It's been said many times here before, but Woz's "annus mirabilis" from March 1975 to April 1977 when at just 26yo, he designed, implemented and launched the hardware, kernel, sound and color output as well as a BASIC interpreter (and much more) for the Apple I and II is one of history's greatest technological achievements. It was a tour de force of talent which is astounding to this day.
And Ben Eater has taught me more about how computer hardware and software work at the lowest level than any other resource I've come across in my 25 years in the tech industry. Truly inspiring.
Even as a high schooler playing with Integer BASIC on the Apple II back then, there was a Woz aura with that device.
I got started on a TRS-80 Model 1, which was interesting… but when the Apple II showed up, it was just different and set me on a journey that I’m still on.
Same. With me, I started on an Apple after a brief look at a TRS-80 a neighbor had.
The Apple was just itching to be explored.
Still have one. Still use it on occasion too. Last major use was to play through Nox Archaist. 8 bit RPG programmed with modern sensibilities in mind. Too much fun.
Comments
It's been said many times here before, but Woz's "annus mirabilis" from March 1975 to April 1977 when at just 26yo, he designed, implemented and launched the hardware, kernel, sound and color output as well as a BASIC interpreter (and much more) for the Apple I and II is one of history's greatest technological achievements. It was a tour de force of talent which is astounding to this day.
And Ben Eater has taught me more about how computer hardware and software work at the lowest level than any other resource I've come across in my 25 years in the tech industry. Truly inspiring.
And in 78 he did the Disk II. Also an incredible feat, truly hardware economical and software flexible, in the best Woz style.
It arguably turned the Apple II into a serious business machine, because few people could withstand working with cassette tapes.
Surely his "duo anni mirabiles"
Very true. I bow to your superior Latin.
Actually Google’s superior Latin
Even as a high schooler playing with Integer BASIC on the Apple II back then, there was a Woz aura with that device.
I got started on a TRS-80 Model 1, which was interesting… but when the Apple II showed up, it was just different and set me on a journey that I’m still on.
Same. With me, I started on an Apple after a brief look at a TRS-80 a neighbor had.
The Apple was just itching to be explored.
Still have one. Still use it on occasion too. Last major use was to play through Nox Archaist. 8 bit RPG programmed with modern sensibilities in mind. Too much fun.