In this episode of "The 8-Bit Files," hosts John and Dave delve into the world of Atari 8-bit computers. John shares his personal experiences of owning and discovering these computers. The guys discuss the Atari 400, 800, 600XL, 800XL, and other models, exploring their features and compatibility. The hosts reminisce about their first encounters with Atari computers, the peripherals that accompanied them, and the transition from consoles like the Atari 2600 to the more powerful 8-bit computers. They touch on the availability of software, the absence of the internet in those days, and how magazines played a role in building anticipation for games. The discussion also covers tape drives, floppy drives, loading times, and modern hardware devices like Fujinet.

Links:

ANTIC Magazine archive: https://archive.org/details/antic-magazine

AtariAge - one of the largest and most active online communities dedicated to Atari systems: https://www.atariage.com

Atari Mania - a comprehensive resource for Atari 8-bit software and games: https://www.atarimania.com

Fujinet - a multi-peripheral emulator and WiFi network device for vintage computers: https://fujinet.online/