AcornThings
@acornthings.bsky.social
Richard Leggett’s nostalgic account focussed on all things Acorn Computer. Grew up on the Elk/BBC, worked at Acorn in the 1990s.
Reposted by AcornThings
I've finally finished pimping my David Braben-signed BBC Micro B+, and it can now run more variants of Bell & Braben Elite than any other contemporary machine ever.
The #BBCMicro B+ is officially the Commander-in-Chief of #8bit #Elite. 🫡
See thread for details.
(1/8)
#retrogaming #retrocomputing
The #BBCMicro B+ is officially the Commander-in-Chief of #8bit #Elite. 🫡
See thread for details.
(1/8)
#retrogaming #retrocomputing
November 5, 2025 at 7:42 PM
I've finally finished pimping my David Braben-signed BBC Micro B+, and it can now run more variants of Bell & Braben Elite than any other contemporary machine ever.
The #BBCMicro B+ is officially the Commander-in-Chief of #8bit #Elite. 🫡
See thread for details.
(1/8)
#retrogaming #retrocomputing
The #BBCMicro B+ is officially the Commander-in-Chief of #8bit #Elite. 🫡
See thread for details.
(1/8)
#retrogaming #retrocomputing
Reposted by AcornThings
Moving back to Linux RPCEmu on my Mac
www.iconbar.com/articles/Mov...
I'm a big fan of RPCEmu which provides an excellent RISC OS environment on my Mac when I'm travelling. In this post I'm going to explore why I have switched back to the Linux version and cover some of the issues I encountered.
www.iconbar.com/articles/Mov...
I'm a big fan of RPCEmu which provides an excellent RISC OS environment on my Mac when I'm travelling. In this post I'm going to explore why I have switched back to the Linux version and cover some of the issues I encountered.
Moving back to Linux RPCEmu on my Mac
Technology News and Views
www.iconbar.com
November 11, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Moving back to Linux RPCEmu on my Mac
www.iconbar.com/articles/Mov...
I'm a big fan of RPCEmu which provides an excellent RISC OS environment on my Mac when I'm travelling. In this post I'm going to explore why I have switched back to the Linux version and cover some of the issues I encountered.
www.iconbar.com/articles/Mov...
I'm a big fan of RPCEmu which provides an excellent RISC OS environment on my Mac when I'm travelling. In this post I'm going to explore why I have switched back to the Linux version and cover some of the issues I encountered.
Reposted by AcornThings
Atari Missile Command for the Acorn Electron
Is now available on Stardot, please follow the link, log in, read the post, download the file(s) and get playing.
www.stardot.org.uk/forums/viewt...
Is now available on Stardot, please follow the link, log in, read the post, download the file(s) and get playing.
www.stardot.org.uk/forums/viewt...
November 11, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Atari Missile Command for the Acorn Electron
Is now available on Stardot, please follow the link, log in, read the post, download the file(s) and get playing.
www.stardot.org.uk/forums/viewt...
Is now available on Stardot, please follow the link, log in, read the post, download the file(s) and get playing.
www.stardot.org.uk/forums/viewt...
Reposted by AcornThings
Just released BeebEm 4.21. This fixes a bug with the tape sound emulation introduced in 4.20, another bug in the installer, and makes some improvements to the VIA emulation.
Download here: www.mkw.me.uk/beebem/
Download here: www.mkw.me.uk/beebem/
BeebEm - BBC Micro and Master 128 Emulator
BeebEm is a BBC Micro and Master 128 emulator. It enables you to run BBC Micro software on your PC. BeebEm was first developed for UNIX systems in 1994 by Dave Gilbert and was then ported to Microsoft Windows.
www.mkw.me.uk
September 20, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Just released BeebEm 4.21. This fixes a bug with the tape sound emulation introduced in 4.20, another bug in the installer, and makes some improvements to the VIA emulation.
Download here: www.mkw.me.uk/beebem/
Download here: www.mkw.me.uk/beebem/
Reposted by AcornThings
I'm pleased to announce the #Elite Compendium for the #Acorn #Electron, containing three amazing hacked versions of Elite on one disc.
It includes a brand new version: musical Elite. On the Electron!
Lots of details here: elite.bbcelite.com/hacks/elite_...
#retrogaming #retrocomputing #bbcmicro
It includes a brand new version: musical Elite. On the Electron!
Lots of details here: elite.bbcelite.com/hacks/elite_...
#retrogaming #retrocomputing #bbcmicro
August 20, 2025 at 12:26 PM
I'm pleased to announce the #Elite Compendium for the #Acorn #Electron, containing three amazing hacked versions of Elite on one disc.
It includes a brand new version: musical Elite. On the Electron!
Lots of details here: elite.bbcelite.com/hacks/elite_...
#retrogaming #retrocomputing #bbcmicro
It includes a brand new version: musical Elite. On the Electron!
Lots of details here: elite.bbcelite.com/hacks/elite_...
#retrogaming #retrocomputing #bbcmicro
Reposted by AcornThings
It's done! I have just released the Compendium version of #Elite for the #Acorn #Electron.
This massively enhanced version of the original game contains pretty much every feature of #BBCMicro Elite, but on the Electron. Just add 16K of sideways RAM.
Links in thread.
#retrocomputing #retrogaming
This massively enhanced version of the original game contains pretty much every feature of #BBCMicro Elite, but on the Electron. Just add 16K of sideways RAM.
Links in thread.
#retrocomputing #retrogaming
July 10, 2025 at 3:58 PM
It's done! I have just released the Compendium version of #Elite for the #Acorn #Electron.
This massively enhanced version of the original game contains pretty much every feature of #BBCMicro Elite, but on the Electron. Just add 16K of sideways RAM.
Links in thread.
#retrocomputing #retrogaming
This massively enhanced version of the original game contains pretty much every feature of #BBCMicro Elite, but on the Electron. Just add 16K of sideways RAM.
Links in thread.
#retrocomputing #retrogaming
Reposted by AcornThings
Today's addition to #Acorn #Electron #Elite is the energy bomb animation from the Apple II, BBC Master and NES.
In the original Electron version, the energy bomb did little more than beep gently. Now it rages with lightning bolts! That's much better.
#retrogaming #retrocomputing #8bit #bbcmicro
In the original Electron version, the energy bomb did little more than beep gently. Now it rages with lightning bolts! That's much better.
#retrogaming #retrocomputing #8bit #bbcmicro
July 6, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Today's addition to #Acorn #Electron #Elite is the energy bomb animation from the Apple II, BBC Master and NES.
In the original Electron version, the energy bomb did little more than beep gently. Now it rages with lightning bolts! That's much better.
#retrogaming #retrocomputing #8bit #bbcmicro
In the original Electron version, the energy bomb did little more than beep gently. Now it rages with lightning bolts! That's much better.
#retrogaming #retrocomputing #8bit #bbcmicro
Reposted by AcornThings
Star Wars Theme and Imperial March by Floppotron ( 3.0 ). A newer version, now including scanners and hard drives.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KS0...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KS0...
Star Wars Theme on FLOPPOTRON 3.0
YouTube video by Paweł Zadrożniak
www.youtube.com
July 3, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Star Wars Theme and Imperial March by Floppotron ( 3.0 ). A newer version, now including scanners and hard drives.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KS0...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KS0...
Reposted by AcornThings
Fancy a job at Acorn Computers as a Software Engineer ( "C" Compiler )? "The ideal candidate will probably be under 35"! Wow, I'd forgotten that ageism was allowed back then! Advert from 'The Guardian' newspaper, January 1987.
June 23, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Fancy a job at Acorn Computers as a Software Engineer ( "C" Compiler )? "The ideal candidate will probably be under 35"! Wow, I'd forgotten that ageism was allowed back then! Advert from 'The Guardian' newspaper, January 1987.
Amazing that this made it to US TV too!
A rather rude, dismissive and pathetic review of the BBC's 'The Computer Programme'. Published in April 1983 by 'The Sheboygan Press', a Wisconsin based local rag. Not only does it compare the hosts to Monty Python characters, it then goes on to say Ian McNaught Davis reminds them of Benny Hill!
May 26, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Amazing that this made it to US TV too!
Reposted by AcornThings
Acorn Electron shoot 'em up WIP. Name reveal! Enemies now shoot back 😰, but our little spaceship has a shield as well 💪
April 27, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Acorn Electron shoot 'em up WIP. Name reveal! Enemies now shoot back 😰, but our little spaceship has a shield as well 💪
Reposted by AcornThings
If you are interested in trying out an Acorn System 1, but don't have deep enough pockets for an original, then you could try out a 'System 1 Trainer' by Chris Oddy. He also does replica boards for the Acorn Atom amongst other things!
April 29, 2025 at 1:08 PM
If you are interested in trying out an Acorn System 1, but don't have deep enough pockets for an original, then you could try out a 'System 1 Trainer' by Chris Oddy. He also does replica boards for the Acorn Atom amongst other things!
Reposted by AcornThings
Atari Missile Command for the Acorn Electron + 16k of sideways RAM.
Progress remains good, moving as much as possible out of the main memory map into the SWR memory space to get the fastest speed possible.
No sound at present, going to be a challenge to emulate a POKEY chip on here.
Progress remains good, moving as much as possible out of the main memory map into the SWR memory space to get the fastest speed possible.
No sound at present, going to be a challenge to emulate a POKEY chip on here.
April 5, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Atari Missile Command for the Acorn Electron + 16k of sideways RAM.
Progress remains good, moving as much as possible out of the main memory map into the SWR memory space to get the fastest speed possible.
No sound at present, going to be a challenge to emulate a POKEY chip on here.
Progress remains good, moving as much as possible out of the main memory map into the SWR memory space to get the fastest speed possible.
No sound at present, going to be a challenge to emulate a POKEY chip on here.
Reposted by AcornThings
The 'Freespin' demo still amazes me. This is how to think outside the box. A 1541 disk drive is all you need to run the demo. NO C64!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zprS...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zprS...
Freespin
YouTube video by Matthias Kramm
www.youtube.com
April 14, 2025 at 1:39 PM
The 'Freespin' demo still amazes me. This is how to think outside the box. A 1541 disk drive is all you need to run the demo. NO C64!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zprS...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zprS...
Reposted by AcornThings
Polished the 3D Cubes demo effect a little more. Now working identically on Acorn Electron and BBC Micro/Master 😎
March 20, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Polished the 3D Cubes demo effect a little more. Now working identically on Acorn Electron and BBC Micro/Master 😎
Reposted by AcornThings
In anticipation of June's Econet LAN Party at @tnmoc.bsky.social, I've updated #Elite over #Econet.
It now supports flicker-free graphics, up to 100 players in multiplayer, better server support and more. Game on!
Details: elite.bbcelite.com/hacks/elite_...
#bbcmicro #retrocomputing #retrogaming
It now supports flicker-free graphics, up to 100 players in multiplayer, better server support and more. Game on!
Details: elite.bbcelite.com/hacks/elite_...
#bbcmicro #retrocomputing #retrogaming
March 26, 2025 at 12:57 PM
In anticipation of June's Econet LAN Party at @tnmoc.bsky.social, I've updated #Elite over #Econet.
It now supports flicker-free graphics, up to 100 players in multiplayer, better server support and more. Game on!
Details: elite.bbcelite.com/hacks/elite_...
#bbcmicro #retrocomputing #retrogaming
It now supports flicker-free graphics, up to 100 players in multiplayer, better server support and more. Game on!
Details: elite.bbcelite.com/hacks/elite_...
#bbcmicro #retrocomputing #retrogaming
Reposted by AcornThings
David Braben created several graphics demos for Acorn Computers when they launched the Archimedes in 1987. This is one of them, usually refered to as the 'Union Jack' demo. The rendering tech was used in the 'Lander' demo and the game 'Zarch' ( Superior Software ) - aka Virus on other platforms.
March 30, 2025 at 11:14 AM
David Braben created several graphics demos for Acorn Computers when they launched the Archimedes in 1987. This is one of them, usually refered to as the 'Union Jack' demo. The rendering tech was used in the 'Lander' demo and the game 'Zarch' ( Superior Software ) - aka Virus on other platforms.
Reposted by AcornThings
The original advertisement artwork used for David Braben's Archimedes game, Zarch - aka Virus on other platforms. Sadly, I don't own this, but it's great to see after all this time. Now in the hands of a private collector.
March 31, 2025 at 10:24 AM
The original advertisement artwork used for David Braben's Archimedes game, Zarch - aka Virus on other platforms. Sadly, I don't own this, but it's great to see after all this time. Now in the hands of a private collector.
Reposted by AcornThings
Get it while it's hot! 🔥
v1.0 of Apache Canyon released for the Acorn Electron & BBC Micro. This release should be bug free I've spent a lot of time playtesting it on emulators and real hardware.
Its been a long and fun journey that I started last April, hopefully the next one won't take so long
github.com/rasto68/apac...
Its been a long and fun journey that I started last April, hopefully the next one won't take so long
github.com/rasto68/apac...
GitHub - rasto68/apache-canyon: Retro scrolling shoot-em up for the Acorn Electron and BBC microcomputers
Retro scrolling shoot-em up for the Acorn Electron and BBC microcomputers - rasto68/apache-canyon
github.com
February 23, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Get it while it's hot! 🔥
Reposted by AcornThings
Here’s a music disk for the BBC Micro full of 30 Ben Daglish conversions from various 8/16-bit platforms.
If you take a copy of the .dsd to run on your own hardware, it needs at least 3 banks of 16kb SWRAM.
The link below to plays in Virtual Beeb:
negativecharge.github.io/virtualbeeb/...
Enjoy!
If you take a copy of the .dsd to run on your own hardware, it needs at least 3 banks of 16kb SWRAM.
The link below to plays in Virtual Beeb:
negativecharge.github.io/virtualbeeb/...
Enjoy!
December 24, 2024 at 8:02 PM
Here’s a music disk for the BBC Micro full of 30 Ben Daglish conversions from various 8/16-bit platforms.
If you take a copy of the .dsd to run on your own hardware, it needs at least 3 banks of 16kb SWRAM.
The link below to plays in Virtual Beeb:
negativecharge.github.io/virtualbeeb/...
Enjoy!
If you take a copy of the .dsd to run on your own hardware, it needs at least 3 banks of 16kb SWRAM.
The link below to plays in Virtual Beeb:
negativecharge.github.io/virtualbeeb/...
Enjoy!
Nice! Also got given this for Christmas! 🤣
Reading material for today all sorted..... just need to dodge out of the family festivities (again) !
December 26, 2024 at 10:42 PM
Nice! Also got given this for Christmas! 🤣
Reposted by AcornThings
Using a preconfigured collection of settings for the CMOS and a specially tailored module, I now have BASIC readable and can run programs off virtual floppy, which is neat!
December 12, 2024 at 5:52 AM
Using a preconfigured collection of settings for the CMOS and a specially tailored module, I now have BASIC readable and can run programs off virtual floppy, which is neat!
Reposted by AcornThings
Today's mini obsession - getting RISC OS to boot on a Nintendo DS Lite. I got as far as the desktop showing in black and white, and was able to draw triangles, but it seems to be locked in MODE 0.
December 11, 2024 at 7:57 PM
Today's mini obsession - getting RISC OS to boot on a Nintendo DS Lite. I got as far as the desktop showing in black and white, and was able to draw triangles, but it seems to be locked in MODE 0.
Reposted by AcornThings
I gave a talk on #Elite at hack::soho last year, and the video’s now available. It's a whirlwind tour of 3 fascinating aspects of Elite: procedural generation, 3D maths & the split screen.
Gosh, I talk quickly when I’m having fun! 🤣
youtu.be/J10vYqqE6oI?...
#retrocomputing #retrogaming #bbcmicro
Gosh, I talk quickly when I’m having fun! 🤣
youtu.be/J10vYqqE6oI?...
#retrocomputing #retrogaming #bbcmicro
hack::soho | Explaining Elite | Mark Moxon
YouTube video by IOActive, Inc.
youtu.be
December 11, 2024 at 8:42 PM
I gave a talk on #Elite at hack::soho last year, and the video’s now available. It's a whirlwind tour of 3 fascinating aspects of Elite: procedural generation, 3D maths & the split screen.
Gosh, I talk quickly when I’m having fun! 🤣
youtu.be/J10vYqqE6oI?...
#retrocomputing #retrogaming #bbcmicro
Gosh, I talk quickly when I’m having fun! 🤣
youtu.be/J10vYqqE6oI?...
#retrocomputing #retrogaming #bbcmicro
Reposted by AcornThings
The world's first webcam was on an Acorn Archimedes 😃 en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trojan_...
Trojan Room coffee pot - Wikipedia
en.m.wikipedia.org
December 11, 2024 at 10:45 PM
The world's first webcam was on an Acorn Archimedes 😃 en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trojan_...