The Armatron, a popular 1980s toy robotic arm, significantly influenced the current field of robotics. Its simple yet engaging design, featuring two joysticks for control, sparked an interest in robotics for many who now work in the field. While technologically basic compared to modern robots, the Armatron's intuitive interface and accessible price point made it a gateway to understanding robotic manipulation. Its legacy can be seen in the ongoing research focused on intuitive robot control, demonstrating the enduring power of well-designed educational toys.
The article argues that Nintendo strategically suffocated Atari Games, a prominent arcade and home console developer, by exploiting loopholes and leveraging its market dominance. Nintendo's strict licensing agreements, including cartridge limitations and exclusivity clauses, constrained Atari's output and creativity. Combined with alleged backroom deals that prioritized Nintendo's own games for arcade operators, these practices effectively choked Atari's access to the market, leading to its eventual decline and absorption by Midway. This dominance, the article suggests, stifled innovation and competition in the gaming industry, leaving Nintendo virtually unchallenged for a significant period.
HN commenters discuss the predatory practices of Nintendo's licensing agreements in the 1980s, agreeing with the article's premise. Several pointed out that Nintendo's strategy, while harsh, was a reaction to the chaotic and low-quality software market of the time, effectively saving the video game industry from crashing. Some commenters drew parallels to Apple's tightly controlled App Store, with debates arising about the trade-offs between quality control and developer freedom. A few highlighted the irony of Nintendo later becoming the target of similar anti-competitive accusations. Others focused on specific details like the role of lawyers and the cultural differences between Japanese and American business practices. The lack of a "killer app" at launch for the NES was also mentioned, with the success of the console being attributed to Nintendo's stringent quality control measures.
In the 1980s, computer enthusiasts, particularly in Europe, could download games and other software from radio broadcasts. Shows like the UK's "Microdrive" transmitted audio data that could be captured using cassette recorders and then loaded onto computers like the Sinclair ZX Spectrum. This method, while slow and prone to errors, provided access to a wealth of software, often bypassing the cost of commercial cassettes. These broadcasts typically included instructions, checksums for error verification, and even musical interludes while longer programs loaded. The practice demonstrates an early form of digital distribution, leveraging readily available technology to share software within a community.
Hacker News commenters on the article about downloading games from the radio in the 1980s largely reminisce about their own experiences. Several users recalled using cassette recorders to capture data from radio broadcasts, mentioning specific shows like "Bits & Bytes" in the UK. Some shared technical details about the process, including the use of different audio frequencies representing 0s and 1s, and the challenges of getting a clean recording. A few commenters also pointed out the historical context, highlighting the prevalence of BBSs and the slow speeds of early modems as factors contributing to the popularity of radio broadcasts as a distribution method for games and software. Others discussed the variety of content available, including games, utilities, and even early forms of digital art. The discussion also touched upon regional variations in these practices, with some noting that the phenomenon was more common in Europe than in the US.
A recently rediscovered play by Toni Morrison, Dreaming Emmett, written in 1986 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Emmett Till's murder, offers new insights into her later masterpiece, Beloved. The play, centered on Till's ghost revisiting key figures in his life and the trial, grapples with themes of racial violence, memory, and the struggle for justice, all prominent in Beloved. Scholars see Dreaming Emmett as a crucial stepping stone in Morrison's exploration of historical trauma and its enduring impact, revealing how she developed her signature blend of realism and surrealism to give voice to the silenced. The play's emphasis on cyclical violence and the importance of remembering resonates powerfully with the themes of haunting and unresolved grief found in her iconic novel.
HN commenters discuss Toni Morrison's lost play, "Dreaming Emmett," and its influence on Beloved. Some highlight the play's focus on the cyclical nature of racial trauma and its exploration of Emmett Till's murder through different perspectives, including his mother's grief and the imagined responses of figures like Jackie Robinson. Others express excitement at the possibility of the play finally being produced and draw parallels between Morrison's theatrical approach and Greek tragedies. Several commenters also mention the poignant timing of the play's rediscovery amidst ongoing racial injustice and note the connection between historical trauma and present-day struggles. One commenter notes the irony of Morrison having called the play "unstageable" while others suggest that its experimental nature might have made it challenging for audiences of that era.
The Portland Mercury article argues that Poison Idea, despite their volatile history and lack of mainstream recognition, are the greatest hardcore band of all time. The band's aggressive sound, confrontational lyrics reflecting their bleak Portland surroundings, and relentless touring cemented their influence on countless bands. Frontman Jerry A.'s outsized personality and struggles with addiction, while contributing to the band's instability, also added to their legend. The piece positions Poison Idea not just as a vital part of Portland's music scene, but as a crucial act in hardcore's evolution, inspiring generations with their raw power and uncompromising vision.
HN commenters discuss Portland's hardcore punk scene and Poison Idea's influence. Some debate the band's status as the "greatest of all time," with some suggesting other influential bands like Black Flag and Minor Threat. Others reminisce about seeing Poison Idea live, recalling their intense performances and Jerry A.'s powerful stage presence. Several commenters also touch upon the darker aspects of the band and the Portland scene, including drug use and violence, while acknowledging the band's significant contribution to hardcore punk. A few share personal anecdotes about encounters with band members and reflect on the evolution of the hardcore scene.
R.E.M.'s trajectory from college-radio darlings to mainstream giants is examined through the lens of their 1991 album Out of Time. The article argues that the band's newfound popularity, while commercially successful, diluted their artistic integrity and signaled a broader shift in alternative rock towards commercial palatability. The album's polished production, reliance on softer instrumentation, and incorporation of orchestral elements, exemplified by the hit single "Losing My Religion," marked a departure from their earlier, rawer sound. This sonic shift, while broadening their audience, alienated some long-time fans who perceived it as a betrayal of their alternative roots. Ultimately, the article suggests that Out of Time represents a turning point, not just for R.E.M., but for alternative rock as a whole, illustrating the compromises and contradictions inherent in achieving mainstream success.
HN commenters discuss the Yale Review article about R.E.M.'s shift to mainstream success. Some felt the author romanticized the band's early indie days and overlooked the artistic merit of their later work, citing examples like "Automatic for the People" as proof of continued creativity. Others agreed with the premise, lamenting the perceived decline in quality after Bill Berry's departure and the adoption of a more generic sound. Several commenters debated the nature of "selling out," acknowledging the financial pressures and creative burnout bands face after years of touring and recording. A few chimed in with personal anecdotes about seeing R.E.M. live during different eras of their career, offering firsthand perspectives on their evolving sound. The overall sentiment leans towards a nuanced view of the band's trajectory, with many acknowledging the complexities of artistic evolution and commercial success.
The Texas Instruments TI-99/4A, while technically part of the 8-bit generation, stood apart with its unique quirks. Its 16-bit processor was hampered by a sluggish 3MHz clock speed and a convoluted memory access system, leading to underwhelming performance. Despite having advanced features like sprites and smooth scrolling, the TI-99/4A was held back by its limited color palette, expensive peripherals, and a small, cartridge-based game library compared to its competitors. Its unusual design choices and limitations, while intriguing, ultimately contributed to its commercial failure, solidifying its status as an oddity of the 8-bit era.
Several Hacker News commenters reminisce fondly about the TI-99/4A, praising its impressive sound and graphics for its time. Some recall the unique peripheral expansion system and fondly remember specific games like Parsec and Alpiner. A few discuss the limitations, such as the slow CPU and unconventional keyboard, and the business decisions that led to the TI-99/4A's ultimate failure. The unusual cartridge design and TI's strategy of locking out third-party developers also come up as points of discussion, contributing to the system's "weird uncle" status. Others lament the loss of TI's groundbreaking speech synthesizer module. Overall, the comments paint a picture of a system with significant potential hampered by corporate mismanagement, making it a fascinating footnote in computing history.
"Work at the Mill" tells the story of Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) through the lens of its unique and influential culture. From its modest beginnings in a Maynard, Massachusetts wool mill, DEC fostered a highly engineering-driven, decentralized environment that prioritized innovation and individual contribution. This culture, while empowering and productive in its early years, ultimately contributed to DEC's downfall as the company struggled to adapt to the changing demands of the personal computer market. The "engineering first" mentality, coupled with internal politics and a resistance to centralized management, prevented DEC from effectively competing with more agile and market-oriented companies, leading to its eventual acquisition by Compaq. The narrative emphasizes how DEC's initial strengths became its weaknesses, offering a cautionary tale about the importance of adapting to a changing technological landscape.
Hacker News users discuss the changing nature of work and the decline of "lifetime employment" exemplified by DEC's history. Some commenters reminisce about their time at DEC, praising its engineering culture and lamenting its downfall, attributing it to factors like mismanagement, arrogance, and an inability to adapt to the changing market. Others draw parallels between DEC and contemporary tech companies, speculating about which of today's giants might be the "next DEC." Several discuss the broader shift away from paternalistic employment models and the rise of a more transactional relationship between employers and employees. Some express nostalgia for the perceived stability and community of the past, while others argue that the current system, despite its flaws, offers greater opportunity and dynamism. The cyclical nature of industries and the importance of continuous adaptation are recurring themes.
In 1984, Australian physician Barry Marshall, skeptical of the prevailing belief that stress and spicy food caused stomach ulcers, ingested a broth teeming with Helicobacter pylori bacteria. He subsequently developed gastritis, a precursor to ulcers, proving a bacterial link. While not immediately accepted, Marshall's self-experimentation, along with further research, revolutionized ulcer treatment, shifting from antacids to antibiotics, and eventually earned him a Nobel Prize.
Hacker News commenters on the Discover Magazine article about Barry Marshall's self-experimentation with H. pylori largely praised his dedication and the impact of his discovery. Several highlighted the resistance he faced from the established medical community, which long believed ulcers were caused by stress. Some pointed out the inherent risks and ethical questions surrounding self-experimentation, while others mentioned similar historical examples of scientists using themselves as test subjects. A few commenters discussed the prevalence of H. pylori infections, particularly in developing countries, and the relative ease of treatment with antibiotics today. One commenter offered a personal anecdote about successfully treating their own ulcer with mastic gum after antibiotics failed.
This blog post details a modern approach to building a functional replica of a Sinclair ZX80 or ZX81 home computer. The author advocates using readily available components like an Arduino Nano, a PS/2 keyboard, and a composite video output for a simplified build process, bypassing the complexities of sourcing obsolete parts. The project utilizes a pre-written ROM image and emulates the Z80 CPU via the Arduino, allowing for a relatively straightforward construction and operation of a classic machine. The author provides complete instructions, including schematics, Arduino code, and links to necessary resources, enabling enthusiasts to recreate this iconic piece of computing history.
Commenters on Hacker News largely express nostalgia for the ZX80/81 and similar early home computers, recalling fond memories of learning to program on them and the ingenuity required to overcome their limitations. Several commenters discuss their experiences building replicas or emulating these machines, sharing tips on sourcing components and alternative approaches like using Raspberry Pis. Some debate the historical accuracy of classifying the ZX81 as a "full computer," with others pointing out its significance in democratizing access to computing. A few commenters express interest in the simplicity and elegance of the design compared to modern computers, while others share links to similar retro-computing projects and resources. The overall sentiment is one of appreciation for the ingenuity and historical importance of these early machines.
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https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43718493
Hacker News users discuss the Armatron's influence and the state of modern robotics. Several commenters reminisce about owning the toy and its impact on their interest in robotics. Some express disappointment with the current state of affordable robot arms, noting they haven't progressed as much as expected since the Armatron, particularly regarding dexterity and intuitive control. Others point out the complexities of replicating human hand movements and the challenges of creating affordable, sophisticated robotics. A few users suggest that the Armatron's simplicity was key to its appeal and that over-complicating modern versions with AI might detract from the core experience. The overall sentiment reflects nostalgia for the Armatron and a desire for accessible, practical robotics that capture the same spirit of playful experimentation.
The Hacker News comments on the article "A 1980s toy robot arm inspired modern robotics" express a mix of nostalgia, technical analysis, and broader reflections on the state of robotics and AI.
Several commenters fondly reminisce about the Armatron toy, recalling the excitement and inspiration it provided during their childhood. They describe it as a formative experience that sparked an interest in robotics and engineering. Some share personal anecdotes of modifying the toy, adding motors or other enhancements to expand its capabilities. This nostalgia highlights the impact such toys can have on shaping future career paths and fostering a passion for technology.
Beyond the reminiscing, there's a discussion about the actual technical influence of the Armatron on modern robotics. While acknowledging its inspirational role, some commenters argue that its direct technical contribution is minimal. Modern robotic arms leverage advanced control systems, sensors, and actuators that are far beyond the simple mechanisms of the Armatron. The discussion explores the difference between inspiring an interest in a field and directly contributing to its technical advancement.
Some commenters delve into the broader challenges and limitations of current robotics technology. They point out the difficulty of replicating the dexterity and adaptability of the human hand, despite significant advancements in the field. The discussion touches on the complexity of tasks like grasping and manipulating objects, which humans perform effortlessly but remain challenging for robots.
A few comments also express disappointment with the current state of "consumer" robotics. They contrast the simplistic yet engaging nature of the Armatron with the often expensive and less captivating robot toys available today. This sentiment reflects a desire for more accessible and inspiring robotics experiences for the general public.
Finally, some comments offer links to modern robotic arm projects and resources, demonstrating the continuing interest in this area. These resources provide examples of individuals and companies building upon the legacy of toys like the Armatron to create more sophisticated and capable robotic systems.