wood_jl

What an un-interesting question that *nobody* would be interested in knowing.

I have to agree with Bryan, above. Clearly, many people who have a historical context with Atari computers DO NOT seem to share the nostalgia with which many of us view these vintage computers. "People still use Atari computers???" Yeah, but not as their "main" computers. Only an idiot would think that. People "use" vintage computers much as collectors of other things (vintage TVs for example, or as Bryan suggested, vintage cars) AS A HOBBY. It's always interesting to hear from A8 moguls (those of whom are still alive, and willing to be interviewed), but it's clear that the A8 machine meant little-or-nothing to many of them, either at the time (years ago), and especially now. It seems like they're flabbergasted to learn that a few "idiots" are "still using" the A8, as opposed to the reality that retro-hobbyists are *actually* using the A8 alongside modern machines, in a resurgence of retro-computing that they don't seem to understand, at all. That's fine. Retro-computing isn't for everybody, just as retro-automobilia isn't for everyone, and retro-whatever isn't for everyone. Let's just hope that they don't think we're all idiots, still using AtariWriter. We're just nostalgic about the machines (much as there is nostalgia for many other time-specific icons), and with a small dose of modern technology (SIO2PC, Sdrive, SIO2SD, U1MB/Side, etc.) childhood dreams can become reality right away, for those who embrace nostalgia.

What's weird for me, is that I really didn't know that Floppy Days podcast is older than Antic podcast. I'd heard of podcast, but never been interested, until Antic podcast. Only then, I learned of Floppy Days podcast. I ignored it, for a little while, because there was a lot of Antic podcast to listen to. Then, as I gradually became interested in other retrocomputing platforms, and podcasts relating to such, Floppy Days became of more relevance. But I still didn't listen. After I received my CFFA 3000 (compact flash for Apple II), I bought an Apple IIe. It didn't work. I don't know where to get it fixed (it displays apparently random jibbery text on the screen) so I never tried my CFFA 3000. I guess I'll have to get it fixed or buy another, but I'm glad I got the CFFA400. Obviously, this isn't an Atari - and I'll figure it out one day - but I Floppy Days made me MORE inrterested in this stuff. Since Randy Kindig is such a big part of the Antic podcast (and I do love Kevin too, and miss him on Floppy Days), listening to Floppy Days (after first listening to Antic) has a nice familarity to it. I want some Kevin guest appearances on Floppy Days, but Floppy Days has some *awesome* guest appearances, already. What's more, is that when I'm listening to Antic (which I totally love), I know some of what they're saying, beforehand, because I know a little about the A8. When I listen to Floppy Days, I don't know jack shit, which makes it all the more informative. After beginning in the middle with the Apple II (I think there are 3 episodes), I have started listening to Floppy Days from episode 1. I like how Randy explains who he is, and while being humble, he's pretty much a highly-educated, M-F genius. But the cool thing is, he's so humble, much as Kevin Savetz is. These are guys who are perfect for making podcasts, and whatever else it is that they do. Just really intelligent, informed, educated guys with no agenda, and good at media. I really like what they do, and I couldn't do what they do myself. But to get back to the point - as an Atari (largely) user, I'd always been a bit curious about stuff like the PET, Apple, TRS-whatever, TRS-CoCo, and I whatever else. I've been largely-ignorant of these platforms that - while I didn't own - I probably would have been happy to own, and some of them I own, now, fortunately. I am especially enamoured with the relations between 4 machines: The Atari 800 (and derivatives), the Apple II (and derivatives), the Commodore 64, the Atari ST, and the Commodore Amiga. These machines are all not only cornerstones of "home computing," but they are inexorably intertwined. The Apple II could have been a Commodore, or possibly an Atari. The Commodore Amiga could have possibly been an Atari. The Atari ST was designed by people who designed the Commodore 64. It's all very intriguing stuff. But what I would like from Floppy Days is an interview with Shiraz Shivji - the chief engineer behind the Atari ST, and I think he had a lot to do with the Commodore 64. See, as good as Antic is, it's not concerned with this stuff. Yet, to a lot of Atari people (raising my hand, here), it *is* of interest. That's where Floppy Days needs to jump in and fill the void! Thanks to Kevin, Randy, and Brad for what they do for the Atari8. Randy, you're "winging it" on your own with Floppy Days that covers other platforms (including some of which of are still Atari), but you do a great job, and I encourage you to keep up the good work! I love that I am behind on catching up to the current Floppy Days, because it means I always have something to listen to, between Antic and Floppy days. I just received these 3 books, all mentioned in Antic and/or Floppy Days.....(since Amazon raised the "free shipping" bar to $35 from $25, I order less, so I was waiting) I've only began to scratch the surface. Kevin Savetz's book is so excellent, because I'm about the same age, grew up with Atari computers, and so much else that he says resonates with me. I'm impressed, Kevin! The Dr's Apple II book is just amazing. It's also dirt cheap, for a hard-cover of such excellence. It's great for an Atari man who want to learn about the Apple II. "Racing the Beam" is quite technical and some is beyond me, but some of it is not, and I like that. Thanks again, Randy, for Floppy Days. While you sang on some earlier episodes, who sang in the final? The Doctor???? And thank you to Kevin and Brad and Randy for Antic, and thanks to Kevin for his book. I love all this stuff! Good day to you fellows.

I ABSOLUTELY love this thing. It's the greatest thing to happen to the C64, and it's kind of like a minor miracle. It's not cheap, but it's worth every penny! For "icing on the cake," I recommend this shortened IEC cable from Ebay..... eBay Auction -- Item Number: 260961203505 .....which makes for a tidy cable solution. I just love this stuff!!!! The 1541U is the best way to enjoy the C64!

Yeah, "good work" for you, too, in missing the entire point. The facts are that, (1) when I come to an Atari 8-bit-specific forum, I shouldn't have to read "Happy Birthday Amiga" threads, to begin with. Secondly, I shouldn't have to (2) read "I hate the ST" whiner crap. When I read the Atari8 forum, I should be reading about Atari8 computers, not Amigas or ST-shitting. If you want to post about Amigas, there is a specific forum for that. If you want to shit on the ST, go to the ST forum and shit on it there. Are you going to argue with that? It's very simple. I take a less-emotional view on this, than do you. I don't consider it "sad." I consider it "inappropriate", for the reasons I just stated in the above paragraph. This is really small potatoes. Sick babies, abused animals, and Cecil the lion are "sad." You have my sympathy for becoming so emotional over such a small, non-issue. edit: As well, I'm simply not going to let such mistruths stand, such as the lie that "the 520ST did not save Atari." Anybody with 2 brain cells knows that the only reason Atari Corp. didn't go tits-up in 1985 was because of strong sales of the Atari 520ST. If some yokel comes in here and denies that (which is, in fact, what happened) then there's no way I'm NOT going to counter that inaccurate bullshit. If countering someone with the facts makes you "sad," then perhaps a seratonin reuptake inhibitor can offer some relief.

I wish someone would do this for the Amiga 500. It was much more popular.

Does anybody know: Will the Master Everdrive work on the Genesis through the Power Base Converter? Will it work with all versions of the Sega Genesis? Thanks!

Absolutely smashing, with several shots of your exquisite AtariAge setup, and a bigger crowd than I'd imagned! Please tell, what were they playing on those older (original) CRT-based iMacs? Those look like the original iMac, and they're still gaming on 'em??? I hope circumstances will allow me to attend and/or participate in this kind of thing, one day.

I grew up in Anchorage, Alaska, in the late 1970s through the 1980s. Things changed a whole lot, during that time. In the l1970s, Anchorage was a really quaint, distant town. While nobody lived in igloos, everything was just a little off. Frequently, television was behind, as tapes were *physically* mailed up to Alaska, since satellite connections were few and far between. Feature movies in real movie theaters were a couple weeks behind, too. Hell, even today, you have to have a bigger dish - like twice the diameter - of the standard DirecTV dish. Fortunately, you no longer need a multi-thousand dollar several-feet-across (and rotates) dish, like a few rich people did, that I saw growing up. So, when Chuck E. Cheese came to Alaska (Anchorage), it was a game changer. This would have been about 1983. It was a magical place. We were all playing 2600 (or 400/800 if you were lucky like me) versions of the games, and Chuck had a smorgasbord of games in one place, along with pizza, which every kid likes. For a boring and remote (at the time) place like Anchorage, to receive a piece of joy like Chuck E. Cheese was an epic happening. It felt magical, going there. Alaskans had never seen anything like it, in their quaint world. To this day, I can still recall the excitement I felt, after ordering pizza and being handed a stack of game tokens that came with the pizza order. It sure was great! Amazingly, it stayed in business for many, many years. I left Anchorage about 12 years ago, and I think I went back to it about 2 years prior to that (so we're talking about 14 years ago). It was a disaster. The carpet was dirty. The pizza was as bad as any frozen pizza you can do at home. There were still games, but a fraction of what there were, when I was a youngster (now, I'm talking about the 1980s, so it's still pretty amazing this place was still making money). I mean it used to be wall-to-wall games upstairs, and now there were huge gaps in the game lineup, and I mean that physically, with huge gaps where full-sized arcade machines had been removed. The animatronics were deplorable; they'd still turn them on, but some would work and others wouldn't, and the fur on the bears (or whatever they are) was dirty and nasty-looking. I was astounded that - if they weren't going to maintain them - that they'd have removed them and the stage they were on. Who knows now (I'm 14 years gone)? But to get back to the original point, it was a magical place, for a kid of 1983. Being in remote (at least then) Anchorage, it was a Godsend. I really had a lot of fun there, and I'll always have fond memories. Back about 14 years ago when I was last there (which I was talking about, earlier), there was a girl I knew in high school (man, that was a long time ago) with her kids there. They were not thrillled at all. I can only imagine how much bored kids would be now, with iPhone 6 in their pocket and Xbone/PS4/PC at home. It was a unique time to grow up, when Chuck E. Cheese mattered, and I look back fondly upon those years, much as Atari User Groups, which were likewise a phenomenon of the time.

While I could be wrong, I was under the impression that there was an initial 8K model, then the standard RAM was upgraded to 16K, and that was it - until MUCH LATER in the 800's life when 48K became standard, towards the end of the run, and no 24K, 32K, 40K models in-between.. At least, that's what I was lead to believe by the few Atari dealers in Anchorage at the time. As it was explained to me, the 800 came with 8K, 16K, and then 48K, with a rather lengthy time between 16K and 48K, and by then the 48K was proudly advertised on the outside of the box. As usual, I could be wrong, but that was what the local (at the time) Atari dealer led me to believe. I started with an 8K/CTIA 400 and then upgraded to the 800 when 48K was standard, but mine was one that still had the flip-open top lid, and the three 16K modules were in actual cartridges, so it must have been an earlier unit. Later, we all saw the flip-open latches replaced with screws, and the "Memory Modules" replaced with naked boards, steadied by a plastic guide on top. I was shocked, the first time I saw that.

Here should be the next counter-offer to the seller..... ....................../´¯/) ....................,/¯../ .................../..../ ............./´¯/'...'/´¯¯`·¸ ........../'/.../..../......./¨¯\ ........('(...´...´.... ¯~/'...') .........\.................'...../ ..........''...\.......... _.·´ ............\..............( ..............\.............\...

Glad to see you back, Curt, and chippin' away at the stone!

Natalie888, I want to put this matter to rest, with a serious and firm offer of $7.259. Why 3 decimal places? Because I agree to that every time I purchase gasoline, so it must be kosher. I *do* want free shipping, and I'll pay as soon as it arrives. Now that I've been reasonable and bent over backwards for you, do we have a deal? Eagerly awaiting your reply on the news of my new purchase!!!! I may even kick it up to $7.26 because I hate slicing/filing/grinding on pennies. Heh heh heh!!!

I'm not sure what "Chr**t" is supposed to mean, nor what a bike has to do with it, but I do get out enough. Thanks so much for your concern. I do read replies properly. Once again, thanks for your concern. Since you clearly don't get it, I'll explain the obvious to you: I reply *AT EACH PART* of what I am replying to. I make it quite relevant *exactly what* I am replying to, by posting exactly what I am replying to, and then replying directly below it. I'm so sorry that doesn't make sense to you. Perhaps you should get out more. Actually, you're one of those people who *are* (rather than "is", since 'people' is a plurality) impossible to debate with, because you can't deal with people who disagree with you. That's why you choked on this one, and why you didn't address anything I said, but left this rather pathetic non-specific reply. See, what you call "cut and paste," I call addressing and/or refuting each of your attempted points. I guess that's too much, eh? That's ok. Move along. I don't know what that's supposed to mean, but that seems to be your style. Thanks for the laughs! edit: I forgot to address the accusation of "misquoting." What I quoted was EXACTLY YOUR VERY ASCII THAT YOU TYPED. If you disagree, please provide a counterexample to what I just said. Good day!

Oh man, you make me want to go to one of these shows!! Outstanding!!!

PS2. The combination of PS1 + PS2 games is very wide. Having all the arcade compilations (PS1 + PS2) on one system (although there are a couple PS1 arcade compilations that don't work on PS2) make it ONE system that plays a hell of a lot of games. The Xbox (original) was quite good, but PS2 really dominated in that generation. It's been a toss-up with a stronger and more competitive Xbox (360 or one) in the later PS generations. But PS2 was on top of the world, it its time.

Thanks for the info. Much obliged!

It has to do with the fact that we're on an Atari forum that supports the ST. Man, that was an easy question. Next? Exactly which "rose tinted specs" are you referring to? Have I misrepresented something? Please clarify. How refreshing that you support "your teams." Now, if you'd only please kindly explain what "your teams" are, perhaps I'd agree. I do feel that if I - personally - had "my teams" - that I'd support them. Unfortunatley, I do not. So no support for "my teams." However, I do fully encourage you to continue to support "your teams," whatever they are. I didn't think "IT experience" was a term in use, 30 years ago; I think the term is a rather modern contrivance. If you say so, then I guess it was. But I salute you in that endeavor. I got my 400/410 in 1980 and 520ST in 1985, so I'm not exactly a newbie, and I certainly don't claim to be an expert. I've had a laundry list of intermediates (prior to returning to retrocomputing) that would bore anyone reading this thread - so I'll refrain from the list - but I've been around, too, and have some schooling. Your own experience doesn't necessarily "validate" your opinion. You merely have an opinon. So do I. Just like everybody has an asshole. WTF that "undocumented hardware features" is about, you'll have to be more plain and direct in explaining. I don't know what you're talking about, and I fathom nobody else does, either. Of course. That's why it was affordable. Duh. Next! What do you mean, "THE 16-bit hardware base?" You mean JUST Atari? 16-bit hardware base? You mean everyone's 16-bit hardware base was cheap? Amiga, Mac, IBM? The latter 3 certainly weren't giving any discounts. Who gives a shit what *I* think. The ST *did* save Atari. Had it not been for robust original 520ST sales, the game would have ended in 1985. Really? Are you so naive as to NOT know this? It's going to be a huge part of the upcoming Atari history book "Atari Corp Business Is War" but if you disagree, then I guess that's all bullshit, eh? What do you mean "second" and "third" generations? Where are your dividing lines? Was the 1040ST still first generation, like the 520ST? It was a welcome upgrade to the 520ST, and should have been the launch machine. But it wasn't. Atari Corp. had a lot of debt and an incredible uphill battle, which they fought pretty well in the early years under Jack. Many factors figured in what Atari did. They weren't even a computer company, when they went tits-up. So their final reliance on the Jaguar and its ultimate failure didn't factor in? WTF are you talking about? Was the Mega ST the second generation? Was the TT? Was the Falcon the 3rd generation? If so, then what generation was the STe? These "second" and "third" generation terms are ambiguous, unless you define what it is that you're talking about. However, I will agree that after the initial 520ST/1040ST machines, the price/performance ratio waned, although those machines were excellent values. The Mega ST was expensive. The TT was expensive. (I've never even seen a Mega ST or TT). The STe was a pretty cool advancement, but it was too little, too late. I've never seen a Falcon, but I had a 486DX2-66mHz or 486DX3-100mHz PC with 1024x768x256 (or more) by then (for probably cheaper than a 16mHz 68030 Falcon), so I doubt I was missing that much. I'd say it was a lack of innovation that killed the Atari computer business. They rested on their laurels too long. The Amiga 1000 was an overpriced whore, but the A500 was spot-on. If they'd have launched with that, they'd have eaten Atari's lunch. The A2000 and A3000 were just fantastic machines. However, as we all know, Atari corp ended with a failed video game machine, rather than with the ST. Here's a friendly reminder of what *really* killed Atari.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqJa6q6gc8g Fast-forward to 24:50 for the "64-bit Kiss." That's the kind of shit that killed Atari. The ST saved it post-Warner, and allowed Atari to survive for several more years, like it or not.

What an EPIC thread that I'd missed. Thanks to all for supplying the humour and artwork!

AAh, as usual, OldSchool, you're right. I heed your advice. Bryan's too! I agree the 8-bits were more fun.

I was on the phone while typing that, so there are some logical errors, for which I apologize.

I just don't understand - ON AN ATARI FORUM, NONETHELESS - why so many have to take a chance to shit on the ST. Sure, it was compromised. But it was cheap. Amiga was $1800 and 520ST was $1000 with twice the RAM and a faster clock speed, at launch. What the fuck did you expect Jack Tramiel's Atari to do? Come up with the Amiga? The ST was no Amiga, but it was pretty good, FOR THE TIME AND FOR THE MONEY. The ST saved Atari. All this shit about "true successor" - when I turn on my Amiga (yeah, I have one, and I really do like it!), I don't hear SIO beeps. It doesn't run the same software. It doesn't "look or feel" *anything* like an Atari 8-bit; I can't even tell that it's related, based on observation. NEITHER CAN YOU. As a matter of fact, the only reason I'd even KNOW that it's "a 'true' Atari8 successor" is because I read it in some magazine. Otherwise, I'd have never known, and neither would any of you. Switching on and using an Amiga is ***NOTHING*** like switching on and using an Atari 800. There's nothing even comparable. If we hadn't been told that it was by Jay Miner (and company), most of us wouldn't know, anymore than who is behind the motherboard and video card of our current (modern) PC system. What's more, is that MOST AMIGA USERS WERE COMMODORE 64 USERS, simplly upgrading within their brand. They couldn't give a shit about "Atari 800 heritage/lineage," and in fact they did not. The Amiga, nonetheless, served them very well, regardless. They either bought the machine to continue brand loyalty, or the bought the machine based on merit. But devout Commodore customers who went from C64 to Amiga (and I submit to you these were the most numerous of Amiga customers, because the C64 customer base was HUGE (many times) I just don't understand - ON AN ATARI FORUM, NONETHELESS - why so many have to take a chance to shit on the ST. Sure, it was compromised. But it was cheap. Amiga was $1800 and 520ST was $1000 with twice the RAM and a faster clock speed, at launch. What the fuck did you expect Jack Tramiel's Atari to do? Come up with the Amiga? They'd lost the Amiga in the famous breech of contract that we all know about, 30 years later. If Commodore hadn't acquired the Amiga throught that breach of contract, they'd have gone tits-up immediately, as without Jack and without the Amiga, they'd have had nothing new to sell in the 16-bnit generation. Just as Jack saved Atari, the Amiga (no contrivance of Commodore) saved Commodore. The ST was no Amiga, but it didn't cost what an Amiga did, and it was pretty good, FOR THE TIME AND FOR THE MONEY. The ST saved Atari. All this shit about "true successor" - when I turn on my Amiga (yeah, I have one, and I really do like it!), I don't hear SIO beeps. It doesn't run the same software. It doesn't "look or feel" *anything* like an Atari 8-bit; I can't even tell that it's related, based on observation. NEITHER CAN YOU. So, the chips are configured in some order that's similar to the design philosophy behind the Atari -8. That's what I read, or I'd have NEVER known it, by using the machine. As a matter of fact, the only reason I'd even KNOW that it's "a 'true' Atari8 successor" (as is claimed) is because I read it in some magazine long ago, and people like to get all "warm and fuzzy" talking about it here, to try to reinforce their choice. Otherwise, I'd have never known, and neither would any of you. Switching on and using an Amiga is ***NOTHING*** like switching on and using an Atari 800. There's nothing even comparable. Switching on an Atari ST system is no more or no less *completely different* than is using an Atari 8-bit. If we hadn't been TOLD that the Amiga was by Jay Miner (and company), most of us wouldn't know at all about this "lineage." Who is the architect behind your current PC or Mac? Do you know? Do you care? Does it matter? Answer: No, No, and No. There's NOTHING WRONG with choosing whatever computer you'd like to purchase. That's what freedom does for you. So, in 1985, you were free to purchase a $1800 ($1795 with 256K and color monitor) Amiga, or $1000 ($995 with 512K and color monitor) Atari ST. Either was a good choice, and both were pretty much a good value, the 520ST being - quite obviously because of the price - the best value. What's more, is that MOST AMIGA USERS WERE COMMODORE 64 USERS, simplly upgrading within their brand. They couldn't give a shit about "Atari 800 heritage/lineage," and in fact they did not. They were numerous (obviously, Commodore 64 users), and the Commodore-branded Amiga was obviously the next step. The Amiga, nonetheless, served them very well, regardless. Seeing as how well their Amigas served them while they simultaneously thought the Atari 800 was a piece of overpriced/underperforming shit, be can separate the Amiga from the Atari 800; as a matter of fact, the majority-buying C64-to-Amiga buyers did that for us, already. As well it should have been, and as well it was. No need for nostalgia here, just a machine (the Amiga) that was mass-produced and well-received. Fuck the lineage; the C64-to-Amiga user (the vast majority) didn't give a fuck about who Jay Miner was and the good work he did on the Atari 800 or earlier systems; they just bought the next (and very capable) Commodore machine - namely, the Amiga. They either bought the machine to continue brand loyalty, or the bought the machine based on merit. But devout Commodore customers who went from C64 to Amiga were a HUGE number of Amiga customers, because the C64 customer base itself was so incredibly massive, at the time - many, many times that of the Atari8 customer base. So, to summarise: (1) Amiga customers just bought it because it was (1) a quite capable computer, and (2) it was Commodore's next offering. Thank God for Commodore, as they bought the Amiga, or they'd have been out of business right there and then, with no future 16-bit product to compete past the C64. (2) Thank god for Jack Tramiel's Atari that they were able to whip-up (produce, rather than buy from someone else) a 16-bit ST computer to sell for significantly less, or Atari would have been out of business. (3) The "lineage" of A8-->Amiga serves a rather small number, as MOST AMIGA USERS UPGRADED FROM COMMODORE 64, and they don't give a shit about the Atari 800 and probably think it's a piece of shit, because of C64 sprite capabilities, etc...... (4) There are a small number of Atari8 customers who "jumped ship" to Commodore and bought the Amiga, and there's some latent issues upon which they must declare the ST as shit, such as to retroactively justify their choice, etc. Funny how this stuff still matters, 30 years after these machines were offered for sale.

I never thought I'd see someone complain about the *EXCELLENCE* that is the AGS-101 ("Now With Brigher Sceen" model), until I saw this post, a few above...... http://atariage.com/forums/topic/239444-gameboy-everdrive/page-3?do=findComment&comment=3270483 I'd have never guessed that somebody wanted a side-lit, washed out shit display. Granted, when the first GBA-SP came out, it was the best for the time, and a huge leap. But the 101 "brigher screen" model is the first time - in the history of portable gaming - that we saw a no-compromise, bright, high-contrast, kick-ass "I can see everything clearly" screen. Or do I have that wrong???

It's quite sweet and all that this sold, and all parties now have the Turbo Everdrive that floats their boat. Now, might someone have some insight as to why Stone Age Gamer does NOT list this on their site anymore? Some shortage?? What else??? http://www.stoneagegamer.com/flash-carts/turbo-everdrive-turbografx-16-pcengine/ .....shows nothing.