PCjs Machines

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PCjs is a JavaScript-based project that emulates a variety of vintage computing hardware and software from the 1970s through the 1990s, including original IBM PCs, IBM compatibles, minicomputers, programmable calculators, terminals, and classic arcade games. It allows users to experience these systems and software directly in modern web browsers, featuring a rich library of historical programs, operating systems, utilities, and games such as Microsoft Word 1.15, Lotus 1-2-3, Windows 3.0, and Wolfenstein 3D. The project serves as a digital preservation effort, offering extensive documentation and open-source code for enthusiasts to explore and contribute to retro computing history.

https://www.pcjs.org/

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The Computer That Helped Win World War II

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During World War II, the British developed Colossus, the world’s first large-scale programmable electronic digital computer, to decrypt complex German encrypted communications from the Lorenz cipher machine known as Tunny. Designed by engineer Tommy Flowers, Colossus automated and accelerated cryptanalysis at Bletchley Park, enabling the Allies to intercept critical military intelligence that significantly aided their war efforts. The machine’s success marked a pioneering use of digital electronics in computing and is recognized as an IEEE Milestone for its historical and technological significance.

https://spectrum.ieee.org/colossus-computer-ieee-milestone

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Amiga 1000: Ten Years Ahead of Its Time – The Silicon Underground

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The Amiga 1000, introduced by Commodore in 1985, was a groundbreaking computer that featured advanced capabilities like up to 4,096 colors, stereo sound, a graphical user interface, and full preemptive multitasking on a Motorola 68000 CPU, placing it a decade ahead of its time. Despite its innovative hardware and operating system, the Amiga struggled commercially due to poor marketing, management issues at Commodore, and a high price point, ultimately leading to the company’s bankruptcy less than nine years later. Many enthusiasts who used the Amiga recall it as a uniquely powerful and forward-looking machine that outpaced contemporaneous PCs until the mid-1990s.

https://dfarq.homeip.net/amiga-1000-ten-years-ahead-of-its-time/

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Building an AmigaOS Development Environment in 2026

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The article details setting up a modern AmigaOS development environment on Linux in 2026, including building a compatible amiga-gcc toolchain, obtaining and configuring AmigaOS ROMs, and running the system via the Amiberry emulator. It covers installing AmigaOS in the emulator, running cross-compiled executables, and setting up remote debugging with bgdbserver linked to m68k-amigaos-gdb. The guide emphasizes practical steps for retrocomputing enthusiasts to develop and debug software for classic Amiga hardware emulated on contemporary systems.

https://turtleware.eu/posts/Building-an-AmigaOS-Development-Environment-in-2026.html

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Why Sony Can’t Bring Back Its Classic Walkman Models

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Sony cannot bring back its classic Walkman models due to the scarcity of original parts and the outdated technology that no longer meets current manufacturing standards. Additionally, producing these devices now would be cost-prohibitive and incompatible with modern consumer expectations, making a faithful revival impractical.

https://obsoletesony.substack.com/p/why-sony-cant-bring-back-classic-walkman

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Thin Ice Is a “Fun New Arcade Action Experience For The Commodore 64” From Ex-Gremlin & Core Design Devs

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Thin Ice, a new arcade action game for the Commodore 64, is set to release digitally on July 22nd. Developed by Christian Shrigley and Terry Lloyd, veterans of Gremlin Graphics and Core Design, the game features the Ice Dragon Binky navigating caverns to defeat various enemies by pushing ice blocks and activating fire breath abilities. Published by Thalamus Digital, it will be available as a D64 file compatible with retro hardware and emulators, with a physical edition planned soon.

https://www.timeextension.com/news/2026/07/thin-ice-is-a-fun-new-arcade-action-experience-for-the-commodore-64-from-ex-gremlin-and-core-design-devs

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Remembering the Best 1980s Computers for Gaming

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The article highlights key 1980s home computers that significantly influenced gaming and coding culture, including the Sinclair ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC 464, Atari ST, Commodore Amiga 500, and IBM PC/MS-DOS clones. These systems offered innovative graphics, sound, and expandability that shaped early PC gaming, and modern recreations like the Speccy, Commodore 64 Ultimate, and A500 Mini enable contemporary players to experience their classic game libraries. The piece emphasizes how these open, experimental platforms provided alternative gaming experiences alongside popular consoles of the era.

https://www.keengamer.com/articles/features/remembering-the-best-1980s-computers-for-gaming/

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A New Retro and Gaming Exhibition Arrives Next Month at Kingston University

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Kingston University will host a free retro and gaming exhibition from August 5th to 11th, showcasing over 60 playable machines from the 1970s to today, including iconic consoles like the ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Sega Megadrive, and Atari 2600. Organized by the Archive of Retro Computing, the event celebrates gaming history and the impact of early home computers and consoles in making computing accessible to the public. Following the exhibition, a permanent Archive of Retro Computing will be established at the university’s Penrhyn Road campus in London.

https://www.thesixthaxis.com/2026/07/21/a-new-retro-and-gaming-exhibition-arrives-next-month-at-kingston-university/

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Museum Of Endangered Sounds

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The Museum of Endangered Sounds, created by Brendan Chilcutt in 2012, aims to preserve the distinctive audio signatures of vintage technologies like VHS VCRs and Windows 95 startup sounds that are disappearing with modern digital devices. The site invites visitors to listen to these nostalgic sounds, emphasizing the cultural and technological loss as older machines become obsolete. Chilcutt plans to catalog these sounds thoroughly and develop a system to reinterpret them as binary compositions, highlighting the importance of preserving auditory aspects of computing history.

https://savethesounds.info/

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Macintosh Icons

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This visual catalog showcases 75,052 icons from retro Macintosh software, allowing users to explore a vast collection of classic application and document icons. Hovering over each icon reveals detailed information such as file name, country of origin, media source, and for Finder files, file type and creator codes. The catalog also provides links to the original software media hosted at Macintosh Garden for further exploration.

https://www.marciot.com/mac68k-visual-catalog/

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