Apple II Desktop 1.3 Released

Joshua Bell has announced the release of Version 1.3 of the community curated Apple II Desktop project. Apple II Desktop, originally known as Mouse Desk, is a fully graphical user interface for the Apple II series computers. The program is available in eight languages and includes support for a number of peripherals in the Apple II as well as Integer and Applesoft BASIC. You can download the latest version of the Apple II Desktop from the Release page at:https://github.com/a2stuff/a2d/releases/tag/v1.3 You…

Legendary Technology Guru Don Lancaster Passes Away

Don Lancaster, a highly-revered figure in the microcomputer industry for the past six decades, peacefully passed away at age 83 on June 7, 2023, in Mesa, Arizona. Don’s contributions to the world of microcomputers were exceptional by any measure.  Probably his most notable early achievement was the creation of the “TV Typewriter,” a revolutionary device that utilized transistor-transistor logic (TTL) to display text on a TV screen. The TV Typewriter first appeared in the September 1973 issue of Radio Electronics.  This…

Virtual II updated to version 11.4

Gerard Putter, the developer behind the widely popular MAC OS based Virtual II emulator, has unveiled the latest version of the application, Virtual II Version 11.4. This new update introduces exciting features and improvements that enhance the user experience for Apple II enthusiasts.  Virtual II is a full featured shareware Apple II emulator that includes a number of capabilities not found in other emulators. One of the significant additions in Virtual II Version 11.4 is the emulation of the Applied…

Space Intruder

Seattle, Washington — June 20, 2023 — Apple Pugetsound Program Library Exchange (A.P.P.L.E.) is pleased to announce the immediate release of Space Intruder – a new, exhilarating arcade-style Apple II game developed by Raphael Rezende. It offers a captivating experience that puts players’ skills and endurance to the ultimate test.  With fast-paced gameplay, endless levels, and challenging mechanics, Space Intruder promises to deliver an unforgettable odyssey through space. Availability To accompany the game, A.P.P.L.E. has published a Space Intruder manual – updated…

Apple III Luminaries Wendell Sander and Dave Ottlani to Appear at Kansasfest 2023

From the Kansasfest Committee: Apple /// luminaries Wendell Sander and Dave Ottalini will join us at KansasFest. They will present at the virtual event on July 29-30 with question/answer time. Registration is open now for this rare gathering of expertise on early Apple computers. Individuals attending in Kansas City receive complimentary registration for the virtual event. Dr. Sander was an electrical engineer and scientist at Apple Computer. Sander met Jobs in 1976 while demonstrating a game for the Apple I. As…

Apple User Group Bulletin

Apple User Group Bulletin – June 15, 2023 Stories in this month’s blog: https://appleusergroupresources.com Ongoing Offers for User Group Members: Thanks to Elsa Travisano, who provides member offers and codes on one easy-to-cut-and-paste page for newsletter editors. Password for member offers ugmemberdeals (UG Member Deals – all one word): 04/13/2023 to 12/18/2023– ugmemberdeals Leaders can use the same password for leader offers. Please remember that leader offers are limited to one per group. AUGB Staff Questions? Comments? Tips for group…

KEGS Apple IIGS Emulator Updated

Kent Dickey has announced the latest version of the KEGS Apple IIGS Emulator. KEGS is an emulator which runs on Windows, Mac OS and Linux. Some. of the items changed or fixed in version 1.27 include the following items: You can download the latest version of the KEGS Apple IIGS Emulator from:http://kegs.sourceforge.net/

Apple II Desktop 1.3 Alpha 7 Released

Joshua bell has announced the availability of the 7th alpha of the version 1.3 release of the Apple II Desktop graphical operating system, This latest version includes a slew of changes including the following: General DeskTop Disk Copy Desk Accessories He has also announce that there may be a potential Beta of the program next week sometime but for now the Alpha 7 release is available for free download from the Apple II Desktop Github page at:https://github.com/a2stuff/a2d/releases/tag/v1.3-alpha7 The entire source…

Space Intruder: A Thrilling Space Adventure for the Apple II

UPDATE: Now has 5 levels plus a challenge level with faster enemies! 25 May 2023: The Facebook Apple II Software Enthusiasts Group is buzzing with excitement as a new program takes center stage. Developed by programmer and group member Raphael Rezende, Space Intruder marks its grand entrance into the Apple II gaming world. This game promises an exhilarating arcade style space adventure that will put players’ skills and endurance to the ultimate test. Space Intruder’s initial release introduces players to…

A2osX Build 2600 Released

Enhancements in TCP/IP and VT100, and Improved Performance Brian J. Bernstein, one of the developers behind the Apple II A2osX project, has just announced the release of A2osX Build 2600, packed with exciting updates and improvements. This latest version brings significant modifications to the TCP/IP and VT100 functionality, delivering enhanced performance and a smoother user experience. One of the standout features in A2osX Build 2600 is the notable performance improvement in TCP/IP, achieved through a clever workaround called “delayed ACK.”…

CardCat Version 1.0b6: The Ultimate Catalog for Apple II Peripheral Cards

Henry Lowe has announce the release of CardCat Version 1.0b6, an exciting new community project aimed at creating a comprehensive catalog of peripheral cards for the Apple II family of computers. Developed by Henry Lowe, this program written in Apple II Pascal and 6502 Assembly offers Apple II enthusiasts a powerful tool to identify and catalog the various peripheral cards installed in their systems. Card Cat boasts a user-friendly interface, allowing Apple II owners to effortlessly navigate through the program….

Ample 0.255 Update Introduces Atari ST Support

Ample, the MAME Emulator Apple centric interface, has just received a significant update with version 0.255, bringing forth a slew of exciting features and enhancements. The most notable addition is the long-awaited support for the Atari ST system, expanding the emulator’s capabilities and offering users the opportunity to delve into the rich library of Atari ST games and applications. It’s important to note that the Atari ST compatibility in Ample is still a work in progress. As MAME itself cautions…

The Northern Spy — The Spring Of Our Discontent

The Northern Spy

Apple’s M2 Pro MacBookis a wicked fast production machine. The Spy’s reader will recall he got one to replace his 2019 MacBook Pro, which has never been very rugged, reliable or power smart, and has now been relegated to recording his lectures and uploading them to Streams. The new machine never gets warm even when in heavy use, and he still does not know what the fan sounds like, if indeed it has one. On boot it pauses to think…

Brutal Deluxe Releases NinjaTrackerPlus FinderExtension

Brutal Deluxe Software, the group renowned for their Apple IIGS software, has announced the immediate release of their latest creation, the NinjaTrackerPlus FinderExtension. This new extension is specifically designed for the Apple IIgs System 6.x and provides users with the ability to play NTP (NinjaTrackerPlus) songs directly from the Finder. The NinjaTrackerPlus FinderExtension is a FinderExtras extension that enhances the functionality of the Finder by allowing users to double-click on NTP song icons to play them instantly. This streamlined approach…

KEGS Apple IIGS Emulator Updated

Kent Dickey, the creator of the KEGS Apple IIgs emulator, has released a new version of the software. KEGS v1.23 features changes that are designed to improve the emulator’s performance and stability. One of the most significant changes in KEGS v1.23 is the way the emulator tracks time. Previously, KEGS used a double to track time, but the latest version uses an unsigned long long, which enables higher speeds. This change should make the emulator run more smoothly on modern…

Apple IIGS Gopher Alpha 5 Released

Over the past several months, Kelvin Sherlock has been pushing out alpha releases of a Gopher client for the Apple IIgs. While still in Alpha state, the current version of the GS-Gopher client is not only robust but also quite useable. Some of the updates included in the Alpha 5 release of the GS-Gopher Client include: Using the GS-Gopher requires an Apple IIgs, an Internet card such as the Uthernet II, The Uthernet LinkLayer for Marinetti, the Marinetti TCP/IP Protocol…

The Northern Spy – Time Flies

The Northern Spy

…like an arrow (a) “but fruit flies like a banana”, is an excellent sentence to illustrate the difficulty that speakers of other languages have in learning English. Even most who grew up in English could not parse the parts of speech in the following: “Did you know that…that that that that that that followed was redundant?” …like an arrow (b) is a common aphorism to be sure…one many people would use to refer to its speed–a subjective perception of course,…

Pitch Dark Infocom Frontend Revision 5 Released

Pitch Dark, the popular frontend for exploring and playing Infocom text adventures on the 8-bit Apple II, has just released Revision 5. Developed by famed Apple II hackers, 4am and qkumba, this latest update brings a host of new features and improvements, enhancing the gaming experience for Apple II enthusiasts. Pitch Dark serves as a user-friendly interface, specifically designed to navigate and play Infocom text adventures on the Apple II.  Some of the changes included in Pitch Dark Revision 5…

Nox Archaist – Lord of Storms Released

The highly anticipated expansion pack for Nox Archaist, titled “Lord of Storms,” has finally arrived, bringing a wave of excitement among Apple II gaming enthusiasts. Developed by 6502 Workshop, this expansion marks a significant milestone as the first-ever expansion for an Apple II RPG released by the original developers. Available for purchase through one of the online stores, such as the Nox Archaist Shopify page, Steam, or GOG, this DLC offers an immersive gaming experience for both owners of physical…

Apple II Desktop 1.3 Alpha 6 Released

Joshua Bell has released the latest version of the Apple II Desktop graphical interface for the Apple II series computer. Apple II Desktop is available in eight languages and runs on Apple II series computers with at least 128K of memory as well as emulators and clones. Apple II Desktop version 1.3 Alpha 6 includes a number of changes including the following: General DeskTop Desk Accessories The latest version of the Apple II Desktop is available for download from the…