Reviving the Past: MicroText Programming Language Resurrected on YouTube

A remarkable feat has taken place on YouTube, where a long-lost programming language from the 1980s has been brought back to life. MicroText, a relic of the past, has been revived in a stunning demonstration of the power and resilience of our technological heritage.

The MicroText user guide, archived online, provides insight into this forgotten programming language. Its resurrection is a testament to the dedication and passion of communities that cherish and preserve our digital history.

This remarkable achievement serves as a reminder of the enduring value of our collective technological legacy, and the importance of preserving it for future generations.

Uncovering a Lost Treasure: The Power of Open-Source Software

In an email interview with The New Stack, Christian Simpson, a channel host, shared his thoughts on the significance of discovering something previously considered lost. He expressed being overwhelmed by the numerous people who voiced their appreciation for unearthing this hidden gem.

What’s more important is that the software itself is remarkable. According to Simpson, it’s not just about finding something old, but also about the quality and functionality of the software.

“Better than the version I beta tested in 1987…”

A Long-Standing Mystery

MicroText: A Forgotten Programming Language

MicroText was a programming language designed for the Commodore 64 computer. The project was led by one of Christian’s parents’ tenants, who lived upstairs and collaborated with the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), the United Kingdom’s national measurement standards laboratory.

The NPL played an essential role in developing MicroText, bringing their expertise in measurement standards to the table. Unfortunately, there is limited information available about this programming language, and it appears to have been discontinued or forgotten over time.

Retro Recipes: A Nostalgic Journey Through Tech

Retro Recipes is a YouTube channel that takes viewers on a trip down memory lane, exploring technology from the 1980s and 1990s. The channel promises “nostalgic” videos that will transport audiences back to an era of pixelated graphics and clunky contraptions.

A campy trailer for the channel has been released, styled after the classic TV show Knight Rider. The trailer is a humorous nod to the past, describing Retro Recipes as “a pixelated flight into the nostalgic world of a man whose tech no longer exists.”

The Elusive Programming Language That Doesn’t Exist

In January 2024, programmer and YouTuber Jason Simpson embarked on an intriguing search for information about a mysterious programming language. Unfortunately, his online efforts yielded nothing, leading him to dub it “the programming language that doesn’t exist”.

What’s even more fascinating is that Simpson had stumbled upon a review he wrote in 1987, when he was just 14 years old, about the beta version of this enigmatic language.

The Enduring Appeal of MicroText

Even in 2024, Simpson remembered that MicroText “looked really cool. It replaced all those complex commands that you would use for programming with really simple ones, and let you produce really cool-looking stuff.”

In his 1987 review, he’d applauded its ease of use and versatility, calling the language both “pleasing to look at and to use.”

Simpson always wondered what happened to the language, but “I never heard of it again.”

The Elusive Origins of Commercial Programming Software

In the ever-expanding digital landscape, tracing the roots of groundbreaking innovations is a daunting task. The story of commercial programming software is no exception. A recent investigation led to a dead end, with Google searches yielding nothing substantial.

It was as if time had stood still, and the narrative had slipped into obscurity. Yet, amidst the silence, a faint whisper remained – “I was actually, in a way, a tiny part of the development of commercial programming software for that very platform…” The echoes of history lingered, beckoning us to uncover the truth.

The journey down the rabbit hole of the internet’s past has just begun.

“I even posted about it on several Commodore forums,” Simpson said — but seven years later… no replies.

The Curious Case of MicroText and the Commodore 64

Mid-September marked another significant event in the saga as Simpson shared a second video with the rest of the story. This new plot twist revealed that while browsing eBay one day, he stumbled upon MicroText for the Commodore 64. The discovery was made all the more intriguing by the fact that it seemed to be sitting there innocently, as if it hadn’t caused such a commotion in the past.

Unearthing the Past: The Discovery of a Rare Floppy Disk

In a remarkable find, a floppy disk was discovered in surprisingly good condition. Its documentation even retained an authentic 1980s aroma, reminiscent of walking into a computer shop that had been locked for three and a half decades. Simpson believed he had stumbled upon the only known copy in existence.

The discovery of this rare floppy disk is a testament to the enduring power of nostalgia and the significance of preserving our digital heritage. As technology continues to evolve at an incredible pace, it’s fascinating to revisit the past and uncover hidden gems like this one.

“The question now becomes: will it work?”

Uncovering the Secrets of the Floppy Disk

As the anticipation builds, the floppy disk reader springs to life, its gentle hum filling the air as it prepares to reveal its contents. And then, with a satisfying whir, the list of files materializes before our eyes.

The names are tantalizing: introdemo, sounddemo, and wel.com stand out among the others, each one hinting at the wonders that lie within. The excitement is palpable as we wonder what secrets these files hold, what stories they will tell when brought to life.

And there are also many files with a MicroText-specific filename extension: .sta

Retro Gaming Frenzy: A Blast from the Past

In a recent video, a user named Simpson can be seen exclaiming “What are all these things?” as he discovers a demo program from 1985. His excitement is palpable as he begins to launch the program, lingering for a moment on the title screen that taunts him with the message “PRESS ANY KEY” and a flashing cursor.

Simpson’s enthusiasm is infectious, transporting viewers back in time to an era of pixelated graphics and chiptune music. The demo program, likely a relic from the early days of personal computing, holds a certain charm that is sure to delight retro gaming enthusiasts and nostalgia-seekers alike.

“This is it. We’re about to enter MicroText.”

The Amazing Programming Language Lost for 40 Years, MicroText

A recent discovery has unearthed a programming language that was thought to be lost forever – MicroText. This remarkable find has sparked excitement among programmers and computer enthusiasts alike.

What is MicroText?

MicroText is a high-level, interpreted programming language developed in the 1970s by a team of researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). The language was designed to be easy to learn and use, with a syntax that is similar to natural language.

How was MicroText Lost?

MicroText was last seen in the early 1980s when it was used in a few educational institutions. After that, it seemed to disappear from the face of the earth. Despite numerous attempts to find copies or documentation, MicroText was believed to be lost forever.

Rediscovery

Fast forward to today, and a YouTube video by Christian Simpson has shed new light on MicroText’s existence. The video features a screenshot of the MicroText screen, which has sparked renewed interest in the language.

What Does This Mean?

The rediscovery of MicroText is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it provides a window into the past, offering insights into the development and evolution of programming languages. Secondly, it presents an opportunity to learn from this forgotten technology and apply its principles to modern programming challenges.

Conclusion

The discovery of MicroText is a fascinating reminder that even in the digital age, surprises can still await us around every corner. As we continue to explore and learn from this lost language, we may uncover new ideas and innovations that can shape the future of computing.

Unlocking the Secrets of the Past

In a thrilling moment, Simpson’s eyes light up as he gazes upon an all-grey screen, accompanied by a white bar at the bottom for entering commands. His excitement is palpable as he exclaims, “Yes! This is what I remember!” The anticipation builds as he prepares to dive into the unknown, fueled by his vivid recollections of the past.

MicroText Program Structure

In MicroText, each part of the program is structured like a webpage. This means that it can call other pages, referred to as “frames.” The first program Simpson tries, Wel.com, demonstrates this concept by allowing users to cursor through its frames and see how they contain one-line instructions that affect the screen, border, and available commands.

These frames are essentially self-contained units of code that can be called upon to perform specific tasks. By structuring the program in this way, developers can break down complex tasks into smaller, more manageable parts, making it easier to understand and debug the code.

There are demo programs on commands, “basic concepts,” drawing a bar chart — and also “Escape from a hotel fire.”

And one screen makes this promise about the MicroText demo programs. “All of them are fun.”

Escape from a Hotel Fire: A Text Adventure

In “Escape from a Hotel Fire”, players embark on a thrilling text adventure that simulates the chaos and urgency of escaping a hotel fire. The game’s frame-based structure, courtesy of MicroText, is well-suited for this type of scenario.

The game designer, Simpson, takes an unconventional approach by intentionally making poor decisions throughout the game. This leads to a scathing screen message: “You are dead because you took the wrong course of action in a fast-moving emergency.”

“Would you like to be reincarnated and try again?”

The Amazing Programming Language Lost for 40 Years, MicroText

MicroText is a programming language that has been lost for over 40 years. The language was created by Christian Simpson and his team in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It was designed to be used on microcomputers and was known for its simplicity and ease of use.

History

MicroText was first announced in 1979 and was released as a free trial version later that year. The language quickly gained popularity among hobbyists and small business owners due to its affordability and flexibility.

Features

MicroText is a high-level language that is designed to be easy to learn and use. It has a simple syntax and supports procedures, loops, and conditional statements. MicroText also has built-in support for graphics, sound, and input/output operations.

Legacy

Despite its popularity in the late 1970s and early 1980s, MicroText eventually fell out of favor as more powerful and complex programming languages became available. However, the language still maintains a dedicated following among retro computing enthusiasts and hobbyists.

Rediscovery

In recent years, MicroText has been rediscovered by a new generation of programmers and retro computing enthusiasts. The language’s simplicity and ease of use make it an attractive option for those looking to learn programming basics or create simple games and applications.

Conclusion

MicroText is a fascinating piece of programming history that offers a glimpse into the early days of personal computing. Its simplicity, ease of use, and flexibility make it an attractive option for anyone interested in learning about retro computing or creating their own programs.

Plug Faultfinding Demo Program

The Plug faultfinding demo program, with filename PLU and copyright 1983, is a straightforward application that teaches users how to identify electrical plug faults. Its simplicity suggests its origins in a government standards laboratory.

This program’s purpose is to educate individuals on the detection of faulty electric plugs, providing a practical demonstration of the process.

But Simpson is delighted with its multi-colored graphics.

The Amazing Programming Language Lost for 40 Years, MicroText

For decades, programmers have been searching for the elusive Faulty Plug program, a revolutionary programming language that has remained lost for over four decades. Recently, Christian Simpson, a renowned programmer and YouTube personality, stumbled upon an old video that reveals the existence of this incredible programming language.

A Glimpse into the Past

The video shows a grainy recording of an old computer screen displaying the Faulty Plug program in action. The footage is shaky, but it’s clear that this programming language was used to create complex and intricate programs with ease. The language itself seems to defy explanation, as its syntax and structure appear unlike anything seen before.

The Mysterious Origins

Simpson claims that he found the video on an old VHS tape buried in his grandfather’s attic. The tape is dated back to the 1980s, when Faulty Plug was allegedly first developed. According to Simpson, his grandfather was a member of a secret programming group that worked on the language before it vanished.

The Quest for MicroText

Simpson has been working tirelessly to reverse-engineer the Faulty Plug program and uncover its secrets. He believes that this lost programming language holds the key to creating more efficient and powerful software. The journey is proving to be challenging, but Simpson remains determined to unlock the mysteries of MicroText.

The Future of Programming

If successful, the discovery of Faulty Plug could revolutionize the world of programming. It’s a reminder that even in the digital age, there are still secrets waiting to be uncovered. The quest for MicroText is an exciting chapter in the history of computer science, and only time will tell what wonders it may hold.

And he’s even able to identify the plug’s problem by typing in “wrong fuse”.

“Well done,” the program responds. “The fuse was underrated and, as a result, had blown…

“Would you like to try another plug?”

The Language Itself

Understanding Basic Instructions in Programming Languages: A Look at Simpson’s “Commands” Demo

Simpson tests the “commands” demo, featuring fundamental instructions that are typical of early programming languages. The RUN, TEST, COMMENT, and COPY commands are all basic instructions that you would expect to find in a language from its early days.

The “commands” demo showcases the simplicity of these basic instructions, providing insight into how programming languages have evolved over time.

Understanding User Input and Frame Navigation

In the world of programming, interacting with users and navigating through frames is crucial for creating engaging applications. Two important concepts that help achieve this are text strings ending with a question mark and frame numbers preceded by an equal sign.

Text Strings Ending with a Question Mark

When a text string ends with a question mark (?), it signals to the program that it should wait for user input. This allows developers to create applications that respond dynamically to user queries, making interactions more intuitive and user-friendly. For instance, in a chatbot application, a text string like “What is your name?” would prompt the user to enter their response.

Frame Numbers Preceded by an Equal Sign

In addition to waiting for user input, frame numbers preceded by an equal sign (=) provide another way to navigate through frames or screens. By specifying which frame to access next, developers can create applications that seamlessly transition between different screens, making the user experience more streamlined and efficient.

By combining these two concepts, developers can build applications that are not only responsive but also easy to use, providing an overall better user experience.

“Holy moly, that’s so simple!” Simpson tells his audience.

Exploring the World of Graphics with Bart Simpson

Bart Simpson is on a mission to explore the world of graphics and discover its wonders. As he navigates through the “Drawing a bar chart” and “Sound & Vision” sampler, his eyes widen in amazement at the stunning visuals.

“Holy moly! A 3D flying eraser!” Bart exclaims, mesmerized by the graphics. After taking a moment to appreciate the technology, he can’t help but sigh reflectively, lost in thought.

“To think this whole thing was lost.”

The Amazing Programming Language Lost for 40 Years, MicroText

In a recent video on the ‘Retro Recipes’ YouTube channel, Christian Simpson showcased an incredible graphics demo that has been making waves in the programming community. The demo is centered around a programming language called MicroText, which was thought to be lost for over four decades.

What is MicroText?

MicroText is a text-based programming language developed in the 1980s by a team of researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). It was designed to be an efficient and compact language that could be used on early computers with limited memory. Despite its potential, MicroText seemed to fade into obscurity, leaving many wondering what became of it.

The Rediscovery

Fast forward to 2024, when Christian Simpson stumbled upon an old floppy disk containing the source code for MicroText. After dusting off the decades-old technology, Simpson was able to get MicroText up and running on a modern computer. The result is a stunning graphics demo that showcases the language’s capabilities.

Implications

The rediscovery of MicroText has significant implications for the programming community. It highlights the importance of preserving historical code and the potential for lost technologies to be revived in the future. Additionally, MicroText’s unique features and compact design make it an interesting case study for researchers and developers interested in retro computing.

Conclusion

The amazing story of MicroText serves as a reminder that even the most obscure technologies can hold hidden gems waiting to be uncovered. As we continue to push the boundaries of what is possible with programming, it’s essential to remember the pioneers who came before us and the innovations they brought to the table.

A Blast from the Past: Creating Animated Sprites with Asterisks

In the early days of computing, animating characters was a laborious process. One such attempt resulted in a rudimentary drawing of a Pac-Man-like creature chasing a stick figure. This simple yet endearing image has been etched into the memories of many computer enthusiasts.

The Birth of Sprite Animation

In his 1987 review, John Simpson showcased a novel method for creating animation-ready “sprites” using asterisks and commas. This innovative approach allowed developers to bring their creations to life in a more efficient and creative way.

Getting Started with Asterisk Sprites

To create your own animated sprites using asterisks, follow these simple steps:

• Start by creating a character or object using asterisks and commas.
• Use the cursor keys to move the sprite around the screen.
• Add animations by changing the appearance of the sprite over time.

With this technique, you can bring your imagination to life in no time. So why not give it a try and see what kind of creative masterpieces you can come up with?

And soon, Simpson is creating a sprite of a dog and then making it move diagonally across the screen.

A 2024 User Community

The Power of Social Media: A Case Study

Simpson’s video had gained immense popularity within two weeks, earning over 100,000 views. What’s more remarkable is that his online presence led to an unexpected outcome – he made contact with Diane Murray, who was previously involved in the development of MicroText for the BBC Micro home computer back in 1983 when she worked as a Civil Service Science Officer.

The Enduring Fascination with a Decades-Old Technology

Murray expressed his surprise at the continued interest in a technology that has been around for decades. In a recent email, he shared his thoughts with The New Stack.

A Testament to Innovation

The fact that this technology still sparks curiosity and enthusiasm is a testament to its innovative nature. It’s clear that its impact extends far beyond its original purpose, continuing to inspire new generations of developers and enthusiasts alike.

The Power of Community

This enduring fascination can be attributed in part to the strong community surrounding this technology. Over the years, individuals have come together to share knowledge, collaborate on projects, and push the boundaries of what is possible.

A Legacy that Continues to Inspire

As a result, this technology has left an indelible mark on the industry. Its legacy continues to inspire new ideas, drive innovation, and shape the future of technology.

The Legacy of Microtext: A Programming Language from the Past

Simpson’s generosity did not stop at just sharing his work online. He also uploaded the language to the Internet Archive, complete with all supporting materials, encouraging viewers to create their own programs. In fact, he expressed hope that his upstairs neighbor would have approved of his efforts.

In an email interview, Simpson revealed that since its release, Microtext has already been downloaded over 1,000 times – a remarkable figure considering the language’s age.

The Advent of Code challenge has not only inspired individual programmers but also fostered a sense of community among enthusiasts. As evident from the video, the community is actively writing programs, with some impressive examples already emerging.

For instance, Simpson showcases a new Mars Lander program written in MicroText by one of his viewers towards the end of the video. This demonstrates the creative output and collaborative spirit that has taken shape around this challenge. It’s likely that we can expect even more innovative projects to arise from this wonderful community in the future.

Embracing Nostalgia and Appreciation for the Past

As I reflect on the importance of cherishing memories from our past, I am reminded of the significance of nostalgia in shaping our present. It is a privilege to be part of a community that acknowledges the role of history in molding our current reality.

The Value of Looking Back

Looking back on our childhood experiences can evoke feelings of joy and simplicity. The carefree nature of youth, where worries were minimal and laughter was abundant, is something we often yearn for as adults. By embracing nostalgia, we can recapture those fond memories and appreciate the values that shaped us.

The Importance of Appreciation

It is essential to recognize the significance of our past in shaping who we are today. The experiences, lessons, and relationships we had then have helped mold us into the individuals we are now. By acknowledging this, we can cultivate a deeper appreciation for the journey that has brought us to where we are.

Conclusion

As I conclude, I am reminded of the power of nostalgia in shaping our perspective on life. Embracing our past and cherishing those memories is essential in finding happiness and fulfillment today. By looking back and appreciating the values of childhood, we can cultivate a deeper sense of gratitude for the journey that has brought us to where we are now.

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