Xetec

Xetec

Company type	Private
Industry	Computer hardware, computer software
Founded	1983
Founder	Jon Flickinger
Defunct	1995
Headquarters	Salina , United States
Products	Lt. Kernal, Serial Printer Interface, Graphics Printer Interface, Super Graphix line, Graphix AT, Fontmaster series, Printer Enhancer, FastTape, FastTrak, FastCard variants, FastRAM, Fish & More CD-ROMs, CDx CD-ROM Filesystem, CDx 650, Beeping Tomm, SuperWriter 924, SCAD

Xetec, established in 1983 by Jon Flickinger and based in Salina, Kansas, was a leading American firm in both software and hardware sectors until it ceased operations in 1995. The company focused on creating third-party solutions for systems such as the Commodore 64, Commodore 128, Amiga, Macintosh, Atari ST, and IBM PC compatible computers.

Overview

Xetec achieved significant recognition with the Lt. Kernal, which holds the distinction of being the first third-party hard disk peripheral designed for Commodore computers. Originally developed by Fiscal Information in 1985, Xetec later took over its manufacture and support.

Among its most notable offerings were printer interfaces that allowed Commodore machines to connect with a wide array of parallel-interface printers from manufacturers including Canon, C-Itoh, Star Micronics, Epson, NEC, Okidata, and Panasonic. Initial versions converted Commodore’s serial signals to the standard Centronics parallel interface with basic ASCII compatibility. More advanced models—namely Super Graphix Jr, Super Graphix, and Super Graphix Gold—expanded printer compatibility, improved print resolution, provided customizable fonts, implemented data buffering, supported screen dumps, and introduced innovative features like direct communication between printers and disk drives.

The Fontmaster software series enhanced document creation on Commodore platforms by utilizing new printer graphics technologies to integrate multiple fonts, sizes, visual effects, and images. This software earned an Outstanding Original Programming accolade at the 1985 Consumer Electronics Show and was featured again in 1987.

For the Amiga user base, Xetec offered a range of products including SCSI adapters, hard disk drives, CD-ROM units, tape streaming devices, and memory expansions. The company was also a pioneer in distributing the well-known Fish disks collection on CD-ROM through its three-part Fish & More series.

Expanding beyond computer peripherals, Xetec produced items for Macintosh and PC systems and entered the radio control hobbyist market. The firm also dedicated efforts to research and development in solid-state fluorescent lighting ballasts, resulting in two patents held by founder Jon Flickinger.

Important Xetec products include: Lt. Kernal; Serial Printer Interface; Graphics Printer Interface; Super Graphix line; Graphix AT; Fontmaster series; Printer Enhancer; FastTape; FastTrak; FastCard variants; FastRAM; Fish & More CD-ROMs; CDx CD-ROM Filesystem; CDx 650; Beeping Tomm; SuperWriter 924; and SCAD.

Reception

In 1986, Compute!'s Gazette commended the $49.95 Fontmaster II, describing it as "an excellent value that justifies learning new commands due to the superior print quality it produces."

External links

• Lt. Kernal support site
• Amiga Hardware Database – Expansion cards by Xetec for Amiga
• The Big Book of Amiga Hardware – FastCard photographs
• The Big Book of Amiga Hardware – FastTrak images
• Review of CDx CD-ROM FileSystem
• ANTIC VOL. 6, NO. 8 / DECEMBER 1987 / PAGE 54 – ANTIC’s reference to SCAD
• Easter eggs in Super Graphix Gold
• Easter eggs in Printer Enhancer
• Graphix AT (Atari) evaluation