Sentimental Sundays - Commodore Pet 4032

The Commodore PET 4032, released in 1980, was a significant upgrade to the original PET 2001 and a pivotal machine in the early days of personal computing. It featured a 40-character display and 32 KB of RAM, making it more powerful and versatile than its predecessors. The 4032 was equipped with the MOS Technology 6502 microprocessor running at 1 MHz, and it came with an enhanced BASIC 4.0, which added commands for disk functions and significantly improved garbage cleanup. The machine's robust all-metal construction and all-in-one design made it particularly well-suited for classroom use, where it became a major success. The PET 4032 also included an IEEE-488 port, which allowed for the creation of a simple local area network, enabling shared printers and disk drives, which were expensive at the time. This feature, combined with its durability, made the 4032 a popular choice in educational settings, where it played a crucial role in introducing students to programming and computing concepts.

The Commodore PET 4032 was not just a technical marvel but also a cultural icon of the early personal computing era. It was one of the first computers to bring computing power directly into homes and offices, making it accessible to a broader audience. The machine's user-friendly Commodore BASIC operating system allowed users to write their own programs or load software from cassette tapes, fostering a sense of creativity and productivity. The PET 4032 found widespread adoption in schools and businesses, where it was used for tasks such as word processing, data management, and accounting. Its affordability and versatility made it an attractive option for educational institutions and businesses alike, laying the groundwork for Commodore's future successes, including the iconic Commodore 64.

Botnets and Familiar Foes Drive DDoS Attack Activity - Netscout

In March 2025, NETSCOUT observed over 27,000 distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, primarily driven by botnets exploiting longstanding vulnerabilities in web servers, routers, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. These attacks did not rely on novel exploits but instead utilized known weaknesses to launch persistent campaigns, with service providers experiencing an average of one attack every two minutes. The peak occurred on March 10, with more than 1,600 incidents recorded in a single day .(NETSCOUT)

The most prevalent attack vector was TCP SYN floods, accounting for approximately 20% of all incidents. Attackers frequently employed multivector strategies, combining methods such as TCP SYN with DNS flooding or TCP ACK to amplify their impact. This approach reflects a shift towards more sophisticated and sustained DDoS campaigns, emphasizing the need for robust defense mechanisms .(NETSCOUT)

The continued exploitation of known vulnerabilities underscores the importance of proactive cybersecurity measures. Organizations are encouraged to regularly update and patch systems, particularly those involving IoT devices, to mitigate potential threats. Implementing comprehensive DDoS protection strategies is crucial in safeguarding against the evolving tactics employed by attackers.

Click the image below to read the free full blog

---

Free Webinar: Common Wi-Fi Design Mistakes

Join Ekahau's insightful webinar, "Common Wi-Fi Design Mistakes," where industry experts delve into the frequent pitfalls encountered in wireless network planning and deployment. This session is tailored for IT professionals, network engineers, and Wi-Fi enthusiasts aiming to enhance their network's performance and reliability.  

Thursday, May 8, 2025 | 12:00 – 1:00 pm ET

Participants will learn to avoid common errors that can lead to suboptimal Wi-Fi experiences.

Don't miss this opportunity to learn from seasoned professionals and elevate your Wi-Fi design skills. Whether you're designing networks for offices, educational institutions, or large venues, this webinar will provide you with the tools and insights needed to ensure robust and efficient wireless connectivity. 

Register now to secure your spot and take a significant step towards mastering Wi-Fi network design.

https://www.ekahau.com/webinars/common-wi-fi-design-mistakes/

Ubiquiti Edgerouter Reset and Setup

 The best part about my career is that I’m always getting exposed to different equipment and scenarios.

For example in the past 10 years I have worked with the following vendors equipment; Cisco, Motorola, Ubiquiti, Nokia, Netally, Fluke Networks, Profitap, Solarwinds, all flavors of windows/linux, Tp-Link, peplink, and many , many more.

My point is that I don’t have an issue with starting a new contract and jumping right in to help out. If involves learning something new, then that’s just part of the job. Since I have a fairly wide and extensive background, I usually pick up any basics pretty fast and can add some value along the way.

Sure, there are times when I ‘learn on my time’, but that’s the way it is when you are self employed.

As I did some research about setting up Ubiquiti routers, a lot of it was out of date and some conflicting information so I thought it would be a good idea to do a short video.

In this video I walk you through how to reset and configure a router from scratch.

Sentimental Sundays - The Sharp MZ-80K

 The Sharp MZ-80K, released in 1979, was one of the earliest personal computers produced by Sharp Corporation, a Japanese electronics company. It was part of the MZ (Microcomputer Zilog) series, which began with the MZ-80K in 1978. The MZ-80C was designed as an all-in-one system, featuring a built-in monochrome monitor, a cassette tape drive for storage, and a full keyboard, making it a compact and user-friendly option for hobbyists and early computer enthusiasts. Powered by a Zilog Z80 microprocessor running at 2 MHz, it came with 20 KB of RAM (expandable to 48 KB) and 4 KB of ROM, which included a BASIC interpreter. The MZ series was particularly popular in Japan and parts of Europe, competing with contemporaries like the Commodore PET and TRS-80, though it never achieved the same global recognition as some of its rivals.

One notable aspect of the MZ-80C’s history is its role in Sharp’s broader strategy to establish itself in the burgeoning personal computer market. Unlike many computers of the era that required separate peripherals, the MZ-80C’s integrated design was a selling point, reflecting Sharp’s expertise in consumer electronics. It also featured a unique "clean computer" architecture, where the system avoided using a traditional operating system in favor of a simple monitor program in ROM, allowing users to load software directly from cassette tapes. This design choice made it accessible for beginners but limited its flexibility compared to systems with disk drives or more advanced OS capabilities. Over time, Sharp expanded the MZ line with models like the MZ-80B and MZ-700, gradually incorporating more advanced features like color graphics and floppy disk support.

Trivia-wise, the MZ-80C has a few quirky claims to fame. It was one of the first computers to ship with a built-in piezo speaker, capable of producing rudimentary sound effects, which delighted early programmers experimenting with audio in games and demos. Another fun fact is that its keyboard layout included katakana characters alongside standard Latin ones, catering to its Japanese audience and reflecting the cultural context of its primary market. Additionally, the MZ-80C gained a small cult following among retro computing enthusiasts due to its distinctive design and the challenge of programming within its constraints—some even credit it with inspiring early Japanese game developers who later worked on more famous platforms. Today, surviving units are prized collectibles, often showcased at vintage tech exhibitions.