The Retrobits Podcast

Show 148 - My Altair 8800 Adventure, Part I

21 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In Show 148, I talk about my continuing adventure with a generous donation I received of MITS Altair equipment. It's been quite a ride!

Special - Interview with Evan Koblentz for VCF East 10

20 Mar 2015

Contributed by Lukas

See http://www.vintage.org/2015/east/ for more information!  

Show 147 - Jeff Ledger and the Micromite Companion

04 Oct 2014

Contributed by Lukas

See http://www.retrobits.com/2014/10/show-147-jeff-ledger-and-micromite.html for show notes!

Show 146 - Building a Modern-Day Retrocomputer

27 May 2014

Contributed by Lukas

See http://www.retrobits.com for show notes!

Show 145 - The Vintage Computer Festival East 9.1

17 Feb 2014

Contributed by Lukas

This feed is NOT 404. Welcome to Show #145!  This episode's topic: The Vintage Computer Festival East 9.1! The Vintage Computer Festival (VCF) E...

Show 144: Raiders of the Lost Shrinkwrap

23 May 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Old Computers. Me Likey. Welcome to Show #144!  This episode's topic: Raiders of the Lost Shrinkwrap! Tune in to the sometimes rowdy Retro Computin...

Show 143: An Interview with Bob Armstrong of Spare Time Gizmos

08 Apr 2013

Contributed by Lukas

Show 143 Give us a listen. We don't byte. Welcome to Show #143!  This episode's topic: An Interview with Bob Armstrong of Spare Time Gizmos! Links ...

Show 142: An Interview with Kevin Savetz

30 Dec 2012

Contributed by Lukas

And, We're Back.  Again!  Yoi otoshi o! Welcome to Show #142!  This episode's topic: An Interview with Kevin Savetz! Here's the site for Kevin Save...

Show 141: My Reversi Game Adventure, Part I

01 May 2012

Contributed by Lukas

And, We're Back. Welcome to Show #141!  This episode's topic: My Reversi Game Adventure, Part I! Tune in to the sometimes rowdy Retro Computing Round...

Show 140: The Vintage Computer Festival East 7.0

19 Apr 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Hooray, it's Tax Day... (for U.S. listeners...) Welcome to Show #140!  This episode's topic: The Vintage Computer Festival (VCF) East 7.0! In this ep...

Show 139: My SFD-1001 Drive Adventure

19 Jan 2011

Contributed by Lukas

Happy New Year! Welcome to Show #139!  This episode's topic: My SFD-1001 drive adventure! In this episode, I discuss the Commodore SFD-1001 disk driv...

Show 138: The PDP-8 Minicomputer

30 Dec 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Happy Holidays! Welcome to Show #138!  This episode's topic: The PDP-8 Minicomputer! In this episode, I provide an introduction to the PDP-8 Minicomp...

Show 137: The Commodore 64, Part III

09 Dec 2010

Contributed by Lukas

A personal computer with 64K of RAM for only $595???? Welcome to Show #137!  This episode's topic: The Commodore 64, Part III! In this episode, I con...

Show 136: KansasFest 2010 with Ivan Drucker

05 Oct 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Bits are bits. Welcome to Show #136!  This episode's topic: KansasFest 2010 with Ivan Drucker! Ivan Drucker, attendee at this year's KansasFest 2010 ...

Show 135: The Commodore 64, Part II

29 Aug 2010

Contributed by Lukas

3.2 GHz hexacore, and my GIGO goes faster! Welcome to Show #135!  This episode's topic: The Commodore 64, Part II! In Part II of this series on the...

Show 134: An Interview with Stewart Cheifet, Part II

25 Jun 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Five Year Anniversary coming up! Welcome to Show #134!  This episode's topic: An Interview with Stewart Cheifet, Part II! In part II of this interv...

Show 133: An Interview with Stewart Cheifet, Part I

01 Jun 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Run.  Stop.  Restore. Welcome to Show #133!  This episode's topic: An Interview with Stewart Cheifet, Part I! In part I of this interview, Stewar...

Show 132: The Commodore 64, Part I

25 Apr 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Computers for the masses, not the classes... Welcome to Show #132!  This episode's topic: The Commodore 64, Part I! In part I of this series on the...

Show 131: Ten Years Of Retrocomputing

16 Mar 2010

Contributed by Lukas

Yay!  We're BACK! Welcome to Show #131!  This episode's topic: Ten Years Of Retrocomputing! In this episode, I discuss some observations on the ti...

Show 130: Enhancing the TRS-80 Model 100

04 Dec 2009

Contributed by Lukas

I found the Enter key.  Where's the Exit key?Welcome to Show #130!  This episode's topic: Enhancing the TRS-80 Model 100! In this episode, I cover ...

Show 129: Connecting with the Atari 800

12 Nov 2009

Contributed by Lukas

Have you hugged your retro computer today?Welcome to Show #129!  This episode's topic: Connecting with the Atari 800! In this episode, I cover sever...

Quick Annoucement - More episodes coming soon!

03 Nov 2009

Contributed by Lukas

Hi there Retrocomputing fans! I wanted to post a quick note and let everyone know that more episodes of Retrobits are on the way soon!  I've had som...

Show 128: An Interview With Chuck Peddle, Part IV

02 Sep 2009

Contributed by Lukas

Part IV!Welcome to Show #128!  This episode's topic: An Interview With Chuck Peddle, Part IV! In this final, part IV of the interview series with Ch...

Show 127: An Interview With Chuck Peddle, Part III

22 Aug 2009

Contributed by Lukas

This just in at the news desk - computers are cool!Welcome to Show #127!  This episode's topic: An Interview With Chuck Peddle, Part III! In part II...

Show 126: The Vintage Computer Festival East 6.0

18 Aug 2009

Contributed by Lukas

We will serve no bits before their time.Welcome to Show #126!  This episode's topic: The Vintage Computer Festival East 6.0! In this episode of Retr...

Show 125: An Interview With Chuck Peddle, Part II

11 Aug 2009

Contributed by Lukas

Hi again!Welcome to Show #125!  This episode's topic: An Interview With Chuck Peddle, Part II! In this episode, Chuck Peddle, lead creator of the 65...

Show 124: KansasFest 2009 Special Report

29 Jul 2009

Contributed by Lukas

Press Enter to exit...Welcome to Show #124!  This episode's topic: KansasFest 2009 Special Report! In this installment of Retrobits, Ken Gagne, Edit...

Show 123: An Interview With Chuck Peddle, Part I

20 Jul 2009

Contributed by Lukas

Hi there!Welcome to Show #123!  This episode's topic: An Interview With Chuck Peddle, Part I! In this episode, I'm happy to bring you the first part...

Show 122: A Brief History Of Programming

09 Jun 2009

Contributed by Lukas

High level languages sold here.  No assembly required.Welcome to Show #122!  This episode's topic: A Brief History Of Programming! The Carte Blanch...

Show 121: The Forth Programming Language, Part II

21 May 2009

Contributed by Lukas

: podcast prepare record upload listen ;Welcome to Show #121!  This episode's topic: The Forth Programming Language, Part II! Check out www.zophar....

Show 120: The Forth Programming Language, Part I

21 Apr 2009

Contributed by Lukas

No computers were harmed in the making of this podcast.Welcome to Show #120!  This episode's topic: The Forth Programming Language, Part I! Check ou...

Show 119: Retro Roundup

02 Apr 2009

Contributed by Lukas

This podcast produced with WYHIWYG (what you hear is what you get).Welcome to Show #119!  This episode's topic: Retro Roundup! The 8-bit TV Computer...

New Episode Tomorrow

31 Mar 2009

Contributed by Lukas

  Two announcements:  First, a new Retrobits episode will be online tomorrow. Second, The Retrobits Podcast is re-launching on a regular schedule...

Show 118: The Commodore PET 2001

04 Mar 2009

Contributed by Lukas

(A)bort, (R)etry, (S)mash with large hammer? _Welcome to Show #118!  This week's topic: The Commodore PET 2001! Check out the Wiki page for the N8VE...

Show 117: The Texas Instruments Compact Computer 40

22 Jan 2009

Contributed by Lukas

"TI's new Compact Computer. It takes over your work, not your desk."(an ad from 1983)Welcome to Show #117!  This week's topic: The Texas Instruments ...

Show 116: The Apple II, Part 3 (the Apple IIGS)

22 Dec 2008

Contributed by Lukas

The Apple IIGS - a computer with appeal.Welcome to Show #116!  This week's topic: The Apple II, Part 3 (the Apple IIGS)! A Commodore 65 prototype re...

Special Message: November 15, 2008

15 Nov 2008

Contributed by Lukas

Sorry for the delay!  All work and no play makes my podcast late...I'm caught in a work transition, and have been working a ton of hours.  The timin...

Show 115: The Retro Spirit, Part II

23 Oct 2008

Contributed by Lukas

"What kind of man owns his own computer?"(Apple II ad, 1980)Welcome to Show #115!  This week's topic: The Retro Spirit - Part II! Check out the Pa...

Show 114: The Retro Spirit

14 Oct 2008

Contributed by Lukas

I don't really want to "surf" the web.  The idea of the web crashing down on me is, honestly, frightening...Welcome to Show #114!  This week's topic...

Show 113: The Apple II Part 2

09 Aug 2008

Contributed by Lukas

Computing is as computing does.Welcome to Show #113!  This week's topic: The Apple II - Part 2! A first-person perspective game on the Apple II, wri...

Show 112: The Apple II - Part I

26 Jun 2008

Contributed by Lukas

I'm back!Welcome to Show #112!  This week's topic: The Apple II - Part I! Want to build a digital computer with not much more than paper clips?  Ha...

Show 111: The Epson HX-20 computer

03 Apr 2008

Contributed by Lukas

Binary - you either like it, or you don't.Welcome to Show #111!  This week's topic: The Epson HX-20 portable computer! Have a look at this BBC artic...

Show 110: My Scott Adams Adventure Adventure

14 Mar 2008

Contributed by Lukas

There are two ways to write error-free programs; only the third one works.Welcome to Show #110!  This week's topic: My Scott Adams Adventure Adventur...

Show 109: Building Blocks

19 Feb 2008

Contributed by Lukas

Binary - for those who try a bit harder.Welcome to Show #109!  This week's topic: Building Blocks! An Apple //c, new in the box?  And now it's open...

Show 108: Book Review - What The Dormouse Said

01 Feb 2008

Contributed by Lukas

DOWN WITH CYBERCRUD!!!Welcome to Show #108!  This week's topic: Book Review: What The Dormouse Said Vintage Technology Magzine, exploring vintage co...

Show 107: Windows 3.0

22 Jan 2008

Contributed by Lukas

C:\WINWelcome to Show #107!  This week's topic: Windows 3.0! If you're a Spectrum enthusiast, then be sure to check out the update of the Free Unix ...

Show 106: Random Bits

10 Jan 2008

Contributed by Lukas

HAPPY Y2K8!Welcome to Show #106!  This week's topic: Random Bits (a variety show)! JoyBubbles, one of the first phone "phreaks", passed away in Augu...

Show 105: The 68000 Microprocessor

20 Dec 2007

Contributed by Lukas

Happy Birthday C64!  Many happy returns...Welcome to Show #105!  This week's topic: The 68000 Microprocessor! The Commodore 64 gets some mainstream...

Show 104: The Unix Operating System

30 Nov 2007

Contributed by Lukas

cat retrobits.txt /dev/listenerWelcome to Show #104!  This week's topic: The Unix Operating System! RetroGamer Magazine caters to the vintage gamer...

Show 103: The Commodore Amiga

13 Nov 2007

Contributed by Lukas

Amiga gives you a creative edge.  (From a 1985 ad...)Welcome to Show #103!  This week's topic: The Commodore Amiga! How did we view computers in th...

Show 102: An Interview with Bil Herd, Part III

31 Oct 2007

Contributed by Lukas

Beware the Chickenhead!Welcome to Show #102!  This week's topic: An Interview with Bil Herd, former Commodore Engineer (Part III)! Be sure to send ...

Show 101: An Interview with Bil Herd, Part II

24 Oct 2007

Contributed by Lukas

All Hail the Chickenhead!Welcome to Show #101!  This week's topic: An Interview with Bil Herd, former Commodore Engineer (Part II)! Be sure to send ...

Show 100: An Interview with Bil Herd, former Commodore Engineer (Part I)

16 Oct 2007

Contributed by Lukas

Long live the Chickenhead!Welcome to Show 100!  Thanks for another great year! This week's topic: An Interview with Bil Herd, former Commodore Engin...

Show 099: The 2007 State Of The Podcast

10 Oct 2007

Contributed by Lukas

Remember, wherever you went, there you were.Welcome to Show 099!  This week's topic: The 2007 State Of The Podcast! Links discussed on today's show:...

Show 098: My Koala Pad Adventure

02 Oct 2007

Contributed by Lukas

We're BACK!!!Welcome to Show 098!  This week's topic: My Koala Pad Adventure! Links discussed on today's show:Check out the nicely scanned 1984 revi...

Show 097: Ethernet

12 Sep 2007

Contributed by Lukas

I pressed the End key, and it was all over.Welcome to Show 097!  This week's topic: Ethernet! Direct link to the Retrobits Podcast Forum (until the ...

Show 096: Retro Computer Style

28 Aug 2007

Contributed by Lukas

Beauty is only case-deep.Welcome to Show 096!  This week's topic: Retro Computer Style! Direct link to the Retrobits Podcast Forum (until the URL is...

Show 095: Retro Computer Restoration

14 Aug 2007

Contributed by Lukas

Relax...it's only 1s and 0s...Welcome to Show 095!  This week's topic: Retro Computer Restoration! Direct link to the Retrobits Podcast Forum (until...

Show 094: The Sharp PC-1500 Pocket Computer

31 Jul 2007

Contributed by Lukas

Programmer - an organism that turns coffee into software.Welcome to Show 094!  This week's topic: The Sharp PC-1500 Pocket Computer! Direct link to ...

Show 093: The IBM System/360

24 Jul 2007

Contributed by Lukas

When you get to the point where you really understand your computer, it's probably obsolete.Welcome to Show 093!  This week's topic: The IBM System/3...

Show Break: July 15, 2007

17 Jul 2007

Contributed by Lukas

  Hi there...  The Retrobits Podcast is taking a break this week.  Be sure to tune in next week for more retrocomputing goodness!  And thanks fo...

Show 092: A Close Encounter - The CompuColor II

09 Jul 2007

Contributed by Lukas

The only problem with troubleshooting is that sometimes trouble shoots back.Welcome to Show 092!  This week's topic: A Close Encounter - The CompuCol...

Show 091: The Users Group

02 Jul 2007

Contributed by Lukas

"...you might like to come to a gathering of people with likeminded interests.  Exchange information, swap ideas, talk shop, help work on a project, ...

Show 090: Random Bits

25 Jun 2007

Contributed by Lukas

Never trust a computer you can't throw out a window.  -Steve WozniakWelcome to Show 090!  This week's topic: Random Bits (a variety show)! Direct l...

Show 089: A Book Review - "iWoz"

12 Jun 2007

Contributed by Lukas

I keep hitting the "Home" key, but I'm still not home.Welcome to Show 089!  This week's topic: A Book Review - "iWoz" If you're having trouble getti...

Show 088: My OS/2 Adventure

07 Jun 2007

Contributed by Lukas

Is it the espresso or OS/2 Warp Connect?(from a 1995 IBM marketing ad...)Welcome to Show 088!  This week's topic: My OS/2 Adventure! Can you find re...

Show 088 Delayed 1-2 days

04 Jun 2007

Contributed by Lukas

Hi there, Had to work this weekend - show 088 will be delayed one or two days.  Sorry for the delay, and check back Monday or Tuesday for this week'...

Show 087: Retro Project Time

28 May 2007

Contributed by Lukas

A floppy saved is a floppy earned.Welcome to Show 087!  This week's topic: Retro Project Time! Steve Wozniak - always a treat to see him speak.  He...

Show 086: My Favorite Terminals

14 May 2007

Contributed by Lukas

10 Characters Per Second - Terminal Velocity.Welcome to Show 086!  This week's topic: My Favorite Terminals! Zork, on a cell phone?  Yep, check it ...

Show 085: PC Support Memories

07 May 2007

Contributed by Lukas

Warning: OHS Error at line 10 (Operator Head Space)Welcome to Show 085!  This week's topic: PC Support Memories! Check out the RetroMacCast, a great...

Show 084: Book Review - Basic APPLE BASIC

30 Apr 2007

Contributed by Lukas

FOR retrobits = 1 to 84: NEXT]_Welcome to Show 084!  This week's topic: A Book Review: Basic APPLE BASIC! Gaby's Homepage for CP/M and Computer Hist...

Show 083: WordStar

25 Apr 2007

Contributed by Lukas

Show Complete - Ctrl-K D XA_Welcome to Show 083!  This week's topic: WordStar! Star Voyager - an NES game that looks like, hmmm, Star Raiders?  See...

One or two day delay for Show 083: WordStar

23 Apr 2007

Contributed by Lukas

Hi Everybody,Show 083: WordStar will be delayed for a day or two - I am not feeling well today, and I want to be able to produce a good quality show -...

Show 082: Star Raiders

16 Apr 2007

Contributed by Lukas

Is that a Zylon behind you?  LOOK OUT!Welcome to Show 082!  This week's topic: Star Raiders! Which of the top 6 best buys in personal computing (fr...

Show 081: Yad Sloof Lirpa

02 Apr 2007

Contributed by Lukas

To err is computer.Welcome to Show 081!  This week's Topic: Yad Sloof Lirpa! No topics or links were discussed in this week's podcast.  Why?  Heh,...

Show 080: The UNIVAC I

26 Mar 2007

Contributed by Lukas

"Where a calculator on the Eniac is equipped with 18,000 vacuum tubes andweighs 30 tons, computers in the future may have only 1,000 vacuum tubes andp...

Show 079: The Commodore 16

19 Mar 2007

Contributed by Lukas

A chocolate VIC-20?  Yum!Welcome to Show 079!  This week's Topic: The Commodore 16! Topics and links discussed in the podcast... Commodore Gaming ...

Show 078: Book Review - 10 Starter Programs From Family Computing

12 Mar 2007

Contributed by Lukas

There's no key like Home.  There's no key like Home.Welcome to Show 078!  This week's Topic: A Book Review - 10 Starter Programs From Family Compute...

Show 077: Retro Roundup

05 Mar 2007

Contributed by Lukas

$110 per megabyte.  That's when we walked to school uphill.  10 miles.  In the snow.Welcome to Show 077!  This week's Topic: Retro Roundup! Topic...

Show 076: The Commodore SuperPET and APL

26 Feb 2007

Contributed by Lukas

Faster than a speeding mainframe!  More powerful than a uniprocessor!  It's the SuperPET!Welcome to Show 076!  This week's Topic: The Commodore Sup...

Show 075: The Year 1975

12 Feb 2007

Contributed by Lukas

World's First Minicomputer Kit to Rival Commercial Models... "Altair 8800"  (1975...what a year!)Welcome to Show 075!  This week's Topic: The Year 1...

Show Break - February 4, 2007

05 Feb 2007

Contributed by Lukas

Hi there, Retrobits is taking a break this week. Be sure to tune in next week for more retrocomputing goodness!

Show 074: The Apple Lisa

29 Jan 2007

Contributed by Lukas

Gooey and Whizzywhig.  Don't they sound like ice cream flavors?Welcome to Show 074!  This week's Topic: The Apple Lisa! Topics and links discussed ...

Show 073: Retro Roundup

24 Jan 2007

Contributed by Lukas

SHOW = RND(0) * TOPICSWelcome to Show 073!  This week's Topic: Retro Roundup (Variety Show)! Topics and links discussed in the podcast... Visit a w...

Show 073 delayed a day or two...

22 Jan 2007

Contributed by Lukas

Hi there! Show 073 will be delayed just a day or two.  Sorry for the tardiness!  Check back Monday and/or Tuesday evening, and thanks for listenin...

Show 072: An Interview With Rob O'Hara, Part II

15 Jan 2007

Contributed by Lukas

It's sunny and cold here!  Perfect weather for a podcast...Welcome to Show 072!  This week's Topic: An Interview with Rob O'Hara, Author of Commodor...

Show 071: An Interview With Rob O'Hara, Part I

08 Jan 2007

Contributed by Lukas

Yippee, it's a New Year!  Happy 2007!Welcome to Show 071!  This week's Topic: An Interview with Rob O'Hara, Author of Commodork: Sordid Tales From A...

Show 070: The HP 41C Programmable Calculator

18 Dec 2006

Contributed by Lukas

  A show on a calculator?  Yep, it all adds up.Welcome to Show 070!  This week's Topic: The HP-41C Programmable Scientific Calculator! Topics and...

Show 069: Perspectives On Networking

11 Dec 2006

Contributed by Lukas

  What we have here is a successful way to communicate.Welcome to Show 069!  This week's Topic: Perspectives On Networking! Topics and links discu...

Show 068: The World Of Commodore 2006

03 Dec 2006

Contributed by Lukas

  Our friends up north are having a party!  (Well, they're north of me...)Welcome to Show 068!  This week's Topic: The World Of Commodore 2006, fr...

Show 067: Retro Mix

27 Nov 2006

Contributed by Lukas

  It's Retro Deja Vu all over again...Welcome to Show 067!  This week's Topic: Retro Mix (a variety show)! Topics and links discussed in the podca...

Show 066: Great Inventions In Computing

20 Nov 2006

Contributed by Lukas

  "If you would understand anything, observe its beginning and its development."  (Aristotle)Welcome to Show 066!  This week's Topic: Great Invent...

Show 065: The C Programming Language, Part II

13 Nov 2006

Contributed by Lukas

  Floating point numbers keep it real.Welcome to Show 065!  This week's Topic: The C Programming Language, Part II! Topics and links discussed in ...

Show 064: The C Programming Language

06 Nov 2006

Contributed by Lukas

  Integers just don't get the point.Welcome to Show 064!  This week's Topic: The C Programming Language! Topics and links discussed in the podcast...

Show Break - October 29, 2006

31 Oct 2006

Contributed by Lukas

Hi there, Retrobits is taking a break this week. Be sure to tune in next week for more retrocomputing goodness! Coming up next week - The C Programm...

Show 063: The Joystick

23 Oct 2006

Contributed by Lukas

  What if computers programmed us?Welcome to Show 063!  This week's Topic: The Joystick! Topics and links discussed in the podcast... Want to tak...

Show 062: The PDP-11 Minicomputer

16 Oct 2006

Contributed by Lukas

  RSTS PDP - find out what it means to meWelcome to Show 062!  This week's Topic: The PDP-11 Minicomputer! Topics and links discussed in the podca...

Show 061: Retro Mix

09 Oct 2006

Contributed by Lukas

  1 cup retro, 2 tbsp computer nostalgia.  Stir and enjoy.Welcome to Show 061!  This week's Topic: Retro Mix (A Variety Episode) Topics and links...

Show 060: Zork - The Great Underground Empire

02 Oct 2006

Contributed by Lukas

  You are standing in a thick forest.  There is a podcast playing.Welcome to Show 060!  This week's Topic: Zork - The Great Underground Empire! T...

Show Break: September 24, 2006

25 Sep 2006

Contributed by Lukas

  Hi there,  I'm still under the weather, so I will be taking a break this week from the show.  Thanks for listening, and please do check back ne...