🪨 XPER on the Commodore 64🛠️ We draft a #c64 into the #ai wars. This "expert system" software promised it could predict weather, so I took it at its word. Was it more accurate than a coin flip? Also: Fifth Generation Computers and the first guy to concede his job to AI stonetools.ghost.io/xper-c64

I had to write about Cheifet. christopherdrum.github.io/posts/2026/0...

Sad to hear that #stewartcheifet, host of #computerchronicles and #netcafe, has passed Tiny influences on a pivot point can exert large effects on the trajectory of a projectile, or a life. Stewart was one such influence on the trajectory of my own life. obits.goldsteinsfuneral.com/stewart-chei...

🪨 HyperCard on the Macintosh 🛠️ The "software erector set" that launched careers and came close to delivering us the web 6 years early. Our last post of '25 takes a deep look at this important title. Happy holidays! stonetools.ghost.io/hypercard-mac/ #RetroComputing #hypercard #classicmac #atkinson

🪨 Bank Street Writer on the Apple 2 🛠️ The "Oregon Trail" of word processors. Ostensibly built for children, it also hooked adults, including at least one lawyer who refused to give it up. I find out why! stonetools.ghost.io/bankstreetwriter-apple2 #RetroComputing #apple2 #wordprocessing #bankstreet

My childhood computing path never crossed with Bank Street Writer, though I've met many over the years who hold very fond memories of it. It wasn't just popular with kids, adults loved it too. I spent some time getting to know it, and explored the whole "classroom of tomorrow" a bit as well.

I already have it shared everywhere and commented on Mastofon. But again, what a great article ! Thanks for the kind update about pydpainter, it means a lot to the dev team.

🪨 ThinkTank on the PC w/DOS 🛠️ Before we process words, we must first process ideas! So says "idea processor" ThinkTank's creator, Dave Winer. A veritable religion has formed around this genre. Did I see the light? stonetools.ghost.io/thinktank-dos/ #RetroComputing #thinktank #dos #outliner #pkm

This article from the excellent Stone Tools blog illustrates something that I think is really missing in modern tech life. The author calls it "friction," which I think is a great descriptor. Friction isn't bad in and of itself. We need friction to make fire, for example.

🪨 CAD-3D on the Atari ST 🛠️ Examining the grandfather to #3DSMax also gave me my first experience with the GEM environment. Plus, I learn the surprising ties to #DeluxePaint and ...is this right? #Starfox for the #SNES?! stonetools.ghost.io/cad3d-atarist #RetroComputing #cad3d #atarist #3dsoftware

For #SpreadsheetDay, here's my new in box sealed Lotus Improv 🤌

🪨🛠️ VisiCalc on the Apple 2 Happy #SpreadsheetDay! This time, I examine how much DNA from the first spreadsheet remains in today's software by calculating protein levels of ration formulation for swine, as you do. stonetools.ghost.io/visicalc-app... #RetroComputing #visicalc #spreadsheet #apple2

I spent some time getting to know Superbase on the C64. While using it, I was revisited by a ghost from the past who tried to make trouble for me. When all hope was lost, with the power of BASIC, I overcame my enemy. Intrigued to know more? Read on! #retrocomputing #stonetools #superbase #c64

🪨🛠️ "Superbase on the Commodore 64" Dreaming of a "paperless office?" You'll need a database to make it happen. Superbase promises to help you ditch those antiquated filing cabinets. If only the manual would explain how. stonetools.ghost.io/superbase-c64 #RetroComputing #Superbase #Databases #C64

v1.0.0 has been released! #vintagecomputing #retrocomputing github.com/twvd/snow/re...

What a delightful surprise. My new blog, @stonetoolsblog.bsky.social, seems to mark a tipping point, earning a lengthy discussion of my full body of retro-related works in the latest @thisweekinretro.bsky.social I am, apparently, "Someone you should know"🙇 #retrocomputing. youtu.be/UHYscl1Ayqg?...

🪨🛠️ New Post: "Electric Pencil on the TRS-80" This time, I examine the first word processor for home computers, Electric Pencil, which worked best if you weren't afraid to break out a soldering iron. stonetools.ghost.io/electricpencil-trs80 #RetroComputing #ElectricPencil #WordProcessing #TRS80

Jason reports fresh off the weekend of Vintage Computer Festival Midwest 20, full of classic tech, This Week in Retro viewers, and distinctive hairstyles. All this and more including your nominations for the unsung heroes of retro, coming in episode 236 this Saturday!

🪨🛠️ New Post is Up! 2025 is the 40th birthday of the Commodore Amiga. It is *also* the 40th birthday of Deluxe Paint. Our first retrospective examines this classic hardware/software combo. #RetroComputing #SoftwareArchaeology #Amiga #DeluxePaint #StoneTools stonetools.ghost.io/deluxepaint-amiga/

"We're selling the one thing we count on every day."

COMPUTER GRPAHICS

WORD PROCESSING HAS NEVER BEEN SIMPLER

We were cooked the moment operating system UIs stopped shipping looking like this

We’re live! 🪨🛠️ Stone Tools soft-launch today, with the first proper post coming later this week. If you think retro-computing means more than just games, you’re in the right place. #RetroComputing #ComputerHistory #OfficeOfTheFuture #SoftwareArchaeology #StoneTools stonetools.ghost.io/introducing/