Task: Explore ChatGPT for Augmenting Your Atari 8-Bit Computer Hobby Needed: Web browser Time: 15-30 minutes Introduction Chatbots have been around for a long time as early artificial intelligence (AI) researchers and programmers sought to develop apps that could carry out a conversation. I have
Read moreListen to The 8-Bit Files Podcast (1-2 hours)
Task: Listen to The 8-Bit Files Podcast Needed: Web browser or podcast app Time: about an hour per episode Introduction I love listening to retrocomputing podcasts. The good news is that new podcasts are being launched regularly so we never have to go without something
Read moreBuild Your Own AtariLab (1-2 hours)
Task: Build your own AtariLab Needed: Arduino UNO, Arduino IDE software, Jumper wires, Breadboard, Arduino Sensor Kit Time: about 1-2 hours with all components ready Introduction I have previously posted about the wonderful AtariLab kits that made it possible to conduct experiments through light and
Read moreAugment an Atari 8-Bit Computer Program with an LED Array Connected Through the Joystick Port (1-2 hours)
Task: Augment an Atari 8-Bit Computer Program with an LED Array Connected Through the Joystick Port Needed: Arduino UNO, Arduino IDE software, Atari joystick, Jumper wires, Breadboard, Atari XL computer, LED Array Time: about 1-2 hours with all components ready Introduction The goal of this
Read moreExplore the Goto 10 RetroComputing Website (1 hour)
Task: Explore the Goto 10 RetroComputing Website Needed: Web browser Time: One hour or more Introduction I always get excited when there is a new Atari podcast, web page, or resource to explore. I highly recommend take some time to explore and read the Goto
Read moreUse an Arduino to Read Digital Output from an Atari 8-Bit Computer Joystick Port (1-2 hours)
Task: Use an Arduino to Read Digital Output from an Atari 8-Bit Computer Joystick Port Needed: Arduino UNO, Arduino IDE software, Atari joystick, Jumper wires, Breadboard, 10k ohm resistor, Atari XL computer Time: about 1-2 hours with all components ready Introduction In a previous post,
Read moreControl a Servo Motor With a Joystick from Your Atari 8-Bit Computer Using an Arduino Connected to the SIO Port (1-2 hours)
Task: Control a Servo Motor with a Joystick from Your Atari 8-Bit Computer Using an Arduino Connected to the SIO Port Needed: Arduino UNO, Arduino IDE software, SIO cable, Jumper wires, Breadboard, 10k ohm Resistor, Servo Time: about 1-2 hours with all components ready Introduction
Read moreConnect Your Atari 8-Bit Computer to an Arduino Microcontroller (1-2 hours)
Task: Connect Your Atari 8-Bit Computer to an Arduino Microcontroller Needed: Arduino UNO, Arduino IDE software, SIO cable, Jumper wires, Breadboard, 10k ohm Resistor Time: about 1-2 hours with all components ready Introduction I have always been interested in non-standard devices connected to and controlled
Read moreWatch the “Stella at 20” Atari 2600 Retrospective (1-3 hours)
Task: Watch the “Stella at 20” Atari 2600 Retrospective Needed: Web Browser Time: 1-3 hours (or more) Introduction The Atari 2600 was launched in 1977 and enjoyed many years of success. For its 20th anniversary in 1997, a group of former Atari employees got together
Read morePlay a New First Person Shooter on an Atari 8-Bit Computer (10-15 mins)
Task: Play a New First Person Shooter on an Atari 8-Bit Computer Needed: Web Browser, emulator, or real hardware with SD card device Time: 10-15 mins Introduction Castle Wolfenstein (3D) and Doom were my first experiences with first person shooters (FPS). I also loved Rise
Read moreExplore Mandelbrot Set Fractals on an Atari 8-Bit Computer (10-15 mins)
Task: Explore Mandelbrot Set Fractals on an Atari 8-Bit Computer Needed: Web Browser, Emulator Time: 10-15 mins Introduction I have been a fan of fractals since I discovered them in college. I even wrote some software for exploring the fractal features of DNA sequences when
Read morePlay Seven Forgotten Atari 8-Bit Computer Gaming Classics (30-60 mins)
Task: Play Seven Forgotten Atari 8-Bit Computer Gaming Classics Needed: Web Browser, Emulator Time: 30-60 mins Introduction One of my favorite things to do is to play an Atari 8-bit game I have never played before. Benj Edwards reviews seven classics in this PC Magazine
Read moreCelebrate Christmas with the ‘A Very Retro Computer Yule Log with Atari 8-Bits’ Video (8 hours)
Task: Celebrate Christmas with the ‘A Very Retro Computer Yule Log with Atari 8-Bits’ Video Needed: Web Browser Time: 8 hours (or less!) Introduction A modern Christmas internet tradition is to play Yule Log videos on your computer or TV to help set the mood
Read morePrint Atari 8-Bit Computer Text and Graphics to a Modern Printer Using FujiNet (15-30 mins)
Task: Print Atari 8-Bit Computer Text and Graphics to a Modern Printer Using FujiNet Needed: Atari 8-Bit Computer, FujiNet, Web Browser Time: 15-30 mins Introduction Printing text and graphics to an Atari-compatible printer is certainly possible assuming you have a functioning printer with paper and
Read moreListen to Atari 8-Bit Computer Chiptunes (10-15 minutes)
Task: Listen to Atari 8-Bit Computer Chiptunes Needed: Web Browser Time: 10-15 mins Introduction Sound on the Atari 8-bit computers was produced using the Pokey chip which output four channels each with a square waveform. Emulators of the Pokey chip have allowed modern Atari sound
Read moreTry an Atari 815 Disk Drive using the Altirra 8-Bit Emulator (10-15 mins)
Task: Try an Atari 815 Disk Drive using the Altirra 8-Bit Emulator Needed: Altirra Emulator Time: 10-15 mins Introduction The Atari 815 dual disk drive was developed for release in 1980 but never made it to market. The 815 featured two single-sided and double-density drives
Read morePlay Gold Rush! from Compute! Magazine on an Atari 8-Bit Computer (10-15 mins)
Task: Play Gold Rush from Compute! Magazine on an Atari 8-Bit Computer Needed: Web Browser, Emulator, and/or Floppy Disk Time: 10-15 mins Introduction It was common in the early 1980s to get software by typing in program listings from magazines like Antic or Compute!. This
Read moreTry the PILOT Programming Language for the Atari 8-Bit Computers (15-60 mins)
Task: Try the PILOT Programming Language for the Atari 8-Bit Computers Needed: Web Browser, Emulator, and/or PILOT Cartridge Time: 15-60 mins Introduction I received the Atari Programming Inquiry, Learning, or Teaching (PILOT) programming language cartridge for Christmas in 1983 or 1984 and absolutely loved it.
Read morePurchase a New 4-in-1 OSS Programming Language Cartridge for Your Atari 8-Bit Computer (5-10 mins)
Task: Purchase a New 4-in-1 OSS Programming Language Cartridge for Your Atari 8-Bit Computer Needed: Web Browser Time: 5-10 mins Introduction Optimized Systems Software (OSS) made the best programming languages for the Atari 8-bit computers in the early 1980s. Some of their products included BASIC
Read morePlay Prince of Persia on an Atari 8-Bit Computer (30-60 mins)
Task: Play Prince of Persia on an Atari 8-Bit Computer Needed: Altirra emulator or Atari 8-bit computer with 128K of RAM Time: 30-60 mins Introduction Prince of Persia is a platformer game developed and released for the Apple II in 1989. It was soon after
Read moreExplore the 8-Bit and More YouTube Channel (30-60 mins)
Task: Explore the 8-Bit and More YouTube Channel Needed: Web Browser Time: 30-60 mins Introduction I love watching YouTube videos when I am learning a new Atari 8-bit programming trick or hardware mod. There are so many awesome YouTube channels out there for the Atari.
Read moreWatch “The Magic Room” Documentary about the Atari Summer Camp (30-60 mins)
Task: Watch “The Magic Room” Documentary about the Atari Summer Camp Needed: Web browser Time: 30-60 minutes Introduction Atari ran several summer computer camps during the early 1980s and produced a documentary featuring kids at the first one. There are three versions of the film
Read moreDiagnose and Fix an Atari 1050 Disk Drive (30-60 mins)
Task: Diagnose and Fix an Atari 1050 Disk Drive Needed: 1050 Disk Drive Time: 30-60 mins Introduction Everyone hates that dreaded moment when an Atari disk drive won’t boot. Fortunately, there are a number of common issues which are relatively easy to address. I finally
Read morePurchase and Boot an Atari 576NUC+ 8-Bit Computer (15-30 mins)
Task: Purchase and Boot an Atari 576NUC+ 8-Bit Computer Needed: web browser, composite video cable, PS2 keyboard Time: 15-30 minutes Introduction Several industrious folks have been building Atari 8-bit computers in small modern footprints. These feature new circuit boards with original Atari chips. One of
Read more