Editing Retrocomputing

{{Short description|Hobbyist use of older computer equipment}}
[[Image:Apple-II.jpg|thumb|The 1977 Apple II]]

'''Retrocomputing''' is the current use of [[Vintage computer|older computer hardware]] and [[software]]. Retrocomputing is usually classed as a [[hobby]] and recreation rather than a practical application of technology; enthusiasts often collect rare and valuable [[Electronic hardware|hardware]] and [[software]] for sentimental reasons.<ref name="catb">{{cite web|url=http://www.catb.org/retro/ |title=The Retrocomputing Museum |publisher=Catb.org |access-date=30 October 2013}}</ref>

Occasionally, however, an obsolete computer system has to be "resurrected" to run software specific to that system, to access data stored on obsolete media, or to use a [[peripheral]] that requires that system.
[[File:Retrocomputing 2010 Athens Greece.jpg|thumb|Retrosystem 2010, a retrocomputing event in [[Athens]]]]

Retrocomputing and [[retro gaming]] has been described as [[Digital preservation|preservation]] activity and as aspects of the [[remix culture]].<ref>{{cite conference |title=Retrocomputing as Preservation and Remix  |last1=Takhteyev |first1=Yuri |last2=DuPont |first2=Quinn |date=2013 |publisher=iSchools |book-title=iConference 2013 Proceedings |pages= 422–432 |location=Fort Worth, Texas |doi=10.9776/13230|doi-broken-date=1 November 2024|hdl=2142/38392}}</ref>

==Hardware retrocomputing==
===Historic systems===
{{Main|Vintage computer}}
Retrocomputing is part of the [[history of computer hardware]]. It can be seen as the analogue of [[experimental archaeology]] in computing.<ref>{{Cite journal | doi=10.2424/ASTSN.M.2012.17|year = 2012|issue = 119|last1 = Cignoni|first1 = Giovanni A.|last2 = Gaducci|first2 = Fabio|title = Experimental Archaeology of Computer Science|journal = Atti della Società Toscana di Scienze Naturali Residente in Pisa Memorie Serie B|pages=111–116}}</ref> Some notable examples include the reconstruction of [[Babbage]]'s [[Difference engine]] (more than a century after its design) and the implementation of [[Plankalkül]] in 2000 (more than half a century since its inception).

==="Homebrew" computers===
[[File:Mini C88 (31505391518).png|thumb|A Mini C88 eight byte homebrew computer.]]
Some retrocomputing enthusiasts also consider the "[[Homebrew (video games)|homebrewing]]" (designing and [[Homebuilt_computer|building]] of retro- and retro-styled computers or kits), to be an important aspect of the hobby, giving new enthusiasts an opportunity to experience more fully what the early years of hobby computing were like.<ref name="catb" />  There are several different approaches to this end. Some are exact replicas of older systems, and some are newer designs based on the principles of retrocomputing, while others combine the two, with old and new features in the same package. Examples include:
* Device offered by [[IMSAI]], a modern, updated, yet backward-compatible version and replica of the original [[IMSAI 8080]], one of the most popular early personal systems;
* Several [[Apple I|Apple 1]] replicas and kits have been sold in limited quantities in recent years, by different builders, such as the "[[Replica 1]]", from Briel Computers;<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.brielcomputers.com/|title=Briel Computers|website=www.brielcomputers.com}}</ref>
* A currently ongoing project that uses old technology in a new design is the [[Z80]]-based [[N8VEM]];
* The [[Arduino]] Retro Computer kit is an open source, open hardware kit you can build and has a BASIC interpreter.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://amigojapan.github.io/Arduino-Retro-Computer-with-SD-card-and-LCD-display-and-Keyboard-input-with-BASIC-interpreter/ |title=Arduino Retro Computer with SD card and LCD display and Keyboard input with BASIC interpreter |publisher=amigojapan.github.io |access-date=30 October 2013}}</ref> There is also a version of the Arduino Retro Computer that can be hooked up to a TV;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://amigojapan.github.io/Arduino-Retro-Computer-TV/ |title=Arduino Retro Computer TV |publisher=amigojapan.github.io |access-date=30 October 2013}}</ref>
* There is at least one remake of the Commodore 64 using an [[Field-programmable gate array|FPGA]] configured to [[Emulator|emulate]] the 6502;<ref name="c1">{{cite web
|url =http://c64upgra.de/c-one/
|title=C-one Reconfigurable computer
|access-date=6 September 2012
}}</ref>
* MSX 2/2+ compatible [[do-it-yourself]] kit [[GR8BIT]], designed for the hands-on education in electronics, deliberately employing old and new concepts and devices (high-capacity [[Static random-access memory|SRAMs]], micro-controllers and [[Field-programmable gate array|FPGA]]);
* The MEGA65 is a [[Commodore 65]] compatible computer;<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mega65.org/|title=MEGA65 - (MOST PROBABLY) THE BEST COMPUTER|website=mega65.org}}</ref>
* The Commander X16 is an ongoing project by [[The 8-Bit Guy|David Murray]] that hopes to build a new 8-bit platform inspired by the [[Commodore 64]], using off the shelf modern parts.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.retrosummit.com/2019/09/24/project-commander-x16/|title=Project Commander X16 {{!}} Retro Summit|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-02}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Murray |first=David |date=February 19, 2019 |title=Building my dream computer - Part 1 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayh0qebfD2g |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003145449/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayh0qebfD2g |archive-date=October 3, 2022 |access-date=2022-10-03 |website=[[YouTube]] |language=en |publication-date=February 19, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Murray |first=David |date=September 12, 2019 |title=Building my Dream Computer - Part 2 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sg-6Cjzzg8s |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003145459/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sg-6Cjzzg8s |archive-date=October 3, 2022 |access-date=2022-10-03 |website=[[YouTube]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Murray |first=David |date=October 12, 2022 |title=The Commander X16 has finally arrived! |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcWqMGju7fk |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221028140720/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcWqMGju7fk |archive-date=October 28, 2022 |access-date=October 28, 2022 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>
*The C256 Foenix and its different versions is a new retro computer family based on the WDC65C816. FPGAs are used to simulate CBM custom chips and has the power of an Amiga with its graphic and sound capabilities.
*Grant Searle collection of homebrew 8-bit projects.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://searle.wales/|title=Grant's HOMEBUILT ELECTRONICS|website=searle.wales}}</ref>

==Software retrocomputing==
As old computer hardware becomes harder to maintain, there has been increasing interest in computer simulation. This is especially the case with old [[mainframe computer]]s, which have largely been scrapped, and have space, power, and environmental requirements unaffordable by the average user. The memory size and speed of current systems enable simulation of many old systems to run faster than that system on original hardware.<ref name="Trimble">{{cite journal |last1=Trimble jr |first1=George R. |title=EMULATION of the IBM SYSTEM/360 on a MICROPROGRAMMABLE COMPUTER |journal=MICRO 7: Conference Record of the 7th Annual Workshop on Microprogramming |date=September 1974 |pages=141–150 |doi=10.1145/800118.803854 |s2cid=5984264 |doi-access=free }}</ref><ref name="Burnet">{{cite journal |last1=Burnet |first1=Maxwell M. |last2=Supnik |first2=Robert M. |title=Preserving Computing's Past: Restoration and Simulation |journal=Digital Technical Journal |date=1996 |volume=8 |issue=3 |pages=23–38 |url=http://simh.trailing-edge.com/docs/dtjn02pf.pdf}}</ref>

One popular simulator, the history simulator [[SIMH]], offers simulations for over 50 historic systems, from the 1950s through the present. The [[Hercules (emulator)|Hercules]] emulator simulates the IBM System/360 family from [[System/360]] to 64-bit [[IBM Z|System/z]]. A simulator is available for the [[Honeywell]] [[Multics]] system. An online simulator is available for the [[Altair_8800]] and it runs the actual [[Altair_BASIC]]

Software for older systems was not [[copyright]]ed, and was [[open source]], so there is a wide variety of available software to run on these simulators.

Some emulations are used by businesses, as running production software in a simulator is usually faster, cheaper, and more reliable than running it on original hardware.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}}

==In popular culture==
In an interview with [[Conan O'Brien]] in May 2014, [[George R. R. Martin]] revealed that he writes his books using [[WordStar|WordStar 4.0]], an [[MS-DOS]] application dating back to 1987.<ref name="got">{{cite journal|url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/future_tense/2014/05/14/george_r_r_martin_writes_on_dos_based_wordstar_4_0_software_from_the_1980s.html|title=George R.R. Martin Writes on a DOS-Based Word Processor From the 1980s|author=Lily Hay Newman|journal=Slate |date=14 May 2014|access-date=20 September 2015}}</ref>

US-based streaming video provider [[Netflix]] released a multiple-choice movie branded to be part of their [[Black Mirror]] series, called ''[[Black Mirror: Bandersnatch|Bandersnatch]]''. The protagonist is a teenage programmer working on a contract to deliver a video-game adaptation of a fantasy novel for an 8-bit computer in 1984. The multiple storylines revolve around the emotions and mental health issues resulting from a reality-perception mismatch between a new generation of computer-savvy teenagers and twenty-somethings, and their care givers.

==Education==
Due to their low complexity together with other technical advantages, 8-bit computers are frequently re-discovered for education, especially for introductory programming classes in [[Primary school|elementary schools]].{{cn|date=May 2023}} [[8-bit|8-bit computers]] turn on and directly present a programming environment; there are no distractions, and no need for other features or additional connectivity. The [[BASIC]] language is a simple-to-learn programming language that has access to the entire system without having to load libraries for sound, graphics, math, etc. The focus of the programming language is on efficiency; in particular, one command does one thing immediately (e.g. {{code|COLOR 0,6|basic}} turns the screen green).

==See also==
* [[History of computing hardware]]
* [[Vintage Computer Festival]]
* [[Computer History Museum]]
* [[Computer Conservation Society]]
* [[Living Computers: Museum + Labs]]
* [[Retro gaming]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.retrocomputermuseum.co.uk/ Retro Computer Museum], a computer museum in Leicestershire, UK with regular "come and play" open days
*[http://www.catb.org/retro/ Retrocomputing Museum] for re-implementations of old [[programming language]]s
*[http://www.retromagazine.eu RETRO]{{snd}} German paper mag about digital culture
*[http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/ The Centre for Computing History] The Centre for Computing History{{snd}} UK Computer Museum
*[http://www.livingcomputermuseum.org/Online-Systems/Request-a-Login.aspx/ Living Computer Museum] Request a Login from the LCM to interact with vintage computers over the internet.
*[http://bitsavers.informatik.uni-stuttgart.de/ bitsavers] Software and PDF Document archive about older computers
*[https://wiki.preterhuman.net/Vintage_Computing_Resources Vintage Computing Resources] Active resources for retrocomputing hobbyists
*[https://medium.com/young-coder/learning-to-code-in-a-retro-programming-environment-fb5c5982ca54 Learning to code in a “retro” programming environment]
*[https://www.apress.com/gp/book/9781484241455 Beginning Programming Using Retro Computing]
*[https://www.loadzx.com LOAD ZX Spectrum] Museum, a retro computing museum in Portugal mostly focused on the Sinclair line of computers
*[https://s2js.com/altair/?basic Online MITS Altair] simulated hardware running authentic Altair BASIC

[[Category:Computing culture| ]]
[[Category:History of computing]]
[[Category:Nostalgia]]