Return of the Atari

Despite working with more recent and advanced technologies such as mixed reality, and semi-autonomous cars I am also interested in experimenting with the Raspberry Pi and retro computing equipment. One computer from the past I remain a huge fan of is the Atari 800XL, and the related 8-Bit computing line. Once I get time to delve into it, I plan to write about some programming and new hardware experiences.

Jay Miner, who went on to design the much more successful Commodore Amiga designed the Atari 800XL. One reason I am a fan of the latter is that it was the first system I really learned to programme on, things such as graphics, games, different programming languages and even experimenting with hardware protocols. It is also the computer that got me online. In order to relive some childhood memories I bought one on Ebay, and intend to experiment with it again. So let see what we can do with 64k. Later on I plan to do some silly projects with my first computer and also one I grew very fond of, the Sinclair ZX Spectrum.

Perhaps the “sleek” brown and beige design coupled with silver buttons are not so fashionable these days.