Dionoid Posted May 16, 2018 Share Posted May 16, 2018 (edited) [edited: link to PDF added] Hot news: the book Atari 2600 Programming for Newbies - Revised Edition by Andrew Davie is now available on Lulu.com for only $4.69. Order your copy here: http://www.lulu.com/shop/andrew-davie/atari-2600-programming-for-newbies-revised-edition/paperback/product-23644281.html Basically this book is the printed version of the Atari 2600 programming tutorials by Andrew Davie that he originally posted on these forums between 2003 and 2004 (and one extra session posted in 2012). Editing and formatting was done by yours truly. Note that in 2011 someone already bundled these tutorials into a book and published it on Lulu.com, but IMO there are a lot of issues with that version (e.g. no page numbers, missing session no. 25, images cut off on the end of the page, outlining issues, code samples hard to read because of wrapping). That's why I decided to call my version the "Revised Edition" ? I formatted all code samples to make them readable in print-format, fixed a few spelling errors and also did some editing where the original text was clearly assuming the reader is reading the text online. Note that I'm not making a single dollar-cent on this; you only pay for the printing of the booklet. The consequence is that Andrew Davie is also not making any money from this, but knowing that in 2011 he was OK with the other published book on Lulu.com, I hope he's also OK with this new "Revised Edition". The binding and printing of this book is really nice. The pages are black & white, but the cover is full color (see attached images). I also added Andrew's avatar on the back of the book ? And Lulu.com regularly has these promotions where they offer free shipping, making this a real bargain! Here is a link to the PDF for your convenience: Atari_2600_Programming_for_Newbies_Revised_Edition.pdf You might also like these other 2600-related books on Lulu: Stella Programmer's Guide 6502 Instruction Set Guide Cheers, Dion Edited November 3, 2021 by Dionoid 14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
p1FqO3 Posted May 17, 2018 Share Posted May 17, 2018 Ordered the Stella one earlier this week, it's coming on Saturday. Ordered this one today. It's great timing for me, I've already worked through "Making Games For The Atair 2600" by Steven Hugg and I've been looking for more reading materials to bring to my kids various practices and other stuff I have to attend, but can't participate in, for the summer. I can't stand reading long text on my computer, let alone phone. I wish a little something could go to the original creators, and you for putting in what looks like great effort. Maybe I can pay it forward one day with free useful content of my own 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
accousticguitar Posted May 17, 2018 Share Posted May 17, 2018 Nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+stephena Posted May 17, 2018 Share Posted May 17, 2018 Where do you find the discount coupons? I missed it for the Stella one, but I'd like to use one for this book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Andrew Davie Posted May 18, 2018 Share Posted May 18, 2018 How awesome is that!? Formatting looks stunning. Great job. I've ordered two already 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffIrok Posted May 20, 2018 Share Posted May 20, 2018 Nice - I ordered with free shipping! Thanks to Andrew and Dion! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+nanochess Posted May 20, 2018 Share Posted May 20, 2018 Nice! Btw, what's the typography used for body text? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Odourman Posted May 20, 2018 Share Posted May 20, 2018 This looks great! I know very, very, little about programming, but I have game ideas.I'm planning on using batari Basic, but this should be read before trying to make a game? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dionoid Posted May 20, 2018 Author Share Posted May 20, 2018 Nice! Btw, what's the typography used for body text? For the body text I used the "Times New Roman" font, which was the default in the Lulu 6" x 9" template I downloaded. The assembly is using "Courier New Bold" (code) and "Consolas Italic" (comments). 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Andrew Davie Posted May 24, 2018 Share Posted May 24, 2018 14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheHoboInYourRoom Posted May 24, 2018 Share Posted May 24, 2018 Ordered a copy. I know for a fact that there's useful insight in the lessons that I wouldn't have the patience to get to just reading it from a screen. Can't wait! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dionoid Posted May 25, 2018 Author Share Posted May 25, 2018 (edited) In total 44 copies of the book were ordered over the last 9 days! I didn't expect that many people to actually order a printed version of Andrew's online sessions!! FYI: The Stella Programmer's Guide was ordered 31 times. Edited May 25, 2018 by Dionoid 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+stephena Posted May 25, 2018 Share Posted May 25, 2018 I ordered both more-so as a collectors item. I've already read over both several times (for the programmers guide, many times). But it's still nice to have it in printed, end-user form. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdp Posted May 25, 2018 Share Posted May 25, 2018 Got mine, along with Stella Programmer's Guide. Nicely formatted. And Lulu seem to offer a good service. Both books are recommended. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Andrew Davie Posted May 27, 2018 Share Posted May 27, 2018 I was browsing the (online) tutorials yesterday. It's embarrassing how many typos and grammar errors there are. Clearly, someone has come along after I wrote them, and inserted all those errors. Shame. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roryjr Posted May 28, 2018 Share Posted May 28, 2018 I kept looking at the pictures and noticed that this did not look like my book. That's when I realized that there are 2 books. I have the Stella Programmer's Guide. Did not realize there are 2 books. Just ordered this one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wickeycolumbus Posted May 28, 2018 Share Posted May 28, 2018 The essential combo 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arenafoot Posted May 31, 2018 Share Posted May 31, 2018 In total 44 copies of the book were ordered over the last 9 days! I didn't expect that many people to actually order a printed version of Andrew's online sessions!! FYI: The Stella Programmer's Guide was ordered 31 times. 2600newbie.jpg Congrats! I know the feeling! My book has sold much better than what I expected too! (70 copies in less than a month) So, after they buy your book, and write their homebrew game, then they can make it into my next book!!!! https://www.amazon.com/Brian-Matherne/e/B07CWNHTK9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dionoid Posted June 3, 2018 Author Share Posted June 3, 2018 2600newbie.jpg ...now that you've changed your profile picture, that cool soldier on the back of your book doesn't link back anymore. Anyway, it's good to see that you are happy with the book! :-) Cheers, Dion 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Andrew Davie Posted June 5, 2018 Share Posted June 5, 2018 ...now that you've changed your profile picture, that cool soldier on the back of your book doesn't link back anymore. Anyway, it's good to see that you are happy with the book! :-) Cheers, Dion That was a civil war union cap I was posing in, while trying to look very 1860s. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roryjr Posted June 5, 2018 Share Posted June 5, 2018 The essential combo image.jpeg I think I had that book way back in the day. Hopefully, it's still deep in my dad's attic somewhere. Learned a lot on my Atari 8 bit computers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Random Terrain Posted June 14, 2018 Share Posted June 14, 2018 . . . fixed a few spelling errors . . . If you notice any that I missed here, please let me know: randomterrain.com/atari-2600-memories.html#assembly_language Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dionoid Posted June 15, 2018 Author Share Posted June 15, 2018 (edited) If you notice any that I missed here, please let me know: randomterrain.com/atari-2600-memories.html#assembly_language ...I actually used Word to do the spellchecking for me :-) But I can see you also corrected some of the same errors. Cheers, Dion Edited June 19, 2018 by Dionoid 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+ZeroPage Homebrew Posted July 14, 2018 Share Posted July 14, 2018 (edited) My order of your book arrived at my door today! Sadly the top flap was already opened and there was no book inside! :-( When I ordered the Stella Programmer's Guide from Lulu it also arrived with the top flap open but luckily the book was inside. I don't think Lulu is using very good glue to seal shut their envelopes and I'm guessing your book slid out in transport and wasn't just stolen. It's probably now sliding around in the back of a postal truck! The letter carrier didn't ring the doorbell when they dropped it off and just left it without knocking either, I think they saw there was nothing inside and didn't want to be there when I got the empty envelope. I contact Lulu about it a couple of hours ago so hopefully they'll be able to send a replacement copy for me. :-( Edited July 14, 2018 by cimmerian 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
devwebcl Posted August 6, 2018 Share Posted August 6, 2018 I just ordered mine ! :D 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
AtariAge on Instagram
Watch us on YouTube
Chat on Discord
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.