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 today, and the tech landscape has evolved. Linux has 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’m developing this using SDL and GCC on an ubuntu system and I’ll blog progress as I go, so stay tuned!

My original Microtan 65 website is here… https://geoff.org.uk/microtan/ untouched for about 20 years 😉

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