RickR

I don't know, but I just discovered Plex and it's pretty nice to have on the VCS. Lots of free content to watch plus the ability to add all your own videos, photos, and music.

Much appreciated. It is nice to know I'm not missing something obvious. I have mine plugged in to a "eco" power strip, controlled by the TV. So when the TV is powered down, all the other plugs power off too after 30 seconds. So that means "sleep mode" wouldn't be a good choice for me anyway.

I have another RickR (ie - dumb) question! Is there a way to turn the console on from the controller? Or is the only way to reach around back and hit that power button?

And PS - I finally purchased BPM Boy and it's great, but also fun to hear my friend Pat.

Well you have no excuse for being late again EVER. ha ha ha. Nice clocks though.

Here's what's interesting....once I tried Linux, I realized a lot of the same programs are available on Windows and Mac. So even on my Windows machine, I use LibreOffice. It's really good and FREE. As per your question, I always use Thunderbird for e-mail. It's based on Mozilla code, so I use "Firefox" for web browsing. However, if you want to cast to a TV or other device, install Chrome too. Again, I use these same applications on Windows. You are on the right track. If your device is common, there will be on-line guides and it will be no issue. Do it once and then never worry again. The "5 year old desktop or laptop" will be perfect and I would start with that route. Some Linux distros have the ability to run off DVD so you can try it first without installing it. It's slower because there is no hard drive, but this is a great way to determine if the old desktop is fully compatible. I highly recommend trying this. I'd say the demarcation point you'll want to watch for in old hardware is the CPU...Core 2 duo is as old as you'll want to go, and that old technology will work fine but will limit which distro you will want to choose. Once you get into the more modern Intel i3/i5/i7 and the newest multi-core AMD chips, you can run any distro you like. I've done that! But it was probably @MaximumRD. His posts about finding old hardware at the recycling bin and putting Linux on them are pure gold. I will add that I too use Linux on servers for coding at work. Much easier to work with than Windows IMO for that purpose. But things are different for desktop usage as look and feel are so important. Nobody really wants something different and quirky in that regard. Luckily, most of the most popular Linux distros are designed to look and behave like either Windows or MacOS.

I have used Linux in the past for home use on older laptops. It works great *if* you are fine with limited usage. For example, open source office suites (LibreOffice is great), web browsing, and e-mail. The issues arise if you want to do anything beyond that, like games on Steam, or a remote login to a work Windows machine. Frankly, it can work a lot like the Apple Mac OS, which is also built on a Unix platform. Things can get hairy in installing hardware drivers for things like printers. But other than that, it's not too hard to figure out and configure. If you are considering it, let us know what hardware you are considering, as that plays a huge part in what version you choose. You might also consider that pre-configured USB memory stick for the Atari VCS to give it a go.

They still haven't shipped my t-shirts :(

1989 PB version.

Same energy

3 new VCS games from the black Friday sale

@greenweenis the Parker Bros leader. But I will keep trying!

1752 and yes I held that first note for 10 seconds for good luck.

You guys are killing it in Dragster.

Thanksgiving dinner was good, although one of our guests made quite a fuss about it.

I had no idea. But you can bet your greens I'll be doing that from now on.

I had a blog entry a little while ago about the desire to set up a machine to run my old collection of DOS and CD-ROM games. I successfully set up a Win 7 laptop, but hinted at something better.... Well, here we go. It's a Gateway Profile 4 all-in-one with a built-in LCD screen. Windows XP, Pentium 4 (single core), 1GB DDR memory, 40GB HD. Built in speakers, modem, network, DVD drive, etc. It needed a bit of repair, but I got it up and working. I tried DOOM and DOOM2 first, and they both had issues with the integrated sound card. Very choppy sound. I loaded up DOSBox, and that problem was solved. So I'm very happy. This is going to be a really cool way to enjoy this project. The machine has an integrated NVidia based video card, so I'll see if the 3D games of the time work next. Maybe Quake? We shall see.

I'll watch that video and see if it changes my mind. I guess I have until tomorrow to decide right? :)

Well, the USB stick is on sale for Black Friday for only $30. Still, I decided not to buy it. I don't think I'll ever use the VCS as a PC and the idea of dragging a keyboard/mouse up to my gaming room makes me feel tired :) BUT...in looking at the site, I *did* decide to buy a couple of shirts. But anyway, just to repeat, the stick would be a real time-saver and at $30 is a great deal this week.

I've never really considered that aspect of the VCS, using mine strictly as a game console. I knew it was possible to set the VCS up as a mini-PC, but I also know a project like that can be very time consuming in setting it up. So this idea of a pre-configured card is really good! I'm going to check it out. $40 to save a bunch of time is worth it!

That flat-tube TV is nice too.

Wow! Congrats to you, champ.

Very helpful. Thanks. There tends to be one or two slow lanes that you can stop and take a short breather, but I'm I usually end up running right into that horrid serpent if I do make it.