I found MicroText!

Well this is exciting! As you may know, in 1987 I was asked to beta test a new programming language called MicroText; a C64 offshoot of the 1983 BBC Micro version, but with many more features including hi-res graphics, sprites, and sound. It was made by the NPL in Teddington, UK, and published by Ariadne. Since then, and for nearly 40 years, I'd been unable to find anything about the C64 version specifically, let alone a D64. It simply seemed not to exist.

As you may recall, I proceeded to release a video at https://youtu.be/9AXHNlpyo-M about it (whilst sick with a cold hence the AI voice!), but despite approaching 100K views, not a single tangible lead came through, which was surprising. But, tons of interest from the community in wanting to finally find the elusive "MicroText"!...

Newsflash: Recently, I finally found a physical floppy copy of the full package! I have digitised the diskette to D64. I'll be releasing the video about it in one week, and I thought some of you might find it fun to play with MicroText before the wider public video announcement that it has been found. Here is the user guide I (badly) scanned in (it was falling apart), and the D64. From page 4 you can see getting started instructions and how to run some demos they provide.

> Download MicroText here <



Challenge: If it interests and excites you to do so, feel free to make a program using MicroText and send it to me at http://retrorecip.es/submit (you're welcome to share it in the comments below via Google Drive etc. for others to see too of course). Bonus points if you can include a screen recording video of the program running. Your program can be anything that inspires you; perhaps a demo, a small game, a song, or some sound effects. For those with kids perhaps they'd like to get involved! I'll be showing every submission in some way or other in the upcoming video, where I unbox the full package and then finally playtest MicroText. Full disclosure: I have also invited Lemon64 users to write a program too.

Deadline: I'll be wrapping up editing on Tuesday 3 September 2024 so to be featured I'd need to receive your files by then.

Thanks for reading and in advance for taking part. I'm excited to have found another piece of lost software, and as before will be adding it to the Internet Archive.

Update: I've also created a "GPT" that will help you with all aspects of MicroText, from running demos to programming your own stuff: https://chatgpt.com/g/g-cOfxoDRV9-microtext-mentor

As always you'll be first to see the video next week! Tomorrow I hope to share The ЯRetro Show with you as well 🎉

Your friend in retro, Perifractic