Re: C64 fans seem to me more passionate and committed than retro-computing fans

Posted on 2023-10-04, 10:42

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by Max Headroom

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It doesn't that matter what was in my own PC. What matters, is — what I already said — that the game creators were designing, during quite a few years, their DOS games for the „lowest common denominator” (ordinary 128 KB not accelerated VGA) mainly using mode 13h. They had no idea, what kind of …

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Re: C64 fans seem to me more passionate and committed than retro-computing fans

Posted on 2023-10-04, 10:18

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by Max Headroom

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OK, „you know better” 😉 — no problem to me.

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Re: C64 fans seem to me more passionate and committed than retro-computing fans

Posted on 2023-10-04, 10:05

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by Max Headroom

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You see the difference between what you're saying, and what I'm saying? What you said was: "Why not, if that works, and one can achieve interesting effects using that? The creators of Amiga designed copper, blitter etc. not because they had too much free time — but exactly because they didn't have …

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Re: C64 fans seem to me more passionate and committed than retro-computing fans

Posted on 2023-10-04, 09:36

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by Max Headroom

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Because even when you hit the 90s and pcs did have S3 cards and sound blasters and voodoos which are arguable equivalent to an amiga "custom" chipset just more modular and lets face it the rest of the hardware the cpu and sn74 glue logic chips are basically off the shelf , people still don't feel …

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Re: C64 fans seem to me more passionate and committed than retro-computing fans

Posted on 2023-10-04, 09:00

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by Max Headroom

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The console was 600 usd in 1982. The 1541 was 400. And slow as molasses. It seems to me they could have spent a wee bit of money refining the firmware in it's 13 years of production. And they sold millions. Hi again, I think that's because of VC-20 compatibility. That machine was very very humble. …

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Re: C64 fans seem to me more passionate and committed than retro-computing fans

Posted on 2023-10-04, 08:41

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by Max Headroom

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Yes, it was. :) We're talking about PCs, not about consoles. And there were quite a few years, I mean the early 90s, when game creators were releasing their games (for PCs) designed for „lowest common denominator” (cheapest VGA) — so almost every game was using mode 13h. It was quite enough to …

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Re: C64 fans seem to me more passionate and committed than retro-computing fans

Posted on 2023-10-03, 23:31

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by Max Headroom

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The point IS the C64 DOESN'T have such facities. [..] …because the aim of Jack Tramiel was to offer as cheap (still capable) home-computer (not professional PC) as possible. They were saving even a dollar or two on ROM chips, that's why C-64 had just that atrocious, spartan CBM BASIC V2 (created by …

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Re: C64 fans seem to me more passionate and committed than retro-computing fans

Posted on 2023-10-03, 23:03

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by Max Headroom

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This does not deny the fact, that there was a time when this „raw power” was more than enough. It wasn't. Look at consoles from the era, like the 3DO, PlayStation, Nintendo 64 or the Atari Jaguar. [..] Yes, it was. :) We're talking about PCs, not about consoles. And there were quite a few years, I …

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Re: C64 fans seem to me more passionate and committed than retro-computing fans

Posted on 2023-10-03, 22:02

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by Max Headroom

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I'm aware it was very good processor — it was very successful, anyway — still even 68k wasn't ideal . And if so — we have to do our choices among several not ideal processors… I found x86 „not that bad” (of course not ideal also). Once the 386 arrived, x86 became better, but the original 16-bit …

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Re: C64 fans seem to me more passionate and committed than retro-computing fans

Posted on 2023-10-03, 21:38

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by Max Headroom

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I'm afraid I'm not experienced enough to make a proper statement here, but.. I think the C64 was fine as a radio terminal (RTTY, AMTOR/PR, SSTV/Weather FAX) and for controlling things, like robot arms and relay cards. Maybe driving a plotter or a CNC machine. Maybe as a tool in a lab, as well. …

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Re: C64 fans seem to me more passionate and committed than retro-computing fans

Posted on 2023-10-03, 21:33

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by Max Headroom

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Yes, I have C-64 as something that brings back fond memories — but I'm more interested in exploring that „boring” x86 and — recently — ARM on RPi and its clones. The Amiga has a 68000, and an 8088 is to an 68000 what an 8088 is to a 6502. So I was never really a fan of coding x86 assembly. I've …

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Re: C64 fans seem to me more passionate and committed than retro-computing fans

Posted on 2023-10-03, 20:50

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by Max Headroom

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…until you start to really explore them, for example by discovering what could have been done on simple, „generic” 8088 XT in the past — but (unfortunately) it has been done only many years later… just imagine something like that shown in 1986, when Amiga was all the rage. Yea, I actually did the …

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Re: C64 fans seem to me more passionate and committed than retro-computing fans

Posted on 2023-10-03, 20:10

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by Max Headroom

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Still, let's assume our PC-hobby is more popular. We must be less 'effective' or less 'committed' (or probably both) in creating something out of it! I don't think it is. PC's are rather boring, generic machines. …until you start to really explore them, for example by discovering what could have …

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Re: C64 fans seem to me more passionate and committed than retro-computing fans

Posted on 2023-10-03, 19:08

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by Max Headroom

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But I already wrote, that yes, „if you want it as a collectible” or sth. — didn't I? If you want to play on fast C-64, however, you may want to buy this instead; I didn't buy it, the pace my C-64 works at satisfies me completely.

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Re: C64 fans seem to me more passionate and committed than retro-computing fans

Posted on 2023-10-03, 18:34

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by Max Headroom

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They work sooooo sloooooow, because they were put to work with software that was too much for them. Back then it was justified because of a desire of progress. But today who forces you to do this? For example, you don't have to use a cassette tape to load a heavy software and wait half an hour till …

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Re: C64 fans seem to me more passionate and committed than retro-computing fans

Posted on 2023-10-03, 18:05

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by Max Headroom

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Seriously? I'd ask why not? It's a serious upgrade to a seriously nostalgic and fun computer. Why did many utilize a Warpspeed cartridge with ours back when? I already answered that: because at that time we all had that C-64 as the one and only computer, therefore maximizing its efficiency was, …

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Re: C64 fans seem to me more passionate and committed than retro-computing fans

Posted on 2023-10-03, 15:02

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by Max Headroom

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Well, if you're a C64 fan and own one it definitely makes sense as well as any other add-on or peripheral device you are able to find. You mean as a „collectible”? Maybe — but I wouldn't spend much money for that. OK, it's my own opinion. But the question is if C64 is worth to buy at all. It is of …

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Re: C64 fans seem to me more passionate and committed than retro-computing fans

Posted on 2023-10-03, 12:47

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by Max Headroom

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I want one. I need plans. The real thing will likely cost hundreds. Actually, what for? It made sense at that time, when the humble C-64 was „the one and only” computer in one's house. But now? Now you already have a fast computer; the one you used to type these words above. What was fascinating in …

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Vo… no — it's Agon Light

Posted on 2023-08-16, 17:32

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by Max Headroom

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How do you like it, guys? Agon Light 2 Edit: oh, maybe indeed too little information there — have some more … Also here . And one more page with more details. “As a microcomputer,” the Byte Attic blog explains, “Agon is a standalone device that requires no host PC: it puts out its own video (VGA), …

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Re: need idea: what can i do with a 286?

Posted on 2022-07-12, 19:58

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by Max Headroom

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

in Marvin \ General Old Hardware

what can i run on this with 4mb of ram? more than those that can run with 640kb on a 8088. is support for ems-emulation important if i am looking for another 20mhz-capable board? is installing a 287 fpu helpful? Just visit „vetusware” site and see, how many programs one can use on the modest 286... …

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