December Days 2021 #18: The Most Successful Program In My Career

[Welcome to December Days, where I natter on about things organized around a theme (sometimes very loosely), one a day, for 31 days. This year, we're taking a look back at some touchpoints along the way of my journey with computing and computing devices.]

• CPU: IBM PowerPC Broadway @ 729 MHz


• Memory: 24 MB 1T-SRAM @ 324 MHz (2.7 GB/s) + 64 MB GDDR3 SDRAM


• Graphics: ATI Hollywood @ 243 MHz, max resolution 640x480


• Sound: Onboard sound system (on motherboard), attached to composite or component stereo sound


• Inputs/Peripherals: Bluetooth-connected motion-sensitive controller (Wiimote) with D-Pad, face buttons (-, +, HOME, A, 1, 2) and trigger (B) underneath, plug-in attachments for Wiimote to resemble light gun (Zapper), to add second motion control point, analog stick and two buttons (Z and C) (Nunchuk), pressure-sensitive Balance Board, Classic Controller attachment with two analog sticks, D-Pad, four trigger buttons (L, R, ZL, ZR), and seven face buttons (A, B, X, Y, -, +, HOME), and several shells for the Wiimote meant to transform it into the thing that would be used in the game, whether a racing wheel, a piece of sport equipment, or a pistol or other weapon. Additionally, four ports for GameCube controllers and two slots for GameCube memory cards. Bluetooth could also be used to connect the Nintendo DS family to the console (useful for playing head-to-head Pokémon matches, for example). IEEE 802.11 b/g wireless Internet connection, 2 USB 2.0 ports.


• Storage: 512 MB NAND flash memory, DVD-ROM Optical Media Drive compatible with GameCube Game Discs, SD/SDHC cards (officially, 1 GB and 2 GB, but capable of reading and recognizing greater sizes.), 32GB USB Flash Memory (for holding game disc images.)


• OS: Wii System Software ("Channels"-based selection), HackMii Homebrew Channel Loader

( The Nintendo Wii )