What is nurpax.github.io?

Updated

nurpax.github.io is the personal blog of Janne Hellsten, who goes by the handle "nurpax." According to the site's own description, the posts are "mostly about what's going on in my github account." In practice, the content centers on Commodore 64 development: the C64jasm macro assembler, 6502 programming techniques, sprite and SID handling, and debugging C64 projects with tools like VICE and C64Debugger. If you are looking for C64 assembly or retro-computing development notes, this is the relevant site; if you want general programming tutorials or a multi-author publication, it is not.

Who runs it and how to reach them

The site is a single-author personal blog. The author lists two contact routes on the homepage:

There is no indication of a team, editorial process, or sponsored content. Treat the posts as one developer's notes rather than authoritative documentation.

What the site covers

The post archive shows a clear focus on low-level C64 work, with a few general programming pieces mixed in. Representative titles from the homepage listing:

Post Date Topic area
A quick blog update January 1, 2024 Site news
Debugging C64jasm projects with VICE and C64Debugger February 22, 2021 C64 tooling and debugging
Python argparse December 4, 2019 General Python
Dirty tricks 6502 programmers use August 18, 2019 6502 assembly techniques
C64jasm object literals July 27, 2019 C64jasm assembler
Loading sprites, PETSCII and SID with C64jasm June 6, 2019 C64 graphics and audio
C64jasm - a new take on C64 macro assembling November 8, 2018 C64jasm assembler
C64 tool tricks (VICE and others) August 23, 2018 Emulator and tooling tips
BINTRIS C64: Bad lines and flexible line distance (series part 5) June 19, 2018 C64 demo/game effects
Break down of a C64 demo effect June 7, 2018 C64 demo effects

Two patterns stand out. First, C64jasm—the author's own macro assembler—appears repeatedly, both as a subject and as the tool used in other posts. Second, there is a multi-part series on BINTRIS C64, a project that digs into bad lines and flexible line distance, which suggests the blog doubles as a development log.

When this site is useful to you

  • You are writing 6502 assembly for the C64 and want practical techniques, including the "dirty tricks" post.
  • You are evaluating or already using C64jasm and want examples of object literals, sprite loading, PETSCII, and SID handling.
  • You need to debug a C64jasm project and want a walkthrough involving VICE and C64Debugger.
  • You want to follow one developer's project notes, such as the BINTRIS series, rather than a structured course.

Limits to keep in mind

The homepage excerpt does not state a license, update schedule, or version support for C64jasm. The most recent listed post is a January 2024 blog update, so check the "All posts" page for anything newer before relying on a specific article. Because the writing is personal and project-driven, verify assembler syntax and tool behavior against current C64jasm and VICE documentation if you are building something that must work.