Task: Play Wordle! Needed: Wordle ATR or BASIC file, Atari 8-bit Computer or Emulator Time: 10-15 minutes Introduction I still play Wordle every day and love the game for a quick distraction. I was pleased to run across the Atari BASIC program for Wordle by
Read moreLearn About Scanlines Using PEEK in Atari BASIC (5-10 mins)
Task: Learn About Scanlines Using PEEK in Atari BASIC Needed: Atari BASIC Time: 5-10 minutes Introduction The Atari 8-bit computers generate the video display one horizontal line at a time, starting at the top of the screen and progressing to the bottom approximately 60 times
Read moreBenchmark Your Atari 8-Bit Computers Using BASIC (15-30 mins)
Task: Benchmark Your Atari 8-Bit Computers Using BASIC Needed: Atari BASIC, the benchmark ATR file, one or more 8-bit computers, SIO2PC or FujiNet Time: 15-30 minutes Introduction During the early 1980s, as home computers exploded on the scene, programmers naturally wanted to know which systems
Read moreGenerate a Random Number Using the RND and PEEK Commands in Atari BASIC (5 mins)
Task: Generate a Random Number Using the RND AND PEEK Commands in Atari BASIC Needed: An Atari 8-Bit Computer or Emulator Running BASIC Time: 5 Minutes or Less Introduction Generating pseudo random numbers on retro computers has always been an interesting topic, especially for machines
Read moreBuild a Retro Atari Stream Deck for Launching Games on Your PC (2-4 hours)
Task: Build a Retro Atari Stream Deck for Launching Games on Your PC Needed: Pro Micro microcontroller with Atmega32U4 chip, wires, Kailh mechanical switches, micro-USB cable, soldering iron and solder, 3D printer and filament for case, Arduino IDE software for programming Time: 2-4 hours Disclosure:
Read morePurchase a Monkey Wrench II Cartridge for BASIC Programming on your Atari 800 Computer (10-15 mins)
Task: Purchase a Monkey Wrench II Cartridge for BASIC Programming on your Atari 800 Computer (10-15 mins) Needed: Web browser, Atari 800, Atari BASIC cartridge Time: 10-15 minutes Introduction I learned to program in BASIC on my Atari 400 and then 800 computers. I started
Read moreLearn to Program Games for the Atari 2600 in 6502 Assembly Language (1-3 months)
Task: Learn to Program Games for the Atari 2600 in 6502 Assembly Language Needed: Web browser, Compiler and Emulator Software Time: 1-3 months Introduction A few years ago, I decided to take the plunge and write a game called Gene Medic for the Atari 2600.
Read moreLearn to Program in 6502 Assembly Language (1-3 months)
Task: Learn to Program in 6502 Assembly Language Needed: Web browser Time: 1-3 months Introduction Many of us grew up programming in BASIC on our Atari 8-bit computers. Assembly language (sometimes called machine language) was a bit more of a mystery for kids and difficult
Read moreRead the Book “6502 Assembly-Language Programming” by Chrisopher Lampton (3-6 hours)
Task: Read the Book “6502 Assembly-Language Programming for Apple Commodore, and Atari Computers” by Chrisopher Lampton Needed: Web browser for purchase Time: 3-6 hours or more Introduction I love programming in assembly language because you are right on the metal telling the computer hardware what
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 (see eBay to purchase one) that made it possible to
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 moreExplore Demoscene Demos (15-30 mins)
Task: Explore Demoscene Demos Needed: Altirra Time: 15-30 mins Introduction The demoscene is notorious for pushing the limits of 8-bit computer hardware. Fortunately, there are a number of demos from this community for the Atari computers. I find these mesmerizing and inspiring. How do they
Read morePurchase and Assemble a SpartaDOS X Cartridge (15-30 mins)
Task: Purchase and Assemble a SpartaDOS X Cartridge Needed: SpartaDOS X cartridge circuit board, battery, and cartridge shell Time: 15-30 mins Introduction I have previously posted about SpartaDOS and its modern successor SpartaDOS X (SDX). This is an incredibly powerful and flexible DOS for interacting
Read moreLearn to Implement Page Flipping in BASIC on Atari 8-Bit Computers (30-60 mins)
Task: Learn to Implement Page Flipping in BASIC on Atari 8-Bit Computers Needed: Altirra emulator Time: 30-60 mins Introduction We previously covered moving data on and off the screen as part of coarse horizontal and vertical scrolling by changing the memory address of the screen
Read moreLearn to Implement Horizontal Scrolling in BASIC on Atari 8-Bit Computers (30-60 mins)
Task: Learn to Implement Horizontal Scrolling in BASIC on Atari 8-Bit Computers Needed: Web browser Time: 30-60 mins Introduction Scrolling games like Defender, Caverns of Mars, and Eastern Front are tons of fun and I always wondered how the cool scrolling effects were programmed. This
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