PDXCUG Meeting Highlights

Vol. 2, No. 5 - May 12, 2011 - Meeting Highlights

Portland Commodore Users Group Meetings Online

As you may already know, the Portland Commodore Users Group has many active local members, but it extends globally to interact virtually with others who wish to join in during meetings.

PDXCUG Chat on CommodoreServer.com
Chat Operator - Motato
Chat Operator - Motato and DandelionFur

Meet a couple of our chat operators. These are the fun-loving gals that make our interactive meetings so much fun. As you can see, we have the chat session showing up on the room's monitor so that everyone can see what's happening in chat during the meeting. Come say hi to us during the evening - you'll have fun interacting with them, our members and others from around the world.



Portland Commodore Users Group Lighted Sign

PDX Commodore Users Group Sign



Presentations

GEORAM 512 Memory Expansion in GEOS on the Commodore 128

GenCom64 gave us a presentation on GEORAM. It is typically used for the GEOS operating system, but being a RAM expansion unit, it can be used in other applications as well. We got it working using the Maniac Mansion Gold edition for NeoRAM as well.

GEORAM 612 Memory Expansion Units
GenCom64 Presenting GEORAM Running GEOS on the C128D
GenCom64 Presenting GEORAM Running GEOS on the C128D
GEORAM Plugged-in to a Commodore 128D
Using GEORAM on the Commodore 128
PDXCUG Members watching the GEORAM Presentation
PDXCUG Members watching the GEORAM Presentation
PDXCUG Members watching the GEORAM Presentation
Maniac Mansion Gold Installing into GEORAM
Maniac Mansion Gold Running in GEORAM


Lipstik Voice Activation with Echelon

This is part 2 of our Speech Synthesizer / Voice Recognition devices demonstrations. This month Goog demonstrates the Lipstik "voice activation" headset. It plugs into the joystick port and, when enabled in software, allows the user to speak a command. In the case of Echelon, it is used for firing weapons instead of having to use the joystick button (since your hands are tied up with other controls). Once you activate your weapons, you can say "fire!" or "boom" or "<cough>" to immediately fire at your target.

The LipStik Plus
Goog Presenting the LipStik with Echelon
Goog Presenting the LipStik with Echelon
Goog Presenting the LipStik with Echelon
Pilot Goog Getting Ready for Takeoff
Echelon for the Commodore 64
Echelon Map
Echelon Commodore 64 Keyboard Overlay
Echelon - Approaching a Structure to Destroty
Echelon and the LipStik Plus


New Hardware Design

Agent Friday shows off a new hardware design and the techniques he uses - what is it, anyway?

Agent Friday Showing New Hardware Design
Agent Friday Showing New Hardware Design


Lode Runner Demo

While most have heard of or played Lode Runner in the past, few have ventured into the custom level designer built-in to the game. Goog demonstrates some of his levels that he created from childhood to other members and puts a call to action to start making new levels and sharing them with others in the group.

Lode Runner on the Commodore 64
Lode Runner on the Commodore 64
Goog Demoing Lode Runner
PDXCUG Members Watching Lode Runner Demo


Tinker Time

Playing around with GEOS on the Commodore 128

Jim and Ryan testing out the finer features of GEOS.

Tinker Time with GEOS on a Commodore 128
Tinker Time with GEOS on a Commodore 128
Tinker Time with GEOS on a Commodore 128
Tinker Time with GEOS on a Commodore 128


Fun with Printers

Jim and Dan both brought printers - a Commodore MPS 1000 and a VIC-1525. Too bad the ribbons were so dry, but we were able to faintly see what was printed.

Tinker Time with Commodore Printers
Tinker Time with Commodore Printers
Tinker Time with Commodore Printers
Tinker Time with Commodore Printers
Tinker Time with Commodore Printers


Show & Tell

Amiga 4000

Now here's a hefty one - the Amiga 4000. Gencom64 shows his A4000 to the group.

Commodore Amiga 4000 Computer
Commodore Amiga 4000 Computer


Compu-Mate (GE) Data Recorder

A datasette-similar device that is "compatible with many home computers, such as Atari and Commodore."

Compu-Mate Data Recorder by General Electric
Compu-Mate Data Recorder by General Electric


Commodore Watch

Goog's brand-new Commodore watch still has the protective plastic coating on the face.

Commodore Wrist Watch



Gaming Time

MegaCart on the Vic-20

Member Dan brought his Vic-20 MegaCart. It was fun to compare notes to Goog's Behr Bonz cart, but the MegaCart clearly wins for its extra features and nice packaging. Not shown is the Behr Bonz cartridge, but you can see Crossfire being played on the Vic-20 in the picture. The close-up is a Commodore 64 version of Crossfire. Both were fun and had their own unique challenges and playability.

MegaCart Cartridge for the Vic-20
MegaCart Cartridge for the Vic-20
Crossfire on the Vic-20
Crossfire on the Commodore 64


Vic-20 Games

Kris and Jeff playing some games using the Behr Bonz cartridge on the Vic-20

Kris and Jeff playing Crossfire on the Vic-20
Kris and Jeff playing Crossfire on the Vic-20


A.T.C. (Air Traffic Controller)

GenCom64 playing a little A.T.C. on the C64 - this is a great game. Its simple interface makes it fun to be an air traffic controller.

GenCom64 playing Air Traffic Controller on the Commodore 64
A.T.C. on the Commodore 64


Donkey Kong

Donkey Kong on the Vic-20 is a very good version.

Donkey Kong using the MegaCart on the Vic-20