Comments on: Radio Shack's 1986 electronic book http://boingboing.net/2010/05/13/radio-shacks-1986-el.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Fri, 24 May 2013 04:28:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/05/13/radio-shacks-1986-el.html#comment-789254 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-789254 the coco 2 and a vertical 180k floppy disc drive those were the days in the cartridge port of the coco you can clearly see the floppy drive cartridge, its not a cassette player at all standing next to the coco as someone mentioned earlier you could upgrade this particular drive to be a double sided 360k, but tandy / radio shack wanted to keep the price down the coco in its day was a mighty fine machine and easily adapted to the real world thats to analogue inputs on the joystick ports and a 8 bit wide parallel port/cartridge port on the right side the electronic book you see in this picture however didnt sell many units compared to many other hardware options you could buy for the coco at the time the coco 2 and a vertical 180k floppy disc drive

those were the days

in the cartridge port of the coco you can clearly see the floppy drive cartridge, its not a cassette player at all standing next to the coco as someone mentioned earlier

you could upgrade this particular drive to be a double sided 360k, but tandy / radio shack wanted to keep the price down

the coco in its day was a mighty fine machine and easily adapted to the real world thats to analogue inputs on the joystick ports and a 8 bit wide parallel port/cartridge port on the right side

the electronic book you see in this picture however didnt sell many units compared to many other hardware options you could buy for the coco at the time

]]> By: NoahRodenbeek http://boingboing.net/2010/05/13/radio-shacks-1986-el.html#comment-786957 NoahRodenbeek Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-786957 Why aren't we talking about how much that kid resembles Will Wheaton Why aren’t we talking about how much that kid resembles Will Wheaton

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/05/13/radio-shacks-1986-el.html#comment-787990 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-787990 Sell it on eBay as Kindle: The Prequel. And in 25 years we will think our little electronic toys (and their advertisements)were quaint and cute. Sell it on eBay as Kindle: The Prequel.

And in 25 years we will think our little electronic toys (and their advertisements)were quaint and cute.

]]> By: mdh http://boingboing.net/2010/05/13/radio-shacks-1986-el.html#comment-786967 mdh Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-786967 Inflation, sure, but what about pixelation? the price per pixel has dropped dramatically! Inflation, sure, but what about pixelation? the price per pixel has dropped dramatically!

]]> By: dculberson http://boingboing.net/2010/05/13/radio-shacks-1986-el.html#comment-786992 dculberson Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-786992 Two thoughts: 1) Radio Shack really knew their target audience! (Referring of course to the nerd in the picture. Nerd here being a term of affection from a member of the group.) 2) Since a modern eReader doesn't need a computer, you really should include the cost of the computer in the Radio Shack version. A CoCo was around $300, so even without the floppy drive or monitor, the hardware has gotten cheaper when accounting for inflation. [ed. note: yes, I realize this all makes no sense, I'm just enjoying it.] Two thoughts:

1) Radio Shack really knew their target audience! (Referring of course to the nerd in the picture. Nerd here being a term of affection from a member of the group.)

2) Since a modern eReader doesn’t need a computer, you really should include the cost of the computer in the Radio Shack version. A CoCo was around $300, so even without the floppy drive or monitor, the hardware has gotten cheaper when accounting for inflation. [ed. note: yes, I realize this all makes no sense, I'm just enjoying it.]

]]> By: dculberson http://boingboing.net/2010/05/13/radio-shacks-1986-el.html#comment-787260 dculberson Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-787260 I can't believe the ad even said 3fps right out. That's crazy. @SKR: "Pyramid" was awesome! Carry the bananas around and that monkey would follow you. Set the anteater down to get rid of the ants. Oh, such good times. I'm not sure I ever finished it, though, I was a little young. (played it on the TI99/4a, was maybe around 7 when we got the thing.) I can’t believe the ad even said 3fps right out. That’s crazy.

@SKR: “Pyramid” was awesome! Carry the bananas around and that monkey would follow you. Set the anteater down to get rid of the ants. Oh, such good times. I’m not sure I ever finished it, though, I was a little young. (played it on the TI99/4a, was maybe around 7 when we got the thing.)

]]> By: SKR http://boingboing.net/2010/05/13/radio-shacks-1986-el.html#comment-787023 SKR Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-787023 Ahhh, good times. I had both the CoCo and the giant brick of a floppy that is in the pic. Ahhh, good times. I had both the CoCo and the giant brick of a floppy that is in the pic.

]]> By: entropy http://boingboing.net/2010/05/13/radio-shacks-1986-el.html#comment-787030 entropy Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-787030 I'm confused, how is the hardware ten time as expensive? Things that plug into "joystick" ports dont' cost much at all, what am i missing here? I’m confused, how is the hardware ten time as expensive? Things that plug into “joystick” ports dont’ cost much at all, what am i missing here?

]]> By: johnphantom http://boingboing.net/2010/05/13/radio-shacks-1986-el.html#comment-787034 johnphantom Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-787034 I don't exactly get the point of this, Cory. The cost of the hardware, in performance terms, has become far cheaper. I doubt you could even find a manufacturer for the level of hardware in a CoCo. Hell, I've thrown away dozens of computers far more powerful than a CoCo (yeah, among other trashings, I cleaned my 20 year collection of computers out in 2001; they filled a commercial dumpster to overflowing.) On the other hand, if I interpret you correctly, the physical media costs were far higher back then - hell, they give away 2GB mini-SDs when you buy parts from someplace like newegg or amazon, and I doubt the comparison of a CD to vinyl would prove me wrong. What is the relativity of cost between then and now, concerning the content, which is the really important thing, IMO? /asked Dad for an Apple II+ back in 81. He gave me two TRaSh-80 Model Is (with one 16K expansion add on and two floppies) that he made some sort of funky deal for $1 //school sold 360K 5 1/4" Verbatims for $7 each I don’t exactly get the point of this, Cory. The cost of the hardware, in performance terms, has become far cheaper. I doubt you could even find a manufacturer for the level of hardware in a CoCo. Hell, I’ve thrown away dozens of computers far more powerful than a CoCo (yeah, among other trashings, I cleaned my 20 year collection of computers out in 2001; they filled a commercial dumpster to overflowing.)

On the other hand, if I interpret you correctly, the physical media costs were far higher back then – hell, they give away 2GB mini-SDs when you buy parts from someplace like newegg or amazon, and I doubt the comparison of a CD to vinyl would prove me wrong.

What is the relativity of cost between then and now, concerning the content, which is the really important thing, IMO?

/asked Dad for an Apple II+ back in 81. He gave me two TRaSh-80 Model Is (with one 16K expansion add on and two floppies) that he made some sort of funky deal for $1
//school sold 360K 5 1/4″ Verbatims for $7 each

]]> By: johnphantom http://boingboing.net/2010/05/13/radio-shacks-1986-el.html#comment-787037 johnphantom Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-787037 @ SKR yeah that floppy was the same that you could buy for the Model I. @ SKR yeah that floppy was the same that you could buy for the Model I.

]]> By: Blackwell http://boingboing.net/2010/05/13/radio-shacks-1986-el.html#comment-787040 Blackwell Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-787040 Looks a lot like an early version of the LeapFrog LeapPad. Looks a lot like an early version of the LeapFrog LeapPad.

]]> By: octopod http://boingboing.net/2010/05/13/radio-shacks-1986-el.html#comment-787043 octopod Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-787043 3 ring binder + 12 switches + wires + serial plug + assembly << $10.00 bulk $24 retail sounds like margins haven't changed much. you can replicate the experience by cutting out pieces of your favourite books and pasting them onto your iphone, handy for when you're low on battery. 3 ring binder + 12 switches + wires + serial plug + assembly << $10.00 bulk
$24 retail sounds like margins haven’t changed much.

you can replicate the experience by cutting out pieces of your favourite books and pasting them onto your iphone, handy for when you’re low on battery.

]]> By: johnphantom http://boingboing.net/2010/05/13/radio-shacks-1986-el.html#comment-787045 johnphantom Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-787045 Oh I gotta post this - the TRS-80 Flight Simulator. I spent quite a bit of time playing this 3 FPS sim: http://fshistory.simflight.com/fsvault/fs1-trs80.htm Oh I gotta post this – the TRS-80 Flight Simulator. I spent quite a bit of time playing this 3 FPS sim:

http://fshistory.simflight.com/fsvault/fs1-trs80.htm

]]> By: WaylonWillie http://boingboing.net/2010/05/13/radio-shacks-1986-el.html#comment-787048 WaylonWillie Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-787048 More of Radio Shack's geek-boy sales pitch (he's at the end of the commercial): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=694TX2lQ7Uo More of Radio Shack’s geek-boy sales pitch (he’s at the end of the commercial):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=694TX2lQ7Uo

]]> By: JDMcDonnell http://boingboing.net/2010/05/13/radio-shacks-1986-el.html#comment-787085 JDMcDonnell Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-787085 A unique and fun way for kids to learn - not to buy Radio Shack. I think someone saw the way most computer users learned to use a computer - with a book spread open over the keyboard - and thought hmmm, there's a game in that! Oh but for the days of playing Dancing Demon on a Trash-80. Who am I kidding :D A unique and fun way for kids to learn – not to buy Radio Shack. I think someone saw the way most computer users learned to use a computer – with a book spread open over the keyboard – and thought hmmm, there’s a game in that!

Oh but for the days of playing Dancing Demon on a Trash-80.

Who am I kidding :D

]]> By: jjd241 http://boingboing.net/2010/05/13/radio-shacks-1986-el.html#comment-787088 jjd241 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-787088 Wow! The FUTURE! Can't wait to get one of them new fangled Floppy's! Wow! The FUTURE! Can’t wait to get one of them new fangled Floppy’s!

]]> By: whisper dog http://boingboing.net/2010/05/13/radio-shacks-1986-el.html#comment-787344 whisper dog Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-787344 Something else that might also be of interest: there is an excellent collection of Radio Shack back catalogs online at http://www.radioshackcatalogs.com - I've lost a few nerd hours at this link. Something else that might also be of interest: there is an excellent collection of Radio Shack back catalogs online at http://www.radioshackcatalogs.com – I’ve lost a few nerd hours at this link.

]]> By: regeya http://boingboing.net/2010/05/13/radio-shacks-1986-el.html#comment-787374 regeya Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-787374 I bet there would have been a couple of kids who would have enjoyed that; they'd have been the same kids typing BASIC games out of a magazine. http://www.atarimagazines.com/ I used to get Compute! off the newsstand, and by the time I finally subscribed they ditched all the code. I bet there would have been a couple of kids who would have enjoyed that; they’d have been the same kids typing BASIC games out of a magazine.

http://www.atarimagazines.com/

I used to get Compute! off the newsstand, and by the time I finally subscribed they ditched all the code.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/05/13/radio-shacks-1986-el.html#comment-787121 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-787121 Woah! 360K! That was a double sided 5 1/4" disk! Nice! Woah! 360K! That was a double sided 5 1/4″ disk! Nice!

]]> By: Mac http://boingboing.net/2010/05/13/radio-shacks-1986-el.html#comment-787645 Mac Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-787645 I still have one of those. I don't know why - I've thrown out the Coco & everything else, but I still have that e-book. Perhaps I'll sell it on eBay as a Kindle (Rev 1) ? I still have one of those.

I don’t know why – I’ve thrown out the Coco & everything else, but I still have that e-book.

Perhaps I’ll sell it on eBay as a Kindle (Rev 1) ?

]]> By: dculberson http://boingboing.net/2010/05/13/radio-shacks-1986-el.html#comment-789717 dculberson Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-789717 I'm now wondering if we're thinking of the same game, I don't know. I found "Pyramid of Doom" by Scott Adams and it did not involve an ant eater. I believe the game I'm thinking of was just called "Pyramid" and may have been a magazine bundle or other such less mainstream distribution. It was still a text adventure. I may be wrong on the name - after all, I was seven years old. I’m now wondering if we’re thinking of the same game, I don’t know. I found “Pyramid of Doom” by Scott Adams and it did not involve an ant eater. I believe the game I’m thinking of was just called “Pyramid” and may have been a magazine bundle or other such less mainstream distribution. It was still a text adventure. I may be wrong on the name – after all, I was seven years old.

]]> By: SKR http://boingboing.net/2010/05/13/radio-shacks-1986-el.html#comment-787178 SKR Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-787178 You joke, but I was ridiculously excited the day I got that floppy with the cartridge adapter for the CoCo. I was no longer limited to cartridges or (gasp) cassette tape games like "Pyramid" (which was awesome btw). It was a huge deal. You joke, but I was ridiculously excited the day I got that floppy with the cartridge adapter for the CoCo. I was no longer limited to cartridges or (gasp) cassette tape games like “Pyramid” (which was awesome btw). It was a huge deal.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2010/05/13/radio-shacks-1986-el.html#comment-786940 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-786940 Yeah, but when you add in the cost of the PC, which is now no longer necessary, is the cost all that much different? So factor in inflation and increased functionality.... Yeah, but when you add in the cost of the PC, which is now no longer necessary, is the cost all that much different? So factor in inflation and increased functionality….

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