PDXCUG Meeting Highlights
Vol. 1, No. 7 - November 11, 2010 - Meeting Highlights
What a great meeting - we really had several great discussions on programming techniques for the Commodore 64 and Vic-20. Two great presentations: Ernie discussed his method for creating his C64 game and Dan showed us his code for his Vic-20 terminal program.
Here are some of the meeting highlights.
Show & Tell: Analog Joystick Interface
Member Dan brought his long-lost analog joystick interface. It allows a modern PC joystick to plug into a stock Commodore joystick port. The PC joystick plugs into one side and the other side feeds into the Commodore joystick port. He designed it in the 1990s (his own design) so that he could use his Gravis gamepad with his Atari and Vic-20.
Other Show & Tell
MOS Technology Datasheets Book
This book has all of the MOS Technology specifications for every chip. It even contains information on devices that never made it to market.
6508 Processor?
Ever hear of the MOS 6508? Here is the preliminary datasheet showing that it contains a full page of on-board RAM, among other things.
Gravis Joystick
Member Goog brought his Gravis Joystick - it has an adjustable tensioner and 3 buttons, each with their own button configuration options for rapid fire.
Silver Label Commodore 64
Goog brought his first-generation C64, also known as the "Silver Label" - this was one of the first runs of the Commodore 64 in 1982.
Presentation: Vic-20 Development
Vic-20
Dan showed us some of his development efforts on the terminal program he is creating for the Vic-20. The program uses the RS-232 port and communicates over the Internet using the Comet64 Internet Modem or a null-modem connection to a PC. In one of the pictures to the right, you can see an RS-232 device which translates signals on the User Port to a standard DB-9 RS-232 connector. More to come.
Evening Snapshots
Member Kirsten
Long-standing member Kirsten showing off her membership status by holding our sign for her friends that don't believe her. FYI - she's been with us since the very first meeting!
Commodore 8Bit Weapon
Ahhh, a perfect match - Commodore and 8Bit Weapon, as displayed by another perfect match - Goog and Amber!
8Bit Weapon Shirt
There's nothing as pleasing as a giant C64 asterisk plastered on a shirt!
Commodore 64 Development on a PC
Ernie is getting ready for his presentation on "programming techniques for the C64 using VICE and other tools".
Agent Friday and Dan
Dan was explaining some of the fine points of his analog joystick interface to Agent Friday when I interrupted their conversation for a photo.
Bruce Lee
Playing a little Bruce Lee during game time.
Championship Wrestling on the DTV
While some members prefer professional wrestling...
Sumo on the DTV
...others prefer a little Sumo wrestling.
Commodore Joystick Switch Prototype
Here is the completed prototype of the Commodore Joystick Switch group project.
Clowns using the Joystick Switch
We fired up a game that uses the paddles to demonstrate that the analog signals work fine in the Commodore Joystick Switch.
PAL Commodore 64
Member Ernie brought his PAL Commodore 64 again so we could play some Fortress of Narzod.
Fortress of Narzod
Playing a little Fortress of Narzod