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Yeah... That was my first computer.

1k of RAM, up to 768 bytes of used for character display memory (less of you only use the top, left corner of the screen). About 130 bytes for system variables.

The CPU was responsible for generating the TV signal, so you got it only in the vertical blanks when no signal needed to be generated. Hence you had a "fast" move where you only see noise on the screen.

I loved that thing.

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"... Yeah... That was my first computer. ..."

Same here, though upgraded mine from an '80 [0] Occasionally I get the urge to fire it up and type in some code, but it gets hot and starts to smell.

Syntax checking as you type :)

[0] https://www.flickr.com/photos/bootload/tags/zx81

mine was a ZX Spectrum 48k - have had a gazillion devices since that, but it was never the same. One of the fondest memoeries whas drawing my sprites on grid paper and then getting them to animate while pressing the keyboard..

miss those days...

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