RCR Episode 32: August 2012

Check out this fantastic series of videos about how computer memory works. They were produced by the U.S. Department of Defense in 1962. Retro-excellent and instructional:

Now get out there and compute, soldier!

RCR Episode 29: June 2012

June 23, 2012PodcastsThe RCR Crew

Panelists: Earl Evans (Hosting), David Greelish and Carrington Vanston

Topics:

Old Computer Commercial:

CompUSA commercial

Retro Computing Gift Ideas:

Auction Picks:

Carrington: Franklin Ace 100 Plus
David: IBM 5155 portable personal computer
Earl: Netronics Research ELF II
Mainframes on Ebay

Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John X – link
Show audio files hosted by CyberEars

Listen/Download:

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RCR Episode 28: June 2012

June 2, 2012PodcastsThe RCR Crew

Panelists: Carrington Vanston (Hosting), David Greelish and Earl Evans

Topics:

Old Computer Commercials:

Apple II Forever

Retro Computing Gift Ideas:

David: My First Laptop Computer Plush Play Set By Gund
Earl: Subscription to local hackerspace, e.g. Portland’s BrainSilo
Carrington: Arcade Button Light Switch

Auction Picks:

Carrington: IMSAI: A key early Apple artifact
Earl: Vintage IBM Punched Card Gauge
David: Working Apple Lisa 2 Computer

Intro / Closing Song: Back to Oz by John X – link
Show audio files hosted by CyberEars

Listen/Download:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

Depends what you mean by “cool”

May 29, 2012Posted by CarringtonThe RCR Crew

Guy-friendly gear guide Cool Material has selected a baker’s dozen retro gaming goodies to get your thumbs twitching:

Cool Material: 13 Pieces of Retro Gaming Gear

Check it out: 13 Pieces of Retro Gaming Gear

Byte reprints 1977 Woz article

May 21, 2012Posted by CarringtonThe RCR Crew

As part of the 35th anniversary of the Apple II, Byte has reprinted the original 1977 Apple II system description by Woz.

You can download a PDF of the article as well. The PDF includes the accompanying Apple ad and an order form. Board-only systems started at $598, while complete systems started at $1298.00. A maxed-out 48K system (more than anyone could ever need) was a whopping $2638.00.

Lots and lots to note here, from the spelling of “Apple-II” to the way in which Woz describe the Apple device as clearly his own invention not that of a group or committee. I expect we are far past the era where any mass market computer — or perhaps any mass market electronics at all — can be so accurately described as the result of a singular vision.

Woz opens with a mandate: “To me, a personal computer should be small, reliable, convenient to use and inexpensive.” Apple’s current darling, the iPad, fits that description to a T.

Run don’t walk, this is a must-read.

Apple III versus Space Invaders

May 19, 2012Posted by CarringtonThe RCR Crew

What do you get when you cross an Apple III and a game of Space Invaders? I’m not sure, but this video does convince me you should never, ever cross an Apple III:

Project Genesis – Playing Space Invaders