Antic The Atari 8-bit Podcast

Richard Lindgren, APX financial software Richard Lindgren published two programs in Atari Program Exchange. Real Estate Cash Flow Analysis first appeared in the winter 1983 APX catalog, where it won first prize in the business and professional applications category. Strategic Financial Ratio Analysis was first available in the summer 1983 catalog, where it took second prize in the home management category. Richard also wrote the program Banjo Picker, "Program your Atari to make sounds like an automated five-string banjo," which appeared in the October 1985 issue of Antic magazine, and which provides intro tune for this episode. This interview took place on February 8, 2016. Teaser quote: "You know, the APX experience was an intersting experience ... I think it was a really interesting precursor of the models that we're seeing today." Richard's software at AtariMania Real Estate Cash Flow Analysis entry in APX catalog Strategic Financial Ratio Analysis entry in APX catalog Banjo Picker: http://www.atarimaga

Marcin Sochacki, SIO2BT Marcin Sochacki, also known as Montezuma on AtariAge, is originally from Poland and currently lives in Germany.   In recent years he developed theSIO2BT, or SIO to Bluetooth for the Atari computer line.  This hardware allows you to connect your Atari to your modern computer,tablet, or smartphone to share files.  Mar-TEEN also developed the NVC (Next Valid Character) software, a tool for organizing files on SD cards for SIO2SD.  And, if that weren’t enough, he also developed the Megacart Studio PC software, a tool for the 512k and 4MB Flash MegaCart Module.  The Megacart Studio generates a ROM and bootable ATR files that are used to flash the MegaCart modules. This interview was conducted onNovember 22, 2015. Links 1) "SIO2BT" project (1st place in the ABBUC Hardware Contest 2014) Google Play Google Drive Ordering Thread on AtariAge This project is still being developed (and got recently new TCP/IP networking functionality). 2) "NVC" PC software (in Java)for effectively working with S

Al Casper: Counter, My Spelling Easel, Equestrian Al Casper published three programs with Atari Program Exchange. His first, Counter, was first available in the fall 1982 APX catalog. It won first prize in the learning category in that catalog. Counter was also released in a French language version by Atari France. Next was My Spelling Easel, which was first available in the spring 1983 catalog, and won second prize in the learning category. His third program was Equestrian, which appeared in the winter 1983-1984 APX catalog (the very last APX catalog) and was the "APX Olympic contest winner." Al also wrote an article called Purge, a quicker and simpler method of housecleaning diskettes, for Compute! magazine, which was re-published in Compute!'s Third Book of Atari. This interview took place on February 7, 2016 Teaser quote: "I remember, we got a quarterly... royalty check. It seems to me the first one I got... several hundred dollars, I think. One of the next ones, it was like $10,000. ... I couldn't believ

Michael Crick, Frogmaster Michael Crick created the game Frogmaster, which was published for the Atari computers by Atari Program Exchange. It first appeared in the summer 1982 APX catalog, where it won first prize in the entertainment category. Michael later made a version of Frogmaster for the Commodore 64. He created two other C64 games: Break Street (a break dancing game), and Go For the Gold (an Olympics style game) as well as TERSE, a programming language for the C64. Frogmaster cost $22.95 and was APX catalog number 20131. A Spanish version of Frogmaster was also released by APX, Amansarranas - APX catalog number 20252. This interview took place on February 3, 2016. Teaser quote: "The truth was, it wasn't really a very fun game. I mean, it was an interesting scientific exercise." Michael's web site: http://crick.com/gamemaster.html

On this episode of Antic the Atari 8-bit podcast, we venture out into the big scary world — both Randy and I went to VCF SouthEast, and Kevin went to the museum. The winners of the 2016 10-line BASIC programming contest are announced, and Bill Kendrick drops knowledge about the demo scene. 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 What we’ve been up to Hacking Jumpman: Finished GP III video Kevin’s a winner! Game Masters special exhibit at OMSI - https://www.omsi.edu/gamemasters SpartaDOS X Super Cart Edladdin Controllers - http://edladdin.com/ Podcaster’s Roundtable at VCFSE Steve DeFrisco - Antic Interview 123 Steve DeFrisco Wing War breakout PCB - https://www.bitsofthepast.com/?p=833 Interview Discussion Bruce Poehlman game “The Last Starfighter”, orginally “Orbiter” The Last Starfighter cabinet Transcription o

Yakov Epelboim: Pushky and Devilator Yakov Epelboim is a Russian immigrant who published two programs for the Atari 8-bit computers. Pushky (which I learned is the Russian word for "cannons") was published by Atari Program Exchange, and first appeared in the Winter 1982-1983 APX catalog for $22.95. He also wrote Devilator, which he self-published as Zebra Company. Both programs were written in machine language, and both are unusual games, a little off the beaten track from other games of the era. The APX catalog said: "Pushky is in a class by itself in terms of game format. At least, we have nothing else like it at APX." Yakov is joined in this interview by his wife Olga, who added color commentary and translation help.  This interview took place February 5, 2016. Teaser quote: "Then I did couple more programs, games, and send them to Atari. And they wrote me, 'Everything fine. We will take them, but you should change this and this, add music.' I did everything, send them, but in this time they were bankrupt.

John Palevich: Dandy and Deep Blue C Compiler John Palevich wrote several programs which were published by Atari Program Exchange: the Chameleon CRT Terminal Emulator; Mantis Boot Tape Development System; Deep Blue C Compiler and its source code on a product called Deep Blue Secrets; and Dandy, a graphical dungeon crawl game that is famously the inspiration for the arcade classic, Gauntlet. He later worked in the advanced projects division at Atari, working on Atari's unfinished Eva computer project, as well as the unfinished AMY music chip and RAINBOW graphics chip. In this interview we discuss Joel Gluck, whose interview is forthcoming. This interview took place on November 20, 2015. "It was a situation where whether you made a good business decision or a bad business decision, more money came in the next quarter." "Any time a dignitary, any time a rock star came by to tour Atari, they would come and try out the AMY chip." AtariMania's list of John's software

Ron Luks, Founder and manager of the Atari Forums on CompuServe Welcome to this interview-only episode of Antic, The Atari 8-bit computer podcast.  My name is Randy Kindig.  In this show, I’ll be talking with Mr. Ron Luks, a name that you’re probably familiar with if you used your Atari to access the Compuserve Information Service.   Ron was founder and manager of the Atari Forums on CompuServe (SIG*Atari, 8-bit Forum, 16-bit Forum (ST), Atari Developers, Atari Vendors, and others.)  He also wrote articles for some of the Atari magazines (like ANTIC).  I hope you enjoy this interesting glimpse into the online world of Atari back in the 80’s. I also want to mention that Ron was kind enough to donate an Atari 130XE and a set of cartridges to the show. This interview was conducted November 18, 2015 Teaser Quotes: “And the owner of the store steered me over to the Atari 800 and it was running Star Raiders, ok, and that was all it took” “So that’s when I decided I’m going to give Compuserve a try and see what it’

John Powers, Atari Director of Software Development John Powers was co-founder of The Authorship Resource, the company that created all of the software for the CyberVision 2000 computer. From 1980 to 1982 he worked at Atari as Director of Software Development for personal computers. While he was there, he wrote three pieces of software for Atari Program Exchange: Newspaper Route Management Program, Computerized Card File, and Cosmatic Atari Development Package. He was later VP of Research and Development at educational software publisher The Learning Company. This interview took place on February 2, 2016. Teaser quotes: "Because of the Warner connection, coming from the movie business, I think they were under the impression that with a lot of money, we just hire a lot pf people, we can make this work. And it never quite happened." "My son had a newspaper route. So I said 'You know, there's a lot better way we can do this. I think we can use the Atari 800 to simplify some of this.'"

Edward Lehmann, Recipe Search 'N Save Edward Lehmann published one Atari program through Atari Program Exchange: Recipe Search 'N Save, which first appeared in the summer 1982 APX catalog. It won third prize in the Personal Finance & Record Keeping category in that catalog.  It was APX catalog number 20114, available on diskette, required 32K, and cot $22.95 This interview took place on February 2, 2016. Teaser quote: "The thing is, it didn't work all the time, that's what bugged me. I was selling a defective product."

Chuck Mullally, Mastermatch Chuck Mullally published one game through Atari Program Exchange: Mastermatch, game similar to the Mastermind board game. Mastermatch was one of the last APX programs to be released: it was first available in the Winter 1983-1984 APX catalog — the final APX catalog. Chuck told me that the game won a $1000 prize from APX, but the catalog — a sparse 8 pages and much smaller than the previous APX catalogs — doesn’t even mention that. This interview took place on January 31, 2016. LINKS Chuck’s old web page about Mastermatch Mastermatch in the Winter 1983-1984 APX catalog: https://archive.org/details/APXCatalogWinter1983 Download Mastermatch from AtariArchives.org: http://www.atariarchives.org/APX/showinfo.php?cat=20259

Bryon Wilcox, Wilcox Company On December 12, 2015, I bought an unusual Atari computer on ebay: it appeared to be a typical 800XL, but where the Atari name would have been, there was a sticker that said "GRAPHICS 1 - The Wilcox Company." Another sticker on the bottom of the computer indicated that the company was based in Washougal, Washington. When I received the computer, I found that it included a hand-made cartridge that contains a message display program. You can enter a few lines of text, plus the time and date, which are then displayed in large letters on the screen.  I wanted to know more about this computer and the company that created it, so I hunted down Bryon Wilcox. This interview took place on January 27, 2016. Pictures of the computer and binary dump of the cart: http://atariage.com/forums/topic/248826-dump-of-wilcox-message-display-cart/

John Crane, RPN Calculator Simulator John Crane published one Atari program, through Atari Program Exchange: RPN Calculator Simulator. The program first appeared in the Spring 1982 APX catalog, where it was awarded second prize in the business and professional applications category.  John was also one of the founders of the Bay Area Atari Users Group, and did some software evaluation for Atari Program Exchange. This interview took place on January 31, 2016. Teaser quote: "He [Steve Wozniak] introduced all of us to his demonstration about his Apple -- what would become the Apple I. I saw his demonstration and I go, 'Oh, that is very cool.'" "I had what I used to call the bash and bang test. I'd load up the program on an Atari 800 or 1200 or whatever I happend to have at the time, and as the program was running I would just start pounding on the keys at random, just taking my fists and just banging on the keyboard."

Alan Newman: Domination, Tutti Frutti, Hotel Alien Alan Newman published several programs for the Atari 8-bit computers: Domination, a Hamurabi-style management game, was published by Atari Program Exchange. It first appeared in the Fall 1981 catalog, where it won first prize in the entertainment category. Next he created Tutti Frutti, an arcade-style game that was published by Adventure International. And Hotel Alien, a graphical adventure game published by Artworx. He also wrote Spy Vs. Spy — not the Mad Magazine game published by First Star Software; a word game that was to be published by PDI but didn't get wide release. Alan has sent me that program to archive, so it's now available online for the first time. This interview took place on February 2, 2016. Teaser quote: "I wanted to move to California. I wanted to do this full time. But when I realized how much copying was out there, it became a bad idea." Spy vs. Spy scans and downloads: https://archive.org/details/SpyVsSpyWordGameAtari AtariMania's list

Darren Schebek, Envision character set editor Darren Schebek wrote Envision, a character set editor for the Atari 8-bit computers. It was published in Antic magazine’s software catalog in 1986. Envision cost $19.95: “Create giant, multi-screen, 8-way scrolling pictures. Build effortless animations (up to 128 frames at 10 speeds). ENVISION has over 50 commands giving you total control over the Atari’s 6 incredible text modes. On the 130XE, Envision supports 16 simultaneous fonts.” After we conducted this interview, Darren sent me the Envision source code, which is now available at the Internet Archive. Darren later wrote two more games for the Atari: Death By Solitaire and Yahtzee. He worked for Canadian software publisher Distinctive Software, where he wrote the Commodore 64 port of Road Raider (porting it from the Atari ST version), and later worked at Mindspan Technologies where he created the Commodore 64 version of Mondu's Fight Palace. This interview took place on January 30, 2016.  Teaser quote: “My dad

Jerome Domurat, artist and interface designer Jerome Domurat worked at Atari from November 1981 through July 1986 as an artist and interface designer. He started creating art for the home game systems, including E.T., Krull, and Raiders of the Lost Ark for the Atari 2600; and Jungle Hunt, Pengo, and Baseball for the 5200. He made the transition when Jack Tramiel bought the company: he worked on user interface design for the Atari ST. He also helped design the NEOchrome paint program, and adapted the graphics and animation for the ST version of Star Raiders. Picture of Jerome with Jim Eisenstein and Dave Staugas, March 1985 - http://i.imgur.com/hBIja3X.jpg This interview took place on February 1, 2016. Teaser quote: "User testing with people — like I would just get random people to sit down and go through the system and have them think aloud. I would ask them what they thought this symbol meant or that symbol meant. I mean, you show people a trash can [icon] now and they immediately know that that's 'delete'.

Alan Henricks, Controller Alan Henricks was Controller at Atari during the Warner Communications era. He was there from 1978 through 1983. This interview took place on November 17, 2015. Teaser quotes: "Had the next generation of technology - the personal computer - succeeded, Atari would be where Apple is today." "The first thing he said to me, looking me in the eyes ... he said, 'I speak to you on fear of my life.' My response was, 'I so don't want to be here.'"

On this episode of ANTIC the atari 8-bit podcast: we find a lot of new hardware gadgets for our Atari 8-bit machines, and learn all about Atari-branded printers. 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 What we’ve been up to Cauzin Softstrip - https://archive.org/details/CauzinSoftstrip TRS-80 Trash Talk - http://www.trs80trashtalk.com MULTI-DASH - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJ1qPURr6hU More network games - http://a8.fandal.cz/search.php?search=multilink&butt_details_x=x GameLink II and MultiLink interfaces - http://www.mathyvannisselroy.nl/special%20stuff.htm#multi Tricky Tutorial #5: Player Missile Graphics - http://www.atarimania.com/game-atari-400-800-xl-xe-tricky-tutorial-no--5-player-missile-graphics_28270.html Steve DeFrisco - Antic Interview 123 - http://ataripodcast.libsyn.com/antic-interview-12

Richard Leinecker, Your Atari Comes Alive Richard Leinecker is author of the book Your Atari Comes Alive, which was published by Alpha Systems. The book provides instructions for building hardware projects that work with the Atari 8-bit computers, such as event detectors, motion sensors, a light pen, Christmas lights, and networking computers together. The book has been scanned as is available at the Internet Archive. He wrote a followup book called Your Atari ST Comes Alive. He also wrote for Compute!, A.N.A.L.O.G. Computing and ST-Log magazines. This interview took place November 8, 2015. Teaser Quotes "That was my first attempt at any writing of any kind. I didn't necessarily really know a whole lot. ... It was a lot of stumbling around trying to figure out what to do." Links Rick's web site - http://www.rickleinecker.com Your Atari Comes Alive - https://archive.org/details/Your_Atari_Comes_Alive Your Atari 8-Bit Comes Alive - https://archive.org/details/Your_Atari_8_Bit_Comes_Alive Richard's articles in C

Art Prag: Mapware, Starware, and Astrology   Art Prag, along with Harry Koons, published three programs with Atari Program Exchange: Mapware, Starware, and Astrology. Harry Koons died in 2005.   Mapware first appeared in the fall 1981 APX catalog, where it won second place in the personal interest and development category. “With the MAPWARE programs you can create a wide variety of high-resolution world maps. MAPWARE already contains 9,000 pairs of geographic coordinates for locating main land masses and islands on Earth. These maps are useful for such applications as games and simulations, tracking satellites, pointing amateur radio antennas, and teaching geography and cartography.” The program came on two disks and cost $20.95.   Starware first appeared in the spring 1982 APX catalog, on disk for $17.95. “With STARWARE you can explore the heavens by way of your Atari home computer. STARWARE displays the stars on your TV screen ... Its 900 star coordinates accurately locate all the constellations in both hem