Category Archives: Vintage computer

ChesSkelet Vs. Psion MasterChess: compact programming chess gaming on Sinclair ZX Spectrum

Posted on August 19, 2019 by Stefano

How about a nice chess game? (between two ZX Spectrums)? War Games Joshua GIF from Wargames GIFs Some vintage chess game programs are usually regarded as software masterpieces since programmers have been able to crank into very small amount of … Continue reading →

Posted in Chess, Programming, Sinclair, Videogames, Vintage computer, Vintage games, Windows 10 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Timex Sinclair 1000 (AKA ZX81) TV Commercial

Posted on June 17, 2017 by Stefano

“The power is within your reach” says this 1982 TV Commercial introducing the Timex Sinclair 1000, that is Sinclair ZX81, to US computer users. Actually, the TS1000 was the US-version of the well-known ZX81, which was selling hot in Europe. … Continue reading →

Posted in Advertising, Computer History, Computing history, Retrocomputer, Sinclair, TV ads, Video, Vintage computer, Youtube | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

January 1981: “ZX80 interface micro user”, a vintage computer magazine

Posted on April 10, 2017 by Stefano

For me, it all began with the Sinclair ZX80 I received as a Xmas gift (1981). I recently purchased this magazine from 1981 (January), it was one of the very few Sinclair-related magazines back then; sometimes you may find similar … Continue reading →

Posted in BASIC, Magazine, Programming, Retrocomputer, Videogames, Vintage computer, Vintage games | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

ZX SpecPhone: an iPhone app enabling ZX Spectrum dialing

Posted on February 6, 2017 by Stefano

A quite simple iOS app enabling phone dialing the ZX Spectrum way by spanish programmer Raul Flores. Pretty old, but it seems still working! Available for free on iTunes for all Sinclair ZX-Spectrum fans!

Posted in App world, iOS, iPhone, Retrocomputer, Sinclair, Vintage computer | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Hard Disk price from 1956 to 2016

Posted on October 25, 2016 by Stefano

I recently came across a very interesting page in which John C. McCallum has collected a huge number of hard disk unit specs along with introduction year and price. Beginning from 1956, with the 24″ IBM sporting a hefty 3.75 … Continue reading →

Posted in Computer, Computer History, Computing history, Data storage, Digital media, Electronics, Hardware, IBM, Storage, Tech industry, Technology, Vintage computer | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Computer chess”: a 2013 nerd movie about vintage computing – and more…

Posted on August 25, 2016 by Stefano

I recently watched a 2013-movie: Computer Chess. To my real shame, I missed it when it was released, some 3 years ago. It’s very compelling and well-made – and funny too; written and directed by Andrew Bujalski the movie it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Chess, Media, Movie, Movies, Retrocomputer, Vintage computer, Vintage games | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

A well-done Steve Jobs animated biography (and some IT history too)

Posted on October 31, 2015 by Stefano

“Oh no, yet another Steve Jobs movie?” Not exactly… It’s an animated multi-timeline Steve Jobs‘ biography, featuring all relevant IT people from 1955 to 2011, along with main IT events and computer/technology introduction events. It’s so well done (IMHO) that … Continue reading →

Posted in Apple, History, iPad, iPhone, Steve Jobs, Tech industry, Technology, Vintage computer, Viral marketing, Viral video, Youtube | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How to play vintage MS-DOS games embedded into tweets!

Posted on May 1, 2015 by Stefano

What about a nice ol’ MS-DOS game? The awesome Archive.org vintage gaming library plus Twitter comes in quite handy! Embedding DOSBox-based, old school MS-DOS games has never been so easy: create a new tweet and copy the link to your … Continue reading →

Posted in Emulators, Gaming, Twitter, Twitter tips, Videogames, Vintage computer, Vintage games | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Halloween? Creepy backup software ads from the past!

Posted on October 31, 2014 by Stefano

Data back-up as a nightmare? Ok, just for Halloween let’s take a look at these creepy magazine ads for a couple of (ancient) backup software back from the very early 80s: Ecosoft’s Archivist for CP/M-based computers and Locksmith 5.0 for … Continue reading →

Posted in Advertising, Apple, Retrocomputer, Software, Tech industry, Vintage computer | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

What do “The edge of tomorrow” and Wargames movies have in common?

Posted on July 18, 2014 by Stefano

The edge of tomorrow is a pretty cool movie: the plot and the script shows some really nice ideas about time warping, looping and so on. As a movie fan, though, I spotted something very funny. In the opening scene, … Continue reading →

Posted in Cinema, Media, Movie, Movies, Vintage computer | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment