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wood_jl

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Posts posted by wood_jl

  1. Posted

    Wow, that was a nice system!

     

    I remember being impressed with the first side-lit GBA, because compared to using a "Worm Light" on a Gameboy Color, it seemed great. But the AGS-101 was the first time I felt I really had and excellent, no-compromise display on a handheld console. I still love the console to this day, and I thought it sucked when they removed the GBA cartridge slot from the DS line.

    • Like 1

  4. Posted

    I had kind of a mid-life crisis the past month or 6 weeks, and went a little bit crazy on Ebay. (I don't regret it though; having a bunch of Atari stuff around me always makes me feel good).

     

    post-16281-0-19719400-1505097713_thumb.jpg

    Atari 800. It looked good, and I'd like to one convert it/replace its guts/whatever to PAL so I can have a PAL Incognito-Eqipped Atari 800 for all the latest demos and software (which is likely PAL) will run on Old Beige. It's kind of a pipe dream of mine, anyway.....

     

    post-16281-0-96193600-1505097721_thumb.jpg

    Atari 800XL. Allegedly "open box new." Who knows, but it seems to be in looks, smell, appearance of the cords, etc. Just wanted another nice 800XL, and this one appears to have shipped with the 130XE power adapter instead of that faulty "ingot-shaped" one that most later 800XLs seemed to ship with. I kind of wish I could find a nice like-new-in-box early 800XL that shipped with the huge power supply and most-likely had some socketed componets, or one of that last ones that allegedly shipped with BASIC Revision C and whatever other alleged improvements they might of done in the latest units.

     

     

    post-16281-0-08528800-1505097741_thumb.jpg

    When I got my first Atari computer (400), it came with a 410 Cassette Recorder. It wasn't until later (seemed an eternity as a kid) I was able to finally afford a 1050 when they first came out. I was memorized with how it changed my Atari computer experience for the better. I guess I'm building a slow-paced collection of Atari compatible drives. Too bad there aren't that many nice Trak or Percom drives out there in great condition at reasonable prices, anymore.

     

    post-16281-0-50038500-1505097763_thumb.jpg

    These appeared to be the cheapest way to get a couple of SIO ports, at least at the time. Plus, while I don't trust myself to soldier on precious working Atari equipment, I do trust myself to desolder the SIO ports, and I can use the practice. I'll also get a chance to do a risk-free recon on the innards of the Sanyo-model (my favorite, Japanese quality, the one with the orange sticker) and maybe then muster up the courage to disassemble my other 1010 to put some new belts on it.

     

    post-16281-0-79654600-1505097770_thumb.jpg

    I thought I found a good deal on a new 7800 Ballblazer (to have someone make a homebrew out of, perhaps??) I remember these being considerably and universally cheaper than they are now. You have to keep watching for a "reasonably" priced one, and even B&C Computervisions has recently increased the price on new ones from $40 to $50.

     

    post-16281-0-87571300-1505097779_thumb.jpg

    .....and then I found an even better deal on a loose one. Looks like I'll be able to have my Ballblazer after all, and eat it, too!

     

    • Like 5

  5. Posted

    I have to admit that I don't know a hill of beans about Apple II computers, but for me, it was the IIe (Enhanced) that I settled for.

     

    The Apple II (not even sure if it was a Plus) was the first personal computer I ever touched (elementary school), so it has a bit of an attachment for me. However, they seem like expensive collector's items now. It also bugged me that they didn't have lower case characters, and seemed to top out at 48k.

     

    The IIe looks enough like it to satisfy my nostalgia, plus it's later and presumably more reliable (fewer components) anyway. I bought the nicest, latest one that I could find at a reasonable price. It came in this box....

     

    post-16281-0-42974300-1505094855_thumb.jpg

     

    ....so I figured it must have been a later Enhanced model because it shipped with 128k.

     

    The IIe Platinum looks too different for my nostalgia, although it looks like a really fine machine at the same time.

     

    The IIgs just came too late to pique my interest. By then, the Atari St and (to some extent) Amiga computers had my attention, and the lion's share of the 16-bit Home Computer software compared to what natively-supported the IIgs' unique capabilities. Apple II software that captures my sense of nostalgia are the ones that I do most remembering playing on a IIe with a color monitor.

     

    I always though that the IIc was an amazing design for its time, but there's that darned nostalgia again for the bigger II computers, and of course the IIc can't accomodate the CFFA3000 card, so that makes it a no-go for me.

     

    The CFFA3000 is one bad-ass Apple II accessory:

     

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2q113bbwR5A

     

     

    Although I grew up with (and remain obsessed with) Atari 8-bit computers, a IIe with a CFFA3000, and a Commodore 64 with a 1541 Ultimate II have somehow managed to generate some 8-bit junkie interest in me.

     

  7. Posted

    That adapter APPEARS to be some new generation of "smart" USB adapter, after reading the description.

     

    I've been using this old-style passive adapter with the ST and an optical mouse with a USB end for several years......

     

    post-16281-0-43731900-1505093129_thumb.jpg

     

    .....which wasn't "real" USB support because only certain "USB" mice would work with it. Back in those days when there were still a few computers around with [iBM} PS/2-style mice ports, a lot of the mice featured USB plugs but shipped with PS/2 adapters. Although you're plugging in a USB connector into it, the adapter is appealing to the PS/2 nature of the mouse itself. Hence later actual USB-only mice wouldn't work with it. However when you did have a mouse that would work with it and some Atari 8-bit software that could use an ST mouse, it worked with the 8-bit, too, which was cool.

  9. Posted

    I'd rather have large scans than over-compressed ones like the crappy Creative Computing scans. Those are not likely to ever be re-done, because... Well.. they're already posted! Fathom that!

     

    Where can I get the crappy Creative Computing scans? I have none, and that's better than none!!! ???

  12. Posted

    Yup, I'm one of the many who have enjoyed great service from Best Electronics, too. I'm just amazed and gratified that we can still buy new Atari stuff this far into the 21st century. I've been pleased with every transaction. I think it's great, but I'll agree the website could use a freshen-up. But I really don't care about that stuff, too much. I just want my Atari stuff, and I get it. Shout out to B&C, as well. I feel like it's my 15th birthday when a package arrives. (It certainly is not!) There are few vendors that give that feeling.

    • Like 1

  13. Posted

    I really enjoy this system (thanks to AA user bradd1978 for selling me one modded for A/V and S-video) but haven't had time to fully explore it. I like the fact that it's graphics are relatively advanced (or at least contemporary for the time), and it's kind of an extension of the old 6502 technology. It's really unique! Add Everdrive and season to taste!!!!

  14. Posted

    Well, pertinent to the topic, here are a couple references that are from quite-known sources:

     

    1980 Suggested Retail Price List:

    https://archive.org/details/AtariPersonalComputerSystemsSuggestedRetailPriceList_1980-06-01

     

     

    1984 Retailer Confidential Price List

    http://www.atarimania.com/documents/Retailer_Confidential_Price_List_Jan_1984.pdf

     

     

    Talk about expensive for the time and the [then] value of the currency!

    • Like 5

  15. Posted

    I had not put it together (did not realize) who he was, but I remember bits and pieces (Beefdrop, for example, as cited previously), and I liked reading Kenfused's posts (obviously beyond my technical understanding, but still interesting). Clueless as to who he was until now, I also morn the loss. What a brain. RIP.

    • Like 3

  16. Posted

    LOVE LOVE LOVE my transactions with Atarmax/Steve Tucker over the years. I feel quite lucky to have such folks so devoted to development and support of our favorite antique computer. It's been a long time since you could buy anything Atari8 at Walmart or Toys R Us, and all which that implies.

     

    :)

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