August 12, 2026 – Presenting a new web tool and discussion of Commodore 5¼" disk images. The author has been working on a new PET 2001 emulator, focusing on a fresh implementation of the IEEE-488/GPIB bus emulation and translation layer. This rewrite is not about emulating drive hardware but re-implementing the interface as an independent solution, allowing transparent handling of local files, disk images, and tape images. It supports OPEN, PRINT#, INPUT#, GET#, CLOSE, CATALOG, and even "FILE NOT FOUND" errors. Printer emulation may also be on the horizon.

The tool is packaged as the "Commodore 8-Bit Disk Image Utilities", featuring two sides: Side A – the Disk Image Inspector, a point-and-click tool to explore D64, D80, D82 disk images, copy data, and export files (PRG, SEQ, P00). Side B – the D64 Composer, a wizard to compose and download D64 (35-track) disk images. Users can add, rename, reorder files, change file types, and exclude files. Everything runs locally in the browser with no data transmission.

The article also covers disk image formats: D64 (standard 35-track for Commodore 2032, 4040, 1540, 1541, 1551 drives), D80 (77-track for 8050 drive), and D82 (154-track for 8250 double-sided drive). These images are raw data without sync marks or headers, but may include error bytes. Tracks are numbered from outside in, with block count decreasing inward.