My 3 year old is already telling me how to use "HER" sofware! and my 15
month old plays a lot with my test equipment (there are more buttons).
I got my daughter started on a VIC20 then she moved to a PC (she loved maing
it beep).
Gotta find a list for Kids and computer learning :)
-----Original Message-----
From: Aaron Christopher Finney <aaron(a)orr.wfi-inc.com>
To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
<classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu>
Date: Sunday, February 01, 1998 11:42 AM
Subject: Re: C-64c probs
>I have two little ones, 2 /12 years and 15 months, and I try to get them as
involved with this stuff as possible. My older guy loves to help me clean
and restore the systems, as well as play games and simple learning progs (I
have to admit that he's not turning out to be normal, he's got quite a knack
for the stuff already). I wrote a nice program for the younger guy for the
Atari 8, it divides the keyboard into 4 sections and a different
colour/sound part executes depending on which quadrant he touches. He's
already learned to be gentle with the keybards, so nothing gets hurt and
he's learning how to use a computer! My older son learned the same way, and
I just gradually made more sections of the keyboard until now he can type
any letter or number on the keyboard (we're working on the other
characters).
>
>Why all this rambling? And what does it have to do with classic computers?
Well, my dad had his hobbies that were "adult stuff" and I was excluded
(collecting old rifles). Older computers are a fun hobby for me, but are
also something that lets me invest time with my kids and teaches them skills
that will give them an advantage in life. Older computers, especially the
ones that are so plentiful and inexpensive right now (C64's, Ataris, etc)
are perfect for teaching them this stuff. I admit that I would be a little
nervous about leaving my new Dell laptop on the floor for them to play with,
but what can they do to an 800XL? And even if they manage to break it
somehow, what is $25 when compared to what they're learning? So don't just
try to divert them with a junk keyboard, put some time into helping them
learn to use the stuff too. Believe me, 15 months is *not* too young, and it
will save you a lot of yelling and frustration when they're terrible two!
>
>Aaron
I have two little ones, 2 /12 years and 15 months, and I try to get them as involved with this stuff as possible. My older guy loves to help me clean and restore the systems, as well as play games and simple learning progs (I have to admit that he's not turning out to be normal, he's got quite a knack for the stuff already). I wrote a nice program for the younger guy for the Atari 8, it divides the keyboard into 4 sections and a different colour/sound part executes depending on which quadrant he touches. He's already learned to be gentle with the keybards, so nothing gets hurt and he's learning how to use a computer! My older son learned the same way, and I just gradually made more sections of the keyboard until now he can type any letter or number on the keyboard (we're working on the other characters).
Why all this rambling? And what does it have to do with classic computers? Well, my dad had his hobbies that were "adult stuff" and I was excluded (collecting old rifles). Older computers are a fun hobby for me, but are also something that lets me invest time with my kids and teaches them skills that will give them an advantage in life. Older computers, especially the ones that are so plentiful and inexpensive right now (C64's, Ataris, etc) are perfect for teaching them this stuff. I admit that I would be a little nervous about leaving my new Dell laptop on the floor for them to play with, but what can they do to an 800XL? And even if they manage to break it somehow, what is $25 when compared to what they're learning? So don't just try to divert them with a junk keyboard, put some time into helping them learn to use the stuff too. Believe me, 15 months is *not* too young, and it will save you a lot of yelling and frustration when they're terrible two!
Aaron
At 02:16 AM 2/1/98 +0930, adam(a)merlin.net.au wrote:
>>At 10:02 AM 2/1/98 -0500, you wrote:
>>
>>>Assuming the drive's device number has not been changed from eight, then the
>>>correct command is LOAD "*", 8, 1
>>
>>What's the differenct between "$" and "*"? I've seen both used in this
>>context. How does one change a device number? I'm not Commodore expert. The
>>only other Commodore product I've had is a C-16, and that seems like ages
>>ago.
>
>"$" loads the file directory from the disk, and you use "list" to see
>what files are on it. "*" loads the first program on the disk, and I
>assume the ,1 is to either load an assembly program, or to automatically
>run the file once loaded. The ,8 is the device number - thus try, say,
>,9. :)
LOAD"*",8,1 will load the last program loaded. If there was none,
it will then load the first program on the disk.
The ",1" is what is called the relocate flag. When it is notr there (or ",0")
it tells the 64(or any commodore) to load the program at wherever the
BASIC memory space starts. A ",1" tells it to load the program into whatever
area of memory from which it was saved. (Usually used for machine language)
This is why you get a screwed up screen if you use LOAD"$",8,1 to get a
directory.
To change a devce number on the 1541 (1571, 1581 too) use:
OPEN 15,"dn",15
PRINT#15,"M-W"CHR$(119)CHR$(0)CHR$(2)CHR$("New Device Number" + 32)CHR$("New
Device Number" +64)
CLOSE 15
"dn" is the current device number of your drive (probably 8)
and "New Device Number" is the number you want to change it to.
(Anything from 9-127 or so I think)
Les
The best way to deal with that is to create a diversion: place an old
keyboard on the floor and let the little one play with it.
It works for a while;)
>I'll try it next time I get the system out to play with it. We've got an 19
>month old running around now, and something like the Commodore with it's
>multiple cables and pieces is a prime target for her.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Francois Auradon.
Visit the SANCTUARY at http://home.att.net/~francois.auradon
Hi,
Is there a way to hook up an old Mac printer to a PC? Any kind of adapter serial or parallel will do.
It's an old PC and an old printer;)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Francois Auradon.
Visit the SANCTUARY at http://home.att.net/~francois.auradon
Load "*",8,1 loads the first program found on the disk; I'm not sure what
load "$" does, if anything. To change the device number in a 1541 is not
difficult, but it is a PITA because you must open the drive and cut through
one or more connections. It is also semi-permanent in that you need to
solder the connection back to reverse the procedure. There is a way to
configure device numbers on a two drive system by way of a command, but that
method escapes me at the moment.
You should get the error messages immediately. I pulled out a Commodore and
drive to try to recreate your problem, but could not (always got an error
message of one kind or another). The only thing I could suggest is that one
of the two serial ports on the drive is flakey. Either should work equally
as well, but try the other one just in case. Then maybe there is something
wrong with the C64 itself or its serial port. I'm just throwing out guesses
now.
Cliff Gregory
cgregory(a)lrbcg.com
-----Original Message-----
From: classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu <classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu>
To: Cgregory <Cgregory>
Date: Sunday, February 01, 1998 11:38 AM
Subject: Re: C-64c probs
>>Assuming the drive's device number has not been changed from eight, then
the
>>correct command is LOAD "*", 8, 1
>
>What's the differenct between "$" and "*"? I've seen both used in this
>context. How does one change a device number? I'm not Commodore expert. The
>only other Commodore product I've had is a C-16, and that seems like ages
ago.
>
>>changed to 9, 10, or 11, then you will get a "device not found" error.
Try
>>the other numbers in place of 8 until you find the correct one. If the
>>cable is bad or not connected properly, you should get a "device not
>>present" error.
>
>I'll give it a try. How long should I wait for a device not present
>message? It's just sitting there looking for the floppy. I've got both the
>C-64 manual and the 1541 manual, but can't see anything that'll help me.
>
>>PS: I've got all kinds of 1541's if you really want/need one.
>
>I'd like to get a second drive if this one is good, or two drives if this
>one is bad, but I think the problem is just me sitting in front of it, and
>not the drive.
>
>
>-John Higginbotham-
>-limbo.netpath.net-
>
At 02:16 AM 2/1/98 +0930, you wrote:
>"$" loads the file directory from the disk, and you use "list" to see
>what files are on it. "*" loads the first program on the disk, and I
>assume the ,1 is to either load an assembly program, or to automatically
>run the file once loaded. The ,8 is the device number - thus try, say,
>,9. :)
>
>At least this is as far as my memory goes.
I'll try it next time I get the system out to play with it. We've got an 19
month old running around now, and something like the Commodore with it's
multiple cables and pieces is a prime target for her.
-John Higginbotham-
-limbo.netpath.net-
Just one thing to say:
<big> <bigger> <bigest> <bigger than that>
Thank you.
</big> </bigger> <bigest> </bigger than that>
-----Original Message-----
From: Sam Ismail <dastar(a)wco.com>
To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
<classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu>
Date: Saturday, January 31, 1998 8:41 PM
Subject: Future Services & Events from the Vintage Technology Cooperative
>
>I just thought I'd give yous guys a sneak peek of some of the things I am
>working on...
[Major snip]
>ALL THIS AND SO MUCH MORE! A VERITABLE NERD EXTRAVAGANZA TO SATISFY YOUR
>VINTAGE COMPUTER HUNGER!
>
>Sam Alternate e-mail:
dastar(a)siconic.com
>---------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
>Computer Historian, Programmer, Musician, Philosopher, Athlete, Writer,
Jackass
>
> Coming Soon...Vintage Computer Festival 2.0
> See http://www.siconic.com/vcf for details!
>
At 10:02 AM 2/1/98 -0500, you wrote:
>Assuming the drive's device number has not been changed from eight, then the
>correct command is LOAD "*", 8, 1
What's the differenct between "$" and "*"? I've seen both used in this
context. How does one change a device number? I'm not Commodore expert. The
only other Commodore product I've had is a C-16, and that seems like ages ago.
>changed to 9, 10, or 11, then you will get a "device not found" error. Try
>the other numbers in place of 8 until you find the correct one. If the
>cable is bad or not connected properly, you should get a "device not
>present" error.
I'll give it a try. How long should I wait for a device not present
message? It's just sitting there looking for the floppy. I've got both the
C-64 manual and the 1541 manual, but can't see anything that'll help me.
>PS: I've got all kinds of 1541's if you really want/need one.
I'd like to get a second drive if this one is good, or two drives if this
one is bad, but I think the problem is just me sitting in front of it, and
not the drive.
-John Higginbotham-
-limbo.netpath.net-
At 09:31 AM 2/1/98 -0500, you wrote:
>I have my indos not by hand but I nelieve you must type
>
>type LOAD "$",8,1
Manual says ,8 but I also tried ,8,1 and nothing happened
-John Higginbotham-
-limbo.netpath.net-