Floppydays Vintage Computing Podcast

Floppy Days 154 - Interview with Chuck Mauro, Part 2 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FloppyDays Sponsors: 8-Bit Classics  Arcade Shopper  FutureVision Research   New Acquisitions and What I’ve Been Up To TI-55 9-Volt Battery Mod  9V Battery Clip Connectors from Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Clip-Hard-Electronics-I-Type/dp/B0DRZWN3BN  YouTube video that talks about and shows the modification - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0G-OucjNgTk  New Compute’s Gazette - https://www.computesgazette.com/  C64 Ultimate - https://www.commodore.net/  Chroma81 - http://www.fruitcake.plus.com/Sinclair/ZX81/Chroma/ChromaInterface_Availability.htm  Upcoming Vintage Computer Shows VCF Midwest - September 13-14, 2025 - Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center in Schaumburg, IL - http://vcfmw.org/  Tandy Assembly - September 26-28 - Courtyard by Marriott Springfield - Springfield, OH - http://www.tandyassembly.com/  Portland Retro Gaming Expo - October 17-19 - Oregon Convention Center, Po

Floppy Days 153 - Interview with Chuck Mauro, Part 1 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FloppyDays Sponsors: 8-Bit Classics  Arcade Shopper  FutureVision Research   New Acquisitions and What I’ve Been Up To KFest - https://www.kansasfest.org  CoCo 5V USB adapter - Tim Halloran: Tryout Cable at GitHub - https://github.com/hallorant/bigmit/tree/master/coco2usb#trying-out-the-usb-mod-with-the-tryout-cable  Tim did a talk at Tandy Assembly 2021. You can find the slides here - https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/19PG-rJjY0_h8iO4LEgI_-lZHJsW6ekmSQ-hHDLxJ2CU/edit?usp=sharing  Video of USB Conversion by Tim - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfa4Db2OwE8  Upcoming Vintage Computer Shows VCF West - August 1-2 - Computer History Museum in Mountain View, CA - https://vcfed.org/2025/03/05/vcf-west-2025-save-the-date/  VCF Midwest - September 13-14, 2025 - Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center in Schaumburg, IL - http://vcfmw.org/  Tandy Assembly - September 26-28 - Courtyard by Marriott Sp

HP-97/67 Programmable Calculator, Part 3 With Wlodek Mier-Jedrzejowicz Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FloppyDays Sponsors: 8-Bit Classics  Arcade Shopper   FutureVision Research  Videos of this and other episodes at the YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6DQ3cyp8h373H0lXSJ8yqQ  Hello, and welcome to episode 152 of the Floppy Days Podcast for June, 2025.  My name is Randy Kindig and I’m the host for this lovefest for vintage computers and programmable calculators from the late 70’s thru the 80’s.  If you love old computers, you’ve found the right place! This month, I’m completing the ongoing series of episodes about the HP 97/67 programmable calculators.  This is the third and final in the series that provides us with a terrific co-host who is able to provide a lot of color about these machines: that being HP calculator historian Wlodek Mier-Jedrzejowicz (“Vwahdek Meer-Yeng SHAY of itch”).  No one knows more about HP calculators than Wlodek and all of us are honored to get his insight

Interview with James Nagle, Reboot of Compute’s Gazette Magazine Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FloppyDays Sponsors: 8-Bit Classics  Arcade Shopper  FutureVision Research   Hello, and welcome to episode 151 of the Floppy Days Podcast for May, 2025.  My name is Randy Kindig and I’m the host for this ode to computers that only survive in our memories and our collections. This month, I’m continuing to step aside from the ongoing series of episodes about the HP 97/67 programmable calculators to bring you a timely interview that basically constitutes current news.  I don’t often do this, but this news was so exciting to me that I wanted to bring this to all my listeners as soon as possible.  The interviewee is James Nagle and the topic is the sudden and welcome news that James is planning to revive the iconic Compute! magazine under the equally-iconic name Compute’s Gazette.  I hope you’ll stick around to hear about James’ plans and are as excited as I am to find out where this goes. For upcoming shows,

Interview with David Greelish, Apple Lisa Documentary Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FloppyDays Sponsors: 8-Bit Classics  Arcade Shopper  FutureVision Research   Hello, and welcome to episode 150 of the Floppy Days Podcast for April, 2025.  My name is Randy Kindig and I’m the host for this journey through the annals of home computer history. This month, I’m going to step aside from the ongoing series of episodes about the HP 97/67 programmable calculators to bring you a timely interview with a good friend about an interesting topic.  That friend is David Greelish, a computer historian, and the topic is his recent publication of a film documentary about the Apple Lisa, called "Before Macintosh: The Apple Lisa".  David tells us all about the film, why he produced it, why the Apple Lisa was an important part of home computer history, who he interviewed for the film (he had some amazing guests) and much more.  It’s a great film and should interest a lot of the listeners, so please consider going out and

The HP97 Programmable Calculator - Part 2 - With Wlodek Mier-Jedrzejowicz Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FloppyDays  Video version of the episode at YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6DQ3cyp8h373H0lXSJ8yqQ  Sponsors: 8-Bit Classics  Arcade Shopper   FutureVision Research  New Acquisitions 1027 print heads - https://forums.atariage.com/topic/271589-revive1027-order-thread/  ABBUC (Atari Bit-Byter Users Club) - https://www.abbuc.de  Best Electronics - https://www.best-electronics-ca.com/  inexpensive keyboard available on Amazon (for domes) - https://amzn.to/3FU9ASx  “Atari 400/800 Student Pilot Reference Guide” by Atari - https://archive.org/details/atari_pilot-student-guide  PortaCoCo - https://portacoco.com/  Tim Halloran video on making an adapter that allows you to run much of your CoCo off of battery - https://youtu.be/6UN1XvJG-bs  Ian Mavric’s TRS-80 store - https://www.ebay.com/str/trs80universe  Upcoming Shows Midwest Gaming Classic - April 4-6 - Baird Center, Mi

HP-97 Programmable Calculator History and Memories with Wlodek Mier-Jedrzejowicz and Everett Kaser  Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FloppyDays Sponsors: 8-Bit Classics  Arcade Shopper  FutureVision Research  Hello, and welcome to episode 148 of the Floppy Days Podcast for February, 2025, where computers of the late 70’s through the 80’s are the Apple of our eye!  (If you got that pun, then you’re in the right place

Floppy Days 147 - Lorenzo Hagerty, Dynasty Computers Hello, and welcome to episode 147 of the Floppy Days Podcast, for January, 2025.  I am Randy Kindig, your host for this podcast. This month is another interview from my backlog, as I continue to get the opportunity for interviews with some amazing icons from the early personal computer days.  This month, that person is Lorenzo Hagerty, who founded Dynasty Computer Corporation in 1979.  Dynasty was the first network marketing company to exclusively carry the then new home computers with a repackaged Exidy Sorcerer. If you recall, this was a couple of years before IBM brought out their first PC. I’ve had a few recent interviews with people involved with the Exidy Sorcerer, including Howell Ivy, Paul Terrell, and Vic Tolomei.  However, this is the first one with someone from outside Exidy, who purchased the Sorcerer in bulk and repackaged it for the general public. Please note that I do plan to get back into producing episodes covering specific vintage compute

Interview with Dan Bricklin, VisiCalc Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FloppyDays Sponsors: 8-Bit Classics  Arcade Shopper  FutureVision Research   Hello, and welcome to episode 146 of the Floppy Days Podcast, for December, 2024.  I am Randy Kindig, your host for this podcast. This month I’m staying with the recent interview theme, as I continue to get the opportunity for interviews with some amazing icons from the early personal computer days. This month, that person is Dan Bricklin, co-developer of the iconic VisiCalc software that helped kickstart the sales of early personal computers like the Apple II and began the important spreadsheet software category that persists until today.  I published an interview with Dan’s partner in VisiCalc (and in Software Arts), Bob Frankston, back in 2023, and now Dan adds to the story in his own words. Please note that I do plan to get back into producing episodes covering specific vintage computers.  I’ve just had an amazing run of interview opportunities in rece

Episode 145 - Interview with Paul Terrell, The Byte Shop - Part 4 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FloppyDays Sponsors: 8-Bit Classics  Arcade Shopper   FutureVision Research  Hello, and welcome to episode 145 of the Floppy Days Podcast, for November, 2024.  I am Randy Kindig, your host for this audio tribute to the amazing variety of home computers that existed in the late 70’s thru the 80’s, before the influence of Big Blue changed the landscape forever. This month I’m continuing the series of interviews I’ve been doing recently with Paul Terrell.  As we have discussed, Paul Terrell is a name well-known in the annals of computer history; probably most famously for his kickstart of Apple Computer through the purchase of one of Steve Jobs’ and Steve Wozniak’s first batches of Apple I computers for his Byte Shop.  The Byte Shop was a very early computer store that was one of the few that existed in the world, at the time. In this interview, we continue to focus primarily on The Byte Shop, how it got st

Episode 144 - Interview with Don French and Steve Leininger, Co-Designers of the TRS-80 Model I Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FloppyDays Sponsors: 8-Bit Classics  Arcade Shopper   FutureVision Research  Hello, and welcome to episode 144 of the Floppy Days Podcast, for October, 2024.  I am Randy Kindig, your host for this audio ode to the home computers of the past. This month I have a special treat for you.  At the recent Tandy Assembly, which I will talk about in more detail later in the podcast, not only were there a lot of great people, exhibits, vendors, and camaraderie, but we were also blessed with having Steve Leininger as one of the guest speakers along with his partner in the development of the TRS-80 Model I, Don French! I recently had an interview with Steve Leininger (episode 142: https://floppydays.libsyn.com/floppy-days-142-interview-with-steve-leininger-designer-of-the-trs-80-model-i ), thanks to his willingness to be interviewed at the recent VCF Southeast in Atlanta.  That was a m

Episode 143 - Interview with Paul Terrell, The Byte Shop - Part 3 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FloppyDays Sponsors: 8-Bit Classics  Arcade Shopper   FutureVision Research  Hello, and welcome to episode 143 of the Floppy Days Podcast, for September, 2024.  I am Randy Kindig, your host for this retro ride to the past of home computing. This month I’m continuing the series of interviews I’ve been doing recently with Paul Terrell.  As we have discussed, Paul Terrell is a name well-known in the annals of computer history; probably most famously for his kickstart of Apple Computer through the purchase of one of Steve Jobs’ and Steve Wozniak’s first batches of Apple I computers for his Byte Shop.  The Byte Shop was a very early computer store that was one of the few that existed in the world, at the time.  In this interview, we continue to focus primarily on The Byte Shop, how it got started, what it was like, and much more.  This is part 3 of a 4-part series on just that topic with Paul.  If you want to

Interview with Steve Leininger, Designer of the TRS-80- Model I Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FloppyDays Sponsors: 8-Bit Classics  Arcade Shopper   0                                 Floppy Days Tune 1 min 13 sec              Vintage Computer Ads 1 min 42 sec              Intro 9 min 03 sec             bumper - Peter Bartlett  9 min 11 sec              New Acquisitions 17 min 11 sec             bumper - Ian Mavric  17 min 19 sec            Upcoming Computer Shows 21 min 53 sec            bumper - Myles Wakeham 21 min 58 sec            Meet the Listeners 28 min 37 sec            Interview with Steve Leininger 1 hr 20 min 29 sec    Closing This particular episode has a special meaning for me, personally.  You see, as I’ve mentioned on earlier episodes, the TRS-80 Model I from Tandy/Radio Shack was my first home computer (even though my first programmable device was a TI58C calculator).  I recall the joy and wonder of playing with the machine (it wasn’t called the Model I at that time; just the TRS-80; a

Episode 141 - Interview with Paul Terrell, The Byte Shop - Part 2 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FloppyDays Sponsors: 8-Bit Classics  Arcade Shopper   Hello, and welcome to episode 141 of the Floppy Days Podcast, for July, 2024.  I am Randy Kindig, your host, as always, for this historical perspective on obsolete-but-still fun technology. This month I’m bringing you a follow-on interview episode from last month.  As we discussed then, Paul Terrell is a name well-known in the annals of computer history; probably most famously for his kickstart of Apple Computer through the purchase of one of Steve Jobs’ and Steve Wozniak’s first batches of Apple I computers for his Byte Shop.  The Byte Shop was a very early computer store that was one of the few that existed in the world, at the time. In this interview, we continue to focus primarily on The Byte Shop, how it got started, what it was like, and much more.  There will be even more content in future episodes, as Paul and I had a pretty lengthy discussion o

Episode 140 - Interview with Paul Terrell, The Byte Shop - Part 1 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FloppyDays Sponsors: 8-Bit Classics  Arcade Shopper   Hello, and welcome to episode 140 of the Floppy Days Podcast, for June, 2024.  I am Randy Kindig, your guide to this journey through vintage computer goodness. This month I’m bringing you another interview episode.  Paul Terrell is a name well-known in the annals of computer history; probably most famously for his kickstart of Apple Computer through the purchase of one of Steve Jobs’ and Steve Wozniak’s first batches of Apple I computers for his Byte Shop.  The Byte Shop was a very early computer store that was one of the few that existed in the world, at the time.  I’ve had an earlier introductory interview with Paul where numerous topics were covered in a more general manner.  I also talked with Paul about his time at Exidy working on the sorcerer computer.  In this interview, we focus primarily on The Byte Shop, how it got started, what it was like,

Episode 139 - Interview with Vic Tolomei, VP Software Development, Exidy Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FloppyDays Sponsors: 8-Bit Classics  Arcade Shopper   Hello, and welcome to episode 139 of the Floppy Days Podcast, for May, 2024. This month I’m bringing you another interview episode; in the ongoing effort to document the story of Exidy and its Sorcerer computer.  I’ve already talked, in previous episodes, with Howell Ivy and Paul Terrell, both principals at Exidy and in the creation of the Sorcerer computer.  Those were quite popular episodes!  In this episode, I also tracked down Vic Tolomei, VP of Software Development at Exidy during that same time, and got his story.  If you want to know what it was like to lead a software development effort at that time, this is the interview for you! Upcoming on the podcast, I have more interviews to share, as well as more hardware to cover.  I’m actually a few months ahead with developing content, which I guess is an advantage of being retired! I've created

Episode 138 - Interview with Hans Franke, VCF Europe and Computeum Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FloppyDays Sponsors: 8-Bit Classics  Arcade Shopper   Hello, and welcome to Episode 138 of the Floppy Days Podcast for April, 2024!  My name is Randy Kindig and I host this podcast about beautiful, obsolete, extremely interesting computers of 35 to 45 years ago, when computer diversity was abundant. This episode is an interview show, where we talk with Hans Franke. Hans is very active in the classic computer community, being an organizer of the European Vintage Computer show AND curator of a computer museum!  We discuss both of these things with Hans and learn more about the vintage computer scene in Europe. I actually have several interviews completed and queued up to publish.  So, while I continue to work on covering the next computer in the timeline, expect several interviews in the near term.  I won’t go into details, but these are great interviews that I think you will enjoy. I also wanted to mention

Post-VCF SoCal 2024 with Paul Nurminen Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FloppyDays Sponsors: 8-Bit Classics  Arcade Shopper   0 Floppy Days Tune 1 min 13 sec Vintage Computer Ads 1 min 43 sec Intro 2 min 53 sec bumper - Paul Nurminen 3 min 00 sec Discussion with Paul Nurminen 1 hr 20 min 00 sec Closing Hello, and welcome to episode 137 of the Floppy Days Podcast.  I’m Randy Kindig, the host of this show.  This episode is an adjunct to and follow up to the last episode (#136) of Floppy Days.  In that episode, which covered the Grundy New Brain, I alluded to the fact that in the “What I’ve Been Up To” section of the podcast, I was going to publish a separate episode just for that.  I did that because I don’t like to have episodes over about 90 minutes, and having this segment in that show would have pushed it well beyond that. So, for this episode I enlisted the aid of Paul Nurminen (aka Nurmix), who was also an attendee and exhibitor/vendor at the recent Vintage Computer Festival Southern California, to

Grundy New Brain Peripherals thru Web Sites with Chris Despoinidis Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FloppyDays Sponsors: 8-Bit Classics  Arcade Shopper   0 Floppy Days Tune 1 min 13 sec Vintage Computer Ads 1 min 42 sec Intro 5 min 17 sec bumper - Chris Espoinidis 5 min 28 sec New Acquisitions 6 min 33 sec bumper - Gerald McMullon 7 min 16 sec Upcoming Computer Shows 12 min 01 sec bumper - Steve O’Hara-Smith 12 min 27 sec Peripherals 22 min 37 sec Using the Machine 33 min 14 sec User Groups/Newsletters 38 min 36 sec Books & Manuals 41 min 47 sec Software 44 min 11 sec Ads 46 min 45 sec Modern Upgrades 51 min 43 sec Emulation 59 min 07 sec Buying One Today 1 hr 02 min 52 sec Community 1 hr 04 min 50 sec Current Web Sites and Videos 1 hr 12 min 45 sec Closing Hello, and welcome to episode 136 of the Floppy Days Podcast.  I’m Randy Kindig, the host of this show, and I’ll be your guide to a journey back to the year 1982, when a very interesting, low-cost machine entered the market in Great Britain.  Thi

Grundy NewBrain Tech Specs with Chris Despoinidis Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FloppyDays Sponsors: 8-Bit Classics  Arcade Shopper   0 Floppy Days Tune 1 min 14 sec Vintage Computer Ads 1 min 43 sec Intro 5 min 38 sec bumper - Chris Espoinidis 5 min 51 sec New Acquisitions 16 min 32 sec bumper - Gerald McMullon 17 min 15 sec Upcoming Computer Shows 21 min 26 sec bumper - Steve O’Hara-Smith 21 min 45 sec Interview with Chris Espoinidis 36 min 23 sec Tech Specs 1 hr 12 min 07 sec Closing Hello, and welcome to episode 135 of the Floppy Days Podcast.  I’m Randy Kindig, the host of this show, and I’ll be your guide to a journey back to the year 1982, when a very interesting, low-cost machine entered the market in Great Britain.  This machine, if you've been following the show, was the Grundy New Brain.  This is not a well-known machine, most particularly here in the United States where very few have even heard of it; let alone ever owned one. As you know, I’ve been hot on the trail of pioneers who were i