Task: Explore FlashJazzCat’s YouTube Channel for Videos about Atari 8-Bit Computer Hardware and Modifications Needed: Web Browser Time: 1-2 hours (or more!) Introduction One of the most prolific Atari 8-bit computer YouTubers is Jonathan Halliday (aka FlashJazzCat or FJC) who has produced dozens of videos
Read moreLearn to Pass Parameters to Procedures in FastBasic (15-30 mins)
Task: Learn to Pass Parameters to Procedures in FastBasic Needed: Web Browser, Altirra Emulator Time: 15-30 mins Introduction I have previously posted and introduction to a modern BASIC for Atari 8-bit computers called FastBasic. One of the nice features of FastBasic is the ability to
Read morePlay MP3 and WAV Files on Your Atari 8-Bit Computer Using FujiConvert (10-15 mins)
Task: Play MP3 and WAV Files on Your Atari 8-Bit Computer Using FujiConvert Needed: Web Browser Time: 10-15 mins Introduction I recently ran across the FujiConvert web tool that converts modern sound files (e.g. MP3 and WAV) to executables which can be booted on an
Read moreFlash the Firmware of Your RetroTINK (10-15 mins)
Task: Flash the Firmware of Your RetroTINK Needed: Web Browser, RetroTINK Time: 10-15 mins Introduction I am a big fan of the RetroTINK device for converting composite or S-Video from your Atari 8-bit computer to HDMI for display on an LED monitor or TV. This
Read moreExplore the Atari 400/800 Home Computer System Technical Reference Notes (1-2 hours)
Task: Explore the Atari 8-Bit Home Computer System Technical Reference Notes Needed: Web Browser Time: 1-2 hours Introduction When the Atari 400 and 800 home computers were released in 1979 they were a closed system. Atari imagined a monopoly on games and software for the
Read moreExplore Atari 8-Bit ATR Disk Images Using a Web Browser (10-15 mins)
Task: Explore Atari 8-Bit ATR Disk Images Using a Web Browser Needed: Web Browser Time: 10-15 minutes Introduction Original Atari 8-bit computer floppy disks can be imaged and saved to a modern PC for archiving, editing, running on an emulator, or used to write new
Read morePurchase a New SIO Cable for Your Atari 8-Bit Computer (5-10 mins)
Task: Purchase a New SIO Cable for Your Atari 8-Bit Computer Needed: Web Browser Time: 5-10 mins Introduction The Atari Serial Input/Output (SIO) technology was used to connect peripherals such as floppy drives and printers. This was quite different than the Apple II which required
Read morePurchase an Atari 65XE or 130XE 8-Bit Computer (15-30 mins)
Task: Purchase an Atari 65XE or 130XE 8-Bit Computer Needed: Web Browser Time: 15-30 Introduction The Atari XE line of 8-bit computers was released in 1985 and coincided with the release of the Atari ST line of 16-bit computers with similar look. By 1986 and
Read morePlay Pitfall! on an Atari 8-Bit Computer or Video Game Console (30-60 mins)
Task: Play Pitfall! on an Atari 8-Bit Computer or Video Game Console Needed: Emulator, SD Card Device, or Cartridges and Original Hardware Time: 30-60 mins for watching several videos Introduction I first played Pitfall! when it came out in 1982 at a friend’s house on
Read moreExplore the The Modern Atari 8-Bit Computer YouTube Channel (30-60 mins)
Task: Explore the The Modern Atari 8-Bit Computer YouTube Channel Needed: Web Browser Time: 30-60 mins for watching several videos Introduction I have learned a lot about Atari 8-bit computers and video game consoles by watching YouTube videos. One of my favorite channels is the
Read morePurchase and Play the New Circus Convoy Game for the Atari 2600 (30-60 mins)
Task: Purchase and Play the New Circus Convoy Game for the Atari 2600 Needed: Web Browser, Atari 2600 Console or Emulator Time: 30-60 mins Introduction The homebrew scene has been active for years developing new games for the Atari 2600. Many of these are really
Read morePurchase an Atari 2600 VCS Game Console (15-30 mins)
Task: Purchase an Atari 2600 VCS Game Console Needed: Web Browser Time: 15-30 mins Introduction The Atari 2600 Video Computer System (VCS) was my first gaming console. We purchased our 2600 in 1980 or 1981 and then upgraded to an Atari 400 computer a year
Read morePlay the Temple of Apshai Games on an Atari 8-Bit Computer (1-2 hours)
Task: Play the Temple of Apshai Games on an Atari 8-Bit Computer Needed: Emulator or Floppy Disks Time: 1-2 hours Introduction I played Dungeons and Dragons as a kid and was thrilled to discover roguelike and roguelike-inspired games on the Atari. The first one I
Read moreWatch Peter Dell’s Programming the Atari XL/XE YouTube Videos (2-3 hours)
Task: Watch Peter Dell’s Programming the Atari XL/XE YouTube Videos Needed: Web Browser Time: 2-3 hours Introduction Programming is one of my favorite things to do with an Atari 8-bit computer. I have previously posted some of my own tutorials and some resources for learning
Read morePurchase a Trak-Ball Controller for your Atari 8-Bit Computers and the 2600 Video Game Console (10-15 mins)
Task: Purchase a Trak-Ball Controller for your Atari 8-Bit Computers and the 2600 Video Game Console Needed: Web Browser Time: 10-15 mins Introduction One of my favorite games for the 2600 and the 800 was Missile Command. In fact, this was one of the first
Read moreRun the CP/M Operating System on Your Atari 8-Bit Computer using an Upgraded Indus GT Floppy Drive (30-60 mins)
Task: Run the CP/M Operating System on Your Atari 8-Bit Computer using an Upgraded Indus GT Floppy Drive Needed: Web Browser, Floppy Disks, ProSystem Software or Similar, DT-80 Cartridge or Similar Time: 30-60 mins Introduction I have a fascination with the CP/M operating system because
Read morePurchase and Install a 64K RAM Upgrade for an Indus GT Floppy Drive (30-60 mins)
Task: Purchase and Install a 64K RAM Upgrade for an Indus GT Floppy Drive Needed: Web Browser, Screwdriver Time: 30-60 mins Introduction The Indus GT is the Cadillac of Atari 8-bit computer floppy drives. I have previously posted about some of its features and some
Read morePurchase the Book “Art of Atari” (5-10 mins)
Task: Purchase the Book “Art of Atari” Needed: Web Browser Time: 5-10 mins Introduction I loved looking at the box art of Atari 2600 games and imagining playing them. Atari did an amazing job with the artwork. As such, I was very excited when the
Read morePurchase or Download the Atari 8-Bit Programming Reference Book “Mapping the Atari” (5-10 mins)
Task: Purchase or Download the Atari 8-Bit Programming Reference Book “Mapping the Atari” Needed: Web Browser Time: 5-10 mins Introduction Any serious programming on the Atari 8-bit computers requires interacting with various memory locations on the Atari. Some of these memory locations are free for
Read moreUpdate the Firmware of Your Ultimate 1MB Upgrade for Atari 8-Bit Computers (5-10 mins)
Task: Update the Firmware of Your Ultimate 1MB Upgrade for Atari 8-Bit Computers Needed: Ultimate 1MB, Web Browser, SIO2PC or SIDE Cartridge Time: 5-10 mins Introduction The Ultimate 1MB upgrade for Atari 8-bit computers is one of the most useful modern mods you can do.
Read moreUpgrade an Atari 400 to 48K of RAM (1-2 hours)
Task: Upgrade an Atari 400 to 48K of RAM Needed: 48K/52K RAM Card for Atari 400, soldering iron Time: 1-2 hours Introduction As I have previously posted, the Atari 400 is a stylish computer but limited by RF video, a membrane keyboard, and only 16K
Read moreRead the Book “The Creative Atari” (30-60 mins)
Task: Read the Book “The Creative Atari” Needed: Web browser Time: 30-60 mins Introduction As I have previously posted, Creative Computing magazine was published from 1974 until 1985 and covered all of the major computing platforms including Atari. They had a number of great articles
Read moreRead Creative Computing Magazine (30-60 mins)
Task: Read Creative Computing Magazine Needed: Web browser Time: 30-60 mins Introduction Creative Computing magazine was published from 1974 until 1985 and covered all of the major computing platforms including Atari. We didn’t subscribe to this one, but I do recall reading several issues we
Read moreUpgrade an Atari 400 to Composite Video with the Super Color CPU Card (1-2 hours)
Task: Upgrade an Atari 400 to Composite Video with the Super Color CPU Card Needed: Super Color CPU Card and cables, soldering iron, Dremel or drill Time: 1-2 hours Introduction The Atari 400 was my first computer. It is an aesthetically pleasing computer but limited
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