1/25/2016

The TI-99/4A - Tech Specs, Peripherals, Modern Upgrades with Tursi

This show is a continuation of the on-going series about the TI-99/4A computer.  In the last couple of episodes, I had TI-99 fans Jim Fetzner and Mark Wills on the show and interviewed them about their experiences with the TI-99 and then we covered the history of the machine.  In this show, I have a new co-host, Mike Brent, better known as Tursi or Harmless Lion, the creator of the Classic 99 emulator and so much more.  After a short interview with Tursi, we discuss the technical aspects of the TI-99, including the tech specs, peripherals, modern upgrades, and connectivity to modern computers.  It’s an information-filled show, so I hope you enjoy it.

Before we get into that, I’ll discuss a few new vintage computer-related acquisitions that have come my way, give you the scoop on upcoming shows, and share with you a few pieces of feedback I’ve received about the show from listeners.

Links Mentioned in the Show:

Intro

• Bill Degnan’s VintageComputer.net - http://www.vintagecomputer.net
• Bill Degnan’s “History of Commodore Computers” Poster - http://www.vintagecomputer.net/poster_detail.cfm

New Acquisitions

• “The Future Was Here: The Commodore Amiga (Platform Studies)” - Jimmy Maher, The MIT Press - http://www.amazon.com/dp/0262017202/?tag=flodaypod-20
• Tiny Pascal for the TRS-80 Model I - https://archive.org/details/Tiny_Pascal_1982_Tandy

News

• Amigospodcast - http://www.amigospodcast.com/
• TRS-Box - Dropbox client for MISE/M3SE equipped TRS-80 - http://pski.net/trs-box/

Upcoming Shows

• VCF Southeast 4.0 - April 2 & 3 2016, Roswell, GA
• VCF East - April 15-17, 2016 - InfoAge Science Center, 2201 Marconi Rd., Wall, NJ, 07719 - http://www.vintagecomputerfederation.org/festivals/vintage-computer-festival-east/
• 25th Annual Last Chicago CoCoFest - http://www.glensideccc.com/cocofest/ - April 23 & 24, 2016, Heron Point Convention Center, Lombard, IL, Sat. 9-5, Sun. 9-3
• VCF Midwest 11 September 10-11, 2016, Elk Grove Village, IL - http://www.vcfmw.org/

Feedback

• TI-99 Beginner’s Video by Roland - https://youtu.be/I-S-BmJCV_c
• Roland’s YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/user/VectrexRoli/

Interview with Co-host

• Tursi’s Web Site - http://www.harmlesslion.com
• Classic 99 Emulator by Tursi - http://www.harmlesslion.com/cgi-bin/showprog.cgi?search=Classic99
• PS/2 Keyboard Adapter for the TI-99 by Tursi - http://atariage.com/forums/blog/567/entry-11851-a-ps2-keyboard-on-a-ti-994a/
• UberGROM Simulator by Tursi - http://www.harmlesslion.com/cgi-bin/showprog.cgi?search=uber

Modern Upgrades/Connectivity

• F18A Video Upgrade by Matthew Hagerty - http://codehackcreate.com/store#!/F18A-V1-7-Video-Board/p/14022176/category=0
• Extended BASIC 2.7 Suite Cartridge by Tony Knerr - http://www.arcadeshopper.com/wp/?page_id=11#!/Extended-Basic-2-7-Suite/p/44354005/category=15846004
• Turbo Forth for the TI-99/4A by Mark Wills - http://turboforth.net
• FBForth by Lee Stewart - http://atariage.com/forums/topic/210660-fbforthti-forth-with-file-based-block-io-post-1-updated-12082015/
• NanoPEB and CF7+ - http://webpages.charter.net/nanopeb/
• HDX update for the RS232 card by Fred Kaal - http://www.ti99-geek.nl/

Reference

• Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_Instruments_TI-99/4A