Commodore 64 - the Most Popular Retro Computer of All Time Created by Matthew Goodrich
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New Book on Commodore’S First Computer, the Bil Herd — AKA “The Animal,” He PET
Fort Worth Dallas Atari, and Nintendo. Designer of New Book on Commodore’s first computer, the Bil Herd — AKA “The Animal,” he PET. His relationship with Jack designed the ill-fated Plus/4 Commodore Tramiel eventually soured with computer and later went on to disastrous consequences. design the Commodore 128. Known About the Book to wrestle executives in the hallways September 2005 Robert Yannes — Frustrated of Commodore. Responsible for The Spectacular Rise and Fall of musician and synthesizer aficionado. many holes in the walls of Commodore tells the story of Designed the Commodore 64 and Commodore headquarters. Commodore through first-hand its famous sound chip, the SID. accounts by the actual Commodore Jay Miner — Brilliant ex-Atari engineers and managers who made Al Charpentier — Chain smoking engineer responsible for the Atari the company. From their entry into computer graphics pioneer and 800 computer. Co-designer of the computers in 1976 until their demise architect of the VIC and VIC-II Atari 2600. Inventor of the ground in 1994, the Commodore years were chips. breaking Amiga computer for always turbulent and exciting. Commodore. All his projects were Commodore had astounding success Thomas Rattigan — One time co-designed by his faithful dog and with their computers, including the President and CEO of Commodore official Commodore employee, Pet, the Vic-20, the Commodore 64 computers who saved the company Mitchy. and the incredible Amiga computers. from bankruptcy, only to collide Although other companies received with financier Irving Gould. On his George Robbins — Designer of the more press, Commodore sold more last day with Commodore he was low cost Amiga 500 computer. -
Skyfox Fighter
OPERATING YOUR SKYFOX FIGHTER GETTING STARTED APPLE II COMMODORE 64 To start Skyfox Put the Skyfox disk in Plug joystick into Port 1. Turn on the disk the drive. Close the drive drive and the computer; insert the Skyfox door; turn on your computer disk. Type LOAD "EA",8,1 and press and monitor. Press the joystick RETURN. Wait until the program loads. button to start play. (If you have problems, type LOAD "SLOWER EA",8,1 instead.) Press the joystick button to start play. To restart the game Control R Control R To pause the game Control P Run/Stop To toggle sound on and off Control S Option unavailable To get help when you are at ESC Key H the base, or flying with your computer map up MAIN PLAY COMMANDS APPLE II COMMODORE 64 To turn plane left and right Joystick left and right Joystick left and right To move plane up and down Joystick forward and back Joystick forward and back To use afterburners Second joystick button Spacebar (or button on joystick 2 in Port 2) To engage automatic pilot A or both joystick buttons AorF7* To toggle radar scanner between SPACE BAR F1 overhead and forward views To fire laser cannons Joystick button Joystick button To arm (and disarm) guided missiles G G or F3 To arm (and disarm) heat-seeking H H or F5 missiles To fire armed missiles Joystick button Joystick button • Hold down the key long enough to see' its effect. Don't just give it a quick tap. 103619 GETTING STARTED ATARI ST COMMODORE AMIGA To start Skyfox Put the Skyfox disk in After kickstarting your Amiga, insert the the drive and turn on the Skyfox disk in the drive. -
Commodore 64 Users Guide
INTRODUCTION Now that you've become more intimately involved with your Commo- dore 64, we want you to know that our customer support does not stop here. You may not know it, but Commodore has been in business for over 23 years. In the 1970's we introduced the first self-contained per- sonal computer (the PET). We have since become the leading computer company in many countries of the world. Our ability to design and manufacture our own computer chips allows us to bring you new and better personal computers at prices way below what you'd expect for this level of technical excellence. Commodore is committed to supporting not only you, the end user, but also the dealer you bought your computer from, magazines which publish how-to articles showing you new applications or techniques, and . importantly . software developers who produce programs on cartridge, disk and tape for use with your computer. We encourage you to establish or join a Commodore "user club" where you can learn new techniques, exchange ideas and share discoveries. We publish two separate magazines which contain programming tips, information on new products and ideas for computer applications. (See Appendix N). In North America, Commodore provides a "Commodore Information Network" on the CompuServe Information Service . to access this network, all you need is your Commodore 64 computer and our low cost VICMODEMtelephone interface cartridge (or other compatible modem). The following APPENDICEScontain charts, tables, and other informa- tion which help you program your Commodore 64 faster and more efficiently. They also include important information on the wide variety of Commodore products you may be interested in, and a bibliography listing of over 20 books and magazines which can help you develop your programming skills and keep you current on the latest information con- cerning your computer and peripherals. -
![When High-Tech Was Low-Tech : a Retrospective Look at Forward-Thinking Technologies [Multiple Exhibits]](https://docslib.b-cdn.net/cover/4438/when-high-tech-was-low-tech-a-retrospective-look-at-forward-thinking-technologies-multiple-exhibits-614438.webp)
When High-Tech Was Low-Tech : a Retrospective Look at Forward-Thinking Technologies [Multiple Exhibits]
University of South Florida Scholar Commons Library and Community-based Exhibits Library Outreach 9-1-2003 When High-Tech was Low-Tech : A Retrospective Look at Forward-Thinking Technologies [Multiple exhibits] James Anthony Schnur, Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/npml_outreach_exhibits Scholar Commons Citation Schnur,, James Anthony, "When High-Tech was Low-Tech : A Retrospective Look at Forward-Thinking Technologies [Multiple exhibits]" (2003). Library and Community-based Exhibits. 43. https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/npml_outreach_exhibits/43 This Presentation is brought to you for free and open access by the Library Outreach at Scholar Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Library and Community-based Exhibits by an authorized administrator of Scholar Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. When High-Tech was Low-Tech A Retrospective Look at Forward-Thinking Technologies Nelson Poynter Memorial Library University of South Florida St. Petersburg When High-Tech was Low-Tech When High-Tech was Low-Tech When High-Tech was Low-Tech The development of transistors after By the late 1970s, early “personal Before the widespread use of “floppy” World War II allowed manufacturers to computers” and game systems began to disks (in both 5¼ and 8 inch formats), build smaller, more sophisticated, and appear in homes. One of the most many early personal computers used less expensive devices. No longer did popular games of this period came from tape drives. “Personal computer consumers have to worry about Atari. This Ultra-Pong console, cassettes” usually held about 64,000 purchasing expensive tubes for heavy, released by Atari in 1977, included bytes of data and could take up to 30 bulky radios and televisions. -
The Ultimate C64 Overview Michael Steil, 25Th Chaos Communication Congress 2008
The Ultimate C64 Overview Michael Steil, http://www.pagetable.com/ 25th Chaos Communication Congress 2008 Retrocomputing is cool as never before. People play Look and Feel C64 games in emulators and listen to SID music, but few people know much about the C64 architecture A C64 only needs to be connected to power and a TV and its limitations, and what programming was like set (or monitor) to be fully functional. When turned back then. This paper attempts to give a comprehen- on, it shows a blue-on-blue theme with a startup mes- sive overview of the Commodore 64, including its in- sage and drops into a BASIC interpreter derived from ternals and quirks, making the point that classic Microsoft BASIC. In order to load and save BASIC computer systems aren't all that hard to understand - programs or use third party software, the C64 re- and that programmers today should be more aware of quires mass storage - either a “datasette” cassette the art that programming once used to be. tape drive or a disk drive like the 5.25" Commodore 1541. Commodore History Unless the user really wanted to interact with the BA- SIC interpreter, he would typically only use the BA- Commodore Business Machines was founded in 1962 SIC instructions LOAD, LIST and RUN in order to by Jack Tramiel. The company specialized on elec- access mass storage. LOAD"$",8 followed by LIST tronic calculators, and in 1976, Commodore bought shows the directory of the disk in the drive, and the chip manufacturer MOS Technology and decided LOAD"filename",8 followed by RUN would load and to have Chuck Peddle from MOS evolve their KIM-1 start a program. -
Imitation and Limitation
Fake Bit: Imitation and Limitation Brett Camper [email protected] ABSTRACT adventure and role-playing games, which are traditionally less A small but growing trend in video game development uses the action-oriented. Several lesser known NES games contributed to “obsolete” graphics and sound of 1980s-era, 8-bit microcomputers the style early on as well, such as Hudson Soft’s Faxanadu (1989) to create “fake 8-bit” games on today’s hardware platforms. This and Milon’s Secret Castle (1986), as well as Konami’s The paper explores the trend by looking at a specific case study, the Goonies II (1987). In more recent decades, the Castlevania series platform-adventure game La-Mulana, which was inspired by the from Konami has also adopted and advanced the form, from Japanese MSX computer platform. Discussion includes the Symphony of the Night (1997) on PlayStation, through Portrait of specific aesthetic traits the game adopts (as well as ignores), and Ruin (2006) for the Nintendo DS. the 8-bit technological structures that caused them in their original La-Mulana is an extremely well made title that ranks among the 1980s MSX incarnation. The role of technology in shaping finest in this genre, displaying unusual craftsmanship and aesthetics, and the persistence of such effects beyond the lifetime cohesiveness. Its player-protagonist is Professor Lemeza, an of the originating technologies, is considered as a more general archaeologist explorer charting out vast underground ruins in a “retro media” phenomenon. distant, unspecified corner of the globe (Indiana Jones is an obvious pop culture reference, but also earlier examples like H. -
Extensions of Remarks 6687 Extensions of Remarks
April 23, 1998 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 6687 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM replenished her spirit at the Carmel Mission mediately faced the dual challenges of restruc Basilica where she was a faithful parishioner. turing both a centralized economy and authori HON. RON KIND She cared for her fourteen grandchildren and tarian political system. Unlike the often erratic OF WISCONSIN five great-grandchildren with her own special progression of other post-Soviet nations, IN T HE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES kind of gentle compassion, providing a model Ukraine has moved cautiously and steadily to of humanity that they will carry with them al ward a free-market economy and multi-party Thursday , Apr il 23, 1998 ways. democracy. Just last month, Ukraine success Mr. KIND. Mr. Speaker, the announcement Her death at the age of 87 was a loss, but fully held its first national Parliamentary elec by the House leadership to allow an open and her generous spirit will continue to warm and tions under a new democratic Constitution and honest debate on campaign finance reform nurture the community through the memories recently passed federal election law. Nearly has been cheered by editorials and reform ac she has left with us. seventy percent of the citizenry turned out to tivists throughout the country. I, however, am cast a ballot in this monumental election. withholding my enthusiasm. We have been Any transition of this magnitude, however, given false promises before and I will not cele RECOGNIZING GEORGE DICKINSON will naturally encounter both progress, as well brate until we actually take part in a truly open as setbacks. -
Micro-KIM Tutorial
Micro-KIM Tutorial Aart J.C. Bik http://www.aartbik.com/ 1 Getting Started Perhaps reminiscing the past is a sign of getting older, but I cannot help but look back fondly at the times I learned programming machine code on the Commodore 64 in the eighties. Therefore, it is probably no surprise I still occasionally enjoy programming 6502 on the Micro-KIM, which is a modern replica of the seventies KIM1 microcomputer, made available by the well-known retro computer kits provider Briel Computers [?]. In fact, I am having so much fun with this board, I decided to write a series of tutorials on operating and programming the Micro-KIM. In this series, I assume you have already some experience with the Micro-KIM and 6502 machine code, and have read the basic documentation that is shipped with the kit. Other than that, I hope to give additional information on various topics, such as developing assembly programs, programming the display, using the RS232 port or keypad, setting up timer-based interrupts, using a cross-assembler to generate programs in paper tape format, and uploading these to the kit. Note that the original KIM1 featured a 6502 microprocessor, 1K of static RAM, two 6530 RRIOT IC’s, and a 6 character hexadecimal LED diplay. Even though the Micro-KIM is a surprisingly accurate clone, it features a single 6532 RIOT, 2K EPROM for the monitor program, and 5K RAM. Please keep these differences in mind while reading the tutorial, since not all examples that work on the Micro-KIM will also work on the original KIM1. -
“Chuck” Peddle
Oral History of Charles Ingerham “Chuck” Peddle Interviewed by: Douglas Fairbairn and Stephen Diamond Recorded: June 12, 2014 Mountain View, California CHM Reference number: X7180.2014 © 2014 Computer History Museum Oral History of Charles Ingerham “Chuck” Peddle Doug Fairbairn: OK. So it's June 12, 2014. We're here at the Computer History Museum. I'm Doug Fairbairn and we're talking with Chuck Peddle, who's the creator of a number of very important things in the microprocessor and personal computer and other things we'll be discussing as part of this oral history. So Chuck, we're delighted to have you here. And thank you for coming over and spending the time with us. Chuck Peddle: Yeah I'd like to go on record right now saying what you guys are doing-- the idea about getting all the old men to come over and talk-- is a great idea. I don't know who came up with it, but it really is something that needs to happen. And it's consistent with-- Fairbairn: Well thank you. Peddle: --it's consistent with what you're doing with the museum. But catching these guys while they're still alive-- I suspect you thought probably Jobs brought it home to you. Stephen Diamond: Well we actually didn't get Jobs in an oral history like this-- Peddle: That's what I'm saying. That's what I'm saying. Fairbairn: --but that's an example. Peddle: Yeah, I think that may have been one of the things that triggered you starting it. -
CP/M Is Finally Available for PET. to Run CP/M on the PET, a Z-80 Chip and in the UK
The Whole PETCatalog 23 24 The Whole PET Catalog CP/M Choices: DMS, from Compsoft. Claimed to be the most popular data management system CP/M is finally available for PET. To run CP/M on the PET, a Z-80 chip and in the UK. The new version includes a mini-word processor, which shows they've add-on memory are required. There are 2 contenders: Small Systems Engineering heard about SILICON OFFICE. and Madison Computing. Neither is sold directly by Commodore here. Users have to choose between the SUPERPET, the 8096, and the 2 CP/M's, HORNET, from Claremont Controls. A project planner and management package since they all tie up the same space on an 8032 motherboard. It's not an easy that links into SILICON OFFICE. decision, as all four products seem great! CP/M (and/or CP/M-86) will supposedly be available on the forthcoming Commodore 64, 'P', 'B'. and 'BX' models. CP/M KEYNET, a local network scheme from Commodore. Said to be able to link options include: up to 200 of most any of the Commodore machines over a distance of up to about a mile at about 250 kilobaud. OPTION #1: Small Systems Engineering advertises a price of $900 retail for a SOFTBOX that allows an 8032 to use CPM software. This unit attaches externally MW-1000, from Small Systems Engineering. A 12MB hard disk that can be to the rear of an 8032. It reportedly turns the PET into an intelligent terminal on divided into separate sections for CP/M, includes a Z80 computer, and CBM DOS, this separate computer box. -
Commodore 16 Commodore Plus/4 MSX Standard Computers
•!. Commodore Plus/4 This is the machine that may well eventually replace the Commodore 64. Both machines have a similar 320 by 200 pixel Commodore 64 graphics resolution and 64 Kbytes of RAM, but the Plus/4 can A well-established micro, with a wealth of available software, the Commodore display 121 colours and has a much improved BASIC, giving the 64 suffers from its poor BASIC, which lacks built-in commands user more control of the screen display. In the highest resolution 16 to take advantage of the excellent sound and graphics (see page Designed to replace the ageing mode, two colours only may be displayed in a single character 10). Maximum resolution is 320 by 200 pixels with 16 colours square, but selection of the 160 by 200 pixel mode allows four Vic-20, the Commodore 16 is onscreen, although only two colours may be displayed in each supplied in a 'starter pack' per square. The sound does not quite match up to the high character square. Sprites are also supported. Despite the 64 standards of the Commodore 64, with a maximum of two containing cassette recorder, Kbytes of RAM, no more than 39 Kbytes are available for use. A BASIC tutorial tape and book. 'voices': however, the improved BASIC makes sound-handling special cassette recorder is required for use with the C64, and considerably easier. The Commodore 64's sprite graphics facility and four 'recreational' Commodore 'own brand' printers and disk drives are needed if programs. Although the casing has been omitted in the new model. A machine code monitor is expansion is desired. -
A History of the Amiga by Jeremy Reimer
A history of the Amiga By Jeremy Reimer 1 part 1: Genesis 3 part 2: The birth of Amiga 13 part 3: The first prototype 19 part 4: Enter Commodore 27 part 5: Postlaunch blues 39 part 6: Stopping the bleeding 48 part 7: Game on! 60 Shadow of the 16-bit Beast 71 2 A history of the Amiga, part 1: Genesis By Jeremy Reimer Prologue: the last day April 24, 1994 The flag was flying at half-mast when Dave Haynie drove up to the headquarters of Commodore International for what would be the last time. Dave had worked for Commodore at its West Chester, Pennsylvania, headquarters for eleven years as a hardware engineer. His job was to work on advanced products, like the revolutionary AAA chipset that would have again made the Amiga computer the fastest and most powerful multimedia machine available. But AAA, like most of the projects underway at Commodore, had been canceled in a series of cost-cutting measures, the most recent of which had reduced the staff of over one thousand people at the factory to less than thirty. "Bringing your camera on the last day, eh Dave?" the receptionist asked in a resigned voice."Yeah, well, they can't yell at me for spreading secrets any more, can they?" he replied. Dave took his camera on a tour of the factory, his low voice echoing through the empty hallways. "I just thought about it this morning," he said, referring to his idea to film the last moments of the company for which he had given so much of his life.