Few people have heard of it, yet many consider John Blankenbaker's KENBAK-1 to be the first commercial personal computer.
Special Offer: Basic Computer Games & The Bot Folio
By James Grahame
As I mentioned several weeks ago, Philip Conrod has reissued David H. Ahl's classic Basic Computer Games book using the new Microsoft Small Basic development environment for kids. He’s offering a $12.50 sale price to Retro Thing readers over the Thanksgiving weekend.
Philip also convinced retired illustrator George Beker to release a new ‘Bot Folio e-book ($8.75) that contains all of his iconic robot illustrations from Basic Computer Games and More Basic Computer Games.
George has added 5 never before seen robot illustrations and the ‘Bot Folio includes Beker's comments on his drawings and technology in general. It's clear that he remains happily stuck in a long-gone, alternate world with absolutely no connection to modern technology.
Want more? Well, Philip has republished another of David Ahl’s classics as Small Basic Computer Adventures (also on sale for $12.50). David’s classic BASIC Computer Adventures have been updated to Microsoft Small Basic for this new 2010 edition. The best part about of these new E-books is that you can easily cut and paste the Small Basic source right into the Microsoft Small Basic compiler.
If all this news scratches your nostalgic programming itch, you may want to enroll in the Computer Science For Kids Small Basic Programming Competition that starts in January. The Small Basic Programming Competition is open to Microsoft Small Basic developers young and old and gives you a chance to update your favorite “text based” Small Basic Computer Game into a modern day multimedia video game for your kids or grandkids to enjoy.
It's great to see Philip and George putting so much effort into these classic titles. Please support them.
links:
David Ahl's Basic Computer Games
David Ahl's Small Basic Computer Adventures
