Ante Atari

 

It seems like Flintstones technology now, but the Atari console, despite what I thought were  clumsy controllers, was big entertainment and easy to use.  Then you could go to an arcade and play Pong or PacMan on a big noisy machine (but who has quarters in their pockets today?) and rack up those points.   We thought that was the first computer game machine, but the original one weighed over a metric ton, had only one game and its display screen was not the family television but a very small oscilloscope.

It was a hit, though.  Designed by nuclear physicist Edward Condon of Westinghouse, the Nimatron non-programmable computer went on public, interactive display at the 1939 World's Fair. No one saw its potential at the time.  Its game ("Nim") was based on an ancient strategy contest, probably from China, in which two players alternate removing one or more objects (i.e. beans, coins, pebbles, etc.) from different piles.  He who removes the last object is the winner,  or loser,  depending on the version played.   Sounds as simple as a child's card game,  but there is more skill and tactics involved than this short description indicates.

The Nimatron was made with four lines of seven light bulbs each.  The player takes a turn switching a light or two off, then the computer takes a turn (no pages of coding needed, just simple math).  One hundred thousand Fair visitors tried to win, but the primitive computer won 90% of the time!  As I remember with Atari, the Space Invaders won 100% of the time...

 A similar machine, the Nimrod, followed in the U.K. in 1951 and was a hit when it travelled to Germany.  A few years later in 1958, "Tennis for Two" was on public display at New York State's Brookhaven National Laboratory, but a video screen was still in the future as the oscilloscope, though larger than before, was again utilized.   The fun was in varying the gravitational effect by choosing to "play" on the Moon or on Jupiter.  You can see Pong coming -- was this its inspiration? 

                                                           The Nimrod

 Today, the Internet-based Twitch system has 15 million daily users enjoying live streaming of what is now called "e-sports."  Those quarters can stay in your pocket, if you still have them.

 

RING Cycle

 

No, not the four epic operas by Wagner; I'd spare you that.   But if you are thinking of, or have, installed a video RING doorbell, this is for you.  

We had all sorts of fun going around and around installing the first two, then returning them because they were just screwy.  The third one worked as it should, and we enjoyed seeing the chipmunk trigger alerts so we could keep up with his busy day.  And, I must compliment the RING people in their efforts to help.  But...the third one started making ominous grinding noises (always at night) followed by a single "ding."  I figured it was somehow feeding back small amounts of low-voltage electricity to the indoor chimes (why only at night, who knows).  

A lot of us are very grateful that we live in the You Tube age:  often you can benefit from the experience and knowledge of others to get yourself out of a perplexing problem situation.  A little help goes a long way, and often the solution to the snafu is just something little.

It sure was in this case.  The You Tube video explained what was needed to end the random noises was a tiny 1/2 watt, 10 Ohm resistor bridging the terminals inside the indoor chime box.  Had to get a pack of ten from Parts Express, but that was okay (and a lifetime supply!).

   And here it is in place, I hope resisting as it should (the tiny striped thing).  Time will tell.

  Now back to watching the chipmunk eating a raspberry.

 

The Sally Rovers

 

You probably know that the reference to "the shores of Tripoli"in the Marine Corps hymn refers to the naval expeditions sent to chastise the Barbary pirates of North Africa.  When you dig into piracy's long history, it seems that was one industry which always did well everywhere.  A fascinating part of that history is an unlikely combination of factors and peoples in the 17th century leading to the rise and fall of the Corsair Republic, based in Sale' across the bay from Rabat on the Atlantic coast of Morocco. 

The story begins in Spain around 1609.  The Moriscos were the Muslim population stranded in  that nation after the 700-year long reconquest by the Christian kingdoms.  At first they were treated with liberality, but as the advancing kingdoms grew in size, power and numbers they were encouraged to convert and finally required to.  Although many did to survive, they were not trusted, and the Inquisition was loosed on them until their expulsion from the Iberian peninsula altogether by Philip III -- and that was 4% of the population!  With the Jewish inhabitants forced out earlier, Spain thus lost many productive and skilled people.

The Moriscos went south to the port of Sale' and brought enough money with them to get reestablished, as well as a burning desire to exact revenge from Spain.  English and Dutch black marketeers, smugglers and pirates arrived, sensing an opportunity, bringing expertise in sailing and shipbuilding.   At first they paid the Sultan a tithe of 10%, but as he was embroiled in a civil war that would bring his dynasty down,  the motley band declared independence in 1624.  The rascal pictured above organized this small republic with a Council of 16 members and served as President.  A  Dutchman named Jan Janszoon, he adopted a new name, Murad Reis, and a dashing corsair mien.  They attacked Spanish ships for years, and anyone else too, even to the Channel coast of England (thus the Anglicized name Sally Rovers).

The pirates' defenses

Pirates did the same around the world in establishing successful full-freedom anarchist city-states:  in Jamaica, Madagascar and even the Breton port of St.Malo far back in 1144.  Sale' lasted longer than most, until 1668, when a strong new Sultan took control.  Turkish privateer Hayreddin Barbarossa was a powerful state unto himself -- a century before the Moriscos' exile, he raided Spain's east coast relentlessly and transported 70,000 muslims safely out -- quite a feat.

                                                               Barbarossa             
 

If you're feeling like taking to the seas for some adventure and treasure like these rogues, or just need an idea for next Halloween, you can order online and certainly look the part: