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Intellivision System Changer

Dave Farquhar Retro Computing November 1, 2022June 20, 2025

In 1982, Coleco dropped a bomb on the game console industry. Atari led the industry in sales, with Mattel, the toy maker, taking the number two spot with a slightly more advanced console called the Intellivision that enjoyed reasonable if modest success. Then Coleco came along with its own high-end console. One of Coleco’s gimmicks was an expansion module to make its console compatible with the Atari console, immediately making it have more cartridges than anyone else. Mattel decided to counter.

The Mattel System Changer was essentially the equivalent of the Coleco Expansion Module 1, just for a different console. The function is the same, but the outcome was a bit different.

What a security champion is

Dave Farquhar security October 31, 2022October 30, 2022

October is security awareness month. So before you go spend the remaining 11 months of the year blissfully less aware of what security types like me do, let’s talk about what a security champion is, and the role a security champion plays in the IT organization.

How to clean Marx tin lithographed trains

Dave Farquhar Toy trains October 27, 2022September 26, 2022

Because Marx trains were much less expensive than their competitors, they didn’t always get treated with the same respect as their contemporaries. And sometimes that means when you find them, they are filthy. Dirty, scratched, and even rusty Marx 6 and 7-in tin trains respond well to basic cleaning. Here’s how to clean Marx tin lithographed trains Read more

What a sprite is

Dave Farquhar Retro Computing, Software October 26, 2022March 17, 2025

What is a sprite? Sprites are a concept in computer programming, primarily gaming, or at least primarily thought of as gaming related. But if you are reading this on a desktop or laptop computer, you just used a sprite to click on this link.

Mac stuck on lock screen? A no-reboot fix

Dave Farquhar Troubleshooting October 25, 2022October 26, 2022

A Mac stuck on the lock screen can be perplexing and infuriating. When you enter your password, the computer is supposed to unlock. When faced with a Mac stuck on lock screen, here’s how I fix it.

The problem looks like this: Your screen saver kicks on because you’ve been idle for too long. You come back to your computer, hit a key or move the mouse and it prompts you for your password. You enter your password, and it kicks you right back to your lock screen.

Colecovision launch titles

Dave Farquhar Retro Computing October 24, 2022July 9, 2024

The Coleco Vision launched in July 1982, and made a relatively big splash, selling about 2 million units, largely on the strength of its launch titles. Here’s a list of Colecovision launch titles along with notes about each game.

The strategy behind the Colecovision launch titles is pretty clear. Noting that the most popular Atari 2600 titles were ports of arcade hits, Coleco aggressively licensed arcade titles, starting with acquiring a license for Donkey Kong before it was even released in the United States. Of the remaining launch titles, only Smurf: Rescue in Gargamel’s Castle was not an arcade port.

Marx 2150 Hollywood Bungalow

Dave Farquhar Toy trains October 20, 2022April 3, 2024

There’s a saying that the only rare Marx train is a broken one. But when it comes to Marx train accessories, that’s not true. One rarity is the Marx 2150 Hollywood Bungalow, also known as the Marx Modern Bungalow. And it’s a shame it’s rare and expensive because it’s a beaut. But it’s fun to talk and learn about at least.

The Marx Marx 2150 Hollywood Bungalow, also known as the Marx Modern Bungalow, was a Sears exclusive in 1938. It cost 98 cents and was only available one year, making it rare and valuable today.

How many Commodore 64s sold

Dave Farquhar Retro Computing October 19, 2022December 26, 2025

The Commodore 64 is the best selling computer of all time. Depending on who you ask, it sold 17 million, 20 million, or 12 million units. And the generally accepted sales figure for the Commodore 128 is 4.5 million units. Who is correct? How many Commodore 64s and Commodore 128s sold?

The commonly repeated figures of 17 million Commodore 64s and 4.5 million Commodore 128s don’t line up with Commodore’s own annual reports and other internal sales documents. The primary sources indicate Commodore sold about 12.3 million Commodore 64s and 128s between 1982 and 1993.

NES launch titles

Dave Farquhar Retro Gaming October 18, 2022October 12, 2025

The NES launch titles were the 18 games released alongside the Nintendo Entertainment System during its North American launch on October 18, 1985. All of the launch titles belong to the Black Box series of games. The lineup was something of a mixed bag, but it was carefully balanced for a tepid American market.

When the NES launched, there were eighteen games available for it, a line-up that included four sports games, three light gun games, two ROB games, two racing games, an edutainment title, and six other miscellaneous games. Many of them were conversions from arcade titles, which is unsurprising since arcade games were Nintendo’s core business at the time.

What silicone grease is used for

Dave Farquhar DIY October 17, 2022October 16, 2022

Silicone grease sells side by side with lithium grease in hardware stores and auto parts stores. But what is silicone grease used for? Here’s when to use it and why, and when to use another type. Although it may seem like grease is grease, that’s not entirely the case.