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 about the Atari 8-bit computers covering a diversity of topics including programming, software, and games. The best of these were compiled into a book called “The Creative Atari” edited by David Small, Sandy Small, and George Blank and published in 1983.
The first 70 pages include some great articles on graphics programming for the Atari with topics such as player-missile graphics and redefined character sets. I really like these pieces and have often found the descriptions to be more informative than some other popular sources. There is also a big section on hardware and software covering hardware such as the Atari 1200 and software such as VisiCalc and Star Raiders. It ends with a few type-in programs.
I have a hard copy of this book and thumb through it often. Worth checking out if you have never read it.
Instructions
Navigate your browser to The Creative Atari on Archive.org.
An online version of the book with hyperlinks can be found at Atariarchives.org. This is probably the easiest way to check it out.
These can be found for sale on eBay from time to time for $15 to $30. Well worth the purchase!
Comments
If you are learning to program for the Atari, I highly recommend this book.
