In Show 148, I talk about my continuing adventure with a generous donation I received of MITS Altair equipment. It's been quite a ride!

See http://www.vintage.org/2015/east/ for more information!

See http://www.retrobits.com/2014/10/show-147-jeff-ledger-and-micromite.html for show notes!

See http://www.retrobits.com for show notes!

This feed is NOT 404. Welcome to Show #145! This episode's topic: The Vintage Computer Festival East 9.1! The Vintage Computer Festival (VCF) East 9.1 information page! Tune in to the sometimes rowdy Retro Computing Roundtable Podcast, Next Without For or Chicken Lips Radio for more retro goodness! Be sure to send any comments, questions or feedbac…

Old Computers. Me Likey. Welcome to Show #144! This episode's topic: Raiders of the Lost Shrinkwrap! Tune in to the sometimes rowdy Retro Computing Roundtable Podcast - http://rcrpodcast.com/ Next Without For and Chicken Lips Radio coming soon! Be sure to send any comments, questions or feedback to earl@retrobits.com. The Retrobits Podcast blog can…

Show 143 Give us a listen. We don't byte. Welcome to Show #143! This episode's topic: An Interview with Bob Armstrong of Spare Time Gizmos! Links for Spare Time Gizmos and the SBC6120: Yahoo! Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Sparetimegizmos/ SBC6120 on the Spare Time Gizmos page: http://www.sparetimegizmos.com/Hardware/SBC6120-2.htm ELF2K on th…

And, We're Back. Again! Yoi otoshi o! Welcome to Show #142! This episode's topic: An Interview with Kevin Savetz! Here's the site for Kevin Savetz' new book, Terrible Nerd!Tune in to the sometimes rowdy Retro Computing Roundtable Podcast - http://rcrpodcast.com/Want to know more about Reversi? Check out the Wikipedia page - http://en.wikipedia.org/…

And, We're Back. Welcome to Show #141! This episode's topic: My Reversi Game Adventure, Part I! Tune in to the sometimes rowdy Retro Computing Roundtable Podcast - http://rcrpodcast.com/Hang with us at the Vintage Computer Forums - http://www.vintage-computer.com/vcforum/forum.phpSpecifically, you can find us in the Retro Podcast section on that fo…

Hooray, it's Tax Day... (for U.S. listeners...) Welcome to Show #140! This episode's topic: The Vintage Computer Festival (VCF) East 7.0! In this episode, I'm joined by Evan Koblentz of the Mid Atlantic Retro Computing Hobbyists, who talks about the upcoming VCF East 7.0.You can find information about the VCF East 7.0 here, and also on Facebook! Al…

Happy New Year! Welcome to Show #139! This episode's topic: My SFD-1001 drive adventure! In this episode, I discuss the Commodore SFD-1001 disk drive, IEEE-488 interface technology, and my related Retrochallenge 2011 Winter Warmup entry!Find information on the rebuilding of EDSAC (CNET link) at the U.K. National Museum of Computing site...See a vid…

Happy Holidays! Welcome to Show #138! This episode's topic: The PDP-8 Minicomputer! In this episode, I provide an introduction to the PDP-8 Minicomputer, released by Digital Equipment Corporation in 1965. The PDP-8 was the first commercially-produced and widely available minicomputer, and launched a new era in computing.The new generation of Commod…

A personal computer with 64K of RAM for only $595???? Welcome to Show #137! This episode's topic: The Commodore 64, Part III! In this episode, I conclude our examination of the Commodore 64, covering the variants of the C64, some popular hardware and software add-ons, and of course, modern day fun."The Woz" recently gave a preview tour of the Compu…

Bits are bits. Welcome to Show #136! This episode's topic: KansasFest 2010 with Ivan Drucker! Ivan Drucker, attendee at this year's KansasFest 2010 event, gives us the scoop on sessions, activities, and related fun! (Part III of the Commodore 64 series coming soon!) For info on this and next year's KansasFest, visit www.kansasfest.org! Also, check …

3.2 GHz hexacore, and my GIGO goes faster! Welcome to Show #135! This episode's topic: The Commodore 64, Part II! In Part II of this series on the Commodore 64, I talk about two of the chips in the Commodore 64 that really set it apart from the competition - the VIC-II graphics chip, and the SID sound/synthesizer. 300 Baud Magazine - what a great t…

Five Year Anniversary coming up! Welcome to Show #134! This episode's topic: An Interview with Stewart Cheifet, Part II! In part II of this interview, Stewart Cheifet and I discuss more about the Net Café television program, the effort to bring Computer Chronicles to the Internet Archive, more about the Internet Archive including its work with NASA…

Run. Stop. Restore. Welcome to Show #133! This episode's topic: An Interview with Stewart Cheifet, Part I! In part I of this interview, Stewart Cheifet discusses the genesis and some favorite moments from the Computer Chronicles program, which he anchored for two decades.(Note: The Commodore 64 series will resume after this two-parter with Stewart …

Computers for the masses, not the classes... Welcome to Show #132! This episode's topic: The Commodore 64, Part I! In part I of this series on the Commodore 64, I cover my initial experiences with the machine (back in "the day"), and also provide an overview of the C64 hardware specifications. Have an old 680x0 based Mac? Interested in them? If so,…

Yay! We're BACK! Welcome to Show #131! This episode's topic: Ten Years Of Retrocomputing! In this episode, I discuss some observations on the time that I've spent in the retrocomputing hobby, which coincidentally turns out to be 10 years. It's been a fun ride, and more fun to come! The SIDStick is a portable SID chiptunes player. More information a…

I found the Enter key. Where's the Exit key? Welcome to Show #130! This episode's topic: Enhancing the TRS-80 Model 100! In this episode, I cover two add-on products for the Tandy Model 100/102/200 computers - the REX flash module, and the NADSBox SD-card storage system. Both of the products discussed in this episode can be found at the Club100 sit…

Have you hugged your retro computer today? Welcome to Show #129! This episode's topic: Connecting with the Atari 800! In this episode, I cover several of the Atari 8-bit add-on products from Atarimax, including the SIO2PC/ProSystem adapter, the Atari Peripheral Emulator for Windows software package, and the MaxFlash 8 Mbit flash memory cartridge! I…

Hi there Retrocomputing fans! I wanted to post a quick note and let everyone know that more episodes of Retrobits are on the way soon! I've had some challenges dragging on my heels the last few weeks, but things are getting back to normal. Thanks for staying tuned! Chat with you soon... - Earl

Part IV! Welcome to Show #128! This episode's topic: An Interview With Chuck Peddle, Part IV! In this final, part IV of the interview series with Chuck Peddle, he discusses being among the first to bring hard drive technology to personal computing, portable hard drive systems, industry trends, and his current endeavors with flash memory. He ends wi…

This just in at the news desk - computers are cool! Welcome to Show #127! This episode's topic: An Interview With Chuck Peddle, Part III! In part III of this interview series, Chuck Peddle discusses further market considerations for the Commodore 8-bit machines, and leaving Commodore to produce business-class personal computers at Victor/Sirius. Lo…

We will serve no bits before their time. Welcome to Show #126! This episode's topic: The Vintage Computer Festival East 6.0! In this episode of Retrobits, Evan Koblentz, producer of the Vintage Computer Festival East, and President and Co-Founder of MARCH (the Mid Atlantic Retro Computing Hobbyists), joins us to discuss the Vintage Computer Festiva…

Hi again! Welcome to Show #125! This episode's topic: An Interview With Chuck Peddle, Part II! In this episode, Chuck Peddle, lead creator of the 6502 microprocessor and the Commodore PET, continues our conversation on the early history of the 6502 and Commodore computers, and the market dynamics of the day! It's a great conversation. A modern-day …

Press Enter to exit... Welcome to Show #124! This episode's topic: KansasFest 2009 Special Report! In this installment of Retrobits, Ken Gagne, Editor-In-Chief of Juiced.GS and longtime KansasFest attendee joins us from KansasFest 2009, an annual Apple II convention event.For more information on KansasFest, head over to www.kansasfest.org!Check out…

Hi there! Welcome to Show #123! This episode's topic: An Interview With Chuck Peddle, Part I! In this episode, I'm happy to bring you the first part of an interview with Chuck Peddle, lead designer of the 6502 microprocessor, Commodore PET, and many other innovations in the computing industry. In Part I, Chuck talks about his early history in compu…

High level languages sold here. No assembly required. Welcome to Show #122! This episode's topic: A Brief History Of Programming! The Carte Blanche expansion card for the Apple II uses an FPGA chip and can have many personalities!For a brief history of Fortran, have a look at this document on the ibiblio.org site... Be sure to send any comments, qu…

: podcast prepare record upload listen ; Welcome to Show #121! This episode's topic: The Forth Programming Language, Part II! Check out www.zophar.net, an interesting emulator resource!Don't miss out on the Commodore Vegas Expo (CommVEX) 5.0, happening July 25-26 2009 at the Plaza Hotel, Las Vegas, NV...Looking for Atari retro resources and discuss…

No computers were harmed in the making of this podcast. Welcome to Show #120! This episode's topic: The Forth Programming Language, Part I! Check out the excellent Commodore 64 laptop project by Ben Heck!To the moon Alice! Here's an emulator for the Apollo AGC system, the computer for the Apollo spacecraft...Computers are in movies all over the pla…

This podcast produced with WYHIWYG (what you hear is what you get). Welcome to Show #119! This episode's topic: Retro Roundup! The 8-bit TV Computer - 6502 based, Famicom/NES compatible, programmable, on the Maker Shed site...Playpower is promoting the use of the 8-bit TV Computer as an educational game development system! After having a look at th…

(A)bort, (R)etry, (S)mash with large hammer? _ Welcome to Show #118! This week's topic: The Commodore PET 2001! Check out the Wiki page for the N8VEM single board computer, an exciting new CP/M system with lots of activity going on!The VICE Emulator supports the Commodore PET series very well. Give it a try... Be sure to send any comments, question…

"TI's new Compact Computer. It takes over your work, not your desk."(an ad from 1983) Welcome to Show #117! This week's topic: The Texas Instruments Compact Computer 40! Radio Shack catalogs of the past! Too cool!The Ultimate Commodore 64 presentation - video and notes...Tex*In Treasures - a great place to find your TI 99/4A and TI CC-40 gear!Here …

The Apple IIGS - a computer with appeal. Welcome to Show #116! This week's topic: The Apple II, Part 3 (the Apple IIGS)! A Commodore 65 prototype recently sold for over $9,000 on eBay! Read about the elusive C65 at the Secret Weapons Of Commodore site...Club100 is a long-time resource for owners of Tandy Model 100, 102 and 200 computers - while you…

Sorry for the delay! All work and no play makes my podcast late...I'm caught in a work transition, and have been working a ton of hours. The timing is a bit unfortunate, as I just got myself back in the driver's seat for my weekly schedule again. However, this is only going to last for two more weeks!!!Thanks for listening, and I will chat with you…

"What kind of man owns his own computer?"(Apple II ad, 1980) Welcome to Show #115! This week's topic: The Retro Spirit - Part II! Check out the Pandora project - a handheld computing/gaming unit designed by the community!The One Laptop Per Child "XO" is an example of modern day innovation in personal computing...here is the Wikipedia page...Rob Bar…

I don't really want to "surf" the web. The idea of the web crashing down on me is, honestly, frightening... Welcome to Show #114! This week's topic: The Retro Spirit - Part I! Be sure to send any comments, questions or feedback to retrobits@gmail.com. For online discussions on Retrobits Podcast topics, check out the Retrobits Podcast forum on the P…

Computing is as computing does. Welcome to Show #113! This week's topic: The Apple II - Part 2! A first-person perspective game on the Apple II, written in low-res graphics? Yep, here's a YouTube video, and here's a link to the site where you can actually pick up the game (HBCC)! Be sure to send any comments, questions or feedback to retrobits@gmai…

I'm back! Welcome to Show #112! This week's topic: The Apple II - Part I! Want to build a digital computer with not much more than paper clips? Have a look at these plans from June 1967...New development on the VIC-20? Absolutely! And check out the Denial site, a fantastic resource for the VIC-20!Up for a retro challenge? Then check out Retrochalle…

Binary - you either like it, or you don't. Welcome to Show #111! This week's topic: The Epson HX-20 portable computer! Have a look at this BBC article and video regarding the reunion of the creators of the BBC Micro!Using a PX-8 laptop as a terminal for Mac OS X? Leave it to Byte Cellar...Back In Time Live Stockholm 2008 is coming up in September! …

There are two ways to write error-free programs; only the third one works. Welcome to Show #110! This week's topic: My Scott Adams Adventure Adventure! Check out the Scott Adams official site, where you can download Scott Adams adventure games to play on your Windows system!Or, play the games directly online at the ifiction.org website... Be sure t…

Binary - for those who try a bit harder. Welcome to Show #109! This week's topic: Building Blocks! An Apple //c, new in the box? And now it's opened? Here are the pictures...Jump aboard the Mac Mothership for a variety of Apple historical info! Be sure to send any comments, questions or feedback to retrobits@gmail.com. For online discussions on Ret…

DOWN WITH CYBERCRUD!!! Welcome to Show #108! This week's topic: Book Review: What The Dormouse Said Vintage Technology Magzine, exploring vintage computers, calculators, watches, and more!Want to put a breadboarded circuit directly into a card slot of your Apple II? Then have a look at the LittleProto II...Here is the Amazon link to "What The Dormo…

C:\>WIN Welcome to Show #107! This week's topic: Windows 3.0! If you're a Spectrum enthusiast, then be sure to check out the update of the Free Unix Spectrum Emulator (FUSE), hosted at SourceForge! Be sure to send any comments, questions or feedback to retrobits@gmail.com. For online discussions on Retrobits Podcast topics, check out the Retrobits …

HAPPY Y2K8! Welcome to Show #106! This week's topic: Random Bits (a variety show)! JoyBubbles, one of the first phone "phreaks", passed away in August of 2007. Here's a New York Times article about him, as well as the Wikipedia page.See Philo Farnsworth, the inventor of electronic TV, in his only personal TV appearance (warning, YouTube video will …

Happy Birthday C64! Many happy returns... Welcome to Show #105! This week's topic: The 68000 Microprocessor! The Commodore 64 gets some mainstream press on CNN! Happy birthday C64!And to commemorate 25 years of the C64, here is page including a video (warning, 200 Mb) for a Computer History Museum celebration event which included, among other notab…

cat retrobits.txt > /dev/listener Welcome to Show #104! This week's topic: The Unix Operating System! RetroGamer Magazine caters to the vintage gamer - have a look at their web site!A Computer Called LEO - a business thinking about automation - in the 1930s? Here's an Amazon link for the book...Virtual II, an Apple II/II+/IIe emulator for Mac OS, h…

Amiga gives you a creative edge. (From a 1985 ad...) Welcome to Show #103! This week's topic: The Commodore Amiga! How did we view computers in the 1960s? Not too much differently than today! See for yourself in this YouTube video...(will start playing on launch of the URL).The Computer History Museum will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Comm…

Beware the Chickenhead! Welcome to Show #102! This week's topic: An Interview with Bil Herd, former Commodore Engineer (Part III)! Be sure to send any comments, questions or feedback to retrobits@gmail.com. For online discussions on Retrobits Podcast topics, check out the Retrobits Podcast forum on the PETSCII Forums page! Our Theme Song is "Sweet"…