ANTIC The Atari 8-bit Podcast

In this episode of ANTIC The Atari 8-bit Computer Podcast: Kevin hacks the heck out of the Atari 8-bits, we're back on the interview bandwagon, Josh Renaud tells us about ATASCII animations, and Nir Dary gives us the scoop on the Outline Demo Party. READY! Recurring Links Floppy Days Podcast AtariArchives.org AtariMagazines.com Kevin's Book "Terrible Nerd" New Atari books scans at archive.org ANTIC feedback at AtariAge Atari interview discussion thread on AtariAge ANTIC Facebook Page AHCS Eaten By a Grue What we've been up to Indy Vintage Computer Club meeting - https://www.facebook.com/events/418655208501577/permalink/451824541851310/ Archived HesWare material from Jay Balakrishnan - https://archive.org/details/@rkindig VCFSE summary (and our Atari exhibit) on Floppy Days #75 - http://floppydays.libsyn.com/floppy-days-75-vcfse-5-post-show-with-thomas-liebert-jon-guidry-amiga-bill-anthony Atari 8-bit on Hackaday! - http://hackaday.com/2017/07/09/firework-shows-the-vintage-atari-way/ Lost Firebox ROM - Nir Dary - http://atariage.com/forums/topic/267234-atari-sets-off-fireworks-pictures-source-code/?p=3800095 Operation - Operation Game with Atari 8-Bit Computer (v2) DK Bongos - DK Bongos with Atari 8-Bit Computer Interviews Transcript of Tom Eckman Interview - https://computingpioneers.com/index.php/Tom_Eckman by Tom Raidna Transcript of interview with David and Betsy Ahl - https://computingpioneers.com/index.php/Dave_Ahl_and_Betsy_Ahl News New Hardware: Atari 400 RAM-Card 48/52 KB & external OS-ROM - http://atariage.com/forums/topic/267042-new-hardware-atari-400-ram-card-4852-kb-external-os-rom/ Mouse pads with game and computer designs Atari - http://atariteca.blogspot.com/2017/05/mouse-pads-con-disenos-de-juegos-y.html BEST Electronics Atari Composite Video Cables - http://www.best-electronics-ca.com/ Adventures in Atari BASIC by WEBMikey (Mikey Walters) - https://wearethemutants.com/author/webmikey7/ 6502 in the cloud - http://www.6502cloud.com, http://hackaday.com/2017/07/08/6502-retrocomputing-goes-to-the-cloud/ Donkey Kong - The Atari 8-bit Arcade hack is finally here! - http://www.indieretronews.com/2017/07/donkey-kong-atari-8-bit-arcade-hack-is.html?m=1 Turbo BASIC Source Code is found! - https://atariwiki.org/wiki/Wiki.jsp?page=TURBO-BASIC%20XL#section-TURBO-BASIC+XL-SourceCode How Atari Changed Personal Computing on Marketplace Tech Podcast (first few minutes) - https://www.marketplace.org/shows/marketplace-tech/06262017-using-biometrics-detect-fraud Break Out: How the Apple II Launched the PC Gaming Revolution by David L. Craddock - https://www.amazon.com/dp/0764353225 The A - Z of Atari 8-bit Games: Volume 1 (The Atari 8-bit) by Kieren Hawkin - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071SD5W9C SDRIVE - http://atariage.com/forums/topic/262509-sdrive-arm-preorder/page-1 Josh Renaud - HTML5 ATASCII animation viewer (AtasciiTube project) - http://breakintochat.com/collections/atascii/index.html , http://atariage.com/forums/topic/251957-atasciitube/ PCB with 8mbit memory for Atari computers - http://atariteca.blogspot.com/2017/06/chile-pcb-con-memoria-de-8mbit-para.html Post Magazine - Internet whizz Yat Siu on programming at 13 and landing a job at Atari as a schoolboy - http://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/long-reads/article/2101469/internet-whizz-yat-siu-programming-13-and-landing Discovery, Atari Collaborate on New Series - http://worldscreen.com/tvreal/discovery-atari-collaborate-on-new-series/ Tempest Elite now available - http://members.tcq.net/video61/tempestelite.html Upcoming Shows where you might see Atari computers or Atari people: Kansasfest July 18-23 https://www.kansasfest.org VCF West - August 5-6, 2017 - Computer History Museum, 1401 N. Shoreline Blvd., Mountain View, California - http://vcfed.org/wp/festivals/vintage-computer-festival-west-xi/ Ajka Hungary, Arok party - Aug 11-13, 2017 - https://www.facebook.com/ArokParty/ Fujiama 2017 Aug 17-20, 2017 - http://www.abbuc.de/news-feeds-component/events/icalrepeat.detail/2017/08/17/215/-/fujiama-2017 VCFMW - Sept. 9-10, Elk Grove Village, IL - http://vcfmw.org/ PRGE http://www.retrogamingexpo.com Oct 20-22 OldComp Party #3 - Sep 8-10, 2017 - (Czech Republic) ByteFest 2017 Oct 13-15, 2017 - http://www.bytefest.org/english-info2/ (Prague, Czech Republic) Vintage computer fest Seattle Feb 10-11 2018, Living Computers: Museum + Labs - http://vcfed.org/wp/2017/07/07/vintage-computer-festival-pacific-northwest/ Nir Dary videos this month Bonami Computers & Computer games museum in The Netherlands - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LrYd4fBiA0 First demonstration of the EclaireXL v2 board (Atari XL FPGA based computer) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuL3VOGjW0U EclaireXL ATARI 800XL FPGA Computer second video - connecting original Atari Peripherals - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ordWyp8HZZ8 FPGA ATARI vs Real ATARI head to head - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6RRu5WCAxM Upgraded Atari vs FPGA Atari head to head (with same monitors) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wHHSnh7MHo YouTube videos this month (not Nir Dary) - 552 using the search term "Atari 800" atari 800 xl, fully loaded with stereo, u1mb, vbxe and rapidus (Atari 8 Bit) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-eEp6YE2D4 Atari 8-bit (400, 800, XL, XE) - Numen by taQuart (2002), requires 320KB RAM. Running on real Atari 600XL with Ultimate 1MB and Dual Pokey Stereo. (StaxX28) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MBD755hYIQ Atari 8-bit: ML in Basic Part 1 (Patzawa), how to poke and use ML routine with basic - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAp7X_MLAv4 ATARI 800XL Rapidus and Ultimate installation (Lotharek) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DJVoP8UsVI Atari 400/800 - Peek & Poke Computer Museum in Rijeka, Croatia - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r-NYRAF6hU Reconditioning my Dad's Atari 800 / 410 / 810 / 835 / 1027 Computer (Uber man) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fAicXxoIHc New at Archive.org https://archive.org/details/@savetz Nir Dary Segment - Outline Demo Party 2017 http://www.spelcomputermuseum.nl/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFAz9fkXxx4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMvlklz17EI&feature=youtu.be Possible side effects of listening to the Antic podcast include stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat; drowsiness, dizziness, feeling nervous; mild nausea, upset stomach, constipation; increased appetite, weight changes; insomnia, decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm; dry mouth, intense hate of Commodore, and Amiga lust. Certain conditions apply. Offer good for those with approved credit. Member FDIC. An equal housing lender.

Merl Miller, dilithium Press Merl Miller was co-founder of dilithium Press, a publisher of computer books that was in business from 1977 through 1986. Merl was co-author of Computers for People (with Jerry Willis), a book that heavily features Atari 8-bit computers; and Things to Do With Your Atari Computer (with Jerry Willis and Nancy Morrice) as well as several other books about other types of personal computers. dilithium Press also published An Atari for Kids, An Atari in the Classroom, 32 BASIC Programs For the Atari Computer, Peanut Butter and Jelly Guide to Computers, and is perhaps best known for Computers for Everybody. This interview took place on June 26, 2017. Teaser quote: "When I worked for Prentice Hall, when I worked for West Publishing, when I started my own company, I never forgot that: a good book is one that sells." dilithium Press Press Kit for West Coast Computer Faire (1984) Computers for People Things to Do With Your Atari Computer

Claus Buchholz and Lance Ward, ACE-80 Hello. Welcome to an interview-only episode of ANTIC The Atari 8-bit Computer Podcast. I am Randy Kindig. In 1985, Claus Buchholz and Lance Ward released the ACE-80 and ACE-80XL cartridges, which gave 80-column text capability to the Atari 800 and XL computers, respectively. These were released through their newly-formed company, Amiable Computer Products. Claus also developed a 256K upgrade for the Atari 800XL and wrote an article on converting Atari computer programs to the 5200. This interview took place on April 8, 2017. Links: A.N.A.L.O.G. #15, January 1984 - TRANSPORTING ATARI COMPUTER PROGRAMS TO THE ATARI 5200 - http://www.atarimuseum.com/videogames/consoles/5200/conv_to_5200.html Byte article on Quarter-Meg Atari 800XL - http://atariage.com/forums/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_id=362652 ACE-80 PDF at AtariAge - http://atariage.com/forums/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_id=99163

Robert Veline, Astro Pyrotechnics The July/August 1987 issue of ST-Log magazine has an article by Matthew Stern called "Atari Sets Off Fireworks!" It features an interview with Robert Veline of Astro Pryrotechnics, a California-based fireworks company. I'll read some snippets from the article. ... I found Robert — who is still in the pyrotechnics industry today — to get more of the story. This interview took place on June 2, 2017. Thanks to Wade at the 1632 Atari ST PodcaST for pointing me to the article in ST-Log magazine. After our interview, Robert sent me pictures of his Atari-based firing box -- as well as all of the software for running it, the assembly language source code, Old Mother Hubbard's GCHIP Cook Book, his fireworks simulation software, and more. Teaser quote: "We did have one or two shows where you plugged the box in and turned it on -- and it was a 10-second show." Atari Sets Off Fireworks! in July/August ST-Log Magazine Robert's pictures, source code, and discussion Permanent version at Archive.org 1632 Atari ST PodcaST Outro music: Pink Floyd's Time

Gary Koffler, VP at Datasoft and Datamost Gary Koffler was VP at two publishers: Datasoft and Datamost. He was VP Software at Datasoft in 1980–1981. Datasoft published many Atari computer games, including Canyon Climber, Clowns and Balloons, Pacific Coast Highway, Sands of Egypt, and Zaxxon. At Datasoft, Gary managed creation of the AtariWriter word processor under contract for Atari. Next, Gary was VP Software and Talent at Datamost from 1982–1984. Datamost published Atari games including Mr. Robot and His Robot Factory, Tail of Beta Lyrae, Cohen's Towers, and Super Bunny. Datamost also published many books for the Atari computer, including Atari Roots, Kids and the Atari, The Elementary Atari, and Games Ataris Play. This interview took place on April 4, 2017. Teaser quote: "I didn't program ... I basically programmed programmers because I realized early on that if I wanted to have anything that was going to appear on these machines that I wanted to have appear on them, I was going to have to work with artists and programmers and musicians and animators." Datasoft Games list at Atarimania Datamost Games list at Atarimania

Dan Hale, EasyGrader Dan Hale published one program for the Atari 8-bit computers: EasyGrader, which first appeared in the fall 1982 APX catalog. This interview took place on May 30, 2017. EasyGrader in the fall 1982 APX catalog EasyGrader at AtariArchives.org

David Thornburg, Koalapad inventor David Thornburg invented the KoalaPad, a touch tablet that was available for the Atari 8-bit computers, Commodore 64, Apple II, and the IBM PC. A version for the TRS-80 Color Computer was also available, sold as the TRS-80 Touch Pad. He is also the author of The KoalaPad Book, which was published in 1984. This interview took place on May 22, 2017. In it, we discuss George White, the founder of Koala Technologies, whom I previously interviewed. Teaser quote: "You know how to take things apart. Good for you. But you've never built anything in your entire life. You have no idea what it's like to invent something that has generated livelihood for hundreds of people, and is making a difference in the lives of thousands of people." Video version of this interview George White interview (audio) George White interview (video)

George White, Founder of Koala Technologies George White was the founder of Koala Technologies, the company that made the KoalaPad. KoalaPad was a touch tablet, versions were available for the Atari 8-bit computers, Commodore 64, Apple II, and the IBM PC. A version for the TRS-80 Color Computer was also available, sold as the TRS-80 Touch Pad. This interview took place on May 20, 2017. If you want to see George and my chat, a video version of this interview is available, check the show notes at AtariPodcast.com for that link. I also interviewed KoalaPad inventor David Thornburg, whom we talk about in this interview. David's interview will be published next. "I regret the fact that I wasn't more forceful in staying true to my original reason for starting the company which was to make mice." Video version of this interview

William Leslie - OmniTrend Universe William Bill Leslie was one of the authors of Omnitrend's Universe; a science fiction space trading and combat game. The first version was programmed in valFORTH on an Atari 800, based on a board game created by Bill. It was Omnitrend's first game and was released in 1983. There were versions of Universe for the Atari 8-bit, Apple II and IBM computers. Bill was also involved in the development of the sequels Universe 2 and Universe 3, and of Breach, a turn-based tactical squad combat game. This interview took place on Jan. 7, 2017. Links: Atarimania - http://www.atarimania.com/game-atari-400-800-xl-xe-universe_5617.html Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universe_(1983_video_game) Review of Universe in ANTIC VOL. 3, NO. 5 / SEPTEMBER 1984 / PAGE 76 - http://web.archive.org/web/20080504080033/http://www.atarimagazines.com/v3n5/reviews.html Omnitrend's Universe ad on page 92 of issue 13 of ANALOG Computing magazine, November 1983 - https://archive.org/stream/analog-computing-magazine-14/Analog_Computing_14_1983-11_Retrofire_Hexpad_Lumberjack#page/n92/mode/1up Two reviews of Universe starting on page 14 of the June 1984 issue of Computer Gaming World magazine - http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_4.3.pdf ANALOG Computing magazine had a review beginning on page 33 of Issue 20 in July 1984 - https://archive.org/stream/analog-computing-magazine-20/Analog_Computing_20_1984-07_Games_Bacterion_Buzz-Zap#page/n34/mode/1up BYTE magazine had a review in Vol. 10, No. 5 on page 311 in May, 1985 - https://archive.org/stream/byte-magazine-1985-05/1985_05_BYTE_10-05_Multiprocessing#page/n312/mode/1up Dungeons and Desktops - https://smile.amazon.com/Dungeons-Desktops-History-Computer-Role-Playing/dp/1568814119/ FAQ for Atari 8-bit Universe (Chris Edgar) - https://www.gamefaqs.com/pc/564695-universe/faqs/58365 Omnitrend's Universe group on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/435419473491677/

Jay Balakrishnan, HESWare Welcome to an interview-only episode of ANTIC The Atari 8-bit Computer Podcast. My name is Randy Kindig. Jay Balakrishnan bought his first Commodore PET in 1978, which spurred him to found Human Engineered Software (HES or HESWare) in 1980. HESWare got its start on the Commodore PET but later moved into many other platforms. They developed or sold software for C64, Vic-20, Atari 8-bit, Apple II, Atari ST, Amiga, ZX Spectrum, Dragon, TI-99, DOS and others. Many Llamasoft games, through an alliance with Jeff Minter, were published in the US by HESWare. For the Atari 8-bit, they published games like Pastfinder, River Raid, Decathlon, Space Shuttle, Attack of the Mutant Camels, Gridrunner. By early 1984 InfoWorld estimated that HES was tied with Broderbund as the world's tenth-largest microcomputer-software company and largest entertainment-software company. In early 1984 they made their biggest splash when they acquired the services of Leonard Nimoy as spokesman. This interview took place on November 20, 2016. Links: HESWare at Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_Engineered_Software List of HES games at AtariMania - http://www.atarimania.com/pgelstsoft.awp?system=8&type=G&publisher=1702&step=25 Another list at AtariMania - http://www.atarimania.com/list_games_atari-400-800-xl-xe-hesware_publisher_18_8_G.html Attack of the Mutant Camels at YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJVoDTz9LHM