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Two Wild Soviet Personal Computers of the 1980s
The Agat 4 and the Iskra 1256. The height of Soviet-styled, Sci-Fi inspired personal computers.
September 01, 2023
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I absolutely love the computers of the old Soviet Union.

Sure, I never had one: I never lived in the Soviet Union… and I don’t speak a single drop of Russian.

Just the same, there’s something fascinating and wild about the computer industry of that particular place and time.

The Soviet-styled, Sci-Fi inspired cases. The (often) knock-off copies of hardware and (also often) stolen ROMs and software. The history, technology, and aesthetics are downright whimsical.

Presented here are two of my absolute favorites: The Iskra 1256 and the Agat 4.

Special thanks to the Soviet Digital Electronics Museum for providing images for so many (often difficult to track down) Soviet-era computers.

Iskra-1256 (1979)

While the Iskra 1256 was technically created in 1979… it didn’t really see production until 1980. So it qualifies as a 1980s computer, in my book.

First off: Just look at that keyboard. It has a distinct Soviet Sci-fi look to it, which is pretty darn cool.

Also fascinating is the internal design. It used a series of (mostly removable) boards aligned in vertical panels — and was powered by a 16 bit CPU clocking in at 3 MHz. The base RAM was 4 KB, expandable to 64 KB. Not too shabby for the early 1980s!

Also interesting: It shipped with a BASIC-like programming language. Essentially it was similar (in some respects) to Tiny BASIC… only, you know, in Russian. Here’s an example:

While I have been unable to discern exactly which processor the Iskra 1256 used, a reasonable guess would be something akin to the Texas Instruments TMS9900 — a 16bit CPU, released in 1976, that was also used in the TI-99/4A… which clocks in at the exact same speed.

Whether it is the same CPU, a Soviet clone, or some other (similar) CPU remains unclear.

One other interesting design choice that I quite like: A built-in cassette reader for loading and saving data… right on the front of the main unit. So many personal computers of this era opted to use external cassette decks — often connected to a dedicated “datasette” port. It’s rare that you find a cassette reader directly built in.

This PC was in regular usage throughout the 1980s. In later years multiple languages were ported to the machine — including a true BASIC, Fortran, and Algol.

It was, truly, one heck of a machine.

And it had a cost to match.

14,200 Rubles. Which means this machine had a cost of — quick math on the back of a napkin — over $9,000 USD in the mid 1980s. Phew. Not a cheap machine! Though it wasn’t for sale in the USA anyway… so, even if I could have afforded one, it wouldn’t have been available to me.

Agat-4 (1983)

A few years later, in 1983, an Apple II clone was produced with an absolutely wild design… the Agat 4.

Despite the extremely different appearance, the guts of the Agat 4 were incredibly close to that of an Apple II. Same MOS 6502 CPU. 64 KB of RAM. In so many ways… this is a crazy, orange, desktop form-factor, Sci-Fi looking Apple II.

It even used a slightly modified copy of the Apple II ROM.

Seriously.

Supposedly you can even find Wozniak’s name (the creator of the Apple II and Apple II ROM) inside the ROM bits for the Agat-4.

Man using an Agat-4. What software is he running? Hard to tell. But I like to imagine that it has something to do with Soviet era space ships or time travel.

The unit came in three parts:

  • A standard (but cool looking) color SECAM television.

  • The main case (which included the power supply, CPU, RAM, and a single 5 1/4” floppy drive).

  • And a detached keyboard.

SECAM is an analog TV standard that was commonly used in France, Russia, and a few parts of Europe and Africa. Similar (in many respects) to the PAL or NTSC standards. 50 Hz refresh rate (same as PAL, whereas NTSC is 60 Hz). Likewise SECAM has the same resolution as PAL. That said, where SECAM differs is that the Red and Blue colors are sent alternately… as opposed to being sent together in both NTSC and PAL signals.

There was an optional cassette port (for loading software off an external cassette player) and a printer port. Other than those, there weren’t any expansions available. RAM was locked at 64 KB. And there was no option to add a second floppy drive.

You’ll have one floppy drive and you’ll like it!

Many nicknamed this system “Yablotchko”. Which, supposedly, means “Little Apple”. A fact that the translation website I just used verified.

Despite being an obvious Apple II functionality clone (with a clearly modified Apple II ROM), the Agat 4 suffered from compatibility problems with standard Apple II software. Some applications and games would run… but many would not.

This was thanks, in large part, to the way the the engineers of the Agat 4 hacked the Apple II ROM to add in cyrillic characters, as well as minor differences in hardware design.

Later models in the Agat line would improve the Apple II compatibility… even going so far as to offering an (optional) “Apple II” compatibility card. Unfortunately, later models stopped using the awesome, orange form factor.

This Agat 7, released in 1984, had many similarities to the original Agat 4… but dropped the distinctive color.

The Soviet Union wanted to sell the Agat line in other nations. Unfortunately that didn’t go very far… as each computer was priced around $17,000 USD. Seriously. For an Apple II clone.

Making the Agat 4 one of the most expensive personal computers in world history.

Hey. The color orange ain’t cheap!

The LEGO Agat 4

Speaking of that awesome, orange design… someone created a LEGO model of an Agat 4. And it is absolutely glorious.

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The Unpublished Anti-Lunduke Hit-Piece
A Tech Journalist interviewed me for a hit-piece article. But the questions made them look bad, and they shelved the story. So I'm publishing their hit-piece for them.

Back in September, shortly after the assassination of Charlie Kirk, I was contacted by a Tech Journalist writing for FossForce.com (a smaller, Open Source focused publication) who was working on an article around Open Source, Antifa, and the Lunduke Journal’s coverage of those topics.

This particular outlet had, several months prior, run an “anti-Lunduke” hit piece without first reaching out for comment — which resulted in their most popular article (at least on social media) in quite some time.

With that in mind, it seemed reasonable that they’d want to repeat that success with another “anti-Lunduke” story.

This time they were doing the responsible thing. They reached out to the subject of the hit-piece article with questions. I like encouraging Tech Journalists when they do actual journalism, so I answered each and every query with easy-to-quote responses.

But, it would appear that the answers they received were not conducive to creating the hit-piece they were hoping for — my guess is they realized their questions made them look like the villain in the story. The villain they, clearly, hoped to portray me as.

They opted to not publish the piece.

So I’m publishing their hit-piece for them.

Below is every question — and every answer (with no edits) — which I was asked, on September 19th, by a Tech Journalist by the name of Christine Hall, writing for FossForce.

Fair warning: This is very, very politically charged.

Enjoy.


September 19th

Hall:

The last time I mentioned you in an article, you castigated me for not reaching out to you beforehand. Well, I’m reaching out now. We’ll see what comes of this.

You do recognize that the vast majority of organizations using the term antifa as a descriptor are not in the least bit terrorist and pose no threat to society -- and indeed, the only threats they might pose to fascist groups are not physical or life-harming?

Lunduke:

Hello Christine! Nice to hear from you!

Many, if not most, of those proclaiming support for Antifa (within Open Source) have also made statements encouraging or supporting violence and discrimination.

Regardless of that fact -- which I have documented extensively in Lunduke Journal coverage -- when violent acts are committed (such as murder, riots, and lynchings) in the name of “Antifa”, to turn around and immediately declare yourself to be “Antifa” is a clear declaration of support of that violence.

Hall:

And why did you feel it necessary to call out Danielle Foré’s [the founder of the elementary OS Linux Distribution] trans status in such an ugly manner?

Lunduke:

There is a noteworthy overlap between “Trans activism” and support for political violence -- including in the recent murder of Charlie Kirk (the murderer’s boyfriend was “Trans”).

In the case of Daniel Fore, he, a leader of an Open Source project, regularly calls for discrimination (and violence) against people he disagrees with -- often in conjunction with his self-declaration as “Trans”.

Thus, his declaration of being “Trans” becomes a part of the overall story.

It is worth noting here that The Lunduke Journal has never -- and would never -- call for discrimination or violence against someone because of how they identify or who they may (or may not) vote for.

This is in stark contrast those, such as Mr. Fore, who consider themselves “Trans” or “Antifa” -- who actively advocate for both discrimination and violence.

Hall:

Mentioning a person’s trans status in ways that are pertinent to your argument necessates rudeness such as calling her a “dude who likes to wear dresses”?

Lunduke:

Dan Fore is, in fact, a dude who likes to wear dresses.

The only reason to view that as a negative is if you view dudes wearing dresses as a negative.

Hall:

I’ll quote you on that, which I’m pretty sure won’t bother you in the least.

Lunduke:

Absolutely! Quote anything I say here. In fact, I suggest quoting absolutely everything I’ve written to you here, today.

Hall:

You also understand, don’t you, that voicing disagreement with an assessment made by POTUS is not only legal but a healthy part of the national dialog.

Lunduke:

Absolutely! Did I say somewhere that it was illegal to disagree with a politician? It seems unlikely that I have ever said that.

Hall:

Also, how would you reply to this:

There have been very few murders linked to individuals associated with Antifa, some incidents of rioting attributed to Antifa supporters, and no credible evidence of lynchings conducted in the name of Antifa. Compared to far-right groups, violence attributed to Antifa is much less frequent and lethal, with only one suspected kill—Aaron Danielson in Portland, by an anti-fascist activist—officially confirmed in recent U.S. history.

Lunduke:

Murder is bad. I am opposed to all murder.

In the context of these discussions, bearing in mind the Kirk murder is important (as many statements were made in response to it). The murderer of Kirk appears to have been pro-Trans and pro-Antifa (based on all available information).

Hall:

Is there any evidence that the suspect was part of an antifa group? I haven’t seen any.

Lunduke:

I have seen some reporting to this effect (including statements from family and messages he wrote).

But, far more important to this story, is the response to the murder among Antifa supporters (including those within Open Source). A large portion of Antifa supporters have celebrated the murder as justified because it killed someone they considered to be a “fascist”.

Hall:

Also, no group should be held responsible for what some deranged person who identifies with the group has done.

Lunduke:

I agree that a broader group should not be held responsible for the actions of a small number of individuals.

However, and this is critically important, it is entirely appropriate to hold people responsible for their own statements and actions.

With that in mind: The overall messaging of Antifa (and Antifa supporters) tends heavily towards violence. Punching, killing, molotov cocktails, etc. are all common messaging used by Antifa (including by those I quote within the Open Source world -- many of whom have advocated violence against myself).

Advocating for violence, then celebrating when violence is committed, are not good things.

Yet we see a great deal of that among Open Source supporters of Antifa.

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Sale ends in a few hours, Lifetime Subs set up.

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To everyone who grabbed a Lifetime Subscription over the last few days: All of you are set to full Lifetime access. You should have a confirmation email in your inbox. If not, email me and I’ll make sure you’re setup properly.

That “50% off” sale ends tonight at midnight. So you have a few hours to snag a discounted subscription, if you haven’t already.

A huge thank you to everyone who supports this work. Couldn’t do it without you.

-Lunduke

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50% Off Lunduke Journal Extended Through Monday (Oct 13th)

Just a quick heads up:

The “50% off every kind of Subscription to The Lunduke Journal” sale has been extended through Monday (October 13th).

So. You know. Grab one at 50% off between now and end of the day on Monday.

To all of you amazing nerds who have picked up a Lifetime Subscription already this weekend: You are awesome. You’ll be receiving a confirmation email, with all of the Lifetime Subscription details, by tomorrow (if you haven’t already).

Oh, and remember how we hit 11 Million views last month? Yeah. We’re well on our way to blowing past those numbers in October.

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See you all on Monday!

-Lunduke

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