The Curious Case of Jupiter Ace

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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 The Ace was outdated with only 3KB of RAM and basic graphics, while competitors like the ZX Spectrum offered more memory and color.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

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Decoding the 90s: a Journey Into Reverse Engineering and Cryptography in Early Software Development

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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.

https://www.botanica.software/post/decoding-the-90s

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Apple’s Darwin OS and XNU Kernel Deep Dive

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/

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Here’s the 50-year-old Microsoft Source Code That Inspired the First Apple Computer

Microsoft’s 50th anniversary features a downloadable source code for Altair BASIC, its first product, inspired by the Altair 8800 computer. Bill Gates and Paul Allen created this programming language to broaden personal computing access. Steve Wozniak later adapted this BASIC version for the Apple I, leading to the Apple II’s success. The 157-page Altair BASIC source code is now available as a PDF.

https://www.macworld.com/article/2657449/heres-the-50-year-old-microsoft-source-code-that-inspired-the-first-apple-computer.html

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The 50 Best Things Microsoft Has Ever Made

Microsoft, celebrating its 50th anniversary, has produced numerous notable products, including gaming systems, operating systems, and innovative design concepts. The Verge compiled a list of 50 best offerings, highlighting historical significance and consumer impact. The list features memorable products, both successful and less so, reflecting on the company’s evolution from two founders in New Mexico to a global tech giant. Noteworthy mentions include Clippy, Zune, Windows 10, and the Xbox Adaptive Controller, showcasing creativity, design, and cultural influence over decades.

https://www.theverge.com/microsoft/636951/microsoft-50-best-products-anniversary

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Old Mac Software Archive

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Old Mac Software Archive offers 680.3TB of classic Mac OS files, with over 137,850 members. Users can run old software on actual hardware or using various emulators like QEMU, SheepShaver, or Basilisk II. Nostalgic games can be played in-browser, and new emulators for Mac OS 9 and early Mac OS X are in development. The archive encourages software uploads and donations to support hosting costs. Users can also find popular software and games, along with community contributions and a call for help in preserving old Mac software.

https://www.macintoshrepository.org/

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A USB Interface to the “Mother of All Demos” Keyset

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USB interface created for Engelbart’s 1968 keyset, part of his “Mother of All Demos.” Engelbart revolutionized computing with innovations like the mouse and GUI, showcasing them at a conference but the keyset was less successful. The author created a modern USB interface for the keyset, detailing technical aspects and challenges. The term “Mother of All Demos” originated from a 1991 Intel presentation, later retroactively applied to Engelbart’s demo. Engelbart’s work faced long-term neglect, but eventually gained recognition, influencing future technology.

https://www.righto.com/2025/03/mother-of-all-demos-usb-keyset-interface.html

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