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This month on Open Apple we sit down with Robert Bowdidge, one of three interns at Berkeley Softworks who ported GEOS to the best line of 8-bit computers. We talk about what a great place Berkeley Softworks was, along with the power of good tools and proper software engineering. Robert has great memories of the culture there, the GUI technology they had built, and the brilliant people who built it. Apparently GEOS existed for some other 8-bit computer as well, but we imagine it was slow and child-like. Users probably bought it at K-Mart or something.
After the interview, Mike and Quinn delve into their personal memories of GEOS, along with a couple of new projects they both did with the environment. Mike works on GEOS file conversion, and Quinn sorts out all the drivers so you don’t have to. We’re even having a contest this month! Download Quinn’s Ultimate GEOS disk image and find the secret phrase. First person to do so and email us at feedback (at) open-apple (dot) net wins nothing at all!
We also talk some news- lots of really great hardware is coming down the pipe. You won’t want to miss Javier Rivera’s hands-on with Plamen’s IIc VGA adapter, and the Uthernet II is now available. Don’t miss out! We talk some Woz, we talk some French Touch, and we revisit KansasFest yet again.
Celebrate GEOS with Quinn and Mike this Hallowe’en!
GEOS Disk Image guide:
- D1S1: Boot / Desktop disk
- D1S2: Demos
- D2S1: Drivers
- D2S2: More Drivers
- D3S1: GeoWrite
- D3S2: GeoPaint / Desk Accessories
- D4S1: GeoSpell / LaserWriter tools
- D4S2: GeoDictionary
A quick sidebar on show length- yes, this episode is almost 3 hours again, but we really did try to make it shorter. We’ll continue to try and compromise a bit on this, so thanks for your patience!
More information on everything discussed in this episode, after the jump.
- Support us on Pateron! Please- help us at least break even on the infrastructure costs.
- GEOS Repository – a one-stop-shop for all your GEOS fun on Asimov (sans GeoCalc)
- ToastyTech overview – A nice quick-peek at what you’re missing by not playing along.
- Breadbox – The current rights holders of GEOS properties
- MacGUI repository – An alternate place to get GEOS things (search term: GEOS).
- Robert Bowdidge – One of three interns who ported GEOS to the Apple II
- Two Photos of GeoCalc – The unicorn! It exists!
- GeoCalc manual – Photo of the credits and such.
- A classic GEOS ad – Effective? You be the judge.
- An ad for GeoCalc – The pun! It burns!
- Hitchhiker’s Guide to GEOS – The SDK programming manual for GEOS.
- GEOS File conversion effort – Maybe you can get your data out after all.
- Quinn’s ultimate GEOS disk image – For IIc Plus users only. Virtual II is cheating!
- Computer Show – A terrific spoof of Computer Chronicles and similar ’80s shows
- Discovered lost Apple II logo? – Probably not.
- Summary of Apple II graphics – A nice beginner’s intro in video form.
- Post Mortem of Crisis Mountain – From David Schroeder himself.
- Dino Eggs – Also Dino Eggs.
- ClassicIDE available – Buy one now while you can!
- VNCViewGS – VNC on your IIgs! With source code!
- Pong chip designed by Apple II superfan – Atari podcasts talk about us yet again.
- Apple II music in a chiptunes contest – Krue is killing it, Apple II-style.
- Repairing a IIe keyboard – Courtesy of RetroConnector.
- Uthernet II now shipping – Buy one while you can!
- Plasmagoria Demo – Newest demo from French Touch.
- IIc VGA Review – Javier gets up close and personal with Plamen’s upcoming device.
- Mockingboard Clone – UltimateMicro is at it again. Or was. Sorry, you missed it.
- KansasFest Garage Giveaway GoFundMe – Help fund one of the best parts of KFest.
- David Cohen and his Apple II – A Simpsons/Futurama connection to our 8-bit.
- System 6.0.3 installer bug – With a workaround by John Brooks.
- Woz speaking in Kansas – (not -Fest, just Kansas). Get your tickets now!
- Woz remembers the HCC – The club that started it all, from the most famous member.
- Fix your IIc Plus Beep – Yes, it is possible to make your IIc Plus sound correct.
One addendum to the news- Woz’s lecture at KY will be live webcast. So even if you can’t get tickets, you can still watch him speak in November:
http://lied.ku.edu/?event=steve-wozniak-11am