Task: Try Programming in FastBasic on an Atari 8-Bit Computer Needed: Altirra emulator Time: 15-30 mins Introduction I have previously posted about the diversity of different BASIC programming languages for the Atari 8-bit computers. Among these is FastBasic which is a modern BASIC for the
Read moreProgram in 80 Columns of Text on Your Atari 8-Bit Computer with the ACE-80 Cartridge (5-10 mins)
Task: Program in 80 Columns of Text on Your Atari 8-Bit Computer with the ACE-80 Cartridge Needed: ACE-80 or ACE-80XL cartridge Time: 5-10 mins Introduction The Atari 8-bit computers all display a maximum of 40 columns of text which can be limiting for some applications
Read moreRun the CP/M Operating System on Your Atari 8-Bit Computer using FujiNet and RunCPM (15-30 minutes)
Task: Run the CP/M Operating System on Your Atari 8-Bit Computer using FujiNet and RunCPM Needed: Web browser, FujiNet, DT-80 cartridge Time: 15-30 mins Introduction CP/M was one of the early operating systems available for computers with 8080 and Z-80 processors. It was developed by
Read moreFlash the Firmware of a FujiNet for the Atari 8-Bit Computers (5-10 mins)
Task: Flash the Firmware of a FujiNet for the Atari 8-Bit Computers Needed: Web browser, FujiNet, microUSB cable Time: 5-10 mins Introduction I have previously posted about the revolutionary FujiNet SIO peripheral emulator and network device for Atari 8-bit computers. This is still a work
Read moreUpgrade an Atari 600XL to 64K of RAM (1-2 hours)
Task: Upgrade an Atari 600XL to 64K of RAM Needed: 64K RAM board from Lotharek, soldering iron, wire Time: 1-2 hours Introduction Many Atari 8-bit computer fans love the 600XL given its small footprint. It is perfect if you don’t have a lot of desk
Read moreDownload the Atari 8-Bit ROM Collection by Ghostware (5-10 mins)
Task: Download the Atari 8-Bit ROM Collection by Ghostware Needed: Web browser Time: 5-10 mins Introduction There are tons of game and utility ROMs available online for download. We have previously posted about the Atarimania resource, for example. Downloading multiple ROMs can be tedious. Fortunately,
Read moreExplore the Atari History Timeline (10-15 mins)
Task: Explore the Atari History Timeline Needed: Web browser Time: 10-15 mins Introduction The history of Atari is fascinating. I always learn something new and important every time I dig into it. Michael Current maintains a web page with a timeline of events in the
Read moreExplore Error Codes for Atari 8-Bit Computers (10-15 mins)
Task: Explore Atari Error Codes Needed: Web browser Time: 10-15 mins Introduction If you have spent any time programming for the Atari 8-bit computers then you have experienced error codes generated from typos or bad code. There is a nice page on the Atari Wiki
Read moreExplore SpartaDOS X on an Atari 8-bit Computer (15-30 mins)
Task: Explore SpartaDOS X on an Atari 8-bit Computer Needed: Altirra or Atari 8-bit computer with 64k of memory Time: 15-30 mins Introduction I have previously posted about the different Disk Operating Systems (DOS) which were available back in the 1980. These are fun to
Read morePurchase and Install an Ultimate Atari Video (UAV) Board for Better Composite Video from an 800XL (1-3 hours)
Task: Purchase and Install an Ultimate Atari Video (UAV) Board for Better Composite Video from Your 800XL Needed: Web browser, soldering iron, UAV board Time: 1-3 hours Introduction As I have previously reviewed, all of the Atari 8-bit computers have a monitor port that outputs
Read morePurchase and Install an Ultimate 1MB Board for Your Atari 800XL (1-3 hours)
Task: Purchase and Install an Ultimate 1MB Board for Your Atari 800XL Needed: Web browser, soldering iron, drill, U1MB board Time: 1-3 hours Introduction Modifications or mods are a great way to expand what your Atari 8-bit computer can do. The Ultimate 1MB (U1MB) mod
Read morePurchase a Hyperkin Ranger Gamepad for your Atari 8-Bit Computer or Console (10-15 mins)
Task: Purchase a Hyperkin Ranger Gamepad for your Atari 8-Bit Computer or Console Needed: Web browser Time: 10-15 mins Introduction Finding a solid controller for your 8-bit computers and consoles can be a problem. This is especially true since the original controllers can break or
Read morePlay Joust on an Atari 8-bit Computer (10-15 mins)
Task: Play Joust on an Atari 8-bit Computer Needed: Joust ROM and emulator or cartridge and computer Time: 10-15 mins Dedication: My good friend Steve Nash (RIP) Introduction I turned 16 in 1984 and was fortunate enough to be able to drive a 1980 Formula
Read moreExplore Bugs in Atari BASIC (15-30 mins)
Task: Explore Bugs in Atari BASIC Needed: Revision A of Atari BASIC Time: 15-30 mins Introduction The first version of Atari BASIC (revision A) for the Atari 400 and 800 computers had a number of bugs which could be quite annoying for serious programmers. I
Read moreConnect an Atari 2600 to a TV via an RF to Coaxial Cable Adaptor (10-15 mins)
Task: Connect an Atari 2600 to an TV via an RF to Coaxial Cable Adaptor Needed: Web browser, RF to Coaxial Cable Adaptor Time: 10-15 mins Introduction The Atari 2600 outputs a Radio Frequency (RF) modulated TV signal which can be quite difficult to convert
Read moreDisplay a Digital Photo on an Atari 2600 (10-15 mins)
Task: Display a Digital Photo on an Atari 2600 Needed: Web browser Time: 10-15 mins Introduction I am always amazed at the modern software tools people have created to expand the capabilities of the Atari 8-bit computers and consoles. I recently posted about the coding
Read moreExplore the 8-Bit Workshop Web Page (10-15 mins)
Task: Explore the 8-Bit Workshop Web Page Needed: Web browser Time: 10-15 mins Introduction This is a must browse web page with some amazing resources for those interested in programming and game development for the Atari 8-bit consoles including the 2600, 5200, and 7800. Other
Read moreRead Assembly Language from Floppy Disk for Execution in BASIC (15-30 mins)
Task: Read Assembly Language from Floppy Disk for Execution in BASIC Needed: Altirra emulator or Atari 8-bit computer, BASIC Time: 15-30 mins Introduction I have previously written posts about calling assembly language commands from BASIC. The general idea is to convert assembly language mnemonics (e.g.
Read morePurchase a SIDE3 Cartridge for Atari 8-Bit Computers (10-15 mins)
Task: Purchase a SIDE3 Cartridge for Atari 8-Bit Computers Needed: Web browser, Atari 8-bit computer Time: 10-15 mins Introduction The ability to load files on an SD card and boot them on original Atari 8-bit computer hardware is very desirable and I have covered several
Read morePlay Frogger on the Atari 8-Bit Computers and Consoles (10-15 mins)
Task: Play Frogger on the Atari 8-Bit Computers and Consoles Needed: Web browser, Emulator Time: 10-15 mins Introduction I have about a dozen Atari games I love to play over and over again for decades and decades. Frogger is definitely on that list for both
Read morePlay an Atari Game You Have Never Played Before (10-15 mins)
Task: Play an Atari Game You Have Never Played Before Needed: Web browser, Emulator Time: 10-15 mins Introduction There are hundreds and hundreds of games for the Atari 8-bit computers and video game consoles. One of my favorite things to do is to try new
Read morePurchase a FujiNet (10-15 mins)
Task: Purchase a FujiNet Needed: Web browser Time: 10-15 mins Introduction One of the most exciting aspects of Atari 8-bit computers is the emergence of new devices which expand our fun and simplify our experience. Flash-based cartridges and SIO devices were revolutionary in that way
Read moreExplore Atari Advertisements in Retail Christmas Catalogs (10-15 mins)
Task: Explore Atari Advertisements in Retail Christmas Catalogs Needed: Web browser Time: 10-15 mins Introduction If you grew up in the United State in the early 1980s the Christmas catalogs from Sears, J.C. Penney, and other department stores were the bomb. We all spent days
Read morePurchase a RetroTINK for Conversion to Digital Video (10-15 mins)
Task: Purchase a RetroTINK for Conversion to Digital Video Needed: Web browser, RetroTINK Time: 10-15 mins Introduction I have previously posted about the challenges of converting the composite signal from the Atari 8-bit computers to HDMI for display on an LED monitor or TV. I
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