Commodore Free 11/Commodore_Free_Issue_11_2007_Commodore_Computer_Club.d64/t.letters

Text File | 2023-02-26 | 5KB | 162 lines

u           READERS LETTERS

Hi,

Great magazine, I so appreciate the
work you guys put into its production.

Now a brief introduction. My name is
Lee Speakman, I am 30 years old, & have
worked in IT as a career (from tech
support, programmer to IT manager).
Currently I am self employed in a
completely different field.

I love the C= machines & have many
stored in my loft their state of
dormacy is relative to current time &
space constraints (isn't that what
everyone says?!). Anyway, however
unfortunate, they are not getting the
use they deserve - however that is
another story.

I have followed the C= scene for many
years, although I have Never been
involved with any groups or fan clubs,
I guess I remained on the periphery,
for reasons that will become clear.
 Back in the day' I loved the games &
it was all about the games. I first had
a C16, which I loved & fondly remember
many great hours on that machine. Then
I got a C64 & my world changed!!! The
graphic & sound capabilities of the C64
were (are) brilliant. As I said, at
that time (when I was a wee lad) all I
cared about was the games.

I have read with great interest the C=
Scene mag, & followed, for many years,
developments for the C64 & Amiga on the
Net. But even as someone who is
competent with computer technology I
sometimes feel the C64 fan scene
forgets those, like me, who come into
the C64 a late stage (or as a young-
ster) & don't understand the hardware
so well. I guess you are thinking an IT
bod like me should undertstand it all
so well. Well, although I love C= I cut
my teeth on Windows, & have come back
to the C64. Of course I have programmed
BASIC & even assembly language

... put never in specific relation to
the C64. I know what I am supposed to
do; I have a disc drive connected to my
C64, & can find my way to save a file.
I know the C64 can make great music
using it's SID chip, but to get to
learn the basics is not so easy & this
is my point...

If I need to brush up on my PHP prog-
ramming I grab a book or 'google' it &
there I can get information from
beginner to 'super user'. I have not
found this the case with the C64 scene,
too complicated & in at the deep end, &
to learn anything is an involved & time
consuming process

... I must state I am in no way det-
racting or critising the great work
done by everyone who has kept the scene
alive all the years. However, I guess I
feel it is a paradox; that whilst your
technical knowledge has kept the scene
alive it may have inadvertantly
isolated newbies to the scene! For
example, it is difficult for me to
approach my friends (who specifically
had a C64) with developments in the
scene as they take one look at it &
dismiss it as techno-geek stuff... & I
have to agree. To summarise, I think
what you have all done is amazing, but
could it be that to bring on board new
'retro' fans you need to run some basic
articles? For example, an article on
the developments on the C64 from a
basic perspective, like how to get
started - such as how to add a hard
drive, installing GEOS, how to connect
to the Internet, etc. All these things
may seem annoyingly basic to exper-
ienced users but not to me, & I am sure
from my experience, not to others who
played the C64 for games but those who
would perhaps come back if the tech-
nology was explained in a 'dummies
guide to' the C64 way.

I am willing to help, with game reviews
or whatever... so I am not just writing
to tell you what (IMO) should be done
;-). I hope that the tone of this email
is not in anyway negative. Just trying
to make some suggestions, which are
obviously, at the end of the day, just
my opinions & of course I am totally
open to the fact I might be completely
wrong. But, I feel that I have waited
so long to write & message, & am
feeling that at a time when I really
want to learn I am frustrated with lack
of information on how to get started. I
know I could spend a month learning the
intricacies of the C64, & perhaps in a
way, that is the true path of any true
devotee but when you have been spoilt
like me, & everything is available in
easy how-to guides, I am affriad that
no matter how much I want to program or
upgrade my C64, & until I can get
results this evening it will simply
remain one of those desires that comes
after the easier things! C'est la vie!

Yours sincerely, Lee.

COMMODORE FREE
Lee thanks for your comments firstly
though C= Free is written & produced by
myself only! I have managed to beg &
borrow articles from other people but
the main bulk of the magazine is
produced by myself.

Now with this knowledge you will
understand fully why I have no time
left to create how to guides & begin-
ners courses. I include Dave Moormans
beginners guide to basic, he has
written for the magazine, although he
is having problems at home so the
course is on hold at the moment, also I
include Jason Kelks Excellent HEX
files,

I do take the point about needing
guides for beginners & not alienating
new users, so if anyone is reading &
would like to submit a beginners guide
please feel free to contact me. The
problem is I can only produce what you
write about, due to the amount of time
it takes to produce the magazine & edit
the various versions (rather badly)

Thanks