February/March Update
I know, I know! You missed a month, retroCombs. I did and for that I send you my sincere apologies as I sneak in this February/March update at the last moment. Let’s dig right in by first covering the February events, rolling into the March events, and then ending with HUGE news (don’t ruin it by jumping to the bottom)!
First Shot!
My First Shot! livestream happened at the end of January, but I didn’t have time to include background info in last month’s update; however, WOW! Was the livestream well received? Yes! During the livestream, chat was active and viewers were generous with their Super Chats. RetroCogs was kind enough to let me share an early alpha version of his game, First Shot! and the MEGA65 fans turned out. I was even more surprised to find that RetroCogs snuck in a demo style welcome to me in the game’s opening credits! That’s the thing of dreams from 17-year-old me! Check it out here:
Huge shout-out and thank you to RetroCogs for allowing me to demo the game.
February 6th
I didn’t make a big fuss about this one because as I get older, February 6th sneaks up on me earlier and earlier each year. As you may have guessed, February 6th is my birthday, and it was my 58th! 58th??? Can that be possible? I sure don't feel like what I thought 58 would feel like when I was 17. Let’s all join virtually in a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday. Mislav, you take the lead!
Sending a huge thank you to those who wished me a happy birthday (you know who you are) and look forward to many more as we continue our retro computing journey together.
58??? That would mean it’s been over 40 years since my first computer, the Commodore VIC-20.
NABU
During the months of February and March, I began another retro computing journey with the NABU Personal Computer. Unfamiliar with this primarily Canadian device, and struggling to get a cable working, I’ve become intrigued by its promise. This home-networked computer was way ahead of its time and the MSX spec’d hardware lends itself to interesting experimentation in the modern day.
I’m having a blast learning about this device, connecting to the Internet, and exploring Cloud CP/M. I have a whole playlist of NABU content and there’s more to come, including my next prepared video.
Let me know if you enjoy this journey. I know many of you are here for the Commodore and MEGA65 content and would love to know if you think this is a distraction. Place your comments below (when you read this update in the browser).
Route 66 Road Trip
The Lovely Accountant and I took a long road trip during the first half of March. I had to attend a conference in Arizona for “the paying gig” and instead of flying, we took the 1500+ mile (one-way) historic Route 66 car ride. We had a blast as we drove a mix of interstates and old roads while stopping at small roadside diners and tourist traps. It brought back memories of the many vacation road trips from my childhood.
Along the way, we stopped in Roswell, New Mexico. That town did not disappoint as they have leaned into their 1948 UFO history as you can see in the image below.
This trip explains my absence online for the first couple of week of the month. I didn’t announce prior to the trip because I’m not a fan of announcing my time away from home and we had someone house sitting for us, which leads me to our next topic.
retroKat
Katherine, aka retroKat and my daughter, house and pet sat for us while we were away. When we returned from our trip, I asked Katherine if she wanted to join me for a first reaction to the VIC-20 livestream. She was game and on her final Sunday at the house; we logged on and she experience the Commodore VIC-20, via TheVIC20, for the first time. It was a blast and out of this livestream came two additional videos, a shortened reaction video and an even shorter YouTube short.
Her reactions were priceless and the chat room was gracious as they supported retroKat and dropped many a SuperChat! Thanks to each of you who joined us. What’s next for retroKat? I’m thinking about additional first reaction videos that span Commodore’s history or a first use of the MEGA65. She liked BASIC programming and that could be an additional possibility. Send me your ideas!
BASIC65 In 10 Minutes
I’m going to tease a project I’m excited to get to work on. Gürçe reached out to me many months ago and asked if I would be interested in a collaboration. He’s prepared written content he’s calling, Learn BASIC 65 in 10 Minutes. Gürçe asked me if I would consider making a video of his written content and then we could share with folks who want to get started programming on the MEGA65 with BASIC 65. It’s akin to the Jim Butterfield Commodore 64 Training video but without Jim and much shorter.
As Gürçe pitched it, you watch it in 10 minutes, but with the included slides and video control, you can progress at your own pace by pausing, rewinding, and fast-forwarding. I’m not sure I can keep it ten minutes long, but this is the next project I’ll be working on.
YouTube Shorts
This past week, while attending yet another conference, I dipped my toes into more YouTube shorts. I intended these not just for content, but to help me build processes in DaVinci Resolve to make creating shorts faster and easier. You may have missed them and if you have, you can check out my YouTube Shorts playlist. When you watch, and if inclined to do so, please thumbs them up and leave a comment. That’s the only way these get pushed to more viewers. Good advice for any of my videos and an easy and inexpensive way to support the channel.
I have Merch!
You know I have a new logo, and it has proved popular. The change from the Atari 2600 joystick inspired logo to the Commodore 1311 joystick logo has been well received. I’ve had comments that the new logo better reflects my Commodore inspired content, is more modern, and now that the Atari designed joystick is no longer included, services such as SpreadShop will now print merch with my logo. Before, I had issues with my logo because of Atari copyright infringement concerns. If you’d like retroCombs logo’d merch, learn more under each video or I have a site in progress at:
https://www.retrocombs.com/shop
You can get merch with the retroCombs logo or your membership level. Right now, Executive Producers are the only levels available, but there are more to come. It’s a great way to support me and get something in return beyond my normal membership. And I’ve had my first order! I don’t see who ordered, but I know it was someone in Australia. If you purchase, I’d love to share an image. Tag me on social media with #retroCombs, send the image to me directly at [email protected], or you can post in the new #spreadshop-merch channel on the Discord.
BIG NEWS!
Alright, now for the big news. In the last update, I mentioned that my goal was to do nothing but create retro computing content on both the blog and on YouTube. I’m happy to report that this week I am giving notice to “the paying gig.” I can’t wait to tell everyone that, “I’m outta here and going to work for myself to build a retro computing community and create content for my favorite hobby.” I’ll report in the next update how it goes, but suffice it to say, y’all are going to have to step up and help me pay the bills. Oh, and one more thing. Since I’m writing this late in the day on March 31st, you will probably read this on April 1st. ’Nuff said??? 😂
Welcome New Members
I’d like to welcome my newest supporter, Axel Klahr! Thanks for joining, Axel and the entire retroCombs community look forward to chatting and getting to know you better in Discord.
By the way, members, don’t forget this page where each supporter can free electronic merch including videos no longer available to the public. Click around on the Buy Me A Coffee page and you might find more value for your membership.
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
VIC-20 Games Livestream
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/usageStudio/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 NABU
Commodore Joysticks
MSX Games on the NABU
See something you want me to move up on the list? Leave a comment.
Concluding Remarks
That’s it for the February/March update. if you’d like me to include content in the next update, post a comment. There’s a lot to talk about and sometimes it is hard to decide what to share. Let me know how I can make each update better.
🕹️ retroCombs, OUT!
P.S. 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. I'd love to share these at some point with the larger community but would not do so without your permission. Get creative and post this weekend. There's your homework.
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