Floppy Days Vintage Computing Podcast

Interview with Peter Jennings, Microchess & VisiCorp

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FloppyDays

Sponsors:

• 8-Bit Classics - https://www.8bitclassics.com/?ref=Floppydays

• Arcade Shopper - https://www.arcadeshopper.com/

• FutureVision Research - https://www.fvresearch.com/

• Tuc's Workbench - https://shop.tucs-workbench.com/

Hello, and welcome to episode #167 of the Floppy Days Podcast, where you can learn about obsolete, but still very fun, technology of the past!

In this episode we talk with someone that was right there in the early days of computers and who created some amazing software for the very early, very primitive KIM-1 computer. In fact, he is credited with producing the very first microcomputer game to be sold commercially. I'm speaking of Peter Jennings, the creator of MicroChess for the KIM-1 and later ported to many other early home computers, such as the TRS-80 Model I/III, Commodore PET, Apple II, Tandy CoCo, and Atari 8-bit.

Peter co-founded Personal Software, which later became VisiCorp. Proceeds from MicroChess sales helped finance the development of VisiCalc, the first-ever spreadsheet program, which I'm sure you've heard of.

Peter also developed the first model of the ChessMate while working for Commodore.

I think you'll find his story pretty interesting. He's done a lot throughout his career and he's met a lot of the early computer icons.

Interview Links

• Peter's Website - https://benlo.com

• VisiCorp at Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VisiCorp

• Peter at Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_R._Jennings

• Microchess at Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microchess

• Brad Templeton - https://www.templetons.com/brad/

• The Commodore ChessMate - https://commodore.international/2022/03/26/the-history-of-the-commodore-chessmate/

• The Pocket Guide to World History - https://pockethistory.com/

Interview with David Pogue, Tech Journalist and Author

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FloppyDays

Sponsors:

• 8-Bit Classics - https://www.8bitclassics.com/?ref=Floppydays

• Arcade Shopper - https://www.arcadeshopper.com/

• FutureVision Research - https://www.fvresearch.com/

• Tuc's Workbench - https://shop.tucs-workbench.com/

Hello and welcome to Floppy Days #166 for August, 2026. My name is Randy Kindig and I'm your host for this glimpse of what life was like in the 70's and 80's with home computers.

This episode is an interview-only show with a guest that I'm betting most of you have heard of and have admired his contributions to mainstream technology learning.

David Pogue is a seven-time Emmy-winning correspondent for CBS Sunday Morning. He's also a New York Times bestselling author; he has written or co-written more than 120 books. He's also a five-time TED speaker and host of 20 NOVA science specials on PBS. He was The New York Times weekly tech columnist. He recently released his latest book that is getting rave reviews: "Apple: The First 50 Years."

I must admit some early trepidation in speaking with David for the podcast. Not because of any qualms about David himself; David is actually a terrific guy and that was obvious from his mountainous and amazing set of work. It was more of some intimidation based on his many appearances on TV and the large number of interviews HE personally has done over the years. However, as the interview progressed, David made me feel completely at ease and I'm honored to have been able to talk with him 1-on-1.

I think you'll enjoy hearing about his career, his many stories, his musical parodies, and details about his latest book about the first 50 years of Apple.

This interview took place June 25, 2026.

Upcoming Shows

• ABBUC Summer Camp - August 26-30 - Winterberg-Elkeringhausen, Germany - https://abbuc.de/summercamp

• Vintage Computer Festival GB 2026 - September 11-13 - Aintree Racecourse, near Liverpool, United Kingdom - https://www.facebook.com/events/25457837877216829/

• Vintage Computer Festival Midwest - September 12-13 - Schaumburg Convention Center in Schaumburg, IL - https://vcfmw.org/

• Tandy Assembly 2026 - October 2-4, 2026 - Cincinnati, Ohio - https://www.tandyassembly.com/

• Portland Retro Gaming Expo - October 9-11 - Oregon Convention Center, Portland, OR - https://retrogamingexpo.com/

• Chicago TI International World Faire - October 24 - Evanston Public Library, Evanston, IL - https://www.chicagotiug.org/home

• VCF Montreal - November 7-8 - Champlain College Saint-Lambert, Saint-Lambert, QC - https://cvcfed.org/vcf-montreal-2-0/

• Schedule Published on Floppy Days Website - https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vSeLsg4hf5KZKtpxwUQgacCIsqeIdQeZniq3yE881wOCCYskpLVs5OO1PZLqRRF2t5fUUiaKByqQrgA/pub

Interview Links

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Pogue

• https://davidpogue.com/

• Apple: The First 50 Years - https://amzn.to/3QiMpHr

• substack blog - https://pogueman.substack.com/

• "Clap Along" - Pogue's parody song for Apple's 50th - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyXbvtnhOIk

• "I Write the Code" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWgMAMiiahY

• "I Got an iPhone" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vniMR6Ez9cE&list=RDvniMR6Ez9cE&start_radio=1

Floppy Days 165 - The Sphere Computer, Part 2 with Ben Zotto

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FloppyDays

Sponsors:

• 8-Bit Classics - https://www.8bitclassics.com/?ref=Floppydays

• Arcade Shopper - https://www.arcadeshopper.com and https://thekeep.net

• FutureVision Research - https://www.fvresearch.com/

• Tuc's Workbench - https://shop.tucs-workbench.com

Hello and welcome to episode 165 of the Floppy Days Podcast, for July, 2026. My name is Randy Kindig and I'm your host for this audio and video tribute to vintage computers and computer history.

For those of you listening to these podcasts in order, this month's episode is the second part of the 2-part series on the Sphere, which was introduced in 1975; the same year as the Altair and even before the Apple 1.

Once again, I want to reiterate what the Sphere was and why do we care? The Sphere was the first "personal computer," defined as such by Byte Magazine due to its consumer focus and built-in keyboard and monitor. Many computers can claim the moniker of first "personal computer", and rightly so, but this one has the endorsement of an early, well-respected, long-running computer magazine and they have good reason for feeling this way about the Sphere. Once you hear the details, you'll see just how ground-breaking this machine was at a very early period of computer history.

Not only that, some of the personal stories behind the machine are simply downright fascinating.

Ben Zotto is the undisputed expert on the Sphere in these times, after finding an abandoned machine sitting on the sidewalk and deciding to adopt it and learn more about it. He recently wrote a comprehensive book on the Sphere called "Go Computer Now!" that Ben and I spent a lot of time talking about in the last episode -- which again was the first episode on the Sphere. This episode series actually serves two purposes: first as an interview with Ben to learn more about him and his book, and secondly as an overview of a computer I didn't cover back when I started this podcast back in 2013 with the Altair 8800 and the Apple 1.

So, as I said earlier, this will be the second part of a 2-part journey on the Sphere. Last month we talked in great detail with Ben Zotto about how he ended up going down the Sphere rabbit hole and all the great things he's done to promote an important machine that was forgotten in the annals of history. This month, Ben and I go through all the usual topics about the Sphere: history, tech specs, using the machine, current Web sites and a great deal more.

I really hope you enjoy hearing more about the Sphere and all the things that Ben has done to fill in the gap in history that used to be occupied by the Sphere!

Vintage Computer Shows

• Silly Venture SE (Summer Edition) - July 30-Aug. 2 - Gdansk, Poland - https://www.demoparty.net/silly-venture/silly-venture-2026-se

• Southern Fried Gaming Expo and VCF Southeast - July 31-Aug 2, 2026 - Atlanta, GA - https://gameatl.com/

• VCF West - August 1-2 - Computer History Museum, Mountain View, CA - https://vcfed.org/events/vintage-computer-festival-west/

• Long Island Retro Gaming Expo - August 7-9, 2026 - Cradle of Aviation, Garden City, NY - https://liretro.com/

• ABBUC Summer Camp - August 26-30 - Winterberg-Elkeringhausen, Germany - https://abbuc.de/summercamp

• Vintage Computer Festival GB 2026 - September 11-13 - Aintree Racecourse, near Liverpool, United Kingdom - https://www.facebook.com/events/25457837877216829/

• Vintage Computer Festival Midwest - September 12-13 - Schaumburg Convention Center in Schaumburg, IL - https://vcfmw.org/

• Tandy Assembly 2026 - October 2-4, 2026 - Cincinnati, Ohio - https://www.tandyassembly.com/

• Portland Retro Gaming Expo - October 9-11 - Oregon Convention Center, Portland, OR - https://retrogamingexpo.com/

• Chicago TI International World Faire - October 24 - Evanston Public Library, Evanston, IL - https://www.chicagotiug.org/home

• VCF Montreal - November 7-8 - Champlain College Saint-Lambert, Saint-Lambert, QC - https://cvcfed.org/vcf-montreal-2-0/

• Schedule Published on Floppy Days Website - https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vSeLsg4hf5KZKtpxwUQgacCIsqeIdQeZniq3yE881wOCCYskpLVs5OO1PZLqRRF2t5fUUiaKByqQrgA/pub

Tech Specs

• BASIC - https://sphere.computer/news/2026-03-28-the-secret-minicomputer-inside-your-sphere.html

Using the Machine/Tips

• https://sphere.computer/articles/sphere-bringup-guide.html

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFOKQoWlpGk

Popular Magazines/Newsletters

• Byte Magazine - https://archive.org/details/1982-10-byte-magazine-october-1-byte-magazine-21533/1975%2009%20BYTE%2000-01%20The%20Worlds%20-%20Byte%20Magazine_21693/

• Sphere Global News newsletter; put out by Sphere Corp. - https://archive.org/details/bitsavers_spherenews_1063041

• Sphere Microcomputer Users' Newsletter - August 1977 - letter from Programma - https://archive.org/details/bitsavers_spherenews7_5204616

Books

• Stan Veit's book - https://archive.org/details/stan-veits-history-of-the-personal-computer

• Stan Veit Podcast:

• https://www.classiccomputing.com/CCPodcasts/Stan_Veit/Stan_Veit.html

• https://www.youtube.com/playlist?app=desktop&list=PLUOGYbuIdClP9KoaDfHXqLvqOeaqTATQK

• Fire in the Valley - https://www.amazon.com/Fire-in-Valley-audiobook/dp/B071YYZJG5

• Bill Gates' memoir "Source Code: My Beginnings" - https://www.amazon.com/Audible-Source-Code-My-Beginnings/dp/B0D5KHFN6C

• Digital Deli - https://archive.org/details/digitaldelicompr0000unse

• Ben's book - https://gocomputernow.com/

Software

• Games & Cassettes! on the 1975 Sphere computer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AISsrGfb9n0

Ads

• "Why not go computer now?" - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sphere_Personal_Computer_Ad_January_1976.jpg

Modern Upgrades

• https://sphere.computer/shop.html

Emulation

• https://sphere.computer/emulator/

Community

• Forums

• AtariAge - https://www.atariage.com

• VCFEd - https://forum.vcfed.org/index.php

Current Web Sites and Videos

• Very old SPHERE computer doing very silly tricks, for SPHERETEMBER!!! - Ben Zotto - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHALstVxdPI

• Sphere repository at bitsavers.org - https://bitsavers.org/pdf/sphere/

• Home repository for the Sphere-1 reconstruction by Andrew Shapton - https://github.com/Sphere-Corporation

• https://hackaday.com/2023/03/11/a-love-letter-to-the-sphere-computer/

• VCF West: Sphere 1: The First Modern Microcomputer — Ben Zotto - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GilFixu4KY

References

• Ben's site - https://sphere.computer/

• Ben's book "Go Computer Now!!!" - https://shop.gocomputernow.com/products/go-computer-now

• Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sphere_1

Floppy Days 164 - The Sphere, Part 1 with Ben Zotto

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FloppyDays

Sponsors:

• 8-Bit Classics

• Arcade Shopper and https://thekeep.net

• FutureVision Research

• Tuc's Workbench

Hello!!! and welcome to episode 164 of the Floppy Days Podcast, for June, 2026. My name is Randy Kindig and I'm your host for this joy ride through the rewarding hobby of vintage computers and computer history.

I have to start off by apologizing, as I'll actually be stepping back in the computer timeline for this episode. Sometimes it happens. My goal from the beginning of this podcast was to go through computers in the approximate order they were released (at least by year). And, I've largely done that with this podcast. However, sometimes a machine comes up that I didn't know about or didn't recognize its importance at the time I put together the list of computers to cover. This month that computer is the Sphere, which was introduced in 1975. That's right, I said 1975. That was the same year as the Altair and even before the Apple 1.

What was the Sphere and why do we care? The Sphere was the first "personal computer," defined as such by Byte Magazine due to its consumer focus and built-in keyboard and monitor. Now, I know that many computers can claim the moniker of first "personal computer", and rightly so, but this one has the endorsement of an early, well-respected, long-running computer magazine and they have good reason for feeling this way about the Sphere. Once you hear the details, you'll see just how ground-breaking this machine was at a very early period of computer history.

Not only that, some of the personal stories behind the machine are simply downright fascinating.

Ben Zotto is the undisputed expert on the Sphere in these times, after finding an abandoned machine sitting on the sidewalk and deciding to adopt it and learn more about it. He recently wrote a comprehensive book on the Sphere called "Go Computer Now!" that I mentioned the last episode I had acquired. Well, I ended up reading that book cover-to-cover and really enjoying it. So much so that I decided to contact Ben and see if he would be willing to come onto the podcast to talk about his book and the Sphere Computer. Thankfully, he was. This podcast actually serves two purposes: first as an interview with Ben to learn more about him and his book, and secondly as an overview of a computer I didn't cover back when I started this podcast back in 2013 with the Altair 8800 and the Apple 1.

So, this will be a 2-part journey on the Sphere. This month we talk in great detail with Ben Zotto about how he ended up going down the Sphere rabbit hole and all the great things he's done to promote an important machine that was forgotten in the annals of history. Next month, Ben and I go through all the usual topics about the Sphere: history, tech specs, using the machine, current Web sites and a great deal more.

I really hope you enjoy hearing about the Sphere and meeting Ben Zotto!

New Acquisitions/What I've Been Up To/News

• VCFSW - https://www.vcfsw.org

• REU Grande - https://www.go4retro.com

• National Videogame Museum (NVM) - https://nvmusa.org/)

• article/cover for May, 2026 Call-A.P.P.L.E. Magazine with Floppy Days Woz interview - https://www.callapple.org/

• passing of Howell Ivy:

• audio interview from 2022 - https://floppydays.libsyn.com/floppy-days-114-howell-ivy-exidy-sorcerer-and-exidy

• video interview from 2022 - https://youtu.be/QojU9ty4q_U

• audio interview for Byte Shop 50th - https://floppydays.libsyn.com/floppy-days-161-byte-shop-interviews

• video interview for Byte Shop 50th - https://youtu.be/QlmkvVSuNbs

Upcoming Vintage Computer Shows

• KansasFest 2026 - July 14-19 - University of Illinois Springfield (in person) - July 31-Aug. 1 (virtual) - https://www.kansasfest.org/

• Silly Venture SE (Summer Edition) - July 30-Aug. 2 - Gdansk, Poland - https://www.demoparty.net/silly-venture/silly-venture-2026-se

• Southern Fried Gaming Expo and VCF Southeast - July 31-Aug 2, 2026 - Atlanta, GA - https://gameatl.com/

• Long Island Retro Gaming Expo - August 7-9, 2026 - Cradle of Aviation, Garden City, NY - https://liretro.com/

• Fujiama - August 26-30 - Lengenfeld, Germany - http://atarixle.ddns.net/fuji/2026

• Vintage Computer Festival GB 2026 - September 11-13 - Aintree Racecourse, near Liverpool, United Kingdom - https://www.facebook.com/events/25457837877216829/

• Vintage Computer Festival Midwest - September 12-13 - Schaumburg Convention Center in Schaumburg, IL - https://vcfmw.org/

• Tandy Assembly 2026 - October 2-4, 2026 - Cincinnati, Ohio - https://www.tandyassembly.com/

• Portland Retro Gaming Expo - October 9-11 - Oregon Convention Center, Portland, OR - https://retrogamingexpo.com/

• Chicago TI International World Faire - October 24 - Evanston Public Library, Evanston, IL - https://www.chicagotiug.org/home

• VCF Montreal - November 7-8 - Champlain College Saint-Lambert, Saint-Lambert, QC - https://cvcfed.org/vcf-montreal-2-0/

• Schedule Published on Floppy Days Website - https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vSeLsg4hf5KZKtpxwUQgacCIsqeIdQeZniq3yE881wOCCYskpLVs5OO1PZLqRRF2t5fUUiaKByqQrgA/pub

Interview Links

• Ben's site - https://sphere.computer/

• Ben's book "Go Computer Now!!!" - https://shop.gocomputernow.com/products/go-computer-now

• Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sphere_1

Floppy Days 163 - Interview with Charles Pfister, Apple 1 Case Designer

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FloppyDays

Sponsors:

• 8-Bit Classics

• Arcade Shopper and https://thekeep.net

• FutureVision Research

• Tuc's Workbench

New Acquisitions

• Chalkboard PowerPad - https://www.atarimagazines.com/creative/v9n10/52_The_legend_of_the_pad_of_.php

• "Go Computer Now!!!" by Ben Zotto - https://shop.gocomputernow.com/products/go-computer-now

• "Apple The First 50 Years" by David Pogue - https://amzn.to/4f6XJjU (sponsored link)

• FujiNet RS-232 - https://www.fvresearch.com/product/fujinet-rs232/

Upcoming Shows (thru AUGUST, 2026)

• VCF Southwest - May 29-31, 2026 - Westin Dallas Ft. Worth Airport - https://www.vcfsw.org/

• Retrofest 2026 - May 30-31 - Steam Museum of the Great Western Railway, Swindon, UK - https://retrofest.uk/

• CORGSCON - Columbus Ohio Retro Gaming Society - June 6-7 - Ohio Expo Center, Columbus, OH - https://www.corgscon.com/

• INIT HELLO (Apple II) - June 19-21 - System Source Computer Museum, Hunt Valley, MD - https://init-hello.org/

• Chilliwack & Vancouver Retro Gaming Expo - June 20 - New Westminster, BC, Canada - https://www.vancouvergamingexpo.com/index.html

• Pacific Commodore Expo NW 2026 - June 20-21 - Old Rainier Brewery Intraspace, Seattle, WA - http://www.portcommodore.com/pacommex

• KansasFest 2026 - July 14-19 - University of Illinois Springfield (in person) - July 31-Aug. 1 (virtual) - https://www.kansasfest.org/

• Silly Venture SE (Summer Edition) - July 30-Aug. 2 - Gdansk, Poland - https://www.demoparty.net/silly-venture/silly-venture-2026-se

• Southern Fried Gaming Expo and VCF Southeast - July 31-Aug 2, 2026 - Atlanta, GA - https://gameatl.com/

• Long Island Retro Gaming Expo - August 7-9, 2026 - Cradle of Aviation, Garden City, NY - https://liretro.com/

• Fujiama - August 26-30 - Lengenfeld, Germany - http://atarixle.ddns.net/fuji/2026

• Schedule Published on Floppy Days Website - https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vSeLsg4hf5KZKtpxwUQgacCIsqeIdQeZniq3yE881wOCCYskpLVs5OO1PZLqRRF2t5fUUiaKByqQrgA/pub

Interview Links

• EDI Insights (YouTube) - https://www.youtube.com/@EliteoneDesigns

• Elite Designs (Facebook) - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100046369452863

• Computer History Museum - https://computerhistory.org/

Floppy Days 162 - Interview with Apple Legend, Steve Wozniak

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FloppyDays

Sponsors:

• 8-Bit Classics

• Arcade Shopper and https://thekeep.net

• FutureVision Research

• Tuc's Workbench

New Acquisitions

• The WOZPAK Special Edition: Steve Wozniak's Apple-1 & Apple II Computers - https://www.callapple.org/documentation/books/a-p-p-l-e-announces-the-wozpak-special-edition/

• Assembly Lines: The Complete Book by Roger Wagner (Author), Chris Torrence (Editor) - https://amzn.to/4eU23ma (sponsored link)

• What's Where in the Apple – Enhanced Edition: A Complete Guide to the Apple II Computer - https://www.callapple.org/call-apple/callapple-production/whats-where-in-the-apple-enhanced-edition-released-by-a-p-p-l-e/

Upcoming Computer Shows (thru July, 2026)

• VCF Europe - May 1-3 - Munich, Germany - https://vcfe.org/E/

• Vintage Computer Festival Pacific Northwest 2026 - May 2-3 - Tukwila Community Center, South Tukwila, WA - https://vcfpnw.org

• VCF Southwest - May 29-31, 2026 - Westin Dallas Ft. Worth Airport - https://www.vcfsw.org/

• Retrofest 2026 - May 30-31 - Steam Museum of the Great Western Railway, Swindon, UK - https://retrofest.uk/

• CORGSCON - Columbus Ohio Retro Gaming Society - June 6-7 - Ohio Expo Center, Columbus, OH - https://www.corgscon.com/

• INIT HELLO (Apple II) - June 19-21 - System Source Computer Museum, Hunt Valley, MD - https://init-hello.org/

• Vintage Computer Festival GB 2026 - June 19-21 - Leigh, Wigan, United Kingdom - https://www.facebook.com/events/25457837877216829/

• Chilliwack & Vancouver Retro Gaming Expo - June 20 - New Westminster, BC, Canada - https://www.vancouvergamingexpo.com/index.html

• Pacific Commodore Expo NW 2026 - June 20-21 - Old Rainier Brewery Intraspace, Seattle, WA - http://www.portcommodore.com/pacommex

• KansasFest 2026 - July 14-19 - University of Illinois Springfield - https://www.kansasfest.org/

• Silly Venture SE (Summer Edition) - July 30-Aug. 2 - Gdansk, Poland - https://www.demoparty.net/silly-venture/silly-venture-2026-se

• Southern Fried Gaming Expo and VCF Southeast - July 31-Aug 2, 2026 - Atlanta, GA - https://gameatl.com/

• Schedule Published on Floppy Days Website - https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vSeLsg4hf5KZKtpxwUQgacCIsqeIdQeZniq3yE881wOCCYskpLVs5OO1PZLqRRF2t5fUUiaKByqQrgA/pub

Interview Links

• video file created for Byte Shop 50th Anniversary event - https://youtu.be/ANR1fYicwxI

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Wozniak

Floppy Days 161 - Byte Shop Interviews

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FloppyDays

Sponsors:

• 8-Bit Classics

• Arcade Shopper and https://thekeep.net

• FutureVision Research

• Tuc's Workbench

Hello, and welcome to episode 161 of the Floppy Days Podcast for March, 2026. I am Randy Kindig, your host for this wild ride through vintage computing.

This month I have a special episode prepared. For the 50th Anniversary event of the opening of the Byte Shop that occurred in California in December, 2025, I interviewed 11 different people with some sort of ties to Paul Terrell and the Byte Shop. Prior to the event itself, I published an approximately 30-minute-long video with just sound bites from those interviews to help get the word out (https://youtu.be/ANR1fYicwxI). This month, I've taken the complete interviews (except for one) and created a longer episode out of it so you can hear the entirety of the interviews.

To be clear, each of the interviews has as its main topic the Byte Shop and Paul Terrell. However, at the same time, we're able to learn a bit about each of the people who have ties to the Byte Shop and Paul.

For this month's show, the 9 total interviews include the following people:

• Rick Kahn, who worked at the Byte Shop of Placentia

• Michael Tomczyk, Vic-20 Czar at Commodore

• Rob Terrell, Paul's nephew and frequent visitor to the Byte Shop

• Chuck Mauro, worked at Apple and Byte Shop #2

• Lee Felsenstein, developer of the SOL and Osborne computers

• Scott Shekels, frequent visitor to the Byte Shop

• Teryl & Gloria Burt, Northstar distributor to the Byte Shop

• Howell Ivy, developer of the Exidy Sorcerer and worked with Paul Terrell at Exidy

• Paul Freiberger, computer historian

Intro

• 30-minute video of sound bites for Byte Shop 50th Anniversary Event - https://youtu.be/ANR1fYicwxI

New Acquisitions and What I've Been Up To

• Indy Vintage Computer Club - https://www.indyvcc.org

• Midwest Computer Museum - https://www.midwestcomputermuseum.com

• Power of Vintage - https://www.youtube.com/@powerofvintage9442

• Tech Dungeon - https://www.techdungeon.xyz

• 8bitdevices - https://www.8bitdevices.com/

• lightboxes:

• https://www.etsy.com/listing/4306784729/lightbox-for-retro-computer-video-games

• https://www.ebay.com/str/techdungeon

• https://www.ebay.com/itm/335958112556

Upcoming Shows (thru June, 2026)

• VCF East - April 17-19 2026 - InfoAge Science and History Museums, Wall, NJ - https://vcfed.org/events/vintage-computer-festival-east/

• Midwest Gaming Classic - April 24-26 - Baird Center, Milwaukee, WI - https://www.midwestgamingclassic.com/

• The Annual "Last" Chicago CoCoFEST! - April 24-25, 2026 - Holiday Inn & Suites Chicago-Carol Stream (Wheaton), Carol Stream, Illinois - https://www.glensideccc.com/cocofest/

• Commodore Los Angeles Super Show 2026 - April 25-26 - Burbank, CA - http://www.portcommodore.com/class

• VCF Europe - May 1-3 - Munich, Germany - https://vcfe.org/E/

• Vintage Computer Festival Pacific Northwest 2026 - May 2-3 - Tukwila Community Center, South Tukwila, WA - https://vcfpnw.org

• VCF Southwest - May 29-31, 2026 - Westin Dallas Ft. Worth Airport - https://www.vcfsw.org/

• Retrofest 2026 - May 30-31 - Steam Museum of the Great Western Railway, Swindon, UK - https://retrofest.uk/

• INIT HELLO (Apple II) - June 19-21 - System Source Computer Museum, Hunt Valley, MD - https://init-hello.org/

• Vintage Computer Festival GB 2026 - June 19-21 - Leigh, Wigan, United Kingdom - https://www.facebook.com/events/25457837877216829/

• Vancouver Retro Gaming Expo - June 20 - New Westminster, BC, Canada - https://www.vancouvergamingexpo.com/index.html

• Pacific Commodore Expo NW 2026 - June 20-21 - Old Rainier Brewery Intraspace, Seattle, WA - http://www.portcommodore.com/pacommex

• Schedule Published on Floppy Days Website - https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vSeLsg4hf5KZKtpxwUQgacCIsqeIdQeZniq3yE881wOCCYskpLVs5OO1PZLqRRF2t5fUUiaKByqQrgA/pub

Feedback

• Stewart Cheifet tribute from S.M. Oliva - https://www.computerchronicles.blog/podcast/chronicles-revisited-podcast-018-the-publics-broadcaster/

Floppy Days 160 - The KayPro, Part 4, with Matt Jones

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FloppyDays

Sponsors:

• 8-Bit Classics

• Arcade Shopper

• FutureVision Research

• Tuc's Workbench

YouTube Channel: https://www.YouTube.com/@floppydayspodcast

Hello, and welcome to episode 160 of the Floppy Days Podcast for February, 2026. I'm Randy Kindig, your host. We are currently covering computers introduced in the year 1982 and, to that end, we are at the tail end of a series of podcasts about the Kaypro line of computers. Kaypro had a rich and varied family of computers; certainly much more so than I ever realized. I was able to interview David Kay, son of the founder of KayPro, and president of the company for some time, in the first two episodes. Last month, Matthew Jones, an aficionado of the KayPro computers and owner of many of the models, helped me talk about KayPro history, tech specs, and more, through the topic of using the machine. This month Matt and I complete the KayPro series by starting with books and magazines and ending with current Web sites and a lot more content in between.

I will have a video version of this episode posted to the Floppy Days Podcast channel on YouTube (https://www.YouTube.com/@floppydayspodcast ) that will be available for everyone soon (after the early access period for Patreon supporters has expired). So, please consider becoming a subscriber on YouTube. Doing so helps support the podcast.

You will hear ads from some great vintage computer stores, themselves vintage computer fans, throughout the early part of this podcast. For all of these storefronts, when you place an order, please mention Floppy Days in the notes or comments of the order. Doing so will help support the podcast. Many thanks!!

New Acquisitions

• Atari XF551 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atari_XF551

Upcoming Shows

• Schedule Published on Floppy Days Website - https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vSeLsg4hf5KZKtpxwUQgacCIsqeIdQeZniq3yE881wOCCYskpLVs5OO1PZLqRRF2t5fUUiaKByqQrgA/pub

• Indy Classic Computer and Video Game Expo - March 20-22 - Wyndham Indianapolis Airport Hotel, Indianapolis, IN - https://indyclassic.org/

• Atari Invasion 2k26 (10th Anniversary) - March 21 - Maarssen, Netherlands - https://www.atari-invasion.nl

• VCF East - April 17-19 2026 - InfoAge Science and History Museums, Wall, NJ - https://vcfed.org/events/vintage-computer-festival-east/

• Midwest Gaming Classic - April 24-26 - Baird Center, Milwaukee, WI - https://www.midwestgamingclassic.com/

• The Annual "Last" Chicago CoCoFEST! - April 24-25, 2026 - Holiday Inn & Suites Chicago-Carol Stream (Wheaton), Carol Stream, Illinois - https://www.glensideccc.com/cocofest/

• Commodore Los Angeles Super Show 2026 - April 25-26 - Burbank, CA - http://www.portcommodore.com/class

• VCF Europe - May 1-3 - Munich, Germany - https://vcfe.org/E/

• Vintage Computer Festival Pacific Northwest 2026 - May 2-3 - Tukwila Community Center, South Tukwila, WA - https://vcfpnw.org

• VCF Southwest - May 29-31, 2026 - Westin Dallas Ft. Worth Airport - https://www.vcfsw.org/

• Retrofest 2026 - May 30-31 - Steam Museum of the Great Western Railway, Swindon, UK - https://retrofest.uk/

Popular Magazines/Newsletters

• Major September 1983 review in Byte - https://retrocmp.de/kaypro/1983_09_BYTE_08-09_Kaypro-II.pdf

• Heavily featured in Micro Cornucopia; curated Kaypro index here - https://retrocmp.de/kaypro/kay-p13_micro-c.htm

• First Osborne Group (FOG) - https://archive.org/details/foghornnewsletter

• Non-Linear Systems published Pro-Files, a Kaypro users magazine - https://archive.org/search?query=collection%3Akayproprofiles&sort=-publicdate

Books

• Chilton's Guide to Kaypro Repair and Maintenance by Gene Williams - https://amzn.to/4nQj6XV

• Basic Kaypro for Kids Paperback by W. H. Darnell (Author), P. J. Barton (Author) - https://amzn.to/465ofFs

• KayPro books at Amazon - https://amzn.to/4goRQgy

• Kaypro II User's Guide (getting started, bundled software) - https://messui.polygonal-moogle.com/comp/kaypro_um.pdf

• Dealer Quick Reference Manual - https://archive.org/details/bitsavers_kayproKaypManual1982_1562045/page/n2/mode/1up

• Using the Kaypro II personal computer by Lord, Kenniston W - https://archive.org/details/usingkayproiiper0000lord

• The instant expert's guide to the Kaypro II by Bennett, M. D - https://archive.org/details/instantexpertsgu0000benn

• KayPro Documentation, including KayPro Technical Manual - https://archive.org/details/the-kaypro-II-users-guide/1484-D_KayproTechnicalManual_Dec84/

Software

• ROMs for KayPro - https://archive.org/details/KayproII_201809

• TOSEC (The Old School Emulation Center) software collection at archive.org - https://archive.org/details/bitsavers_kayproKaypManual1982_1562045/page/n2/mode/1up

• Software images - https://mame.spludlow.co.uk/SoftwareLists.aspx?Exact=true&List=kaypro

Ads and Appearances

• Starring the Computer - https://www.starringthecomputer.com/computer.html?c=185

Modern Upgrades

• Floppy emulation: Gotek/FlashFloppy widely used on Kaypros - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yF0L6XpRugo

• Hard drive emulation (FreHD): - https://www.google.com/search?q=FreHD+for+kaypro

• Replacement ROMs: Advent TurboROM and KayPLUS:

• ROM for emulators - https://mame.spludlow.co.uk/Machine.aspx?name=kayproii

• buying TurboROM (eBay) - https://www.ebay.com/itm/326275234269

Emulation

• MAME (Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator):

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsFw9VejeS8&pp=ygUGa2F5cHJv

• https://forums.bannister.org/ubbthreads.php?Main=8530&Number=107854&ubb=showflat

• izkaypro - https://github.com/ivanizag/izkaypro

• kobolt/kaytil - https://github.com/kobolt/kaytil

• Virtual KayPro Computer - http://sims.durgadas.com/kaypro/kaypro.html

Buying One Today

• replacement power supply - https://bonuslifecomputers.com/products/kaypro-meanwell-power-supply-mount?pr_prod_strat=e5_desc&pr_rec_id=8d24492dc&pr_rec_pid=8108848349374&pr_ref_pid=7736195809470&pr_seq=uniform&variant=44048046653630

Community

• Facebook - Kaypro Computer Users group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/580355602847013/

• Forums:

• AtariAge - https://forums.atariage.com/search/?q=kaypro&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=116

• VCFed Kaypro discussions (active repair/usage help) - http://vcfed.com

Current Web Sites and Videos

• Byte Magazine Sep. 1983 KayPro II Review - https://retrocmp.de/kaypro/1983_09_BYTE_08-09_Kaypro-II.pdf

• Bitsavers: Service guides, user/dealer manuals - https://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/kaypro/1484-E_KayproTechnicalManual_Ch1-15_Jun85.pdf

• retrocmp (Kaypro portal): Model/board variations, flyers, notes - https://retrocmp.de/kaypro/

• OldSilicon - Overviews & photos - https://www.oldsilicon.com/kaypro-ii

• RetroArchive — disk images, TurboROMs, utilities and preservation images - http://www.retroarchive.org/

• MESSUI (documented user manual scans) - http://messui.polygonal-moogle.com

• books, magazines, software - https://www.archive.org

• Kaypro Computer Ad (1983) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uStyBfC1pYE

• KayPro II Tour - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoK0J69C80I by Scott Lawrence

• I Hope My Modded Kaypro Doesn't Explode by Action Retro - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsFw9VejeS8&pp=ygUGa2F5cHJv

• Lazy Game Reviews - CP/M Vintage Goodies - Osborne 1 Computer & Kaypro IV - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLnTAYMMLOc

• Many videos at YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=kaypro&sp=CAM%253D

References

• Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaypro

• KayPro (CP/M) information at retrocmp.de - https://retrocmp.de/kaypro

• KayPro Journal - http://kayprojournal.com

ANTIC Episode 125 - "Combining SQL with Fun (and Poo)"

In this episode of ANTIC The Atari 8-Bit Computer Podcast… Wade Ripkowski comes onto the show and gives us an update on his work to bring SQL to the Atari (and an extremely useful poo management tool!), we cover good news concerning the Curt Vendel Atari collection, we report on an exciting updated browser-based emulator, a huge update to AspeQT, and a whole lot more!! READY!

Recurring Links

Floppy Days Podcast

AtariArchives.org

AtariMagazines.com

Kay's Book "Terrible Nerd"

New Atari books scans at archive.org

ANTIC feedback at AtariAge

Atari interview discussion thread on AtariAge

Interview index: here

ANTIC Facebook Page

AHCS

Eaten By a Grue

Next Without For

What we've been up to

• cubeSQL project blog post - https://unfinishedbitness.info/2026/02/01/atari-8-bit-sql/

• Unfinished Bitness - https://unfinishedbitness.info

• Wade's A8 C Library - https://unfinishedbitness.info/c-library/

• cubeSQL - https://sqlabs.com/cubesql

• FujiNet - https://fujinet.online/

• CubeDot - https://unfinishedbitness.info/cubedot/

• Fuji Do - https://unfinishedbitness.info/fuji-do/

• Fuji Poo - https://unfinishedbitness.info/fuji-poo/

• Dr. Love - https://unfinishedbitness.info/dr-love/

• video demo of CubeDot - https://vimeo.com/1165039670

• video demo of Fuji Do - https://vimeo.com/1165038947

• Mr. Paint - https://unfinishedbitness.info/mr-paint/

• King PONG How Atari Bounced Across Markets to Make Millions - https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262051330/king-pong/

• Atari newsletter time capsule 1987-08:

• https://archive.org/details/antc_Atari_newsletter_time_capsule_1987-08

• The Strong museum - https://www.museumofplay.org/

• FujiNet Application Ideas - https://github.com/FujiNetWIFI/fujinet-firmware/wiki/Application-Ideas

• Smith Corona Messenger Module and Smith Corona Ultrasonic 450 typewriter - https://typewriterdatabase.com/1983-smith-corona-ultrasonic.2181.typewriter

• prototype of Atari chapter for Quick Reference Book - https://floppydaysqr.my.canva.site/

New & Updated Games

• Inufuto Game Cartridge - posted by Philsan:

• https://forums.atariage.com/topic/331824-inufuto-does-atari-8-bit/page/5/#comment-5783007

• https://www.atarimania.com/list_games_atari-400-800-xl-xe-inufuto_developer_3171_8_G.html

• FujiNet Midimaze mode now stable by Mozzwald - https://forums.atariage.com/topic/387536-midimaze-mode-now-stable/

New & Updated non-Game Software

• A8E (Atari 800 XL Emulator) - By AnimaInCorpore:

• https://forums.atariage.com/topic/388191-a8e-atari-800-xl-emulator-v100/

• Source - https://github.com/AnimaInCorpore/A8E

• Browser demo - https://jsa8e.anides.de/

• Atari800-AI - Benj Edwards - https://github.com/benj-edwards/atari800-ai

• Update to mkatr (including lsatr) tools from dmsc - https://github.com/dmsc/mkatr/releases/tag/v1.4

• AspeQt-2k26 - John Paul Jones:

• https://github.com/pjones1063/AspeQt-2k26

• https://forums.atariage.com/topic/387630-wip-aspeqt-2k26-resurrecting-aspeqt-with-qt6-high-dpi-wi-fi-modems/

• https://forums.atariage.com/topic/388105-%F0%9F%9A%80-aspeqt-2k26-dev-update-the-thin-client-concept-introducing-the-w-device-and-clipboard-y-device/

Publications

• BASIC Fun on Your A400 Mini: BASIC for real hardware and emulators too! By John McGinnis - https://www.amazon.com/BASIC-Fun-Your-A400-Mini/dp/B0G1YGJ2P7

• Atari Insights February 2026:

• Newsletters - https://ataribasics.com/newsletter-hub/

• YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@AtariBasics

• February, 2026 Issue of Compute's Gazette - https://www.computesgazette.com

• ABBUC Magazine 163 released - https://www.abbuc.de

• Pro(c) gone; last issue #15 - web site updated May 2025 - https://web.archive.org/web/20250404175246/https://proc-atari.de/

New & Updated Hardware

• 5200XEGS - Making your Classic Super Game Console into an 8-Bit Computer - mytek - https://forums.atariage.com/topic/387340-5200xegs-making-your-classic-super-game-console-into-an-8-bit-computer/

Contests

• High Score Club active for 2026 (season 23) - https://forums.atariage.com/topic/387353-hsc-season-23-jan-2026-welcome-and-game-list-thread/

• ABBUC Creative Competition 2026 has been launched - https://forums.atariage.com/topic/387746-abbuc-creative-competition-2026-has-been-launched/

• ABBUC Application Software Competition 2026 has been launched - https://forums.atariage.com/topic/387745-abbuc-application-software-competition-2026-has-been-launched/

• ABBUC Game Software Competition 2026 has been launched - https://forums.atariage.com/topic/387744-abbuc-software-competition-2026-has-been-launched/

• ABBUC Hardware Competition 2026 has been launched - https://forums.atariage.com/topic/387737-abbuc-hardware-competition-2026-has-been-launched/

Other

• Byte magazine cover illustrator has passed away. https://tinney.net/in-memoriam

• Strong museum announces the acquisition of the Curt Vendel Atari Collection - https://www.museumofplay.org/press-release/the-strong-national-museum-of-play-acquires-atari-home-computer-and-console-division-collection/

• Atari Hotel news - https://www.casino.org/vitalvegas/atari-hotel-that-was-never-happening-makes-headlines-for-not-happening/

Upcoming Shows (thru May, 2026)

• Indy Classic Computer and Video Game Expo - March 20-22 - Wyndham Indianapolis Airport Hotel, Indianapolis, IN - https://indyclassic.org/

• Atari Invasion 2k26 (10th Anniversary) - March 21 - Maarssen, Netherlands - https://www.atari-invasion.nl

• VCF East - April 17-19 2026 - InfoAge Science and History Museums, Wall, NJ - https://vcfed.org/events/vintage-computer-festival-east/

• Midwest Gaming Classic - April 24-26 - Baird Center, Milwaukee, WI - https://www.midwestgamingclassic.com/

• VCF Europe - May 1-3 - Munich, Germany - https://vcfe.org/E/

• Vintage Computer Festival Pacific Northwest 2026 - May 2-3 - Tukwila Community Center, South Tukwila, WA - https://vcfpnw.org

• VCF Southwest - May 29-31, 2026 - Westin Dallas Ft. Worth Airport - https://www.vcfsw.org/

• Retrofest 2026 - May 30-31 - Steam Museum of the Great Western Railway, Swindon, UK - https://retrofest.uk/

YouTube Videos

• Atari 130XE gets new ACID Stereo board (with new U1MB plugin), Decent XE keyboard, and more upgrades - FlashJazzCat - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRjy-0AB_90

• Using FujiNet NOS with SD Card - Thom Cherryhomes - https://youtu.be/G0gXB3Z4Nmc

Feedback

• Beat The Beatles — "It May Be The First Video Game About The Beatles" - Before Rock Band, There Was Beat the Beatles - https://www.timeextension.com/news/2025/11/random-it-may-be-the-first-video-game-about-the-beatles-before-rock-band-there-was-beat-the-beatles

Wade Ripkowski Contact Information

• https://inverseatascii.info/

• https://unfinishedbitness.info/

• Mastodon @[email protected]

• Email: [email protected]

FLOPPY DAYS 159 - The KayPro - Part 3 With Matt Jones

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FloppyDays

Sponsors:

• 8-Bit Classics

• Arcade Shopper and https://thekeep.net

• FutureVision Research

• Tuc's Workbench

Hello, and welcome to episode 159 of the Floppy Days Podcast for January, 2026. I'm Randy Kindig, your host. We are currently covering computers introduced in the year 1982 and, to that end, we are currently in the middle of a series of podcasts about the Kaypro line of computers. Kaypro had a rich and varied family of computers; certainly much more so than I ever realized. I was able to interview David Kay, son of the founder of KayPro, and president of the company for some time, in the previous two episodes. This month we'll delve into history, tech specs, and more, through the topic of using the machine. Next month we'll complete the series by starting with books and magazines and ending with current Web sites and a lot more content in between.

I will have a video version of this episode posted to the Floppy Days Podcast channel on YouTube.

You will hear ads from some great vintage computer stores, themselves vintage computer fans, throughout the early part of this podcast. For all of these storefronts, when you place an order, please mention Floppy Days in the notes or comments of the order. Doing so will help support the podcast. Many thanks!!

I also wanted to mention those listeners who appreciate the show enough to donate through patreon.com. I really appreciate you guys and it helps offset the cost of running the podcast.

Regarding that, I've created some tiers for paid members and have come up with some ways to reward those who are generous enough to monetarily support the Floppy Days Podcast on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/FloppyDays ), such as early access to videos of interviews like the one being brought to you in audio form in this episode. Visit Patreon to see more details concerning the rewards for supporters .

I just want to say that it is my intention to always make all content available to everyone at no cost, while at the same time providing some benefits for those generous enough to support the podcast. I hope you agree I've come up with a good compromise

Please let me know your thoughts. Enjoy!!

New Acquisitions

• C64 Ultimate - https://www.commodore.net

• Smith Corona Ultrasonic 450 Typewriter and Messenger Module - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTcWEU2UPgM

News

• Interview with Stewart Cheifet for Floppy Days back in 2017 - https://floppydays.libsyn.com/floppy-days-78-interview-with-stewart-chefeit-computer-chronicles

Upcoming Vintage Computer Shows

• Vintage Computer Festival Montreal - Jan. 24-25, 2026 - Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC - https://vcfed.org/vcf-montreal/

• Tandy Retro Show 2026 - Jan. 24-25 - virtual - tandyretroshow.com

• Vintage Electronics Expo - Jan. 31, 2026 - Oakland Expo Center, Waterford, MI - https://www.thevee.org/

• Vintage Computer Festival SoCal - February 14-15, 2026 - Hotel Fera Events Center, Orange, CA - vcfsocal.com

• Indy Classic Computer and Video Game Expo - March 20-22 - Wyndham Indianapolis Airport Hotel, Indianapolis, IN - https://indyclassic.org/

• VCF East - April 17-19 2026 - InfoAge Science and History Museums, Wall, NJ - https://vcfed.org/events/vintage-computer-festival-east/

• Midwest Gaming Classic - April 24-26 - Baird Center, Milwaukee, WI - https://www.midwestgamingclassic.com/

• The Annual "Last" Chicago CoCoFEST! - April 24-25, 2026 - Holiday Inn & Suites Chicago-Carol Stream (Wheaton), Carol Stream, Illinois - https://www.glensideccc.com/cocofest/

• Commodore Los Angeles Super Show 2026 - April 25-26 - Burbank, CA - http://www.portcommodore.com/class

• VCF Europe - May 1-3 - Munich, Germany - https://vcfe.org/E/

• Vintage Computer Festival Pacific Northwest 2026 - May 2-3 - Tukwila Community Center, South Tukwila, WA - https://vcfpnw.org

• VCF Southwest - May 29-31, 2026 - Westin Dallas Ft. Worth Airport - https://www.vcfsw.org/

• Retrofest 2026 - May 30-31 - Steam Museum of the Great Western Railway, Swindon, UK - https://retrofest.uk/

• Schedule Published on Floppy Days Website - https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vSeLsg4hf5KZKtpxwUQgacCIsqeIdQeZniq3yE881wOCCYskpLVs5OO1PZLqRRF2t5fUUiaKByqQrgA/pub

References

• Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaypro

• KayPro (CP/M) information at retrocmp.de - https://retrocmp.de/kaypro

• KayPro Journal - http://kayprojournal.com