GratedTopping

It was crazy of a kid to mess around with equipment, but I wanted the black keyboard in the newer greyish case (which I actually preferred and also thought it would look neat). So, I switched things -- somewhat. I messed up and damaged the connection to the keys of the grey keyboard, so I only had the one working console. Whoops. TI's were pretty-cheap and not produced for many years, so it wasn't much of a problem. At least I didn't foul up the ginormous PEB when I installed the two 5.25 floppy drives. I was also really pleased when I successfully removed and reversed the fan of the device which was to cut-down on the noise. I could get that correct, but not the other? Oh....and I remember that I was really into the Snoopy character from Charles Schultz's PEANUTS. At my first attempt at using the TI in BASIC, I typed in "DRAW SNOOPY PICTURE" and it was an 'incorrect statement'...and I didn't understand. Just today, but in Extended BASIC, I revisited this moment and tried again. All I got was a lousy 'syntax error'. I guess I'm still not expressing the command in the form necessary; it's gotta be hidden there somewhere! As as kid, it was cute (but it was witnessed, so of course the older sibling had to poke fun). Now, though, I guess it's 'crazy'. Yet I think it's interesting that I've learned something just now, too, which was the differences in the error message. I guess I've never realized that before.

Despite my disarming smile and my 'old' age in the 30's, I'm still a bad-arse nerd.

I have two of them. The first got a lot of use out of it when I was kid, especially with the CHAMPIONSHIP BASEBALL that was awesome. The joystick with that one's falling apart a little bit, but still functions, and the actual device shows some wear, but it's fine. The other, I bought brand new from a yardsale for maybe $5 sometime around 2003 and I still haven't used it. One of my best finds ever.

The machine's pretty old, but isn't obsolete (useless) as some would say. I'm using a Dell Dimension 3000 from 2004 that has a Pentium IV @ 3ghz with 2 gigs of memory and an Nvidia PCI graphics card.

I've tried it on an older Classic99 (3.32 from 2009) and it plays fast enough (but still locks up). Oh...and Confucius say: "GratedTopping, who cooks carrots and peas in a pot, is unsanitary." * Okay, it's working well under the latest C99. Changing the video 'filter mode' to NONE instead of Super2xSaI (the default) made the difference. Under 'stretch mode', using a DXfull setting also was an option that made it playable.

I'm still having problems with the JUNKMAN program. No matter what version I have, it fails in Win994a. In CLASSIC99, things are way too slow. It seems that, with the latest CLASSIC99, many things are too slow -- or even too fast. ALPINER, for example, is too fast -- but the music is too slow. I think I'll see if I can find the older version of C99. Something seems a bit off...

Well, as long as it will play in "Classic99", which I also haven't tried the game in, then it's cool. Thanks for the info.

I never tried the JUNKMAN JR. on the "Win994a" before now. It started with the first level and then went right to the title screen or locked-up right away each time. Does anybody know more about it and the program (if it just doesn't work correctly under W994a)? Concerning JUMP MAN JUNIOR, I've never heard of it for the TI. From what I have, I have versions on the C64, the Atari line, and colecovision (with regular JUMPMAN on Apple, C64, and Amiga). I've never even played it and I wonder if if JUNK MAN JUNIOR is a clone of sorts.

Since that 99/4 isn't even tested, I wouldn't go for it. "Excellent Condition" can't just apply to the outer appearance because if it didn't work, it's in bad condition. I have never looked closely at a 99/4 before. Next to the A key, there's a button called SPACE. That's like an extra spacebar? If so, that was a useless part of the design.

Here are my recommendations of some of the very best TI games of various types... MAZE GAMES: "Car Wars" is not exactly a driving game, but is a pretty-good classic clone of Exidy's "Crash!". "Diablo", in Extended BASIC, is a fun, award-winning game where you move pieces of a maze-track so that the ever-moving ball can continue to move forward. As well, to me, TI's "Munch-man" is a more enjoyable clone than the original "Pac-man". SHOOTERS/ACTION GAMES: "Computer War" (AKA "War Games") from Thorn EMI has always been a favourite of mine and is, to me, the most action-packed game you can find on the TI. "Jawbreaker II" was a fun one that I would call 'quieter' action. "SuperFly" and "Space Bandits" from Milton Bradley can use the MBX hardware but is not a requirement; I think they are pretty enjoyable. "TI Invaders" is one of the best "Space Invaders" clones. SPORTS GAMES: "Micro Tennis" (title just says "Tennis") from Microbiotics and Milton Bradley's "Championship Baseball" (needs MXB hardware) are two of the best on the TI. TEXT ADVENTURES: The "Adventure" cartridge is necessary to use a bunch of games from Scott Adams. My favourites of his were "The Count" and "Mystery Fun House". GRAPHICS ADVENTURES: "Return To Pirate's Isle" is the only cartridge-based one and it's good (also from Scott Adams). "Old Dark Caves" and "Legends" are RPG-type games and pretty-popular (definitely well-made, but not my type of fun). FLIGHT SIMULATORS: Not Polyoptics' "SPAD XIII" is a nice representation of controlling a WWI biplane. It's the only one I know of that's not of a modern plane and is my favourite of them. PLATFORMERS: "Midnite Mason", "Popeye", and "Star Runner" (also released as "TI Runner") are quite good. DRIVING GAMES: There really are very-few car racing games. "Driving Demon" from FunWare is okay, but it's a top-down racer and certainly could have been better if you had a wider road. There's nothing similar to the "Pole Position", with the curving roads, that I know of. MISC: "Microsurgeon" was tops; "Oh Mummy!" and "Freddy" are two of my non-cartridge faves

- I remember reading something in a mag about how to replace the keys on a TI (using some tool to pop-em-off) but I forget. I'd have liked combo keys. That's cool -- and to be weird I would have had alternating black/grey keys....or maybe spelled my initials as best as I could. - I wonder what cartridge is in the port of that original pic... - at least the "solid state software" sticker was taken care of... - speaking off-topic, I want to give a cheer for the keys of the TI; my Windoze PC's keyboard has portions of certain letters missing from the oh-so-rough typing; I've never noticed anything like that with TI keyboards and the keys on this machine in this topic's main pic still has all readable keys

I had a few of these but, after taking pics and some video, I got rid of a lot of boxes to save space. The Aquaventura one, I recall, was totally ridiculous. It was a huge square with just a hand-sized manual and two 3.5 disks. What a waste of packaging.

A 'non-surprise' "Woodstock Christmas"? I've never heard of that before. Can someone direct me where to obtain it?

Thanks, everyone. I know they are just simple graphics demos, but the timing of finding them was fun & it cheered me up. I fully forgot about them and was really surprised. So, start the CANDLE and set your monitor in the window so others can see! [i know I read something like that in a 'Family Computing' magazine where it was suggested to do it on Halloween after running there pumpkin-drawing program]. Now, THAT 'pumpkin' falling on someone would have caused some major damage!

Could that be a rare cartridge of PARSEC that Mr. Claus is interested in...which looks somewhat like a reindeer and sleigh being output?? How weird!

Here are two old holiday programs that I created over 20 years ago, never shared with anybody, and were rediscovered today...on Christmas Eve. Hmmm...now, since the 25th is Christmas, isn't THAT night the eve of Christmas???? Anyway, CANDLE was done in 1988 when I was 13. SNOWFALL was also created in 1988, but I was 14 (so, at least I did that one during a more-appropriate season). Although the snowflakes may not be correctly designed as they would be in nature, I like 'em. I was also pleased with how I had them react to the 'wind' and change directions at times. Enjoy. Merry Christmas. TWO4CHRISTMAS.zip

"Remember to lift from your knees. It helps take pressure off the brain." - Al Calavicci

Yeah, I was correcting it as soon as you posted this. I still don't know what character combos give different faces.

810 GOSUB 790 :: FOR I=8 TO 0 STEP -1 :: CALL HCHAR(7+I,25-I,95):: CALL COLOR(8,INT(RND*number eight)+9,1):: NEXT I > put "8" in place of "number eight"; having the digit there gave a smiley character

Now, if it said 'YOU'RE WINNER!', that would have been awesome.

Oops. Yes, I have heard of that. I never did see that show, but I am curious about it. I loved 1995's NOWHERE MAN which was inspired by "The Prisoner".

To which mask are you referring to? The second looks freakier. Poor RayZyn. I hope he got his check. Poor 'GratedTopping' (who doesn't understand; can you explain?)

Could you make it so that the video isn't in your post? I'd like for people to type or copy/paste it in so I can see how many views (and folks might want to see what else is in my youtube uploads)? I wrote something creative and funny (I guess) in my description of the video, too.

This was a video from 2008/2009 that I saw on YouTube and it wasn't around long. The machine never made it to the shelves. Imagine the possibilities! I'd have definitely gotten one of these in 2009 and there would have been a Kayprolecotaridore 99/4a ][e forum. www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bTiq8S9AVk

Interesting idea concerning if the play-area was done as sprites. That would have been cool. What is cool...and what I feel ridiculous about...is that I totally forget about the 'overdrive' option in "Classic99" too often. How that's still possible, I don't know, but anyway it's helpful with this game. I changed the program after I realized that I forgot about the "wait 15 minutes" notification. I guess I really did have to wait that long when it was in regular BASIC. Choosing to see the maze being made and/or selecting to have the micromaze increases the wait-time.