Paul Slocum

I prefer the video touch pads. The buttons are bigger and take very little force to activate. Plus the buttons on the keyboard controllers can wear out and break. You can get by using the touch pads without an overlay (except on Basic Programming). -Paul

The Cuttle Cart is the ultimate 2600 development tool. I can assemble my code and have it running on a real Atari a few seconds later. It would have been worth three times the price for the time savings alone. -Paul

It appears that Space Invaders is a RCA Studio II homebrew. The same guy also did Combat and Hockey. Here's the guy's page: Paul Robson -Paul

I'll go! Atari 2600 (many) Atari 5200 Atari 600Xl Atari 800 Atari 1040St Bentley Pong Odyssey^2 Intellivision Colecovision Vectrex TI 99/4a Commodore VIC-20 Commodore 64 Apple IIe TRS-80 Model 3 TRS-80 Model 100 TRS-80 Coco 1 & 3 IBM PC Jr. Mattel Aquarius Zorba -Paul

Dan: That 7800 cart dumper is a really great concept. I'd never seen that before. -Paul

Cassidy: that's how I was thinking it would be done too. A cartridge reader basically does the same thing as an EPROM burner. If you were going to build a ROM dumper from scratch, it could probably be adapted from one of the many schematics to build an EPROM burner. But reading the data can be more complicated with bankswitched ROMs. You'd have to read a specific range of data, then write into a location, then read again, etc. There's not much demand for a dumper since all the ROMs have been dumped. I suspect that even the prototypes we haven't seen yet have been dumped since they are prone to bit rot. -Paul [ 03-26-2002: Message edited by: Smart Patrol ]

I'm 27. (Oct '74) First System: Atari 2600 First Computer: Commode 64 First Arcade Game: Pong First Favorite Band: Howard Jones -Paul

I hooked up my TV setup that has the worst ghosting problem and experimented with it. You're right -- while the Phono/F adapter helped on my big TV with a minor RF interference, it didn't help much with the ghosting on this TV. The only thing that helped was moving my 2600 Jr. aside and hooking up my heavy sixer. It didn't completely get rid of the ghosting, but it was a lot better than the Jr. I also tried better RF cables and switching channels but neither helped. The odd thing is that I never have ghosting problems on my old black and white TV or my Toshiba 27". Radio Shack has a few types of RF filters. I wonder if they would help? -Paul

Some cartridges have better internal RF shielding than others. I notice interference most on homebrew cartridges since they generally have the shielding removed. Only certain TVs that I own have this problem. I was able to reduce the problem by getting a Phono to F adapter at Radio Shack instead of a switch box: Atari Hookups -Paul

I was referring to older (pre Mac) composite Apple monitors (which you can hook up to a VCR and use as a TV). Most of these were for the Apple ][e which had a built in speaker, so the monitor didn't need sound. -Paul

Also, it's easier from a programming perspective to read 2 rows instead of 3 or 4. Reading a keyboard row involves writing to a register, then implementing an annoying delay for a pretty significant number of cycles, then checking registers to see if any keys on that row are pressed. -Paul

I have a LOT of old Commodore and Apple monitors. The disadvantage of Apple monitors is they don't have sound. I get all mine at thrift stores for around $10, but it seems like they're getting harder to find. -Paul

That's pretty nice Albert, but check out MY setup cause I also develop video games, only they don't pay me anything. Here's my development enviroment (click to enlarge): From left to right: a rack of more audio gear than I really need, development PC, VCR, development Atari (same as regular Atari except it says Cuttle Cart on top), two Apple monitors -- one for watching TV while I work and the other to test Atari games, EMAX II sampler. -Paul

Some things to try: Switch the TV switch to TV and then back to GAME to make sure it's fully switched. Try channels 2 and 3. Try switching the Channel switch on the bottom/back of your Atari. If you don't see anything at all when you turn on the Atari (static doesn't jump) and you don't see a spark when you plug the power supply into the Atari, power supply may be bad. Check it with a voltmeter. If it's a 4 or 6 switch, open it up and make sure the RF cable is still plugged into the board. Swap out parts on your other Ataris until you find what's wrong. -Paul

I played it some tonight on a Cuttle Cart. It seems pretty solid to me. -Paul

I'm not sure how exclusive the release will be yet. I really need time to think about it, and CGE is not for quite a while. I will probably make some available to people outside of the U.S. And it may be available through Hozer at some point. I put over $700 into getting enough parts to make Synthcarts for eveyone who wants one. I'm a student, so I don't have that kind of money just sitting around. I've only recently passed that point of making that money back. I think I will be able to sell all of them, but the money I'm making is TERRIBLE considering how much time I put into the project. Homebrewing is NOT a good way to make money. -Paul

It might be, but it's too soon to say for sure. Here's a little sample of one of the in-game songs: marble_music.mp3 -Paul

I'll burn it on an EPROM tonight and play test it a bit. What will it be called? "Galaxian plus"? -Paul

Sometimes if you open the Atari and unscrew the main-board (the part with the cartridge connector on it inside the metal casing), you can adjust it a bit and screw it back down. You may be able to get it so your cartridges don't get damaged. -Paul

It is reasonable to think I'll have a playable version in April, but I'm probably going to release it at CGE. Currently, the game kernal is very close to being done. You'll see some screen shots soon. I'm working on in-game music right now, which is turning out pretty great! -Paul

I have a Mitsubishi T250 with limited web features. The best web feature is having ebay. How many times have you been in a thrift store and found some game or accessory that you don't know if it's worth the price or might be rare? I can just search under completed items on ebay and find out how much it is worth. I also like being able to check all my POP e-mail accounts from my phone. -Paul

It seems silly, but removing the border really makes it a LOT better! I'm going to have to make a cartridge of that one. Now you just need to add the stars in the background. -Paul

Ah-ha! That's the problem. I have version 2.6c. I did go to the webpage to make sure I had the latest version, but I was going to the wrong webpage! I need to get Atari800Win Plus. My version doesn't even have a help file. Thanks for your help, guys. I was going here But the latest version is here. -Paul

wplaybin -Paul

Doesn't work on mine. Any ideas? Is this documented anywhere? -Paul