adamcon 15 20 years of fun and frustration in the computer world by: jeff mitchell august 8, 2003

ADAMCON 15ADAMCON 1520 Years of Fun and 20 Years of Fun and

Frustration in the Computer Frustration in the Computer WorldWorld

By:By:Jeff MitchellJeff Mitchell

August 8, 2003August 8, 2003

OverviewOverview

Early rumblingsEarly rumblingsColecovision…Christmas 1983Colecovision…Christmas 1983Expansion Module #2 - 1984Expansion Module #2 - 1984The ADAM Years (1984 – 1990)The ADAM Years (1984 – 1990)No Man’s Land (1990 – 1993)No Man’s Land (1990 – 1993)Wintel Era (1993 – Present)Wintel Era (1993 – Present)Enter the ADAM EmulatorEnter the ADAM EmulatorLooking BackLooking BackQuestions to PonderQuestions to Ponder

Early RumblingsEarly Rumblings

Technology & Computing in the ’80sTechnology & Computing in the ’80s A couple of close friends had Commodore or A couple of close friends had Commodore or

Atari systems (i.e.. VIC 20, Commodore 64, Atari Atari systems (i.e.. VIC 20, Commodore 64, Atari 2600)2600)

Commodore games attracted my attention right Commodore games attracted my attention right away, most were challenging and fun to play away, most were challenging and fun to play

Commodore software was loaded either by 5 ¼” Commodore software was loaded either by 5 ¼” floppy disk or by tape drive, don’t remember any floppy disk or by tape drive, don’t remember any of my friends having hard drives for their C64sof my friends having hard drives for their C64s

No one I knew had an IBM PC (or early clone) as No one I knew had an IBM PC (or early clone) as nearly as I can remembernearly as I can remember

Atari 2600 was another popular console game Atari 2600 was another popular console game systemsystem

Early Rumblings…Cont.Early Rumblings…Cont.

Computer games were my main Computer games were my main interest in this period…and will remain interest in this period…and will remain a common threada common threadProgramming, word processing, or Programming, word processing, or other such tasks hadn’t really entered other such tasks hadn’t really entered my radarmy radarTook advantage of my friends to play Took advantage of my friends to play their gamestheir gamesDon’t recall pestering my parents, “Can Don’t recall pestering my parents, “Can I please have a C64 of my own?”I please have a C64 of my own?”

1983 – A Magical Christmas1983 – A Magical Christmas

Colecovision entered our home on Colecovision entered our home on December 25, 1983December 25, 1983Looking back, was a well designed Looking back, was a well designed system with simple controls and game system with simple controls and game titles that were addictive but titles that were addictive but straightforward to playstraightforward to playFond memories of blisters on my Fond memories of blisters on my thumb from “Zaxxon”, “Donkey thumb from “Zaxxon”, “Donkey Kong”, and “Cosmic Avenger”Kong”, and “Cosmic Avenger”Offered the lure of expansionOffered the lure of expansion

Expansion Module #2 - Expansion Module #2 - 19841984

Coleco offered innovative product in Coleco offered innovative product in the form of Expansion Module #2the form of Expansion Module #2Allowed Colecovision owner’s to play Allowed Colecovision owner’s to play any Atari 2600 gameany Atari 2600 gameAdded to our system shortly after Added to our system shortly after Christmas (after patient and logical Christmas (after patient and logical arguments were made to my Dad)arguments were made to my Dad)““Missile Command” and “Yar’s Missile Command” and “Yar’s Revenge” were added to our libraryRevenge” were added to our library

The ADAM Years (’84 – ’90)The ADAM Years (’84 – ’90)

Christmas in 1984 was another fun Christmas in 1984 was another fun time in the Mitchell householdtime in the Mitchell householdThe ADAM officially arrived in the form The ADAM officially arrived in the form of Expansion Module #3of Expansion Module #3For some reason, I knew about and For some reason, I knew about and was involved in the purchase, so it was involved in the purchase, so it wasn’t a complete surprise like the wasn’t a complete surprise like the year beforeyear beforeStill was lots of excitement when the Still was lots of excitement when the time came to set up the systemtime came to set up the system

Parallel Universe – IBM PCParallel Universe – IBM PC

To illustrate where the IBM world was in To illustrate where the IBM world was in 1983, here is a typical PC you could get:1983, here is a typical PC you could get:

IBM PC XTIBM PC XT 8088 CPU running at 4.77 MHz8088 CPU running at 4.77 MHz 128K – 640 K of memory128K – 640 K of memory 360K 5 ¼” floppy disk360K 5 ¼” floppy disk 10 or 20 MB hard drive (optional)10 or 20 MB hard drive (optional) No printer (available as add on)No printer (available as add on) Productivity software and games extraProductivity software and games extra Cost was in the thousands of dollarsCost was in the thousands of dollars

IBM PC vs. Coleco ADAMIBM PC vs. Coleco ADAM

Coleco ADAM had the following Coleco ADAM had the following specs, by way of comparison:specs, by way of comparison: Zilog Z-80 CPU (4 MHz clock speed)Zilog Z-80 CPU (4 MHz clock speed) 64K RAM, 32K ROM, 16K video RAM64K RAM, 32K ROM, 16K video RAM Cassette tape drive for storageCassette tape drive for storage Expansion slots for add-in cardsExpansion slots for add-in cards 80-column daisy wheel printer included80-column daisy wheel printer included Bundled with software to get you Bundled with software to get you

moving right awaymoving right away

IBM PC vs. Coleco ADAMIBM PC vs. Coleco ADAM

Compared to the early PCs, the Compared to the early PCs, the ADAM offered tremendous valueADAM offered tremendous valuePre-packaged with all essential Pre-packaged with all essential hardware and softwarehardware and software Built-in word processorBuilt-in word processor PrinterPrinter Convenient storage (tape data packs)Convenient storage (tape data packs) Ability to play gamesAbility to play games Expandable for the futureExpandable for the future

The Adam Years (’84 – ’90)The Adam Years (’84 – ’90)

Base ADAM package gave lots to Base ADAM package gave lots to play withplay withFirst “Super Game” – Buck Rogers First “Super Game” – Buck Rogers (another well designed title)(another well designed title)SmartBASICSmartBASICWord processingWord processingFrom my point of view, still a gaming From my point of view, still a gaming system, although I remember system, although I remember dabbling into SmartBASICdabbling into SmartBASIC


CP/M 2.2 and ADAMCalc were added CP/M 2.2 and ADAMCalc were added to our library within months of to our library within months of ADAM’s arrivalADAM’s arrivalNever really used ADAMCalc for Never really used ADAMCalc for much and CP/M was a bit arcane, much and CP/M was a bit arcane, although I dived in and learned my although I dived in and learned my way aroundway aroundVideo games were my main use of Video games were my main use of the system in the early months, don’t the system in the early months, don’t remember using it for school yetremember using it for school yet


Somewhere in 1985 a fateful meeting Somewhere in 1985 a fateful meeting occurred in the Ottawa Public Libraryoccurred in the Ottawa Public Library

My dad met up with a gentleman by My dad met up with a gentleman by the name of Doug Pattersonthe name of Doug Patterson

Through Doug, my dad became aware Through Doug, my dad became aware of the local ADAM User Friendly Groupof the local ADAM User Friendly Group

Meeting Doug opened a whole new Meeting Doug opened a whole new channel to software and hardwarechannel to software and hardware


I entered high school in September of I entered high school in September of 19851985

Over the 5 years I spent in Gloucester High Over the 5 years I spent in Gloucester High School in Ottawa, I started using the ADAM School in Ottawa, I started using the ADAM frequently for my writing assignmentsfrequently for my writing assignments

Initially I used Smartwriter, but switched to Initially I used Smartwriter, but switched to Speedywrite as it became availableSpeedywrite as it became available

Continued my dabblings in SmartBASIC, Continued my dabblings in SmartBASIC, which helped me gain an appreciation for which helped me gain an appreciation for programming conceptsprogramming concepts


Our base ADAM expanded radically Our base ADAM expanded radically through contact with the ADAM communitythrough contact with the ADAM community

Modem and ADAMLink softwareModem and ADAMLink software

5 ¼”disk drive5 ¼”disk drive

Hard drive upgrade in 1987Hard drive upgrade in 1987

Loads of useful software, including Loads of useful software, including Powerpaint, TDOS, and many game titlesPowerpaint, TDOS, and many game titles

Still into playing computer games as the Still into playing computer games as the year 1990 drew nearyear 1990 drew near


One of my favourite cartridge titles was One of my favourite cartridge titles was “Gateway to Apshai”“Gateway to Apshai”A terrific example of 3A terrific example of 3rdrd party ADAM games party ADAM gamesHad all the bread and butter concepts of a Had all the bread and butter concepts of a dungeon crawl game…fighting, gathering dungeon crawl game…fighting, gathering treasure, and explorationtreasure, and explorationContained many concepts that are Contained many concepts that are fundamental to modern computer role-fundamental to modern computer role-playing titlesplaying titlesVery challenging, had that “just a little Very challenging, had that “just a little further” addictive qualityfurther” addictive quality


Learned how to use ADAMLink and Learned how to use ADAMLink and went onlinewent online

Quickly discovered the Ottawa area Quickly discovered the Ottawa area BBS sceneBBS scene

File downloads mostly available for File downloads mostly available for CP/MCP/M

Was introduced to precursor of Was introduced to precursor of Usenet News (BBS message boards)Usenet News (BBS message boards)

1990 – ADAM Says Goodbye1990 – ADAM Says Goodbye

In June of 1990, I graduated from high In June of 1990, I graduated from high school and embarked on a new eraschool and embarked on a new eraStarted the mechanical engineering Started the mechanical engineering program at the University of Victoriaprogram at the University of VictoriaThis move would see me computer less for This move would see me computer less for the next 3 yearsthe next 3 yearsBy the time I left the ADAM, I was familiar By the time I left the ADAM, I was familiar with:with: Programming conceptsProgramming concepts Word processingWord processing Modems and communications softwareModems and communications software Even had some passing knowledge of what Even had some passing knowledge of what

machine language wasmachine language was

No Man’s Land (1990 – No Man’s Land (1990 – 1993)1993)

First few years of life at UVic shoved me First few years of life at UVic shoved me into the arcane world of UNIX (I still shudder into the arcane world of UNIX (I still shudder when I see references to the VI Editor)when I see references to the VI Editor)

Learned how to program in Pascal (for Learned how to program in Pascal (for graphics and numerical analysis)graphics and numerical analysis)

Drew on my experience with SmartBASIC Drew on my experience with SmartBASIC such that Pascal was a breeze to pickup, such that Pascal was a breeze to pickup, struggled with “purpose” of program rather struggled with “purpose” of program rather than language structure and programming than language structure and programming conceptsconcepts


Used UVic’s Mac Lab if I had to write Used UVic’s Mac Lab if I had to write reports or other non-programming reports or other non-programming taskstasksIn 1992 I began my “assimilation” into In 1992 I began my “assimilation” into the IBM world with a work term at the IBM world with a work term at IBM’s office in Calgary, AlbertaIBM’s office in Calgary, AlbertaGained experience with OS/2Gained experience with OS/2Worked with early versions of Worked with early versions of Microsoft Word and Microsoft ProjectMicrosoft Word and Microsoft ProjectParticipated in 2 computer trade showsParticipated in 2 computer trade shows


Gained an appreciation for IBM PC Gained an appreciation for IBM PC hardware and terminology, expanded my hardware and terminology, expanded my comfort level in computingcomfort level in computingReturned to UVic in 1993 and continued to Returned to UVic in 1993 and continued to use the Mac Labuse the Mac LabIn summer of 1993, my first IBM In summer of 1993, my first IBM compatible arrived, an AST 386 SX/25 with compatible arrived, an AST 386 SX/25 with 4 MB of RAM and a 120 MB hard drive4 MB of RAM and a 120 MB hard driveAlso bought myself what would prove to Also bought myself what would prove to be a legendary computer game…the “X-be a legendary computer game…the “X-Wing Space Combat Simulator”Wing Space Combat Simulator”

The Wintel Era (1993 – The Wintel Era (1993 – Present)Present)

An excellent first computer that helped me An excellent first computer that helped me finish UVic by allowing me to work on finish UVic by allowing me to work on many projects at homemany projects at home

Saved time, as I no longer had to run back Saved time, as I no longer had to run back and forth between home and UVic’s and forth between home and UVic’s computer facilitiescomputer facilities

Allowed me to continue my hobby and was Allowed me to continue my hobby and was also an escape from the difficulty of my also an escape from the difficulty of my UVic course work (working my way UVic course work (working my way through the Tours of Duty in X-Wing)through the Tours of Duty in X-Wing)


Discovered Compuserve with my Discovered Compuserve with my 2400 baud modem2400 baud modem

Compuserve was a valuable tool in Compuserve was a valuable tool in doing research for technical papersdoing research for technical papers

With my modem, connected to UVic’s With my modem, connected to UVic’s servers to run FLUENT (a servers to run FLUENT (a computational fluid dynamics computational fluid dynamics program) through a simple text program) through a simple text interfaceinterface


Graduated from UVic and moved out on Graduated from UVic and moved out on my own to Vancouver in 1996my own to Vancouver in 1996The old 386 workhorse was replaced in The old 386 workhorse was replaced in 1996 with a 486DX4/1001996 with a 486DX4/100The 486 stayed with me until 1997 when I The 486 stayed with me until 1997 when I moved up to a Pentium 166 based moved up to a Pentium 166 based machinemachineDid a CPU upgrade in 1998 to a Pentium Did a CPU upgrade in 1998 to a Pentium 200 MHz MMX200 MHz MMXHardware upgrades driven somewhat by Hardware upgrades driven somewhat by desire to play certain computer game desire to play certain computer game titles (X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter in particular)titles (X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter in particular)


Spring of 2000 saw me take a big leap, to Spring of 2000 saw me take a big leap, to a Pentium III 550 MHz based systema Pentium III 550 MHz based systemThis kept me going until about 2 weeks This kept me going until about 2 weeks ago when I moved up to a Pentium IV 2.4 ago when I moved up to a Pentium IV 2.4 GHz based systemGHz based systemAlso added a laptop to my repertoire of Also added a laptop to my repertoire of equipment, as I felt the desire to have equipment, as I felt the desire to have some mobility in my computing abilitysome mobility in my computing abilityComputer games still provide lots of Computer games still provide lots of enjoyment, with “Homeworld” and enjoyment, with “Homeworld” and “Neverwinter Nights” being two titles I’ve “Neverwinter Nights” being two titles I’ve been fond ofbeen fond of

Wintel Era (1993 – Present)Wintel Era (1993 – Present)

An example of frustration in the Wintel worldAn example of frustration in the Wintel world Bought a Creative Labs Annihilator 2 video cardBought a Creative Labs Annihilator 2 video card Card not happy running at AGP4x with my Asus Card not happy running at AGP4x with my Asus

PIII motherboardPIII motherboard Lengthy search on the ‘net led me to a small Lengthy search on the ‘net led me to a small

utility which allowed me to edit (in hexadecimal) utility which allowed me to edit (in hexadecimal) some of my motherboard settingssome of my motherboard settings

Probably couldn’t have done that had I not seen Probably couldn’t have done that had I not seen the concepts in the pastthe concepts in the past


Intel Pentium 4 processorIntel Pentium 4 processor 2.4 to 3.2 GHz2.4 to 3.2 GHz 800 MHz front side bus800 MHz front side bus 55 million transistors55 million transistors 512K onboard cache memory512K onboard cache memory

Enter the ADAM EmulatorEnter the ADAM Emulator

In the months leading up to ADAMCON 11 In the months leading up to ADAMCON 11 in Seattle, I discovered the ADAM Emulatorin Seattle, I discovered the ADAM Emulator

Many fond memories came flooding back Many fond memories came flooding back to meto me

I could literally go back in time and turn I could literally go back in time and turn my fancy Pentium class computer into an my fancy Pentium class computer into an ADAMADAM

Played some of my old favourite cartridge Played some of my old favourite cartridge games, and found that they stood up well games, and found that they stood up well to the test of timeto the test of time

Looking BackLooking Back

Would I have embraced the computer Would I have embraced the computer world if the ADAM had not entered my life?world if the ADAM had not entered my life? Maybe, maybe not, might not have seen the Maybe, maybe not, might not have seen the

need for one until entering UVicneed for one until entering UVicWithout ADAM, would not have developed Without ADAM, would not have developed any programming skills or comfort with any programming skills or comfort with computer concepts until much later in lifecomputer concepts until much later in lifeA lot of my course work at UVic would A lot of my course work at UVic would have been much more difficult without the have been much more difficult without the foundation that the ADAM gave mefoundation that the ADAM gave meComputers are “second nature” to me now Computers are “second nature” to me now and I thank my ADAM years for thatand I thank my ADAM years for that

Questions to Ponder…Questions to Ponder…

If Coleco had not callously If Coleco had not callously abandoned the ADAM, would history abandoned the ADAM, would history have been different?have been different?

If the user community had not come If the user community had not come forward to continue support and forward to continue support and development for the ADAM, would we development for the ADAM, would we still be here today?still be here today?

adamcon 15 20 years of fun and frustration in the computer world by: jeff mitchell august 8, 2003

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