From: owner-alloy-digest@smoe.org (alloy-digest) To: alloy-digest@smoe.org Subject: alloy-digest V3 #242 Reply-To: alloy@smoe.org Sender: owner-alloy-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-alloy-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk X-To-Unsubscribe: Send mail to "alloy-digest-request@smoe.org" X-To-Unsubscribe: with "unsubscribe" as the body. alloy-digest Saturday, September 12 1998 Volume 03 : Number 242 Today's Subjects: ----------------- Alloy: Geekiness [John_Hanson_at_FRMA01@ccmailgw.mcgawpark.baxter.com] Alloy: Inspired dreaming [RThurF@aol.com] Re: Alloy: Inspired dreaming [Tim_Dunn.JBA_HEATHROW.SPL_EXTERNAL@jba.co.u] Re: Alloy: Geeks and scientists etc [Chris Cracknell ] Re: Alloy: Geeks and scientists etc [Chris Cracknell ] Re: Alloy: Geeks and scientists etc [Elaine Linstruth ] Re: Alloy: Geekiness [Elaine Linstruth ] Alloy: welcome Jen [bcohen@LPL.Arizona.EDU (Barbara A Cohen via crow )] Re: Alloy: Geeks and scientists etc ["Michael and Denise Luckey" ] Re: Alloy: Geeks and scientists etc [Eclipse ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1998 09:51:02 -0500 From: John_Hanson_at_FRMA01@ccmailgw.mcgawpark.baxter.com Subject: Alloy: Geekiness I may not be a geek, but as a supporter of both Red Star AND Worksop Town football clubs, I must surely qualify as a sad bastard. Any other SB's out there ? John ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1998 07:54:10 EDT From: RThurF@aol.com Subject: Alloy: Inspired dreaming All this talk of cioppino on this list caused me to have a strange dream last night. Thomas was reading me the ingredients to his favorite Italian dish, while I checked them off on a list... I can't remember what it was, but it sounded fabulous! Robin T ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1998 13:43:21 +0100 From: Tim_Dunn.JBA_HEATHROW.SPL_EXTERNAL@jba.co.uk Subject: Re: Alloy: Inspired dreaming I dreamt last night that I had nice long thick hair. those were the days............... the_copse ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1998 10:11:22 -0400 (EDT) From: Chris Cracknell Subject: Re: Alloy: Geeks and scientists etc In article <35EDEE66.149C@geocities.com>, you wrote: >Say, I just started teaching myself 6502 machine language on my Apple >//e (after fixing its powersupply)... just for fun, of course... can I >be a geek too? ~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~ I want you.... I want you BAD! ;) Come join me and together we can write bold new atari 2600 games. The 6507 is the same processor as the 6502 it just lacks the interupt lines. Cover me in your code baby, smother me in your code. Bury me in your source code woman. 'Til smoke comes from your disk drive! CRACKERS (Hello Mr. Woody from hell!!!) - -- Collector of Atari 2600 carts - Accordionist - Bira Bira Devotee - Anime fan *** http://www.hwcn.org/~ad329/crab.html | Crackers' Arts Base *** *** http://www.angelfire.com/ma/hozervideo | Hozer Video Games *** Nihongo ga dekimasu - 2600 programmer - Father of 2 great kids - Canadian eh ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1998 10:11:21 -0400 (EDT) From: Chris Cracknell Subject: Re: Alloy: Geeks and scientists etc In article , you wrote: >Hmm.. let's see... oh.. I also have an Atari .. but it's a 1040ST.. a monster >containing ONE ENTIRE MEG of RAM.. !! I still use it faithfully to compose >music though.. and it works like a charm. Now.. I bought it in Italy.. along >with a keyboard.. but to use it here in the states I had to get a transformer >made to step up the voltage from 110 to 220... I have it all wired and >working wonderfully.. might this help in my quest for geekdom? ~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~ I've got 3 Atari 1040STs, 3 Atari 520 STs, and one Atari Mega 2 ST. I love these puppies. they're absolutely fantastic for midi and I find them freaquently at the thrifts for around $5-$15 each. And there's also some really cool games for them. CRACKERS (I also have several C-64s from hell!!!) - -- Collector of Atari 2600 carts - Accordionist - Bira Bira Devotee - Anime fan *** http://www.hwcn.org/~ad329/crab.html | Crackers' Arts Base *** *** http://www.angelfire.com/ma/hozervideo | Hozer Video Games *** Nihongo ga dekimasu - 2600 programmer - Father of 2 great kids - Canadian eh ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1998 08:26:12 -0700 (PDT) From: Elaine Linstruth Subject: Re: Alloy: Geeks and scientists etc Heylo Jennie, nice of you to join us. I'll weigh in with a few comments - -- I guess I'm a geeky in some ways also, but not a scientist or an artist. I don't know what I am. The only label I am called for the last year & a half is either my name, or "mama." The rest of you lurkers out there without a PhD, high-tech job, or gallery of artistic creations, never fear! Crackers & other Atari geeks, my mom sent me some old (as she put it) "junk" that she thought I might enjoy. Guess what was among the stuff! My old Atari 2600 from when I was 13! But, I don't know if it works, as someone chewed a wire and broke it, and she sent no games. Where shall I pick up a game or two? There aren't any flea markets around here that I know of. Buried somewhere at her house is Breakout, Pong, Space Invaders, Pac-Man, and a bunch of other games from the early 80's. Anyway I thought you'd be amused. She also sent me her sewing machine so that I could jump start a new hobby, and it was evidently damaged beyond repair during shipment. *heavy sigh* This message powered by the new Liz Phair album, at 8 am no less. - -- Elaine Linstruth Palmdale, CA (USA) > And let's not forget... I play the accordion. > > CRACKERS > (Homo geekus from hell!!!!!) ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1998 08:29:46 -0700 (PDT) From: Elaine Linstruth Subject: Re: Alloy: Geekiness Cub fan here.. that must qualify. When I'm not baseball-bashing in general. Hey John, what do ya think about old Murdoch & the Manchester United? - -- Elaine Linstruth Palmdale, CA (USA) > I may not be a geek, but as a supporter of both Red Star AND Worksop > Town football clubs, I must surely qualify as a sad bastard. Any other > SB's out there ? > John ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1998 11:08:41 -0700 From: bcohen@LPL.Arizona.EDU (Barbara A Cohen via crow ) Subject: Alloy: welcome Jen Hi all, and especially Jen, I used to think I was a geek, but I guess it's all relative... :) I'm really an artist trapped in a scientist's body. After I get my PhD I think I'll take up graphic arts :) Beth was right in that I'm currently sucked under by grad school, but I do keep up on my Alloy mail, if only every few days... *B* Barbara Cohen Cosmochemical Cocktail Mixer, PhD to be ****************************************** For a real sweet time, call C6 H12 O6. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1998 14:43:53 -0700 From: "Michael and Denise Luckey" Subject: Re: Alloy: Geeks and scientists etc I love comic books! My prized possession is a copy of Amazing Fantasy 15 with Spider-Man's first appearance. I have an Atari upstairs in the attic and still have clothes that would make Duran Duran envious. Part of what makes anyone unique is an attraction to things that are different which results in a little nerd in us all. Not that there's anything wrong with that.. M.L. > >Had my glasses fixed with a paper clip and left 'em thet way for 2 years. And >I collect comic books! I think I can claim myself as a fair competition for >Geek prime. >__Dave Thurlow ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1998 15:24:40 EDT From: Applebabe2@aol.com Subject: Re: Alloy: Geeks and scientists etc I can relate to this!!!! I am not a doctor, scientist or geek, but I am a product of the 80's and have always been a huge Dolby fan. I do alot of painting, the canvas and shirt type, I guess it qualifies me as an artist. I do own my own business, and have two children girl 11, boy 9, and a husband of 12 years. So in my own right, I can be considered a technical genius when it comes to raising a family, maintaining a home and a business. I am proud if this. So there is a little insight on me. But what makes us all equal is the fact that we admire Thomas Dolby. He, to me, is a master of sight and sound. And the cool thing is, my kids think so too!!! Thanks, S.W. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1998 18:47:22 EDT From: CJMark@aol.com Subject: Re: Alloy: Geeks and scientists etc Wow... All this geek talk has really shaken loose some lurkers from the attic.. Cool!! Welcome to Alloy .. nerds and geeks alike!! Ciao for now.. Mark ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1998 18:49:53 EDT From: TBlagg@aol.com Subject: Re: Alloy: Inspired dreaming I dreamt I was alone with the Minogue sisters! Discussing 80's pop culture of course! Trev... ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1998 18:49:53 EDT From: TBlagg@aol.com Subject: Re: Alloy: Inspired dreaming I dreamt I was alone with the Minogue sisters! Discussing 80's pop culture of course! Trev... ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1998 18:49:56 EDT From: TBlagg@aol.com Subject: Re: Alloy: Geekiness Elaine, It's not just Man United, the disease has spread to other far less significant clubs such as Arsenal and my beloved Aston Villa who are considering a takeover from Carlton T.V. When these clubs are owned by some conglomerate only interested in financial gain, decisions on footballing matters are in danger of taking a back seat! We should take a note of the biggest club in the world 'Barcelona' who are owned by their thousands of fans, not by some gready Director of a Media network only interested in profit, who hasn't a clue about football. Football is for the fans...let's keep it that way, Trev.... ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1998 20:14:09 EDT From: RThurF@aol.com Subject: Re: Alloy: Elaine's sewing machine In a message dated 9/11/98 11:26:52 AM Eastern Daylight Time, elaine@qnet.com writes: << She also sent me her sewing machine so that I could jump start a new hobby, and it was evidently damaged beyond repair during shipment. *heavy sigh* >> Oh, I'm sad to hear this! I'm sorry it was so badly damaged. Could it maybe be traded in for its parts & go toward getting a new one? Do you already know how to sew, or are you an absolute beginner? What do you plan on making? Exciting! Robin T ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1998 20:22:15 EDT From: RThurF@aol.com Subject: Alloy: Welcome S.W. In a message dated 9/11/98 3:27:06 PM Eastern Daylight Time, Applebabe2@aol.com writes: << But what makes us all equal is the fact that we admire Thomas Dolby. He, to me, is a master of sight and sound. >> You can say that again! Welcome, S.W., it's nice to see you !! :) Robin T ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1998 21:45:00 -0400 (EDT) From: Chris Cracknell Subject: Re: Alloy: Geeks and scientists etc In article , you wrote: >Crackers & other Atari geeks, my mom sent me some old (as she put it) >"junk" that she thought I might enjoy. Guess what was among the stuff! >My old Atari 2600 from when I was 13! But, I don't know if it works, as >someone chewed a wire and broke it, and she sent no games. Where shall I >pick up a game or two? There aren't any flea markets around here that I >know of. Buried somewhere at her house is Breakout, Pong, Space Invaders, >Pac-Man, and a bunch of other games from the early 80's. Anyway I thought >you'd be amused. ~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~ Salvation Army, Goodwill, and Value Village are all very good sources of Atari 2600 games. What wire broke? Is it the powersupply? If so a 9v 500ma, positive Tip 1/8" plug powersupply from radioshack will do the trick. If it's a joystick then you'll have to find a new one or replace/repair the cable. The 3 button sega Genesis controllers will work on the 2600 (the six button ones will not). If you want some classic games in the meanwhile for your 2600, just send me your Snail Mail address and I'll send you some of my trade fodder OCs (OC is a collector's term for O.bnoxiously C.ommon - Carts are rated from OC to UR (U.believably R.are) and the value of the carts is determined by it's rarity (and condition) so they run the gammit from being worth 25 cents to $250 (some carts will even fetch over $500 US)). The thrift shops I mentioned should have a whack of joysticks. And if it's the RF modulator cable that's busted (cable that runs to the TV) then you can open up the machine and replace it with a simple, shielded RCA cable (or splice the old one back together). If you're a super geek (like me) you can do what I did. Open up the machine and modify it to give seperate audio and video outputs. I have a few of mine hooked up to old Commodore 1702 colour composite monitors that I got at the thrifts for $10. The 1702 and 1701 composite monitors are the best for hooking up to the 2600. Provided you leave the monitors on all the time (or let them warm up for some time before powering on the 2600) you'll be able to get away without using a video amp. Otherwise you'll need to build a video amp to boost the gain or you'll lose sync. A websearch of "Atari 2600" will likely lead you to more information than you could ever imagine existed. And if you'd like to try your hand at programming the 2600 (6507 Machine Language) then give the Stella (pre-production codename for the 2600. Way back when Atari used to codename their products after large breasted female employees) email list a try. The Apple is a perfect machine for developing 2600 games on. Infact it's the one that was most often used. If you get a Supercharger (a device that plugs into the 2600s cartridge port and lets you load games off cassette) then you're all set. You can plug it right into the cassette out port on the apple and if you save programs to tape it will send it right to the Supercharger and into the Atari (the Supercharger uses the same audio format that Apple cassettes used. Infact it was purposefully designed that way to make it easier to create games). The Supercharger is an invaluable tool for 2600 programming. You can still get them new in the shrinkwrap. Just post a message on rec.games.video.classic (excellent newsgroup for all classic video game machines) asking for a Supercharger and you'll probably get a reply from a guy named Dan who has a whack of them. The stella E-mail list is stella@biglist.com, but I the address to subscribe is something else. There's a Stella archive on the web that you should be able to find with the search "biglist.com" "Stella" "archive" and "atari 2600". This list is really great. There's a lot of very talented programmers there. (The late Jim Nitchals, former Headspace consultant and Electronics Arts programmer used to hang out there.) Let me know if you want some games. Be careful though, it's a hobby that's really easy to get sucked into. It's great being able to fulfill a childhood fantasy of owning over 100 Atari games and not having to spend much money to do it. Plus some of the games are still absolutely fantastic to play (Seaquest, Spider Fighter, Kaboom, and Warlords with 4 players to name a few). CRACKERS (Lock 'N Chase addict from hell!!) - -- Collector of Atari 2600 carts - Accordionist - Bira Bira Devotee - Anime fan *** http://www.hwcn.org/~ad329/crab.html | Crackers' Arts Base *** *** http://www.angelfire.com/ma/hozervideo | Hozer Video Games *** Nihongo ga dekimasu - 2600 programmer - Father of 2 great kids - Canadian eh ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 03 Sep 1998 12:52:26 -0700 From: Eclipse Subject: Re: Alloy: Geeks and scientists etc Chris Cracknell wrote: > > In article <35EDEE66.149C@geocities.com>, you wrote: > > >Say, I just started teaching myself 6502 machine language on my Apple > >//e (after fixing its powersupply)... just for fun, of course... can I > >be a geek too? > ~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~ > > I want you.... I want you BAD! ;) > > Come join me and together we can write bold new atari 2600 games. The 6507 > is the same processor as the 6502 it just lacks the interupt lines. > > Cover me in your code baby, smother me in your code. > Bury me in your source code woman. > 'Til smoke comes from your disk drive! > > CRACKERS > (Hello Mr. Woody from hell!!!) Ooh, er, but... I'm so inexperienced... ;) -- E(lipse ------------------------------ End of alloy-digest V3 #242 ***************************