Now, when working at home I spend most of my time coding and writing on my retro-fitted TRS-80 PC running Ubuntu, but when not there it is either a laptop or smart phone. Mobility is something we take for granted and that freedom to go anywhere with that computing power has changed our lives and […]
Author Archives: Russcky
Pascal – the perfect language for Retro Computing
Begin As a professed software nerd, I really enjoy writing code, whether it is low-level Assembly language for bare hardware access and control, C for high-level coding with great performance, Java for pure business reach or simple Javascript for a better web experience. The different languages all have their advantages and situations where they are best […]
Classic Mac OS key combinations you need to know
One of the most iconic features of the Macintosh when it hit the market set it apart from the leading machines of the day, the fact that it appeared to be so much simpler for everyday users than a command prompt such as with DOS and CP/M machines. Instead of typing commands with a myriad of […]
Gridiron Retro Gaming… Still as fun today?
In this day and age of everything on your smartphone it is a pleasant surprise to relive some of the great tech times of the past on the real thing (or at least a good replica!). From the resurgence of vinyl records and turntables to Nokia re-releasing their classic 3310 phone, people just like a […]
This Retro/Hi-Tech Watch is just plain awesome…
Okay, I have to admit that as a Retro Fanboy, I also have a not-so-secret love of watches, always have. As a kid I loved wearing watches with Mickey Mouse with moving arms, a watch with a train that goes around the face and then in the early 80s I even had the nerdy Casio […]
Oh No! Atari 1040 ST Floppy Drive Issues
As an avid collector of classic retro computers from the 80s and 90s I am on the regular lookout for the common problems that can occur with these computers over time, especially with parts that involve leaking capacitors, batteries or more notoriously, moving parts such as with floppy and hard disk drives. Dorm Room Computing […]
Ready Player One – a Fantastic Storyline for Retro Fans
The 80s are about to be back in style If you haven’t already read the book Ready Player One (or listened to it read on audio book by Wil Wheaton of “Star Trek: The Next Generation”) then I have just the treat for you. This book has it all, great characters, fantastic storyline and so much […]
Flashback to the 80s with Intellivision Flashback!
Ok, this was one of my better decisions in 2016… sometimes seems there were so few good ones… 🙂 The magic of classic video games seems to be in their simplicity and timeless fun for kids of all ages. As I have mentioned in the Colecovision article, I grew up with an Intellivision system […]
Connecting the classic ColecoVision game system a modern HD TV
If you know anything about classic game systems from the 80s you know that the Atari 2600 broke us all out of basic “Pong” and stormed the market creating a vibrant home game market. But, while it wasn’t one of the first, when the ColecoVision hit the market it set the bar with quality of […]
Completing my dream TRS-80 PC
With the core components of my TRS-80 Model 4 PC working and looking good, the next step was to get my case bezel ready to accept the different shaped 12″ LCD display to replace the previous 30 year old 12″ square CRT. First step was to take some measurements using some marked cardboard pieces to […]