Stories with Tag Acorn

• RPCEmu is an emulator of classic Acorn computer systems

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  Posted: 2025-03-31 05:28:03

  Verbose tl;dr

  RPCEmu emulates Risc PC systems, including the A7000 and various StrongARM-based machines. It accurately recreates the hardware of these Acorn computers, allowing users to run original RISC OS software, including applications, games, and the desktop environment itself. The emulator boasts high compatibility and performance, supporting features like ARMv3, ARMv4, and StrongARM CPUs, FPA math co-processor, VIDC1 and VIDC20 graphics, and various sound and networking devices. RPCEmu aims for complete hardware accuracy, making it a valuable tool for preserving and experiencing these classic Acorn systems.

  RPCEmu is a sophisticated emulator meticulously designed to replicate the functionality of Acorn's Risc PC series of computers, encompassing models like the Risc PC 700, Risc PC 600, and A7000/A7000+. It extends its emulation prowess to include StrongARM-equipped machines, offering a comprehensive virtual environment for experiencing these classic Acorn systems. The emulator goes beyond simple hardware imitation, providing a faithful recreation of the Acorn operating system environment, including the Arc, RISC OS 3.1, and RISC OS 4. This allows users to not only run original software designed for these platforms but also to experience the distinct user interface and overall feel of the original systems.

  RPCEmu is a cross-platform emulator, available for a variety of operating systems including Windows, Linux, macOS, and FreeBSD, making it accessible to a wide range of users. The project prides itself on its accuracy and attention to detail, aiming to provide as close to a native experience as possible within the emulated environment. The emulator's website provides extensive documentation covering various aspects of installation, configuration, and usage, catering to both novice and experienced users. Furthermore, the site offers access to ROM images, though it emphasizes the importance of legally obtaining these ROMs as they are copyrighted material. Users are encouraged to obtain ROMs from their original Risc PC machines or through legitimate means. The project also links to resources for purchasing original Acorn hardware and software, acknowledging the value of preserving and supporting the legacy of these systems. In summary, RPCEmu stands as a comprehensive and readily available tool for anyone seeking to explore or relive the experience of using Acorn's Risc PC and related computer systems.

  • Acorn
  • emulator
  • RPCEmu
  • RISC OS
  • Archimedes
  • BBC Micro
  • Electron
  • A3000
  • A3010
  • A3020
  • A4000
  • A5000
  • RiscPC
  • Arm
  • Retrocomputing
  • vintage computing
  • British computers

  Summary of Comments ( 3 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43531415

  Verbose tl;dr

  Hacker News users expressed significant enthusiasm for RPCEmu, praising its accuracy and the developer's dedication. Several commenters reminisced about using Acorn machines, particularly the Archimedes, sharing personal anecdotes and highlighting the platform's unique RISC OS. Some discussed the technical challenges of emulating older hardware and software, while others inquired about specific features like networking and sound support. The positive feedback underscores the impact of RPCEmu in preserving the legacy of Acorn computers and making them accessible to a wider audience. A few users also expressed interest in contributing to the project or exploring the emulated systems for the first time.

  The Hacker News post titled "RPCEmu is an emulator of classic Acorn computer systems" generated several comments discussing various aspects of the emulator and Acorn computers in general.

  Many commenters expressed nostalgia for Acorn machines and the role they played in their early computing experiences. One commenter fondly recalled using the Acorn Archimedes A3000, highlighting its impressive capabilities for its time, particularly its graphical prowess and the innovative RISC OS operating system. This sentiment was echoed by others who praised the forward-thinking design of Acorn computers and their influence on the broader computing landscape.

  Several comments delved into technical details of RPCEmu, appreciating the developer's dedication to accurately emulating these complex systems. The ability of the emulator to run various Acorn models and its support for different hardware configurations were commended. Some users discussed their experiences using RPCEmu to revisit classic Acorn software and games.

  The discussion also touched upon the historical context of Acorn computers, with some comments mentioning the company's involvement in the development of the ARM architecture, which has become ubiquitous in modern mobile devices. The demise of Acorn and the subsequent rise of ARM was a point of reflection for some commenters.

  Some practical questions were also raised regarding the usability of RPCEmu, such as the availability of ROM images and the process of setting up the emulator. Users shared tips and resources for obtaining necessary files and configuring the emulator for optimal performance.

  A few comments explored alternative emulators for Acorn systems, comparing their features and performance to RPCEmu. This provided a broader perspective on the options available for those interested in experiencing Acorn computers today.

  Overall, the comments section reflects a strong appreciation for the RPCEmu project and the legacy of Acorn computers. The discussion combines nostalgic reflections with technical insights, offering a valuable resource for both seasoned Acorn users and those curious about this important piece of computing history.

• Elite on the 6502: The original 6502 assembly source, heavily commented

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  Posted: 2025-01-31 19:55:14

  Verbose tl;dr

  The original BBC Micro Elite source code, written in 6502 assembly, has been released and extensively commented by its author, Ian Bell. This release provides a fascinating look into the technical ingenuity behind the classic space trading game, revealing how Bell managed to cram a complex universe simulation, including 3D wireframe graphics and combat, into the limited resources of the 8-bit machine. The heavily commented code offers valuable insights into the optimization techniques employed, such as clever use of lookup tables and bit manipulation, making it a great resource for those interested in retro game development and 6502 programming.

  The blog post by Christian Pinder announces the release of the meticulously commented original source code for the BBC Micro version of the seminal space trading game, Elite. This release represents a significant milestone for fans and historians of the game, offering a deep dive into the ingenious programming techniques employed by Ian Bell and David Braben to create such a complex and expansive universe within the limited confines of the 8-bit 6502 processor and the BBC Micro's hardware.

  Pinder details the extensive effort undertaken to understand and annotate the assembly code, which was originally retrieved from archived BBC Micro cassettes. The original code, dense and cryptic due to its optimized nature and the constraints of the platform, has been painstakingly deciphered and supplemented with copious comments explaining the function of each section, subroutine, and even individual instructions. This detailed commentary unravels the complexities of the game's procedural generation algorithms, graphics rendering routines, and game logic, shedding light on how the developers achieved such impressive results with limited resources.

  The blog post highlights the historical context of Elite's development, emphasizing its revolutionary impact on the gaming landscape. It recounts the challenges faced by Bell and Braben in creating a vast, procedurally generated galaxy within the limited memory capacity of the BBC Micro. The annotated source code provides concrete examples of the innovative solutions they devised to overcome these limitations, showcasing their mastery of 6502 assembly programming.

  The availability of this commented source code allows programmers, enthusiasts, and anyone curious about retro game development to delve into the inner workings of a groundbreaking title. It offers a valuable learning resource for those interested in understanding the principles of efficient coding, procedural generation, and game design within the constraints of older hardware. The release is presented not only as a historical artifact, but also as an educational tool that can inspire and inform contemporary game developers. The blog post concludes with links to the source code repository, inviting others to explore and learn from this piece of gaming history. It emphasizes the importance of preserving and understanding the technical foundations of influential games like Elite and celebrates the ingenuity of the original developers.

  • 6502
  • Assembly Language
  • Source Code
  • Elite
  • Game Development
  • Retro Computing
  • BBC Micro
  • Acorn
  • Wireframe Graphics
  • 8-bit
  • Software Preservation
  • Commented Code
  • Game Programming
  • Classic Games

  Summary of Comments ( 42 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42891200

  Verbose tl;dr

  Hacker News users discuss the newly released and heavily commented source code for the 8-bit game Elite. Many express excitement and nostalgia, praising the code's clarity and the detailed comments which provide insights into the game's development process. Several commenters highlight the impressive feats accomplished on such limited hardware, like the use of clever algorithms for 3D graphics and procedural generation. Some discuss the historical significance of Elite and its influence on subsequent games. A few users share personal anecdotes about playing Elite in their youth, while others analyze specific coding techniques used. There's also discussion about the challenges of working with 6502 assembly and the ingenuity required to overcome hardware limitations. The overall sentiment is one of appreciation for the release of this historical artifact and the opportunity it provides to learn from the pioneers of game development.

  The Hacker News post "Elite on the 6502: The original 6502 assembly source, heavily commented" attracted a number of comments discussing various aspects of the game, its code, and the historical context surrounding it.

  Several commenters expressed appreciation for the release of the commented source code, viewing it as a valuable resource for learning and understanding the intricacies of 6502 assembly programming and game development techniques of the era. The detailed comments within the code were highlighted as particularly helpful.

  Some comments delved into specific technical aspects of the game's implementation, such as the clever use of fixed-point arithmetic, the algorithms used for 3D graphics and rotation, and the memory management strategies employed given the limited resources of the BBC Micro. These discussions often involved comparing the original techniques to modern approaches.

  The game's historical significance was also a recurring theme. Commenters reminisced about playing Elite in their youth, sharing anecdotes about its impact and the sense of wonder it evoked. The challenges faced by the original developers, such as working with limited hardware and tight deadlines, were also acknowledged and admired.

  Some users discussed the influence of Elite on subsequent games, noting its role as a pioneering title in the space trading and combat simulation genre. The procedural generation of the game world, a revolutionary feature at the time, was also mentioned as a key contribution.

  A few comments touched upon the legal aspects of releasing the source code and the potential implications for derivative works or future projects based on Elite.

  While there wasn't a single overwhelmingly "compelling" comment that dominated the discussion, the overall sentiment reflected a strong appreciation for the historical and technical significance of the released source code, combined with a sense of nostalgia among those who experienced the game in its early days. The thread provided a valuable platform for sharing knowledge, insights, and personal experiences related to Elite and its development.