As the new year unfolds, I find myself embarking on a thrilling journey back in time. A voyage that takes me to the heart of retro computing, where I’ll be dusting off my old coding skills and delving into the fascinating world of vintage computers.

At age 14, I was already crafting code on these iconic machines. Yet, despite my understanding of BASIC programming language at the time, the underlying memory and architecture remained a mystery. Now, I’m ready to unravel these enigmas, diving deeper into the guts of the 6502 processor and the Commodore 64 itself.

But the Commodore 64 is just the beginning. This is a journey to rediscover the vintage computers of my past. From the Sinclair ZX80 and TRS-80 to the Apple IIc clone the Laser 128, I’m eager to reacquaint myself with these classic machines. And let’s not forget some of the more unique systems like the Timex Sinclair and the lesser-known Mattel Aquarius.

Yes, you read that right. Mattel, the board game mogul, also had a computer. The Aquarius, while a bit of an oddball, holds a special place in my heart. The Aquarius system wasn’t mine, but a friend’s. Equipped with a receipt-sized printer and a cassette for permanent storage, it was a unique piece of tech. I would hone my skills at home on the awful keyboard of the ZX80, then head over to my friend’s house the equally shitty keyboard on his Aquarius but where I could actually print out my code.

As part of this new retro revival, I will explore using the Raspberry Pi, to directly control the 6502 and other chips themselves. I’m also planning to spend some time honing my assembly language skills, something I spent time on in the early 2000s.

Beyond coding, I aim to deepen my understanding of Linux and GNU beyond what I already know. I may venture into the creation of a compiler for fun and possibly expand my knowledge in yet unknown ways.

While this might seem like a daunting list of goals, I’ve dabbled in many of these areas over the years. Now, I’m ready to dive deeper, to explore further, and to share my discoveries with you.

This blog will serve as a chronicle of my journey, a resource for fellow hobbyists interested in the retro realm. As I navigate through this adventure, I’ll also be constructing a dedicated workstation in my basement, a hub for my retro exploration.

So, join me as we plunge into the past, reignite the spirit of retro computing, and uncover the secrets of these vintage machines. Let’s dive in!