Il mondo dell'informatica ha conosciuto una figura di spicco, un pioniere che ha cambiato il corso della storia del settore. Quest'uomo è Jack Tramiel, il genio dietro il marchio Commodore, la cui affascinante storia è raccontata in modo avvincente nel libro "L'irresistibile fascino di Commodore", gentilmente regalatomi da Lorenzo Vivarelli, l'autore di questo volume che getta luce su una delle più grandi aziende informatiche degli anni passati.
In fondo a questo articolo, è possibile scaricare gratuitamente il testo del libro "The irresistible charm of Commodore" in PDF format, in special edition for my blog www.valoroso.it.
Il libro di Lorenzo Vivarelli è disponibile solo in italiano, dato che in inglese esiste già un libro denominato "Commodore: a Company on the Edge", scritto da Brian Bagnall.
For those who prefer the paper format, it is available for a fee on several online stores, including LULU.
The irresistible charm of Commodore.
The Rise of the Most Beloved Computer Society and Its Fall.
Jack Tramiel: A Survival Hero
Jack Tramiel's story is an extraordinary example of resilience and determination. Born in Poland, in 1928, to a Jewish family, Tramiel was deported to Auschwitz during the Second World War, but miraculously survived. Despite this dramatic beginning of his life, Jack managed to emigrate to the United States and found the company that would have made history in the world of information technology.
The irresistible charm of Commodore - Evolution
Initially, Commodore was a company that dealt with producing writers and calculators. Only later did you enter the world of computers, becoming one of the main protagonists of the home computer era. The acquisition of Mos Technology, a company specialized in the production of chip, represented a fundamental strategic move for Commodore, allowing him to develop innovative computers, for the time.
The book guides us through the story of Commodore, examining the microprocessors produced by Mos Technology, including the famous MOS 6502. In addition to the microprocessors, MOS produced the chips that made the series of iconic computers that have left an indelible imprint in the history of computer science.
Commodore computers
Il libro "L’irresistibile fascino di Commodore" offre una panoramica completa dei computer a 8 bit prodotti da Commodore, che hanno catturato l'ammirazione degli utenti in tutto il mondo. Tra i modelli più noti, ci sono:
- PET 2001 (1977): This car was one of the first to open the way to the era of personal computers.
- Vic-20 (1981): Known to be the first computer at an affordable price, the VIC-20 contributed to democratize the computer science.
- Commodore 64 (1982): With over 17 million units sold, the Commodore 64 is one of the best-selling computers of all time, thanks to its power and vast library of games available.
- Series 264 (1984): this series was not as successful as hoped, with the Commodore Plus/4, Commodore 16 and Commodore 116 models.
- Commodore 128 (1985): He placed himself as successor of the C64, the C128 offered greater power and versatility thanks to the help of a second microprocessor (the Z80, in addition to the MOS 8502).
The legacy of Amiga
After the expulsion of Jack Tramiel from Commodore, the company continued to produce successful computers. In particular, he acquired the rights for the production of Amiga computers. The first model, the Amiga 1000, surprised the world in 1985 with its advanced graphic skills and high quality sound. Subsequently, in 1987 the Amiga 500 and 2000 models were introduced, intended for the home market (Amiga 500) and Business (Amiga 2000). In the following years, there have been other Amiga models, such as Amiga 1200 and Amiga 4000. These computers have left an indelible imprint in the history of games and graphics.
The irresistible charm of Commodore - The internal intertwining
In addition to the deal of computers produced by the company, the book also explores the internal aspects of Commodore, highlighting the key people who contributed to the success and fall of the company. Visionary management and creative designer engineers are presented as the real architects behind Commodore computers. There is not only talk of Jack Tramiel, the founder of Commodore, but also of financiers and investors, such as C. Powell Morgan and Irving Gould.
Key management figures when Jack Tramiel was dismissed by Commodore are indicated, such as, for example, Thomas Rattigan.
Engineers, designers, and programmers are also mentioned, such as Chuck Peddle, Bill Gates, Albert Charpentier, Robert Yannes, Robert Russell, Dave DiOrio, Bill Herd, Dave Haynie, Jay Glenn Miner, Carl Sassenrath, and Robert J. Mical.
The Fall of the Giant
Unfortunately, as can happen in the business world, Commodore has also crossed difficult times. In 1994, the company declared bankruptcy, marking the end of an era. After its closure, several companies have tried to detect and market Amiga's production rights, but the brand has never managed to recover its ancient splendor.
Here is the book in PDF
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For those who prefer the paper format, it is available for a fee on several online stores, including LULU.
Il libro di Lorenzo Vivarelli è disponibile solo in italiano, dato che in inglese esiste già un libro denominato "Commodore: a Company on the Edge", scritto da Brian Bagnall.