Retro Computing Roundtable
Retro Computing Roundtable
Episodes
Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting), Quinn Dunki, and Earl Evans
Topic: 1988
In 1988, NeXT introduced its cube, bundled with Mathematica 1.0. IRC was developed. Sound Blaster changed gaming. Microsoft Office was announced. Lots of software was developed, and hardware incrementally improved.
Topic/Feedback links:
Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting), Quinn Dunki, and Blake Patterson
Topic: 1987
The Acorn Archimedes became the first computer sold based on the ARM chip. Even today, the last does not appear to be in sight. 1987 also bought us Perl, the IBM PS/2, VGA, Hypercard. CompuServe gifted us GIF. Beyond 1987, we talk BBC BASIC, Quantum Link, and more about the Commodore Colt than you ever wanted.
Topic/Feedback links:
Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting), Quinn Dunki, Jack Nutting, and Blake Patterson
Topic: 1986
IDE, IMAP, IIGS, and even some other things that do not begin with “I” were introduced in 1986.
Topic/Feedback links:
Retro Computing News:
Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting), Quinn Dunki, and Blake Patterson
Topic: 1985
The year of the Amiga arrives, NeXT is founded, the first .com site appears, Quantum Computer Services begins its journey toward becoming AOL.
Topic/Feedback links:
Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting), Quinn Dunki, Blake Patterson, and Kay Savetz
Topic: 1984
Apple introduced the Macintosh and Apple //c in 1984, IBM introduced the PCjr, HP introduced the LaserJet, and FidoNet began distributing mail.
Topic/Feedback links:
Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting), Kay Savetz, and Carrington Vanston
Topic: 1983
In 1983, Apple gave us Lisa, the ImageWriter, and the Apple //e. Atari gave us the XL line, Microsoft gave us (Multi-Tool) Word, Lotus gave us 1-2-3, David Lightman gave us wardialing. The era of it being always DNS began.
Topic/Feedback links:
Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting), Quinn Dunki, Michael Mulhern, and Kay Savetz
Topic: 1982
In 1982, Commodore launched the Commodore 64, GCE launched the Vectrex, Brøderbund launched a rescue helicopter. Computers reached TV, and Flynn drove a light cycle.
Topic/Feedback links:
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:
- Sony 3.5 drive
- Quick, hide in this closet! (folklore.org)
- IBM PC
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:
- VIC-20
- Sinclair ZX80
- See also: MicroAce (time...
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:
Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting) and Carrington Vanston
Topic: 1978
In 1978, we got WordStar and LaserDisc. Not VisiCalc.
Topic/Feedback links:
- Wordstar (Wikipedia)
- VisiCalc (Wikipedia) almost!
- Laserdisc
- Exidy Sorceror lot discussed in episode 182, November 2018
- DEC VAX (Wikipedia) again?
Retro Computing News:
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:
- Atari 2600 (Wikipedia)
- Atari 2600 Pac-Man (Wikipedia)
- Tod Frye discusses Pac-Man 8K homebrew (YouTube)
- TRS-80 Model 1 (Wikipedia)
- TRS-80 Model 1 (trs-80.org) ...
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:
- Zilog Z80 (Wikipedia)
- CP/M (Wikipedia)
- Incidental mention: Kaypro 2000
- An Open Letter to Hobbyists (Wikipedia)
- Apple-1 (WIkiped...
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:
- MITS Altair 8800 (Wikipedia)
- History of Microsoft (Wikipedia)
- 6502 (Wikipedia)
Retro Computing News:
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:
- SCELBI (Wikipedia)
- The SCELBI-8H, Probably the First Advertised Personal Computer Sold in Kit Form
- The SCELBI Mini-Computer (Mike Willegal)
- Build your own SCELBI 8H (Mike Willegal)
- Mike’s Hobby Blo...
Panelists: Paul Hagstrom (hosting), Quinn Dunki, and Earl Evans
Topic: 1973
1973 brought us Ethernet and the TV Typewriter, and more.
Topic/Feedback links:
- Ethernet (Wikipedia)
- TV Typewriter (deramp.com)
Retro Computing News:
- Greaseweazle v4
- Apple II pendulum clock (GitHub)
- Chips to Lode Runner (Eric Badger, YouTube)
- Ben Eater 6502 kits
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:
- Dennis Ritchie on the development of C (ACM SIGPLAN Notices, March 1993)
- Pong released (Wikipedia)
- Atari founded (Wikipeda)
- A history of Syzygy/Atari (Michael Current)
- Magnavox Odyssey ...
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:
- Computer Space
- It’s the year 2022, let’s play Computer Space (YouTube)
- Intel 4004
- Kenbak-1 (“arguably the first personal computer”)
- Ray Tomlinson of BBN sent the first email messag...
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:
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:
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