Australia’s Computing History - This Week In Retro 252

Australia's rich history of technological innovation gets the spotlight this week as Chris explores The State of Electronics, a channel dedicated to computing Down Under. Jason looks through the history of Leader Board golf and a comprehensive analysis of the "sunset-and-grids" aesthetic which has come to symbolise the 1980s, poking fun at international interpretation of the iconic Trapper Keeper along the way. And a treasure trove of Amiga Format magazines shared on the This Week in Retro subreddit sparks a discussion led by Dave of the golden age of tech publications. We conclude with listener submissions for the best era of Sega and wrap up with a brand new Community Question of the Week.

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00:00 - Show Opening

01:57 - Australian Computer History Docos Story Link: https://www.youtube.com/@StateofElectronics/videos

14:50 - Golf & Grids Story Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_bBkKo8b74

Additional links: https://bit.ly/TWIRGuide

31:46 - Housekeeping - News links found below

39:25 - Amiga Doormat Story Link: https://www.reddit.com/r/thisweekinretro/comments/1qdulaa/an_unexpected_find_during_my_evening_run_in/

50:02 - Community Question of the Week

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This Week in Retro is a weekly roundup of the hottest stories from the world of retro gaming and computing, voted on by you, the listener! Hosted by Chris from 005 AGIMA, Jason from The Retro Adventurers and Dave. Edited by Duncan Styles.

News In Brief Links

Diego 500: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dv5Qtoq5rqs

Win 98 NVME Driver: https://youtu.be/YUoJS2xXRmQ

GOG & Linux: https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/its-such-poor-quality-software-gog-owner-criticises-windows-says-it-will-support-linux-better-in-the-future/

Floppy Drive Remote: https://www.theregister.com/2026/01/12/danish_dev_floppy_drive_remote/

Nintendo Virtual Boy: https://youtube.com/watch?v=jW7M8H99x7Y&si=9G2boXwsEB5j17DG

BBC Explains Digital TV: https://youtu.be/pWTvplkBeNM?si=JAd5xzU5C0D8xiK8

Acorn Electron Plus 1 Mini : https://www.tindie.com/products/ramtopretro/plus-1-mini-expansion-for-acorn-electron/

EB Stores in New Zealand To Close: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/584037/all-eb-games-stores-in-nz-to-close-at-end-of-month