[Coco] Was the CoCo just another game console? Re: The Coco Zelda Clone

[Steve]

If you compare the CoCo with more modern computer then yes, it looks to 
be another "Cartridge" game console.

But back in late 70's the only way to load programs (games) on the Apple 
II or TRS-80 Model I was to type them in or use a the cassette player. 
(Floppy disk were very expense or not out for the system yet.)

Both methods were long and problematic and program packs (like on the 
Atari 2600) was a good solution.  Not only Tandy but Atari and Commodore 
saw to it that their new computers would have "Cartridge" ports to 
quickly load games and other programs.  The Atari 400/800 and Commodore 
VIC-20 all had ports for quick installation of programs.

Cartridges was just the sign of the times.

I will tell you that Tandy saw the Color Computer for the household and 
the TRS-80 Model X as the office systems.  Being for the household, they 
tried to keep the cost down and have big selection of software to sell.

By the time of the late 80's rolled around, the 8-bit computer was dead 
and most walking into a radio shack wanted a home computer just like the 
"real" IBM computer back in their office.

Steve


On 7/9/2013 4:19 AM, billg999 at cs.uofs.edu wrote:
> After reading the comments here for a while I have to admit that
> Radio Shack was right.  It really is just another game console.
>
> :-)
>
>
> bill
>
>