Tools
The 8-bit Shack specializes in creating innovative tools and utilities tailored for collectors and hobbyists passionate about preserving and restoring Apple ][ retro-computers.
Our mission is to empower enthusiasts with user-friendly solutions for testing, maintaining, and repairing these iconic machines, keeping their legacy alive for generations to come.
Whether you're a seasoned collector or a curious tinkerer, we provide the resources you need to bring vintage computing back to life.
Apple COre
Apple Core V.1.00 is an easy to use 6502 & 65C02 CPU test tool for Apple II series of computers.
The main program version with 6502 & 65C02 tests requires 64 kB of memory and a floppy drive (ProDOS), and a 48 kB version (DOS 3.3) with only the 6502 test available.
The software performs 44 tests on the 6502 CPU and 21 tests on the 65C02 CPU in order to check each available opcode on these CPUs.
IDENTIFY ][
Identify-][ v.3.00 is an easy to use hardware detection tool for Apple II computers or better. The main program version requires 64 kB of memory and a floppy drive. There is also a 48 kB version and an audio file version available for use with the cassette port.
Upon booting, the hardware detection will be performed automatically. After successful detection the user can cycle through the menu system and choose different detection result screens or other hardware test options. There is also a joystick test and a RAM test available.
DOLORES Double LORES Library
The DOLORES Double LORES Library is a collection of routines that can be used within an AppleSoft program. Normally the ability to use and information about this capability is rather sparse - requiring developers to implement machine language tricks to get it to work. HOWEVER, the DOLORES Double LORES Library make this much easier and enables your program to perform &-command (ampersand-vector) routines and take advantage of the double-LORES mode of 80 x 48 pixels in 16 colors and with the latest version it now supports a sprite engine.
After the initialize routine is completed, your AppleSoft program runs in a different memory space but now has access to the DOLORES Library and 3 separate double LORES pages (memory range from $400-$7FF and $800-$BFF, special dump range from $C00-$FFF).
The library includes the your standard graphical routines (PLOT, SCRN, VLIN, HLIN, oblique line generation, circle plot, rectangle plot, polygon fill, screen fill, page filp routines, page move routines, and many others) and sprite engine routines (16-sprites store routine, pixel mask, draw, delete, sprite from screen, input (preserving and restoring part of the screen), and many more.
FFEdit (Fast Frame Editor)
The Fast Frame Editor for the Apple //e enhanced (or better) let's you create fast frame animations in Double LORES. You can load double lores images from almost any source and edit them with the tools of the fast frame editor. Up to 10 frames are possible. The tool includes a built-in animation feature that let's you playback your animations.