Antic The Atari 8-bit Podcast

Tom Eckmann, President of Kyan Software   Tom Eckmann was president and co-founder of Kyan Software. Kyan's flagship product was Kyan Pascal, an implementation of the Pascal programming language which was available for the Apple II, Atari 8-bits, and Commodore 64/128 computers.   This interview took place on May 19, 2017.   Teaser quote: "We sneered at Turbo Pascal because it was non-compliant, there were all of these un-pure features. ... He [Philippe Kahn] just looks looks at me and goes, 'Nobody gives a damn.'"   Kyan Software at AtariMania   Antic magazine review of Kyan Pascal   Kyan Pascal at Internet Archive

Bill Bowman, CEO of Spinnaker Software   Bill Bowman was co-founder and CEO of Spinnaker Software, one of the first software companies that focused exclusively on educational software. He was at the company from its founding in 1982 through 1987. Spinnaker's software line-up included Snooper Troops, Delta Drawing, FaceMaker, Adventure Creator, In Search of the Most Amazing Thing, KinderComp, and many other titles. In early 1984 InfoWorld called Spinnaker the 16th largest software company in the world, with $10 million in 1983 sales.   This interview took place on May 16, 2017.   "All of a sudden, one Friday at 6:30, she came through the door with beer and soda pop and lots of snacks, and six children ... Of course it shut down the office completely."   Spinnaker at Atarimania   Wikipedia on Spinnaker   Inside Spinnaker Software (InfoWorld magazine)

In this episode of ANTIC The Atari 8-bit Computer Podcast, Kevin wows us with his winners in the NOMAM BASIC 10-liners contest, we discuss the preparations for VCFSE, Nir Dary tells us all about disk drives, and we discuss all the Atari news that’s fit to print. READY! Recurring Links Floppy Days Podcast AtariArchives.org AtariMagazines.com Kevin’s Book “Terrible Nerd” New Atari books scans at archive.org ANTIC feedback at AtariAge Atari interview discussion thread on AtariAge ANTIC Facebook Page AHCS Eaten By a Grue   What we’ve been up to Indy vintage computer club - http://www.indyclassic.org/ , https://www.facebook.com/groups/1082702455167563/ Atari 800XE - http://www.ebay.com/itm/Atari-800xe-/162383912577 , http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=982&st=1 Atari XEP80 Interface Module - http://www.atarimania.com/faq-atari-400-800-xl-xe-what-is-the-atari-xep80-interface-module_39.html Multi-Link - http://atariage.com/forums/gallery/image/17135-multilink-gamelink/ Jumpman level source c

Rob Zdybel, Atari (Part 2) Hello, Atari fans, and welcome to another interview episode of Antic, The Atari 8-bit Computer Podcast.  My name is Randy Kindig.  This interview is a bit different in that it’s the second interview with someone that we’ve interviewed before - Mr. Rob Zdybel.  The reason for this is that Rob worked for Atari so long, and was involved in so many projects, that I felt like some information was left undiscovered in the first interview.  At the request of some listeners, I decided to do a follow-up interview and Rob was kind enough to agree. Rob Zdybel was a very long-time employee at Atari, having worked there beginning in 1979 all the way to 1996, when the Tramiels left.  Rob has a long line of credits including Pigs in Space, Real Sports Football, Stellar Track and Star Trek for the Atari 400/800, SOS for the Atari 2600, Missile Command for the Atari 5200, and Bug Hunt for the Atari XE.  He also designed the system BIOS for the Atari 5200. Please note that this interview does have so

Chris Byrne, Intern at Atari Ireland   Chris Byrne was an intern at Atari Ireland in 1982, where he programmed a quality lot tracking system on the Atari 800, and on the IBM System/38.   This interview took place on March 20, 2017.

Atawi Fowever!!! In this episode of Antic the Atari 8-bit podcast: Nir Dary talks about the Atari Invasion Show, Tom Raida brings back the programming language segment to talk about Kyan Pascal, we tell you about all the Atari shows going on this year around the world, and in order to head off lawsuits we tell you about all the possible side effects of listening to Antic. READY! Recurring Links Floppy Days Podcast AtariArchives.org AtariMagazines.com Kevin’s Book “Terrible Nerd” New Atari books scans at archive.org ANTIC feedback at AtariAge Atari interview discussion thread on AtariAge ANTIC Facebook Page AHCS Eaten By a Grue   What we’ve been up to Indy vintage computer club - http://www.indyclassic.org/ , https://www.facebook.com/groups/1082702455167563/ News Atari 400 USB Keyboard - http://blog.tynemouthsoftware.co.uk/2017/03/atari-400-usb-keyboards.html   Atari 800XLP  Atari game watch  Atari Pong coffee table - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1461917284/play-atari-pong-in-your-coffee-table

Peter Shankman, Help A Reporter Out Peter Shankman is a well-known American entrepreneur and author. He was creator of Help A Reporter Out, and author of several business books. He got his start in technology with an Atari 2600 and an Apple ][. This interview took place on March 20, 2017. Teaser quote: "What would you change, if you could go back and talk to your 10-year-old self? I wouldn't change a thing. Because the hell that I went through there has led to, pretty much, the majority of the success I've had today, and I'm very very lucky with that. I can trace that back to the Atari, to the 2600, to those games..." Peter's web site Peter on Twiiter Wikipedia on Peter Faster than Normal podcast Video version of this interview: https://youtu.be/a2DZoTU9Cw4 

Nadav Caine, Mathematic-Tac-Toe Nadav Caine published one program for the Atari computer: Mathematic-Tac-Toe. This educational program first appeared in the winter 1982-1983 APX catalog. This interview took place on March 17, 2017. Teaser quotes: "Look, my game's lousy. I'm embarrassed even to have a conversation about it." "All education is self-education. I don't think teachers put knowledge in your head." Mathematic-Tac-Toe at AtariMania Mathematic-Tac-Toe in the winter 1982-1983 APX catalog Quote Blaster - Nadav’s unpublished educational game 

Bob Woolley, Atari 1200XL hardware hacker Bob Woolley has been upgrading and modifying Atari 8-bit computers — primarily the 1200XL — since it was released. His hardware products include video output improvements, keyboard repairs, built-in CompactFlash cards, a dual-ANTIC computer, and a parallel bus interface for the 1200XL. Bob was editor of Atari Classics magazine from approximately 1994-1997. He is still active in the San Leandro Computer Club and on the AtariAge forums. This interview took place on March 14, 2017. "I actually use the Atari as my computer. I couldn't write any code on one of my PCs. Whereas if I'm going to write code, I do it on the Atari." Bob on AtariAge San Leandro Computer Club Atari Classics Magazine A Parallel Bus Interface for your 1200XL 1200XL Keyboard Tune-up

Joe Grande, Monkey Up A Tree Joe Grande published one program for the Atari computers: Monkey Up A Tree was published by Atari Program Exchange, and first appeared in the winter 1982-1983 APX catalog.  This interview took place on March 14, 2017. Monkey Up A Tree in the winter 1982 APX catalog

David Lubar, Game Developer (PastFinder) Welcome to another interview episode of Antic the Atari 8-bit computer podcast. David Lubar was a prolific games software developer who worked for Sirius Software, Activision and Absolute and freelanced for several other companies, including Broderbund, Origin Systems, and Imagineering.  He developed games for many different systems, including game consoles like the Atari 2600 and the NES and computer systems such as the Apple II, C64, and the Atari 400/800. His titles for the Atari 8-bits include Hacker, Master of the Lamps, Ogre, Pastfinder and Ultima IV. David has since taken up writing and has several books to his name. This interview took place April 23, 2016. Links: http://www.davidlubar.com “Character, Driven: A Novel” by David Lubar - http://www.amazon.com/dp/0765376946/?tag=ataripodcast-20

In this episode of Antic the Atari 8-bit podcast: Bill Kendrick returns with a segment on the Lantronix and BBSing on your Atari, we cover lots of new hardware upgrades, Nir Dary talks about the RAM-Cart 1M, and we have our usual segments on what’s new at Archive.org and what’s happening in the Atari 8-bit world. READY! Recurring Links Floppy Days Podcast AtariArchives.org AtariMagazines.com Kevin’s Book “Terrible Nerd” New Atari books scans at archive.org ANTIC feedback at AtariAge Atari interview discussion thread on AtariAge ANTIC Facebook Page AHCS Eaten By a Grue   What we’ve been up to Eight Bit Magazine - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/8bitmagazine/8-bit-magazine-issue-2-amstrad-commodore-sinclair , https://www.facebook.com/eightbitmagazine/ , http://www.eightbitmagazine.com/ Atari 800XE - http://www.ebay.com/itm/Atari-800xe-/162383912577 , http://www.old-computers.com/museum/computer.asp?c=982&st=1 Atari XEP80 Interface Module - http://www.atarimania.com/faq-atari-400-800-xl-xe-what-is

Ed Kelly, Edladdin Hello, welcome to a special interview-only episode of Antic, the Atari 8-bit podcast.  My name is Randy Kindig.  This interview is with Ed Kelly of Edladdin.  Edladdin produces a fantastic family of controllers for the Atari 2600, Atari 7800, Atari Flashback, and classic 8-bit computers.  I met Ed at VCF Southeast in 2016 and was so impressed by his controllers that I later bought one and am very happy with it.  They are fully customizable and are very rugged.  This is likely the last controller you’ll need.  I sat down with Ed and we discussed how his company got started, what controllers they produce and what the future looks like. This interview took place on December 4, 2016. Links: http://edladdin.com/

Mark Odendahl, Rush Hour Mark Odendahl was the creator of Rush Hour, a Frogger-like game that appeared in the winter 1983 Atari Program Exchange catalog, the final APX catalog. He also wrote one program for A.N.A.L.O.G. Computing magazine: Number Editor appeared in the January 1989 issue. This interview took place on January 24, 2017. "So I sold one copy of the program, but not through Atari. I sold it directly to one guy in New Jersey." Rush Hour at AtariMania Winter 1983 APX catalog

In this episode of Antic the Atari 8-bit podcast: Nir Dary talks about all the available memory upgrade options (You need more memory!), we discuss what we’ve been up to in the Atari world, give you all the Atari 8-bit news that’s fit to print, and tell you about our “of-the-month” finds. READY Recurring Links Floppy Days Podcast AtariArchives.org AtariMagazines.com Kevin’s Book “Terrible Nerd” New Atari books scans at archive.org ANTIC feedback at AtariAge Atari interview discussion thread on AtariAge ANTIC Facebook Page AHCS Eaten By a Grue   What we’ve been up to Vintage Computer Party in Indy - http://atariage.com/forums/topic/260834-indianapolis-area-vintage-computer-club/?hl=%2Bindy#entry3668612 Ultimate 1MB - http://lotharek.pl/product.php?pid=67 “Art of Atari” book by Tim Lapetino - http://amzn.to/2hrX54h “Atari Playground” by Fred D'Ignazio - http://www.amazon.com/dp/0810457709/?tag=ataripodcast-20 “Atari DOS 2.5 - 1050 Disk Drive Owner’s Manual” - http://www.atarimania.com/documents/Atari%20DO

Steve Gerber, VP of International New Product Development Steve Gerber was head of the Atari Software Acquisition Program. In October 1981, Atari opened its first Regional Software Acquisition Center, managed by Steve, in a 4,000 square-foot location that also housed the Atari Program Exchange (APX). Later Steve was Atari's VP of International New Product Development, in charge of software development for non-US markets.  This interview took place on January 17, 2017. Teaser quote: "I had these guys that were in a barn that was built in 1100-something that had set it up to be their "office" somewhere in northern England, in the middle of nowhere. They had come up with a  ... baseball cap that you'd put on and you could move the cursor with your eyes."

Mark Pelczarski, Penguin Software Mark Pelczarski was the founder of Penguin Software — later renamed to Polarware. Penguin published many graphics programs and games for Apple II, Atari 8-bit, and other platforms. The company's programs included Magic Paintbrush, Graphics Magician, Pie Man, Spy's Demise, The Spy Strikes Back, and Transylvania. Mark was editor of Softside Magazine for a time, and an editor of the book The Creative Apple, published by Creative Computing.  This interview took place on January 10, 2017. Teaser quote: "It was not a competitive industry, really ... There wasn't too much as far as trade secrets. It was like, 'Hey, I figured out how to do this.' There was a lot of exchange of ideas and collaboration between the companies." The Digital Antiquarian on Penguin Software: http://www.filfre.net/2012/09/the-magnificent-penguin/ Wikipedia on Penguin Software: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penguin_Software Mark's web site: http://graphicsmagician.com/polarware/ Graphics Magician at AtariMa

Sheldon Leemon: Instedit, Circuit Lab, Mapping the Commodore 64 Sheldon Leemon was the creator of Instedit, a character set editor; and Circuit Lab, an electronics learning program that he co-created with with Mark Davids. Both programs were published by Atari Program Exchange. He wrote for several computer magazines, including Softside — where he wrote many reviews, and a game called Outer Space Attack; Compute!, and Creative Computing. He also wrote several computer books, including Mapping the Commodore 64, Compute's AmigaDOS Reference Guide, and Inside Amiga Graphics. This interview took place on January 9, 2017. In it, we discuss Arlan Levitan, Jerry White, and several other people that I've previously interviewed. There are links to those interviews, and Sheldon's programs and articles, in the show notes at AtariPodcast.com. Teaser quotes: "They're having so much fun that they don't want to take time to stop. Having a meal? It could take half an hour or an hour! You could be doing really cool stuff with

Ronald Borta, Roklan Software Ronald Borta was co-founder of JACC, which made educational software under contract for Atari, where he programmed Atari States and Capitals and Atlas of Canada, and other software for the the Atari 400 and 800 computers. He moved to Roklan Software, the company that programmed hundreds of titles for the Atari computers and many other platforms of the time.  Roklan published a number of cartridges for the Atari computers, including Deluxe Invaders and Gorf. The company also produced Pac Man (published by Atari), Gyruss (published by Parker Brothers), Wizard of Wor (published by CBS), Mickey in the Great Outdoors (published by Disney), and myriad other game and educational titles. The company also created software for the Atari 2600 and 5200, Apple //, Commodore 64 and VIC-20, Texas Instruments 99/4A, ColecoVision, Intellivision, and other platforms. He is known as the first person to have patented software. This interview took place on December 9, 2016. Teaser quotes: "$25,000 th

Paul Cubbage, Atari Program Exchange Paul Cubbage was Director of Atari Program Exchange. There, he was head of reviewing software submissions and publishing the APX catalog. He worked at Atari from April 1981 through January 1984. This interview took place on October 3, 2016. Teaser quotes: "First catalog, we went around and found every last utility or piece of software that we could put out there, unashamedly." "People used to complain about our royalty and I'd say 'Go to a flea market and sell [your software] off the back of your station wagon. The royalty is the royalty. I know it's not much." Fred Thorlin interview: https://archive.org/details/FredThorlinInterview John Palevich interview Art Prag interview Gray Chang interview: https://archive.org/details/Atari_Gray_Chang_Interview