1980s Computer Throwback

Toggle sidebar
Foxbat

Foxbat

Addicted to new HW
Original poster
Supporting Founder
Pub Member / Supporter
Lifetime Supporter
Nov 25, 2003
22,029
16,345
Michiana
  • Like
Reactions: DWS44 and FTA4PA
Wasn't the Amiga O/S written in a 4th generation language? My memory of that time is hazy. I seem to remember it was unusual and groundbreaking in its day.
 
That's awesome! My first computer when I was a kid was an Amiga 500! Parents bought it for me for Christmas the year it came out. Somewhere I still have a picture of ten-year-old me with all the boxes before we started assembling it all.

That's actually quite the trip down memory lane. I was just looking for a new mouse yesterday online, and perusing all the crazy gaming mice that are available now...then compare that to that monster blocky looking two-button mouse that I started my computer life with on the Amiga. :D
 
  • Like
Reactions: TRG, TheKrell and Foxbat
TheKrell said:
Wasn't the Amiga O/S written in a 4th generation language? My memory of that time is hazy. I seem to remember it was unusual and groundbreaking in its day.
Click to expand...
I started my software business back in '89 with a program named 'Scene Generator' for Amiga only. It took off and I got distributors. The world was thirsty for Amiga software. Not many developers. Eventually I made Mac and Windows versions. Amiga died in '94.

After 32 years in business, 2021 was my worst year ever. I am burnt out and will likely retire in a few years. (I'm 64).

My Amiga software was largely written in assembly language, with "C" for the GUI. Not sure what language the Amiga OS was written in.
 
  • Like
Reactions: TheKrell and Foxbat
TheKrell said:
Wasn't the Amiga O/S written in a 4th generation language? My memory of that time is hazy. I seem to remember it was unusual and groundbreaking in its day.
Click to expand...
The Amiga Operating System was written mostly in C with some parts in 68000 assembly language.

What is interesting was that the filesystem (disk operating system) was based on TRIPOS from Cambridge University and it was written in BCPL, a great grandfather of C. This code would linger until AmigaOS 4.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jim S. and TheKrell
While it isn’t tied to the A500 comeback, I was cleaning out a cabinet at work yesterday and came across a Hydra Ethernet card for the Amiga 2000/3000/4000 card bus, plus a bunch of 512KB DIMMs, and an Opal 24-bit graphics card! It’s been a long time since I’ve seen DIP chips, composite resistors, and no surface-mount components on a circuit board. Ancient!

edit: a photo for the archives:
5BC6D630-F06A-4E42-BEA5-DE92E3FA0548.jpeg
 
Last edited:
  • Like
  • Wow
Reactions: HipKat, FTA4PA, navychop and 1 other person
Foxbat said:
I was cleaning out a cabinet at work yesterday and came across a Hydra Ethernet card for the Amiga 2000/3000/4000 card bus, plus a bunch of 512KB DIMMs, and an Opal 24-bit graphics card!
Click to expand...
I have an Opalvision card that I won as a door prize in one of my spare A2000 computers.

My current problem is I can't use the video card slot-based Raspberry Pi scan converter in my A2500 because my Video Toaster lives there. The chip socket solutions seem so A500.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Foxbat
I’ve got floppies for the various productivity programs (ah, the days of loading floppy after floppy to install software…) that I removed as well. No idea if they’re still usable. Maybe I should pull out the Amiga 1200 that’s sitting in the closet and find out? I know it still runs Lemmings 2! :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: FTA4PA
Juan said:
Does that include the BBS experience?
Click to expand...
What does the BBS experience have to do with old fashioned hardware?

Forums are arguably carry on the BBS experience other than the fact that you don't watch the characters slowly paint onto the screen (up to 2400bps anyway) and your fellow users may be from anywhere.
 
harshness said:
What does the BBS experience have to do with old fashioned hardware?

Forums are arguably carry on the BBS experience other than the fact that you don't watch the characters slowly paint onto the screen (up to 2400bps anyway) and your fellow users may be from anywhere.
Click to expand...
Thats the only social media that a vic 20 could be used for...they even had an old fashioned modem that you put the handset in
 
  • Love
Reactions: TheKrell
harshness said:
What does the BBS experience have to do with old fashioned hardware?
Click to expand...
Way before computers, there were serial terminals such as re-purposed teletype machines. 110 baud if memory serves!

You haven't lived until you've played Star Trek on a teletype. :D
 
  • Love
Reactions: Foxbat
TheKrell said:
Way before computers, there were serial terminals such as re-purposed teletype machines. 110 baud if memory serves!

You haven't lived until you've played Star Trek on a teletype. :D
Click to expand...
In 1998 or so they used old PDN lines to verify PIN numbers on ATM machines..a dial up modem is 56k..these were like 9k
 
  • Like
Reactions: TheKrell

Similar threads

Stuart Sweet
  • Article Article
THROWBACK THURSDAY: Gemini… in 1983?
Replies
1
Views
358
The Solid Signal Blog
harshness
harshness
Stuart Sweet
  • Article Article
THROWBACK THURSDAY: When Atari didn’t go away
Replies
0
Views
385
The Solid Signal Blog
Stuart Sweet
Stuart Sweet
Stuart Sweet
  • Article Article
THROWBACK THURSDAY: Life in 1984
Replies
3
Views
392
The Solid Signal Blog
Bruce
Bruce
Stuart Sweet
  • Article Article
THROWBACK THURSDAY: When DISH owned Blockbuster
Replies
2
Views
421
The Solid Signal Blog
Scott Greczkowski
Scott Greczkowski
Stuart Sweet
  • Article Article
THROWBACK THURSDAY: 1990 Consumer Electronics Show
Replies
1
Views
293
The Solid Signal Blog
Scott Greczkowski
Scott Greczkowski

Users Who Are Viewing This Thread (Total: 0, Members: 0, Guests: 0)

Who Read This Thread (Total Members: 1)

Latest posts

Share this page

Share this page
Top