The CoCo Nation Show

The top story this week was the results of the Glenside Color Computer Club election results, we also heard project updates from the panel, and reviewed a lot of Coco, MC-10 and Dragon news from around the globe.

Some news stories for October 12, 2019 show:

0) Glenside election results

• President - Eric Canales

1) Jim Gerrie has been fixing more bugs, and slightly speeding up his Akalabeth port to the MC-10 (he even took a suggestion from Curtis Boyle!):

http://jimgerrie.blogspot.com/2019/10/retrochallenge-201910-akalabeth-another.html

https://youtu.be/n9lCJjo-MJc

Unfortunately, his blog has a later update from Thursday, October 10th, that he is running out of BASIC memory, even on the MCX-128, to be able to fit the whole game on the MC-10 - and the Coco will have a lot of the same issues. So it may have to wait until we get time to work on the a (Nitr)OS9 Level 2 BASIC09 version, where we can get >32K for a BASIC program.

http://jimgerrie.blogspot.com/2019/10/retrochallenge-201910-coco-version.html

2) Roger Taylor is sending out feelers on Facebook about a "computer on a channel" for Roku, where you will be able to use a Coco 3 emulator through the Roku:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2359462640/permalink/10157540291702641/

3) Amigos Retro Gaming did a live stream of some classic computer game playing, including a sizable chunk on the Coco 1/2/3 (starting about 59 minutes in for the Coco). Paul Fiscarelli and myself helped supply tips & some game suggestions, and even Rick Adams popped by for a little bit.

https://youtu.be/ofiWbjGcKPQ?t=3540

4) Amigos Retro Gaming have also released the video of episode 1 of their Coco game podcast (the Coco Show) which features Poltergeist and Sailor Man

https://youtu.be/uxxvmehrA_o

And the audio version is up as well:

https://anchor.fm/thecocoshow

5) Aaron from Amigos Retro gaming also did a video of him playing Sailor Man live, showing a lot of the features, all 3 levels, the inviso screen, etc.

https://youtu.be/mOBgt-GE9Z0

6) Ed Snider has some preliminary designs for his new Coco 3+ - but this time for the case. It will have an external keyboard, but a built in MPI, and be in a compact, cube shape.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2359462640/permalink/10157542665227641/

And an actual prototype, showing the 2 slots built in:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2359462640/permalink/10157552612097641/

7) ShareSquid on YouTube did video play of Downland showing some tips and tricks - running on real hardware with a deluxe joystick.

https://youtu.be/PyoVOjIP1ig

He also did a companion piece - "Dumb Ways to Die" in Downland:

https://youtu.be/DoY_FSrqPgw

8) Our own Brian Wieseler has pictures of (and demo video from) the Dazzle video capture device, capturing composite from a Coco 3. It seems to be an excellent job:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2359462640/permalink/10157550440267641/

9) Petsasjim1 on YouTube did more Dragon game play videos, including (This is not all of them by far):

Cave Fighter (a Scramble type game - but with some cool wall barriers added):

https://youtu.be/cMT1pstBFcc?t=14

Caverns of Doom (BASIC adventure game with RPG elements):

https://youtu.be/eGJX-xRlK1I

Capture the Flag:

https://youtu.be/9QfoDR87zbk

Buzzin Bertie (never seen this one before, not sure what the goal is):

https://youtu.be/LPf-KCdYKqQ?t=18

Bust-Out! (A higher semi-graphics version of Bustout with a fair number of game options - including some multi-voice music in the background at times & win you complete a screen):

https://youtu.be/231Qys-6AUg?t=157

Bug Diver (reminds me of Shark Treasure):

https://youtu.be/iahDeU1SODc?t=9

Bubble Buster (Popcorn style game):

https://youtu.be/6XQcH1kVDIE?t=15

Brock's Kingdom:

https://youtu.be/RpFeT4GtWoQ?t=25

Boulder Crash2 - which is a revised version of Boulder Dash that actually contains a level editor:

https://youtu.be/85CLAWyYtns?t=5

Bonka (Space Panic type game):

https://youtu.be/ZgV63G5CYNs

The CoCoTALKers did a whole lot of CoCoTALKing this week :)  No major topic just a lot of panel discussions.

We saw an update on some new 3D printed cased from John Strong for the Ian Mavrick FD-502 reproduction cartridge.

We had a host discussion on favorite CoCo Arcade Game/Clone/Derivative that one might enjoy more than the arcade original.

And CoCo/Dragon and MC-10 news from around the web.

Some news stories for October 5, 2019 show:

1) Ed Snider announced that him and Gary Becker will continue to collaborate after the GIME-X project is done (which seems to be soon now), and will make a full blown Coco 4!

2) Todd Wallace has started implementing copying files between DECB and OS9 in his disk utility:

3) Sheldon MacDonald showed off his prototype mini game controller for the Coco (smaller than a black beauty joystick):

4) Jim Gerrie has an update video to his MC-10/MCX-128 Akalabeth port (The predecessor to Ultima).

He also has a blog entry for it now:

5) Matchy has a new video (shown *greatly* sped up, not in real time) of 3D mapping (both outline and filled) using tessellation terrain maps. The first part is on the Coco 1/2 in semigraphics graphics; the later parts on the Coco 3 with 16 colors.

6) Interesting discussion on Facebook started by our very own Nick Marotta - what game ports (official or clone) did one prefer to play on the Coco vs. the actual arcade (not including the influence who not having to pay quarters).

7) "Petsasjlm1" on YouTube has been using XRoar to play a bunch of old Dragon games, which he seems to be playing in alphabetic order. I don't think he is too familar with the platform, as some of them he doesn't get very far at all. But there are some good videos of Dragon unique titles:

Balldozer (Arkanoid style game): https://youtu.be/LevwtgRePfE

Beanstalker (Lode Runner clone): https://youtu.be/OKBEYaDm9tI

The Bells:  https://youtu.be/MDiOrdniHc8?t=47

8) Richard Kelly put up a program to check for true lowercase T1 VDG by checking it one has Color Basic 1.3 installed. Now, the two are not tied together, hardware wise, but does anyone know if Tandy sold Color Basic 1.3 on anything but T1 equipped Coco 2's (and Coco 3's)?

9) Daniel Campos & Luciano Scharf have some pictures from the RetroSC gathering in Brazil, showing various Coco's and some of the Brazilian clones:

10) Paul Shoemaker has some pics from a possible upcoming Coco project (one of several people to delve into porting Oregon Trail to the Coco).

11) Amigos Retro Gaming (on YouTube) did a live stream of several of their shows in a row on Friday night. One of them is their new Coco gaming show (which featured Poltergeist and Sailor Man), but it hasn't been posted yet (Their Sinclair show, recorded just before the Coco show, just got posted this morning, so I assume that it is coming soon).

12) Retro Arcade gaming has done a Space Invaders clone, which includes several Coco/Dragon ports (including the transcode) (I would have picked Mark Data Products clone for the Coco 1/2 over the Spectral one, myself):

The CoCoTALKers did a whole lot of CoCoTALKing this week :)  No major topic just a lot of panel discussions.

We saw an update on some new 3D printed cased from John Strong for the Ian Mavrick FD-502 reproduction cartridge.

We had a host discussion on favorite CoCo Arcade Game/Clone/Derivative that one might enjoy more than the arcade original.

And CoCo/Dragon and MC-10 news from around the web.

Some news stories for October 5, 2019 show:

1) Ed Snider announced that him and Gary Becker will continue to collaborate after the GIME-X project is done (which seems to be soon now), and will make a full blown Coco 4!

2) Todd Wallace has started implementing copying files between DECB and OS9 in his disk utility:

3) Sheldon MacDonald showed off his prototype mini game controller for the Coco (smaller than a black beauty joystick):

4) Jim Gerrie has an update video to his MC-10/MCX-128 Akalabeth port (The predecessor to Ultima).

He also has a blog entry for it now:

5) Matchy has a new video (shown *greatly* sped up, not in real time) of 3D mapping (both outline and filled) using tessellation terrain maps. The first part is on the Coco 1/2 in semigraphics graphics; the later parts on the Coco 3 with 16 colors.

6) Interesting discussion on Facebook started by our very own Nick Marotta - what game ports (official or clone) did one prefer to play on the Coco vs. the actual arcade (not including the influence who not having to pay quarters).

7) "Petsasjlm1" on YouTube has been using XRoar to play a bunch of old Dragon games, which he seems to be playing in alphabetic order. I don't think he is too familar with the platform, as some of them he doesn't get very far at all. But there are some good videos of Dragon unique titles:

Balldozer (Arkanoid style game): https://youtu.be/LevwtgRePfE

Beanstalker (Lode Runner clone): https://youtu.be/OKBEYaDm9tI

The Bells:  https://youtu.be/MDiOrdniHc8?t=47

8) Richard Kelly put up a program to check for true lowercase T1 VDG by checking it one has Color Basic 1.3 installed. Now, the two are not tied together, hardware wise, but does anyone know if Tandy sold Color Basic 1.3 on anything but T1 equipped Coco 2's (and Coco 3's)?

9) Daniel Campos & Luciano Scharf have some pictures from the RetroSC gathering in Brazil, showing various Coco's and some of the Brazilian clones:

10) Paul Shoemaker has some pics from a possible upcoming Coco project (one of several people to delve into porting Oregon Trail to the Coco).

11) Amigos Retro Gaming (on YouTube) did a live stream of several of their shows in a row on Friday night. One of them is their new Coco gaming show (which featured Poltergeist and Sailor Man), but it hasn't been posted yet (Their Sinclair show, recorded just before the Coco show, just got posted this morning, so I assume that it is coming soon).

12) Retro Arcade gaming has done a Space Invaders clone, which includes several Coco/Dragon ports (including the transcode) (I would have picked Mark Data Products clone for the Coco 1/2 over the Spectral one, myself):

Live coverage from Tandy Assembly along with our usual CoCoTALKing, news, commentary and more!

Email any suggestions you have for the show to [email protected]

Join us for daily conversations on Discord: https://discord.gg/4J5nHXm

To find out more about the Color Computer visit http://imacoconut.com

CoCoTALK! airs live, every Saturday at 2:00 PM EDT! We are also available for replay and podcast listening!

Custom artwork designed by Instagram artist Joel M. Adams:

Custom CoCoTALK! and retro merchandise is available at:

Consider becoming a patron of the show:

Live coverage from Tandy Assembly along with our usual CoCoTALKing, news, commentary and more!

Email any suggestions you have for the show to [email protected]

Join us for daily conversations on Discord: https://discord.gg/4J5nHXm

To find out more about the Color Computer visit http://imacoconut.com

CoCoTALK! airs live, every Saturday at 2:00 PM EDT! We are also available for replay and podcast listening!

Custom artwork designed by Instagram artist Joel M. Adams:

Custom CoCoTALK! and retro merchandise is available at:

Consider becoming a patron of the show:

We’re doing our wrap-up show discussing all the fun we had last weekend at VCFMW, hear from those that were there, and rejoice in the awesomeness of the event.   We'll also have live coverage from the Glenside Color Computer Club's (hosts of the Chicago CoCoFEST!) Pick Nick, so more Chicago area retro goodness!  Join us live today, if you were at the event, we'd love to have you join us on the panel to share your experiences.

Special Guest Matt from Drakware https://drakware.com/

News links:

1) Jim Gerrie shows off Alpha Force, a Targ like game for the MC-10:

https://youtu.be/pKOue-KEbOE

https://youtu.be/yzLS60J4SHY

https://youtu.be/KOaYwn3TSkA

2) Retro Core did a Thexder port comparison

https://youtu.be/H3V2VFze0Vs

3) John Day (ShareSquid on YouTube) is doing high score challenge videos of Coco games:

https://youtu.be/ogROu5zUkhY

https://youtu.be/OH6KL7Vzc9M

4) FitFo on YouTube is doing a "Sleeper build" based on a Coco 1 case

https://youtu.be/vzpffYGSu_s

5) Amigo Aaron on YouTube does a play through of Kron on the Coco:

https://youtu.be/NVhQdVl7LBc

6) Simonwgb does a 2 hour play of Jet Set Willy on a Dragon emulator (not sure which one).

https://youtu.be/QM0yybcIb2A

7) Todd Wallace aka LordDragon demo's the current version of his OS9/RSDOS disk utility program

https://youtu.be/xC4_xg7RcGU

8) For those going to Tandy Assembly, this is a slight change of venue for the show itself

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/301742781704175616/624707134159847424/Screenshot_20190920-163834_Facebook.jpg

9) Nick Marentes has chapter 21 of his Gunstar blog up - which includes some screenshots from levels 3 and 4 from his upcoming game.

http://www.nickmarentes.com/Gunstar/21.html

10) Some nice pictures of the Coco related displays from the Living Computer Museum in Seattle

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2359462640/permalink/10157495570507641/

11) Sheldon MacDonald received a Mini MPI this past week, and has it set up to use his SDC and GMC cartridges. He has some photos on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2359462640/permalink/10157495318582641/

He also has 2 videos on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/qrygOXxGF9g

https://youtu.be/eSnCI5OlDk8

12) Mike Hawkey purchases a Coco 3 awhile ago, and upon opening it up recently, found some hardware mods directly connected to one of the PIA's:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2359462640/permalink/10157486584317641/

13) D. Bruce Moore has submitted a possible graphic design for the upcoming CocoFest 2020, which is the 40th anniversary of the Coco 1 being released in 1980:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2359462640/permalink/10157492904112641/

14) Erik Gavriluk has apparently tackled speeding up the 3D wireframe displaying program from Hot Coco

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2359462640/permalink/10157490650532641/

15) Sheldon MacDonald has also been making custom game pad joysticks for his Coco as well:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2359462640/permalink/10157487841352641/

16) Diego Barizo has an update on his "Docked Master" game that we previewed on one of our programming live streams, including new bonus screens:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2359462640/permalink/10157490627892641/

Email any suggestions you have for the show to [email protected]

Visit us on the web at http://cocotalk.live

Join us for daily conversations on Discord:  https://discord.gg/4J5nHXm

To find out more about the Color Computer visit http://imacoconut.com

We’re doing our wrap-up show discussing all the fun we had last weekend at VCFMW, hear from those that were there, and rejoice in the awesomeness of the event.   We'll also have live coverage from the Glenside Color Computer Club's (hosts of the Chicago CoCoFEST!) Pick Nick, so more Chicago area retro goodness!  Join us live today, if you were at the event, we'd love to have you join us on the panel to share your experiences.

Special Guest Matt from Drakware https://drakware.com/

News links:

1) Jim Gerrie shows off Alpha Force, a Targ like game for the MC-10:

https://youtu.be/pKOue-KEbOE

https://youtu.be/yzLS60J4SHY

https://youtu.be/KOaYwn3TSkA

2) Retro Core did a Thexder port comparison

https://youtu.be/H3V2VFze0Vs

3) John Day (ShareSquid on YouTube) is doing high score challenge videos of Coco games:

https://youtu.be/ogROu5zUkhY

https://youtu.be/OH6KL7Vzc9M

4) FitFo on YouTube is doing a "Sleeper build" based on a Coco 1 case

https://youtu.be/vzpffYGSu_s

5) Amigo Aaron on YouTube does a play through of Kron on the Coco:

https://youtu.be/NVhQdVl7LBc

6) Simonwgb does a 2 hour play of Jet Set Willy on a Dragon emulator (not sure which one).

https://youtu.be/QM0yybcIb2A

7) Todd Wallace aka LordDragon demo's the current version of his OS9/RSDOS disk utility program

https://youtu.be/xC4_xg7RcGU

8) For those going to Tandy Assembly, this is a slight change of venue for the show itself

https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/301742781704175616/624707134159847424/Screenshot_20190920-163834_Facebook.jpg

9) Nick Marentes has chapter 21 of his Gunstar blog up - which includes some screenshots from levels 3 and 4 from his upcoming game.

http://www.nickmarentes.com/Gunstar/21.html

10) Some nice pictures of the Coco related displays from the Living Computer Museum in Seattle

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2359462640/permalink/10157495570507641/

11) Sheldon MacDonald received a Mini MPI this past week, and has it set up to use his SDC and GMC cartridges. He has some photos on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2359462640/permalink/10157495318582641/

He also has 2 videos on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/qrygOXxGF9g

https://youtu.be/eSnCI5OlDk8

12) Mike Hawkey purchases a Coco 3 awhile ago, and upon opening it up recently, found some hardware mods directly connected to one of the PIA's:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2359462640/permalink/10157486584317641/

13) D. Bruce Moore has submitted a possible graphic design for the upcoming CocoFest 2020, which is the 40th anniversary of the Coco 1 being released in 1980:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2359462640/permalink/10157492904112641/

14) Erik Gavriluk has apparently tackled speeding up the 3D wireframe displaying program from Hot Coco

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2359462640/permalink/10157490650532641/

15) Sheldon MacDonald has also been making custom game pad joysticks for his Coco as well:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2359462640/permalink/10157487841352641/

16) Diego Barizo has an update on his "Docked Master" game that we previewed on one of our programming live streams, including new bonus screens:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2359462640/permalink/10157490627892641/

Email any suggestions you have for the show to [email protected]

Visit us on the web at http://cocotalk.live

Join us for daily conversations on Discord:  https://discord.gg/4J5nHXm

To find out more about the Color Computer visit http://imacoconut.com

Streaming from the Vintage Computing Festival Midwest, in Elmhurst, IL. Visit http://vcfmw.org/ to learn more about VCFMW

Segment timeline:

Email any suggestions you have for the show to [email protected]

CoCoTALK! airs live, right here on YouTube each and every Saturday at 2:00 PM EDT! We are also available for replay and podcast listening! For all things CoCoTALK! visit http://cocotalk.live

Streaming from the Vintage Computing Festival Midwest, in Elmhurst, IL. Visit http://vcfmw.org/ to learn more about VCFMW

Segment timeline:

Email any suggestions you have for the show to [email protected]

CoCoTALK! airs live, right here on YouTube each and every Saturday at 2:00 PM EDT! We are also available for replay and podcast listening! For all things CoCoTALK! visit http://cocotalk.live

Streaming from the Vintage Computing Festival Midwest, in Elmhurst, IL. Visit http://vcfmw.org/ to learn more about VCFMW

Segment timeline:

Email any suggestions you have for the show to [email protected]

CoCoTALK! airs live, right here on YouTube each and every Saturday at 2:00 PM EDT! We are also available for replay and podcast listening! For all things CoCoTALK! visit http://cocotalk.live