Floppydays Vintage Computing Podcast

https://www.patreon.com/FloppyDays Please consider donating to keep Floppy Days going! ZX Spectrum Part 1 History with John Grant Welcome to Floppy Days #115 for June, 2022.  And I’m your host, Randy Kindig.  I hope everyone is doing well. As you know, we are generally following the timeline of computers as they were released to the world.  We have arrived in the year 1982.  1982 was a landmark year for home computers, as there were some significant introductions in this year.  Machines that played a critical part in the rich home computer period of the 1980’s.  In particular, I’m talking about the ZX Spectrum and the Commodore 64 as well as some other interesting machines. One of the most impactful computers released at this time was the ZX Spectrum; across the pond in the UK by Sir Clive Sinclair.  This episode kicks off a multi-episode arc that covers the Spectrum through all the usual topics. The first topic we always start with is history.  I was able to catch up with a person who played a significant ro

https://www.patreon.com/FloppyDays Please consider donating to keep Floppy Days going! Interview with Howell Ivy, Co-founder of Exidy and Developer of Exidy Sorcerer Computer Welcome to Floppy Days episode 114 for May, 2022.  I am Randy Kindig, your host. Again this month, I have a special interview show for you that actually has been a few years in the making.  Some time ago, I had come across and had gotten initial contact with Howell Ivy, who it turns out was co-founder of Exidy and was instrumental in the development of the Exidy Sorcerer computer. The Exidy Sorcerer is a machine that I covered clear back in 2014 in episode 17 of Floppy Days.  It was a very early machine, just after the release of the home computer triad of the Commodore PET/Apple II/TRS-80 Model I and before the Atari 400/800, with great graphics, a Z-80 processor, and one of the first home computers (after the VideoBrain) to have plug-in cartridges (these based on the 8-track tape cartridges).   After the initial contact with Howell, h

https://www.patreon.com/FloppyDays Please consider donating to keep Floppy Days going! Interview with Monte Davidoff, Developer of Altair BASIC Floating Point Welcome to Floppy Days episode 113 for April, 2022.  I am Randy Kindig, your host. I’m going to take a break this month from covering machines in order to bring you a special interview show.  Monte Davidoff worked with the very early Microsoft, while in college, when they were famously getting started by developing a BASIC for MITS and Ed Roberts for the Altair 8800.  Monte developed the floating point routines for that BASIC that they so desperately needed at the time. If you’re like me, I previously was unaware of Monte’s contributions to essentially the first BASIC developed for arguably the first personal computer. It’s interesting to hear Monte’s perspective on how he managed to get involved with Microsoft, Bill Gates, Paul Allen and the project on which he worked with them.  His recall of specifics about programming for the 8080 is pretty amazing.

https://www.patreon.com/FloppyDays  The IBM PC 5150, Part 5, with Jim Leonard Welcome to Floppy Days episode 112 for March, 2022.  I am Randy Kindig, your host.  As a reminder, we are currently finishing up talking about computers released in 1981.  This is the 5th of 5 shows covering the release of the IBM PC 5150, the grand-daddy of most modern personal computers.  I know 5 shows about one computer seems like a lot, but it IS one of the few computer lines that actually became a standard and many of the computers we use today are based on this original architecture.  Besides, it just turned out there was a lot to cover about this machine. As on the earlier IBM PC episodes, I’m extremely happy to have Jim Leonard as co-host for this final episode on the 5150.  Jim is a fount of knowledge on all topics IBM PC, so I’m honored he was able to help us take a walk through the various aspects of the machine and all of its associated information. In this episode we will cover emulation, buying one today, Community, a

Patreon link for supporting the show: https://www.patreon.com/FloppyDays  Welcome to Floppy Days episode 111 for February, 2022.  I am Randy Kindig, your host.  As a reminder, we are currently finishing up talking about computers released in 1981.  This is the 4th of 5 shows covering the release of the IBM PC 5150, the grand-daddy of most modern personal computers. As on the earlier IBM PC episodes, I’m extremely happy to have Jim Leonard as co-host for these remaining episodes on the 5150.  When Jim and I went to record what was to be the final episode on the IBM PC, it ran so long that I decided to break it into 2 episodes.  That means there will be one more episode next month, for 5 total on this historic machine. In this episode we will cover ads appearances and modern upgrades.  Next month, in the final episode, we will focus on emulation, buying one today, Community, and Web sites. Before we get into the main part of the show, I will be talking a bit about new acquisitions in the vintage computer hobby.

contribute to the show via Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/FloppyDays  The IBM PC 5150 Part 2 With Jim Leonard Welcome to Floppy Days episode 110 for January, 2022.  I am Randy Kindig, your host.  As a reminder, we are currently finishing up talking about computers released in 1981.  This is the third of four shows covering the release of the IBM PC 5150, the grand-daddy of most modern personal computers. As announced last show, I’m extremely happy to have a co-host for these remaining episodes on the 5150.  And that co-host is Jim Leonard, one of the people responsible for putting together VCF Midwest each year and a huge early PC enthusiast.  Jim has an amazing amount of detailed knowledge about these machines and really enhances the podcast! In this episode we will cover peripherals, using the machine, software, magazines, and books.  Next month, in the final episode covering this venerable machine we will focus on ads, emulation, modern upgrades, Community, and Web sites. Before we get into the main par

IBM PC 5150 Tech Specs Welcome to Floppy Days episode 109 for December, 2021.  I am Randy Kindig, your host.  As a reminder, we are currently finishing up talking about computers released in 1981.  This is the second of a now anticipated four shows covering the release of the IBM PC 5150, the grand-daddy of most modern personal computers.  Back in episode 106, I covered the long and interesting history of the 5150.  How it came about and why we are living today with the choices made clear back in 1981. I’m very happy to announce that I will have a co-host for these next 3 episodes where we cover tech specs, books, magazines, Web sites, and all the usual topics.  And that co-host is Jim Leonard, one of the people responsible for putting together VCF Midwest each year and a huge early PC enthusiast.  Jim is a fount of knowledge about these machines and adds a ton to the podcast! It turns out that just covering the tech specs about the 5150 alone was more than enough material to fill an entire episode, so Jim an

Interview with Albert Cory, author of “Inventing the Future” about the Xerox Star Welcome to Floppy Days episode 108 for October, 2021.  I am Randy Kindig, your host. This month is a special episode based on an interview I was able to get with Albert Cory, author of the recently published book, “Inventing the Future”.  This book is a semi-fictional account of what it was like to work at Xerox in the late 70’s and early 80’s, while the company was working on the concept of the “Office of the Future” and the amazing computer known as the Xerox Star. For me, this interview and book finally pushed me into researching this incredible part of computer history; of which I had a cursory knowledge, but had never gone into any detailed research.  The Xerox Star was ahead of its time and the technology that went into this computer set the stage for our modern computers in many ways. While Xerox didn’t truly take advantage of all this amazing technology, as the Star was considered a commercial failure, many other compani

Bill Degnan, Kennett Classic https://www.vintagecomputer.net/  https://www.kennettclassic.com  Second Annual Kennett ClassicSept. 25, 2021Kennett Square, PA

The History of the IBM PC 5150 Welcome to Floppy Days episode 106 for August, 2021.  I am Randy Kindig, your host.  As regular listeners will remember, we are currently talking about computers released in 1981.  It just so happens that the next computer up is the IBM PC 5150, the grand-daddy of most modern personal computers.  It just so happens that this very month, August, is the 40th anniversary of the venerable IBM PC.  This wasn’t planned.  It just fortuitously worked out this way.  I’m planning to have a couple-episode arc on this topic, starting this month with the long and interesting history of the 5150.  How it came about and why are we living today with the choices made clear back in 1981? Although I’ll be running solo this month, as Bill Gates just couldn’t free himself up to co-host with me, I will have a co-host for the follow-up episode where we cover tech specs, books, magazines, Web sites, and all the usual topics. Before we get into the 5150 history, I will be talking a bit about new acquisi

Floppy Days 105 - Joe Decuir - Developing the Amiga Hello, and welcome to another interview edition of the Floppy Days Podcast for July, 2021.  I am Randy Kindig.  I am extremely honored to bring to you today an interview with one of the true pioneers of the personal computer, one of the designers of the Amiga 1000, a primary designer of the Atari 8-bit line and Atari 2600, and the developer of modern USB based on his work developing the SIO port for the Atari 8-bit: Mr. Joe Decuir. I’ve interviewed Joe for Floppy Days before, but that was about his amazing work on the Atari 8-bit line.  Joe was able to provide a lot of history around the development of the Atari 8-bits for the shows where I was covering the 400 and 800 computers. The majority of this interview is around the work he did on the Amiga.  Joe worked closely with Jay Miner and others to design a computer in the days when personal computers were just in their infancy.  Joe shares with us the thoughts and reasoning that went into the design of the A

Floppy Days 104 - Interview with Leonard Tramiel Welcome to Floppy Days episode 104 for June, 2021.  Randy Kindig here again, as your usual host, to talk about vintage computer topics. For this month, I have another interview for you in which Commodore and Atari fans will have special interest.  One of the most iconic figures in vintage computer history, and one who was a big part of the home computer wars back in the late 70’s and into the mid-to-late 80’s was Jack Tramiel.  Jack at one time owned Commodore and later Atari, and involved his sons intimately in the business.  Although Jack is no longer around there are plenty of interviews available on YouTube and other places where you can see and hear Jack.  For this episode, however, I was able to track down one of Jack’s sons, Leonard, and get his perspective on being involved in home computers with his father during that time.  Leonard was particularly involved in the development of the Atari ST and much of this interview will revolve around that, but the

Floppy Days 103 - Kay Savetz Interviews Mark Englebardt, Wayzata Technology Mark Englebardt was the founder of Wayzata Technology, a company that was one of the earliest publishers of CD-ROM software. The company was founded in 1991, and produced hundreds of CD-ROM titles before going out of business in 1996. The company's discs were primarily for Macintosh but many worked with all ISO-9660 compatible platforms. Its most popular product was the Wayzata World Factbook, a disc of information about countries and territories around the world.  Downloadable versions of more than 80 of Wayzata CD-ROMs are available at the Internet Archive. This interview took place on January 26, 2016. Inc Magazine: Pioneer CD-ROM Maker Hit by Hardball Competition Downloadable versions of Wayzata CD-ROMs at Internet Archive

The BBC Micro, Part 3 with Daniel Jameson Hello, and welcome to episode 102 of the Floppy Days Podcast for December, 2020.  I just love these old machines and love to learn and talk about them.  The year is 1981 and we are talking about the legendary BBC Micro or Beeb as it’s affectionately known.  This is the final episode on this incredible machine, where we will be covering Ads and Appearances, Modern Upgrades, Emulators, Buying One Today, Community, and current Web Sites. Again, as with the last episode, since the BBC Micro is a British machine I thought it only right that my co-host for these episodes should be someone from the UK.   Daniel Jameson, a prominent member of the stardot forums, graciously agreed to help me with this and provide the “color” commentary during this episode.  I think he adds a lot to the show. Before getting into the details of the Beeb, I will talk a bit about new acquisitions and what I’ve been up to, a very brief mention of any upcoming shows, and then right into the meat of

The BBC Micro, Part 2 Hello, and welcome to episode 101 of the Floppy Days Podcast for September, 2020.  The year is 1981 and we are talking about the legendary BBC Micro.  In this episode and next we will fully cover this incredible machine; from tech specs, peripherals, and books/magazines/software to emulators, modern upgrades, and current Web sites. The BBC Micro is a British machine, and I thought it only right that my co-host for these episodes should be someone from the UK.  I acquired my BBC Micro, a BBC Master Series model, from my good friend and frequent contributor to the show via feedback, Andy Collins.  We did an international swap, where I sent him a machine that is common in the US (the Apple IIGS) and he sent me a machine common in the UK (the aforementioned BBC Master).  It would have cost each of us a not-insignificant sum of money otherwise to acquire our respective machines, as they each are rare in the country from which they did not originate.  I’m very happy with the trade and thankful

Ed Smith, developer of the Imagination Machine Ed Smith is an African American was born in 1954  in Brownsville Brooklyn, NY. Ed studied electrical engineering at Westinghouse High School, then computer science and marketing at Pace University. Ed is one of only two African Americans to develop a video game system in the 1970s and the first African American to work in the design of a personal computer – The Imagination Machine. Links Mentioned in the Show: Intro Floppy Days that covered the MP1000 and IM-1 back in 2014 (episode 22) - https://floppydays.libsyn.com/floppy-days-episode-22-the-apf-imagination-machine New Acquisitions/What I’ve Been Up To book - Commodore the Final Years by Brian Bagnall - https://www.amazon.com/Commodore-Final-Years-Brian-Bagnall/dp/0994031033/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&linkCode=ll1&tag=flodaypod-20&linkId=2145a99d3cb6c0a9d26dc08ee0b9394f&language=en_US  MagPi Magazine - https://magpi.raspberrypi.org/  Pi4 8GB - https://www.raspberrypi.org/products/raspberry-pi

The BBC Micro - Interview with Hermann Hauser Hi, everyone, and welcome to episode 99 for May 2020 of the Floppy Days Podcast, where we look at home computers of the 70’s and 80’s across the globe, not just the U.S. This episode is one in a series of episodes on one of the iconic British machines that was so important to the home computer revolution: The BBC Micro.  In episode 97, I had an interview with one of the key members of the BBC Micro team: Mr. Steve Furber.  In this episode, with Steve’s help, I was able to get an interview with another key member of that team: Mr. Hermann Hauser. Last episode (#98) I summarized the history of the BBC Micro and I don’t want to repeat that here, but I want to give you just a bit of information about Hermann to help set the stage for the interview to follow: Chris Curry and Mr. Hauser set up a company called Acorn Computer Ltd. and in January 1979 they launched their first product: a microcomputer kit named Acorn System 75.  The name Acorn was chosen because the micro

The BBC Micro: History Hello, everyone, and welcome to episode 98 of the Floppy Days Podcast for April, 2020! I hope everyone is staying safe in these days of isolation due to the coronavirus pandemic.  One day we’ll look back at this as a strange time in all our lives. Again, for the podcast, we are finishing up the tail-end of the year 1981 in the personal computer timeline and the primary topic of this and the next couple of podcasts will be the BBC Micro.  I talked with Steve Furber, one of the primary developers of the Beeb, in the last episode concerning his part in and thoughts about those heady times.  In this episode I’m going to cover a more general history of the BBC Micro to give everyone a view of why the machine was developed and its huge impact on personal and educational computer history, especially in the UK.  For the UK listeners, you’ll likely be very familiar with the Beeb’s history.  For the  US listeners, and listeners in other parts of the world, you may be less familiar with the story.

The BBC Micro - Interview with Steve Furber Hi, everyone, and welcome to episode 97 for February 2020 of the Floppy Days Podcast. This episode kicks off a series of episodes on one of the iconic British machines that was so important to the home computer revolution: The BBC Micro.  This machine has an amazing history and continues to have a very large following among vintage computer enthusiasts. What better way to start off this series than by beginning with an interview with someone who was right on the front lines in the development of the machine.  Those of you who aren’t familiar with Steve Furber will be much more familiar after listening to the interview that I was able to get with him for this show. Steve worked at Acorn Computers in the decade of the 1980’s where he was the principal designer of the BBC Micro and the ARM microprocessor.  I’m very honored to have been able to talk with Steve for about 50 minutes and am elated that I’m able to bring this interview to you this month. Next month, we’ll k

Interview with Norbert Kehrer, Flashx20 Hello, and happy 2020 to all the listeners out there.  As the final episode of 2019 I’m bringing to you a bonus show on the Epson HX-20.  I was able to get an interview with a gentleman who has developed a terrific piece of software that qualifies as a modern upgrade for the HX-20, called flashx20.  That gentleman is Mr. Norbert Kehrer and he was kind enough to talk with me about his software and how it’s used. I think you’ll find it interesting, especially if you have a machine and can give his software a whirl. Next month I will begin a series of episodes on one of the groundbreaking machines in the UK, the BBC Micro.  I haven’t decided yet how many episodes there will be, but I was able to get an interview with an early computer pioneer involved with the development of the BBC Micro, so I intend to be as thorough as possible in the coverage of the machine.  Stay tuned for more on that. For this episode, I will talk a bit about my new vintage computer acquisitions and