In last month’s update, I wrote about the significance of 2023. Go back and check out that post if you’ve forgotten; however, I’m looking forward to the year and hoping for some channel growth but as you’ll learn below, it’s not looking too good based on the number of views for a previous video. Now, hot on the hills of almost missing a January update, let’s dig in before the month ends!
Film Noir
I must send out a huge thank you to Astrohaus and I feel I owe them an apology. When I reached out and asked them for a Freewrite Smart Typewriter, they were kind enough to send one, and this was not an inexpensive unit. When I received the Freewrite, I fell in love with the style, keyboard, screen, and functionality.
While getting familiar with the device, it became apparent I couldn’t just throw together any old video, so I sat down with my Kindle Scribe to consider unique ways to present this device. I landed on a film noir style video. I thought it was creative, different, and would push my video skills.
There are many stories I could tell about the making of this video, but one of my favorites involves going out in the middle of a cold winter night, with a camera on a selfie stick, and recording myself walking under lamp posts to get the dark city footage. This walk occurred in our neighborhood and I’d hoped it was late enough in the evening that no one would notice. Why did this turn out to be the late evening that car after car would drive by? Each time a car drove by, I would drop the selfie stick and place it behind my back. Because I was self-conscious or worried that someone would call the police and say, “there’s a shady guy walking around the neighborhood!” After all, I was walking around wearing a trench-coat and a fedora. That’s something you might have seen in the neighborhood in 1953, but not in 2023!
Why the apology to Astrohaus? Because what I thought was a creative way to share the device turned out to be a bomb with the YouTube algorithm. As of this writing, it hasn’t even hit 200 views. 🙍🏼♂️ If’ you’ve not yet watched it, mind giving a shot and let me know what you think.
This video is one of my favorites despite taking the longest to film and edit. Unfortunately, it is one of my least viewed and I feel bad that I could not get better traction to promote what I think is a great device for writers. I might try a more traditional approach with a video called, “10 things you need to know before you purchase a Freewrite.” Folks love list videos and I feel I owe Astrohaus for their generous donation.
C64 OS
First, C64 OS is a major achievement! I can’t believe in this day and time, someone has created a new text based operating system for the Commodore 64. If you didn’t see my installing C64 OS in VICE marathon livestream, check it out below.
It took me two and a half hours to install C64 OS on VICE and that was with the help from the viewers in chat. I learned afterward, from the developer, that there was an easier way. I plan to share this in an upcoming video. The filming is complete and ready for edits. This one should drop next weekend. I have other ideas for C64 OS videos, so if you like that content, stay tuned.
VIC-20 Interest
There’s been an interesting chat in the VIC-20 channel of my Discord. It started with Deft’s post about the conversion of the popular game H.E.R.O. to the VIC-20. I asked for others to share VIC-20 games and the list is growing. My plan is to get a list of five or six, fire up TheVIC20 and play them during a livestream. There’s a lot of love out there for the VIC-20 because for many, like me, this was their first computer. Drop a favorite VIC-20 game into that channel and help me build the list.
Coming Soon
This was a hard decision for me, but I’m will soon split my content into two channels. You all know I like tech, both new and retro. Retro is my primary love, but I have hours of content for gadgets and tech that isn’t retro. This has fractured my subscribers. I can see subs going up and down based on the content.
To ensure subscribers feel like they are getting the content promised by the channel, I’ve created a second channel called retroCombs Tech. This channel will host content about current tech and the tools I used to produce content. This will keep all content on the retroCombs channel, retro related. I am not ramping up production or creating more video. There’s not enough hours in the day. The next decision is whether to prune my old channel and move content to the new channel. This seems like a daunting task. It’s a shame YouTube doesn’t provide this option. Time will tell, but would love to read your thoughts.
Supporting retroCombs, using Buy Me A Coffee, will continue to give you access to special content, extras, and features for retroCombs Tech. I will not manage two different groups or Discords, nor will I create another blog. Blog content for retroCombs Tech (if any) will be at https://www.retrocombs.com. We’ll see how this goes, but expect more information when I am ready to launch the channel. I hope each of you will subscribe to that channel, but understand if that’s not your cup of tea. You are still my favorite supporters!
Indy Classic Computer and Video Game Expo
While writing this update, Jim_64 sent me a DM on Discord to let me know about an expo that will happen in Indianapolis, Indiana. Finally, an event that is only 45 minutes from my home! This is being organized by the same folks who help with VCFMW. This is a Saturday and Sunday event in April and you can get all the details here:
I plan to attend on Saturday and if you are in the area; I hope you will look for me and say, “hello.” Should be a fun day for retro computing and gaming.
Welcome New Members
I have a new producer. Join me in welcoming Kat to my growing list of supporters. This is nepotism at its finest. Kat is my daughter and before you ask, no, I didn’t make her pay to become a producer! But I am thrilled that she has an interest in the channel and, like The Lovely Accountant, will keep a family eye on me to ensure I don’t go off the rails! Kat works for a creative marketing company and there may even be an occasion for me to lean on her for an assist or appearance in a video.
What’s on the Workbench?
Here’s what’s on my radar for content. This list is in no particular order of priority or promise:
Simplified C64 OS Install on VICE
Machine Language on the MEGA65
MEGA65 Tips/Tricks Project
VIC-20 Games Livestream
PiDP-8/I (Jamie and I Might Have a Build Party)
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
Dev Term uConnect
TheC64/TheVIC20 Filename Flags
Studio/Basement Update (Possibly, Members-Only Content)
Telecommunications on Retro-Computers
Cobi M1A1 Set (Considering a Livestream Build)
LEGO Atari 2600 Set
PET UpgradesFreewrite Word Processor
See something you want me to move up on the list? Leave a comment.
Final Thoughts
That’s it for the January update. As you can tell, there’s a lot going on and 2023 has started with a bang! Hope you enjoy these updates. Drop a comment or send me an email and let me know.
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For the first 90-days, this post was available to retroCombs supporters. If you want access to the most recent posts, become a supporter (buy me a coffee below) or join as a member (for as little as a $1) using the fun Commodore computer inspired membership levels found on the main page (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/retroCombs). Members get access to advertisement free live stream archives, access to the retroCombs Discord (VIC-20 level and above), and other physical and electronic goodies. Product links in any post may be Amazon affiliate links. I am responsible for all errors in the post; however, I’m a one-man band and am my own worst editor. If errors offend thee, go play on your VIC-20. ← See what I did there?