RobertB

Burn out? Who could be burned out by so much Commodore and Amiga love? I always warn people that the current CommVEx could be the last one. However, finances look good for another one next year (if our hotel venue does not raise their rates). That being said, my contact at the hotel's group sales is on vacation in Italy, and she is the one to write us a contract for CommVEx next year, i.e., I have to wait until she returns and writes up a contract for me to sign. I'm shooting CommVEx at the end of July, 2017. Back from filming an event for 8 hours almost non-stop, Robert Bernardo Fresno Commodore User Group http://www.dickestel.com/fcug.htm

The Commodore Vegas Expo has continued for 12 years with the support of the Fresno Commodore User Group, the Clark County Commodore Computer Club (of Las Vegas), the Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network, and the Portland Commodore User Group. Without the involvement of these clubs, CommVEx would have not gone on to being what it is today -- a successful, yearly Commodore/Amiga event. Last year I was contacted by Stephen Jones of the Living Computer Museum in Seattle, Washington. He wanted to know if I could do a similar event in Seattle. I replied but heard nothing back. A few weeks ago I visited the Living Computer Museum and talked to Matisse Fletcher, events coordinator for the museum. I talked to her about a two-day, Seattle Commodore/Amiga event in the vein of a CommVEx. She was very open to the idea but wanted more details. I sent her a follow-up e-mail when I returned to California and received her reply shortly thereafter. She has agreed to such an event and has locked in a date for it -- June 10-11, 2017. The event will be called the Pacific Commodore Expo NW or PaCommEx for short. It will be like CommVEx, except we cannot have buying/selling/raffling due to the non-profit status of the museum. The museum will charge its own admittance fee, which will be a few dollars per person. We can set-up on Friday, but on the days of the show, we are limited to the hours the museum is open. PaCommEx will be supported by the Fresno Commodore User Group, the Portland Commodore User Group, the Puget Sound Commodore User Group (of Tacoma), and the Commodore 64 Enthusiasts of Greater Victoria. For more information, go to http://www.commodore.ca/forum/viewforum.php?f=14 A website for PaCommEx will be coming soon. Sincerely, Robert Bernardo organizer - Pacific Commodore Expo NW

Goog was quick, being the first to post his photos of CommVEx. Go to http://pdxcug.org/commvex/Commodore_Vegas_Expo_CommVEx_v12_2016_Photos.asp Still in Las Vegas, Robert Bernardo Fresno Commodore User Group http://www.dickestel.com/fcug.htm

The time has come! The Commodore Vegas Expo v12 is this weekend, and we'll have all kinds of Commodore and Amiga computers for attendees to see and use. We'll have exhibits and presentations. We'll have CBM engineer Bill Seiler who was one of the designers for the VIC-20. We'll have buying, selling, and trading. We'll have C= games, competitions, prizes, and music with a new sound system. All in our expansive room - Ballroom 9, third floor, of the Plaza Hotel and Casino at 1 Main Street in Las Vegas. Set-up day is Friday, and the official fun happens from 11 to 5 on Saturday and Sunday; the unofficial fun is Saturday night after-hours in the CommVEx room. Hope to see you there! Sincerely, Robert Bernardo organizer - Commodore Vegas Expo v12 website - http://www.portcommodore.com/commvex discussion - http://www.commodore.ca/forum/viewforum.php?f=6

The time has come! The Commodore Vegas Expo v12 is this weekend, and we'll have all kinds of Commodore and Amiga computers for attendees to see and use. We'll have exhibits and presentations. We'll have CBM engineer Bill Seiler who was one of the designers for the VIC-20. We'll have buying, selling, and trading. We'll have C= games, competitions, prizes, and music with a new sound system. All in our expansive room - Ballroom 9, third floor, of the Plaza Hotel and Casino at 1 Main Street in Las Vegas. Set-up day is Friday, and the official fun happens from 11 to 5 on Saturday and Sunday; the unofficial fun is Saturday night after-hours in the CommVEx room. Hope to see you there! Sincerely, Robert Bernardo organizer - Commodore Vegas Expo v12 website - http://www.portcommodore.com/commvex discussion - http://www.commodore.ca/forum/viewforum.php?f=6

Creative 5C's member Saj A. has made a video promo for the Commodore Vegas Expo v12. See below. Heading for Victoria, B.C. tomorrow, Robert Bernardo Fresno Commodore User Group http://www.dickestel.com/fcug.htm July 30-31 Commodore Vegas Expo v12 - http://www.portcommodore.com/commvex ---------------------------- Original Message ---------------------------- Subject: CommVEx 2016 Video Promo From: "Saj" -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Time is ticking.....and I decided to do a video promo for this year's CommVEx 2016. I had a bit of a pirate-style itch and did an 80's video mashup of Tron and CommVEx!! Enjoy...spread it and watch it before it gets taken down!! Saj

------------ Original message ------------- Space Chase is a 1 or 2 player split-screen shooter that was specifically developed for the CBM II series of computers (sold as Commodore 610, 620, 710 and 720 in Europe and as B128, B256 and CBM B128-80 and B256-80 in the U.S.). It is fully programmed in Assembler, uses the full "PETSCII resolution" of 160 x 50, and boasts cool music and sound composed by the famous SID composer Max Hall (yes, the CBM II's have SID chips!) Space Chase can be downloaded for free at http://www.spacechase.de If you don't own real CBM II hardware, you can use the CBM2 emulation of (Win)VICE to still enjoy the game. Have fun! Comments and feedback welcome! Regards, CKtwo http://www.spacechase.de http://www.retropulsiv.de

Happy almost CommVEx time, C= and Ami aficionados! The Fresno Commodore User Group has its next meeting from 11 a.m. to 2+ p.m., Sunday, July 24 at -- Bobby Salazar's Mexican Restaurant 2839 North Blackstone Ave. (corner of Blackstone and Michigan) Fresno, California (559) 227-1686 Note that our meeting is one week later than usual. During lunch, we'll finish watching the video documentary, "Growing the 8-Bit Generation." Also we'll also watch the trailer for the new Viva Amiga film. For discussion, everybody will have a chance to give their last suggestions/comments/observations before the July 30-31 Commodore Vegas Expo v12. Also I'll have an oral report and photos from my trip to the Pacific Northwest which includes a visit to C= repair technician Ray Carlsen and a visit to the Commodore 64 Users of Greater Victoria (a.k.a. ViC 64), the C= club of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. For the fourth month in a row, the Chalkboard PowerPad returns, this time with the music-composing program, MicroMaestro. For the VIC-20, we look at the Micro Vicious, a music synthesizer. From the Amiga 1200, we'll play some sweet MOD tunes. For a change of pace, we'll try out the new Pac-man clone, Pac-Pac for the Plus/4. We'll also punch the buttons on the Kim Uno, a modern clone of the classic KIM-1. Writing from Portland, Oregon, Robert Bernardo Fresno Commodore User Group http://www.dickestel.com/fcug.htm July 30-31 Commodore Vegas Expo v12 - http://www.portcommodore.com/commvex

Happy 4th of July, C= and Ami comrades! The next meeting of the Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network is Sunday, July 10, from 2 to 4+ p.m. at Panera Bread Restaurant 19662 Nordhoff Street Northridge, California (818) 407-9400 Notice that the meeting is on Sunday, instead of our usual Saturday. This month we'll look into the Kim Uno, a modern implementation of the KIM-1. Also we'll have the VIC-20 with the Behr-Bonz multi-cart (which is full of classic games). The Amiga 1200 returns, this time with newly-installed WHDLoad games, like RodLand and Fightin' Spirit. We'll also have the usual SX-64 and Plus/4 units with various programs. Just a few weeks until the July 30-31 Commodore Vegas Expo and expect a lot of discussion will revolve around that. Bring anything else you wish to share! Sincerely, Robert Bernardo http://www.sccaners.org

Hmm, I don't know about this one. Perhaps you should pose your question at the forum at http://plus4.com Truly, Robert Bernardo Fresno Commodore User Group http://www.dickestel.com/fcug.htm July 30-31 Commodore Vegas Expo v12 - http://www.portcommodore.com/commvex

Easy solution. Mod the VIC-1541 label or make your own VIC-1540 label. Truly, Robert Bernardo Fresno Commodore User Group http://www.dickestel.com/fcug.htm July 30-31 Commodore Vegas Expo v12 - http://www.portcommodore.com/commvex

You can take a VIC-1541 (same white case as the 1540) and put a 1540 ROM in it. Then it will act like a 1540. Truly, Robert Bernardo Fresno Commodore User Group http://www.dickestel.com/fcug.htm July 30-31 Commodore Vegas Expo v12 - http://www.portcommodore.com/commvex

cjameslv wrote: > If anyone will be in Vegas on Saturday August 13th were holding a free tournament with prizes and giveaways... Heh, at CommVEx on July 30-31 we of FCUG and the 5C's will have a game competition for cash. Too bad I can't stay until the 13th; I'm only staying until the 8th. > Next to the Pinball Hall of Fame Ah, I know it well. > One of our members made a video... That must have been Saj. Truly, Robert Bernardo Fresno Commodore User Group http://www.dickestel.com/fcug.htm July 30-31 Commodore Vegas Expo v12 - http://www.portcommodore.com/commvex

iKarith wrote: > They're a great bunch, too. Greg's got my C128 still because I haven't had the opportunity to go and collect it from him. Ah, if Greg has his PDXCUG.org meeting on Thursday, July 14, I can make it to that one. > Someday I hope to be lugging only a C64C and some flash memory device. Much easier on the back! Heh, you'll have to bring along a small monitor. For your new C64 luggable, Robert Bernardo Fresno Commodore User Group http://www.dickestel.com/fcug.htm July 30-31 Commodore Vegas Expo v12 - http://www.portcommodore.com/commvex

Since you are in the Portland, Oregon area, you have support from the Portland Commodore User Group - http://pdxcug.org Heading for the Pacific Northwest in mid-July, Robert Bernardo Fresno Commodore User Group http://www.dickestel.com/fcug.htm July 30-31 Commodore Vegas Expo v12 - http://www.portcommodore.com/commvex

Duncan M. in The Other Group of Amigoids has an X68000. Perhaps he will exhibit it at the Vintage Computer Festival in August in Mountain View, California. Truly, Robert Bernardo Fresno Commodore User Group http://www.dickestel.com/fcug.htm July 30-31 Commodore Vegas Expo v12 - http://www.portcommodore.com/commvex

---------------------- Original Message ---------------------- Subject: Commodore Free From: Nigel Parker Date: Fri, June 17, 2016 1:40 pm -------------------------------------------------------------- ************************************* Commodore Free Magazine http://www.commodorefree.com/ ************************************* Issue 93 Free to download magazine dedicated to Commodore computers Available as PDF, ePUB, MOBI, HTML, TXT, SEQ and D64 disk image CONTENTS ************************************* * Editorial * General News * C64 News * C16 and Plus/4 News * VIC 20 News * Amiga News * Mastering Tapes * Review: JAM IT - C64 Game * Growing Pains Part Tres * Review: Heroes and Cowards * Microsound 64 ===================================== WANTED DISK MAGAZINE PROGRAMMER WRITERS Would you like to help Commodore Free ?

That reminds me to bring my 1084S to Ray Carlsen. Perhaps he can fix the switch which only stays on if I jam a piece of cardstock between it and the monitor casing. Truly, Robert Bernardo Fresno Commodore User Group http://www.dickestel.com/fcug.htm July 30-31 Commodore Vegas Expo v12 - http://www.portcommodore.com/commvex

The final payment for the ballroom has been made. Guests, such as CBM engineer Bill Seiler and hardware developer Jim Drew, are getting ready to attend. Hardware and software is being gathered. Presentations are being prepped. The Commodore Vegas Expo, a.k.a. CommVEx, is fast approaching. Join us for the 12th annual CommVEx on July 30-31 at the Plaza Hotel, third floor ballroom, 1 Main Street, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.A.. For more information, go to http://www.portcommodore.com/commvex For CommVEx discussion, go to http://www.commodore.ca/forum/viewforum.php?f=6 Celebrate the 40th anniversary of the KIM-1! Celebrate the 35th anniversary of the VIC-20! Celebrate all that is Commodore and Amiga! Come to CommVEx! Robert Bernardo organizer - Commodore Vegas Expo

Last year, it was Leonard Tramiel and CBM engineer Bil Herd. This year it's CBM engineer Bill Seiler! After meeting him at the Bay Area Maker Faire 2016 in San Mateo, California, I invited Bill to the Commodore Vegas Expo, and a few days ago he accepted! He will be at CommVEx on both Saturday, July 30, and Sunday, July 31. Goaded on by Jack Tramiel, Bill Seiler was part of the design team that worked on the TOI (The Other Intellect) and then on the VIC-20. Have your questions ready for Bill! Have your cameras and cellphones ready to take photos of Bill! Have your VIC-20's and VIC-1540's/VIC-1541's ready to be autographed by Bill! Truly, Robert Bernardo Fresno Commodore User Group http://www.dickestel.com/fcug.htm July 30-31 Commodore Vegas Expo v12 - http://www.portcommodore.com/commvex

Ray Carlsen has more details on this. Go to http://personalpages.tds.net/~rcarlsen/cbm/sx64/sx64.txt Near the end of the article, he tells how to disable the internal drive, how to change drive numbers on those pads, and how to install switch(es) so that you can select a drive number. Truly, Robert Bernardo Fresno Commodore User Group http://www.dickestel.com/fcug.htm July 30-31 Commodore Vegas Expo v12 - http://www.portcommodore.com/commvex

Happy June, C= and Ami aficionados! The Fresno Commodore User Group has its next meeting from 11 a.m. to 2+ p.m., Sunday, June 12 at -- Bobby Salazar's Mexican Restaurant 2839 North Blackstone Ave. (corner of Blackstone and Michigan) Fresno, California (559) 227-1686 Note that our meeting is one week earlier than usual. During lunch, we'll watch part 5 of the video documentary, "Growing the 8-Bit Generation." For discussion, I'll have a summary and photos of the Commodores and Amigas at the the May 20-22 Maker Faire 2016. Then we'll have more discussion of the July 30-31 Commodore Vegas Expo v12 and the August 6-7 Vintage Computer Festival. For the third month in a row, the Chalkboard PowerPad returns, this time with the C64 paint program, Leo's Lectric Paintbrush. If member Louis M. agrees, he may bring back his ZoomFloppy for all to see. For the VIC-20, we look at the improved, corrected/fixed games from Rob "GreyGhost" -- Tunnel Run, Towers of Hanoi, Sammako, Critical Mass, and Omak. For the Plus/4, it's the classic Graphic Tools (NTSC) disks from Jim Hehl. For the Amiga 1200 newly-autographed by William Shatner, we look at games which were installed by Duncan M. and which were a big hit at Maker Faire. Don't forget to bring in any hardware items for C= repair technician Ray Carlsen to repair; I plan on seeing him in early July. Sincerely, Robert Bernardo Fresno Commodore User Group http://www.dickestel.com/fcug.htm July 30-31 Commodore Vegas Expo v12 - http://www.portcommodore.com/commvex

I recommend Speedscript 3.2 for the VIC-20. Easy to use with some powerful features. Just press CTRL-P to print. Truly, Robert Bernardo Fresno Commodore User Group http://www.dickestel.com/fcug.htm July 30-31 Commodore Vegas Expo v12 - http://www.portcommodore.com/commvex

Great Hierophant wrote: > Fair enough, here is essentially the circuit Carlsen used... Some history is necessary here. The original video DAC was created by Richard42g in 2008 or so. He talked about it on the defunct www.commodore128.org forum. I bought one of those, and after hand-building 30 of those, Richard stopped production and granted permission for anyone else to continue building them. Richard42g published the schematics and the list of parts on the forum. In 2011-2012, after much discussion, John Carlsen was convinced to build an improved version of Richard's design. In the meantime, Alex J (whose blog you have referenced) transferred Richard's schematic and part's list to the Erik Klein's Vintage Computer Forum (which was good, because when commodore128.org went down, all the information on Richard's design disappeared at that site). Alex J. built and sold more of Richard's video DAC without any modifications to the design. Then Alex stopped production on those copies. John Carlsen analyzed the Richard's video DAC and found out that the two or three of the colors displayed were off, the intensities being wrong but most glaringly, brown was not displayed correctly. John contacted Richard and discussed the original's problems. In 2013-2014 John worked on his own prototypes of the video DAC. With the use of a 1084 monitor to measure the colors displayed, John tweaked the values of resistors on the original list of parts. He was able to get true colors. See http://blog.retro-link.com/2014/01/c128-vga-adapter-latest-prototype.html The two prototypes were shown at the FCUG and SCCAN meetings and at the Commodore Vegas Expo v10 2014, where the attendees, most notably hardware developer Jim Drew, made comments on the design. In 2015 at the May (or was it the July) SCCAN meeting, John was able to meet Richard face-to-face and show the first production model. John was very proud of his design which used surface-mounted parts and was smaller than Richard's original. Richard had a big smile on his face and was very enthusiastic about what his original had become. At the Commodore Vegas Expo v11 2015, John released his production model, building a few to sell at CommVEx. Since the show, he has ramped up production of his video DAC, selling the units through his website and on Amazon.com Great Hiierophant wrote: > it's too late for him to patent it now. Nor does he want to patent anything. John has freely admitted that Richard's design has been the basis of the new video DAC. Back from today's FCUG meeting, Robert Bernardo Fresno Commodore User Group http://www.dickestel.com/fcug.htm Southern California Commodore & Amiga Network http://www.sccaners.org July 30-31 Commodore Vegas Expo v12 - http://www.portcommodore.com/commvex

Heh, the text should say May 14, not March 14. Sincerely, Robert Bernardo http://www.sccaners.org