Geek With Social Skills | Commodore 64 VIC-Switch by Handic Software AB Stockholm, Sweden @geekwithsocialskills | Uploaded July 2022 | Updated October 2024, 13 minutes ago.
In his video we check out my vintage Commodore VIC-Switch by Handic Software AB in Stockholm, Sweden. The VIC-Switch is hardware for use with the C64, VIC-20 and C128 computers.
So what is the Commodore VIC-Switch you might be asking? It's a device that makes it possible to share serial devices with up to 8 Commodore computers which means 8 computers can share a disk drive, printer, plotter, etc.
The VIC-Switch keeps track of who is currently using the device and prevents access to all other computers who might be requesting it at the same time. Once the first computer is done using it, the VIC-Switch will then give access to the next computer.
Fun fact: The VIC-Switch units were used in schools back in the early 1980s. They are not very common to find in 2022. I'm super happy to finally have one in my personal collection.
Some history about Handic. Handic Computers AB, originally a state enterprise but became privately incorporated a few years before the Commodores' rise and was the sales conduit for Commodore computers in Sweden up until the demise of the VIC-20. Not only did they sell the hardware and peripherals, but also distributed and wrote software for the platforms as well.
Around 1984, Handic's parent company, Datatronic, decided to divest Handic of the hardware portion of their business and put it under the purview of the parent enterprise, leaving Handic to sell the software solely.
Datatronic itself folded around 1986, at which point Commodore finally took over the reins, opened Commodore Sweden and started selling their products directly.
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youtube.com/geekwithsocialskills?sub_confirmation=1
--- Video Index
0:00 - Intro
0:46 - Trying to find a Datatronic Commodore VIC-Switch
1:03 - What is the Handic Vic-Switch?
1:16 - How does the Commodore 64 VIC-Switch work?
1:34 - Commodore VIC-Switch used in schools
1:44 - There's even a CBM PET IEEE VIC-Switch
2:06 - Use the VIC-Switch with a C64, VIC-20 and a C128 at the same time
2:21 - Up close and personal with the Handic Software VIC-Switch
3:24 - Looking at the 8 Commodore IEC ports on the back
4:00 - How to connect up the VIC-Switch
4:26 - Repairing the VIC-Switch rear label
4:58 - Should I fix the front label and remove the air bubble?
5:35 - Taking a look at the bottom of the VIC-Switch
6:25 - Opening up the VIC-Switch to see all the electronic components
8:11 - A good look at the front label air bubble
8:39 - Putting the VIC-Switch back together
8:48 - I'm planning a follow up Commodore VIC-Switch video
9:25 - Thank you to my awesome Patreon supporters
9:37 - Giving special thanks to friends of the channel
9:43 - Shout out to Mike from Ravenwolf Retro Tech
9:48 - Outro
--- Video Links
RavenWolf Retro Tech:
youtube.com/c/RavenWolfRetroTech
My Commodore Computer Playlist:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOgohYmiitqk1okrA95MAYC0jt-rPHsY6
--- Channel Links
Subscribe:
youtube.com/geekwithsocialskills?sub_confirmation=1
#Commodore #VICSwitch, #HandicDatatronic
In his video we check out my vintage Commodore VIC-Switch by Handic Software AB in Stockholm, Sweden. The VIC-Switch is hardware for use with the C64, VIC-20 and C128 computers.
So what is the Commodore VIC-Switch you might be asking? It's a device that makes it possible to share serial devices with up to 8 Commodore computers which means 8 computers can share a disk drive, printer, plotter, etc.
The VIC-Switch keeps track of who is currently using the device and prevents access to all other computers who might be requesting it at the same time. Once the first computer is done using it, the VIC-Switch will then give access to the next computer.
Fun fact: The VIC-Switch units were used in schools back in the early 1980s. They are not very common to find in 2022. I'm super happy to finally have one in my personal collection.
Some history about Handic. Handic Computers AB, originally a state enterprise but became privately incorporated a few years before the Commodores' rise and was the sales conduit for Commodore computers in Sweden up until the demise of the VIC-20. Not only did they sell the hardware and peripherals, but also distributed and wrote software for the platforms as well.
Around 1984, Handic's parent company, Datatronic, decided to divest Handic of the hardware portion of their business and put it under the purview of the parent enterprise, leaving Handic to sell the software solely.
Datatronic itself folded around 1986, at which point Commodore finally took over the reins, opened Commodore Sweden and started selling their products directly.
Subscribe:
youtube.com/geekwithsocialskills?sub_confirmation=1
--- Video Index
0:00 - Intro
0:46 - Trying to find a Datatronic Commodore VIC-Switch
1:03 - What is the Handic Vic-Switch?
1:16 - How does the Commodore 64 VIC-Switch work?
1:34 - Commodore VIC-Switch used in schools
1:44 - There's even a CBM PET IEEE VIC-Switch
2:06 - Use the VIC-Switch with a C64, VIC-20 and a C128 at the same time
2:21 - Up close and personal with the Handic Software VIC-Switch
3:24 - Looking at the 8 Commodore IEC ports on the back
4:00 - How to connect up the VIC-Switch
4:26 - Repairing the VIC-Switch rear label
4:58 - Should I fix the front label and remove the air bubble?
5:35 - Taking a look at the bottom of the VIC-Switch
6:25 - Opening up the VIC-Switch to see all the electronic components
8:11 - A good look at the front label air bubble
8:39 - Putting the VIC-Switch back together
8:48 - I'm planning a follow up Commodore VIC-Switch video
9:25 - Thank you to my awesome Patreon supporters
9:37 - Giving special thanks to friends of the channel
9:43 - Shout out to Mike from Ravenwolf Retro Tech
9:48 - Outro
--- Video Links
RavenWolf Retro Tech:
youtube.com/c/RavenWolfRetroTech
My Commodore Computer Playlist:
youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOgohYmiitqk1okrA95MAYC0jt-rPHsY6
--- Channel Links
Subscribe:
youtube.com/geekwithsocialskills?sub_confirmation=1
#Commodore #VICSwitch, #HandicDatatronic
