading RCR Episode 250: Computing Machinery and Intelligence →

Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting), Earl Evans, Michael Mulhern, and Blake Patterson Topic: 2020 also We enter the third year of 2020. Yet another New Year's, yet another opportunity to make the New Year's resolution joke. Topic/Feedback links: Mega II project (single chip Apple II) Mega II project progress Acorn – a world in pixels (extended … Continue reading RCR Episode 249: 2020 also →

Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting), Earl Evans, and Carrington Vanston Topic: So long, 2021 At the tail end of 2021, we talk about our retrocomputing-based adventures during the year, with a little bit of a look ahead at what might come after. Topic/Feedback links: Drop /// Inches, episode #11 (re: visiting Stanford archives) Mac networks game … Continue reading RCR Episode 248: So long, 2021 →

Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting), Quinn Dunki, and Blake Patterson Topic: Computing 24/7 In honor of episode 247, we talk about stuff vaguely related to “all the time.” Mostly we wound up talking about whether we turned our computers off or not. Topic/Feedback links: RetroMagazineWorld #11 The World of Commodore 2021 event information The World of … Continue reading RCR Episode 247: Computing 24/7 →

Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting), Jack Nutting, and Carrington Vanston Topic: Data hoards and privacy Retrocomputing collectors often collect retrocomputers, which often have disks or hard drives, which might contain private data. Particularly as computers get recent enough to have hard drives. Particularly particularly in the future when retrocomputers might contain SSD drives. Topic/Feedback links: Retro … Continue reading RCR Episode 246: Data hoards, musician chords →

Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting), Quinn Dunki, Michael Mulhern, Blake Patterson, and Carrington Vanston Topic: End of line To the extent that you have physical objects, intellectual properties, accounts that host archives, what kind of plans do you have for when you are (possibly unexpectedly) no longer around? Or, what kind of plans do you plan … Continue reading RCR Episode 245: End of line →

Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting), Earl Evans, and Carrington Vanston Topic: Lacking future relevance Sunk time – times you've spent learning (or learning how to do) something that has no future relevance. What did you do, what were you THINKING? Topic/Feedback links: Foone Turing explores the updated Twitter image posting/processing rules, for a very good reason … Continue reading RCR Episode 244: Lacking Future Relevance →

Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting), Ian Baronofsky, and Earl Evans Topic: Networking keeps us all connec We continue to talk about networking in the context of old computers, in the days before everything was TCP/IP, when certain things were case-sensitive. Retro Computing News: A SAM Coupé spotted in the wild SAM Coupé on eBay RMC – … Continue reading RCR Episode 243: Networking keeps us all connec →

Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting), Ian Baronofsky, Blake Patterson, and Carrington Vanston Topic: Retro networking, episode 1 We talk about things the word “networking” evokes in the context of old computers. Transferring files between computers, reaching (sort of) the modern internet, networking socially, etc. Retro Computing News: Sir Clive Sinclair (Guardian) Arctic Adventure Captain 80 Book … Continue reading RCR Episode 242: Retro networking, episode 1 →