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ANTIC The Atari 8-bit Podcast


hosts: Randy Kindig, Kay Savetz, Brad Arnold
email: antic@ataripodcast.com
twitter: @AtariPodcast
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Nov 15, 2024

Nick Kennedy, SIO2PC and the ATR File Format
 
Nick Kennedy is the creator of SIO2PC, the hardware and software combination that allowed Atari 8-bit computer users to use a PC as a peripheral. In 1989, this was unprecedented, a new way to connect the little Atari to the bigger world, to the (relatively) massive storage and speed of a computer running PC-DOS. For the first time, Ataris could use a PC as storage, RAM disk, and printer. Nick also created the .ATR file format, which quickly became the standard for using virtual floppy disks on Atari emulators.
 
Nick also created 10502PC, a cable that let you connect an Atari floppy drive directly to a PC; and AtariCOM, a less well-known utility that allowed two Atari 8-Bit computers to communicate using the SIO and joystick ports. And, he created Atari-based amateur radio tools: a terminal program for packet radio, and Morse code keyer software, which he and I talked about in detail in our previous interview.
 
This interview took place on November 1, 2024.
 
 
Nick's web site
 
Nick's SIO2PC page
 
Previous interview with Nick about ham radio:
ANTIC Interview 441 - Nick Kennedy, Atari Morse Code Keyer
 
ANTIC Interview 144 - Stephen Lawrow, Mac/65 assembler
 
Bob Woolley's Review of SIO2PC in Atari Interface Magazine 1991-01
 
1993 Atari Classics article: SIO2PC: Slave An IBM To Your 8-Bit
 
The .ATR File Format
 
ANTIC Interview 441 - Nick Kennedy, Atari Morse Code Keyer
 
AtariCom software
 
DAK catalogs
 
Best Electronics
 
Mapping the Atari by Ian Chadwick
 
AtariMax APE and ProSystem
 
Old Hackers Atari User Group newsletter disks
 
Nick Kennedy on AtariAge
 
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