Dawn
Squadron
A Radio Shack TRS-80 Micro Computer System. Released in 1977, it’s a true tech antique. It’s amazing it still works. I had fun doing a bit of Basic programming. TRS = Tandy Radio Shack, and 80 = Z80, referring to the Zilog Z80 8-bit microprocessor the computer is built with.
Off Center & Not Even 
I remember the old Apple II-E, the first computer I got my hands on long ago. I think that one was the 6502 processor.
Those are beautiful photos of pink altocumulus at dawn reflecting in the river. Nice set of photos, Tim!
Thanks, Lavinia. The TRS-80 was one of the earliest consumer computers at a reasonable price.
I remember those days of our first (very expensive) home computers. Just like Lavinia, I was working on an Apple II computer. I worked on a lot Apple computers in those days, if you compare them with the recent models… what giant step!
The TRS-80 was reasonably priced at $400, but limited compared to the Apple II. We got our first Macintosh Plus 128k with a disk drive and no hard drive in 1986. It was around $3600. I’m sure you remember how we had to put in the boot diskette to start that Mac, eject it, put in the program diskette to load the program, eject that disk, and then put in a diskette to save our work. Those were the bad old days. However, it was way better than the punch cards I used in my first programming classes in the 70s. Thanks, Herman.
Oh yes, the punch cards… I remember those too but I never used them.
Feel lucky. When Laurie and I started dating, we spent hours in the computing center waiting for my programs to run and get back the printouts. If there were errors, I had to find the cards, have corrected cards punched, insert the cards in the right places, and send the stack of cards through the card reader again, and wait hours to see if the program ran correctly.
I also remember you spend more time on waiting while loading software or program the computer… Those were the days!
“Those were the days, my friend, I’m glad they came to an end!”
Boo-ful. That computer is something, I remember our first one was huge and I mind thinking what is he point of this exactly….
Exactly. You had to go to a whole lot of trouble to make it say “Hello World!” I have to explain the CRT monitor and how it works to one of our young staff who had never seen one. How times have changed. Thanks, Shey.
Indeed they have. I also mind the girls got a commodore 64 for games ..it had to have a sep tape player to load the game, run the game.. ..you name it.
The bad old days are not to be missed when it comes to old technology.
At least you weren’t relying on a dodgy internet signal
Wow!!! I was drooling over it way back then. Love Z80…
They were cool in their day. And cool now as a piecee of computer history. Thanks, YC.
Was that the computer commonly known as the Trash-80?
Probably. It was way limited compared to the IBM PC and the Apple computers, but a fraction of their prices. Thanks, Liz.
You’re welcome, Tim.
Another beautiful sunrise. I remember those early computers!
Thanks, Brad.
Those planes?
I think they were practicing for the balloon fiesta, which started today. It was too windy for the balloons to fly. Thanks, Geoff.
Great photos!
Thanks, Dawn.
This is a beautiful artistic and fascinating post!
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Thanks, LS.
What an entertaining interesting selection, Tim. The balloon and Dawn top two, methinks.
Thanks, Inchy.
You did an extra special one here, Sir. Loved it.
Thanks, Inchy.
I see you captureδ 3I/ATLAS!!!
Amazing TRS-80 still works! The further back you go the stronger they were. Try to get an ipod to work! 🤣
Painter inspired again!
Still works, but not very useful. Thanks, Marina.
My honey is having a fit about your TRS-80. Pretty F ing cool, Tim. He is a computer nerd by trade and one by heart too. Anyway cool air show and you two have the most stunning roses.
For me the Dawn photograph which looks untouched is like God kissing the sky. Just so stunning. Gorgeous photography as always.
Being close to 50 years old, that TRS-80 is almost a true antique by age alone, Thanks, Joni.
beautiful!
Thanks, Sylvia.
Wow! That was a flashback!
Way back. Thanks, Nancy.
Seeing Radio Shack here was indeed quite the flashback..and it is still alive and clicking!
Amazingly enough, it is. Thanks, Bruce.
Amazing. First photo is stunning.
Thanks, Cindy.
Are those planes part of the balloon event?
Wow! Are vintage computers worth anything?
Fun post and the best roses, Tim, thank you!
It’s worth a bit. I’m thinking about adding it to the computer museum in my office. I think the planes were practicing for the fiesta. Thanks, Resa
Yes, add it to your museum!!!
Wonderful shot with the balloon … those clouds are divine. Super blooms Tim
Thanks, Julie.
Ha! I used to work at Radio Shack just after those were the corrent model. Glad to see it’s still working.
Radio Shack was a great place to get electrical parts and components. Thanks, Brad.