Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!casbah.acns.nwu.edu!uicvm.uic.edu!u25042 Organization: University of Illinois at Chicago Date: Wednesday, 1 May 1991 00:35:33 CDT From: Booby's Home Message-ID: <91121.003533U25042@uicvm.uic.edu> Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.8bit Subject: Re: What is an Atari 400?? References: <4356.2816bec5@iccgcc.decnet.ab.com> In article <4356.2816bec5@iccgcc.decnet.ab.com>, tletski@iccgcc.decnet.ab.com says: > >I recently fell into possession of an Atari 400. I have ho knowledge of this >machine. Could somebody fill me in with the details (kind of processor, >support floppy, cartridges available) etc. Paul, This is truly the first of firsts. First off, the ATARI 400 is 6502 based processor, with 16K (probably) built in. It has a "membrane" keyboard, which is someone's idea of a cruel joke. As far as the floppys go, you do need specific drives for ATARIs. Some of the ones I remember are Rana, Indus GTS, Percomm, ATARI's own 810 and 1050, and I'm sure that there are others. If you have the 850, the serial interface, you can hook up 3rd party drives, I think. Cartridges available are numerous, I'm sure, but probably hard to find. As far as what it's good for, well, I would probably use it for learning 6502 assembler. It's not fast, it's not nice, but it'll do the trick if that's what you're in to. Brought to you by the sick mind of Bob Jackiewicz, writer of wrongs, wronger of rights. BITNET: U25042@UICVM "Touch my monkey!" -Dieter InterNet: U25042@UICVM.UIC.EDU "Those people [who copycat movie murders] "Your Lupins or your life!" should not only be put in jail, but should -Python, M. also be sued for plagiarism!" -Stephen King