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 XL, BASIC XE, Action!, and MAC/65. Original cartridges for each of these are relatively hard to come by and can be quite expensive with sales on eBay routinely exceeding $100. Although I have original copies of each, I was very happy to see that Bill Stuebe (aka videofx on AtariAge) made a 4-in-1 board with all four languages. This was combined with a nice cartridge shell from Steve Boswell and offered for sale for $60. I was fortunate to be able to purchase one and it works great! The shell and label look awesome as well. I am not sure he has any left or whether he plans to continue to make and sell these. However, well worth the $60 if they are available.
Instructions
Contact Mr. Bill Stuebe to see if he is still offering these for sale. He was asking $60 for each when I got mine.
The cartridge comes with two jumpers on the back that allow you to indicate which ROM image you want to boot: no jumpers = BASIC XE, top jumper = Action!, bottom jumper = BASIC XL, and both = MAC/65.
Comments
Thank you Bill Stuebe and Steve Boswell for this very nice cartridge!