Using your Atari computers for real work?

[Using your Atari computers for real work?]

I used my Atari 400 (64k upgrade and keyboard upgrade) to run my office for many years, 1985 - 1989.  I used Print Shop like there was no tomorrow for adverts, and newsletters.  I used Atari Writer II for word processing and generating reports.  BTW I ran an investigation and accident reconstruction company.  I also used Synfile for my client database and printing labels, Syncron (I think that was the name) for calendar and case management.  At one point I upgraded to an 130XE and an Indus GT Drive.

 

Around 1990 I upgraded to a 1040 ST and moved my business to that, but it was still Atari!  I used atari stuff until 1994 when I closed my business and went to work for another company.

 

 

[I'm Back...]

Welcome back!  Hopefully life will be a bit more full for you in better ways.

[Anybody from Houston?]

Yes I am down in Clear Lake right by NASA

[800XL user-installed switch...]

I seem to remember some ram upgraded with a switch where you could load a disk into a portion of ram , flip the switch, reset and boot the machine and use the ram upgrade as a super fast second drive. Works well with spell check software. But I could be wrong.

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

[Old but new Atari 8 bit user]

Got things up and running. I also was digging through a box of Atari ST stuff and found an Atari Trackball.

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

[What are some good/interesting A8 games NOT on AtariMania's Top 500?]

I love 7 Cities of Gold and Agent USA   Also Cosmic Balance by SSI was fantastic.

 

Could you link the Atari Mania for us newbs.

[Old but new Atari 8 bit user]

Ok all, here is the specs on my 800 xl. Some of this stuff I have to read about...

Atari 800XL Computer with Video, Memory, and OS upgrades. This 800XL has the Wiztronics 256K memory upgrade, the SuperVideo 2.1 upgrade, and an operating system upgrade that provides the improved XL/XE operating system and the Omniview 80 operating system. The operating system is selected by use of the channel selection switch in the rear of the computer. The video upgrade provides a sharper image in composite video than the stock video image and it also provides Luma/Chroma outputs that give the best image possible on the XL machine. The luma/chroma can be used on some older monitors and they can be combined with a y-cord adapter to provide S-Video. The computer comes with a power cable that can utilize any USB 5V 1.5 Amp power supply (phone charger). It also has a video cable with luma, chroma, composite, and audio outputs. There is also a y-cord adapter. The Omniview-80 gives 80 column on screen viewing for some word processors and for basic programming. The computer has the top of the line mechanical keyboard. The motherboard is about 50% socketed. The computer housing is clean and has no cracks or scratches.

System checks out and I already played a bit of Star Raiders. Any hints on how these cables are supposed to work and this 80 column display os...



Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

[Old but new Atari 8 bit user]

How interesting. I never saw the 8k models. What a picture of how tech has changed.

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

[Old but new Atari 8 bit user]

All the 400's were 16k stock.  I too upgraded mine to 64k.   My 400 was modded with a bank select cartridge copier system (Pre the PILL) with switches and such, along with a raised keyboard.  I also had a percom disk drive and a indus GT drive too along with my tape drive.  Later in my 8 bit times I had a 130 xe and one of the last Atari Disk drives for the 8 bit but the number escapes me.  

 

Max as soon as I get this 800xl I will drop you the specs.  I want to confirm it is working and see what all has been installed.

 

I jumped on Altari a few nights ago just to mess around trying to remember programming on the 8bit format.  line numbers in atari basic... how quaint.   I had forgotten about those.

 

 

[Old but new Atari 8 bit user]

I did dabble in some programming but very limited. Not much extra time but we will see.

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

[Developers/testing required for mini-itx clone system - ÉclaireXL]

I would be interested in obtaining one should you do another run!

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

[Old but new Atari 8 bit user]

Once I assess the hardware I will need to see about the new stuff.

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

[Old but new Atari 8 bit user]

Well I finally did it.  I missed my old Atari 400 from my childhood and today I purchased a modded Atari 800 xl from eBay.   I am super excited.   I also purchased an SD Card adaptor to allow me to play games off SD cards  I even found my old Star Raiders cart and joystick from back in the day.  I am pretty sure I have a monitor that will work so I cannot wait to play Cosmic Balance, Archon, Seven Cities of Gold, Agent USA and so many other games on real Atari hardware rather than via an emulator.