A Homebrew Graphics Digitizer

[lbaeza]

Hi guys

 

Found this item on ebay: eBay Auction -- Item Number: 251050414799

 

It's a VersaWriter graphics tablet board for the Atari computer. I've seen very little information about it. Was it any popular?

 

The item includes a photocopy of an article entitled "A Homebrew Graphics Digitizer" (see item pictures).

I can tell it's from BYTE magazine, vol. 7, no. 2, p. 72, february(?), 1982.

 

I couldn't find any scan of that magazine article.

Do you guys have that magazine? Are you willing to help by scanning that article?

 

Thank you!

[Mathy]

Hello Ibaeza

 

There should be a (short?) article in Atari Classics by "The Wagonmaster" about the VersaWriter.

 

Mathy

[+Stephen]

I do not have a copy of that Byte magazine.

[Fox-1 / mnx]

from: http://www.atarimax.com/freenet/freenet_material/12.AtariLibrary/3.TimeCapsule/showarticle.php?344

 

 

The June 1993 issue of ATARI CLASSICS:

 

Looking Back: What Is VersaWriter?

Staff Reviewer Gary Matteson steps back in time to examine the most perplexing

gadget ever made for the Atari and crosses paths with an Alchemist whose secret

identity is shockingly revealed!

[Tin_Lunchbox]

I found an interesting article about the Apple version of the Versawriter device (http://www.filfre.net/2011/10/mystery-house-part-1/).

 

I personally am not in the market for such a thing but the auction linked earlier in this thread seems like a real good deal for such a rare and complete item.

[Savetz]

Here's two versions of the software for VersaWare VersaWriter.

 

I acquired one at Portland Retro Gaming Expo — it doesn't seem to work, I will need to check its wiring.

 

-Kevin

VersaWare VersaWriter v1.2.atr

VersaWare VersaWriter v2.0.atr

[jcbstein]

I found this link to the manual for the VersaWriter Tablet.

 

https://archive.org/details/VersaComputingVersaWriterReferenceManual

[jcbstein]

Here is a link to the article "A Homebrew Graphics Digitizer".

 

https://archive.org/details/byte-magazine-1982-02/page/n73