I’m sneaking this November update in under the wire and right during the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday. As I write this, I’m sitting in my mother’s home in Kentucky, or God’s country, as I call it. But enough about my travels. Let’s get right into my update.
Executive Producer Christmas Gift
It’s the time of year when we thank our friends, co-workers, and family. With this channel, I have a group who supports me at the MEGA65 level. This makes them executive producers and, as I like to call them, my bosses! And who doesn’t give their boss a gift at Christmas?
Benefits of executive producer members are many (check out this list) and one of the annual highlights is a “premium” gift based on the past year’s videos, livestreams, and blog posts. For my first year’s gifts, I could snag something every retroCombs watcher will enjoy. I could even convince the vendor to contribute these gifts and add more value to membership channel support! It’s a win-win.
I'm asking all executive producers to send me their up-to-date address (I think I have all but one) and the Lovely Accountant sent out a batch today. I'll send out another batch early next week.
Executive producers, DO NOT OPEN TILL CHRISTMAS! When you do, be sure to share a pic on social media with the hashtag, #retroCombs. Not a social media user? Drop me a pic in the retroCombs Discord.
Wishing each of you an early Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I can’t tell you how much your regular support of the channel means. It keeps me motivated and the Lovely Accountant happy!
And Speaking of Executive Producers…
Gürçe is my newest executive producer and his retroCombs member package is in the mail. Previously a VIC-20 member, Gürçe decided it was time to up his influence on the channel and it’s been great. He and I have collaborated on a couple of MEGA65 projects and he recently reached out about another. Which leads me to…
That Xanadu BAS Demo
In the Xanadu BAS Demo video, I explain how it came to light, but I want to thank Gürçe again for the ask. In the end, I’m not sure what I put online was what they wanted, but the video is performing well and I think it exposed the demo to a wider audience. It was a wonderful demo of the MEGA65's assembly and BASIC capabilities while honoring the great Olivia Newton John. And yes, I said “haggis” in the video when I meant “vegemite!” Australians everywhere are like 🤦♂️!
Back to Thanksgiving
After a run, I put together my first vlog. I broke out the Pixel 7, captured the video, and made a quick edit. The vlog’s purpose is to thank each of you for your support on the channel. The video speaks for itself. If you missed it, here ya go:
Another Texas Instruments TI 99/4A?
Yep! Another one is on the way with a ton of accessories. Viewer Keven, reached out after scoring a huge haul and said he had extras. He asked if I would like to give them a good home and offered them for free. After reviewing the pictures he sent, I couldn’t resist. The box will include a silver TI model and a bunch of other items that I’ll share during an upcoming livestream.
PiDP-8/I Kit
Thanks to Jamie, over at Jamie’s Hack Shack, for making me aware of the next batch of PiDP-8/I kits! I unboxed my kit during my last livestream. If you want to learn more, check out the livestream:
Assembly and use of the PiDP-8/I is a project I hope to complete during the Christmas holiday, but I know that is a tall order. My December schedule is a mess and I have a ton of ideas for future content. Don’t believe me, check out the list below!
What’s on the workbench?
Here’s what’s on my radar for content; in no particular order of priority or promise:
TI 99/4A Games with Speech (edit of broken up livestream)
MEGA65 tips/tricks project
PiDP-8/I
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
PET upgrades/usage
Studio/basement update (possibly, members-only content)
Telecommunications on retro-computers
Cobi M1A1 Set
LEGO Atari 2600 Set
That list has changed since last month, but as you can see, I have no dearth of content ahead! See something you want me to move up on the list? Leave a comment.
That's it for November
Tomorrow is Turkey Day and I expect I'll stuff myself like I always do; however, while visiting with family, I hope to sneak away and finish an edit for a video designed to ease the burden of shopping for those with retro computing family members. Stay tuned. Hope to get this out soon! Happy Thanksgiving to all my U.S. supporters!
🕹️ retroCombs, OUT!
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