SS Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 I feel the same way about stock machines. The only thing I like upgraded are the graphics and sound outputs. I enjoy being able to hook my Atari computers/consoles up to modern TVs/monitors and speakers. I like to have the best of both worlds. My original 800XL from 1985 is still the beautiful stock machine that she always was. However, I also have a new-to-me 800XL that I have upgraded and a 600XL that I am trying to squeeze some stuff into too. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
massiverobot Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 I lurked for at least 10 years- only with the advent (and purchase) of the 1088XEL did I get really interested enough to produce something- and then i wanted to share it so i had to create an account To me it's the intricacy of the 1088/U1Mb and how much more complex it is - esp with SDX- that makes it into much more of a computer system- instead of just a machine you turn on and off for each boot. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SS Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 I think that the size of the active world-wide user community is probably in the thousands; at least 5000, maybe not as high as 10000. I think that many users are quiet though and aren't active participants on message boards or the FB pages. Maybe a bit like me, they are afraid of looking like a know-nothing idiot when the more technical issues pop up. Case in point, I met up with a lurking AA user yesterday who contacted me via PM and asked if I could dupe some floppies for him. I was happy to do so but I asked why he only reads the board and never posts. He said that, honestly, he feels like he's out of his league and doesn't have much to contribute. I think that there are a lot of casual users out there like him. Also, at any given time you can find 10ish 800XLs for sale on eBay. You can usually find a handful of 600XLs and a 1200XL or two as well. The ones that aren't outrageously priced generally sell too. Someone is regularly buying these machines and it certainly can't ONLY be all of us just stockpiling multiple systems in our closets. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gilsaluki Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 Someone mentioned talking to Brad (Best) or Bruce (B&C) to find out how many Atari 8-bitters are still using their machines. Heck, every time I call one of them they seem like they are overloaded with business. Their "crew" cannot keep up with all the orders. So, based on that, there are MILLIONS of 8- bitters out there plugging away. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Stephen Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 One of the "millions" here. I love all my new upgrades, but I also have an unmodified 16kB 400 with membrane keyboard. I was lucky - had my 1st machine since 82, and expanded my collection in the mid 90s when this "crap" was being thrown away. No need to worry about stock or modified when you have over a dozen machines to choose from 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunstar Posted October 11, 2018 Share Posted October 11, 2018 (edited) Someone mentioned talking to Brad (Best) or Bruce (B&C) to find out how many Atari 8-bitters are still using their machines. Heck, every time I call one of them they seem like they are overloaded with business. Their "crew" cannot keep up with all the orders. So, based on that, there are MILLIONS of 8- bitters out there plugging away. Yep, every time I call Brad to place an order, I ask him how it is going and his reply is always "busy." I almost feel bad with my list of 20 different items he/they'll have to look to see if they still even have them in stock. My orders usually arrive about 1/2-3/4 complete, when they find out their out of stock on some of the stuff, because they are too busy to update the computer inventory. Bruce I pretty much deal with through e-mails or ebay. Edited October 11, 2018 by Gunstar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SS Posted October 11, 2018 Share Posted October 11, 2018 Bruce I pretty much deal with through e-mails or ebay. I always enjoy talking to Bruce on the phone. I get the feeling that he'd be an interesting guy to know in real life, in a nerdy sort of way. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunstar Posted October 11, 2018 Share Posted October 11, 2018 (edited) I always enjoy talking to Bruce on the phone. I get the feeling that he'd be an interesting guy to know in real life, in a nerdy sort of way. I agree, I've chatted with him once or twice over the years. I've also had some great Atari conversations over the phone and via e-mail with Lance at Video61, he's always been a real Atari enthusiast too, and seems would be fun to hang out with too. It's a shame they don't hang out as regulars here on the forums, but I know they are busy. Edited October 11, 2018 by Gunstar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faicuai Posted October 11, 2018 Share Posted October 11, 2018 (..) The number is still conservative so, I'd venture we have more than that right here in the Americas...North and South continents I would venture to say so, indeed... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faicuai Posted October 11, 2018 Share Posted October 11, 2018 (edited) (...) but you can have your cake and eat it too. I have tons of upgrades that I like to have fun with (see signature below), but I can slow it down to an easy nostalgic pace if I want to still. (…) Absolutely! I would certainly agree... Much better to slow-down or hurry-up (in a logical state) than being stuck to a slow physical layer. Now, having said that, I only pay attention to upgrades if (and only if) the following conditions are met: Holistic, integral in nature: one compact, well designed upgrade impacts multiple (and valuable) dimensions of functionality and user-experience, with simple installation requirements. There are not that many of these, but these are the ONES to pay attention to. Fully reversible, leaving no physical trace of its existence: that is, in the event I wish to uninstall it, I could do so relatively quickly and leave NO trace of existence. Again, very few of these, but those that do are to pay attention to / look-for, as this requirements mandates a solid and well thought-out design of the upgrade. Minimum or ZERO aggregate impact on system stability and side-effects: upgrades must be able to run with available electrical. specs, performance and tolerances, without significantly worsening the runtime state and condition of the system, either in isolation or coexisting with other upgrades. Again, this also requires careful thought from the upgrade designer. With the above conditions met (and a decent install), you WILL end up with a more enjoyable, versatile and more valuable ($) retro-computer, capable of not only taking you back in time, but effectively bridging your past with modern times (thus meeting abundant talent and HIGH quality work, such as Pang, Stunt Racer, Atari Blast, The Last Work, SDX 4.4X, etc. all released long AFTER we stopped using our own systems back in the day). Cheers! Edited October 11, 2018 by Faicuai 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_The Doctor__ Posted October 11, 2018 Share Posted October 11, 2018 (edited) I am counting the days until I get the pieces together to revive my original set up, three people have dug up the bits and pieces I need. just waiting for some of it to clear transportation and shipping hurdles. A couple of pieces and parts still being collected etc... Now the funny part. while the Atari itself may remain pretty much stock, these add on parts are often mini computer systems themselves when you dig right down on them, simple or complex... it adds to the function and ability of the good ole 8 bit. It's a challenge and reward in itself not only for me, but those who help in the endeavor. That is one of the things that brings Atari back for me every time, we do it together. Edited October 11, 2018 by _The Doctor__ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Lange Posted October 11, 2018 Share Posted October 11, 2018 Not sure if this helps, but when I post an Atari 8-bit related post on my blog, ATARI 8-BIT ADS, I'll get between 500-700 views. If a post is about something bigger than just Atari 8-bit related (and I "advertise" it), such as my post on the Hayes Chronograph, it can get closer to 1000 views. Bill 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tane Posted October 11, 2018 Share Posted October 11, 2018 (edited) There are many thousands who don't follow new hardware or games development. It's a matter of trust, there isn't a commercial company that provides support and gives confidence, only a group of individual developers, speaking technical language. Certainly not all people are willing to open an Atari and start desoldering stuff... Mostly all the people have fridges, but not because you don't follow 'the new efficient techniques to make the compressor better', does not mean you don't use your fridge. Being that Atari was a product that sold millions of units, there are many players out there, or now with emulators like Altirra, if you don't like a machine with old plugs because of compatibility issues. Edited October 11, 2018 by tane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Thag Posted October 11, 2018 Share Posted October 11, 2018 It's more than the folks who interact here, I can tell you, and that's just from conventions. Most of the people here are pretty technically inclined, as are most of the discussions. Plenty of folks just fire the old Atari's up to play Donkey Kong or Pac Man and that's it. I'd guess worldwide around 10k or so, with about 2k that actually interact with the 'community' in various places online. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solo/ng Posted October 11, 2018 Share Posted October 11, 2018 Based on postings here, Id guess 500 or less. what I observed maybe 5% of polish community post here (so proably other local comunnities got theirs %) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotty Posted October 11, 2018 Share Posted October 11, 2018 (edited) A lot of people who attend AA regularly never post. Some of these eventually post after a number of years. They'll introduce themselves as someone who's been "lurking for a number of years", and is "finally making their first post". Some people, also, post a few times -- to get answers for a question or two -- then never post again. By looking at the guests browsing numbers at the the bottom of any AA page, you can get an idea of their numbers. Guests are very often more than half of the total registered users logged on at any given time, and can be more than registered users at a given time. Some of these could be registered users that just haven't signed in at the time. But surely a fair number are those who aren't registered at all. Some people just want to read the forums. They don't have anything to add; but there is a wealth of information here that they're interested in gleaning. users.png users0.png AA?? Hi I'm Scott, and I am an Atari-holic Edited October 12, 2018 by scotty 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotty Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 My guess is there are more than we think..... Look at all the amazing software we have coming out of Poland and other places. Not many of them seem to be on here. There are some international users that are very active on here like Nir Dary, McLaneic and FlashJazzCat, but I am sure there a lot of others that are not that do not speak English. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+MrFish Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 AA?? Hi I'm Scott, and I am an Atari-holic I suggest you check in to one or more of the following treatment centers, immediately. AtariAge: 8-Bit ROMs AtariMania: 8-Bit Section AtariOnline Fandal: Atari 8-Bit Homesoft: Atari 8-Bit AtariWiki Pigwa.net 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+MrFish Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 I just totaled up the registered members from the directory, and got this: That should say something... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caterpiggle Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 (edited) . Edited October 12, 2018 by Caterpiggle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+slx Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 A lot of expansion options still suffer from less than perfect documentation, i.e. having to search this forum and some blog posts to actually use them. Even a must have like SIO2SD is not that intuitive for someone now used to drag and drop rather than shift backwards, then F3 using unmarked keys. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scitari Posted October 12, 2018 Author Share Posted October 12, 2018 A lot of expansion options still suffer from less than perfect documentation, i.e. having to search this forum and some blog posts to actually use them. Even a must have like SIO2SD is not that intuitive for someone now used to drag and drop rather than shift backwards, then F3 using unmarked keys. I agree. This might be worth a new thread on the forum. An Atari enthusiast shouldn't have to scour the web and AA forums to figure out how to use a new piece of hardware or software. I have had to do this myself and it is very frustrating. Some of the new tech doesn't work as promised. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyle22 Posted October 13, 2018 Share Posted October 13, 2018 (edited) If you're into productivity rather than just games, you should consider http://atari8.co.uk and also http://seriouscomputerist.altervista.org/ These are great sites with great people running them. Edit: And there are many more. These two are my fav's, though. Edited October 13, 2018 by Kyle22 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+sixersfan105 Posted October 13, 2018 Share Posted October 13, 2018 We need a Philly Atari interest group! Anyone else? Agreed! Philly guy here. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyle22 Posted October 18, 2018 Share Posted October 18, 2018 I would welcome a Pittsburgh User Group! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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