Post by Jeff Ledger on Jun 4, 2006 14:51:31 GMT -5
Just returned from the Cincinnati Commodore Expo early this morning. While I didn't do an exact head count, I'd estimate that we had around 40-50 people. (Anyone who took exact count, feel free to correct me)
Here's some of the highlights that caught my attention at C4 this year:
DEMOS:
Most of the morning was open floor, which gave many of us a chance to talk, relax, and view everyone's project. It's nice to have time to sit and chat with everyone "face to face." The demo time started after lunch with my own project kicking off the 'official' side of the expo.
1:00 JEFF LEDGER
While many people bring new device projects, or new software developments. I decided to bring something in the realm of a tutorial and share some of my own experiences building my own custom I/O boards for the C64. I outlined the overview of the project on the microphone and then invited those who were interested to get closer and take a look. I demoed the PICAXE chip interface and another one of my own creation using the Darlington chip. The document for the project can be found at: www.petscii.com/c64interfacing.pdf
2:00 JIM BRAIN
Jim brought an update and neat additions on some of his current projects. First, he talked about the details of the uIEC board, describing in detail how the unit works, showing new production prototypes and answering questions. The uIEC appears to be about 65% completed, the software side of the project being the only thing left to finish. He surprised us with, (get this) a C64-->PS2 / PS2-->C64 interface combination he had installed into an open C64. As he pulled the keyboard away from the unit a long PS2 keyboard cable showed the two interfaces in back-to-back operation. While no one but Jim would use them in this way, it became clear that the Commodore keyboard could be interfaced to the PC, or PC keyboard could be interfaced to the Commodore. The idea of having direct firmware access is interesting to me, as a side effect of the device has created another interface to the Commodore. Almost looks like the unit could give me a custom C64 POST screen by simply turning on the unit and allowing the interface chip to TYPE IT. The interface will allow one to add a PS2 jack to the Commodore so the C64 can become a keyboard for the PC simply by plugging it in. Or a PS2 keyboard could be added to the 64. The project will be released soon as an easy DIY kit.
3:00 LEIF BLOOMQUIST
Leif demonstrated the RRnet ethernet card using "Guruterm." Guruterm allows the 64 to directly connect to TelBBS system without the requirement of a PC to act interface. We had some problems with hotel internet access at the moment of his demo, so we took a break for a bit while Leif exchanged his Wireless bridge device with the hotel front desk. These hotel wireless bridge units are a little box with a small ethernet cord allowing anyone to connect to the hotel wireless service by simply plugging it in. We had a C64 with an RRnet card plugged into a wireless bridge device. Too Cool!
4:00 JIM BUTTERFIELD
Jim gave a talk about "The things that everyone else already knew," demonstrating ways NOT to program a C64. He started by moving a copy of BASIC into ram, then modifying various keyword spellings. LIST became LUST, POKE became PUKE, and the READY prompt became BANANA. He then demonstrated cool ways of placing indented spacing into a program listing, and a way to use reserve words as variables. The details of which could make for interesting discussion on SSoCC, but Jim made us all promise we would *NEVER* use that method of coding for our own programs.
Did you know you can use SHIFT-ENTER to make the C64 accept a carriage return without printing SYNTAX ERROR on a line of text? How about increasing the 128's compatibility with 64 software by simply pressing the CAPS LOCK key? Yeah, I know.. You already knew that...
UNOFFICIAL: (The good, the bad, and the Butterfield Karaoke)
Activities abounded everywhere you looked. Six and company spent their day buried in demo scene software and assembly code. I took a few mins to take in some of the action as Six reviewed various STYLE demos. I'm not sure about what we being coded, but it looks like some seriously cool DTV demos are in the works!
Jim Brain and Leif spent some troubleshooting time tracking down a bug in the uIEC code. (They were still working on it when I left around midnight. --any updates guys?) Jeri could be found skating from group to group on an old fashion pair of roller skates. The Amiga group was present with some great video from their usersgroup. Vendors were plentiful with copies of software and plenty of hardware. I scored a couple good monitors from the Freebie table to replace the one I lost last year. Jeri brought in her playstation for a little Karaoke faceoff. Jim Butterfield showed he was a man of many talents with by accepting a challenge to sing an 80's song against another expo goer. Not Commodore stuff, but what a riot!
The only bads this year were the ususal shortness of the expo. (These meets go soooo fast!) and the typical problems with hotel Internet access. (This is becoming a part of expo going!)
If you missed C4 you missed a great time! Those of you who managed to take pictures, please post links to this thread.
Jeff
Here's some of the highlights that caught my attention at C4 this year:
DEMOS:
Most of the morning was open floor, which gave many of us a chance to talk, relax, and view everyone's project. It's nice to have time to sit and chat with everyone "face to face." The demo time started after lunch with my own project kicking off the 'official' side of the expo.
1:00 JEFF LEDGER
While many people bring new device projects, or new software developments. I decided to bring something in the realm of a tutorial and share some of my own experiences building my own custom I/O boards for the C64. I outlined the overview of the project on the microphone and then invited those who were interested to get closer and take a look. I demoed the PICAXE chip interface and another one of my own creation using the Darlington chip. The document for the project can be found at: www.petscii.com/c64interfacing.pdf
2:00 JIM BRAIN
Jim brought an update and neat additions on some of his current projects. First, he talked about the details of the uIEC board, describing in detail how the unit works, showing new production prototypes and answering questions. The uIEC appears to be about 65% completed, the software side of the project being the only thing left to finish. He surprised us with, (get this) a C64-->PS2 / PS2-->C64 interface combination he had installed into an open C64. As he pulled the keyboard away from the unit a long PS2 keyboard cable showed the two interfaces in back-to-back operation. While no one but Jim would use them in this way, it became clear that the Commodore keyboard could be interfaced to the PC, or PC keyboard could be interfaced to the Commodore. The idea of having direct firmware access is interesting to me, as a side effect of the device has created another interface to the Commodore. Almost looks like the unit could give me a custom C64 POST screen by simply turning on the unit and allowing the interface chip to TYPE IT. The interface will allow one to add a PS2 jack to the Commodore so the C64 can become a keyboard for the PC simply by plugging it in. Or a PS2 keyboard could be added to the 64. The project will be released soon as an easy DIY kit.
3:00 LEIF BLOOMQUIST
Leif demonstrated the RRnet ethernet card using "Guruterm." Guruterm allows the 64 to directly connect to TelBBS system without the requirement of a PC to act interface. We had some problems with hotel internet access at the moment of his demo, so we took a break for a bit while Leif exchanged his Wireless bridge device with the hotel front desk. These hotel wireless bridge units are a little box with a small ethernet cord allowing anyone to connect to the hotel wireless service by simply plugging it in. We had a C64 with an RRnet card plugged into a wireless bridge device. Too Cool!
4:00 JIM BUTTERFIELD
Jim gave a talk about "The things that everyone else already knew," demonstrating ways NOT to program a C64. He started by moving a copy of BASIC into ram, then modifying various keyword spellings. LIST became LUST, POKE became PUKE, and the READY prompt became BANANA. He then demonstrated cool ways of placing indented spacing into a program listing, and a way to use reserve words as variables. The details of which could make for interesting discussion on SSoCC, but Jim made us all promise we would *NEVER* use that method of coding for our own programs.
Did you know you can use SHIFT-ENTER to make the C64 accept a carriage return without printing SYNTAX ERROR on a line of text? How about increasing the 128's compatibility with 64 software by simply pressing the CAPS LOCK key? Yeah, I know.. You already knew that...
UNOFFICIAL: (The good, the bad, and the Butterfield Karaoke)
Activities abounded everywhere you looked. Six and company spent their day buried in demo scene software and assembly code. I took a few mins to take in some of the action as Six reviewed various STYLE demos. I'm not sure about what we being coded, but it looks like some seriously cool DTV demos are in the works!
Jim Brain and Leif spent some troubleshooting time tracking down a bug in the uIEC code. (They were still working on it when I left around midnight. --any updates guys?) Jeri could be found skating from group to group on an old fashion pair of roller skates. The Amiga group was present with some great video from their usersgroup. Vendors were plentiful with copies of software and plenty of hardware. I scored a couple good monitors from the Freebie table to replace the one I lost last year. Jeri brought in her playstation for a little Karaoke faceoff. Jim Butterfield showed he was a man of many talents with by accepting a challenge to sing an 80's song against another expo goer. Not Commodore stuff, but what a riot!
The only bads this year were the ususal shortness of the expo. (These meets go soooo fast!) and the typical problems with hotel Internet access. (This is becoming a part of expo going!)
If you missed C4 you missed a great time! Those of you who managed to take pictures, please post links to this thread.
Jeff