RickR

Happy Mother's Day

😎Classic 80's Vacuum florescent display tech - Loved VFD tech for displays in electronic games and stereo components and even clock radios etc. I know it was more expensive tech but it was so bright and colorful and sure maybe somewhat retina burning but nothing else looked like it, very much of it's time!

Interesting article on modern day Atari and its turnaround efforts. 

https://www.axios.com/2023/04/17/atari-wade-rosen-interview

Computer upgrade time!

My trusty main desktop computer is dying.  I believe it's the motherboard that failed.  The built-in network adapter failed about a year ago.  And now the CPU is overheating.  No amount of reseating the heatsink or re-applying thermal compound helps.  My guess is the capacitors are dying, causing too-high voltage. 

I searched high and low for a pre-built computer that wasn't too terribly expensive, but failed.  It isn't easy to find a desktop that has an optical drive (or space for one) AND the ability to add in a big video card (including power connectors).  Most of what I found was over $1000. 

Instead, I consulted one of my children, who helped me pick these parts.  Total spent is $200.  I'll re-use a lot of my existing setup.  Including the DDR4 memory, power supply, case, SSD, and Blu-ray drive. 

Hopefully, I can get my Windows license to transfer. 

Wish me luck! 

Computer upgrade time!

My trusty main desktop computer is dying.  I believe it's the motherboard that failed.  The built-in network adapter failed about a year ago.  And now the CPU is overheating.  No amount of reseating the heatsink or re-applying thermal compound helps.  My guess is the capacitors are dying, causing too-high voltage. 

I searched high and low for a pre-built computer that wasn't too terribly expensive, but failed.  It isn't easy to find a desktop that has an optical drive (or space for one) AND the ability to add in a big video card (including power connectors).  Most of what I found was over $1000. 

Instead, I consulted one of my children, who helped me pick these parts.  Total spent is $200.  I'll re-use a lot of my existing setup.  Including the DDR4 memory, power supply, case, SSD, and Blu-ray drive. 

Hopefully, I can get my Windows license to transfer. 

Wish me luck! 

🏴‍☠️ Our hosting platform experienced a bit of downtime overnight. If you were unable to get into the Forums, it wasn't anything specific to Atari I/O, just some general maintenance on our platform's end.

3/14 is pi day!

When is E.T.: Recharged coming out for VCS??

 

Who is up for the challenge?

I will stream a short, live unboxing of my Atari VCS at 8pm ET tonight! Finally lol! I hope to stream some gaming this weekend but I also have the show to work on for Wednesday.

https://twitch.tv/retrowithmarco

I will stream a short, live unboxing of my Atari VCS at 8pm ET tonight! Finally lol! I hope to stream some gaming this weekend but I also have the show to work on for Wednesday.

https://twitch.tv/retrowithmarco

Funny that the online WEBCAM TOY is still around. Seems like it's been around forever. 😝🤷🏼‍♂️ https://webcamtoy.com/ 

Ugh!  Shouldn't this be over by now?  Summer can't get here fast enough.  It just started sticking, and now the forecast has it snowing all night.  Sigh. 

Ugh!  Shouldn't this be over by now?  Summer can't get here fast enough.  It just started sticking, and now the forecast has it snowing all night.  Sigh. 

🤔 I wonder if kids 30 years from now will collect fidget spinners?

I'm trying to figure out how to write a simple game on my Atari 400 which goes like this:

The Atari picks a random number from 1 to 100. The player enters their name, presses return and then types in a guess. The computer says "Try a higher or lower number or That's it! if they guess it.  The computer keeps track on screen of how long it takes to get the correct number.

Here's what I have so far but it's not working.  I'm hoping for some help.  Thanks.

I'm trying to figure out how to write a simple game on my Atari 400 which goes like this:

The Atari picks a random number from 1 to 100. The player enters their name, presses return and then types in a guess. The computer says "Try a higher or lower number or That's it! if they guess it.  The computer keeps track on screen of how long it takes to get the correct number.

Here's what I have so far but it's not working.  I'm hoping for some help.  Thanks.

Amazon has the Amiga A500 Mini in stock again, if anyone is interested.  I ordered one this morning. 

https://www.amazon.com/A500-Mini-electronic-games/dp/B09CM1C3LX

I'm alone this evening, so I got subway for dinner and am watching Star Trek. Don't judge me. 

I'm bad!

I'm alone this evening, so I got subway for dinner and am watching Star Trek. Don't judge me. 

I'm alone this evening, so I got subway for dinner and am watching Star Trek. Don't judge me. 

The "broken" robo vac works once I replaced the battery. It's kind of impressive how much stuff it picks up. I wonder how it knows where the home base is?  I bet Rod Sterling would have written a killer Twilight Zone episode about these things. 

❓Question: when’s the last time you “chatted online“ with anyone outside of this site?