Tuxon86

Pm answered.

PAL is great, since the C64 was an European success and many of the best games and demos were made in Europe. Since were not using TV anymore pal isn’t a pain to deal with. I use cheap Chinese 15” lcd monitor with composite/svideo inputs and it work break. I’ve a pal c64 and a ntsc c128.

I have an extra Panasonic JU-475-4 that I bought as a spare when I had my kryo.

Ironic isn't it?

I was heavy into Basic, 1st and second edition (forever DM). I wanted to get back into it, and bought the 5th edition books, but I didn't like how its structured. Too much "easy mode" and the characters are more superhero than hero. You really have to work hard to kill one of, to the point that it's hard to really fear entering combat. I'm thinking of switching to either Traveller or Pulp Chtullu, maybe Conan if I want to stay medieval fantasy.

This is what I think also, but it's a bonus for us as long as it last.

I don't do box set myself, but there's still some C64 deals that pop up from time to time, especially if you're able to do a bit of electronics repair and can deal with PAL machines. I got a few system at really good price from Egypt and South America via eBay. Funny thing, it cost less in shipping to Canada to get something from egypt than from anywhere in europe presently, even less than some part of the USA...

I resurected my faulty C64G with the help of a Saruman-64. Now I've a Pal C64 and an NTSC C128.

Some software companies are highly collectible and tend to fetch higher prices. SSI being one of those with high price tags. Also, more serious games, like strategy, wargames, rpg also bring the prices up. Those are the only computer games that I play on retro computer. Action oriented games I play on Mame or emulated consoles.

Received my supposedly tested and working 99/4a yesterday. This is try #3 to get one, wish me luck! if it does work, I’ll be able to finally test my PEB and all the card I stuffed in it!

somebody, somewhere once said that collecting was a modern day alternative to trophy hunting. It’s in our genes, as descendent of hunter-gatherer. Since time immemorial, man has been collecting stuff. What we collect changes with time, but the act of collecting stay. I was introduced to Stamp collecting in the 80’s by a kind man who saw that I was in the process of choosing a wrong path in life. This got me interested in geography, history and art. It also kept me in school. Then I got into computers and gaming. I was poor, so all my software was pirated stuff, which is also a kind of a hunt and trophy collecting. To answer your question, I guess I’m saying that the thrill of the hunt for that elusive complete set is the major factor in any collecting hobby.

Most of what I own is for testing what I code on real hardware and are rarelly fired up, so barring chemical reaction they should last for the time that I need them to. But, when it comes to video games, I prefer emulation with a nice arcade stick at 4k on my 65" TV in my home theater. The retro gaming market is too F$%? up presently that even common carts are going for 5 to 6 time what they're really worth. This is why I sold of most of my consoles last month and built myself some nice arcade stick and got a Launchbox license. Retroarch and Mame for arcade and console gaming and Vice, WinUAE, Altira, Classic99 for programming. As for what will happen to my stuff once I'm dead... I don't really care. I don't have children. I havn't seen my nieces or nephews in the last 20 years, not even a phone call. My brother is 11 years older than me and not in really great shape. In short, even if I wanted to leave it to a relative, there isn't anybody. I'm presently set up via my will so that all my belonging will be liquidated and the resulting money shall be used to: 1- In case of my old mother surviving me, that the money should go toward finding her a place to live out her remaining life. 2- Money should be split equally to go to a) SPCA, b) Education for the poor charity, c) War refugee charity. One thing to consider is that the attraction of retro system collecting is highly proportionated to the nostalgia one has for those system, something the younger generations don't or won't have going forth. It may sound depressing, but we ARE a dying breed, just like the coins and stamps collector before us.

Yeah, my retro computing space is starting to look like an episode of hoarder… Time for a bit of clean up.

I'm not a big user of MAME. I'm presently building my first MAME arcade setup, but it's really a nice piece of software engineering. I salute in respect all who contribute to this project.

Received the pcb for the REU today. I’m waiting for my solder paste for the smd to start assembling them.

It isn’t just the selling on eBay that is crappy now, the buying is too… Prices are through the roof, even for common items. And most computers stuff is sold either untested or “power on” which mean it probably doesn’t work and you’ll get no refunds or have to fight for it. Shipping cost have also gone up considerably.

Well, third time’s the charm… I found one for an acceptable price “tested/work” on eBay. At least if doesn’t work I’ll be able to file for eBay money back guarantee. And it’s a silver model, so it’ll match with my PEB. I still need to fit my floppy drive in with the FDC and the Sams card. The Tipi and RS232 are already in. I so wish this one will work. I’ve yet to prep my FG99 cart and dive in TI99/4a many programming environment/language. I also have to remove the shrink wrap on my editor/assembler yet… And finally, I’ve to do a bit of cleaning and reorganizing my office space. Beside the 99/4a and PEB, I also have an Apple IIE Platinum to setup.

Still pleased with your purchase?

Get my hand on a good working 99/4a computer or at least a motherboard to fix mine. All I can find is either untested or they're going for way more than what I wan't to pay.

The main problem is that whdload wasn't really made for the A500 in mind. You need to upgrade the main ram, the chip ram and the cpu (to a 68010 so that you can quit a game without rebooting). In some case you also have to upgrade the roms. WHDLoad is really made for the 600 and up of the Amiga line unless you like to make hardware mods.

I'd like, today, to propose a toast for the more persistent ebay seller! I think I've been seeing that listing for the past 5 to 10 years... Still not sold... https://www.ebay.com/itm/172943243848?hash=item2844387a48:g:qdEAAOSwyYFZ7m6S&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAA0L8yXdlWWfSh2KtM5ORT%2FCkIpHxd%2FKR94%2BAYmnLmLxr13lAHD2ZtFBWNteUIMDefgiFdIdb4%2BEtEw%2FaElFTJJUVU1KyC9Vru4qsWS7OB0mEEhmsYg%2BKVv6kSYkiiNiiCpbE4qnLA2b11q8Ln%2BrDn55EM5zZkzFSygVEj1G3L49Q%2F1AGN8fYo58jEJAuxwW%2BdVvksvDBcsdlSJoQaDN2WaQdwPUPMcG8iQj4%2FhtrR955B0uK%2B%2B7vlv1RxJBJNZUfUhEiwBs2FTW2UhtNzzZfNG1s%3D|tkp%3ABFBMqtz8uaph

I love my A500, but I’d prefer an A2000 or an A1200. The first just to see all I could fit in its slots, and the second for the aga mode. I may’ve missed my chance in the past. Now they’re priced out of my reach, even for a beaten up, partially working exemple.

Sold!

Good candidate for an A1500 case.

Amiga 500, the first "ricer" PC...