Advent of Computing @adventofcomp.bsky.social · 19hThis is from an old IBM tabulator manual explaining what the plug board does. I think I'm going to start explaining software this way. What does it do? Well, check the cycle 12 state diagram... then hit 'em with one of these. 110
Advent of Computing @adventofcomp.bsky.social · 21hWe out here speedcoding. I'm actually losing my mind trying to implement the original SpeedCo I spec right now: archive.computerhistory.org/resources/ac... 000
Advent of Computing @adventofcomp.bsky.social · 28/09/2026I'm back on the trail of Big Blue! This episode is all about the 701, IBM's first "mass produced" computer. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...podcasts.apple.comEpisode 189 - The IBM 701Podcast Episode · Advent of Computing · September 27 · 1h 6m 020
Advent of Computing @adventofcomp.bsky.social · 21/09/2026If anyone wants to marvel at an early programming language. I present: BACAIC. dl.acm.org/doi/pdf/10.1...dl.acm.org 131
Advent of Computing @adventofcomp.bsky.social · 21/09/2026I've gone off the deep end again. I'm writing a macro assembler for the LGP-30/21. 120
Advent of Computing @adventofcomp.bsky.social · 14/09/2026Finally back home from my trip! I can't post scans from the archives due to copyright being weird, but I can totally share tourist photos! Here's some of the cool stuff I got to see between scanning and reading old newsprint: 110
Reposted by Advent of ComputingTube🍂Time @tubetime.bsky.social · 08/09/2026i finally finished my Nuvistor video, starring one of the weirder projects i've ever built.youtu.beThe Vacuum Tube That Almost Beat the TransistorYouTube video by TubeTimeUS 923630
Advent of Computing @adventofcomp.bsky.social · 08/09/2026Spent today at the Birmingham Library's archives digging through old Dunlop Rubber papers. The adventure continues! 230
Advent of Computing @adventofcomp.bsky.social · 07/09/2026Tomorrow is archives day #1. So today is sight seeing and trying to recover from travel. Supposedly this cathedral offers tours of a stained glass restoration project. Will update when they open. 120
Advent of Computing @adventofcomp.bsky.social · 05/09/2026I've made it all the way to waiting at my rural airport. Progress! 130
Advent of Computing @adventofcomp.bsky.social · 05/09/2026Today! My big adventure to England begins with... A flight delay. Classic. 020
Advent of Computing @adventofcomp.bsky.social · 03/09/2026I really love the sci-fi realism of a lot of Gundam. For instance, when they show how reactors in mobile suits are powered by smaller mobile suits using a rowing machine. Truly breathtaking and grounded design. 010
Advent of Computing @adventofcomp.bsky.social · 01/09/2026New episode finally out! The Bi-Tran Six was a computer designed to break down that barrier. It provided a purpose built tool for teaching computing. Created in 1965, the Bi-Tran is a wild study in design. adventofcomputing.com?guid=f12f8dc...adventofcomputing.comAdvent of ComputingWelcome to Advent of Computing, the show that talks about the shocking, intriguing, and all too often relevant history of computing. A lot of little things we take for granted today have rich stories... 131
Advent of Computing @adventofcomp.bsky.social · 01/09/2026My voice is still not quite right, and my dog still avoids eye contact with me, but I'm just about done recording the next episode! And I figured out why Scipio is mad. I spent to much time on his couch this weekend. He wanted me to leave so he could have it to himself. 120
Advent of Computing @adventofcomp.bsky.social · 01/09/2026Yes! I'm a huge fan of boy bawang garlic flavor with chunks of fried garlic and everything! Best hiking snack around, imho. 020
Advent of Computing @adventofcomp.bsky.social · 29/08/2026I'm sick, so next episode may be a few days late while my voice recovers. To add insult to injury my dog, Scipio, won't even approach me. I think he wants me to leave the couch so he can use it. 040
Advent of Computing @adventofcomp.bsky.social · 25/08/2026This is so cool! This is an ad for am educational machine called the Bi-Tran Six. The computer's circuits are on slide out boards. It's transistors are grouped into logic gates that are all labeled and match up with diagrams in it's manual. 031
Advent of Computing @adventofcomp.bsky.social · 25/08/2026Imagine having so many bits in this economy! 140
Advent of Computing @adventofcomp.bsky.social · 18/08/2026What's better than binary? Ternary! Well, in theory. This episode I'm looking at the history and implications of base 3. It's not as strait forward as it seems. While technically superior to binary there are some odd issues that come up. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...podcasts.apple.comEpisode 187 - What's Better Than Binary?Podcast Episode · Advent of Computing · August 17 · 1h 5m 030
Advent of Computing @adventofcomp.bsky.social · 16/08/2026Ok. Check this out. This is a programming board game from a 1969 thesis. The thesis is an attempt to teach school kids about computers. I kinda want to print up a board and give this game a shot: archive.org/details/Rudy... 020
Advent of Computing @adventofcomp.bsky.social · 11/08/2026More early binary notation. This is from Thomas Fowler's Tables for facilitating arithmetical calculations, published in 1840. He just marks which positions have 1's in them instead of writing out all digits. 120
Advent of Computing @adventofcomp.bsky.social · 06/08/2026Currently in the fun situation where I remember reading a paper... but I can't find it... I have a pile of links, but I didn't write down useful notes. Own goal, I guess. 110
Advent of Computing @adventofcomp.bsky.social · 06/08/2026Is this the year I actually get passable at SNOBOL4? Perhaps. At least I have a physical print manual now! I keep thinking of trying to write a port of Colossal Cave Adventure in SNOBOL. 020
Advent of Computing @adventofcomp.bsky.social · 04/08/2026Behold! The first MADDIDA from @computerhistory.bsky.social! This is the very model that was shipped across country via air freight and then demo'd to John von Neumann. It somehow survived the flight, a few nights in a cold hotel room, and being operated after a few stiff martinis. 021
Advent of Computing @adventofcomp.bsky.social · 03/08/2026Another VCF in the books. It's always such a fantastic event! Thanks to everyone that showed up for my talk, and to everyone who said they like to use UNIX. I know some of you are lying, but I do appreciate the enthusiasm. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/l...podcasts.apple.comLIVE from VCF West - Wait, Is That Really UNIX?Podcast Episode · Advent of Computing · August 3 · Bonus · 48m 010
Advent of Computing @adventofcomp.bsky.social · 31/07/2026Starting the drive down to VCF! I hope I brought enough floppy disks 030
Advent of Computing @adventofcomp.bsky.social · 30/07/2026When I say I like retrocomputing this is what I mean: 000
Advent of Computing @adventofcomp.bsky.social · 30/07/2026This is interesting! Some very early binary notation. You can recognize it... if you squint a little. archive.org/details/bub_... 020
Reposted by Advent of ComputingPhil Salvador @philsalv.bsky.social · 29/07/2026Dr. Lauren Liebe talking about students learning how to play PLATO games. The early graphics are so abstract by today's standards that they couldn't even tell what they were looking at 0376
Advent of Computing @adventofcomp.bsky.social · 29/07/2026My long suffering IBM PS/2 now gets to run cursed "UNIX". 030
Advent of Computing @adventofcomp.bsky.social · 28/07/2026Who else is getting excited for VCF West this weekend? 000
Advent of Computing @adventofcomp.bsky.social · 28/07/2026New Adjunct of Computing just dropped everywhere. Question of the day is: what's the best solvent for melting magnetic tape? 120
Advent of Computing @adventofcomp.bsky.social · 20/07/2026What is a computer? That's a question I've grappled with for years. The answer changes depending on what period we are talking about. In this episode I'm looking at a machine from 1950 that's digital, but only barely. Would you call it a computer? podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/m...podcasts.apple.com 132
Advent of Computing @adventofcomp.bsky.social · 18/07/2026Computer birth announcement from 1950 that gets a little... intense. 210
Advent of Computing @adventofcomp.bsky.social · 15/07/2026Does anyone know if there is any running UNIVAC I hardware anywhere? Or has none ever been restored? 100
Advent of Computing @adventofcomp.bsky.social · 13/07/2026I've been having so much fun doing the after show. The latest episode is out, where Joe tries to get me to be interested in Oberon and I try to get Joe to read a book I haven't quite finished. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1...podcasts.apple.com185 - The Conviviality LairPodcast Episode · Adjunct of Computing · July 11 · 1h 15m · Video 020
Advent of Computing @adventofcomp.bsky.social · 19/06/2026Want to read an odd paper? dl.acm.org/doi/epdf/10....dl.acm.orgExperimental personalized array translator system 000
Advent of Computing @adventofcomp.bsky.social · 07/06/2026Currently watching Ebirah, Horror of the Deep. I can totally recommend it. The sound track is used in such a weird way. Surf music while Godzilla acts like King Kong and beats up a lobster. Truly wild. 230
Advent of Computing @adventofcomp.bsky.social · 02/06/2026I have a question for anyone who has more of a math degree than I do. Lets assume that we do the whole 1/0 is equivalent to true/false thing. And lets assume that = is a function that returns a value. How is = ever different from the Kronecker delta? 100
Advent of Computing @adventofcomp.bsky.social · 02/06/2026I'm learning a new language for the show. I will try to keep it a surprise, so all I can say is... ⍳ 230
Advent of Computing @adventofcomp.bsky.social · 30/05/2026Things got delayed with the holiday, but the latest after show is out! podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i...podcasts.apple.comIn Search Of The 25 Position Demon PunchPodcast Episode · Adjunct of Computing · May 29 · 1h 1m · Video 100
Advent of Computing @adventofcomp.bsky.social · 29/05/2026I'm going back to VCF West this year! My tentative plan is to do a rundown of all the weird little UNIX clones I've collected. Should be a lot of fun, especially as some new information has been uncovered! 020
Advent of Computing @adventofcomp.bsky.social · 18/05/2026Latest episode is out! I'm finally talking about magnetic drum memory itself. It's a much more wild story than I ever expected. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s...podcasts.apple.comSpinning MemoriesPodcast Episode · Advent of Computing · May 18 · 59m 250