1983's wonderful "Introduction to Machine Code for Beginners

[ChuckT]

1983's wonderful "Introduction to Machine Code for Beginners"

http://gomsx.net/hansotten/msxdocs/mach ... inners.pdf

Via:

http://boingboing.net/2013/05/16/1983s- ... ducti.html

Quote:

Usborne's 1983 classic Introduction to Machine Code for Beginners is an astounding book, written, designed and illustrated by Naomi Reed, Graham Round and Lynne Norman. It uses beautiful infographics and clear writing to provide an introduction to 6502 and Z80 assembler, and it's no wonder that used copies go for as much as $600. I was reminded of it this morning when @amanicdroid tweeted me with a link to a PDF of the book's interior. I'd love to see this book updated for modern computers and reprinted.

[BigDumbDinosaur]

I recall this book when it was in print, although I never read it.

[GARTHWILSON]

Does anyone else have problems downloading the .pdf? Multiple efforts on two different computers here yield nothing viewable. Maybe it's just that too many people are trying to download it, since the page linking to it was just posted.

[BigEd]

I got it down onto a tablet with no issue, shortly after Chuck posted.

[BigDumbDinosaur]

GARTHWILSON wrote:

Does anyone else have problems downloading the .pdf? Multiple efforts on two different computers here yield nothing viewable. Maybe it's just that too many people are trying to download it, since the page linking to it was just posted.

It took a while but it eventually downloaded. First time I had ever read it. The dual references to the Z80 and 6502 could be confusing for the target audience, although they do unintentionally highlight why the 6502 generally outperformed the Z80 at the same clock frequency. I liked the artwork.

[HansO]

Glad to see this book mentioned everywhere, it was even mentioned on the WDC Facebook pages.

So there was quite a surge in downloads, and the server is a private one hosted by a friend of mine.

I will copy this book to my 6502 sbc pages on retro.hansotten.nl too.

Hans

[carmel_andrews]

First link doesn't work...Can someone upload the pdf/ebook here or just the text

[HansO]

Its here now

http://msx.hansotten.com/uploads/msxdoc ... inners.pdf

[carmel_andrews]

Oh, that book....I remember that back at school in the mid 80's....haven't seen that in ages

Thing is it had a lot of competition from computer specific (i.e. atari/commodore/acorn, Amstrad/sinclair/msx) 6502/z80 books and was a bit thin on the ground content wise (compared to general and computer specific 6502/z80 books)

[Simon]

I am slowly collecting ALL those 80s Usborne books. That's one of the ones I am missing. I have 15 of them so far, 8 more on the way and 4 more to find. There are Basic ones as well as experiments and robotics ones and general computer things. Every time I think I have all of them I find another I didn't know about. Generally I am paying about a quid or two (then 6 quid shipping to NZ damn it) for most but some, like the Machine code one, are more expensive. The most expensive is the "How to make computer model controllers" one which seems very hard to find.

My plan is to review them all on my site and then enter the programs/games into my little Orwell machine once I finish it! That's basically it's main purpose.

Simon

[Sheep64]

I sought Usborne's Haunted House BASIC listing and I've just discovered that all of Usborne's 1980's computer books are free to download with very acceptable terms (no registration, personal use only, no re-posting). Unfortunately, they are currently hosted by Google. If the download function is flaky, try printing.

Usborne's computer books include the famous Machine Code for Beginners which takes a very Little Man Computer approach to programming complete with little cartoon androids and pigeon holes. I presume that drogon would approve, given drogon's work with LMC.

Unfortunately, half of the book has extraneous material. Which half depends upon your inclinations.

[drogon]

Sheep64 wrote:

I sought Usborne's Haunted House BASIC listing and I've just discovered that all of Usborne's 1980's computer books are free to download with very acceptable terms (no registration, personal use only, no re-posting). Unfortunately, they are currently hosted by Google. If the download function is flaky, try printing.

Usborne's computer books include the famous Machine Code for Beginners which takes a very Little Man Computer approach to programming complete with little cartoon androids and pigeon holes. I presume that drogon would approve, given drogon's work with LMC.

Unfortunately, half of the book has extraneous material. Which half depends upon your inclinations.

I keep meaning to write an LMC (and CESIL) for my Ruby system - but this time in BCPL... One day!

-Gordon