Commonwhore Reborn!

I guess it's really true - what goes around, comes around.

Can you believe it? the Commodore 64 is being re-introduced - well, sort of. Really, about all the new one has in common with the old is the name. The new one seems to be just an all in one conventional PC, running Ubuntu or Windows-7. You can read more about it and see a picture of it at (http://blogs.zdnet.com/computers/?p=1833).

The Commodore I had was an SX-64, also known as the Executive 64, was a 'portable', briefcase/suitcase-size 'luggable' version of the Commodore 64 home computer. It was the first full-color portable computer.

This dream machine featured a built-in five-inch monitor and a built-in single-sided floppy drive. It weighed 23 pounds and was carried by its handle, which did double duty as an adjustable stand. It was announced in January 1983 and released a year later, which is about when I purchased mine for around $950 USD.

The '64 was the first PC I owned. I had used main frames as a student at university, using time-share and teletypes. My next PCs were Radio Shack Model III and then a Model IV.

The best thing I remember about the Commodore was playing 'Sub Search', one of the most realistic games I ever saw for computers. You commanded a WWII submarine and could cruise virtually the whole Western Pacific and fight the Japanese navy - all on a single-sided 5-1/4" diskette to boot.

Super Huey and Super Huey II were also a couple of intense games that gave a pretty good feeling for how complex it must be to actually fly a helicopter.

Ah, the good old days, when elegant programming ruled. It was always amazing what you could pack into such a simple machine.