I just ran across this fantastic article that I think really captures the spirit and joy of early home computing, although I came along just a little too late to have experienced it:
I was introduced to this in a post by @scruss on https://retrocomputingforum.com, at https://retrocomputingforum.com/t/remarkable-10-line-basic-programs-chess-basic-interpreter-many-more/4922/3?u=elb in a super interesting thread started by @EdS on the 2025 BASIC 10-liners competition, https://gkanold.wixsite.com/homeputerium/copy-of-games-list-2024.
#retrocomputing is alive and remains fascinating!
![The first level of the game Lode Runner on a Samsung tv. The level is made up of different red platforms with white ladders connecting the platforms. A dark person-shaped sprite [player character] is seen on the bottom, three white [enemy] characters are on higher platforms. Spread out over the level are several white-and-read squares. Text at the bottom shows the current level info: "Score0000000 Men005 Level001](https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/114/449/585/681/371/499/original/e9953918cbb28e7a.jpg)
![TheC64 Mini computer, a mini replica of the Commodore 64 breadbox computer, next to a full size joystick similar to the Competition Pro. A cable runs from the right side of the computer to joystick, which is placed to the left of the computer. A USB stick is plugged into the right side as well. A cable runs from the back right of the computer to something out of view to the right of the picture [power supply]. Another, coiled, cable runs from the back right to something out of view to the top of the picture [HDMI cable to tv]
Colors: the C64 is beige with black an grey keys like the original, the joystick is black with a red grip. The USB stick is blue with a metal keychain part at one end. All is placed on a wooden background of different shades of brown.](https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/114/449/585/706/703/833/original/972c125d4ccdb093.jpg)
