Released in August 1987, the AdLib Music Synthesizer Card was the first add-on music card for IBM PCs and compatibles to achieve acceptance. The music card's developer was the Canadian "AdLib, Inc", a computer equipment manufacturer founded by Martin Prevel, a former professor of music.

• The Adlib's price tag was $219.99
• About 1800 PC games are compatible with the Adlib card
• Several modern clones of the Adlib sound card have been produced

Tech Specs

• Yamaha's YM3812 sound chip (aka "OPL2")
• Pure FM (Frequency Modulation) synthesis without supporting Digital audio (PCM)
• 9 sound channels or 6 sound channels plus 5 hit instruments
• Standard ISA 8-bit slot compatible

Read more: Adlib Sound Card

These are the basic Ms-Dos commands based on Wikipedia and other sources. Next to each command is a reference to the MS-DOS version (<X>).

CATEGORIES OF MS-DOS COMMANDS (click)

• • • • • BASIC TERMINAL OPERATIONS
        • HARD DISK & FLOPPY DISKS
        • COPYING & DELETING FILES
        • OTHER DISK OPERATIONS
        • MANAGING DEVICES
        • MEMORY OPERATIONS
        • BATCH FILES & AUTOEXEC.BAT
        • CONFIG.SYS

Read more: MS-DOS Commands (1.0-6.22)

ISA CompactFlash Adapter - IDE for 8-Bit PC, XT CF LITE 4.1, XTIDE

What is XT-CF-Lite all about?

XT-CF-Lite is an SD-based storage device for old IBM PCs developed by James Pearce.

• Allows connecting a Compact Flash (CF) card to computers with ISA bus
• The card also supports BIOS extension ROM
• No IBM slot-8 compatibility
• Works with XTs, ATs, and IBM PS/2 models
• If you have IBM 5150 you need a special BIOS programmed (flash the right BIOS)
•  IBM 5170 requires a BIOS upgrade to an AMI or AWARD BIOS to utilize this card (Requiring replacing/programming the 2x 27c256 EPROMS)

On the photo:

• ISA CompactFlash Adapter XT-IDE CF LITE 4.1 Bootable (Top)
• ISA CompactFlash Adapter XTIDE Bootable (Bottom)

Read more: XT-CF Lite For IBM PC Combatibles

USIfAC II (Amstrad CPC USB Hard Disk)

Description: USB hard disk for Amstrad CPC 464/664//6128
Creator: ikonsgr

Basic Features:

• Use any PC USB as your Amstrad storage device
• AMSDOS and PARADOS ROM emulation
• 765 Floppy Disk Controller emulation,
• Loading speeds of up to ~30kb/sec (6-7 times faster than a floppy disk drive)
• Load/Write DSK images and Load SNA snapshot files
• RSX commands to copy files from/to floppy disks, transfer DSK images, and quick format disks
• Built-in Reset & Pause buttons

Read more: USIFAC II for Amstrad CPC & Commands

The 9-pin Greek Joystics that Refuse to Die

In the 80s, several manufacturers in Greece created high-quality joysticks for the 8-bit and 16-bit home micros. They used hard-plastic shells, microswitch controllers, and professional sticks to build joysticks that were as good as the ones of the arcade machines.

Read more: Greek Joysticks

"Roland MT-32.. the Orchestra inside your PC or Home Computer"

Released in 1987 by the Japanese manufacturer Roland Corporation, the MT-32 was the standard MIDI device for PC games in the 80s. Hundreds of video games support the MT-32 on various platforms (IBM PCs, Atari ST, Commodore Amiga, MAC, etc.) Notable mentions include several adventure games from Sierra and Lucasfilm.

• The MT-32 Multi-Timbre Sound Module is a MIDI synthesizer module featuring a preset library of 158 sounds and 9 channels
• Several platforms used the MT32, including PCs, Mac, Atari ST, Commodore Amiga, Apple IIGS, PC-8800 series, NEC PC-98, and Sharp X68000
• In 1987, the device cost $695 (equivalent to $1,700 in 2022)

Read more: MT-32 Midi