How about some #RetroComputing #LongReads to relax with this Sunday? Discover the community that made cool art, animation, and games using a little-known protocol for Atari ST bulletin boards, called "Instant Graphics and Sound."

Break Into Chat

Instant Graphics and Sound Archives - Break Into Chat

(Boosts greatly appreciated!) #igs #atarist #atari

Looking for some retrocomputing long reads to relax with this weekend? Check out the first three parts of my history of "Instant Graphics and Sound" on Break Into Chat!

Break Into Chat

Instant Graphics and Sound Archives - Break Into Chat

The latest part begins by looking at user groups, the lifeblood of any local Atari community. #RetroComputing #VintageComputing #longreads #history #dev #gamedev #atari #AtariST #bbsing #bbs #textmode

💾 🎨 ⚓ If you build it, will they come? Larry Mears had created an innovative protocol for Atari ST BBSes — "Instant Graphics!" — but it took a pair of Navy guys from Jacksonville, Florida, to create the tools that would help it catch on.

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Instant Graphics and Sound, Part 3: The adventure begins - Break Into Chat

Temporarily abandoned by a frustrated creator, Instant Graphics gets new life when a Florida pair create a new drawing tool and add sound effects.

This is Part 3 of my deep dive into the history of the little-known "Instant Graphics and Sound" format. #atari #atarist #dev #gamedev #retrocomputing #vintagecomputing #computers #textmode #textart #history #bbs #bbsing #igs

Larry Mears' story is one I think many in #GameDev and #dev can relate to — frustrated with the state of affairs in his local BBS scene, he created software to enliven the experience by adding artwork and animation. When months went by and few people used his "Instant Graphics!" protocol, he got discouraged and stepped away.

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Instant Graphics and Sound, Part 2: Larry Mears - Break Into Chat

In 1988, Larry Mears created a revolutionary tool for making animations and graphics on BBSes. The problem was getting people to use it.

But that's not the end of the story #atari #atarist #retrocomputing #vintagecomputing #computers #textmode #textart #history #bbs #bbsing #igs

🖥️ 🖱️ 📈 In 1988, Larry Mears created a revolutionary tool for displaying animations and graphics on normally text-only Atari ST BBSes. The problem was getting people to use it.

Break Into Chat

Instant Graphics and Sound, Part 2: Larry Mears - Break Into Chat

In 1988, Larry Mears created a revolutionary tool for making animations and graphics on BBSes. The problem was getting people to use it.

Part 2 of my "Instant Graphics and Sound" history takes an in-depth look at Mears, his first attempts to expand the frontiers of BBSing, and his early discouragements. #atari #atarist #dev #gamedev #retrocomputing #vintagecomputing #computers #textmode #textart #history #bbs #bbsing #igs