Seattle, Washington — June 25, 2019 — Apple Pugetsound Program Library Exchange (A.P.P.L.E.) and Mark Pelczarski are proud to announce the immediate availability of his new book “Graphically Speaking: Enhanced Edition” that teaches graphics programming on the Apple II.
This book is a compilation of Mark Pelczarski’s “Graphically Speaking” tutorial columns that appeared in Softalk magazine, and was originally published in 1983 by Softalk Books. Using the included programs, you will be able to create art, do animation for games, and have a bunch of fun on your Apple II computer. Once you learn the fundamentals of creating hi-res, 3-D, and animation, you will be limited only by your imagination.
This new “Enhanced Edition” includes a new preface from the author, remastered art, and a redesigned interior. Mark has been very helpful in providing many supporting materials and it has been a joy working with him over the last several months to make this release a reality. In honor of his company Penguin Software, over 25 fun Penguin illustrations have been added – many of which have never been seen before. Penguin trivia that appeared on dozens of software packages is also included. Brush up on Penguin lore, such as “Penguins have frivolous tendencies” and “Cats and penguins are often seen together in sushi bars.”
Availability
“Graphically Speaking: Enhanced Edition” is available through the A.P.P.L.E. bookstore with production and fulfillment by Lulu.com. A disk image is available on the Apps page.
Features
- Table of Contents – PDF
- More than 240 pages of Apple II graphics programming tutorials in both BASIC and machine language.
- Preface from the author encompassing 11 pages.
- Mark’s prediction of programming and computers in the future, as written in 1981 for SoftSide magazine and titled, “I Don’t Think We’re in Kansas Anymore…”
- Remastered original art and a redesigned interior.
- Over 25 fun penguins drawn by artists such as: Cheryl Pelczarski, Dav Holle, Steve Wedemeyer, Bill Giese, Elaine Cheever, and Rick Incrocci.
- Penguin lore discovered on Penguin product packages, contributed by people who worked at Penguin Software over the years.
- Glossary of programming and computer terms.
Author
After earning degrees in Computers and Education, Mark Pelczarski taught mathematics, computer programming, and computer science at both the high school and university levels. Mark started Penguin Software in 1981, creating The Complete Graphics System, Special Effects, and Graphics Magician for the Apple II, while describing his techniques in Softalk magazine’s “Graphically Speaking” column. Graphics Magician was used by many other software publishers for adding graphics and animation to their programs. Penguin Software released over 45 popular games, graphics, utilities and educational programs for many platforms, such as: The Coveted Mirror, Expedition Amazon, Minit Man, Oo-Topos, The Quest, The Spy’s Adventures Around the World series, Spy’s Demise, Sword of Kadash, and Transylvania. Learn more about Penguin Software at: graphicsmagician.com.
In 1987, he retired from Penguin Software/Polarware and published early music software called MIDI OnStage under the Magic Tree label. Mark played steel drums in a trio named Stainless Steel with an Apple IIc playing the bass and percussion parts via MIDI. He even set up Jimmy Buffett’s Shrimpboat Sound studio in Key West and Dan Fogelberg’s studio in Pagosa Springs, interfacing Mac SE computers with the tape systems, and worked on a couple albums with Buffett.
Before the Internet as we know it, Mark published a mapping CD-ROM called TripGuide that was a very crude version of some of what Google Maps is today. And in 1999, he launched a commercial website that within months made the front page of The Wall Street Journal.
Mark taught college computer science for another 20+ years. He taught one of the first completely online college courses in 1996, writing much of the software to make it work, which in turn was used by other universities around the world for their early online courses. In more recent years he worked with a National Science Foundation grant to create a curriculum in Computer Security and Forensics.
He spent a year at President Obama’s re-election headquarters working with large amounts of data and assisting most of the departments within the campaign. Afterwards, Mark worked with the Presidential Commission on Election Administration, CalTech/MIT Voting Technology Project, and the Center for Tech and Civic Life on data analysis and developing tools to help election administrators address efficiency issues.
Over the years he’s performed on stage playing steel drums with Jimmy Buffett several times, and today Mark is still creating and publishing music as “Mango Island Sound.”
Producers
Brian Wiser — Producer of books, films, games, and events, as well as an Apple consultant, historian and archivist. Designer, editor, and co-producer of dozens of books including: Nibble Viewpoints: Business Insights From The Computing Revolution, Cyber Jack: The Adventures of Robert Clardy and Synergistic Software, Synergistic Software: The Early Games, Graphically Speaking: Enhanced Edition, What’s Where in the Apple: Enhanced Edition, and The WOZPAK Special Edition – an important Apple II historical book with Steve Wozniak’s restored original, technical handwritten notes. Producer/Director of the documentary film “Done The Impossible: The Fans’ Tale of Firefly & Serenity“, his Browncoat Cruise convention with Firefly cast, and an extra in the movie “Serenity.” Co-producer of Beagle Bros and Applied Engineering websites, the retro iOS game Structris, and co-producer/writer for CallAPPLE.org and Call-A.P.P.L.E. magazine. Brian is also the author of The Etch-a-Sketch and Other Fun Programs.
Bill Martens — Apple historian and enthusiast, programmer, President of Apple Pugetsound Program Library Exchange (A.P.P.L.E.) and co-producer of Call-A.P.P.L.E. magazine, and books like: Cyber Jack, Synergistic Software: The Early Games, Nibble Viewpoints, The WOZPAK Special Edition, and What’s Where in the Apple: Enhanced Edition. Bill also co-produced and co-programmed the retro iOS game Structris. Bill is the author of ApPilot/W1, Beyond Quest, The Anatomy of an EAMON, and multiple EAMon adventure games. He is a systems engineer specializing in office infrastructures and has been programming since 1976. And he is the production editor for the A.P.P.L.E. website CallAPPLE.org, writes science fiction novels in his spare time, and is a retired semi-pro football player.
Publisher
Apple Pugetsound Program Library Exchange (A.P.P.L.E.) has been a global Apple user group since 1978, with membership peaking near 50,000 in 1985. Offering many services, A.P.P.L.E. is also a book publisher and game developer, and has produced dozens of new book titles since 2013 and over 100 Apple software titles.
A.P.P.L.E. published the The WOZPAK Special Edition – a detailed book containing Steve Wozniak’s restored handwritten notes and printouts about his Apple II computer, as well as forewords from Steve Wozniak and other Apple legends. They also publish books such as: Graphically Speaking: Enhanced Edition by Mark Pelczarski, Tome of Copy Protection, Cyber Jack: The Adventures of Robert Clardy and Synergistic Software, Synergistic Software: The Early Games, Nibble Viewpoints: Business Insights From the Computing Revolution by Mike Harvey, What’s Where in The Apple: Enhanced Edition, The Colossal Computer Cartoon Book: Enhanced Edition by David H. Ahl, A.P.P.L.E. 1978 and 1979 magazine Compendiums, and the retro iOS game Structris.
Press information is available at: www.callapple.org/press
Books are listed at: www.callapple.org/books
