ANTIC The Atari 8-bit Podcast

Frank Schwartz and Richard Lewis, Virtusonics Last last year, I received a batch of Atari disks. One of the disks was labeled Virtuoso Play Mode Sampler — a music demonstration disk from Virtusonics, a company I had never heard of. Thanks to some old articles in Antic magazine, I learned a bit about the product and the company. In 1985, Nat Friedland first wrote about the Virtuoso software: "Virtuoso is such a unique new approach to musicmaking that it's not easy to describe. ... Virtuoso gives you a user-friendly method of tapping the extremely fast and powerful changes that a computer can control in every aspect of music performance. It bypasses the limits of traditional musical notation and uses an almost self-explanatory color graphic display that delivers mathematical insights into the structure of music. ... In technical terms, Virtuoso is a sound generator that produces four voices from the POKEY chip. You can make instant real-time changes in the voices in any of six parameters. Four computers running Virtuoso can be linked together to have up to 16 independent channels controlled by one Atari." Virtusonics was primarily three people: Frank Schwartz, the programmer; Joseph Lyons, the music guy; and Richard Lewis, the CEO. I have interviewed two of them. First you'll hear my February 15, 2017 interview with the programmer/R&D director Frank Schwartz. Then, you'll hear the February 10, 2017 interview with CEO Richard Lewis. I haven't been able to interview the other partner, Joseph Lyons, who is serving 24 years to life in prison. After our interview, Richard Lewis sent me an envelope of Virtusonics papers and disks. The material includes the preliminary version of Virtuoso Software, and the final release which by then was called Virtuoso Desktop Performance Studio, boxes, manuals, flyers and advertising slicks, and stock prospectuses. I scanned and digitized all of the material, which is now available at the Internet Archive. Teaser quotes: Frank Schwartz: "Change the curvature of the sine wave just via software. And that was a concept which was revolutionary in those days." Richard Lewis: "We were criticized by a lot of the top names in computers back in the '80s. As, how that this small company in an apartment in New York City come up with something that we've been working on for years and we cant do?" Virtuoso Desktop Performance Studio software and scans Virtuoso Software Preliminary Version Virtuoso Play Mode Sampler demo video Virtusonics advertising slicks Virtusonics Stock Prospectuses Desktop Performace Studio unboxing Play it Again, Atari, Antic magazine The Story Behind Virtuoso, Antic magazine Desktop Video for Atari XL/XE, Antic magazine Joseph Lyons news (2000) Frank Schwartz, DJ Feral

Paul Wehner, APX Saratoga Paul Wehner created one program for the Atari 8-bit computer, Saratoga, which was published by Atari Program Exchange. The American revolutionary war game first appeared in the fall 1983 APX catalog, where it won second prize in the Entertainment category. This interview took place on October 24, 2017. Paul's game list at AtariMania Saratoga in the fall 1983 APX catalog

Alan Reeve, Reeve Software Alan Reeve is the founder of Reeve Software, a company that stated in 1984, creating software for the Atari 8-bit computers. Reeve Software published a variety of applications including Diamond GOS, News Station and News Station Companion, Publishing Pro, The Business Manager, and Diamond Write. The company's games included Battle Tank, Bomber, Castle Attack, Space Hunt, and Star Intruder. This interview took place on October 14, 2017. Diamond GOS advertisement 1990 Antic magazine interview with Alan, and part 2 Antic magazine review of Diamond GOS AtariMania's list of Reeve applications AtariMania's list of Reeve games ReeveSoft current web site ReeveSoft corporate history

In this episode of ANTIC The Atari 8-bit Computer Podcast: The artificial intelligence that acts as the hosts of the show laments the lack of Atari goodness this month. Nir Dary avails us of his world travels, this time to the ABBUC meeting. Plus all the Atari news we could find.

READY!

Recurring Links

Floppy Days Podcast

AtariArchives.org

AtariMagazines.com

Kevin's Book "Terrible Nerd"

New Atari books scans at archive.org

ANTIC feedback at AtariAge

Atari interview discussion thread on AtariAge

ANTIC Facebook Page

AHCS

Eaten By a Grue

What we've been up to

• Tandy Assembly - http://www.tandyassembly.com
• Portland Retro Gaming Expo - http://retrogamingexpo.com/
• Ted Nelson Junk Mail project https://archive.org/details/tednelsonjunkmail
• Donate to Ted Nelson project at: https://paypal.me/Savetz

Interview Discussion

• Stewart Cheifet interview with Atari content on Floppy Days Podcast - http://floppydays.libsyn.com/floppy-days-78-interview-with-stewart-chefeit-computer-chronicles

News

• Atari 800xl clear case - https://www.facebook.com/groups/181644898539691/permalink/1480954711942030/
• Retro-Housing on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Retro-Geh%C3%A4use-by-Plexilaserde-493569180811023
• The Atari 800Xl Housing can be ordered here - http://www.plexilaser.de/shop/Acrylgehaeuse-fuer-ATARI-800XL-Teilesatz
• Revive 1027 - Roller Rubber Replacement for ATARI®1027 Printers - http://atariage.com/forums/topic/271589-revive1027-order-thread/
• 1088XEL boards - http://AtariBits.Weebly.com/1088XEL.html
• ABBUC Hardware Contest 2017 - http://www.abbuc.de/atari/hardware-ressort/80-hardware/hardwarewettbewerbe/1835-hardwarewettbewerb-2017
• Issue #4 of Eight Bit magazine highlights our favorite 8-bit home computer - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/8bitmagazine/eight-bit-magazine-4-amstrad-atari-commodore-spect
• Eight Bit Magazine Website - http://www.eightbitmagazine.com/
• Telnet65: Remote telnet connection for Atari computers - http://www.vintageisthenewold.com/telnet65-remote-telnet-connection-for-atari-computers/
• 2018 Calendar with Atari 8-bit Theme - http://www.vintageisthenewold.com/2018-calendar-brought-you-by-atari-800xl/
• Upcoming Shows where you might see Atari computers (or Atari people):
• • SillyVenture 2017, Fri, December 8, 5am – Sun, December 10, 1pm, Gdansk, Poland - http://sillyventure.eu/

Welcome to the official website "Silly Venture 2k17"! One of the biggest international events devoted to the platforms of our favorite brand - Atari - returns.

• • Vintage computer fest Seattle Feb 10-11 2018, Living Computers: Museum + Labs - http://vcfed.org/wp/2017/07/07/vintage-computer-festival-pacific-northwest/
• International Atari Shows (Nir Dary) - https://calendar.google.com/calendar/[email protected]&pli=1

YouTube videos this month

• Demonstration of the SYSCHEK V2.2 Hardware - Nir Dary - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hht2tUoBSfc
• ATARI 800 XL XE Classic Edition Games from Poland - Nir Dary - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pdnjZzIU4M
• Atari 800XL Numen Demo - Nir Dary - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WcfLQX5xnc
• Hebrew ATARI XL Computer - Nir Dary - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xYnU0KEFsk
• Demo of MIDI player prototype for the Atari 8-bit - Nir Dary - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8IV_fsTP5Y
• • Also, see thread on AtariAge at http://atariage.com/forums/topic/269207-midi-interface/
• ABBUC Atari Club Annual Meeting 2017 - Nir Dary - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuVjysr5cgs
• RETRO=RICKY ATARI 130XE COMPILATION HALLOWEEN GAMES PART II 100617 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKkBlZ5-Bqw
• Atari 1088XEL Mini-ITX motherboard unboxing - Jonathan Halliday (FlashJazzCat) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8hiXMQfsWY

New at Archive.org

• Atari PILOT Eliza 2
• Atari Cambridge Research Language Design meeting agenda
• LNBUG 2 Manual
• LNBUG 6.0 Manual

Nir's Segment - ABBUC 2017 Meeting

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuVjysr5cgs&t=52s
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8IV_fsTP5Y

Possible side effects of listening to the Antic podcast include stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat; drowsiness, dizziness, feeling nervous; mild nausea, upset stomach, constipation;

increased appetite, weight changes; insomnia, decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm; dry mouth, intense hate of Commodore, and Amiga lust. Certain conditions apply. Offer good for those with approved credit. Member FDIC. An equal housing lender.

Guy Ferrante, S&S Wholesalers and Star BBS Guy Ferrante worked for S&S Wholesalers, a Miami Florida-based computer mail order company, where he was in charge of creating magazine advertisements and managing the warehouse. He also ran Star BBS, a bulletin board system based in South Florida, for 11 years. This interview took place on August 25, 2017. "There's merchandise all over the place. I can't even walk in there. I'm stepping on the merchandise. ... And I said, 'Sandy, what's going on here?' He says, 'Guy, the advertisement was a success, I need you here full time.'" S&S Wholesalers ad in July 1986 Antic magazine S&S Wholesalers ad in June 1987 A.N.A.L.O.G. Computing magazine Tom Hunt interview

Ben Heck - Internet Celebrity and Console Modder

Benjamin J. Heckendorn (aka Ben Heck) is an American console modder and Internet celebrity. He is the star of element14's The Ben Heck Show, a popular online TV program. It also turns out that he grew up with the Atari 8-bit line of computers and has built a couple of mods involving the Atari line.

This interview took place on April 13, 2017.

• Book: "Hacking Video Game Consoles: Turn Your Old Video Game Systems Into Awesome New Portables" - https://www.benheck.com/hacking-videogame-consoles/
• https://www.benheck.com/
• https://www.youtube.com/user/thebenheckshow
• https://www.element14.com/community/community/experts/benheck
• Atari 800 XE Laptop - https://www.benheck.com/atari-800-xe-laptop/
• Second Atari 800 Laptop - https://www.benheck.com/atari-800-laptop-2/
• Ben's Atari 800 Games - https://www.benheck.com/download-my-atari-800-games/

Jim Schuyler, Founder of DesignWare Jim Schuyler was Founder of DesignWare. Founded in 1980, Designware created educational software that was published by other companies — including SRA, Xerox, and Spinnaker — as well as software that it published under its own label. Designware's titles included Creature Creator, Grammar Examiner, Mission: Algebra, Spellicopter, and Trap-a-Zoid, among others. Jim programmed Story Machine himself, which was published by Spinnaker Software. Designware was acquired by PeachTree in 1984. In preparation for this interview, Jim wrote a seven-part article on his blog about DesignWare's pre-history, story, and legacy. This interview took place on September 11, 2017. In it, we discuss Peter Rosenthal, David Seuss, and Bill Bowman, all of whom I previously interviewed. The intro and outro music is Confusion Reigns, composed by Jim Schuyler. A video version of this interview is also available. Peter Rosenthal interview David Seuss interview Bill Bowman interview AtariMania's list of Designware software 1982 InfoWorld article about DesignWare 1983 InfoWorld interview with Jim 1984 PC Magazine Profile on Jim Jim on Twitter Jim's compositions on SoundCloud

Dan Pinal: Alternate Reality - The Dungeon, Atari Graphics and Arcade Game Design Dan Pinal contributed to the book Atari Graphics and Arcade Game Design, with Jeff Stanton, a book published by Arrays in 1984. He was one of the programmers of Alternate Reality - The Dungeon, which was published by Datasoft in 1987. He also created the game Stargate Courier, published by COSMI; and worked on the Atari port of Goonies for Datasoft. This interview took place on September 1, 2017. "They said, 'How long?' and we said '18 months.' And they said 'We can't wait that long to put something out.'" AtariMania's list of Dan Pinal software Atari Graphics and Arcade Game Design at at Atari Archives Atari Graphics and Arcade Game Design at Internet Archive

In this episode of ANTIC The Atari 8-bit Computer Podcast: Victor Marland of the Ten Pence Arcade Podcast joins us over Kevin's pancake breakfast, Bill Kendrick reviews Tempest Elite, and we discuss Tinkle Pit and Uncle Poo. Plus all the Atari news we could find.

READY!

Recurring Links

Floppy Days Podcast

AtariArchives.org

AtariMagazines.com

Kevin's Book "Terrible Nerd"

New Atari books scans at archive.org

ANTIC feedback at AtariAge

Atari interview discussion thread on AtariAge

ANTIC Facebook Page

AHCS

Eaten By a Grue

What we've been up to

• VCFMW - http://vcfmw.org/
• Ted Nelson's junk mail archiving - https://archive.org/details/tednelsonjunkmail

News

• In-store Demonstration Program - blog post by Bill Lange - http://atari8bitads.blogspot.com/2017/09/in-store-demonstration-program.html
• user TCH successfully closed a 1050 troubleshooting thread that he started in early 2008 - http://forums.atari.org/read.php3?num=4&id=2411&thread=2098
• Atari-themed Sunnyvale apartments purchased for $15.7 million - http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/09/07/atari-themed-sunnyvale-apartments-purchased-for-15-7-million/
• "How many mods will fit into a 600XL" thread on AtariAge - http://atariage.com/forums/topic/252797-how-many-mods-will-fit-in-a-600xl/
• Atari's Awesome – And Weird – History Of Video Game Consoles - http://comicbook.com/gaming/2017/08/29/atari-s-awesome-and-weird-history-of-video-game-consoles/#4
• Pro(c) Atari Magazine on hiatus - http://atariage.com/forums/topic/269959-is-proc-atari-still-around-at-all/
• Games for Atari: 1977 to 1995 is the subject of an intellectual property dispute and is currently unavailable - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/993169463/games-for-atari-1977-to-1995
• Atari Co news this month - https://www.gamereactor.eu/news/587993/Atari+reveals+handheld+and+plug-and-play+Atari+Retro/
• Altirra under Wine for Mac OSX Sierra - Fletch - http://atariage.com/forums/topic/256928-altirra-28-wine-port-for-macos-sierra/
• Atari Party East took place 9/9/17 by Bill Lange - https://www.oldschoolgamermagazine.com/atari-party-east-2017/
• Upcoming Shows where you might see Atari computers (or Atari people):
• • Vintage Computing Festival Berlin, German Technical Museum, Berlin, Oct 7 & 8 - https://vcfb.de/2017/
  • ByteFest 2017 Oct 13-15, 2017 - http://www.bytefest.org/english-info2/ (Prague, Czech Republic)
  • PRGE http://www.retrogamingexpo.com Oct 20-22
  • SillyVenture 2017, Fri, December 8, 5am – Sun, December 10, 1pm, Gdansk, Poland - http://sillyventure.eu/
  • Vintage computer fest Seattle Feb 10-11 2018, Living Computers: Museum + Labs - http://vcfed.org/wp/2017/07/07/vintage-computer-festival-pacific-northwest/
• International Atari Shows (Nir Dary) - https://calendar.google.com/calendar/[email protected]&pli=1

YouTube videos this month

• Time lapse of the Retro Computer Festival (http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/de...) held on the 16th and 17th of September 2017 at the Centre for Computing History in Cambridge (UK) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-58ibSWyF4s
• Installing an AtariMax SIO2PC in an Atari 800XL - flashjazzcat (2 parts) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1UKE0lz-Aw
• Citron 3kg coding timelapse - Atari XL/XE - Martin Šimeček - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAwzqeiHz-U

New at Archive.org

• Pack007 - https://archive.org/details/CrutchfieldSpring1982
• Atari 130XE, 800XL and 520ST technical details ad sheets in Finnish - https://archive.org/details/AtariComputersTechnicalDetails
• Different Atari-related hard/software pricelists 1985 - https://archive.org/details/AtariHardAndSoftwarePricelistsFromFinland
• The Atari 800 Home Computer Owner's Guide INTERNATIONAL - https://archive.org/details/TheAtari800HomeComputerOwnersGuideInternational
• APX Source Code For Eastern Front 1941 Rev. 2 manual
• https://archive.org/details/QualitySoftwaresSpringSummer1982Catalog
• No Openings Postcard

Bill's Modern Segment

• Tempest Elite - http://members.tcq.net/video61/tempestelite.html

Of the Month

• http://www.horus.com/~hias/atari/

Commercial

• Atari Adventure Center - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mByRu19y9oY&feature=share

Feedback

• San Leandro Computer Club - http://slcc.bdgeorge.com/
• They Create Worlds Podcast
• "Never Mind the Laptops: Kids, Computers, and the Transformation of Learning" by Bob Johnstone - https://www.amazon.com/Never-Mind-Laptops-Computers-Transformation/dp/0595288421/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

Possible side effects of listening to the Antic podcast include stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat; drowsiness, dizziness, feeling nervous; mild nausea, upset stomach, constipation; increased appetite, weight changes; insomnia, decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm; dry mouth, intense hate of Commodore, and Amiga lust. Certain conditions apply. Offer good for those with approved credit. Member FDIC. An equal housing lender.

Dan Reinhart, Yahtman Dan Reinhart published one program for the Atari 8-bit computers: Yahtman, a Yahtzee-style game that was published by Atari Program Exchange. Yahtman first appeared in the winter 1982-1983 APX catalog. This interview took place on August 28, 2017. In it, we discuss Paul Cubbage, whom I previously interviewed. "Paul [Cubbage] had said, 'You know, you have good potential at this sort of thing but you really need to choose: are you going to keep building earth movers and equipment? Or do you want to live in programming and doing games?' ... And as it turns out, I chickened out." Download Yahtman from Atarimania Yahtman in the winter 1982-1983 APX catalog Paul Cubbage interview