commodore Archives

Origin of CP/M’s PIP command

Dave Farquhar Retro Computing June 8, 2016November 26, 2018command prompt, commodore, commodore 128, DEC, Digital Equipment Corporation, Gary Kildall, PIP, syntax, unix

CP/M was, as you probably know, the first popular microcomputer operating system. It was good but imperfect, and its cryptic command for copying files, PIP, is often cited as an example. Copy makes sense. Even the Unix equivalent, cp, makes sense–it’s copy without the vowels. But what does PIP mean? What’s the origin of CP/M’s PIP command?

Dave Farquhar

David Farquhar is a computer security professional, entrepreneur, and author. He started his career as a part-time computer technician in 1994, worked his way up to system administrator by 1997, and has specialized in vulnerability management since 2013. He invests in real estate on the side and his hobbies include O gauge trains, baseball cards, and retro computers and video games. A University of Missouri graduate, he holds CISSP and Security+ certifications. He lives in St. Louis with his family.

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Commodore 64 vs 128

Dave Farquhar Retro Computing May 19, 2016October 26, 20221541, 1571, 1980s, 6502, amiga, apple, apple ii, c64, commodore, commodore 128, commodore 64, tape drive

Commodore introduced the Commodore 128 in 1985 as an upgrade path from the Commodore 64, the most popular model of computer of all time. The 128 addressed the 64’s biggest shortcomings while remaining mostly compatible with its hardware and software. That makes the Commodore 64 vs 128 a natural comparison, even more natural than comparing the 64 with the VIC-20.

The Commodore 128 was an extension of the Commodore 64, with more memory, a faster disk drive, a faster CPU, and 80-column video. It also featured a very high degree of compatibility, which helped both machines sell better.

Dave Farquhar

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Commodore 64 vs 64c

Dave Farquhar Retro Computing May 9, 2016October 19, 20181541, 1980s, 1990s, Bil Herd, c64, commodore, commodore 64, IBM, Personal Computer, Tandy, tandy 1000

The Commodore 64 went through a number of revisions throughout its long life. The most outwardly visible of those revisions was the transition from the tan, boxy C-64 to the thinner, lighter-colored 64c. If you’e wondering about the Commodore 64 vs 64c, here’s what you need to know.

Dave Farquhar

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Who bought Commodore

Dave Farquhar Retro Computing January 14, 2016August 23, 2018amiga, commodore, dell, IBM, samsung

Commodore International went out of business in 1994, after nearly a decade of declining revenue. But the company left a significant legacy, which leads to some logical questions. What became of Commodore? Who bought Commodore?

Dave Farquhar

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Mehdi Ali: Commodore spinmeister

Dave Farquhar Retro Computing December 22, 2015October 28, 20181980s, 1990s, amiga, christmas, Chrysler, commodore, commodore 128, commodore 64, IBM, irving gould, Mehdi Ali, Office Space, stock scam, XT

I found the thumbnail biography of one Mehdi Ali recently. It reads, in part:

“His prior experience includes serving as the President of Commodore International, where he accomplished a major operational turnaround.”

I don’t think he and I share the same definition of “major operational turnaround.”

Dave Farquhar

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How to disassemble a Marx 999 locomotive

Dave Farquhar Toy trains December 13, 2015November 19, 2018american flyer, boxcar, clearcoat, commodore, hardware store, lionel, Lucas Red, marx, marx trains, metal polish, o27, tin, trainz

Disassembling a Marx 999 locomotive isn’t too difficult, and it’s easier than the Marx 666, but it helps to have some instructions.

The nice thing about the 999 is that if you can disassemble it, there’s a long, long list of Marx locomotives that disassemble in pretty much the same way: the Commodore Vanderbilt, the Mercury, the tin Canadian Pacific 391, and the tin steamers 592, 593, 594, 833, 897, 898, and 994.

Marx designed its trains so that a father or older brother could service them, so it comes apart with simple household tools, and you can get most of what you’ll need to service it at the nearest hardware store, with the probable exception of the bulb for the headlight.

Dave Farquhar

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Commodore 64 vs VIC-20

Dave Farquhar Retro Computing December 7, 2015October 26, 20221541, 1980s, 6502, amiga, atari, atari st, commodore, commodore 64, jack tramiel, Microsoft Basic, MOS, power brick, public domain

How do you compare the Commodore 64 vs VIC-20?

The Commodore 64 and its predecessor, the VIC-20, look a lot alike, and the VIC-20’s design certainly influenced the 64. The 64 is the best selling computer model of all time, and I argue the VIC-20 was the first really successful home computer. The success of the two machines allowed Commodore to surpass Radio Shack as the sales leader in the computer industry. Yes, both Commodore and Radio Shack outsold Apple.

But even though the two machines are closely related, there are significant differences between them. It’s important to remember that in the 1980s, two years was a comparatively long time because the market was moving so fast. Plus, the VIC-20 was always supposed to be an entry-level machine. In 1982, the 64 was supposed to be fairly high-end. Let’s compare and contrast the two venerable machines.

Dave Farquhar

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How to connect a Commodore VIC-20 to a TV

Dave Farquhar Retro Computing November 23, 2015April 18, 20181980s, antenna, atari, atari 2600, commodore, RCA, video connector

Connecting old computers and consoles to not-as-old televisions is frequently a challenge. Sadly, the VIC-20, Commodore’s runaway bestseller from 1982, is no exception to that. Here’s how to connect a Commodore VIC-20 to a TV.

Unfortunately, there are fewer options for connecting a VIC than there are the slightly newer and more common C-64, but I’ll walk you through the options you do have.

Dave Farquhar

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Why were early computers beige?

Dave Farquhar Retro Computing November 12, 2015September 5, 20191980s, 1990s, apple, apple ii, atari, atari st, Benjamin Moore, Bennington Gray, commodore, commodore 64, IBM

It’s a common question: Why were early computers beige? In some ways it seems a curious color choice today.

Dave Farquhar

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Need a Commodore motherboard? Believe it or not you’re in luck

Dave Farquhar Retro Computing October 23, 2015October 20, 2015amiga, amiga os, commodore, commodore 64

Individual Computers is working on, of all things, a replacement Amiga motherboard that will fit in an Amiga 500 or Amiga 1200 case.

The board will use the AGA chipset that the Amiga 1200 used, but the board will be built using a modern process, modern materials, and as many other modern components as possible.

Dave Farquhar

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