Alhartman6: /* Color Computer 1 (1980-1983) */

The following information is copied from Wikipedia.

There is much more detailed information there. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TRS-80_Color_Computer#Color_Computer_1_.281980.E2.80.931983.29/ Wikipedia article]

More model specific info and pics can be found here:
[http://www.tandycoco.com/coco1.shtml Color Computer 1]

Images soon to follow

== Color Computer 1 (1980-1983) ==

[[File:Coco1.jpg|thumb|Color Computer 1]]

'''TRS-80 Color Computer from 1981'''

The original version of the Color Computer shipped in a large silver-gray case with a calculator-like "chiclet keyboard", and was available with the following memory sizes:

'''4K (26-3001), 16K (26-3002), or 32K (26-3003) '''

Versions with at least 16K of memory installed shipped with standard Microsoft Color Basic or (optionally) Extended Color Basic. It used a regular TV for display, and TV-out was the only available connection to a display device.
The early versions of the CoCo 1 had a black keyboard surround, the TRS-80 nameplate above the keyboard to the left side, and a RAM badge ("button") affixed on the top and right side of the case. Later versions removed the black keyboard surround and RAM button, and moved the TRS-80 nameplate to the mid-line of the case.

Initial versions of the CoCo were upgraded to 32K by means of piggybacking two banks of 16K memory chips and adding a few jumper wires. A later motherboard revision removed the 4K RAM option and were upgraded to 32K with "half-bad" 64K memory chips as a cost-cutting measure. These boards have jumpers marked HIGH/LOW to determine which half of the memory chip was good. This was transparent to the BASIC programmer since in either configuration 32K of memory was available.

As memory production yields improved and costs went down, many (perhaps most) 32K CoCo 1s were shipped with perfectly good 64K memory chips; many utilities and programs began to take advantage of the "hidden" 32K.
Eventually the 32K memory option was dropped entirely and only 16K or 64K versions were offered. All versions that shipped with standard Color BASIC could be upgraded to Extended BASIC by simply plugging a ROM into an empty socket provided on the motherboard.

Toward the end of the CoCo 1 production run, some models shipped in a white case with a modified keyboard, often referred to as the "melted" keyboard, which had bigger keycaps but a similar rubbery feel. At about the same time, another white-cased "CoCo", the TDP-100, was marketed through Tandy Data Products (TDP) and sold through a different distribution channel. Except for the nameplate and case, the TDP-100 was completely identical to the CoCo 1. The TDP-100 had ventilation slots that ran the entire length of the case, rather than only on the sides. This ventilation scheme was carried over to the CoCo 2.

A number of peripherals were available: tape cassette storage, serial printers, a 5.25 inch floppy disk drive, a pen and graphics tablet called the "X-Pad", speech and sound generators, and joysticks.

2013-10-01T21:47:54Z

Alhartman6:

{{NavCompanies}}
Incorporated in February 1983, and founded by [[Stewart Newfeld]], Zebra Systems started life manufacturing hardware for the Timex/Sinclair line of micro-computers. Being affiliated with Alpha Products, and [[Colorware]] (the idea was products from "A" to "Z", and since the T/S 1000 was a black and white computer, a Zebra seemed like a good mascot) Zebra Systems did contract manufacturing for Spectrum Projects.

Zebra Systems made Light Pens, the Spectrum Voice Pak, and other items for [[Spectrum Projects]]. Zebra also purchased lots of surplus electronic and computer hardware items that they adapted for various markets like Koala Pads, WICO Trackballs, and Atari Compatible Joysticks.

When the Timex market looked as if it were going to start tapering off, Stewart looked at other markets. Since Zebra was already serving the CoCo market, Stewart decided to develop products under the Zebra Systems banner.

The first such product was the CoCo Greeting Card Designer, written by two Zebra employees; Tom Gee, and Al Hartman. The program was well received based on a review in [[Rainbow Magazine]] in the April 1986 Issue, pg 202.

That was followed by the CoCo Graphics Designer, which added Banners, and Signs to the ability to produce custom greeting cards. Several disks of clipart, fonts and borders were released to expand the program. The clipart included software to create disks of the clipart that could be used with [[CoCo Max]], [[CoCo Max II]], [[CoCo Max III]], and [[Max 10]].

Programmer Jeff Street was hired and began a year-long project to write the newest iteration of the CoCo Graphics Designer series, the CoCo Graphics Designer Plus. At the time, programs like [[CoCo Max]] were very popular due to their Graphical User Interface that resembled the Apple Macintosh, the Atari-ST, and the Commodore Amiga computers.

The CoCo Graphics Designer was re-written from the ground up in fast 6809 machine code, and given a makeover. Where the previous versions were hybrid BASIC and Assembly programs and keyboard driven, the new CoCo Graphics Designer Plus had a GUI and used either a joystick, trackball, or Tandy Mouse to operate it's new intuitive menus.

The CoCo Graphics Designer Plus was reviewed in [[Rainbow Magazine]] in the May 1989 Issue, pg 110.

Other products in the series were the Label Designer, the Car Sign Designer, and First Class.

Zebra Systems attended several RainbowFests and sold its products there.

Zebra Systems was located in Woodhaven, New York in a storefront that used to be a Beer Distributor.

Zebra Systems was interviewed for Television by the New Tech Times, and the Wall Street Journal Report:

*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtDG5cWmH8s Zebra on TV Pt. 1]

*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awUonjY_jcs Zebra on TV Pt. 2]

Zebra Systems closed the Woodhaven location and continued selling existing products from a Brooklyn, NY location and a State College, PA location. Eventually, licensing it's products for sale by others.

Zebra Systems still exists as a Web and Computer consulting company, and still has a small supply of Sinclair ZX-81 kits, software, and manuals.

[http://www.zebrasystems.com Zebra Systems Website]

2013-10-01T20:52:58Z

Alhartman6: /* Other Folks */

{{NavPeople}}

Here we can create pages for all the known CoCo folks, by category (programmers, hardware designers, writers, etc.) and any that register for accounts here can just link their personal info page to the page here. If that happens.

==OS-9 Notables ==
*[[Chris Burke]] - Burke & Burke Software.
*[[Kevin Darling]]
*[[Alan DeKok]]

==Game Greats==
*[[Steve Bjork]] - Datasoft/SRB Software author of many Radio Shack games.
*[[Dave Dies]]
*[[Nickolas Marentes]]

==Other Folks==
*[[Al Dages]] - Atlanta Computer Society.
*[[Allen Huffman]] - Sub-Etha Software, CoCo Chronicles (CoCoFest reports).
*[[Bob Rosen]] - Owner of Spectrum Projects
*[[Carl Boll]] - SysOp of ChiCoCo BBS and OS-9 advocate
*[[Carl Kreider]] - OS-9 expert and creator of the AT-306
*[[Chet Simpson]]
*[[David Wordell]]
*[[Eddie Kuns]]
*[[Eric Crichlow]] - Author of ShellMate and Gold Runner
*[[Gene Heskett]] - NitrOS-9 contributor
*[[James Jones]] - Former Microware employee and Compiler Guru
*[[Joel Hegberg]] - Prolific CoCo and MM/1 software developer
*[[John Strong]] - Founder of StrongWare
*[[Lawrence C. "Lonnie" Falk]] - Founder and publisher of Rainbow Magazine
*[[Lee Veal]] - Proud owner of CoCo #00001
*[[Lester Hands M.D.]] - author of [[Lyra]], [[Musica]] 1 & 2, and [[Coco Midi]] 1, 2, 3, & Pro
*[[Mark Marlette]] - CoCo hardware guru and founder of Cloud-9
*[[Marty Goodman]] - Famed CoCo columnist and hardware guru
*[[Mike Haaland]]
*[[Mike Knudsen]] - Music man and author of [[Ultilmuse_III]]
*[[Paul Jerkatis]]
*[[Paul Ward]] - The man behind the MM/1
*[[R.C. Smith]] - Popular fest-goer and member of the Atlanta Computer Society
*[[Robert G. Kilgus]]
*[[Robert Gault]]
*[[Scott Griepentrog]] - StC Software, author of StG Net OS-9 Level 2 BBS package.
*[[Stewart Newfeld]] - [[Zebra Systems, Inc.]] - CoCo Graphics Designer Plus, Label Designer, Car Sign Designer, and more
*[[Terry Simons]] - Founder of Mid-Iowa Country & CoCo Club and a controversial figure in his day
*[[Tim Jenison]] - author of [[CoCo Max]] 1, involved with [[DS-69 Digisector]]
*[[Timothy Lindner]]
*[[Todd Earles]] - Microware employee and one of the "three mugateers."
*[[Wayne Green]] - Founder and publisher of 80-Micro, Hot Coco and other publications
*[[Kip Koon]] - Computer Doc - Have enjoyed all Cocos since early 1980s, OS-9, NitrOS-9, and 6x09 Projects.

==Currently Active==
*[[Dennis Bathory-Kitsz]] - provider of the ftp://maltedmedia.com/coco
*[[Luis Fernández]] - author of CoCoDskUtil For Windows, organizing MaltedMedia
*[[Aaron Wolfe]] - author of DriveWire

Category:People

2013-10-01T20:52:09Z

Alhartman6: /* Other Folks */

{{NavPeople}}

Here we can create pages for all the known CoCo folks, by category (programmers, hardware designers, writers, etc.) and any that register for accounts here can just link their personal info page to the page here. If that happens.

==OS-9 Notables ==
*[[Chris Burke]] - Burke & Burke Software.
*[[Kevin Darling]]
*[[Alan DeKok]]

==Game Greats==
*[[Steve Bjork]] - Datasoft/SRB Software author of many Radio Shack games.
*[[Dave Dies]]
*[[Nickolas Marentes]]

==Other Folks==
*[[Al Dages]] - Atlanta Computer Society.
*[[Allen Huffman]] - Sub-Etha Software, CoCo Chronicles (CoCoFest reports).
*[[Bob Rosen]] - Owner of Spectrum Projects
*[[Carl Boll]] - SysOp of ChiCoCo BBS and OS-9 advocate
*[[Carl Kreider]] - OS-9 expert and creator of the AT-306
*[[Chet Simpson]]
*[[David Wordell]]
*[[Eddie Kuns]]
*[[Eric Crichlow]] - Author of ShellMate and Gold Runner
*[[Gene Heskett]] - NitrOS-9 contributor
*[[James Jones]] - Former Microware employee and Compiler Guru
*[[Joel Hegberg]] - Prolific CoCo and MM/1 software developer
*[[John Strong]] - Founder of StrongWare
*[[Lawrence C. "Lonnie" Falk]] - Founder and publisher of Rainbow Magazine
*[[Lee Veal]] - Proud owner of CoCo #00001
*[[Lester Hands M.D.]] - author of [[Lyra]], [[Musica]] 1 & 2, and [[Coco Midi]] 1, 2, 3, & Pro
*[[Mark Marlette]] - CoCo hardware guru and founder of Cloud-9
*[[Marty Goodman]] - Famed CoCo columnist and hardware guru
*[[Mike Haaland]]
*[[Mike Knudsen]] - Music man and author of [[Ultilmuse_III]]
*[[Paul Jerkatis]]
*[[Paul Ward]] - The man behind the MM/1
*[[R.C. Smith]] - Popular fest-goer and member of the Atlanta Computer Society
*[[Robert G. Kilgus]]
*[[Robert Gault]]
*[[Scott Griepentrog]] - StC Software, author of StG Net OS-9 Level 2 BBS package.
*[[Stewart Newfeld]] - Zebra Systems, Inc. - CoCo Graphics Designer Plus, Label Designer, Car Sign Designer, and more
*[[Terry Simons]] - Founder of Mid-Iowa Country & CoCo Club and a controversial figure in his day
*[[Tim Jenison]] - author of [[CoCo Max]] 1, involved with [[DS-69 Digisector]]
*[[Timothy Lindner]]
*[[Todd Earles]] - Microware employee and one of the "three mugateers."
*[[Wayne Green]] - Founder and publisher of 80-Micro, Hot Coco and other publications
*[[Kip Koon]] - Computer Doc - Have enjoyed all Cocos since early 1980s, OS-9, NitrOS-9, and 6x09 Projects.

==Currently Active==
*[[Dennis Bathory-Kitsz]] - provider of the ftp://maltedmedia.com/coco
*[[Luis Fernández]] - author of CoCoDskUtil For Windows, organizing MaltedMedia
*[[Aaron Wolfe]] - author of DriveWire