test-drb February 1998

test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org

147 participants
783 discussions

by francois.auradon＠worldnet.att.net

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

26 years, 3 months

C-64c probs

by aaron＠orr.wfi-inc.com

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

26 years, 3 months

C-64c probs

by lfb107＠psu.edu

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

26 years, 3 months

C-64c probs

by francois.auradon＠worldnet.att.net

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

26 years, 3 months

Mac printer on PC (slightly off topic)

by francois.auradon＠worldnet.att.net

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

26 years, 3 months

C-64c probs

by cgregory＠lrbcg.com

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- >

26 years, 3 months

C-64c probs

by higginbo＠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-

26 years, 3 months

Future Services & Events from the Vintage Technology Cooperative

by francois.auradon＠worldnet.att.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! >

26 years, 3 months

C-64c probs

by higginbo＠netpath.net

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-

26 years, 3 months

C-64c probs

by higginbo＠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-

26 years, 3 months

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test-drb February 1998