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Welcome to Metal Video RPG Lock, the annual “megapodcast” from KansasFest 2026. Participants: Ken Gagne (Open Apple & Transporter Lock) Ron McAdams (Ron’s Computer Videos, Retro Repair Roundup & Olde World Tech Fridays: Sunday Edition) Megan Lemmert (6502 Workshop & Retro RPG Roundtable) Kate Szknotnicki (RetroMetal) Videos of all KansasFest sessions mentioned in this episode are available on YouTube. Here’s a video version of this podcast. The post Open Apple #90 (August 2026): KansasFest 2026 Megapodcast first appeared on Open Apple.

Welcome to the first INIT HELLO Megapodcast! INIT HELLO is an Apple II conference that debuted in July 2025 at the System Source Computer Museum in Hunt Valley, Maryland. A week later, on August 2, six podcaster attendees gathered to reflect on their experiences at inaugural retrocomputing event. Participants: Kate Szknotnicki (RetroMetal) Paul Hagstrom (Retro Computing Roundtable) Blake Patterson (The Byte Cellar) Megan Lemmert (6502 Workshop & Retro RPG Roundtable) Charles Mangin (Chicken Missile) Ken Gagne (Open Apple & Transporter Lock) Thanks to Paul for editing this episode’s audio! The original video edition is embedded below. The post Open Apple #89 (August 2025): INIT HELLO Megapodcast first appeared on Open Apple.

Welcome to Ron’s Apple Transporter Roundtable, the annual “megapodcast” from KansasFest 2025. Participants: Ken Gagne (Open Apple & Transporter Lock) Ron McAdams (Ron’s Computer Videos & Retro Repair Roundup) Megan Lemmert (6502 Workshop & Retro RPG Roundtable) Links mentioned in this episode: KansasFest Mike Westerfield’s KansasFest 1998 keynote speech INIT HELLO Skull Island by 8-Bit Shack From Apple to Zilog by Chuck Mauro Dan Bricklin Ryan Suenaga Scholarship Fund The post Open Apple #88 (July 2025): KansasFest 2025 Megapodcast first appeared on Open Apple.

Ken, Em & Quinn reunite to discuss KansasFest & INIT HELLO, ImageWriter printers, Steve Jobs movies, web-based Apple II emulation, and games we regret buying. Links mentioned in this episode: Intro (00:00 – 11:45) Retro Computing Roundtable podcast Open Apple #81: Remembering Tony Diaz Pictures of people scanning QR codes a2.click URL shortener II News (11:46 – 1:02:43) KansasFest 2025 goes virtual Laine Nooney at INIT HELLO The Apple II Age: How the Computer Became Personal Steve Jobs movies Noah Wyle as Steve Jobs Chronologically Gaming MobyGames Glider Apple2TS Apple II RPG Development Tools (KansasFest 2024 presentation by Megan Lemmert) Ivan Drucker’s emulator reviews for Juiced.GS Plangman on Steam, Itch.io & IndieSider Building an Apple II Newsroom (via Hackaday) Rock-a-Fire Explosion LP released for Record Store Day Apple Pickings (1:02:44 – 1:19:28) Lot of 30 vintage copied game floppy disks Retro Game Club Blondihacks The post Open Apple #87: The 2025 Episode first appeared on Open Apple.

In this lost episode of Open Apple, recorded 14 July 2018, Em Maginnis and Quinn Dunki are joined by John Morris, creator of the Applesauce floppy disk controller. The post Open Apple #86 (July 2018): John Keoni Morris of Applesauce FDC first appeared on Open Apple.

On Saturday, September 28, 2024, the Portland Retro Gaming Expo hosted this panel: The Apple II Origins of Today’s Games The Apple II is known for its impact on the workplace (VisiCalc) and education (Oregon Trail) — but it was also an iconic games machine that launched and inspired franchises that continue to these days. From the early stealth action of Castle Wolfenstein to the strategic depth of Ultima and the revolutionary platforming of Prince of Persia, our panel will delve into how these classic titles laid the groundwork for today’s blockbuster games. Ken Gagne, Kay Savetz, and Ian Baronofsky participated in the 45-minute panel, a video of which PRGE recently made available. The audio was separately recorded by Kay Savetz, who has made it available for us to share as an episode of the Open Apple podcast. The post Open Apple #85: The Apple II Origins of Today’s Games first appeared on Open Apple.

Welcome to Ron’s Metal Roundtable Apple Assembly Lock, the annual “megapodcast” from KansasFest 2024, hosted IRL and on StreamYard. Participants: Ken Gagne (Open Apple, Polygamer & Transporter Lock) Kate Szknotnicki (RetroMetal) Chris Torrence (Assembly Lines) Ron McAdams (Ron’s Computer Videos & Retro Repair Roundup) Paul Hagstrom (Retro Computing Roundtable & Drop /// Inches) The post Open Apple #84 (July 2024): KansasFest 2024 Megapodcast first appeared on Open Apple.

Welcome to the annual “megapodcast” from KansasFest 2023, hosted IRL and on Zoom. Participants: Paul Hagstrom (Retrocomputing Roundtable & Drop /// Inches) Ron McAdams (Ron’s Computer Videos) Kate Szknotnicki (LadyAiluros) (Retro Metal) Javier Rivera (Retro Repair Roundtable) Chris Torrence (Assembly Lines) Josh Malone (48KRAM) Ken Gagne (Juiced.GS, A2Central.com & Open Apple) The post Open Apple #83 (July 2023): KansasFest 2023 Megapodcast first appeared on Open Apple.

Welcome to Open Retro Chicken Drop Retro Adventure Table Lines Roundup, the annual “megapodcast” from KansasFest, hosted IRL and on Zoom. Participants: Ken Gagne (Open Apple, Polygamer & Transporter Lock) Charles Mangin (Chicken Missile) Chris Torrence (Assembly Lines) Javier Rivera (Adventures in Retro Computing & Retro Repair Roundtable) Ron McAdams (Ron’s Computer Videos & Retro Repair Roundtable) Jeremy Mehrle (Jeremy’s Retro Bar) Paul Hagstrom (Retro Computing Roundtable, Drop /// Inches) The post Open Apple #82 (July 2022): KansasFest 2022 Megapodcast first appeared on Open Apple.

For decades, Tony Diaz held the record of the only person to have attended every KansasFest. Whether at that convention, on the comp.sys.apple2 Usenet newsgroup, or on his livestreams, he would share his comprehensive knowledge of Apple II hardware and demo the rare prototypes in his vast collection. When KansasFest lost its home at Avila University, Tony, then the head of the KansasFest committee, helped find the event its new home at Rockhurst. And as a member of the Juiced.GS staff, he would respond to reader queries about how to restore their vintage equipment. In memory of Tony, who passed away in October 2021, Open Apple‘s original co-hosts, Em Maginnis and Ken Gagne, reunite to remember their friend and his passions, accomplishments, quirks, and foibles. If you or someone you know needs help, please call the crisis hotline at 1-800-273-8255. Tony’s websitesApple2.orgApple II wikiFlyingThingz16Sector.comSyndicommResetVectorLinkedInTwitterTony’s planeWIRED: “The Geeks Who Saved Prince of Persia’s Source Code From Digital Death“Jason Scott’s Facebook tributeJuiced.GS staff photo coversAlltech ElectronicsOpen Apple #48 (June 2015) : Tony Diaz, KansasFest Memories, Prototypes, and 8-bit DNSThe post Open Apple #81: Remembering Tony Diaz first appeared on Open Apple.

Welcome to Poly Retro Assembly Cast Chicken Missile Drop Grue Museum, the annual “megapodcast” from KansasFest, hosted again via Zoom. Participants: Charles Mangin (Chicken Missile)Carrington Vanston (Retro Computing Roundtable & Eaten by a Grue)Chris Torrence (Assembly Lines)Joe Strosnider (Joe’s Computer Museum)John Leake (RetroMacCast)Kate the Cat (Chicken Missile & RetroMetal)Ken Gagne (Polygamer & Transporter Lock)Kay Savetz (ANTIC & Eaten by a Grue)Mark Pilgrim (Chicken Missile)Michael Mulhern (Retro Computing Roundtable)Paul Hagstrom (Retro Computing Roundtable & Chicken Missile)Quinn Dunki (Retro Computing Roundtable) The original video edition was livestreamed to YouTube: A longer audio edition is available from the Chicken Missile podcast. The post Open Apple #80 (July 2021): KansasFest 2021 Megapodcast first appeared on Open Apple.

Welcome to Retro Open Poly Roundtable Chicken Missile Lines Drop Museum Gruecast, the annual “megapodcast” from KansasFest, this time conducted virtually via Zoom. Scroll past the links for Open Apple‘s audio edition, or enjoy the video edition courtesy Chris Torrence’s Assembly Lines podcast: Participants: Quinn Dunki (Blondihacks, Open Apple, Retrocomputing Roundtable)Earl Evans (Retrocomputing Roundtable, Next Without For, Retrobits)Ken Gagne (Polygamer, Transporter Lock)Paul Hagstrom (Retrocomputing Roundtable, Drop III Inches)John Leake (RetroMacCast)Charles Mangin (How II)Rob McMullen (Player/Missile)Blake Patterson (Retrocomputing Roundtable)Kay Savetz (ANTIC: The Atari 8-Bit Podcast, Eaten By A Grue)Kate Szkotnicki (RetroMetal: Old Games on Old Machines)Carrington Vanston (Retrocomputing Roundtable, Eaten By A Grue) Game-related links: KansasFestKansasFest (YouTube channel)National Dairy Council Grab A ByteAncient TarotCanadian Tire Complimentary CassetteThe Missing RingSoftline Mar/Apr 1984Magic Knight RayearthGertrude’s SecretsConan: Hall of VoltaApple Cider SpiderFirebugOld Timers: MUSE Software (KansasFest 1992)Three Mile IslandSenseless Violence 1 and 2The post Open Apple #79 (July 2020): KansasFest 2020 Megapodcast first appeared on Open Apple.

This month on Open Apple, we bring you the traditional big group podcast that we record every year at KansasFest. Tune in for a casual chat with your favorite retro podcasters, and get a behind-the-scenes peek at what makes KansasFest special. This year we managed to twist the following arms into joining us: Quinn Dunki – Open AppleCarrington Vanston – Retrocomputing Roundtable, Eaten By A GruePaul Hagstrom – Retrocomputing Roundtable, Drop III InchesKen Gagne – Retrocomputing Roundtable, Polygamer, Transporter LockCharles Mangin – How IISteve Weyrich – Retrocomputing RoundtableKay Savetz – ANTIC, Eaten By A Grue, Tech Enthusiast HourChris Torrence – Assembly LinesJason Scott – Jason Scott Talks His Way Out Of It You’ll have to excuse the strained voices and general discombobulation, as we generally record this sometime in the middle of the night on what-feels-like day 400 of KFest, in a dank basement chapel. It’s way more fun than I just made it sound. You should come to the next KansasFest! The post Open Apple #78 (September 2018) – Retro Antic Assembly Chicken Missile Talks Our Way Out Of It first appeared on Open Apple.

This month on Open Apple, we sit down with Kay Savetz and Carrington Vanston of the Eaten By A Grue podcast. Eaten By A Grue is a game-by-game style of podcast where the intrepid hosts are playing every Infocom game. They both play the game, then discuss it in detail, with and without spoilers. They discuss the amount of cheating required, how mapping was done, the quality of writing and puzzles, and so on. The show has a very nice structure wherein they discuss the show with no spoilers to the halfway point, so that you can stop and go play it yourself if you are so inclined. If not, you can keep listening and hear gory details of all the puzzles. Kevin talks about getting beasts into bed, and other reasons not to play these games on real hardware. Meanwhile Carrington gets his feelies on and brags about how he has so many original copies of Infocom games that he sits on them for fun. Meanwhile Mike and Quinn debate dubious silicon valley histories, wedge computers, and competing with other 8-bits in BASIC. Tune in to hear us malign our guests, misremember important names, and get super pedantic about connector nomenclature for no conceivable reason. You won’t want to miss a moment of the drama. More information on everything discussed in this episode, after the jump. The Eaten By A Grue podcast – Listen for yourself. You won’t be disappointed.Zoom – A great way to play Infocom games on modern systems.The CPRG Book Project – A great free book that is a work-in-progress.Roger Wagner to keynote KansasFest – Accidentally timely information!WozFest DB9 -Announced, and, well… happened a while ago.Full BBS Documentary interviews – All the B-roll now online for listening.MOS Technology – The old building is entering a new chapter.Home-brew Apple /// – Chris Zuhar’s project marches on.Apple //e Intro – Harry McKracken talks about it, and shares old photos.Adventure Game Rockstars Live – Transcript of this historical event.Eamon Remastered – Another text adventure engine modernized for the web.FApple II Fest 2018 – Japanese Apple II gathering.Scart HDMI for GS – A handy solution to the IIgs’ challenging video problems.Apple 1 in Verilog – Get your own enhanced Apple I running on an FPGA.CFFA3000 Run #5 -The last(?) run is done. I hope you got one!Plasma 1.0 – Support for more chips, and ready to use.AppleWin updated – Bug fixes, administrative stuff.BASIC 10-liner contest – Was underway, but is now probably done.Javier demos WiModem232 – A really great device- get it while you can.Sneakers on BoingBoing – Sneakers on BoingBoing!IIc as a wedge – According to some folks, anyway.Rastan source – Discovered? John Brooks is unimpressed. Neat story, anyway.Silicon Valley miniseries – Maybe it happened? Is it still happening? Nobody knows.Nestle/Atari lawsuit settled – Be careful how you sell Kit Kats.Woz’s company fails – But we still love him anyway.The post Open Apple #77 (March 2018) – Kay Savetz & Carrington Vanston, Eaten By A Grue first appeared on Open Apple.

This month on Open Apple, we sit down with Ken Gagne and Andy Molloy of Juiced.GS, the longest running continuously published Apple II magazine (that you can still get in your mailbox to this day!). Juiced.GS is in its 23rd year, which has to be a record for magazines of almost any type. Ken and Andy talk about the bloodless coup of the magazine, the long history of same, where things are headed, and why they hates trees. Meanwhile, Quinn and Mike chat about FPGAs, nuclear weapons, and BBSes. What do you do when you need a mathematically provably correct piece of hardware to verify nuclear weapons compliance? Why, you grab your Apple II, of course! Duh! Here’s a time sensitive news item that didn’t make it into the show- vote for Nox Archaist and Lawless Legends for your favorite Ultima-inspired indie games of 2017! Stay tuned for a Tech segment where we follow up on last episode and go even deeper on fast IIgs graphics. There’s always more to know about the intricacies of squeezing performance out of this unique and beautiful machine. More information on everything discussed in this episode, after the jump. Juiced.GS – Subscribe here and get Apple II goodness direct to your mailbox every quarter!Tiger Learning Computer – Andy’s photo gallery of this fascinating artifact.Juiced.GS FAQ – Find out why there’s no PDF, and stop asking Ken about it.Byteworks Tools – Now for sale from Juiced.GS.IIgs Build Pipeline – Jeremy Rand’s ORCA/GoldenGate-based tool chain.Apple II+ FPGA – All the cool kids are doing it.Apple I on an ESP8266 – A very unique torturing of a commodity device.Apple II for Nukes – What to do when you need to really verify something.Ready Player ][ – A BBS scavenger hunt! With prizes!Jeremy Barr-Hyde’s Collection – More goodies here and here!CFFA Run 5! – This is great news!!DOS 4.4 – A skunkworks project from Brutal Deluxe.Virtual II Updated – The best emulator keeps getting better.Call A.P.P.L.E – 2017 winter magazine released.Apple IIe is 35 – Happy birthday to the letter ‘E’.ADT Pro 2.0.2 – Not compatible with High Sierra? Be careful.ProDOS 2.4.2 – Now in Beta!Nox Archaist Kickstarter – It’s rebooting. Stay tuned!Prince of Persia – It changed the way game animation is done.Jason Scott and Benj Edwards – They both have new podcasts. Give a listen!Apple Time Warp – A rare gem of a podcast. Worth your patience.Eaten By A Grue – The best internationally co-hosted Infocom podcast.Kay SavetzThe post Open Apple #76 (January 2018) – Ken Gagne & Andy Molloy, Juiced.GS, Nukes first appeared on Open Apple.