Andy Caldwell has launched Bit Eclectic, a website that loads Apple II software over the Internet onto an actual Apple II computer.
Inspired by Apple Disk Server and Apple Game Server, Bit Eclectic offers an important distinction: no floppy disks, floppy drives, or other storage media are required on the Apple II. Instead, the game is loaded entirely from the Web using the Apple II serial connection.
Bit Eclectic is compatible with any Apple II computer equipped with a Super Serial Card configured to Bit Eclectic’s specifications; the Apple IIGS serial port is also supported. (The IIc’s port has not yet been tested.) A standard serial cable, such as that sold by RetroFloppy, connects the Apple II to a modern computer. A Web browser such as Chrome or Edge then loads the selected Apple II software, with the program’s state saved in the browser, allowing continuous play across multiple sessions.
“Some of the emulators out there are knock-my-socks-off impressive — but an emulator is not the same as the real thing,” said Caldwell, who wrote Bit Eclectic in 6502 assembly, JavaScript, PHP, HTML, and CSS. Though he noted when playing Castle Wolfenstein, “It’s a little harder to play because you can’t cheat by flipping the disk drive door open when caught or killed.”
In addition to Castle Wolfenstein, supported games include Apple Adventure!, Lemonade Stand, and Sabotage, with more to come. Anyone wanting to contribute to the development and growth of Bit Eclectic can contact Caldwell.