https://microbeetechnology.com.au/forum/ Fri, 17 Apr 2026 12:12:12 +0000 MyBB https://microbeetechnology.com.au/forum/thread-1005.html Fri, 20 Mar 2026 09:45:17 +1100 ChickenMan]]> https://microbeetechnology.com.au/forum/thread-1005.html This Eyewitness News report from 1985 captures the local excitement surrounding the home computer revolution. The Microbee computer, originally designed and distributed by Australians, was experiencing a surge in popularity – and thriving in overseas markets like Sweden and Denmark.

I've not seen this before from the National Film and Sound Archive. Watch it at -

Exporting Microbee computers | NFSA]]> This Eyewitness News report from 1985 captures the local excitement surrounding the home computer revolution. The Microbee computer, originally designed and distributed by Australians, was experiencing a surge in popularity – and thriving in overseas markets like Sweden and Denmark.

I've not seen this before from the National Film and Sound Archive. Watch it at -

Exporting Microbee computers | NFSA]]> https://microbeetechnology.com.au/forum/thread-1002.html Mon, 09 Mar 2026 08:44:20 +1100 ChickenMan]]> https://microbeetechnology.com.au/forum/thread-1002.html
Inside a Vintage Computer Collection | Microbee & System 80]]>
Inside a Vintage Computer Collection | Microbee & System 80]]> https://microbeetechnology.com.au/forum/thread-1000.html Sun, 08 Mar 2026 22:08:27 +1100 shane.crozier]]> https://microbeetechnology.com.au/forum/thread-1000.html
I've been trying to add an additional hdd to the uBee512 - I have made an assumption that the emulated controller can emulate 3 hdd's based on the help information

My normal start string is (Macos) - which works fine.

ubee512 --model=p128k --rom1=HD18.ROM --hdd1=hdd_128k_sys_2.2t.hd0 --video-type=gl --monitor=a 

however 

I copy the hdd file to another instance of it (Called hdd_test.hd0 )


ubee512 --model=p128k --rom1=HD18.ROM --hdd0=hdd_128k_sys_2.2t.hd0 --hdd2=hdd_test.hd0 --video-type=gl --monitor=a 

Just seems to stall on the "Microbee Hard Disk System" Rom loader.

I'd like to have a virtual disk of around 20Mb in 4x5Mb partitions to store and test the CP/M software library I've amassed.

I would have expected to be able to use --hdd0 but that seems to also fail - what am I missing?]]>
I've been trying to add an additional hdd to the uBee512 - I have made an assumption that the emulated controller can emulate 3 hdd's based on the help information

My normal start string is (Macos) - which works fine.

ubee512 --model=p128k --rom1=HD18.ROM --hdd1=hdd_128k_sys_2.2t.hd0 --video-type=gl --monitor=a 

however 

I copy the hdd file to another instance of it (Called hdd_test.hd0 )


ubee512 --model=p128k --rom1=HD18.ROM --hdd0=hdd_128k_sys_2.2t.hd0 --hdd2=hdd_test.hd0 --video-type=gl --monitor=a 

Just seems to stall on the "Microbee Hard Disk System" Rom loader.

I'd like to have a virtual disk of around 20Mb in 4x5Mb partitions to store and test the CP/M software library I've amassed.

I would have expected to be able to use --hdd0 but that seems to also fail - what am I missing?]]> https://microbeetechnology.com.au/forum/thread-990.html Sun, 08 Feb 2026 12:56:04 +1100 Matty72]]> https://microbeetechnology.com.au/forum/thread-990.html https://microbeetechnology.com.au/forum/thread-956.html Sat, 04 Oct 2025 08:54:51 +1000 ChickenMan]]> https://microbeetechnology.com.au/forum/thread-956.html
In the past 12 months we have been busy and there has been many additions to the repository as well as a few of files updated and replaced with better quality scans, complete docs that had missing pages or software to later versions or to working versions.

AppliedTech-Pre-bee had 0 additional files
Documentation had .......48 additional files plus 1 updated
Software had ................86 additional files plus 1 updated
Public had ....................11 additional files plus 0 updated
Vintage had ................41 additional files plus 3 updated

So that's a total of 175 additional files added to the repository and 5 files updated in the last 12 months. These numbers are substantially lower than last years (about a 1/4) as new material is getting much harder to find. This now makes a file total of the Repository to be just about 13,000 files all up, wow!

A big thanks to everyone that has contributed, bee it small or large, to help with both the forum and repository grow for the help to all our members and for the future. Lets see if this can be repeated in the next 12 months, though it is getting harder to find new material.

While the forum is mostly Microbee orientated, we do support all Australian Made and Produced Vintage computers plus 2 other imports that were well supported here in Australia, being the Exidy Sorcerer and Dick Smiths System 80. We are continually looking for new material to archive for the future, so if anyone can help with anything Microbee or any other Australian Vintage computer, bee it small or large, that would be greatly appreciated. We can image disks, scan docs, convert images to pdfs, dump tapes, read ROMS, etc for you if you cannot, just ask.

Happy 6th Birthday and thanks to everyone for their continued support.

Alan]]>
In the past 12 months we have been busy and there has been many additions to the repository as well as a few of files updated and replaced with better quality scans, complete docs that had missing pages or software to later versions or to working versions.

AppliedTech-Pre-bee had 0 additional files
Documentation had .......48 additional files plus 1 updated
Software had ................86 additional files plus 1 updated
Public had ....................11 additional files plus 0 updated
Vintage had ................41 additional files plus 3 updated

So that's a total of 175 additional files added to the repository and 5 files updated in the last 12 months. These numbers are substantially lower than last years (about a 1/4) as new material is getting much harder to find. This now makes a file total of the Repository to be just about 13,000 files all up, wow!

A big thanks to everyone that has contributed, bee it small or large, to help with both the forum and repository grow for the help to all our members and for the future. Lets see if this can be repeated in the next 12 months, though it is getting harder to find new material.

While the forum is mostly Microbee orientated, we do support all Australian Made and Produced Vintage computers plus 2 other imports that were well supported here in Australia, being the Exidy Sorcerer and Dick Smiths System 80. We are continually looking for new material to archive for the future, so if anyone can help with anything Microbee or any other Australian Vintage computer, bee it small or large, that would be greatly appreciated. We can image disks, scan docs, convert images to pdfs, dump tapes, read ROMS, etc for you if you cannot, just ask.

Happy 6th Birthday and thanks to everyone for their continued support.

Alan]]> https://microbeetechnology.com.au/forum/thread-940.html Sat, 06 Sep 2025 09:23:27 +1000 ChickenMan]]> https://microbeetechnology.com.au/forum/thread-940.html

  microbee_milestones.png (Size: 265.15 KB / Downloads: 57) ]]>

  microbee_milestones.png (Size: 265.15 KB / Downloads: 57) ]]> https://microbeetechnology.com.au/forum/thread-921.html Thu, 05 Jun 2025 08:59:27 +1000 ChickenMan]]> https://microbeetechnology.com.au/forum/thread-921.html
Canberra Vintage Computer Exhibition / Vintage Computer Federation Down Under 2025!
Supported by the Australian Computer Museum Society and in association with the Vintage Computer Federation.

Our 4th Event!

This year we'll be hosted by Daramalan College in McCowage Hall, in Dickson.

All the great stuff you have seen in previous years and hopefully more. Interactive exhibition pieces, Australian computer history, games, consoles, and presentations on topics ranging from early computing revolution to modern retro.
Also, Amiga turns 40 this year! Atari ST fans unite! 😉. We'll be celebrating this iconic machine's 40th year so come and see all of it's iterations!
Entry is free, but if you'd like to help us cover some of the costs a donation at the door, or via the ACMS website, would be greatly appreciated. All proceeds go to the ACMS who help us fund and run safe events.

We hope to see you there! Please spread the word!

Keep an eye on our page for updates as we get closer to the event. If you'd like to participate/exhibit or volunteer to assist, get in touch.


https://www.facebook.com/share/15zabzbEgJ/]]>
Canberra Vintage Computer Exhibition / Vintage Computer Federation Down Under 2025!
Supported by the Australian Computer Museum Society and in association with the Vintage Computer Federation.

Our 4th Event!

This year we'll be hosted by Daramalan College in McCowage Hall, in Dickson.

All the great stuff you have seen in previous years and hopefully more. Interactive exhibition pieces, Australian computer history, games, consoles, and presentations on topics ranging from early computing revolution to modern retro.
Also, Amiga turns 40 this year! Atari ST fans unite! 😉. We'll be celebrating this iconic machine's 40th year so come and see all of it's iterations!
Entry is free, but if you'd like to help us cover some of the costs a donation at the door, or via the ACMS website, would be greatly appreciated. All proceeds go to the ACMS who help us fund and run safe events.

We hope to see you there! Please spread the word!

Keep an eye on our page for updates as we get closer to the event. If you'd like to participate/exhibit or volunteer to assist, get in touch.


https://www.facebook.com/share/15zabzbEgJ/]]> https://microbeetechnology.com.au/forum/thread-909.html Thu, 01 May 2025 16:15:50 +1000 MbeeTech]]> https://microbeetechnology.com.au/forum/thread-909.html
For some time now that Microbee Technology YouTube channel has had a video entitled 
" Microbee - The Evolutionary Computers "
It was a video produced specifically for the Hannover Trade Fair in 1986.
Owen tells me that it was produced with the assistance of government funding and was quite 
expensive at the time.
The video on the channel came from a VHS tape that was missing the first 4-5 minutes sadly, 
so there was quite a bit of content unseen.

Thankfully, Owen found the master tape during a clean up he was having about a month ago, and
has very kindly sent it in, along with a digitized copy.

I've since cleaned up the digitized copy and made it available on the Youtube channel.

Here's the link :  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_KnOJ9JUcc

Enjoy!]]>
For some time now that Microbee Technology YouTube channel has had a video entitled 
" Microbee - The Evolutionary Computers "
It was a video produced specifically for the Hannover Trade Fair in 1986.
Owen tells me that it was produced with the assistance of government funding and was quite 
expensive at the time.
The video on the channel came from a VHS tape that was missing the first 4-5 minutes sadly, 
so there was quite a bit of content unseen.

Thankfully, Owen found the master tape during a clean up he was having about a month ago, and
has very kindly sent it in, along with a digitized copy.

I've since cleaned up the digitized copy and made it available on the Youtube channel.

Here's the link :  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_KnOJ9JUcc

Enjoy!]]> https://microbeetechnology.com.au/forum/thread-879.html Tue, 28 Jan 2025 22:17:22 +1100 ChickenMan]]> https://microbeetechnology.com.au/forum/thread-879.html
Can you tell me about the Microbee 128k computer made in Australia

and this is what they came up with -

The Microbee 128K was a popular home and educational computer developed in Australia during the 1980s. It was an evolution of the original Microbee computer, which was first released in 1982 by Applied Technology, a company based in Sydney, Australia. The Microbee series was designed to be affordable and accessible, making it a common sight in Australian schools and homes during that era.

Key Features of the Microbee 128K:

1. Processor: The Microbee 128K was powered by a Zilog Z80 CPU, running at 2 MHz or 3.29 MHz, depending on the model. The Z80 was a popular 8-bit processor used in many computers of the time.
   
2. Memory: As the name suggests, the Microbee 128K came with 128 KB of RAM, which was a significant upgrade from earlier models that typically had 16 KB or 32 KB of memory. This made it more capable of running advanced software and applications.
   
3. Storage: The computer typically used cassette tapes for storage, though later models and expansions allowed for floppy disk drives. This was common for home computers in the early to mid-1980s.
   
4. Display: The Microbee 128K featured a built-in monochrome monitor with a resolution of 256 x 192 pixels. The display was green on black, which was typical for computers of that era.
   
5. Operating System: It ran on Microbee's proprietary operating system, which was based on CP/M (Control Program for Microcomputers), a popular OS for 8-bit computers at the time. This made it compatible with a wide range of software.
   
6. Keyboard: The keyboard was built into the unit, and it was known for being relatively sturdy and comfortable to use compared to some other home computers of the era.
   
7. Expandability: The Microbee 128K was designed to be expandable, with ports for additional peripherals and upgrades. This made it a versatile machine for both home and educational use.
   
   

Popularity and Use:
The Microbee was particularly popular in Australia due to its affordability and suitability for educational purposes. It was widely used in schools for teaching programming and computer literacy. The computer supported a variety of programming languages, including BASIC, Pascal, and assembly language, making it a versatile tool for learning.

Legacy:
The Microbee series, including the 128K model, holds a special place in the history of Australian computing. It was one of the first locally produced computers to gain widespread adoption and played a significant role in introducing many Australians to computing. Today, the Microbee is remembered fondly by retro computing enthusiasts, and there are still communities dedicated to preserving and using these machines.
If you're interested in retro computing or the history of technology, the Microbee 128K is a fascinating example of how computing evolved in different parts of the world during the 1980s.]]>
Can you tell me about the Microbee 128k computer made in Australia

and this is what they came up with -

The Microbee 128K was a popular home and educational computer developed in Australia during the 1980s. It was an evolution of the original Microbee computer, which was first released in 1982 by Applied Technology, a company based in Sydney, Australia. The Microbee series was designed to be affordable and accessible, making it a common sight in Australian schools and homes during that era.

Key Features of the Microbee 128K:

1. Processor: The Microbee 128K was powered by a Zilog Z80 CPU, running at 2 MHz or 3.29 MHz, depending on the model. The Z80 was a popular 8-bit processor used in many computers of the time.
   
2. Memory: As the name suggests, the Microbee 128K came with 128 KB of RAM, which was a significant upgrade from earlier models that typically had 16 KB or 32 KB of memory. This made it more capable of running advanced software and applications.
   
3. Storage: The computer typically used cassette tapes for storage, though later models and expansions allowed for floppy disk drives. This was common for home computers in the early to mid-1980s.
   
4. Display: The Microbee 128K featured a built-in monochrome monitor with a resolution of 256 x 192 pixels. The display was green on black, which was typical for computers of that era.
   
5. Operating System: It ran on Microbee's proprietary operating system, which was based on CP/M (Control Program for Microcomputers), a popular OS for 8-bit computers at the time. This made it compatible with a wide range of software.
   
6. Keyboard: The keyboard was built into the unit, and it was known for being relatively sturdy and comfortable to use compared to some other home computers of the era.
   
7. Expandability: The Microbee 128K was designed to be expandable, with ports for additional peripherals and upgrades. This made it a versatile machine for both home and educational use.
   
   

Popularity and Use:
The Microbee was particularly popular in Australia due to its affordability and suitability for educational purposes. It was widely used in schools for teaching programming and computer literacy. The computer supported a variety of programming languages, including BASIC, Pascal, and assembly language, making it a versatile tool for learning.

Legacy:
The Microbee series, including the 128K model, holds a special place in the history of Australian computing. It was one of the first locally produced computers to gain widespread adoption and played a significant role in introducing many Australians to computing. Today, the Microbee is remembered fondly by retro computing enthusiasts, and there are still communities dedicated to preserving and using these machines.
If you're interested in retro computing or the history of technology, the Microbee 128K is a fascinating example of how computing evolved in different parts of the world during the 1980s.]]> https://microbeetechnology.com.au/forum/thread-877.html Sat, 25 Jan 2025 08:26:02 +1100 ChickenMan]]> https://microbeetechnology.com.au/forum/thread-877.html Karl von Moller needs your help. In the last couple of months, he have been hit with some pretty high costs when it comes to stock/archival footage offered by the NFSA, ACMI, and other private organisations that sell this kind of footage. His trouble is that to tell the story of Australian computer history, it is necessary to show it to the audience. 

We need your help to tell these stories for the purpose of buying the rights to use stock and or archival footage held by individuals, companies and organisations who deal in licenseable footage approximately $500 per episode. 

Currently, at the time of writing, 2 episodes have already been released plus a trailer. There is a total of 17 episodes planned with one episode to be released per month which will detail everything from CSIR MARK1 to Quantum Computing, Microbee included.

We hope this work will be incredibly useful to educate a new generation and be a fantastic resource for researchers and educators everywhere.

As a result, we started a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for stock footage. I would really appreciate if you could help spread the word and promote the cause for the purpose of recording & preserving our computer history.

The link is here: https://gofund.me/59ee8c95]]> Karl von Moller needs your help. In the last couple of months, he have been hit with some pretty high costs when it comes to stock/archival footage offered by the NFSA, ACMI, and other private organisations that sell this kind of footage. His trouble is that to tell the story of Australian computer history, it is necessary to show it to the audience. 

We need your help to tell these stories for the purpose of buying the rights to use stock and or archival footage held by individuals, companies and organisations who deal in licenseable footage approximately $500 per episode. 

Currently, at the time of writing, 2 episodes have already been released plus a trailer. There is a total of 17 episodes planned with one episode to be released per month which will detail everything from CSIR MARK1 to Quantum Computing, Microbee included.

We hope this work will be incredibly useful to educate a new generation and be a fantastic resource for researchers and educators everywhere.

As a result, we started a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for stock footage. I would really appreciate if you could help spread the word and promote the cause for the purpose of recording & preserving our computer history.

The link is here: https://gofund.me/59ee8c95]]> https://microbeetechnology.com.au/forum/thread-871.html Wed, 25 Dec 2024 12:06:00 +1100 someone]]> https://microbeetechnology.com.au/forum/thread-871.html Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and Seasons Greetings]]> Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and Seasons Greetings]]> https://microbeetechnology.com.au/forum/thread-866.html Sat, 30 Nov 2024 00:50:30 +1100 ChickenMan]]> https://microbeetechnology.com.au/forum/thread-866.html
But catch this one on Youtube

]]>
But catch this one on Youtube

]]> https://microbeetechnology.com.au/forum/thread-854.html Sun, 27 Oct 2024 17:34:44 +1100 PeterJo]]> https://microbeetechnology.com.au/forum/thread-854.html I am about to embark on getting old Microbee programs to work on a windows computer.
I do not have a clue !!!

I need to download ubee512 and install it?
Then do I need to buy an EPROM gadget from EBay?
Then get the software from the repository and somehow get it on to the EPROM?

Any help would be appreciated.

Cheers
Peter

  eprom Ebay.jpg (Size: 68.65 KB / Downloads: 179) ]]> I am about to embark on getting old Microbee programs to work on a windows computer.
I do not have a clue !!!

I need to download ubee512 and install it?
Then do I need to buy an EPROM gadget from EBay?
Then get the software from the repository and somehow get it on to the EPROM?

Any help would be appreciated.

Cheers
Peter

  eprom Ebay.jpg (Size: 68.65 KB / Downloads: 179) ]]> https://microbeetechnology.com.au/forum/thread-853.html Sun, 27 Oct 2024 17:17:14 +1100 PeterJo]]> https://microbeetechnology.com.au/forum/thread-853.html
In 1983 Don Howard and myself, Peter Jowitt, were teachers in Crawford Primary School in
western Sydney. We applied to be the trial school for computer use in primary schools. We were
successful. A mass of boxes arrived containing 10 Microbee computers with all the appropriate
peripherals. We had great fun putting them together. We used a spare room and every morning a
group of Year Four students would set up the room and every afternoon return the computers to the
strong room.
In 1983 programs were on cassette tapes and had to be loaded individually into each
computer. This was a long and tedious process which was complicated by many cassette players
misfunctioning. In fact the more basic the cassette player the more likely they were to successfully
load the programs. I suggested that a number of computers could be linked to one cassette player.
The experts laughed their heads off saying it was not possible. On the way home I went to Jaycar
electronics. The next day, armed with mini plugs and a length of wire, I began linking computers to
one cassette player. IT WORKED. I managed to link all ten computers to one cassette player. The
components cost ten dollars and the system became known as “The Ten Dollar Network”.
In the early days students were told in no uncertain terms, “Do not touch the screen”. So
different from today when every thing is touch screen. Students were also instructed not to leave the
screen on as the graphics burnt a “ghost picture” on the phosphorescent screen coating. The first
“screen saver” programs were essential to prevent damage to the screen. At one school I worked in
some teachers were not to vigilant and the students worked out how to open the first computer mice
and steal the ball bearings. Steel ball bearing marbles were popular for a while. I ended up with
boxes of neutered mice. My solution was easy I glued up the mice so they could not be opened.
To complement the computers we got a selection of the latest and BEST software. Most of
the software left a lot to be desired. For example there was a set of 12 cassettes each with a single
times table drill. Correct, one tape for the three times table, one tape for the four times table etc. I
suggested it would be more convenient to have one tape with all the tables on ie three times table to
twelve times table and have a start menu where the teacher or pupil could select. I was told this was
not possible. Another program, Hangman had two major faults. Success only resulted in the
program going on to the next word. Students deliberately failed because the little stick man graphic
got hung and fell into pieces. The word bank was fixed by the programmer and included words far
to difficult for the students. I suggested a program with positive reinforcement was needed and the
word bank needed changing to be appropriate for the students.
Don and I suggested we could write programs. The coordinator said we were crazy, we did
not know how to program and we would be wasting our time. To prove a point Beesware did
produce a table drill activities program with a start up menu where users selected their own level.
I studied writing programs in Basic. “Fisherman” became my first program. I turned
Hangman into a game where correct letters were rewarded with a positive graphic and if the word
was correctly worked out the final graphic was “a big catch”. I had help with a routine that was
embedded in the program. Teachers were able to alter the word bank by using a “secret” key
combination at the start of the program. Teachers made word lists appropriate for their students.
The people who said we would fail were amazed and had to eat their words.
Beesware was born. The race was on to produce programs as quickly as possible. We had a
number of philosophical points. Programs had to be ones teachers would use, programs had to
support work being done in the classroom, programs had to be easy to use. Initially many of the
programs were “drill and practice”. Computing was at an early stage and both teachers and students
had to learn to crawl before they could walk.
Writing programs for the 16K educational version was a challenge because of the limited
memory. Short cuts and creative space saving had to be invented. I was able to use students as “test
pilots”, firstly to see if the program functioned as I envisaged and secondly to see if they could
crash the program by doing things I hadn't thought of.
The popularity of Beesware programs presented another set of problems, namely copying,
packaging and posting the software. In the early days of tape loading ten minute data tapes were
more expensive, even when purchased in bulk by the hundred, than sixty minute tapes from
retailers. Special tape label blanks were difficult to obtain. After school Don and I would rush home
to fulfil the day's orders. The J and H households became hives of activity. Beesware generously
granted schools permission to make as many copies of purchased programs for their school's need
free of charge. Unfortunately a few schools did not do the honourable thing. For example one
school requested to evaluate a number of programs before they made a purchase. Beesware sent the
school over a dozen programs. A week later the programs were returned. None were deemed to be
suitable. Little did the school in question know that my nieces and nephews attended the school.
Imagine my amazement when they told me my programs were being extensively used in the school.
Most people writing software for the Microbee did not expect to make their fortunes as
computer moguls. We were excited that Australia had a quality computer. Almost all writers were
teachers and accepted the challenge of writing software written by Australians for Australian
students rather than accept programs written for overseas markets with overseas references and
curriculum content. It is a reason I think that the Microbee was embraced by Australian schools.
The Primary Microbee Users Group (PRIMUG)operating from Denistone East Primary
School, with Barry Manefield as the chairperson, was a major contributor to the popularity of the
Microbee in NSW. Every four or five weeks there were meetings with software demonstrations at
many different locations in and around Sydney. It meant that numerous weekends were taken up
showing our latest software. New Beesware programs were enthusiastically received. My program
“Engineer” won the golden Disk award. The golden disk followed after the golden cassette and was
awarded to the best program of the year. It was a magnificent award, an old 3 ½ inch disk sprayed
with gold paint and suitably engraved. LOL. “Engineer” was the “break out” program that entailed
logical thinking and planning rather than just drill and practice routines. Owen Hill attended several
meetings. On one occasion he asked if he could use Beesawre programs, especially “Engineer” to
demonstrate the Microbee in Sweden. Beesware programs were sold by an agent in Sweden but
royalties seemed to vanish in the post.
The demise of the Microbee saw the end of programs developed by Australian teachers for
Australian schools.
In NSW initially department advisers helped schools in practical ways. This was crucial
when teachers had no previous experience with computers. Later the advisers became bogged down
in developing curriculum statements and policies.
At first schools could purchase computers from any source. I was able, when Microbees
were off the department list, to have Windows based computers built by a local computer shop at
half the price of those from recognised suppliers.
The Department of Education was taken over by beaurocrats and centralised purchasing.
Eventually the choice was between Apple or Windows based hardware. Choices were further
reduced when schools were allocated a set number of computers. The computers were to be “rolled”
over every three years and returned to the department for sale on the second hand market. Before
being returned the computers had to be decommissioned, that is all data and programs removed and
hard drives cleaned. Decommissioning was very time consuming. There were many schools that
had not begun their computer journey. It is reported some schools accepted the computers and put
them in storage and three years later returned them unopened. The Department flooded the second
hand computer market and prices fell. The Department realised they were not going to get money
from second hand school computers that they had anticipated and the scheme was abandoned.
In the early 90s many schools gave away their Microbees. I still used them and collected any
unwanted Microbees. I was probably the last to have Microbees still working and being used in
schools. When I retired it was obvious there was no other teacher to keep the Microbees working. I
was moving to Western Australia. The Microbees had an ignominious end. They were
unceremoniously thrown in a large skip bin that was taken away before the end of school so that the
students could not climb in the bin to scavenge them.
With my move to Western Australia I lost all my programs and Beesware paraphernalia. The
only thing I have is my “Golden Disk”. I am trying to gather any memorabilia that I can]]>
In 1983 Don Howard and myself, Peter Jowitt, were teachers in Crawford Primary School in
western Sydney. We applied to be the trial school for computer use in primary schools. We were
successful. A mass of boxes arrived containing 10 Microbee computers with all the appropriate
peripherals. We had great fun putting them together. We used a spare room and every morning a
group of Year Four students would set up the room and every afternoon return the computers to the
strong room.
In 1983 programs were on cassette tapes and had to be loaded individually into each
computer. This was a long and tedious process which was complicated by many cassette players
misfunctioning. In fact the more basic the cassette player the more likely they were to successfully
load the programs. I suggested that a number of computers could be linked to one cassette player.
The experts laughed their heads off saying it was not possible. On the way home I went to Jaycar
electronics. The next day, armed with mini plugs and a length of wire, I began linking computers to
one cassette player. IT WORKED. I managed to link all ten computers to one cassette player. The
components cost ten dollars and the system became known as “The Ten Dollar Network”.
In the early days students were told in no uncertain terms, “Do not touch the screen”. So
different from today when every thing is touch screen. Students were also instructed not to leave the
screen on as the graphics burnt a “ghost picture” on the phosphorescent screen coating. The first
“screen saver” programs were essential to prevent damage to the screen. At one school I worked in
some teachers were not to vigilant and the students worked out how to open the first computer mice
and steal the ball bearings. Steel ball bearing marbles were popular for a while. I ended up with
boxes of neutered mice. My solution was easy I glued up the mice so they could not be opened.
To complement the computers we got a selection of the latest and BEST software. Most of
the software left a lot to be desired. For example there was a set of 12 cassettes each with a single
times table drill. Correct, one tape for the three times table, one tape for the four times table etc. I
suggested it would be more convenient to have one tape with all the tables on ie three times table to
twelve times table and have a start menu where the teacher or pupil could select. I was told this was
not possible. Another program, Hangman had two major faults. Success only resulted in the
program going on to the next word. Students deliberately failed because the little stick man graphic
got hung and fell into pieces. The word bank was fixed by the programmer and included words far
to difficult for the students. I suggested a program with positive reinforcement was needed and the
word bank needed changing to be appropriate for the students.
Don and I suggested we could write programs. The coordinator said we were crazy, we did
not know how to program and we would be wasting our time. To prove a point Beesware did
produce a table drill activities program with a start up menu where users selected their own level.
I studied writing programs in Basic. “Fisherman” became my first program. I turned
Hangman into a game where correct letters were rewarded with a positive graphic and if the word
was correctly worked out the final graphic was “a big catch”. I had help with a routine that was
embedded in the program. Teachers were able to alter the word bank by using a “secret” key
combination at the start of the program. Teachers made word lists appropriate for their students.
The people who said we would fail were amazed and had to eat their words.
Beesware was born. The race was on to produce programs as quickly as possible. We had a
number of philosophical points. Programs had to be ones teachers would use, programs had to
support work being done in the classroom, programs had to be easy to use. Initially many of the
programs were “drill and practice”. Computing was at an early stage and both teachers and students
had to learn to crawl before they could walk.
Writing programs for the 16K educational version was a challenge because of the limited
memory. Short cuts and creative space saving had to be invented. I was able to use students as “test
pilots”, firstly to see if the program functioned as I envisaged and secondly to see if they could
crash the program by doing things I hadn't thought of.
The popularity of Beesware programs presented another set of problems, namely copying,
packaging and posting the software. In the early days of tape loading ten minute data tapes were
more expensive, even when purchased in bulk by the hundred, than sixty minute tapes from
retailers. Special tape label blanks were difficult to obtain. After school Don and I would rush home
to fulfil the day's orders. The J and H households became hives of activity. Beesware generously
granted schools permission to make as many copies of purchased programs for their school's need
free of charge. Unfortunately a few schools did not do the honourable thing. For example one
school requested to evaluate a number of programs before they made a purchase. Beesware sent the
school over a dozen programs. A week later the programs were returned. None were deemed to be
suitable. Little did the school in question know that my nieces and nephews attended the school.
Imagine my amazement when they told me my programs were being extensively used in the school.
Most people writing software for the Microbee did not expect to make their fortunes as
computer moguls. We were excited that Australia had a quality computer. Almost all writers were
teachers and accepted the challenge of writing software written by Australians for Australian
students rather than accept programs written for overseas markets with overseas references and
curriculum content. It is a reason I think that the Microbee was embraced by Australian schools.
The Primary Microbee Users Group (PRIMUG)operating from Denistone East Primary
School, with Barry Manefield as the chairperson, was a major contributor to the popularity of the
Microbee in NSW. Every four or five weeks there were meetings with software demonstrations at
many different locations in and around Sydney. It meant that numerous weekends were taken up
showing our latest software. New Beesware programs were enthusiastically received. My program
“Engineer” won the golden Disk award. The golden disk followed after the golden cassette and was
awarded to the best program of the year. It was a magnificent award, an old 3 ½ inch disk sprayed
with gold paint and suitably engraved. LOL. “Engineer” was the “break out” program that entailed
logical thinking and planning rather than just drill and practice routines. Owen Hill attended several
meetings. On one occasion he asked if he could use Beesawre programs, especially “Engineer” to
demonstrate the Microbee in Sweden. Beesware programs were sold by an agent in Sweden but
royalties seemed to vanish in the post.
The demise of the Microbee saw the end of programs developed by Australian teachers for
Australian schools.
In NSW initially department advisers helped schools in practical ways. This was crucial
when teachers had no previous experience with computers. Later the advisers became bogged down
in developing curriculum statements and policies.
At first schools could purchase computers from any source. I was able, when Microbees
were off the department list, to have Windows based computers built by a local computer shop at
half the price of those from recognised suppliers.
The Department of Education was taken over by beaurocrats and centralised purchasing.
Eventually the choice was between Apple or Windows based hardware. Choices were further
reduced when schools were allocated a set number of computers. The computers were to be “rolled”
over every three years and returned to the department for sale on the second hand market. Before
being returned the computers had to be decommissioned, that is all data and programs removed and
hard drives cleaned. Decommissioning was very time consuming. There were many schools that
had not begun their computer journey. It is reported some schools accepted the computers and put
them in storage and three years later returned them unopened. The Department flooded the second
hand computer market and prices fell. The Department realised they were not going to get money
from second hand school computers that they had anticipated and the scheme was abandoned.
In the early 90s many schools gave away their Microbees. I still used them and collected any
unwanted Microbees. I was probably the last to have Microbees still working and being used in
schools. When I retired it was obvious there was no other teacher to keep the Microbees working. I
was moving to Western Australia. The Microbees had an ignominious end. They were
unceremoniously thrown in a large skip bin that was taken away before the end of school so that the
students could not climb in the bin to scavenge them.
With my move to Western Australia I lost all my programs and Beesware paraphernalia. The
only thing I have is my “Golden Disk”. I am trying to gather any memorabilia that I can]]> https://microbeetechnology.com.au/forum/thread-846.html Sat, 05 Oct 2024 23:45:41 +1000 ChickenMan]]> https://microbeetechnology.com.au/forum/thread-846.html
In the past 12 months we have been busy and there has been many additions to the repository as well as a number of files updated and replaced with better quality scans, complete docs that had missing pages or software to later versions or to working versions.

AppliedTech-Pre-bee had 0 additional files
Documentation had .......79 additional files plus 9 updated
Software had ................68 additional files plus 5 updated
Public had ....................45 additional files plus 9 updated
Vintage had ................592 additional files plus 65 updated

So that's a total of 784 additional files added to the repository and 65 files updated in the last 12 months. These numbers are a bit lower than last years but about the same as our 3nd year. However, new material is getting much harder to find. This now makes a file total of the Repository to be just over 12,300 files all up, wow!

A big thanks to everyone that has contributed, bee it small or large, to help with both the forum and repository grow for the help to all our members and for the future. Lets see if this can be repeated in the next 12 months, though it is getting harder to find new material.

While the forum is mostly Microbee orientated, we do support all Australian Made and Produced Vintage computers plus 2 other imports that were well supported here in Australia, being the Exidy Sorcerer and Dick Smiths System 80. We are continually looking for new material to archive for the future, so if anyone can help with anything Microbee or any other Australian Vintage computer, bee it small or large, that would be greatly appreciated. We can image disks, scan docs, convert images to pdfs, dump tapes, read ROMS, etc for you if you cannot, just ask.

Four new Folders were added to the Vintage Repositories in the past year :-

ETI 681
POSITRONICS
RASE
ROBOTRON

Happy 5th Birthday and thanks to everyone for their continued support.

Alan]]>
In the past 12 months we have been busy and there has been many additions to the repository as well as a number of files updated and replaced with better quality scans, complete docs that had missing pages or software to later versions or to working versions.

AppliedTech-Pre-bee had 0 additional files
Documentation had .......79 additional files plus 9 updated
Software had ................68 additional files plus 5 updated
Public had ....................45 additional files plus 9 updated
Vintage had ................592 additional files plus 65 updated

So that's a total of 784 additional files added to the repository and 65 files updated in the last 12 months. These numbers are a bit lower than last years but about the same as our 3nd year. However, new material is getting much harder to find. This now makes a file total of the Repository to be just over 12,300 files all up, wow!

A big thanks to everyone that has contributed, bee it small or large, to help with both the forum and repository grow for the help to all our members and for the future. Lets see if this can be repeated in the next 12 months, though it is getting harder to find new material.

While the forum is mostly Microbee orientated, we do support all Australian Made and Produced Vintage computers plus 2 other imports that were well supported here in Australia, being the Exidy Sorcerer and Dick Smiths System 80. We are continually looking for new material to archive for the future, so if anyone can help with anything Microbee or any other Australian Vintage computer, bee it small or large, that would be greatly appreciated. We can image disks, scan docs, convert images to pdfs, dump tapes, read ROMS, etc for you if you cannot, just ask.

Four new Folders were added to the Vintage Repositories in the past year :-

ETI 681
POSITRONICS
RASE
ROBOTRON

Happy 5th Birthday and thanks to everyone for their continued support.

Alan]]>