Apple Pugetsound Program Library Exchange (A.P.P.L.E.) has updated the manual for the popular Apple II graphics programming tool Turtlesoft: Turtle Graphics for Applesoft with a new softcover manual. Originally published in 1983 by A.P.P.L.E., the new manual features revised formatting and now includes the 15 sample programs with screenshots.
In addition to the original Turtlesoft DOS 3.3 version by Robert Gallup, John Brooks converted it to work with ProDOS. Both Turtlesoft disk images are available and also include sample programs.
Availability
Turtlesoft: Turtle Graphics for Applesoft is available through the A.P.P.L.E. bookstore with production and fulfillment by Lulu.com. Disk images for the programs is available on the Apps page.
Turtlesoft Overview
Turtlesoft is a system of primitives which allows users to write Applesoft-based programs using standard Logo primitives. The system is a self contained environment which can be used by students of all ages to easily learn basic computer programming concepts using Turtle graphics.
Imagine you have a robot turtle. You might think that rather strange, but try to imagine it anyway. Imagine that this “turtle” can move around the floor in response to commands you give it such as: FORWARD and BACK, which tells the turtle to move forward or backward a certain number of steps, and RIGHT and LEFT which tells the turtle to turn a certain amount right or left.
As the turtle moves, it leaves a trail you can see. By giving the turtle the right commands, you can have it draw any shape you want.
Voila! You have Turtle graphics. Your computer screen is the floor and the turtle is a triangle visible on it.
As you experiment with trying to draw shapes using Turtle graphics you may find that thinking in “Turtle talk” is much easier for many things than thinking in the “coordinate talk” of normal graphics.
Turtlesoft Features
• Table of Contents.
• 25 instructions (primitives) for controlling the turtle
• Sound routine with Turtle graphics
• Uses both Hi-Res screens
• Create your own command names
• Descriptive error messages for easy program debugging
• Error messages can be processed using ONERR
• Commands accessed through ampersand for use within a program
• Available for both DOS 3.3 and ProDOS
• Runs on all Apple II computers
Author
Robert Gallup grew up with a love of technology. Enthralled by the adventures of Danny Dunn and Tom Swift, his first computer was a series of flip-flop circuits he hand-wired from salvaged transistors on pegboard for a science project. Of course, to operate it, he had to learn binary math which began his journey through computers and digital technology.
In college, Robert learned to program using punched cards and mainframe computers. Later he volunteered for a science museum where he discovered the Apple II computer, using it to develop educational software for numerous exhibits.
In addition to technology, Robert has had a long interest in education. It was through this that he learned of Turtle Graphics, a hands-on approach to understanding geometry. At the same time, he was also diving into the details of Apple II firmware and graphics programming. From this union emerged Turtlesoft. Robert had used the cornucopia of respected resources available through A.P.P.L.E. and approached them to be his publisher. They agreed and Turtlesoft, the product, was born.
From roots in technology, Robert’s world grew to include psychology and design. He now brings a diverse perspective and natural curiosity to his passion for imagining, inspiring, and building future products that enrich and empower through the nexus of people, design, and technology.
Robert has worked in startups and corporate empires. He’s managed game development teams, prototyped intelligent hardware products, and helped design the user experience for a car computer and an online learning platform. He’s developed online training, presented in corporate classrooms, and led small and large workshops covering programming and electronics.
Robert currently freelances in product design and prototyping. He also develops workshops and online courses covering hardware prototyping and programming using microcontroller platforms including Arduino and CircuitPython.
Robert can be reached through his website at: http://robertgallup.com
Producers
Brian Wiser — A 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: Steve Wozniak’s Apple-1 & Apple II Computers. 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
