rich-c: verify
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changed username to Rich-n-Rin Rich-n-Rin: Hi Richard. rich-c: Greetings, both Rich-n-Rin: Hope things are cooler in Toronto than here...it is quite hot and muggy. rich-c: didn't realize you were in Toronto so soon, Rich Rich-n-Rin: I'm not: Rich-n-Rin: Erin came here last Friday morning. rich-c: oh, you're in Cleveland? Rich-n-Rin: Yes. Rich-n-Rin: We won't leave for Toronto until this Friday morning. rich-c: OK, when are you returning here? Rich-n-Rin: Should arrive sometime in mid-afternoon.
moved to room Meeting Place Rich-n-Rin: Then I will stay until Monday morning, after taking Rin to work.
changed username to Harvie rich-c: greetings, Harvie Rich-n-Rin: Saturday, of course, we are planning to clean out your basement. Rich-n-Rin: Hello, Harvie. Harvie: Hello all rich-c: well, remember we are looking at triage, not the Sack of Rome Rich-n-Rin: I assumed it was going to be the Sack of Rome. Rich-n-Rin: Frances and I did triage already. rich-c: OTOH, there is a great deal that is disposable and Frances and I are not good on stairs anymore Rich-n-Rin: Eveything keepable I think will fit on less than one of your existing storage racks. Rich-n-Rin: Everything Rich-n-Rin: The rest, the intent was to pitch it. rich-c: one question: does Rin want an Adam? Rich-n-Rin: Yes (she says) rich-c: fine, do you feel like picking it, testing it, and assembling it Saturday? Rich-n-Rin: So basically anybody who wanted dibs on a system, that was the time to claim it. Rich-n-Rin: Yes...I have all day Saturday, at your convenience. Harvie: How did the modem work out? rich-c: actually I've just had an inquiry from a guy on the way to Hawaii for a full ADam Rich-n-Rin: "Absolutely fabulous, thank you very much. It is a lifesaver!" says Rin rich-c: and another wants a power supply today Harvie: You are moist welcome Rich-n-Rin: If they will pay to ship, and you are willing to ship, then that is your prerogative. Rich-n-Rin: <Rin blushes> rich-c: right - forgot you had that for her, Harvie - that was very good of you rich-c: exactly, and that is what I have told him Rich-n-Rin: She has been using it from the phone port in her bedroom. rich-c: told him to take a busted Adam instead, for the shielding of the power supply Rich-n-Rin: And I got her a jack splitter for the phone/desktop in her living room, which she had not had before. rich-c: Rin, what is the processor in your laptop? Harvie: Now you gotta step up to dsl Rich-n-Rin: Pentium of some sort, she says, but she does not have it here to look exactly. Rich-n-Rin: I can look when we get back to Toronto. rich-c: OK, it looks like my P166MMX will be redundant shortly Rich-n-Rin: If she got DSL then we could do VoIP phone and bypass Ma Bell :-) rich-c: the hard disc just stared acting odd, though, so I have to check it out Rich-n-Rin: I think it is more than that, Richard, she got it from one of her brothers IIRC. Rich-n-Rin: Just recently. rich-c: yes, Frances said she got it from Garth rich-c: Rich, I'm holding an Adam with an Orphanware hard disc drive for Michael Rich-n-Rin: Michael Hurst, I presume you mean. rich-c: he wants to ditch it but says it needs reesuscitation from George and Harmen first Rich-n-Rin: I have not heard from him for some months; he said he was very sick then. rich-c: there are also issues of who owes who how much for what Rich-n-Rin: You would have to ask Herman and George... rich-c: yes, he has been under treatment for lung cancer Rich-n-Rin: That I did not know; ouch. rich-c: I reckon that's between Michael and those two rich-c: he has a park trailer out in the country and is there most of the time Rich-n-Rin: I have not heard from Herman since way before ADAMcon and not from George since his declaration not to attend. rich-c: It occurs to me that whatever the resolution is rich-c: it would be better if the Adam were in Cleveland Rich-n-Rin: Well, Oware-type HDs are not so common...assuming that the controller board is still good, it would be worth saving. rich-c: where there is the possibility of resuscitation Rich-n-Rin: Yes, I could probably do it. My Oware HD system still works, could easily swap in a drive to see if that is the problem. rich-c: btw, Pamela is here but just leaving so she will be late Rich-n-Rin: I even have a PC-XT system here with dual MFM drives in it, could pull one if that is the problem. Rich-n-Rin: Hi Pam Harvie: IIRC the screen on that unit fills with a herringbone pattern, the drive was OK Rich-n-Rin: Ah, that is a game board problem then. rich-c: can I give it to your care then, and let Michael sort it out after? He was talking of that solution Rich-n-Rin: Yes we can do that Richard. Rich-n-Rin: How much $$$ are we talking on your end? rich-c: right now he is very volatile, but he did suggest getting it into your harnds rich-c: I think he has ambitions of raising some money from it Rich-n-Rin: I see. rich-c: the price will be decided between Michael and the buyer; I will have no part of it Rich-n-Rin: Rich just stepped out so hi gents :-) rich-c: he is btw answering his email vairly promptly, I believe rich-c: hello Rin, didn't realize you had the time off Rich-n-Rin: yep...took a week of vacation Rich-n-Rin: figured I had better before the house resumes in the fall rich-c: I assume you got the laptop from Garth because your mother didnt want one? Rich-n-Rin: I got it from him because I was willing to pay for it rich-c: ah yes, I forgot the session was over - nice to be out of the hotbox Rich-n-Rin: Mom is probably lamenting not having the second computer in the house rich-c: then if it's working do you think your mother might like the P166? Rich-n-Rin: she might indeed rich-c: hey, if we could get it working, she could have the old desktop too that I was preparing for you Rich-n-Rin: it will allow her access for when Garth is asleep downstairs (which is where the computer is) rich-c: OK, shge has dsl, doesn't she? Rich-n-Rin: yes they do rich-c: well, we'll se what works out after August 13th, then - she staying with you? Rich-n-Rin: yes she will be rich-c: then one thing that can leave the basement is that computer, likely rich-c: or would she want only the laptop? Rich-n-Rin: I don't know I guess we should ask her :-) rich-c: mind you, if the laptop is dying we can offer teh desktop Rich-n-Rin: that is very true Rich-n-Rin: probably see how it goes and then go from there
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changed username to Dale rich-c: whatever which way, we should be able to recycle stuff to her that she will find useful Rich-n-Rin: hi Dale Dale: Hi all. Harvie: Hello Dale rich-c: hello Dale Rich-n-Rin: most definitely Uncle Richard Rich-n-Rin: I am sure she will appreciate it rich-c: now if we could only get her interested in an Adam ; - ) Rich-n-Rin: hehe Rich-n-Rin: not sure that will happen rich-c: must admit I consider it unlikely - can't even interest Pamela in one rich-c: so Dale, all sorted out from the convention now? Dale: Pretty much. Dale: I've got my Adam set up again. Dale: Lots of cables to untangle still though. rich-c: well, I managed to get my laptop back in operation afgter Guy messed it up rich-c: at least there is one useful thing about XP - it has system restore Rich-n-Rin: Ouch that is bad to have to use the system restore...it wipes everything.
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changed username to Guy B. Guy B.: Greetings!!!1 rich-c: no it doesn't, only changes since the chosen restore date Dale: Hi ya Guy. Harvie: Hello Guy Rich-n-Rin: Hi Guy rich-c: hi Guy, just saying I've got the laptop back on line again Guy B.: Great to hear that Rich. What did you do? Guy B.: We have some rain here in Chicago tonight. rich-c: used system restore to set it back to July 13th Guy B.: That will do it. rich-c: as you may have heard on the news, we had a pretty heavy storm yesterday afternoon Rich-n-Rin: Time travel :-) Harvie: It was so cold they had to burn a plane to keep warm rich-c: my personal suspicion is that that is why all the survivors were able to get out Guy B.: Yes, I did hear about that, especially when the plane was just landing at the airport when that happened. Rich-n-Rin: I am lost here...what are you talking about? Guy B.: Dr. D. Did you hear about the Air France crash in Toronto yesterday? rich-c: well it was a real cloudburst - I'd guess enough to suppress the spread of the fire for the critical seconds Rich-n-Rin: Rin told me there was a crash, nobody was hurt, that is all I know. Rich-n-Rin: I did not read Toronto Star online today. Rich-n-Rin: I had to go to work :-S Guy B.: The plane was just landing when heavy thunderstorms hit and the plane skidded off the runway. Guy B.: Everyone survived. rich-c: let's say it was pretty spectacular - a loaded Air France A340 overshot the runway, crashed and burned Rich-n-Rin: That sounds lucky. rich-c: that's one way to understate it, Rich Rich-n-Rin: I am not being facetious... rich-c: there's some aeriel footage of teh crash site taken today at canada.com Rich-n-Rin: I was more worried about the shuttle frankly (guess my USAian bias showing) rich-c: my perception is that the shuttle is fine and teh "worry" pretty much spin Rich-n-Rin: I was watching a lot of NASA TV live via streaming webcast. Guy B.: Rin, they got the pieces removed, but now they might go out again. Rich-n-Rin: Watched the launch live, cried a bit actually. Rich-n-Rin: Space travel was a Big Thing (tm) when I was a kid, never grew up out of it. rich-c: well, whenever folks undertake a dangerous mission for good cuse, that's a reasonable reaction rich-c: it isn't as if they haven't lost shuttles before... Rich-n-Rin: I cried for that, too...both of them... Rich-n-Rin: (Rich talking, not Rin) Guy B.: The one in 1986 really hit because of the teacher on board that one. Rich-n-Rin: I saw it live...we skipped the last class of med school that morning to watch the launch from the student lounge. rich-c: Pamela now has her Avon order phoned in rich-c: and will be leaving shortly, grab something to eeat on the way home rich-c: with luck should join us by 10.30 Guy B.: Thought I let everyone know that my webpage has been updated and there is a link to the Adamcon 18 webpage. Rich-n-Rin: We will try to hold out 'til 10:30... Rich-n-Rin: Is there an ADAMcon 18 webpage:? Rich-n-Rin: did you all look at my photos anyhow rich-c: OK, does it have all the utilities and stuff? Guy B.: Just a preview, but it will be updated once I have everything together. Guy B.: Yes Rich. It does. rich-c: I'm assuming I'll have to download the Emulator again, the get the tuilities Harvie: That's futilities rich :) rich-c: emulator still at Komcon.org/~deKogel? Guy B.: There is a link to my Yahoo Briefcase that has the emulator and utilities without going to Marcel's website. rich-c: OK, let me see if I have you bookmarked rich-c: can't see it immediately; like to repeat it here? Guy B.: www.geocities.com/bonag_3 rich-c: got it rich-c: the laptop; doesn't have a floppy drive and I don't have a USB null-modem cable (yet) rich-c: and I'm not up to setting up a network at the moment rich-c: so I am hiving difficulty transferring stuff between computers Guy B.: That's becoming a trend now. No more floppy drives on new computers. Unless you build one yourself and have one installed. rich-c: oh, you can buy external USB ones Guy B.: Lucky all mine have floppies. Harvie: Don't you have a router rich? Rich-n-Rin: Christina's new Dell laptop has a removable floppy bay, to swap with the DVD-R/W drive Guy B.: That's perfect fer her Dr. D. rich-c: the idea seems to be that CDs and even DVDs are cheaper than floppies and more permanent rich-c: which sort of limits the market 8 - ) Rich-n-Rin: I *WISH* someone made a 5.25" external USB floppy drive... rich-c: be happy if you can get an internal one, especially double density Guy B.: Yet, floppies are still being sold in the stores. Even with blank CD media. I still have my Zip drives and I do use them for backing up. Rich-n-Rin: I would think someone would have cobbled one up as a homebrew project by now...but not yet. rich-c: not the 5.25", and definitely not double sensity Guy B.: Just found out Iomega has dropped support of the Zip 100 and 250 drives and are encouraging those to upgrade to the 750 drive.
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changed username to On the Island rich-c: come to think of it, I do have an external LS120 drive, and LS120s will read 1.44 floppies Guy B.: HI Ron On the Island: Hi all! Rich-n-Rin: hi Ron rich-c: greeting, Ron Harvie: Hi Ronald rich-c: got home safely then, we gather On the Island: Harvie, Rich, Guy- R&R Guy B.: That LS120 drive did not take off. rich-c: pity because I have one on my desktop too On the Island: yassir Harvie: One of my laptops has an LS120 in it rich-c: it was a serious failure of marketing, driven by grees Rich-n-Rin: HEY, WE ARE R&R HERE! Rich-n-Rin: (sorry to yell) Guy B.: How I remember Tigerdirect was heavily promoting that drive over the Zip. On the Island: Brother Dave and friend Gail are visiting from Calgary rich-c: you have guests - how do they like your new digs?
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changed username to Daniel Late On the Island: very much. It worked well. My sis and hubby and his daughter were here - so we had 6 for supper on Sat Guy B.: Hi Daniel Daniel Late: Hello Harvie: Hi Daniel On the Island: Hii Daniel Rich-n-Rin: Hello Daniel rich-c: oui, Daniel, tu es beaucoup en retard - mais, salut rich-c: Daniel do you know of anyone looking for Colecovision game units or power supplies for them? Daniel Late: well, yes a few... Rich-n-Rin: When moving ADAM stuff here, I found a box of CV power supplies I bought from American Design Components. rich-c: I am about to throw out a number of them unless I get an offer soon Daniel Late: How much you want (or need?) to ship them to me. rich-c: I have a bunch of CV units that don't work, and some that do Rich-n-Rin: They were to fix up Orphanware 80-column units IIRC. Rich-n-Rin: Which used them as power supplies. Rich-n-Rin: I had totally forgotten that I had them.
moved to room Meeting Place rich-c: Daniel, email me your address (again) and we'll see if we can think of something Daniel Late: ok
changed username to Rich-n-Rin rich-c: looks like someone dropped off and came in again Rich-n-Rin: Closed the wrong window here, sorry.
Rich-n-Rin changed username to Doofus
Doofus requested to ban Rich-n-Rin rich-c: not sure I want to ask what THAT means...
Harvie confirmed ban
rich-c confirmed ban
Doofus changed username to Rich-n-Rin Rich-n-Rin: Two logins with same name...I needed a different name so I could request to kill the old one.
Guy B. confirmed ban Daniel Late: you email still ... at tamcotec.com ? Harvie: I have a CV powersupply with a Molex connector rich-c: yes, it has never been anywhere else - Pamela and Harvie are there too
On the Island confirmed ban rich-c: cleechez@tamcotec.com Daniel Late: "you got mail"
Dale confirmed ban rich-c: OK, will grab it after I leave chat, but don't necessarily expect an answer tonight Daniel Late: i understand :-) Harvie: Too long at the keyboard, must go, goodnight all Daniel Late: what you guys talked before I were online with you tonight? Daniel Late: goodnight Harvie! On the Island: BRB - have to clean my glasses- can't see a damn thing On the Island: nite Harvie Rich-n-Rin: Bye harvie rich-c: night Harvie
Harvie left chat session Dale: Hi Daniel Dale: Richard, I have a colecovision but it has as long as I can remember lacked a powersupply and black joysticks. Dale: Maybe I can pick some up before the weekend, if you have appropriate ones. Dale: I'm also interested in a boxed Adam for picture taking purposes. rich-c: be my guest, Dale - when do you want to come by? rich-c: if you want those you'll need to take them here - boxes I do not part with Dale: Maybe Friday morning at around 11am. Would that suit you? rich-c: let me check the calendar Daniel Late: lucky Dale, you will be able to play again with your ColecoVision ;-) On the Island: nostalgia rules! Rich-n-Rin: Richard, will you have a dumpster or bin or something for us to discard stuff in on Saturday? Rich-n-Rin: That was the plan... Dale: I've powered it up with my Roller Controller power adaptor for the Adam. On the Island: I take it Saturday is the day of the great disposal Dale: Murray was planning to come right?
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changed username to rich-1 rich-1: sorry folks, got dropped
Daniel Late requested to ban rich-c
Guy B. confirmed ban
Rich-n-Rin confirmed ban
On the Island confirmed ban
Dale confirmed ban On the Island: (somewhere in the universe an ADAM flag flies alone at half mast)
rich-1 confirmed ban Dale: He left the power cable for his laptop at the AdamCon, and suggested that he could pick it up this weekend. I will be out of town. Maybe I could take it to your place too Richard. Rich-n-Rin: I don't know if Murray is coming or not. rich-1: anyway, Friday is fine Dale, 11 OK but noon is better Rich-n-Rin: Nothing has been said. Rich-n-Rin: All I know is, Rin and I will be there Saturday after Richard gets up, 1 PMish most likely, and stay 'til the job is done. rich-1: no, Murray phoned and I declined Dale: I'll try to get there slowly. But it'll still be closer to 11, I think. rich-1: OK, bring your camera for the box, and a box for the power supply rich-1: sorry, whose cable was left behind at AC? Dale: No problem. Do you have any black joysticks? rich-1: yes rich-1: not only that, they work Dale: Murray's laptop power cable. rich-1: do you remember how to get to my place, Dale? rich-1: better he should pick it up from you, Dale; you are much nearer Dale: I believe so, just take the Alan expressway and turn left and right a few times. Dale: 'Can't miss it. On the Island: That's about it Dale On the Island: as I recall rich-1: Allen to Lawrence, left (east) at rasmp top.\ rich-1: after you clear teh bridge complex, keep red brick buildings on your left Dale: You're address is on my floppy disks. Mapquest is my friend. rich-1: if they start to turn yellow, turn up the dividing street (Brookview) rich-1: then it's second stop sign, turn right, driveway first right rich-1: maybe so but a lot show Rondale being connected to a street it only has a pathway to Dale: I remember the way there well rich-1: anyway, 21 Rondale Blvd. should let MapQuest handle it rich-1: think of any other Adam small stuff you may need and we'll see if we can do something On the Island: If you're eastbound on Lawrence and you get to Bathurst, you've gone too far Dale: a couple of keyboards with no keys missing would be welcome rich-1: yes, our intersection is tricky because it's unsignalled and on the left side only rich-1: can do, Dale Dale: all of my keyboards seem to snap off keys on the way to or from some historic AdamCon or other rich-1: well, I've never suffered that fate yet, but one never knows... rich-1: hope you're good at cleaning them as some are a bit grotty rich-1: btw Dale, time to change that "Guiness" action to "St.Ambroise" Dale: Dr. D seems to think that the yellowing affected some keys more than others. I wonder how many bacthes of each key they made. Dale: You can always add your own actions. Rich-n-Rin: I always thought it was smokers' keyboards... On the Island: In some cases it was rich-1: I have always heard it was aUV or something - how much sunlight fell on which part for how long On the Island: but discolouration seems to happen, smoking or not rich-1: oh, how do I add my own action? Daniel Late: I'm writing a message in the CCJVQ forum to see if someone will want a power suply. Dale: Under Edit, "Create new action" rich-1: OK, I see it, and will edit accordingly rich-1: in fact, it's time now for me to fetch my biere noire - brb Dale: I previously believed that it was smokers, but since then I've seen other verifiably non-smoker's keysboards change colour.
On the Island created action P/act
(action is as action does) Daniel Late: message done rich-1: good show Daniel - you could ask if anyone knows how to fix CV units and wants some to fix Daniel Late: I added a note in the message about it. rich-1: good - I even have one or two that I suspect don't need fixing Daniel Late: asking if someone one a Coleco to play, to modify or to repair. ;-) Daniel Late: ...if someone WANT (not one) a Coleco... rich-1: that pretty much covers the situation!
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changed username to Pamela rich-1: welcome daughter, see you made it Pamela: and here I am, as promised, dinner in hand at 10:30 On the Island: Hi Pamela Pamela: Hello Ron rich-1: I am not going to ask what constitutes dinner - I doubt I want to know Rich-n-Rin: Typing one-handed then? (Rin says hi) Pamela: Hello, Rich and Rin Rich-n-Rin: Poutine a la mode Pamela: Greetings Daniel, Dale and Guy Rich-n-Rin: au jus Pamela: ewww Daniel Late: Hey Pam! Pamela: scrambled eggs with cheese (slightly over done) and toast Rich-n-Rin: I like my suggestion better Pamela: poutine a la mode??? where do you get these ideas? On the Island: sounds like my kinda dinner rich-1: a bit heavy on the cholesterol, but I've seen worse Rich-n-Rin: Fevered brain I guess
(Daniel Late hugs Pamela) Guy B.: HI Pam On the Island: bought a barbecue last week. the whole fam damily christened it Rich-n-Rin: I had a nice healthy salad for supper Rich-n-Rin: (we both did) Pamela: it coulda been worse - coulda been a quarter pounder with cheese and fries Rich-n-Rin: Plus one last piece of KFC rich-1: that is true, Pam
(Pamela hugs Daniel Late)
(Guy B. gives Pamela a can of Diet Coke.) Rich-n-Rin: Daniel Latte? Pamela: lucky you Ron Pamela: we loooove to bbq rich-1: I can't even remember the last time I was in a McDonalds - or Wendy's - or KFC On the Island: :) Daniel Late: It's Daniel Bienvenu... late, but it didn't fit in the usename string ;-) Guy B.: Me neither and I really don't miss it. Rich-n-Rin: I know Daniel :-) Pamela: last time I was at Wendy's, I had a salad - they're pretty good On the Island: actually, it's fun. Rich-n-Rin: I am too tired Rich-n-Rin: It is too hot here Rich-n-Rin: Getting sleepy Daniel Late: James, GuyF and all Coleco (or not) my friends think that I'm depress. On the Island: stil? On the Island: hot I mean rich-1: we very rarely eat out, or when we do it's in so remote a place we have to take our lunch anyway Rich-n-Rin: Need to sit in a cold bathtub or something. On the Island: played golf today - so I'm donw a quart too On the Island: it's warm enough out here, and I think I have a sunburned face Rich-n-Rin: Putt-putt is my golfing speed Ron :-) Pamela: are you guys getting our weather in Cleveland? Rich-n-Rin: I like dodging the windmills rich-1: hot enough to have you sweating, wss it, Ron? Rich-n-Rin: No rain here, just heat On the Island: No, not really, but I'm burning now Pamela: well we still have a way to go before all the lawns green up again On the Island: had hat and sun screen, but I still get roasted Daniel Late: After the Adamcon, the real life is not exciting. I think I have the blues, I want to see you again. rich-1: actually lawns haven't been too bad, at least they have been modest in their water requirements On the Island: Post Adamcon Stress Disorder Guy B.: Same here, but our governor is going to ask for help, especially with the farmers. On the Island: I know it well rich-1: yes, Adamcons are like that, Daniel, sort of addictive Pamela: I know it well Daniel - you're so excited about the convention and it goes by so fast, that afterwards is a big letdown Guy B.: But, we all have a great time being together for four days and we always look forward to the next one when it's over. Rich-n-Rin: Agreed, Guy. rich-1: now, only Dale is left as the one who has been to evry Adamcon Pamela: Guy, any idea on dates for next year yet? On the Island: Ya got that right pilgrim Guy B.: Not yet. Guy B.: I do have a checklist on what I need to do and to look for. Daniel Late: I'm happy to know that my feelings are normal Pamela: ah lists, I know them well On the Island: Oh yes Daniel, they are indeed Pamela: I have lists, and more lists, and lists of lists Rich-n-Rin: I think next on my list is a cool shower, I am sweating like a pig... Pamela: best thing you can do Rich-n-Rin: So...I think I will sign off for tonight, folks. Guy B.: I started it when I got back. And I'm really busy this week at work. I have to run the mailing labels for our magazine this Friday before the network goes down for maintenance. Rich-n-Rin: We will see Pam and Richard this weekend. Guy B.: Byr Dr. and Rin Daniel Late: Goodnight Dr.D and 'Rin On the Island: Must do my AC17 report - Promised Dale I would Guy B.: Bye Dr. D. and Rin Pamela: night R & R Rich-n-Rin: Bye to the rest until next week. rich-1: night you two, see you Saturday Daniel Late: thanks again for the Coleco doc Rich-n-Rin: Closing hailing frequencies... On the Island: be well Rich 'n' Rin Pamela: Drive safe Rich-n-Rin: Rin blows kisses Daniel Late: :-) Pamela: Pam catches them Rich-n-Rin: <poof> Daniel Late: <wave> Guy B.: Tell her we miss her. Dale: That's right Ron. I was going to come by and threaten your cats soon. On the Island: :) On the Island: it will be done sir Pamela: Dale, are you travelling again soon? rich-1: DSale is always travelling Dale: I'm headed to Vancouver near the end of the month. Pamela: how often is your presence required out there? On the Island: well Hey! At least you're headed in the right direction Dale: I try to go for a few days every 6 weeks. On the Island: Weekend after Labor day, I'm headed to PEI Pamela: wow, that must be rough Dale: That keeps things running the best usually. Pamela: what's in PEI, Ron? On the Island: expect Jeff and Francesca here for the long weekend complete with wedding proofs for me to see Pamela: yay, pictures! On the Island: the place of my birth, and 3 cousins Daniel Late: Prince Edward Island? I like it Pamela: nice rich-1: scan 'em abd post 'em, Ron! Pamela: I seem to remember enjoying PEI : ) On the Island: will see what I can do Rich. Already scanning some my brother took Pamela: Dad's keyboard has a headcold! rich-1: as I recall, you did, Pam Pamela: I'd love to go back someday Pamela: and I want to go out west again, and show Russell this time Pamela: I don't think I appreciated it as much as I could have On the Island: we could arrange that Pamela rich-1: if you ever have teh time, it's a very interesting drive, especially if you're not under time pressure Pamela: we'll get around to it someday, I expect Ron rich-1: in fact, easst or west are worthwhile On the Island: want to do the Cabot Trail this time. And I have friends in Nova Scotia to visit Pamela: Enjoy it well, Ron rich-1: some folks rank the Cabot Trail in teh ten great roads of the world On the Island: oh yes Pamela: I think I caught the travelling bug from Mom and Dad Pamela: it took me a while On the Island: and there is only one Island; this isn't it rich-1: the North American three are Cabot Trail, Going to the Sun, and Trail Ridge Road rich-1: I have driven all of them Pamela: when did you drive Going to the Sun, Dad? rich-1: when we were out west I think in 1986 - it's in Glacier National Park (the US one) Pamela: ahhh - the one I missed. Okay. rich-1: think we may have done it again some time later Pamela: Dad, what glacier were we on where I fell into the goop? Daniel Late: When I was young, my familly did camping each summer during about a month in PEI. Pamela: that sounds wonderful, Daniel. Tent camping? rich-1: oh dear, that was on the Glacier Highway between Jasper and Banff - not sure of teh name Daniel Late: And it's in PEI, one night, I saw the ufo I talked about in a previous chat session Daniel Late: yes, Tent camping Pamela: ask Mom rich-1: she'll remember the road but not the glacier name - could have been Athabsca, maybe Pamela: I didn't start tent camping until Girl Guides, and by then was spoiled by the trailer Daniel Late: we lost for an hour my sister in the camping one time. she went at the beach without waiting us. Pamela: actually, maybe it was earlier. Seems to me we went tent camping with the school in Grade 5 On the Island: That's where Francesca and Jeff went on their honeymoon On the Island: Jasper/Banff Pamela: Oops, Daniel. Your parents must have been frantic Pamela: I was still spoiled by the trailer. Pamela: that's a lovely trip Ron. Are they driving? rich-1: your mother says your fateful glacier was part of the Columbia Icefields On the Island: Yes they did. They're back now Pamela: okay, that's what I thought. Tell her thank you. Daniel Late: Well, it's more a funny anecdote now than bad memories. Pamela: I guess so - it's been a month already On the Island: Indeed it has Pamela: now it is, I'm sure Daniel - but I'll bet your parents didn't think it was very funny then Daniel Late: oops... firefox tell me to do an update rich-1: you have the auto update enabled? Daniel Late: yes Guy B.: Well folks, got to run. I'll see you all next week. Daniel Late: byte Guy! rich-1: there is a new version out; I have it on the XP Pamela: Dale, I'm sure this was asked earlier but how are the three of you feeling now? Daniel Late: .... err... bye Guy! On the Island: One thing I detest is perfectly functional software telling me I'm out of date. I tend to take it personalls rich-1: OK Guy, take care, see you then Pamela: Guy, g'nite - is there an e-mail for me? On the Island: personally rich-1: maybe we'll talk more about your Adamcon Guy B.: Will let you know Pam. Guy B.: Poof
Guy B. left chat session Pamela: okay. I'll be looking for it On the Island: I'm gone too good folks. Better tend to my company On the Island: nite all Pamela: g'nite Ron. Dale: See you Ron. On the Island: poof rich-1: right, Ron, glad you could make it for a while - till next week Dale: Don't forget about your report. On the Island: :) oh no! Daniel Late: you're right Pam, it was the panic, looking in the tent, at the bathroom, in the amusement park... and finally find her at the beach
On the Island left chat session Pamela: the important thing is it turned out fine Daniel Daniel Late: yes. rich-1: still, when you're kid goes missing, cool rationality is hard to come by Pamela: that's one I never pulled on you, is it Dad? Daniel Late: personnaly, I were lucky one time. We were in a camping, not in PEI, and there was two path to return to the tent: one is the road, the other in the forest. rich-1: well, thre was a time when you got diverted on teh way home from kindergarten, and were found in Lawrence Heights Pamela: actually I think I was older, but we'll talk about that some other time Daniel Late: My older brother and I taked sometimes the path in the forest rich-1: I remember I was quite prepared to murder someone, but the cops wre very close-mouthed when they brought you back Pamela: yes, I seem to recall you were a bit upset Daniel Late: one day, my mother says that a young girl was discovered in this forest, attached and not in good shape, during your vacancy at this camping. Pamela: I must have been older Dad, I was on my two wheeled bike rich-1: not ruddy much, that's for sure Pamela: I must have been seven or eight, just before I got the folding bike - I was on the little red bike I learned to ride on rich-1: vacacy = vacation? Daniel Late: er.. well, yes Pamela: I think vacancy = absence Daniel Late: well, this time, I wnated to say vacation Pamela: okay rich-1: don't fuss it Daniel, your English is far better than our French - as you know Pamela: where was this Daniel - do you remember? rich-1: james can maybe keep up with you but he isn't here tonight Daniel Late: no, I was too youg. I only remember all was written in english, everywhere. Pamela: so you probably weren't in Quebec then, or New Brunswick rich-1: yes, that is the casse pretty much everywhre outside Quebec rich-1: right - bilingualism in New Brunswick is pretty recent rich-1: anyway, time for me to shut down - tomorrow comes early Daniel Late: I'm not sure but it can be in a KOA, I remember that we always wanted to go to a KOA, before going to the PEI. rich-1: Dale, see you Friday; Pam, see you Saturday Pamela: okay, night Daddy Daniel Late: before the period of PEI Pamela: KOAs are everywhere Daniel Daniel Late: I know it doesn't help rich-1: et Daniel, bonsoir; a la prochaine Dale: See you Friday Richard. Daniel Late: bonsoir Ric Daniel Late: h Dale: Daniel, rich-1: colour me gone
rich-1 left chat session Daniel Late: which colour is that? Pamela: yes, I want to know that too : ) Dale: I've got a wird bug with my background music in a game I'm working on for the 1k mini games challenge. Daniel Late: ho! a bug? Pamela: well since Dad screwed up my plans for the evening, i guess I'd better go and find out how many spams I have Dale: I'm wondering if I showed you my source code, if you'd know what I was doing wrong. Daniel Late: can you describ it? Pamela: gonna go check my email, so good night, guys Pamela: kerpoof Daniel Late: Well, my reccent effort on Coleco sounds can certenly help Dale: Sadly the bug is: I make all fo the OS calls in the documentation, and no music plays, but my timers trigger (also in the interupt handler) Daniel Late: bye Pam!
Pamela left chat session Dale: Can you open tar balls (.tar.gz files) Daniel Late: Show me your code. 1k is small enough to find a bug Daniel Late: yes, I can with 7z Daniel Late: (opensource and working fine) Dale: http://www.adamcon.org/~dmwick/adam/watorsrc.tgz
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changed username to Scott Scott: Hello Scott: Are you guys still here? Dale: Hi Dale: Not paying close attention. Dale: Just told Daniel to look at my source code to try and find a bug. Scott: It's been a long time since I've seen you in the chat room. Scott: Heard that you're busy with your startup that you sold off to Best Buy Scott: Hope that's going well. Dale: Well, AdamCon makes it more likely for me to show up. Daniel Late: The sound data is ok, looking at sound table and sound calls.
Daniel Late changed username to Daniel Bienvenu Dale: It seems to be going pretty good. We went from 12 employees to about 96 now, including the manufacturing part (which used to belong to our customer) Scott: Wow. Scott: Now you can buy that condo in Maui that you always wanted Dale: Defiantely some growing pains to chnage an organization that much. Dale: :-) Scott: Sure. You must be VERY busy. Scott: How did ADAMCon go over. Scott: Once again I didn't make it. Dale: The trick is that the head office is now in Vancouver, and I'm based in Toronto. There is some travel involved in there somewhere. Scott: Has it been decided where the next one will be? Dale: Chicago. Daniel Bienvenu: Dale, is it possible that the IF condition in the sound data makes the only sound code available 0xd0 (end sound)? Scott: That's right. Rich told me that you were doing a lot of traveling. Dale: Hosed by the one and only Guy Bona III. Scott: What program are you debugging? Dale: Daniel, hmm...they are defined at the beginning of that file. Dale: I think that they are on. Certainly the .rom file is huegly bigger. Dale: http://www.adamcon.org/~dmwick/adam/watorsrc.tgz Dale: If you can open .tar.gz files. Daniel Bienvenu: you have the rom file somewhere? Dale: I could put it in a .zip if you can't. Dale: Let me get it for you...brb
Dale left chat session Scott: Hi Daniel. How's it going? Daniel Bienvenu: It's going good Daniel Bienvenu: programming for a coleco project makes me happy Scott: Sorry I haven't been around for awhile. Scott: This is the first chance I've had.
moved to room Meeting Place Scott: I am also gravitating back to my ColecoVision projects. Daniel Bienvenu: no problem Scott.
changed username to Dale Dale: I'm back. Daniel Bienvenu: welcome back Dale Dale: I have to reassemble it... Scott: Daniel - which project are you working on? Daniel Bienvenu: ok Daniel Bienvenu: well, I'm working again on my Spectar project, abandonned mid-december in year 2000 Dale: http://www.adamcon.org/~dmwick/adam/wator.rom Scott: My wife is working now, so more free time in the evening to program ;) Daniel Bienvenu: I sent my source code to Scott Huggins, he did a playable version and bring the source code back to me to optimize it Scott: Awesome Scott: Has it been decided where the next ADAMCon will be? Dale: Scott, I did a programming presentation at AdamCon, and I even made powerpoints this year. You can check it out at http://www.adamcon.org/~dmwick/warmfuzz/ Dale: Chicago, hosted by Guy Bona III. Scott: I'll check it out. Scott: I'm sorry, I didn't catch that the first time Dale: AdamCon 18, next summer. Scott: Ok, Chicago. That's relatively close. Scott: My sister lives in Illinois (Peoria), so that would work out great. Daniel Bienvenu: Well Dale, my Sound Extractor Tool that helped me to extract sounds from Coleco games to build my soundbank project.... wasn'T able to find sound in your rom Dale: Daniel, would the .lst file be of assistance to you? It shows the compiled code. Daniel Bienvenu: so there must me an error in the init. part Dale: I define the table in SoundAddrs block of notes.z Dale: I call SOUND_INIT with HL=SoundAddrs, and B=7 Dale: Scott, what kind of CV programming are you working on? Scott: I'm back. Looking at your slides, Dale. Very interesting. Scott: The last thing I was working on was the Dragon Master RPG game that would span 3 cartridges Scott: I am programming in assembly with some homemade tools. Dale: The presentation is based on one lecture of a game design course I took over the winter. Scott: You're even busier than I thought, Dale. Wow. Dale: Right now I" Scott: I had to stop for a few months to complete my studies. Scott: Just got my associates degree from the Community College of Aurora. Dale: I'm taking a course in level design for games and game production, both taught in 3D Studio Max, Maya and UnrealEd from Unreal Tournament 2004. Scott: Am thinking of getting my Bachelor's at The University of Colorado at Denver Scott: Hey, they offer those courses at the Community College Dale: Seemed like a good school when I visited it. Scott: There's a class in the Unreal Engine and also another on Game Development using Visual Basic Dale: Level Design and Game Production? Scott: They're just single classes, not part of a degree/certificate program that I'm aware of Dale: These course are targeted at 3D artists though, not programmers. Daniel Bienvenu: (I'm still looking at your code, Dale) Dale: Daniel, is it that bad? Scott: We also have Maya classes offerred through the film school at CCA Scott: Those are more for the artists. Dale: I'm sure it is really close, because I read the CV Technical Manual chapters to verify the output, and it is really close. Scott: Metro State College has an entire BS degree in game development Dale: Maybe I'm overwriting the memory at 7100h where the play buffer is located. Dale: Well, the courses I'm taking are how to create 3D levels and art assets to populate the level, as opposed to program it. Dale: The instructor is currently working for a game studio making a PS2 port of the XBox game Pariah. Scott: I'm not sure what the focus is with these Game Development classes (CCA). Scott: Wow, that's really cool. Scott: Is this part of a degree program? Dale: Part of a 6 course "Certificate in Game Design" Scott: Ahhh Daniel Bienvenu: Dale, my Sound Extractor cannot find a sound in your rom because the first entry of the soundaddrs is invalid. Daniel Bienvenu: I know, it looks ok in your code, but not in the rom Scott: So are you planning to put a team together and develop content for the XBOX 360? Scott: Nintendo DS? Dale: 2 theory, two practical, and Maya, 3DS Max (as prereqs.) Dale: Scott, I have to stick with my current post for a bit. Dale: But eventually I expect that I'll be starting a studio. I'm just saving up a nest egg to get it off the ground. Scott: That's great. Dale: 8427 SoundAddrs: Dale: 8427 4C83 DW Notes1 Dale: 8429 0071 DW SongDataArea Dale: Tha'ts not correct? Daniel Bienvenu: based on thedisasm, what is at 8427 is : d0 4c 83 00 ... so invalid Scott: Did you guys read about the Atari 24 hour challenge where teams of programmers built a game in a day? Daniel Bienvenu: so it's offset? Dale: Let me check for assembler phase errors... Daniel Bienvenu: yes, it's offset. by one byte Daniel Bienvenu: I don't understand why the compiled verison makes the first byte value at SoundAddrs the last byte of the notes, Dale: Let me try it in BlueMSX, now that I know what I'm looking for... Daniel Bienvenu: an hex editor or a dismassembler show that this SoundAddrs is not right Daniel Bienvenu: if you manually set to 8428, it will work Dale: Hmmm...it doesn't work in BlueMSX. VColeco seems to run it okay though. Daniel Bienvenu: strange Daniel Bienvenu: but VColeco is not the best emulator to test Dale: I think I have a theory of what's wrong. It is the dreaded CR LF problem... Daniel Bienvenu: Well, I don't know why but it looks like the compiler added "db 0d0h" as part of SoundAddrs: ... Daniel Bienvenu: CR = Carriage Return? and LF = Line Feed? Dale: my byte 0a somewhere is preceeded by a 0d maybe? Dale: Correct. Daniel Bienvenu: can you put the SoundAddrs table "apart" in another file, to avoid this problem? Scott: Dale, I did have a question for you about ColecoVision programming. Scott: How do you get input from the controllers? I am doing this in assembly and trying to learn Dale: I think that my makefile is creating the problem. Scott: Have you seen/written any good tutorials on this? Dale: Let me see if I can fix it. Daniel Bienvenu: Scott, the best thing to do is using controller routines Scott: The OS7 ones? I have disassembled the code, but still not sure how to use them Dale: Scott, there is a good example of it at http://www.adamcon.org/~dmwick/mayan/ Daniel Bienvenu: :-) I know how you feel, Scott. Scott: Oh, yes. You sent me that code awhile ago Scott: I will look it over. Dale: Great. Scott: The only real hurdle I face is getting input from the controller Daniel Bienvenu: Well, you probably know that I'm working on a coleco programming document based on the coleco bios. Scott: I have a document from you on that. It's early, I think Daniel Bienvenu: well, the controllers routine part is not updated yet... but your version is certainly older than the version I did reccently Dale: I've fixed my makefile... Dale: http://www.adamcon.org/~dmwick/adam/wator1.rom is 1 byte shorter. Dale: Ahha! Music plays. Dale: Actually, the wator game I'm debugging uses the controller, with both fire buttons and the keypad. Dale: It might be an example too. Look at main.z80. Scott: I'm looking over main.z80 from mayansrc right now Scott: Will play around with your example. Scott: Looks like everything's there that I will need. Dale: The 5 seconjd version is in the file os7def.z with a one line description of the POLLER OS7 call. Dale: I program OS7 from the guide that Daniel now has a copy of. Daniel Bienvenu: "Welcome to the planet Wator"? Daniel Bienvenu: yes, the music is playing ;-) Daniel Bienvenu: but my sound extractor still unable to extract your music :-( I'm wondering why Dale: It is supposed to be a life simulation of sharks and fish from Planet WaTor (which is a water covered torus -- wraps around in both x and y) Dale: Now what did I do wrong? Daniel Bienvenu: I don'T know. maybe it's simply a problem of lack of memory ... windows bug Dale: I'm having trouble. The original version of WaTor I did as a boot block program in 1989. I thought it might make a 1k game. Dale: But the music uses up tonnes of space. Dale: I'll have to compress the music I think. Daniel Bienvenu: I think I can compress the music by using freq sweep to play two notes by code. Daniel Bienvenu: 2 notes per code Dale: And my simulation software expects to have 1.5k of buffers to calculate the next step. I need to compress the RAM usage. Dale: You loose a lot moving from Adam to CV. Daniel Bienvenu: you gain challenge Dale: I was planning to compress the music with 4:1 compression, but I may not have the RAM to spare to have an uncompressed version around. Daniel Bienvenu: Scott, I can email you the new version of my Coleco prog document that is based on the coleco bios and soon on the coleco prog document Dale is talking about. Dale: I'm not sure if I should go to 4k to have the music I want, with 3 voice sound or not. Daniel Bienvenu: Try 1K, and if it's going to be a 4K, we will be 3 then with a 4k coleco game for the minigame compo ;-) Scott: Sorry, I'm back. Reading sourcecode for controller input Daniel Bienvenu: don't be sorry Scott Dale: I may be no music, just sound effects then. Scott: Sure, if you would like to send it, I can read through it and give you comments. Scott: The last serious piece of code that I wrote for my RPG was a dialogue box routine. Dale: The music plays too fast. I'll have to lower the tempo. Dale: The music is generated from my prof's music representation of "KERN". Dale: I wrote the converter about 6 years ago. Daniel Bienvenu: Dale, if you still have a document about that format (KERN or whatever), send me a copy. Dale: I'm puzzled by BlueMSX Dale: I can get it to control the fire buttons when I set the controls to Mouse. Dale: But I can't find the keymap for any of the other modes to work with arrow keys. Dale: Did you see the .krn file I send with the .tgz? Scott: I bought space back in March to build a ColecoVision development site. URL: http://www.trilogy-games.com Scott: There's just a simple entry page Dale: I'm sure I have the kern format document around. It is also somewhere on the Internet. I'll look for it. Scott: What happened to Daniel? Dale: He disappeared. Scott: Are you still planning to release some ColecoVision/ADAM games? Dale: Yes, I've been working on games lots. Dale: All different sorts of games. Scott: You could easily port your code over to the Sega Master System/Game Gear Dale: I'm hoping to get involved in James' project to build some PCBs and plastic shells. Scott: Very similar architecture Scott: What project is that? Dale: James is working on a project to make self-published titles for the CV easier. Scott: Plastic cartridge casings are the expensive part Dale: He is working with Daniel and Guy Foster on the idea. Scott: My dad gave me the design for a cartridge board Scott: One of the last Micro Innovations products he developed Dale: Guy Foster has a design for the cartridge board also. Scott: He said it works, but never manufactured it. Dale: Didn't you do something in the past with Good Deal Games? Scott: With my current financial situation improving in leaps and bounds, I was thinking of doing a run. Scott: Yes, we published Daniel's games Scott: Game Pack I & II Dale: Where did the plastic cases come from? Scott: GDG wants to release more cartridges, but we ran out of boards. We have all the other parts, though. Scott: Mike got a hold of 100 or so common games which we gutted and reused the plastic Scott: I last spoke with a man in Taiwan who was willing to manufacture plastic casings in low runs Dale: I see. Dale: What kind of run size? Scott: But it would still be 5000-6000 dollars Scott: Actually, Eduardo Mello was supposed to manufacture cartridges in Brazil Scott: But he disappeared and never spoke to Mike or I again. Good thing we didn't send him any money Scott: We offered to. Scott: I think the guy in Taiwan would let us do runs of 500 - 1000. Scott: Can't remember off the bat Scott: I manufactured 50 Game Pack I, 40 or so Game Pack II and 20 or so of Cosmo Fighter 3 Scott: They sold out, of course Dale: My goal was to get the shell to be <$1 each, if possible. Scott: Yes, but the plastic mold is what really costs you the money Scott: Then the shells can be easily made from that. Scott: It would need to reside with the manufacturer if you were to do this out of country Scott: At least, that's my recollection Dale: That makes sense. Scott: We planned to also do these in different colors as well as a clear case Dale: So the mold costs $3000, or more and the run is a few hundred dollars?
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changed username to Daniel Scott: At the time, we just didn't have the money, so we opted for cannabilizing old carts until we could afford it Daniel: my windows... crashed Scott: The mold was probably a little more expensive than that, but once it pays for itself, doing the runs is reasonable Scott: Sorry I can't be more concise. I spoke with this guy about 3 years ago Daniel: the mold? Daniel: which mold? Daniel: making new casings? Dale: I;m asking Scott about the injection molding plastic shells for cartridge plastic shells. Scott: Dale - we're talking about the same thing Dale: PCBs. Scott: You have to have your perfect master which you can make subsequent casings from. Scott: That's what I'm referring to Dale: Right. Scott: I originally went to Telegames Scott: They were willing to do it, but they kinda wanted to screw me over Daniel: Scott, you really have to talk with James de Carlo, he is lokking for the same things Daniel: finding a way of making new casings and pcbs Daniel: the mold is about 4000$ Scott: They were expensive, the design was shaky, and would not make additional casings if we needed them Scott: Sounds about right Scott: "The mold" as in the "master". Correct? Scott: Not the total cost Daniel: as the master, yes. James de Carlo is living in japan and think that he can find a way to make a deal in asia to build the mold and the new casings ... maybe you and James can manage something together. Scott: I have lost the e-mail address from the Tawainese contact Dale: Daniel, James hasn't been on to talk about this stuff with the last two weeks, so I've talked with GuyF and I was asking Scott what he knows. Scott: But I know the person I got it from Scott: Is James willing to put up this kind of money? Scott: He could easily spend 6-8K Scott: What about the PCBs Scott: The person I was buying from got greedy, wanted to much money, and I would prefer to get them from another source or print them myself Scott: Are you planning to have PCBs manufactured in the US or also in Japan? Dale: I had a local source for PCBs, which was a company that was recommended to me by someone who has worked with them in the past. Daniel: James is looking for new casings, pcbs and boxes. it's for the Colecoshop web site he's building Scott: Perhaps he and I should talk Daniel: I think so Scott: Myself and Mike Thomasson at GDG would be willing to put some money into the project Dale: Their pricing for 4 layer boards was resonable, and 2 layer cartridge PCBs would be a cinch. Daniel: James too Scott: I already have a good supply of EEPROMs and 7408s Scott: Only have about 20-30 cartridge casings Scott: Do you have his URL handy? Daniel: I have actually about 90 cartridges, 40 pcbs, 50 eeprom 27c256 and no TTL7804 Dale: No, but I could find it again, if I looked around. Scott: I've got about 200+ EEPROMs, 150 7408s, 20-30 casings, but no PCBs Scott: Ahh, thanks. Daniel: my last reply to GDG telling you guys to contact him. Scott: Will e-mail him when I get done talking with you guys Scott: You guys can reach me at: sgordon@trilogy-games.com Scott: That's the ColecoVision site I'm building Daniel: you know Scott, I lost all my emails in April this year. So I lost a lot of email addresses Scott: Dale, are you planning to attend the next Wed meeting, Dale? Dale: I expect to be on by about 10pm. Scott: I found an excellent supplier of EEPROMs from a guy on eBay Scott: Basically, he sold me brand new chips for dirt cheap Dale: I need a USB eeprom burner. Dale: Any suggestions? Scott: I'm using the one my dad used in his Micro Innovation days Scott: Would you like me to get you the name? Daniel: My EEPROM burner came from a kit by Batronix. I think they also have an EEPROM burner that use USB port Scott: His eBay Username is cool-lynx Daniel: http://progshop.com/shop/programmer/comparison_test/index.shtml Dale: Batronix definately has an appropriate one. Daniel: a site that compare some eeprom burners Daniel: well yes, it's batronix web site :-D Scott: Crap! He's not currently selling any 27C256 or 27256 chips Daniel: 27c256 are discontinued for a long time, no? Daniel: I mean, no one is making more 27c256 eeprom Daniel: but I got some from old motherboards Scott: Not sure, but they can be found quite easily on eBay and Jameco Scott: You're probably right. They most likely don't manufacture them anymore Dale: Anyway, it's late here. Daniel: We talked also about making pcbs to use bankswitching Daniel: Goodnight Dale. Keep me informed about your project Dale: Thanks for helping me with my bug Daniel. I have much compressing to do to make my stuff all fit in 1k RAM+1k ROM even with 16 of VRAM. Daniel: send me an email ;-) Scott: Have a good evening, Dale Scott: Nice finally talking with you Scott: Will see you next week Dale: If I get it playable, I'll send you an email. Daniel: ok Daniel: talk to you next week Dale: bye all. Daniel: bye Dale Scott: Bye Dale: poof
Dale left chat session Daniel: hey Scott, are you also planning to make pcbs that can hold bigger rom size than 32k? Scott: Oh yeah Scott: Yes, I was looking into that very thing Daniel: to make an rpg game with a lot of graphics, it needs bankswitching. Scott: I talked with Sean Kelley about developing a multicart Daniel: unfortunatly, rpg game on colecovision is more a dream than a real possible game project, because of the 1k ram Scott: He did one, but it was pretty arcane, with a physical switch on the outside of the casing Scott: No, it's quite doable. VRAM can compensate for this a little. Scott: And, of course, spanning the game over multiple cartridges Scott: That's my idea, at least Daniel: VRAM is slow, and using VRAM also mean to not use bitmap pictures Scott: Not necessarily. Graphics are tile based anyways. if you are using the name table correctly, this shouldn't be an issue Daniel: Scott : 1, Daniel 0 Scott: I setup VRAM to point all 3 regions to the same area of the screen Daniel: yes, that free up VRAM space Scott: So, yes, there's only 256 8X8 images Scott: But what takes up most of the screen? Scott: Graphics of brick, walls, grass, water, etc. Scott: This can be done rather cleverly with the 256 images, even though it has to include the character set Scott: What I think really eats up the space is the text in an RPG Scott: I was shocked at how quickly space was eaten up. Daniel: Well, the rpg project I calculated used more than a 256 charset and only for the tiles. Scott: But you' Scott: But you're right. The game still has to remain fairly simple Scott: Then your 3 regions can't point all to the same pattern table and your name table would need to remain unaltered Scott: To extend the 256, I was going to swap out the last row when in different regions of the game Scott: That way it don't appear that everything is made up of the same boring graphics Scott: Are you planning to program an RPG? Daniel: well, I abandonned the idea to concentrate my effort on making documents and updating my library GETPUT Scott: Well, I'm just now getting back into ColecoVision programming. School and the controller issue hindered my progress Scott: I did, however, earn a degree, so I can't complain terribly much. Scott: I did fix that error with The Font Suite Daniel: Hey! if you have time, try programming a minigame for the minigame compo 2005... like Dale , Guy Foster and I did. Scott: What is Compo 2005? Daniel: an URL is better than words... Daniel: http://www.ffd2.com/minigame/ Scott: Going there now Daniel: you can visit the pages for the previous years of this compo Scott: Sure, this looks like fun. Is there a cut off date? Daniel: Well, I thin it's september Daniel: it must be mentioned somewhere Scott: Looks like the end of September Scott: Did you read about those Atari programmers who stayed up 24 hours creating new games? Scott: So it looks like entries can be between 1K - 4K Daniel: no, i didn't heard about it Scott: It was actually all over the news Scott: Also in EGM game magazine Scott: I think I also read an article on the web Scott: Let me look Daniel: my personnal records is programming a game in QuickBASIC in less than 3 hours. Scott: For this month's feature Matt Hawkins told about his experiences serving as a mentor for a six-student team at the Retro Redux challenge at Parson's in April. The challenge, sponsored by Parsons and Atari, was to develop Atari Flashback (Atari 2600 technology) games in 24 hours. Scott: http://blender.rutgers.edu/~njigda/meetings/2005/200505.php Scott: Let me find a better link Daniel: six-student team to program new coleco games... could be cool. Scott: http://general.gamerfeed.com/gf/pr/8546/ Scott: Yeah, the event was really interesting Scott: One could only imagine what could be on ColecoVision in 24 hours Scott: The students were using a specialized tool built for making Atari games Scott: Some teams had multiple entries Scott: I've always hated the Atari 2600, and felt they should have at least given the students Atari 5200s to program Scott: There's a lot more possibilities with a 32K ROM Scott: As you showed us with your Game Packs Scott: Here's the link I'm looking for! Scott: http://retroredux.parsons.edu/ Scott: Downloadable tools Scott: Tools are about 781K Daniel: you know, I will not download them... my knowledge about atari 2600 is not good enough compared to the one who already build new games for this system. Daniel: But it's interresting Daniel: if you suggest me to download the tools to see what they look like, I will do it Scott: I will take a look at them later on tonight and let you know if they're worth the effort Scott: Some of the students coded purely in assembly Scott: So I'm not sure how extensively they used this design package Daniel: well, maybe the one who bought the name coleco and colecovision will takes the idea and ask for new games to build a tv-game "coleco flashback" or something like that. Scott: That would be nice. Scott: This site that James is building really sounds great Scott: The problem is having a reliable supply of parts. PCBs and casings go fast Scott: I better let you go. Scott: It's almost 2 am on your side Daniel: hey! the tools! it's not tools! it's files for the software "Game Maker" Scott: Hmmm Scott: Yeah, I don't see the actual program Daniel: James want a "coleco community" web site. That's why the forum is done to make every coleco fans talk about coleco, exchange about coleco information and even make trades. Scott: http://gamemaker.nl/ Scott: The program looks really good Daniel: yes, and I know there is a summer camp for kids where someone teach them how to use this software Scott: And it's free Scott: I'm downloading v6.1 now Daniel: it's free ... except if you want 3D things Scott: Unfortunately I've got dialup. Ugh! Daniel: me too. Daniel: modem 56k Daniel: actually slower by Yahoo Messenger and this Chat applet Scott: You're right. A whole slew of 3D effects is included in the full version Scott: Oh yeah, and the logo is plastered on the game unless you upgrade to the full version Scott: Registration is only $20 US Daniel: so, if I understand well the kit proposed by this "24h contest", it's simply a design of a game "look and feel" as an atari 2600 game, and the atari development team will probably program in asssembly the real game for the flashback system after the contest. Scott: Some students actually coded in assembly, though Scott: But I doubt that this tool actually was used to render atari 2600 ROMs Daniel: well, maybe they have a tool to convert the game maker source code (the .gm6 file) into assembler, but i think the 24h doesn't include this part. I think this tool is only used by the Atari development team Daniel: if it exists Daniel: The little Game Maker Tutorial in the Game Design file is interresting. Scott: You're probably right Scott: Almost got the sucker downloaded Daniel: with steps to build a game based on the sample added in the packadge, and links to other games source code Daniel: well, I have to return programming spectar a little bit before sleeping. talk to you next week. and don't forget to talk with James and check your emails. Daniel: Goodnight! Daniel: Goodnight Scott! Daniel: * poof *
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