Retrocomputers as Hacking Platforms
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Retrocomputing involves using old computer hardware and software as a hobby rather than for practical purposes. The Commodore 64 from 1982 is highlighted as being very hackable due to its accessible architecture and I/O ports. Hobbyist projects have expanded the C64's capabilities for music, mass storage, networking, overclocking, and teleoperation. The C64 remains a popular platform for hacking and creative projects today due to its low-level programmability and large community of enthusiasts.
Retrocomputers as Hacking Platforms
- 1. Retrocomputers as Hacking Platforms Leif Bloomquist SoOnCon 2010
- 2. Retrocomputing (a portmanteau of retro and computing) is the use of early computer hardware and software today. Retrocomputing is usually classed as a hobby and recreation rather than a practical application of technology; enthusiasts often collect rare and valuable hardware and software for sentimental reasons. - Wikipedia Communities exist around Commodore, Tandy, Apple, Atari, ZX Spectrum, and every other classic platform you can think of.
- 3. Notable Commodore Machines KIM-1 (1976) Commodore PET (several, 1977-) Commodore VIC-20 (1981) Commodore 64 (1982) Plus/4 (1984) Commodore 128 (1985) Amiga (several, 1985-)
- 4. Commodore 64 - 1982 CPU: MOS 6510 @ 1.023 MHz RAM: 64 KB ROM: 20 KB Video: VIC-II 320x200, 16 colors Sound: SID 6581 (3 Osc, 4 Waveforms, Filters, ADSR, Ring Modulation) Operating System: Commodore KERNAL with Microsoft BASIC 2.0 The best-selling home computer ever (Guinness Book of Records) Approximately 30,000,000 sold
- 5. Very Hackable! User Port: 8 Configurable GPIO or RS-232 Expansion Port: External ROMs and memory-mapped devices Joystick ports can be inputs or outputs! Analog Input (Paddles, switches, light pens…) Keyboard is a simple digital input matrix O/S on ROM Cassette Interface
- 6. Very Hackable! From early on, third-party products available for I/O and electronics interfacing Widely embraced by Ham Radio enthusiasts Magazines dedicated to exploring and expanding the capabilities of the machines (i.e. Transactor) Built-in BASIC provides rapid prototyping and low-level manipulation of memory and I/O (PEEK, POKE) The C64 and VIC Programmer’s Reference came with full schematics!
- 7. Very Hackable! Architecture and quirks very well understood after nearly 30 years of tinkering, investigation, and reverse-engineering
- 8. Case-Modding
- 9. Music (SID Chip) Countless Music Files (High Voltage SID Collection) MSSIAH64 Cynthcart Multiple MIDI Interfaces Stereo SID add-ons Trivia: Used by Trent Reznor (NIN)
- 10. Hobbyist Projects: Mass Storage 64HDD uIEC MMC64 IDE64 1541 Ultimate (1541 in an FPGA!)
- 11. Hobbyist Projects: Networking The Final Ethernet RR-Net FB-Net 64NIC+ TCP/IP stacks and libraries for 6502 Machine Language, C, and now BASIC
- 12. Cool Projects: Shredz64 Toni Westbrook
- 13. Cool Projects: Dancing Cat Jeri Ellsworth / Sean Pappalardo / Leif Bloomquist
- 14. Cool Projects: Overclocked PET 10Mhz! (Andre Fachat)
- 15. Cool Projects: Teleoperated Truck
- 16. The Next Generation (2004) 64DTV Joystick Designed by Jeri Ellsworth for Mammoth Toys 30 games installed
- 17. The Next Generation (2004) Inside are pads for connecting keyboard, user port, and disk drive! Results in a tiny “super” C64 with BASIC, 2 MB Flash ROM, 1 MB RAM, 256 colors, enhanced graphics capabilities... All ‘64 chips recreated in an ASIC Loaded with Easter Eggs
- 18. Resources Toronto PET Users Group (www.tpug.ca) CBM-Hackers (http://www.paradroid.net/cbm-hackers.html ) uHackers (http://forums.petscii.com) RetroHackers (www.retrohackers.com) Usenet comp.sys.cbm Thousands more!