TL;DR
A public GitHub repository commemorates the 50th anniversary of the MOS KIM-1 with a small demo built from assembled components. The project includes 6502-family assembly code for ANSI cursor positioning and invites retro-computing contributors to expand the demo.
What happened
A developer published a KIM-1 demo project on GitHub to mark the 50th birthday of the MOS KIM-1, which first became available in January 1976. The repository collects several components from the author's other projects and offers a short assembly-language demo demonstrating techniques such as converting memory-stored hexadecimal coordinates into printable decimal characters for terminal cursor placement. The code includes an ANSI cursor-positioning routine (GOTOXY) and a decimal-output helper (PUTDEC) that separates tens and ones so numeric values can be emitted as ASCII digits. The repo contains multiple files (README.md, demo_fin.bin, demo_fin.lst, demo_fin.ptp, demo_fin.s) and shows a recent commit that removed demo_fin.o. The author explicitly invites retro-computing enthusiasts to contribute modules, demos, and improvements to the project.
Why it matters
- The KIM-1 is an early microcomputer milestone; preserving and demonstrating its software helps document computing history.
- The demo exposes low-level techniques (assembly and terminal control) that illustrate constraints and solutions used on 1970s-era systems.
- Open-source hosting on GitHub enables community contributions, collaborative preservation, and iterative enhancements.
- Practical examples of cursor control and decimal conversion are useful for hobbyists recreating or emulating vintage terminal behaviour.
Key facts
- The MOS KIM-1 first became available in January 1976.
- The KIM-1 predated the Apple I by three months and followed the TIM by one month, according to the repository README.
- The demo repository is hosted publicly on GitHub under the user netzherpes with the name KIM1-Demo.
- Files in the repository include README.md, demo_fin.bin, demo_fin.lst, demo_fin.ptp, and demo_fin.s.
- The code is written in assembly language (100% Assembly reported by the repo).
- Included assembly routines demonstrate ANSI cursor positioning (GOTOXY) and a decimal-output routine (PUTDEC) that separates tens and ones for ASCII output.
- The repo shows one star, zero forks, and zero watchers at the time of capture.
- The latest commit visible in the repository history has the hash prefix 6a5b6fd with the message 'Delete demo_fin.o'.
- No official releases or published packages are present in the repository metadata.
- The repository was published at 2026-01-11T13:55:40+00:00 (timestamp from the source).
What to watch next
- Community contributions and pull requests to add modules, demos, or improvements (the README explicitly invites contributions).
- Repository activity such as new commits, the reintroduction or replacement of binary artifacts, or the creation of a formal release (currently no releases published).
- not confirmed in the source
Quick glossary
- KIM-1: A single-board microcomputer introduced in the mid-1970s that became notable in early personal computing history.
- ANSI escape sequence: A standard for in-band control codes that terminals use to move the cursor, change colors, and perform other text-mode functions.
- Assembly language: A low-level programming language that provides symbolic representations of machine code instructions for a specific CPU architecture.
- Cursor positioning: Sending control sequences to a terminal to move the text cursor to specified row and column coordinates.
Reader FAQ
Where is the demo hosted?
On GitHub at https://github.com/netzherpes/KIM1-Demo (URL given in the source).
Does the repository include binaries?
Yes; the repo contains a file named demo_fin.bin according to the file list.
Are contributions welcome?
Yes. The README invites retro-computing enthusiasts to contribute ideas, modules, and improvements.
Is the demo an official museum or company release?
not confirmed in the source
🎂 KIM-1 Demo Project A small but heartfelt demo celebrating the 50th birthday of the legendary MOS KIM-1 🖥️✨ The KIM-1 first became available in January 1976 — three months…
Sources
- Happy 50th Birthday KIM-1
- 50 Years KIM-1
- Happy Birthday 6502
- Xerox History Timeline of Business Innovation and Design
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