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One man has kept Apple's answer to Solitaire alive for 32 years

It’s been updated to run on every Apple computer since the original Macintosh was released in 1984.

KlonTab Casteel.org Casteel.org

OF THE MANY things you associate with Microsoft Windows, probably one of the most noticeable inclusions would be the game Solitaire.

A simple game that has been around since Windows 3.1, the 26-year-old game was developed by a then-intern for Windows 3.0 and was even included as a way of teaching people the skills needed for PCs.

What you might not know is the point-and-click version of Solitaire for Apple computers, called Klondike, has been around for much longer.

Brought up in a Reddit thread discussing the game, the original Klondike was released for the Macintosh 128k back in 1984, 32 years ago, making it the first computer Solitaire game.

The game wasn’t an official Apple title. Instead, it was released as shareware. Back in 1984, Casteel was originally a business software developer, but when the first Macintosh was announced, he decided to build a game.

He told The Register ”With the announcement of the Mac, it seemed the age of the personal computer had really arrived… It was clear they were going to make inroads in the home and we thought maybe we should get into it.”

Many other versions of Klondike have been released since then – including iPhone and iPod Touch, and they’ve been all developed and updated by the same person, Michael Casteel.

The game is still available to download on Macs as shareware or through the Apple Mac Store for €9.99. While you can download it for free and you can share it with friends, Casteel does ask for a shareware payment of $10 (€8.95) for playing it.

9awyF2t Original version (right) and 98 version (left). Imgur Imgur

Read: One angry programmer almost broke the internet by deleting 11 lines of code >

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    Mute Janet Coyle
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    Aug 16th 2015, 2:37 PM

    God Rest Him and Condolences to his family and friends it must be so hard for them when it’s so far away x

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    Mute Carmel Roselli- O'Keeffe
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    Aug 16th 2015, 10:03 PM

    Govan was an amazing talented footballer and chess-player from Portmarnock. The nicest and most humble family you could meet. Thoughts with his family-how terribly tragic and unfair. RIP

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    Mute Jim Kearney
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    Aug 17th 2015, 9:20 AM

    Heard he was 1 in a Million. it’s always the good 1s.

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    Mute Cupid Stunt
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    Aug 16th 2015, 4:33 PM

    poor guy, dying miles away from home,I hope his family get any help they need to get him back.

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    Mute fuve
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    Aug 16th 2015, 6:24 PM

    Highly doubtful they will get any support at all. My little brother died in Australia suddenly and not one person gave my family any support from Ireland or Australia. The only helpful ones were the gardai from blessington station proper gents. They had to tell my mam. Irish embassy no help police in Australia proper gents and also helped her. She couldn’t fly over either because was the week of the volcano eruption in Iceland
    Airlines helped so much to trying to get her on flight. Cost my mam thousands to get my brother flown home. Not one Irish politician got in contact to offer assistance or condolences. Rest in peace poor lad deepest condolences to his family x

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    Mute John Payne
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    Aug 16th 2015, 9:22 PM

    Doesn’t surprise me in the slightest to be honest. By stating they are providing assistance, what they generally mean is that they have directed the relatives or concerned person towards the nearest embassy that Ireland has an agreement with, and that is as good as useless, from experience.

    Fact is, our passport is great when you travel, but shite when you need the government’s help (certain, well-known, exceptions noted). The U.S. Passport, and holder, while targeted in many places, is assured assistance throughout the world, albeit at a cost of paying taxes wherever you work….

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    Mute Janet Coyle
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    Aug 16th 2015, 8:58 PM

    Sorry to hear about your brother and shocking to hear the very little assistance you got at such a tragic and hard time x

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    Mute fuve
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    Aug 16th 2015, 10:50 PM

    Thanks Janet x if wasn’t for the decency of police on both sides and tireless efforts in helping our family I dread to think what would have happened. I hope this family get the assistance they need.

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    Mute Diana Moynihan
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    Aug 18th 2015, 7:59 AM

    Every parent’s worst nightmare, hope they find comfort in the fact that he was so happy travelling. It’s heartbreaking that he won’t get to tell them all about his adventure. Rest in Peace, sounds like you were one amazing guy

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