As I write this April update, I was supposed to attend the Indy Classic Computer and Video Game Expo in Indianapolis, but alas, a major head cold (or bad allergies, I can’t tell), invaded my system Thursday night and continued through the weekend. I woke up this morning hoping to be better, but unfortunately it went the other direction. Unfortunately, I had to send Jamie a note that I couldn’t make the short jaunt north with him to attend. I’m really bummed because it was the first retro computer event opportunity within an hour’s drive.
Later this morning, I told The Lovely Accountant (TLA) that I thought I could make it. With great wisdom, she reminded me, “it’s not about you. You don’t need to be around people spreading germs.” She’s correct, but man, I really wanted to attend. And with that sad story out of the way, let’s dig into this month’s update.
Channel Stats
I’m including a new section in the monthly update to capture a history and allow each of you to celebrate with me as we creep to 5000 subscribers. Below are this month’s stats:
Current subscribers = 3,846 (↑78 in last 28 days)
I know 5000 might not seem like a big goal when compared to other retro-computing YouTubers:
The 8-Bit Guy = 1,410,000+
Adrian’s Digital Basement = 172,000+
RetroRecipes = 162,000+
8-Bit Show and Tell = 50,000+
Jan Beta = 50,000+
But I like the community we are creating and have noticed a livestream trend, a growing number of repeat attendees. Which makes me wonder, should I add livestream attendance to this area? Something to consider for next month, but drop a comment and let me know what you think.
Want to help grow the community? Thumbs-up those videos, and even more important, make a comment. I’m learning engagement, conversation, and clicking follow-on video links is critical to video exposure.
Collaboration with Gürçe
By now, each of you have probably seen my latest video, the MEGA65 quick start. There’s an entire story around this video and my collaboration with Gürçe. I’ll not share it here because I’ve already told the story on the blog. But I do want to acknowledge and thank Gürçe one more time. I had fun collaborating with him and putting the video together.
Studio Upgrades
If you watch the livestreams, I’ve mentioned recent additions to the studio. Here’s what I’ve added:
Elgato StreamDeck - This was a purchase via Amazon affiliate credits. The 15-key model lets me fire off macros, control my Mac, change scenes during livestreams, and even control my latest additions, the…
Elgato Key Light Air - I have two of these 1400 lumens desk lights and they provide a nice warm glow without the glare and hot spots of my previous lights. Fun fact, I received them at no cost thanks to my 30-year anniversary gift from the “paying gig.”
Sony ZV-1F - THANK YOU COMMUNITY!!! This purchase was at the request of the viewers. I regularly griped about my overhead camera being inferior to the two other Sony cameras in my setup. I believe it was Executive Producer Mislav who gave the first SuperChat challenge to raise money to get a second Sony ZV-1F. Between livestream super chats, BMAC donations, regular memberships, and affiliate link revenue, we raised the money for this camera in about three months.
Last week, I posted an image of the studio on the Discord channel. Pop in and check it out.
TLA and I want to both thank each of you for your continued support of the channel! I’ll continue to invest the funds into the studio or items to share in future videos or livestreams. The next item suggested was the RM 800 XL and I have to admit, it looks intriguing, but we only have a 2024 release date and don’t know the cost? Let’s continue to keep an eye on the project.
What About the Tech Channel?
Three months ago, I created another channel to host my non retro-computer content and a plan to move my modern tech reviews to that channel. The channel is live at https://youtube.com/@retrocombs-tech, but there’s no content and I keep going back and forth.
On the one hand, I receive MANY more views for my general tech reviews and videos, but on the other, do I really want to manage two channels and build another channel to 1000 subscribers? Decisions, decisions. What do you think? Let me know. It is an idea still in play.
I’m on the YouTube Shorts Fence
You may have noticed a blast of YouTube shorts on my channel. If not, here’s the entire playlist. I’m amazed at how quickly my list of shorts has grown. Shorts are a mixed bag for me. I really dislike video in vertical format. It’s hard to place content into that squashed area, and I’ve been experimenting with different layouts.
Some of my MEGA65 content works well when I stack content on top of each other, but then the other question is, do my viewers like this format? The views show the format is a mixed bag. Some have decent views, some do not. None have been spectacular. I’ve yet to figure out if shorts help or hurt the channel. We’ll go with the former for now simply because they are easy to produce and a great way to repurpose content or create new content like the one below.
I enjoyed creating the Raddy RF75A short. While not retro-computer related, I’m really digging the handheld radio, which is retro. Right? I mean, radio. That’s got to be retro? I’m considering a longer video because Raddy packed this pint-sized radio with features and the YouTube Short does not do it justice.
What’s on the Workbench
Here’s what I’m considering for upcoming content. This list is in no particular order of priority or promise:
Machine Language on the MEGA65
MEGA65 tips/tricks project
MEGA65 quick start with GürçeVIC-20 Games Livestream(A couple more to come)PiDP-8/I (Build party with Jamie’s Hack Shack)
Two MEGA65 BASIC programs (one almost complete and one to begin)
80 column mode for the C128 (thanks again to Greg for the reminder)
Raspberry Pi 400 with Bare Metal Commodore Install (BMC)
Raspberry Pi 400 with PiMiga3
Freewrite Word ProcessorDev Term uConnect
TheC64/TheVIC20 filename flags
PET upgrades/usage
Studio/basement update (possibly, members-only content)
Telecommunications on retro-computers
Cobi M1A1 Set (considering a livestream build)
LEGO Atari 2600 Set
10 Cool Things About the NABUCommodore Joysticks
MSX Games on the NABU
Commodore Joysticks on the MEGA65
See something you want me to move up on the list? Leave a comment.
Concluding Remarks
That concludes my sniffles edition April update. Be on the lookout for more content in May as I work through my list above and sneak in a livestream or two along the way. See ya online!
🕹️ retroCombs, OUT!
REMINDER: We still need more Commodore salute videos in the Discord. Check out that channel and upload yours. At the moment, only Gürçe and I have made submissions. It’s a great way to put a face to a name in a fun way.
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