eric_ruck

Heh, different styles indeed. I tend to avoid using the streams (i.e. cout) because they didn't work right way back in Visual C++ 4.0. Really they are the way to go now, and they are more "object oriented" than printf, to be sure. Do you have any C experience, because right now what you're doing is pretty much all in the C-subset part of C++. If you don't know C it's the right place to be, but if you do this should be old hat. I guess you should keep going through the book until you get down the C-based control structures and what not. I'm glad they're doing function prototypes, that's a good habit to get into. Once you finish that you can start learning objects. Also, eventually you will get to "Standard C++" and STL. When you get there, well, be aware that there are alternatives that some of us consider better (called "container class libraries"). Eric

Yeah, the richest auctions I can remember on video games are a few that struck me somewhat personally, since I have similar collecting interests. "The Optimizer" sold a 7800 collection with one of everything for something like $3000. I've also seen very complete Vectrex setups go in that range. Or about 1/20th the size of your asking price. Eric

The current owner of Epyx, as it were, would be Infogrames. I'm not a lawyer, and for sure I wouldn't take my own advice, but thus far Infogrames has been pretty kind to the classic gaming community. Eric

Heh, I used to do that all the time, win auctions for things I had (or mostly had). I started keeping a want list on paper by the computer and marking things off. Low tech but it works. Funny thing is, once I get to the last few things for a system I wind up buying packages with a ton of stuff I don't want to get the things I do want, then selling or trading off the extras. Anywho, while the 7800 sticks didn't win any awards, they're a whole lot better than the Colecovision sticks. You may also like the 7800 Euro pads although I'm not a fan of them myself. Eric

So you can play a little with your example, when you create a function in C++ (often called a "method", by the way), you can pass the parameters by "reference" by preceding the name of the parameter with an & sign. This means that the caller and the method share the same copy of the data. The new function would look like this: void swap( int &x, int &y) Note that in the body of the method, you *don't* leave the & signs on to refer to the parameters; therefore, the body in your sample doesn't have to change. I'm sure you can keep posting your questions on AtariAge, they'll be answered aplenty. Oh, and the thing with object oriented programming, is that you won't think it's a big deal until you really start using it. Once you get some experience you'll never know how you lived without it. Eric

How about the Dancing Queen" commercial for Hitman 2 (go to www.hitman2.com download section). Eric

The best system for a beginner is probably the PC, or Java. And I don't mean a 3d shooter for the PC or anything, we're talking old school. Just learn about control loops, blitting graphics, and doing the logic. At least on the PC you have lots of good tools and books available. Much less frustrating. Eric

I don't have a solution, but I can say I've had one dead Lynx cart (out of probably hundreds), so it is possible. And I wasn't able to revive it. On the other hand, I also have a working Missle Command/Asteroids cart with Mastif teeth marks in it. Eric

I checked, my insurance company wouldn't take it. I think they're looking for some kind of certification. At some point I started looking into what kind of certification that might be but then abandoned the effort for lack of time. But I know my homeowners won't cover all the electronics in my house. I probably don't have enough to cover the modern computers I have around, much less the modern electronics and video games. Not that it takes much, most insurance have pretty low limits on all electronic gear. Eric

I still remember jumping about a foot at a friend's house when the green alien in Behind Jaggi Lines (Atari 800) jumped up and pounded on the spaceship window. Eric

Hear hear. I tried getting insurance but the company insisted on an appraisal. When I asked them where I could find someone to do an appraisal, they suggested the yellow pages. No luck. I also think this qualifies as home electronic equipment. So long as you own it and can prove the value you can get reimbursed. I think cataloging your collection and putting the catalog in a safe place is a good idea. Also keep in mind that most insurance companies limit what they pay out for all electronics, including your TV, DVD, stereo, and the basement full of video game, um, treasures. So you will probably need a policy "rider". And this is what my company, at least, wanted the appraisal for. Anyone know of any other insurance companies who will insure classic video game systems? Or where I can get an appraisal in Maryland? Eric

Sure...the year was, oh, I think 1996. I bought a Playstation for Resident Evil. I went looking for a next game, and there was none. No other game I wanted. Somehow I found out about eBay and for the heck of it, I entered "Joust". Found a 7800 with Joust and Asteroids, and the rest is history. Eric

Anyone seen the Halo outtakes on Bungie? Or should I say, heard them? Give a listen to the Convenant voice outtakes, some of them are completely histerical. Eric

It would be legal provided that you made your own graphics (even if they look similar to the original, but not the same), own sounds, and named it something different. Eric

While we're on the subject, is there an online hint book, faq or walk-through? I'm not known to be the most patient gamer in the world but in the 10 minutes or so I played this game I think I was killed 3 times and gave up. Ditto for Highlander, this guy comes and kicks the crap out of you right off, game over. Eric

Now this thread is interesting. Part of me wants to jump in as a techie, but I'd rather stay out. As a gamer who sometimes would like to forget he's a techie, I can say this: 1. I had reservations about the XBox but I really wanted to play Halo and PGR (and wasn't disappointed by either) 2. I thought it would be too much like a PC in a console case (the reality is that it's not, although I find the loud PC-like fan on both the XBox and PS2 annoying) Eric

I guess this is the right forum for this, but I thought it might be fun on off-topic. Oh well, here goes: Own a piece of computing history: Kevin Mitnick's Laptop I'm not sure which is sicker, that the current bid is $9,300 or that the reserve is still unmet. Eric

To deal with non-paying bidders while avoiding retaliatory negative feedback (and I have several of these from back in the day) I use the same trick snipers use: I wait until the absolute last minute to leave feedback, then *pow*. I think you have 30 or 60 days to leave feedback, I forget exactly but you can look it up on eBay. Eric

After talking with a bunch of people who really buy video games, namely males between 15 and 25, I think I've found something interesting. Regardless of the merits of one console system over another, it seems that the main reason the XBox is in third place in the console wars is that the name "Microsoft" precedes it. I'm finding that young males, the primary console market, don't want to buy anything associated with Microsoft. Another interesting thing I'm finding is that most of these people use Windows 98 on their home computers. They refuse to pay anything to upgrade to WinXP even though they hate Win98, and are intimidated by the thought of trying Linux, even thought they know about it. I'm also finding that Mac/OSX isn't on their radar. Opinions? Who here lists "Microsoft" as a reason why they're not buying an Xbox anytime soon, or bought one with reservations? Eric

Do you have a box for that Competition Pro? I have a 7800 Alien Brigade which I could be persuaded to part with. Eric

Did Worms and the Jamma controller go? Are they going? I'd be interested. On the "boxes only" front I have the box, instructions etc. for Baldies available, everything but the CD. Actually the CD as well but it's defective. Anyone want it? Eric

For the Jaguar version, you all should be bugging Carl to produce some more autofire Jag controllers. They make Jag Raiden a lot easier. Eric

I wasn't crazy about the game...I'd wait until either the eBay prices come down or you score an open copy, IF you're into collecting sealed copies. Eric

The problem is that developing good games takes time and talent, both of which boil down to money, which no one wanted to spend without the guarantee of a good return. I've never looked into Jag programming, and while rumor has it the hardware is a bit glitchy, I'm sure it's easier than some and harder than others. Eric

Wow, they would have done better breaking it up, at least I would hope. The monitor cart ought to fetch $100 by itself. Eric