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- Newsgroups: comp.sys.cbm
- Path: sparky!uunet!cis.ohio-state.edu!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!uwm.edu!ux1.cso.uiuc.edu!news.cso.uiuc.edu!uxa.cso.uiuc.edu!jlb31348
- From: jlb31348@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Jim Brain)
- Subject: Wow, And I thought noone did 64 stuff anymore
- Message-ID: <Bz81xt.zr@news.cso.uiuc.edu>
- Sender: usenet@news.cso.uiuc.edu (Net Noise owner)
- Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
- Date: Sun, 13 Dec 1992 23:44:16 GMT
- Lines: 91
-
- As the title suggests, I am amazed. I am happy that so much conversation
- is on this group.
-
- Fist, Introductions. No, I am not a great person in the 64 scene, but some
- of you will remember me from last year or before as the guy who attempted
- to set up a maillist for PET, C16, +4, Vic-20, and C64 computers and
- their hardware aspects. Well, to all who got on the list, I apologize.
- it never really did get very far off the ground, but it was fun.
- I found other interesting things to do in the Computer Engineering Dept. here
- at the U of I, and another thing happened.
-
- For the first 3 years of college, I used a c64 with a 256K expansion, JiffyDos,
- RAPIDos (for awhile), GEOS, an Okidata 180 with a Cardco parallel port
- interface. I wrote term papers on it and played great games. Then, as I
- started to get into my studies, I found out something: Computer engineering
- students use IBMs (usually here) or MACs, not 64s. Well, that meant that
- I had to go with the flow, so when I received a scholarship last year for
- my senior year to be paid in full, my parents allowed me to purchase a
- 386 laptop. I know, I am loyal to the 64 more than you will ever know,
- having sold many of them to friends while in high school and posseses some
- 20 machines of different models, but I just couldn't turn my back on the gfact
- that many people and programs I needed were for another coputer. I
- though about an Amiga, but was dissatisfied with Commodore's backing of the
- Amiga series. Tough about a MAc, but didn't haver enough money. The IBM
- just became the choice. I do want to tell everyone that an IBM laptop or
- any laptop for that matter, is GREAT. I can shuttle my work around, and
- take notes (or play games) in class.
-
- Why tell us, Jim? Well, I wanted to tell you all that to lead you up to
- my present work. I am currently working on a serial interface for the Nintendo
- PowerGlove and that is the work that started my need for an IBM. However, I
- am thinking of making this thing available for C64 users and need to know
- if any 3-D graphics routines exists so I can write a demo for the C64.
- I also would like to know if Merlin64 (which I have) is a good assembly
- lang. editor and copiler for the 64. The interface is built around a 68HC11
- uprocessor, so I have a good grasp of both 650X and 680X opcodes.
- Also, I am thinking of interfacing one of those surplus 640*200 LCD screens
- to a computer, and was wondering if anyone had though about a laptop 64.
- Although my system is at home, I still think about it, the work I did on it,
- and the things I can still do on it.
-
- Wow, I ramble! Anyway, I do think my IBM was a wise investment for the
- future, but I just love my 64. It became impractical to have it here at school
- in my dorm room (It takes boxes for the complete setup), I have it
- safely set up at home. I am traversing home for the holidays, so I will
- get to play on it. That is where I need everyone's help.
-
- I want to take home some new stuff to put on my 64. I will probably save
- it to my IBM hard drive, and RS232 transfer while at home. What should
- I get?
-
- I should really thin down my collection of Commodore stuff before getting a job
- in the Summer, so does anyone have an offbbeat need. I have PETS, 8050s,
- C16s, Vics, 64s, SFD1001s, and A COMMODORE TAPE RECORDER (Sorry, not for sale)
- I also have books, and disks, and etc... I ask this question instead of
- putting the stuff in a list, because I have a feeling that this group gets
- bombarded with for sale ads, and I would also like to know whart everyone
- else has. Do you keep a lot of stuff? Do you have one complete system with
- parts ? I know I have to get rid of some of this stuff, but I am having
- a hard time parting with any of it, or I would just have put up a FOR SALE
- in here long ago (Does anyone else have this prob ?)
-
- Does anyone need just parts ? Just a question because a few systems are in my
- box for repair.
-
- What do people do with 64s now? I cannot see big-time productivity getting
- done on a stock 64, but do others knowthings I do not.
-
- How does one get 64 megs on a 64 ? I wanna know !
-
- To the person who needs a Vic 20 Programmers reference Guide: Do you still need
-
- info ?
-
- I gues my posting (in a belated nutshell) is this: I am going home this
- Christmas, and will be sorting out the myriad of stuff I have for the 64.
- If you have been looking for info, a piece, or a system, and want me to look
- for it while I am home, I will do. If you know of anything I hould take home
- for my good system I intend to keep, please let me know. I'll check this
- group, even though email is better.
-
- Finally, to all those who do remember me and may be on the list. I have
- one (1) class next semester, so I may get the mail list up after all.
-
- I think I will post some othher time with my project ideas :->
-
- --
- Jim Brain "If you build it, they will come."
- brain@cs.uiuc.edu
- Senior, Computer Engineering Field of Dreams
- PowerGlove Serial Interface Designer and Co-Project Leader. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Dox available on request
-