Photos: Dinosaur sighting: Commodore 64

CNET Networks' TechRepublic runs a regular feature called "Cracking Open" in which it takes a look inside a variety of gadgets. CNET News.com is publishing this excerpt of the first in a series about the Commodore 64.

For many of us, the first computer we can remember having in our homes was the famous Commodore 64. In the early 1980s, this was a very successful home personal computer. It was the first computer I had that not only played games but also had word processing and a modem for downloading free and shareware applications. In many ways, the Commodore 64 was the pioneer of everything we take for granted in a personal computer world today.

We'll soak in some nostalgia with this gallery, then we plan to crack open the C64 in an upcoming gallery to see what makes it tick.

Caption text by TechRepublic's Mark Kaelin.