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Stone Tools

@stonetoolsblog.bsky.social

Exploring retro productivity software of the 8/16-bit era. No games; just work. https://stonetools.ghost.io Mastodon: https://mastodon.social/@stonetoolsblog

45 Posts103 Follower7 Folgt
Stone Tools@stonetoolsblog.bsky.social · 2w ago

I had a fun time chatting with the TWiR folks about some recent retro news items. Thanks for having me on the show, @thisweekinretro.bsky.social !

This Week in Retro@thisweekinretro.bsky.social · 2w ago

The Washington Post named Doom the top cultural event of its decade. With retro blogger @stonetoolsblog.bsky.social we ask: was the television game show just as important to culture as Doom? Is buying arcade cabs ever sensible? And what happened to the Web and the browser? youtu.be/vOceobwqx3s

Stone Tools@stonetoolsblog.bsky.social · last mo.

🪨 Visual Basic on the PC w/Windows 3.1 🛠️ Apple wasn't the only company to yank a popular #visualprogramming tool from fans. I learn VB with a "teach yourself" book, get pedantic about Helvetica, and briefly muse about slop. #retrocomputing #windows #visualbasic stonetools.ghost.io/visualbasic-...

Visual Basic on the PC w/Windows 3.1

Apple wasn't alone in creating a beloved visual programming environment only to yank it away at the height of its popularity.

stonetools.ghost.io

Stone Tools@stonetoolsblog.bsky.social · 3mo ago

🪨 PipeDream on the Acorn Archimedes 🛠️ The first ARM-based home computer, powering a bespoke OS, running software that says, "The barriers between productivity apps are a lie we tell ourselves." #retrocomputing #pipedream #arm #acorn #archimedes #riscos stonetools.ghost.io/pipedream-ar...

PipeDream on the Acorn Archimedes

A productivity suite that willfully rejects common notions on how such software should behave, on an operating system most haven't heard of, running on a processor 30 years ahead of its time.

stonetools.ghost.io

Christopher Drum@christopherdrum.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Aldus PageMaker dramatically altered my life, introducing me to the world of graphic design. It's been 30+ years since I last touched it, so I gave it the once-over by building my dream project. Who do I need to convince to give me reign over OMNI Magazine?! Bonus: comes with a free gift at the end

Stone Tools@stonetoolsblog.bsky.social · 4mo ago

🪨 Aldus PageMaker on the Apple Macintosh 🛠️ It wasn't the first #desktoppublishing app, but it was the first of importance. I use it to rebuild #OMNI Magazine and examine how the publishing revolution influenced the public sector. stonetools.ghost.io/pagemaker-mac #retroComputing #mac #pagemaker

Stone Tools@stonetoolsblog.bsky.social · 4mo ago

🪨 Aldus PageMaker on the Apple Macintosh 🛠️ It wasn't the first #desktoppublishing app, but it was the first of importance. I use it to rebuild #OMNI Magazine and examine how the publishing revolution influenced the public sector. stonetools.ghost.io/pagemaker-mac #retroComputing #mac #pagemaker

Aldus PageMaker on the Apple Macintosh

While resurrecting a 40-year old defunct magazine, I accidentally-on-purpose resurrect a 40-year old software rivalry.

stonetools.ghost.io

Stone Tools@stonetoolsblog.bsky.social · 5mo ago

🪨 Lotus 1-2-3 on the PC w/ #DOS 🛠️ Did you know #Lotus123 is still referenced in #Excel documentation, but not #VisiCalc? I spent time getting to know #VisiCalc's killer. When I struggled to make a chart, I called on the help of #AI. AI from 1986! #retrocomputing stonetools.ghost.io/lotus123-dos

Lotus 1-2-3 on the PC w/DOS

VisiCalc started it, but 1-2-3 finished it. "It" being the discussion of what a spreadsheet can be, and also VisiCalc itself.

stonetools.ghost.io

Stone Tools@stonetoolsblog.bsky.social · 6mo ago

🪨 dBASE on the Kaypro II 🛠️ Armed with only a blinking cursor, I build an inventory system for my failing software retail shop (just play along). I also explore #cpm add-on options for various systems, and whoops! Did I just become a #dBASE programmer? stonetools.ghost.io/dbase-cpm #retroComputing

dBASE on the Kaypro II

CP/M and dBASE were industry giants with everything to lose, and they did. For a time they were the power couple to beat.

stonetools.ghost.io

Stone Tools@stonetoolsblog.bsky.social · 6mo ago

🪨 Scala Multimedia on the Commodore Amiga 🛠️ As a print guy, I had to shed many misconceptions about #multimedia on the #Amiga. I also look at the glue that made such applications even possible. Bonus: use Scala for Twitch #streaming from an iPhone?! stonetools.ghost.io/scala-amiga/ #retroComputing

Scala Multimedia on the Commodore Amiga

It's no Toaster, but it doesn't need to be to hold its own. Possibly one of the most impressive cover disk giveaways in history?

stonetools.ghost.io

Christopher Drum@christopherdrum.bsky.social · 7mo ago

The tension between my interest to grow closer to this software and its constant moves to push me away was the highest I've felt yet.

Stone Tools@stonetoolsblog.bsky.social · 7mo ago

🪨 PaperClip on the Atari 8-bits 🛠️ Believe it or not, this story about Batteries Included's beloved word processor contains ZERO jokes about #Clippy. It does take potshots at #EA, however. stonetools.ghost.io/paperclip-at... #RetroComputing #wordprocessing #atari8bit

Stone Tools@stonetoolsblog.bsky.social · 7mo ago

🪨 PaperClip on the Atari 8-bits 🛠️ Believe it or not, this story about Batteries Included's beloved word processor contains ZERO jokes about #Clippy. It does take potshots at #EA, however. stonetools.ghost.io/paperclip-at... #RetroComputing #wordprocessing #atari8bit

PaperClip on the Atari 8-Bit

Imagine an oven bakes gorgeous cakes, but gives random, severe burns. "When do the burns outweigh the beauty?" is posed by this cute word processor

stonetools.ghost.io

Stone Tools@stonetoolsblog.bsky.social · 7mo ago

🪨 XPER on the Commodore 64🛠️ We draft a #c64 into the #ai wars. This "expert system" software promised it could predict weather, so I took it at its word. Was it more accurate than a coin flip? Also: Fifth Generation Computers and the first guy to concede his job to AI stonetools.ghost.io/xper-c64

XPER on the Commodore 64

Early AI on microcomputers focused heavily on "expert systems," tools to capture domain-specific knowledge and democratize it amongst the plebians. In a supreme act of hubris, I'm going to use that sa...

stonetools.ghost.io

Christopher Drum@christopherdrum.bsky.social · 7mo ago

Sad to hear that #stewartcheifet, host of #computerchronicles and #netcafe, has passed Tiny influences on a pivot point can exert large effects on the trajectory of a projectile, or a life. Stewart was one such influence on the trajectory of my own life. obits.goldsteinsfuneral.com/stewart-chei...

Stewart Cheifet Obituary December 28, 2025 - Goldsteins Funeral

View Stewart Cheifet's obituary, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

obits.goldsteinsfuneral.com

Stone Tools@stonetoolsblog.bsky.social · 8mo ago

🪨 HyperCard on the Macintosh 🛠️ The "software erector set" that launched careers and came close to delivering us the web 6 years early. Our last post of '25 takes a deep look at this important title. Happy holidays! stonetools.ghost.io/hypercard-mac/ #RetroComputing #hypercard #classicmac #atkinson

HyperCard on the Macintosh

How do we approach the challenge of helping non-programmers build software? Do we throw up our hands at today's complexity and say, "Just let an AI do it." Or, do we make tools so *compelling* a novic...

stonetools.ghost.io

Stone Tools@stonetoolsblog.bsky.social · 8mo ago

🪨 Bank Street Writer on the Apple 2 🛠️ The "Oregon Trail" of word processors. Ostensibly built for children, it also hooked adults, including at least one lawyer who refused to give it up. I find out why! stonetools.ghost.io/bankstreetwriter-apple2 #RetroComputing #apple2 #wordprocessing #bankstreet

Bank Street Writer on the Apple II

There was a time when society was hell-bent on getting "computers in the classroom." It was going to utterly transform learning! The drive fell short of that goal, but it did deliver us a sharp little...

stonetools.ghost.io

Christopher Drum@christopherdrum.bsky.social · 8mo ago

My childhood computing path never crossed with Bank Street Writer, though I've met many over the years who hold very fond memories of it. It wasn't just popular with kids, adults loved it too. I spent some time getting to know it, and explored the whole "classroom of tomorrow" a bit as well.

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Stone Tools@stonetoolsblog.bsky.social · 9mo ago

🪨 ThinkTank on the PC w/DOS 🛠️ Before we process words, we must first process ideas! So says "idea processor" ThinkTank's creator, Dave Winer. A veritable religion has formed around this genre. Did I see the light? stonetools.ghost.io/thinktank-dos/ #RetroComputing #thinktank #dos #outliner #pkm

ThinkTank on the PC w/DOS

Obsession takes many forms. Some of us sift through decades of ancient software for a blog, while others spend decades reinventing the same software repeatedly. Outliner software seems to attract the ...

stonetools.ghost.io

@camerontalley.bsky.social · 9mo ago

This article from the excellent Stone Tools blog illustrates something that I think is really missing in modern tech life. The author calls it "friction," which I think is a great descriptor. Friction isn't bad in and of itself. We need friction to make fire, for example.

Stone Tools@stonetoolsblog.bsky.social · 9mo ago

🪨 CAD-3D on the Atari ST 🛠️ Examining the grandfather to #3DSMax also gave me my first experience with the GEM environment. Plus, I learn the surprising ties to #DeluxePaint and ...is this right? #Starfox for the #SNES?! stonetools.ghost.io/cad3d-atarist #RetroComputing #cad3d #atarist #3dsoftware

Stone Tools@stonetoolsblog.bsky.social · 9mo ago

🪨 CAD-3D on the Atari ST 🛠️ Examining the grandfather to #3DSMax also gave me my first experience with the GEM environment. Plus, I learn the surprising ties to #DeluxePaint and ...is this right? #Starfox for the #SNES?! stonetools.ghost.io/cad3d-atarist #RetroComputing #cad3d #atarist #3dsoftware

CAD-3D on the Atari ST

Computing history is full of "what if" scenarios. What if Babbage built a working analytical engine? What if IBM adopted CP/M over DOS? What if Atari delivered their promised TT line on time and becam...

stonetools.ghost.io

Stone Tools@stonetoolsblog.bsky.social · 10mo ago

🪨🛠️ VisiCalc on the Apple 2 Happy #SpreadsheetDay! This time, I examine how much DNA from the first spreadsheet remains in today's software by calculating protein levels of ration formulation for swine, as you do. stonetools.ghost.io/visicalc-app... #RetroComputing #visicalc #spreadsheet #apple2

VisiCalc on the Apple II

In 1978, Dan Bricklin and Bob Frankston took out a loan to fund development of "Calcu-ledger," the very tool that could project if taking out a loan were fiscally prudent. In 2025, VisiCalc still has ...

stonetools.ghost.io

Christopher Drum@christopherdrum.bsky.social · 10mo ago

I spent some time getting to know Superbase on the C64. While using it, I was revisited by a ghost from the past who tried to make trouble for me. When all hope was lost, with the power of BASIC, I overcame my enemy. Intrigued to know more? Read on! #retrocomputing #stonetools #superbase #c64

Stone Tools@stonetoolsblog.bsky.social · 10mo ago

🪨🛠️ "Superbase on the Commodore 64" Dreaming of a "paperless office?" You'll need a database to make it happen. Superbase promises to help you ditch those antiquated filing cabinets. If only the manual would explain how. stonetools.ghost.io/superbase-c64 #RetroComputing #Superbase #Databases #C64

Stone Tools@stonetoolsblog.bsky.social · 10mo ago

🪨🛠️ "Superbase on the Commodore 64" Dreaming of a "paperless office?" You'll need a database to make it happen. Superbase promises to help you ditch those antiquated filing cabinets. If only the manual would explain how. stonetools.ghost.io/superbase-c64 #RetroComputing #Superbase #Databases #C64

Superbase on the Commodore 64

In the 70s and 80s, the "office of the future" remained tantalizingly close, ever slightly out of reach, but definitely almost here. I'll commandeer the family C64 and rebuild my business into a "pape...

stonetools.ghost.io