Type-in programs from original 101 BASIC Computer Games in DEC and Dartmouth dialects; not the same as BASIC Computer Games. This collection showcases various programming styles and dialects, with some programs running in RetroBASIC.
Vi and Vim Origins: Vi and Vim’s history parallels open-source software’s evolution. Key players and events shaped these UNIX text editors. George Coulouris created “em” at Queen Mary University in 1976, addressing frustrations with the line editor “ed”. Bill Joy developed Vi inspired by “em” after improving “ex” for full-screen editing at UC Berkeley. Vim, initially “Vi IMitation,” began as a clone of Stevie for the Amiga in 1988. Over 30 years, Vim evolved into a powerful tool with a vibrant community, boasting numerous features and plugins, still frequently used in programming today.
Understanding the Origins and the Evolution of Vi & Vim Read More »
Polish IT history highlights significant female contributions and innovative designs from the communist era. Women mathematicians played key roles in early programming, with teams often comprising a third female members, achieving notable successes. Polish computers, like the Odra series, faced challenges but facilitated various applications. Despite initial successes, state inefficiencies stunted development, leading to reliance on imported parts. While local programming languages like Loglan’82 emerged, they struggled against global trends. Ultimately, Poland’s IT legacy is marked by both ingenuity and obstacles.
https://culture.pl/en/article/cyberpunk-1958-the-early-days-of-the-polish-it-industry
Cyberpunk 1958: The Early Days of the Polish IT Industry Read More »
Extreme TLDR:
Internet’s inception began in 1966 due to Robert Taylor’s frustrations with multiple terminals at ARPA. Sparked by J.C.R. Licklider’s early vision of an “Intergalactic Computer Network,” Taylor proposed ARPANET to connect computers, eliminating inefficiencies. Key innovations included packet switching and the Interface Message Processors (IMPs) developed by Bolt Beranek and Newman. The ARPANET evolved, later adopting TCP/IP protocols, fostering the Internet’s growth, while facing competition from other networks and standards. By the late 1970s, technical debates shaped its development, leading to TCP/IP dominance and the eventual decommissioning of ARPANET by the late 1980s.
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/04/a-history-of-the-internet-part-1-an-arpa-dream-takes-form/
An Ars Technica History of the Internet, Part 1 Read More »
Compute!’s Gazette, a foundational magazine for Commodore 64 enthusiasts, returns after 35 years under COMPUTE! Publications, debuting in July 2025. Founded by Edwin Nagle, it will expand its focus to the broader retro computing community. Nagle, inspired by childhood memories and a desire to connect retro enthusiasts, aims to offer both digital and print editions monthly, emphasizing tangible experiences. Pre-orders for the first issue are now available at computesgazette.com.
AmigaOS 3.2.3, an update for the classic operating system for Commodore computers, has been released by Hyperion Entertainment, featuring over 50 fixes and enhancements. This update continues the legacy of AmigaOS, originally launched in 1992, and improves features like the ReAction GUI toolkit and TextEditor. Users can obtain the update for free if they own AmigaOS 3.2, with it also supporting retro hardware.
33-year-old AmigaOS for Commodore Computers Gets an Unexpected Update Read More »
IBM’s Code Page 437 features a “small house” glyph (⌂) at code position 0x7F, where a DELETE (DEL) character logically belongs. This article explores how IBM’s choice of a house over more standard symbols may reflect the character set’s whimsical origin during the PC’s development. In contrast to prior systems like EBCDIC, CP437’s extended characters are a mix of international symbols and playful displays meant for text-based games. The origins of the house glyph remain ambiguous, with several theories suggesting it could symbolize home computing, relate to backspace, derive from other character sets, or come from an unrelated iconographic source. Despite inconsistencies in early documentation labeling it as either “house” or “delta,” the glyph’s legacy and use in ASCII art has since transcended its intended meaning, allowing users to impart their interpretations.
https://blog.glyphdrawing.club/why-is-there-a-small-house-in-ibm-s-code-page-437/
Why Is There a “small House” in IBM’s Code Page 437? Read More »
Jupiter Ace, launched in 1982 by Jupiter Cantab Limited, used Forth instead of BASIC, which contributed to its failure despite Forth being technically superior for serious software development. BASIC was popular due to its interactivity and familiarity, making it essential for home computers. The Ace was outdated with only 3KB of RAM and basic graphics, while competitors like the ZX Spectrum offered more memory and color. Forth’s implementation made the Ace unique, but it mainly appealed to Forth enthusiasts. Ultimately, basic user needs were for simple program loading, leading to the Ace’s commercial failure.
https://nemanjatrifunovic.substack.com/p/the-curious-case-of-jupiter-ace
The Curious Case of Jupiter Ace Read More »
TLDR: The blog post chronicles reverse engineering the QText word processor from the 1990s, focused on recovering locked documents by analyzing their encryption and passcode derivation. It details the process of dissecting the MS-DOS executable, understanding the encryption behavior, and eventually deriving the passcode through a custom Python script, emphasizing the challenges and methods used in early software cryptography.
Extreme TLDR: Deep dive on Apple’s Darwin OS and XNU kernel evolution from Mach/BSD roots to modern platforms. Explores hybrid design, adaptability, security features, and historical milestones from NeXTSTEP acquisition to Apple Silicon. XNU combines microkernel attributes (Mach) with monolithic performance (BSD), facilitating kernel flexibility and efficiency across macOS and iOS devices. Key developments include 64-bit and ARM support, virtualization strategies, and enhanced security across iterations.
https://tansanrao.com/blog/2025/04/xnu-kernel-and-darwin-evolution-and-architecture/
Apple’s Darwin OS and XNU Kernel Deep Dive Read More »
