Beautiful Disaster: An Ode to Fry's Electronics
A story about technology change from generation to generation and the importance of feeling useful with DIY
See video version here:
https://youtu.be/r78tcGiIzP4

#diy #atari #motorcycles #pcgames #fryselectronics #southbay #memoir

Music licenses:
Soundstripe
Full Throttle: Code: UKYZGYCBOZ5E6MSB
1 Up: Code: FPQITALX8O3ERBZV

Written and Created By Steve Fulton
Thanks to @JarrodsTech for the video lesson

End song "Out Of The Vertical Blank"
by Tony Longworth
Thanks to our supporters:
BCB,
Atari Legend,
Atari Crypt,
ED Possible,
Tony Longworth
Daniel Beasley,
Barry Burkey
David Schmidt,
Jolt7800
Dave theVelociraptor

Into The Veritcal Blank is Steve and Jeff Fulton
intotheverticalblank.com

Sources
-Dirt Bike magazine, Aug., 1975
-Dirt Bike magazine, Dec., 1974
-Dirt Bike magazine, Feb., 1975
-LA Times, Dec. 11, 1975
-LA Times, July 8, 1979
-LA Times, April 25, 1976
-The Redondo Reflex Tue Jun 2 1970
-The Redondo Reflex Wed Jun 26 1974
-The Redondo Reflex Wed Sep 29 1976
-LA Times Jan. 15, 1983
-The Daily Breeze, Dec. 31, 1983
-LA Times, Jul. 27, 1983
-LA Times, Jun. 22, 1986
-LA Times, Apr. 2, 1984
-LA Times, Apr. 16, 1983
-LA Times, Nov. 18, 1983
-Kawasaki Ninja ZX-11 ZZ-R1100 Motorcycle Service Manual Supplement
-https://www.youtube.com/@renegonzalez6755: Rene Gonzalez
ZX1100-C1 C2 1990-1991
-LA times April 17, 1993
-LA Times, Aug 14, 1993
-Santa Cruz Sentinel, Feb 28, 1988
-Lodi News Sentinel, Feb 26, 1988
-LA Times, March 2, 1994
-LA Times, Dec. 8, 1993
-LA Times, Sept. 14, 1994
-LA Times, May 15, 1993
-LA Times, June 29, 1994
-LA Times, Sep 12, 1994
-LA Times, Sep 26, 1994
-Lodi News Sentinel, Jan. 2 1997
-Record Searchlight Jan 1, 1997
-LA Times June 24, 2001
-LA times Dec 28, 2003
-LA Times, May 29, 2002
-LA times, June 5, 2004
-LA Times June 3, 2002
-Orlando Sentinel, June 29, 2007
-News Press, April 3, 2010
-USA Today, April 10, 20121
-National Post, Oct. 19., 2012
-LA Times, Nov. 19, 2011
-LA Times, Dec 30, 2018
-LA Times, July 7, 2019
-LA Times, Feb 25, 2021

"Beautiful Disaster: An Ode To Fry's Electronics"

All music, audio / video production. writing and game play by @8bitrocket and or @fultonbot unless otherwise noted. (c)8bitrocket Studios
#Atari #IntoTheVerticalBlank #GenerationAtari

Into The Vertical Theme by Brian Travis
Title: Into The Vertical Blank theme Words & music by Brian Travis (c)(p)2021 Taste This Moment Music ASCAP
http://www.briantravisband.com/

Out of the Vertical Blank Theme By Tony Longworth

Into The vertical Blank On Blue SKY @8bitrocket.bsky.social

Into The Vertical Blank on Mastodon

@[email protected]

facebook https://www.facebook.com/intotheverticalblank

There were as many stories as there were people at Vintage Computer Fest So. Cal. 2025.

This is Ours

Video version of the main story here:
Finding Our Story at Vintage Computer Fest So. Cal. 2025

#retrogaming #vintacomouting
Links, etc.

Panel Attendees:
→ David from Usagi Electric - youtube.com/@UsagiElectric
→ Jeri from Tilt Five - tiltfive.com
→ Sean from Advent of Computing - adventofcomputing.libsyn.com
→ Evie from Evie's Revue - youtube.com/@EviesRevue
→ Alex from That Electronics Fool - youtube.com/@ThatElectronicsFool
→ Jeff & Steve from Into The Vertical Blank - youtube.com/@IntoTheVerticalBlank
→ Steve from The VintNerd - youtube.com/@TheVintNerd

Vendors And Exhibitors
→Jason Moore - http://atariprojects.org
→Levi’s Retro Bridge - https://www.levimaaia.com
→Aquarius+ - https://aquarius.1stage.com
→Old School Gamer - http://www.oldschoolgamer.com
→Monsoon Studios -https://monsoonstudios.net
→Commander X16 - https://commanderx16.com
→Sideburn Studios - https://youtube.com/sideburn
→Atari Video Music (1977) Display - https://www.youtube.com/@AtariVideoMusic
→Jim DiNunzio - https://jimdinunzio.com
→The Wind Terminal - https://www.windterminal.com
→The Southern Amis Projects - https://www.southernamis.com

VCF Ao. Call Web Site: https://www.vcfsocal.com/

Late night fuel support appreciated but not demanded : https://www.buymeacoffee.com/intotheverticalblank

Thanks for support from:
BCB, Atari Legend, Atari Crypt,
ED Possible, Tony Longworth
Daniel Beasley, Barry Burkey
David Schmidt, Jolt7800
Dave theVelociraptor

All music, audio / video production. writing and game play by @8bitrocket and or @fultonbot unless otherwise noted. (c)8bitrocket Studios
#Atari #IntoTheVerticalBlank #GenerationAtari

Into The Vertical Theme by Brian Travis
Title: Into The Vertical Blank theme Words & music by Brian Travis (c)(p)2021 Taste This Moment Music ASCAP
http://www.briantravisband.com/

Out of the Vertical Blank Theme By Tony Longworth

Into The vertical Blank On Blue SKY @8bitrocket.bsky.social

Into The Vertical Blank on Mastodon

@[email protected]

facebook https://www.facebook.com/intotheverticalblank

In the 1994, when retro gaming wasn't even really a thing yet, Ed Federmeyer decided he wanted to make his own Atari 2600 software. His drive to actually bring this dream to fruition may have sparked the modern are of retro games. Includes a new 2025 interview with Ed Federmeyer.

Late night fuel support appreciated but not demanded : https://www.buymeacoffee.com/intotheverticalblank

Thanks for support from:
BCB, Atari Legend, Atari Crypt,
ED Possible, Tony Longworth
Daniel Beasley, Barry Burkey
David Schmidt, Jolt7800
Dave theVelociraptor

Environmental music in this episode is Ed Federmeyer's "Class Project #1"

All music, audio / video production. writing and game play by @8bitrocket and or @fultonbot unless otherwise noted. (c)8bitrocket Studios
#Atari #IntoTheVerticalBlank #GenerationAtari

Into The Vertical Theme by Brian Travis
Title: Into The Vertical Blank theme Words & music by Brian Travis (c)(p)2021 Taste This Moment Music ASCAP
http://www.briantravisband.com/

Out of the Vertical Blank Theme By Tony Longworth

Into The vertical Blank On Blue SKY @8bitrocket.bsky.social

Into The Vertical Blank on Mastodon

@[email protected]

facebook https://www.facebook.com/intotheverticalblank

What started as simple "crack the seal" to open and play a 30 year old Windows game, became journey to discover, what might be, the origins of retro gaming itself.
Many Thanks to Eclectic Lee for creating the archive page used in this story.

See Video Version: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_Sge_pELco&feature=youtu.be

Music: All Systems Go by used on Cyberlink Power Director license:
Code: WTVUZQ8QQU4DGD83

Links:

Eclectic Lee's
rec.games.vidieo.classic Atari Action Pack Archive: https://home.hiwaay.net/~lkseitz/cvg/2600emu/
@eclecticlee.bsky.social

Win31DosBox:
https://mendelson.org/win31dosbox.html

Late night fuel support appreciated but not demanded : https://www.buymeacoffee.com/intotheverticalblank

Thanks for support from:
BCB, Atari Legend, Atari Crypt,
ED Possible, Tony Longworth
Daniel Beasley, Barry Burkey
David Schmidt, Jolt7800
Dave theVelociraptor

All music, audio / video production. writing and game play by @8bitrocket and or @fultonbot unless otherwise noted. (c)8bitrocket Studios
#Atari #IntoTheVerticalBlank #GenerationAtari

Into The Vertical Theme by Brian Travis
Title: Into The Vertical Blank theme Words & music by Brian Travis (c)(p)2021 Taste This Moment Music ASCAP
http://www.briantravisband.com/

Out of the Vertical Blank Theme By Tony Longworth

Into The vertical Blank On Blue SKY @8bitrocket.bsky.social

Into The Vertical Blank on Mastodon

@[email protected]

facebook https://www.facebook.com/intotheverticalblank

The final, definitive version of the story we've been trying to tell for the past 6 years. Christmas 1983, the Atari 8-bit computer Christmas was, for many reasons, the best *#@! Christmas ever. This new version gives a rounder picture, explains The Vertical Blank, obsesses over Star Wars, and tries to explain the actual result of Christmas 1983, once and for all.
#atari #atari8bit #atari800 #starwars #blankgeneration #genx

You can watch a movie version here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9YfsN51kO0&feature=youtu.be

Extra soundtrack music "Tinsel and Fire" by Tony Longwort
https://tonylongworth.bandcamp.com/album/free-music-for-everyone

Late night fuel support appreciated but not demanded : https://www.buymeacoffee.com/intotheverticalblank

Thanks for support from:
BCB, Atari Legend, Atari Crypt,
ED Possible, Tony Longworth
Daniel Beasley, Barry Burkey
David Schmidt, Jolt7800
Dave theVelociraptor

All music, audio / video production. writing and game play by #JeffFulton and or #SteveFulton unless otherwise noted. (c)8bitrocket Studios
#Atari #IntoTheVerticalBlank #GenerationAtari

Into The Vertical Theme by Brian Travis
Title: Into The Vertical Blank theme Words & music by Brian Travis (c)(p)2021 Taste This Moment Music ASCAP
http://www.briantravisband.com/

Out of the Vertical Blank Theme By Tony Longworth
Find the full song on band camp
https://t.co/qxbudlAFCK
Vertical Blank Branding
Daryl Litts

Research: Atarimania.com Atariage.com Atarilegend.com AtariCrypt MobyGames.com LemonAmiga.com

Find us here:
http://intotheverticalblank.com
nto The Vertical Blank Pod Cast – Twitter https://twitter.com/Atari_VB_Pod

Jeff on Threads @jeffdfulton

Jeff on Twitter @8bitrocket

@steveafulton Steve on Twitter @fultonbot

Into The vertical Blank On Blue SKY @8bitrocket.bsky.social

Into The Vertical Blank on Mastodon

@[email protected]

facebook https://www.facebook.com/intotheverticalblank

There is a new Atari related limited podcast out there that blew us away!
The Legend Of SwordQuest from iHeartRadio

Atariage Thread: Legend of Swordquest podcast - Atari 2600 - AtariAge Forums
iHeartRadio Podcast Page: The Legend of SwordQuest | iHeart
Jamie Loftus Page: Jamie Loftus
School Of Humans: The Legend of SwordQuest — School of Humans

Late night fuel support appreciated but not demanded : https://www.buymeacoffee.com/intotheverticalblank

Thanks for support from:
BCB, Atari Legend, Atari Crypt,
ED Possible, Tony Longworth
Daniel Beasley, Barry Burkey
David Schmidt, Jolt7800
Dave theVelociraptor

All music, audio / video production. writing and game play by #JeffFulton and or #SteveFulton unless otherwise noted. (c)8bitrocket Studios
#Atari #IntoTheVerticalBlank #GenerationAtari

Into The Vertical Theme by Brian Travis
Title: Into The Vertical Blank theme Words & music by Brian Travis (c)(p)2021 Taste This Moment Music ASCAP
http://www.briantravisband.com/

Out of the Vertical Blank Theme By Tony Longworth
Find the full song on band camp
https://t.co/qxbudlAFCK
Vertical Blank Branding
Daryl Litts

Late night fuel support appreciated but not demanded : https://www.buymeacoffee.com/intotheverticalblank

On the Into The Vertical Blank’s The Essential #atari ST, we investigate, discuss and evaluate #atarist Computers games and try to uncover titles worthy of play by all who are interested in the platform. I will be giving you a history of #timebandit , a personal review and I will also be inserting video and audio with my brother Steve, fultonbot, as we further discuss the gameplay, legacy and it’s metrics as an essential Atari ST title

Thanks for support from: BCB, Atari Legend, Atari Crypt, ED Possible, Tony Longworth Daniel Beasley, Barry Burkey David Schmidt, Jolt7800 Dave theVelociraptor

All music, audio / video production. writing and game play by #JeffFulton and or #SteveFulton unless otherwise noted. (c)8bitrocket Studios #Atari #IntoTheVerticalBlank #GenerationAtari

Into The Vertical Theme by Brian Travis Title: Into The Vertical Blank theme Words & music by Brian Travis (c)(p)2021 Taste This Moment Music ASCAP http://www.briantravisband.com/

Out of the Vertical Blank Theme By Tony Longworth Find the full song on band camp https://t.co/qxbudlAFCK

Vertical Blank Branding Daryl Litts

Research: Atarimania.com Atariage.com Atarilegend.com AtariCrypt MobyGames.com LemonAmiga.com

Into The Vertical Blank Pod Cast – Twitter https://twitter.com/Atari_VB_Pod

Jeff on Threads @jeffdfulton

Jeff on Twitter @8bitrocket

@steveafulton Steve on Twitter @fultonbot

Into The vertical Blank On Blue SKY @8bitrocket.bsky.social

Into The Vertical Blank on Mastodon  

@[email protected]

facebook https://www.facebook.com/intotheverticalblank

In this 20 minute rant, we loudly discuss an incident we recently had at a retro game store, and then talk about how the retro game store experience could be improved for all.

https://retrogamesplus.com/

Late night fuel support appreciated but not demanded : https://www.buymeacoffee.com/intotheverticalblank

Thanks for support from:
BCB, Atari Legend, Atari Crypt,
ED Possible, Tony Longworth
Daniel Beasley, Barry Burkey
David Schmidt, Jolt7800
Dave theVelociraptor

All music, audio / video production. writing and game play by #JeffFulton and or #SteveFulton unless otherwise noted. (c)8bitrocket Studios
#Atari #IntoTheVerticalBlank #GenerationAtari

Into The Vertical Theme by Brian Travis
Title: Into The Vertical Blank theme Words & music by Brian Travis (c)(p)2021 Taste This Moment Music ASCAP
http://www.briantravisband.com/

Out of the Vertical Blank Theme By Tony Longworth
Find the full song on band camp
https://t.co/qxbudlAFCK
Vertical Blank Branding
Daryl Litts

Research: Atarimania.com Atariage.com Atarilegend.com AtariCrypt MobyGames.com LemonAmiga.com

Find us here:
http://intotheverticalblank.com
Into the Vertical Blank: Generation Atari | Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/intotheverticalblank
Into The Vertical Blank Pod Cast – Twitter
https://twitter.com/Atari_VB_Pod
Jeff on Threads @jeffdfulton
Jeff on Twitter @8bitrocket
Steve on Threads @steveafulton
Steve on Twitter @fultonbot

(Including Sun Su Si and First Samurai)

Join us as we take a look at 10 good #actionplatformer games for the #atarist we also briefly discuss them for the #amiga and otjer 80s computers such as the #c64 and #pc I have chosen the #Atari ST as my platform because it was what I had from 1987 until 1992 and also because these games have most likely been explored in detail for other systems multiple times already, whereas the ST versions probably have not been explored as much as they deserve outside of the few good ST youtube channels that do a great job of covering games for the system.

Youtube version: https://youtu.be/BeT-50_7LnI

Late night fuel support appreciated but not demanded : https://www.buymeacoffee.com/intotheverticalblank

Thanks for support from: BCB, Atari Legend, Atari Crypt, ED Possible, Tony Longworth Daniel Beasley, Barry Burkey David Schmidt, Jolt7800 Dave theVelociraptor

All music, audio / video production. writing and game play by #JeffFulton and or #SteveFulton unless otherwise noted. (c)8bitrocket Studios #Atari #IntoTheVerticalBlank #GenerationAtari

Into The Vertical Theme by Brian Travis Title: Into The Vertical Blank theme Words & music by Brian Travis (c)(p)2021 Taste This Moment Music ASCAP http://www.briantravisband.com/

Out of the Vertical Blank Theme By Tony Longworth Find the full song on band camp https://t.co/qxbudlAFCK

Vertical Blank Branding Daryl Litts

Research: Atarimania.com Atariage.com Atarilegend.com AtariCrypt MobyGames.com LemonAmiga.com

Find us here:

http://intotheverticalblank.com Into the Vertical Blank: Generation Atari

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/intotheverticalblank

Into The Vertical Blank Pod Cast – Twitter https://twitter.com/Atari_VB_Pod

Jeff on Threads @jeffdfulton

Jeff on Twitter @8bitrocket

Steve on Threads @steveafulton

Steve on Twitter @fultonbot

#atari #atarst #actionplatformer #amiga #msx #c64 #speccy #amstradcpc #dos

The Euro Platformer. Today the term is used with much derision, mostly by console game fans but even by some many 80’s computer games, and well now, now even by me, and we all probably should know better, or should we? Yes, these games had very high difficulty, cheap deaths, a lot of jumping to unknown places and mostly “bad game design” that would have the Retronaughts guys throwing up their arms in disgust. I’m picking to play these on the Atari ST because it's the machine I had and loved but also because it bridged the gap in many ways between the 8bit era and the full 16-bit era with its colorful graphics but decidedly 8-bit sound. The ST was a machine built for 1985 with very little concern about what would come next. Sometimes I jokingly call the games of this time the forgotten 12-bit era. I will note, and briefly discuss these games, if available, on other systems, because you really should check them out on the machine of your choice, but the ST versions are the ones we will be looking it today in

10 Mid-80’s “Euro” Action Platformers on the Atari ST (and other 80’s computers)

Late night fuel support appreciated but not demanded : https://www.buymeacoffee.com/intotheverticalblank

Thanks for support from: BCB, Atari Legend, Atari Crypt, ED Possible, Tony Longworth Daniel Beasley, Barry Burkey David Schmidt, Jolt7800 Dave theVelociraptor

All music, audio / video production. writing and game play by #JeffFulton and or #SteveFulton unless otherwise noted. (c)8bitrocket Studios #Atari #IntoTheVerticalBlank #GenerationAtari

Into The Vertical Theme by Brian Travis Title: Into The Vertical Blank theme Words & music by Brian Travis (c)(p)2021 Taste This Moment Music ASCAP http://www.briantravisband.com/

Out of the Vertical Blank Theme By Tony Longworth Find the full song on band camp https://t.co/qxbudlAFCK Vertical Blank Branding Daryl Litts

Research: Atarimania.com Atariage.com Atarilegend.com AtariCrypt MobyGames.com LemonAmiga.com