PDXCUG Meeting Highlights
Vol. 2, No. 5 - May 12, 2011 - Meeting Highlights
Portland Commodore Users Group Meetings Online
As you may already know, the Portland Commodore Users Group has many active local members, but it extends globally to interact virtually with others who wish to join in during meetings.
Meet a couple of our chat operators. These are the fun-loving gals that make our interactive meetings so much fun. As you can see, we have the chat session showing up on the room's monitor so that everyone can see what's happening in chat during the meeting. Come say hi to us during the evening - you'll have fun interacting with them, our members and others from around the world.
Portland Commodore Users Group Lighted Sign
Presentations
GEORAM 512 Memory Expansion in GEOS on the Commodore 128
GenCom64 gave us a presentation on GEORAM. It is typically used for the GEOS operating system, but being a RAM expansion unit, it can be used in other applications as well. We got it working using the Maniac Mansion Gold edition for NeoRAM as well.
Lipstik Voice Activation with Echelon
This is part 2 of our Speech Synthesizer / Voice Recognition devices demonstrations. This month Goog demonstrates the Lipstik "voice activation" headset. It plugs into the joystick port and, when enabled in software, allows the user to speak a command. In the case of Echelon, it is used for firing weapons instead of having to use the joystick button (since your hands are tied up with other controls). Once you activate your weapons, you can say "fire!" or "boom" or "<cough>" to immediately fire at your target.
New Hardware Design
Agent Friday shows off a new hardware design and the techniques he uses - what is it, anyway?
Lode Runner Demo
While most have heard of or played Lode Runner in the past, few have ventured into the custom level designer built-in to the game. Goog demonstrates some of his levels that he created from childhood to other members and puts a call to action to start making new levels and sharing them with others in the group.
Tinker Time
Playing around with GEOS on the Commodore 128
Jim and Ryan testing out the finer features of GEOS.
Fun with Printers
Jim and Dan both brought printers - a Commodore MPS 1000 and a VIC-1525. Too bad the ribbons were so dry, but we were able to faintly see what was printed.
Show & Tell
Amiga 4000
Now here's a hefty one - the Amiga 4000. Gencom64 shows his A4000 to the group.
Compu-Mate (GE) Data Recorder
A datasette-similar device that is "compatible with many home computers, such as Atari and Commodore."
Commodore Watch
Goog's brand-new Commodore watch still has the protective plastic coating on the face.
Gaming Time
MegaCart on the Vic-20
Member Dan brought his Vic-20 MegaCart. It was fun to compare notes to Goog's Behr Bonz cart, but the MegaCart clearly wins for its extra features and nice packaging. Not shown is the Behr Bonz cartridge, but you can see Crossfire being played on the Vic-20 in the picture. The close-up is a Commodore 64 version of Crossfire. Both were fun and had their own unique challenges and playability.
Vic-20 Games
Kris and Jeff playing some games using the Behr Bonz cartridge on the Vic-20
A.T.C. (Air Traffic Controller)
GenCom64 playing a little A.T.C. on the C64 - this is a great game. Its simple interface makes it fun to be an air traffic controller.
Donkey Kong
Donkey Kong on the Vic-20 is a very good version.
