mckafka99 Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 I also considered buying the Kindle version, but unless it had color I'm glad to have opted for the print version. The Kindle version does include color photos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atari_Ace Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 The Kindle version does include color photos. Thanks. The book is in the Kindle MatchBook program, so the Kindle version is $3 if you bought the print book from Amazon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darwinmac Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 After reading the reviews from people who purchased the book, I bought a Kindle copy this morning. I found the price very reasonable. The author, editor, and publisher have to be paid. My Mac technical eBooks are a similar price. No offense to the author, but the sales are not likely to be like JK Rowling's so they need to make money on a limited number of copies. I do hope the author is able to take advantage of the Kindle edition to update the book with the corrections that people have found. Obviously, that can't be done with the print book until the next print run (if there is another print run). As somebody who has only come to the Atari 8-bit computer as a retro computer user (I used an Apple II+ after high school in 1983 and did not use an Atari prior to the ST), I think the history will be interesting to me even if it is common knowledge to most of the people at AtariAge. Seeing the photo of the author playing Ultima on his Atari 800 indicated to me this was a labor of love more than something to do to cash a check. Bob C 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timothy Kline Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 Good morning and thank you very much for your response! Unfortunately, my brain must function on the same high-failure rate MT memory as the 130XE, because I cannot otherwise explain why I didn't immediately remember you touching on the points you reference in your response. However, since the hardcopy will be arriving today, I now have a splendid reason to read your book anew! Please accept my apologies for any confusion I caused in my initial post. /facepalm With appreciation, Tim ============== Tim Kline: Thanks for all the comments! To answer a few inline: First, why the hate on the Atari PC's? I'm looking to adopt one someday, a PC3 or PC4, ideally. Pick up an SIO2PC with serial from AtariMax and use the Atari PC with APE to an Atari 8-bit home computer as its slave? It's a dream I'd love to see come true! Oh, that was just me being snarky, because it was so far off mission for Atari to be doing that when they did. I'm sure they're fine PCs, and that sounds like a killer project. Second, you're right about Atari's bungling of the 1200XL release. However, with the modern-day availability of the means not only to correct the flaws, but also providing the physical housing for bringing countless modifications to the Atari 8-bit home computer platform, 1200XLs still retain a tremendous amount of potential for the Atari hobbyist today. I do mention that several times throughout the book; some people even consider the 1200XL to be the *best* machine once you mod it and set it up right because of how beautifully made it is. That's because of the tireless community work since (many on the forums here!), which has fixed its various issues. At the time it was released, though, it failed and many argue it significantly damaged the lineup because of the incompatibilities. I also appreciated you pointing out how difficult it was to get technical information about the Atari home computers, because that was commonly brought up during my earlier days with the community, back in BBSing days. Recently, I've been hearing statements to the contrary, that Atari has always been open with its technical details on just how to access and utilize the inner mechanics of the Atari home computers. When De Re Atari was officially published, that was Atari's first step toward operational transparency; at least that's how I remember it. And that was much later in the home computer timeline, I believe. Yep, that is exactly correct. That was almost wasted years, more or less, before third-party developers could get going. That meant that instead of Apple having a two-year advantage, it had a four-year advantage, and so many early players in software went with the Apple II as a result. The wasted opportunity kills me to this day. Speaking of BBSes, was there any reason in particular that you didn't go into the non-game options that were available for the Atari 8-bit home computers, such as word processors, educational software, telecommunications, and maybe even touch on BBS software? Oh, check out the second half chapter 2 for Atari's non-game software and chapter 3 for third-party software like Paperclip, VisiCalc, The Print Shop, BBS software, etc. I ran a BBS in the mid-80s and go into it near the end of chapter 3. I used FoReM XL. I did focus much more of the book on the games, granted. In the mainstream, Atari is remembered for games, and I've yet to stumble across another person IRL (since my first relationship with the Atari home computer) who either knew someone who owned and used one, or were an Atari owner themselves. Yes! This was the central tension of the Atari computer lineup, and what fractured and ultimately incapacitated management to market and develop the product line correctly; even Atari itself vacillated between these two positions at times (I'm talking generally). The Atari brand for games was so strong the company was ultimately unable to overcome it with its "serious" computers, while simultaneously it probably shouldn't have *tried* to overcome the games image and just embraced it, since that's where it was strongest. Today, Windows PCs are all over the workplace *and* have a huge enthusiast gaming community, and no one's had a problem with it for decades. For me, there was far more to the Atari 8-bit home computer than ported and original games, and I would have enjoyed seeing your coverage of the other ways (including the ones mentioned above) that Atari home computers defined a generation, including their work with schools as well as offering their own Atari camps for young programmers— something which no other computer manufacturer has done since, insofar as I'm aware. I mention the camps and the schools on pages 58-59. I believe you're right about no PC manufacturer doing that since, though I'll bet now you can turn up all kinds of educational events from anyone doing cutting-edge work and research (Google, Nvidia, IBM, etc.); the opportunities out there today in machine learning, AI, quantum computing, etc. are unbelievable. Thank you again everyone! Jamie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetboot Jack Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 I'm about halfway through the book - enjoying it very much! sTeVE 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mclaneinc Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 To the author, Don't take my grumble about the price personally, its just one of those things that I'll not get to read because of my budget and circumstances until later on, the important bit is that the book exists and from what I've seen and now read sounds like its a good investment. I know you have to make a living and as it a bit specialist the numbers probably won't be what would be great for you so the digital price needs to almost match the book itself to get something back. As said, its just me feeling sorry for myself Thank you for writing it and i WILL get to read it at somepoint.. Paul. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Lange Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 I finished the book on Friday. I wrote a short review on my blog here. I really enjoyed it. The editing was top notch! Great job Jamie! Bill 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Lange Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 There is a similar titled book,Break Out: How the Apple II Launched the PC Gaming Revolution, about the Apple ][ is coming out in August. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wizardschamber Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 I finished the book on Friday. I wrote a short review on my blog here. I really enjoyed it. The editing was top notch! Great job Jamie! Bill Thank you so much Bill! And thank you for the review. It means a lot to me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mclaneinc Posted March 27, 2017 Share Posted March 27, 2017 I finished the book on Friday. I wrote a short review on my blog here. I really enjoyed it. The editing was top notch! Great job Jamie! Bill Thanks for that Bill, its now on my list for sure...... And again, thanks Jamie... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gozar Posted April 1, 2017 Author Share Posted April 1, 2017 Follow up article with video: When Atari Ruled the World http://www.pcmag.com/article/352782/when-atari-ruled-the-world 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wizardschamber Posted April 1, 2017 Share Posted April 1, 2017 Thanks for posting gozar! It's a mirror of the original ExtremeTech article, but embedded now is a video of when I went on The Convo show to talk about the book. You can see me in all my supernerdness. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Lange Posted April 3, 2017 Share Posted April 3, 2017 Jamie, it was great meeting you on Sunday at Vintage Computer Festival East and thanks for signing my book. I had to keep an eye on it so people didn't think it was a free give away! I think I 'sold' about a dozen copies ... after chatting about it, people were taking pictures of it to purchase it later. I can confirm one sale when Boisey P one-click purchased it from Amazon on his iPad right in front of us! Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tep392 Posted April 3, 2017 Share Posted April 3, 2017 I just received my copy. Looking forward to reading it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+orpheuswaking Posted April 3, 2017 Share Posted April 3, 2017 (edited) Got my copy on Saturday, Looking forward to reading it. If I make it to VCF midwest this year I'll have my copy on my Atari Display and let people know how to order it Edited April 3, 2017 by orpheuswaking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wizardschamber Posted April 3, 2017 Share Posted April 3, 2017 Jamie, it was great meeting you on Sunday at Vintage Computer Festival East and thanks for signing my book. I had to keep an eye on it so people didn't think it was a free give away! I think I 'sold' about a dozen copies ... after chatting about it, people were taking pictures of it to purchase it later. I can confirm one sale when Boisey P one-click purchased it from Amazon on his iPad right in front of us! Bill Thanks Bill! Same here Great meeting you too. And thanks tep392 and orpheuswaking! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Philsan Posted April 3, 2017 Share Posted April 3, 2017 Book landed in Switzerland three days ago, thank you! Jamie, I sent you a message. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetboot Jack Posted April 4, 2017 Share Posted April 4, 2017 I've finished it! I really enjoyed the read, my only suggestion would be a bit of a buff on the "games" - it really needs screen shots with each game and the text does not always pull out the "what's really special" about the game from an Atari 800 point of view. sTeVE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred_M Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 (edited) Just finished chapter 4. I would like to recommend some changes on the 800XE part on page 106. The original text is: "Atari released a specific model for the European market called the 800XE, a 130XE with PAL graphics." Both the 65XE and the 130XE were released in Europe (PAL versions), just like the 400, 800, 600XL and the 800XL. The 800XE was targeted at the East European market (like Poland, the German Democratic Republic etc.). Western Europe initially got the 65XE and the 130XE, much later on (early nineties!) when Atari moved all their "left over" European stock to The Netherlands the 800XE's were also available in Western Europe, but in very limited numbers and only at a chain of Dutch toy stores. The 800XE has the same housing as the 130XE and also has the Expansion port (which the 65XE lacks), but it is a 64k machine and not a 128k machine. Also most 800XE's suffer from a buggy GTIA chip. On page 97 you mention the 1090: "Atari seems to have built a finished prototype of this thing, nut never released it". As far as I know, there are about 25 - 50 of these made and most of them (all of them?) are in the possession of collectors. Edited May 22, 2017 by Fred_M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+MrFish Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 The 800XE has the same housing as the 130XE and also has the Expansion port (which the 65XE lacks), but it is a 64k machine and not a 128k machine. I thought European 65XE's had/have an ECI port? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred_M Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 Ah, you are right MrFish. The European 65XE's do have the expansion port. So the book should state that the 800XE is a rebranding of the 65XE. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Almerian Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 Fred, what about this story about an early German 800XE? http://atariage.com/forums/topic/251252-800xe-vs-65xe/?p=3486756 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred_M Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 (edited) Well, I have only seen the first 800XE's in Western Europe after Atari decided to move all their stock to one European location: Vianen in The Netherlands. Together with ANG Software I was at their liquidation sale. There were lots of 800XE's there. Maybe also some German companies have bought some of the old stock. According to the Atari 8-bit FAQ the annual report of Atari in 1987 stated the following: December 31: "In Czechoslovakia, the German Democratic Republic, and Poland the Atari 800XE and 65XE computers have gained brand dominance and are among the most popular systems being sold in these countries." This FAQ is maintained by Michael Current, so I do not doubt this info, but ofcourse I am not the author of this FAQ Source: http://www.faqs.org/faqs/atari-8-bit/faq/ Another possible explanation (just thinking out loud) is that Germany those days was divided in two separate countries: Western Germany and Eastern Germany (German Democratic Republic). I do have a German 800XE manual, but I think those computers were supposed to be sold in Eastern Germany. Maybe some of them crossed the border Edited May 22, 2017 by Fred_M 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred_M Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 (edited) I did some extra research in my old archives of the Dutch Pokey Foundation. Western Europe initially got the 65XE and the 130XE, much later on (early nineties!) when Atari moved all their "left over" European stock to The Netherlands the 800XE's were also available in Western Europe, but in very limited numbers and only at a chain of Dutch toy stores. That "liquidation sale" was later than I remembered . That sale was in 1995. A few months later Dutch chain toy store "Intertoys" sold packages of a 65XE or 800XE with 10 cartridges and a lightgun for 60 guilders (around 40 dollars). The thread Almerian mentiones speaks of buying 800XE's in Germany in 1987. The Berlin wall was torn down in 1989, so probably Atari Germany sold the 800XE on both sides of the wall I have the original German 800XE manual here (Das 800XE handbuch) it is dated 1987, but has a revision date of 1991. The Atari address is in (former) Western Germany. I think, yes I think, that Atari Europe targetted Eastern Europe with the 800XE, but included Western Germany as the language is the same. I know for sure I have never seen an 800XE in The Netherlands or in the UK before 1995 (the "liquidation sale"). Edited May 22, 2017 by Fred_M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred_M Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 About the "liquidation sale". In the Jaguar part of this forum, there is also a topic about this. User kimchipenguin remembers that two of the German companies were Digital Data Deicke and Softwareservice Seidel. The German add he posted there: http://atariage.com/forums/topic/264850-what-happened-to-atari-benelux/?p=3767132 is hilarious! An 800XL for 45 German Marks which, according to the text, is compatible with 2600 and 7800 cartridges Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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