Remember the Microtan 65? It was my very first computer, and I have fond memories of tinkering with it. A couple of decades ago, I developed a Windows emulator for this classic machine. And now, I’ve decided it’s about time to bring that emulator to the Linux world.
For those unfamiliar, the Microtan 65 was a marvel of its time. It was a microcomputer kit based on the 6502 microprocessor. While it might seem rudimentary by today’s standards, back in the day it was a gateway to the vast world of computing for many enthusiasts like me.
In the early 2000s, Windows was dominating the PC landscape. I was compelled to reconnect with my very first computer, the Microtan 65, and wanted others to experience the thrill of developing on such a machine from the early 1980s, so that’s when I decided to build an emulator for it. The goal was simple: to recreate the experience of using the Microtan 65, but on a modern Windows machine.
Fast forward to 2023, and the tech landscape had evolved. Linux had become a powerhouse, especially for developers and tech enthusiasts. I felt I should bring my emulator to this platform. After all, Linux embodies the spirit of open-source and community-driven projects, much like the ethos of the early computing days.
I was developing this using SDL and GCC on an Ubuntu system, and planned to blog about progress as I went.
At the time, my original Microtan 65 website had been untouched for about 20 years ;)