Author: Jim Brain

CoCoFEST! Main Hall almost Sold Out!

With less than 50 days remaining until our 2025 show, I see only 2 unclaimed tables in our main exhibit hall. I think that pretty much says it all :-). It’s going to be a great show this year, and Grant assures me that our speaker lineup is progressing well. A point to note for 2025, in case you didn’t notice. We’ve moved the show from Sat/Sun to Fri/Sat. Doing so assists those who need the bulk of Sunday for return travel arrangements. It’s an experiment, of a sort, so please let us know if you attend and have an opinion on it (did it help, hurt, doesn’t matter, etc.)

It’s probably also relevant to talk about the next month or two, since a few shows will be occurring in the next 60 days.

I’m not familiar with the Interim Computer Festival, but it sounds like it’s the old VCF-PNW show that’s regrouping. I know we have some Pacific Northwest folks (Hi Mark!) in our midst, so if you’re also in the area, block out March 21-23.

One of the older (maybe oldest) multi-platform shows, VCF East, kicks off April (April 4-6) at InfoAge in New Jersey. If you can make the trek, it’s a very impressive show as well as facility. The CoCo is represented, along with some of the other TRS-80 platforms, vying for attention alongside everything from the VAX to the Xerox Star. I try to attend with a table every other year (this one I’m sitting out), though I am confident some of our East Coast members will be there if you want to commune with other Glenside CoCo enthusiasts,

The following weekend, the Indianapolis Vintage Computer Club will host IndyClassic near the Indianapolis airport (April 12-13). I will be exhibiting at this show and would love for you to stop by and chat. I’d love to see more CoCo exhibits at this show, but I’ll ensure the platform and the club is represented.

And then, with 2 weeks to rest, it’s time to head to Wheaton for our show. I do hope you’re able to join us in person, as I do think that’s a preferred way to enjoy our show, but if not, I hope you can make it to one of the other shows and/or visit the fest online, as we’ll be streaming as in the past.

Please join us this Thursday. As is standard, We will open the call a bit early at 7PM for some discussion and to help anyone with “technical difficulties”.

To join the Meeting

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Meeting ID: 827 9736 7585
Passcode: GCCC

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Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.
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For those unable to join us on Zoom or have prior commitments, we will livestream and have a replay available on our YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFk2dMxcjJcX2qbSqFHQMbA). Recently, Facebook has made it harder to stream to their platform, but I’ll keep trying to stream to our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/290791956162).

Countdown to the 33rd Annual “Last” CoCoFEST!

I don’t want to steal CoCoFEST! Coordinator Grant Leighty’s thunder as he parepares for our May 2 and 3 Carol Stream, IL event, but as of tonight, we only have 8 tables remaining on the main exhibit hall. If you were on the fence about exhibiting at the show, please head over to tandylist.com now and grab your table(s).

Like the quiet before the storm, things are slowly brewing for our show in May. We’ve purchased our new projector for the presentations, and I hope to get an update on planning for the show this month. As well, if you were able to join us for Tandy Retro Show 2025 in late January, we’d love to hear feedback.

Please join us this Thursday. As is standard, We will open the call a bit early at 7PM for some discussion and to help anyone with “technical difficulties”.

To join the Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82797367585?pwd=OUxibkJaR2N1SUtSOU9EUUlYeXBJQT09

Meeting ID: 827 9736 7585
Passcode: GCCC

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+13126266799,,82797367585#,,,,*686821# (Chicago)

Meeting ID: 827 9736 7585
Passcode: 686821
Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kdIAqFZbZR

Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.
Monthly: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/tZYqfu6rqDwvEtGPAHF62Rhv1v5lakjdaO9W/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGqqTItGdKStRGCRpwQB4r4KOnwpmZYj7d6rD7NJXYBUAvgZ_QXPrN0GtzR

For those unable to join us on Zoom or have prior commitments, we will livestream and have a replay available on our YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFk2dMxcjJcX2qbSqFHQMbA). Recently, Facebook has made it harder to stream to their platform, but I’ll keep trying to stream to our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/290791956162).

Tandy Color Computer in the Year 2025!

July 2025 rings in the TANDY Radio Shack Color Computer 1’s 45th birthday. I doubt the designers thought the CoCo (or any of the TANDY systems) would be still in use in 2025, much less supporting 2 major conventions and a significant presence in a half dozen more expos throughout the year. While I admit 45 is not the milestone that 50 commands, that’s but 5 short years away! In any case, I wonder if there’s a way to have a virtual “cake” across the globe for the CoCo 1 in July. Ideas are welcome.

Just like software or hardware bugs frustrate and delay finishing that next impressive program or project, it seems like a fair number of the seasonal medical “bugs” hit home during November and December. I hope all of you skipped those. In any case, I am behind on updating the Tandy Retro Show 2025 web site and finalizing the schedule. I’ll try to do so this week, so we can enjoy our virtual expo. The good news is that there is still time to send in a presentation idea, but the window will close quickly.

This Thursday, we’ll open the floor for questions on both TRS 2025 and CoCoFEST! 2025, of which table reservations will open on February 1.

Please join us this Thursday. We will open the call a bit early at 7PM for some discussion and to help anyone with “technical difficulties”.

To join the Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82797367585?pwd=OUxibkJaR2N1SUtSOU9EUUlYeXBJQT09

Meeting ID: 827 9736 7585
Passcode: GCCC

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+13126266799,,82797367585#,,,,*686821# (Chicago)

Meeting ID: 827 9736 7585
Passcode: 686821
Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kdIAqFZbZR

Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.
Monthly: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/tZYqfu6rqDwvEtGPAHF62Rhv1v5lakjdaO9W/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGqqTItGdKStRGCRpwQB4r4KOnwpmZYj7d6rD7NJXYBUAvgZ_QXPrN0GtzR

For those unable to join us on Zoom or have prior commitments, we will livestream and have a replay available on our YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFk2dMxcjJcX2qbSqFHQMbA). Recently, Facebook has made it harder to stream to their platform, but I’ll keep trying to stream to our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/290791956162).

Don’t Be a Turkey!

Stop in to our monthly meeting! We’re gearing up for the Tandy Retro Show (TRS-2025) in late January 2025, and I’d love to have folks join and share what they’d like to see (and, obviously, I’m hoping folks hear these ideas and are working on something similar they’d like to present).

I’ll be honest, I’m prepping for having a lazy Thanksgiving, so I am mandating the business meeting be brief and low impact.

Please join us this Thursday. We will open the call a bit early at 7PM for some discussion and to help anyone with “technical difficulties”.

To join the Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82797367585?pwd=OUxibkJaR2N1SUtSOU9EUUlYeXBJQT09

Meeting ID: 827 9736 7585
Passcode: GCCC

One tap mobile

+13126266799,,82797367585#,,,,*686821# (Chicago)

Meeting ID: 827 9736 7585
Passcode: 686821
Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kdIAqFZbZR

Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.
Monthly: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/tZYqfu6rqDwvEtGPAHF62Rhv1v5lakjdaO9W/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGqqTItGdKStRGCRpwQB4r4KOnwpmZYj7d6rD7NJXYBUAvgZ_QXPrN0GtzR

For those unable to join us on Zoom or have prior commitments, we will livestream and have a replay available on our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/290791956162) and our YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFk2dMxcjJcX2qbSqFHQMbA).

Spooky CoCo!

Sometimes, a CoCo is just a CoCo. And, sometimes, it seems possessed. Not only with my 6809-based units, but it seems the gremlins and ghosts inhabit all my machines at times. Glitches, failure to work, random freezing, the list goes on. Yes, most of the time the issue ends up having a reasonable answer and solution, but it takes a lot of time to find it. If you also experience CoCo ghosting, you’re not alone. I hope the only ghosts you see this Halloween are on the front porch or in your favorite film

With the larger holidays approaching, we planning our end of year activities and next year’s fest. On the former, John Mark will share some options for our Fall dinner get-together in Chi-town. I also wanted to point out we still have an open officer position (Treasurer) with nominations still open. Please let us know if you can assist the club in this important effort.

Please join us this Thursday. We will open the call a bit early at 7PM for some discussion and to help anyone with “technical difficulties”.

To join the Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82797367585?pwd=OUxibkJaR2N1SUtSOU9EUUlYeXBJQT09

Meeting ID: 827 9736 7585
Passcode: GCCC

One tap mobile

+13126266799,,82797367585#,,,,*686821# (Chicago)

Meeting ID: 827 9736 7585
Passcode: 686821
Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kdIAqFZbZR

Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.
Monthly: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/tZYqfu6rqDwvEtGPAHF62Rhv1v5lakjdaO9W/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGqqTItGdKStRGCRpwQB4r4KOnwpmZYj7d6rD7NJXYBUAvgZ_QXPrN0GtzR

For those unable to join us on Zoom or have prior commitments, we will livestream and have a replay available on our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/290791956162) and our YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFk2dMxcjJcX2qbSqFHQMbA).

It’s CoCo-rific!

I write this having just returned from the recent Vintage Computer Festival – Midwest, held last weekend in the 50,000 sq ft Renaissance Schaumburg Exploration Room. The Color Computer (and MC-10), along with TRS-80 Models 1,3, and 4 (and 4p), were well represented. Of course, the 50K sq ft included a myriad of other platforms as well, some very common, and some completely esoteric. As usual, it was great to catch up with fellow Glenside members and enjoy each other’s company. If you stopped by my booth this past weekend, thanks for doing so.

As Vice President John Mark Mobley noted earlier, September is officer nomination month, this time for the 2024-25 officer term. As I’ve noted in the past, the positions are not overly strenuous, and we’re always looking for new leadership skills.

Please join us this Thursday. We will open the call a bit early at 7PM for some discussion and to help anyone with “technical difficulties”.

To join the Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82797367585?pwd=OUxibkJaR2N1SUtSOU9EUUlYeXBJQT09

Meeting ID: 827 9736 7585
Passcode: GCCC

One tap mobile

+13126266799,,82797367585#,,,,*686821# (Chicago)

Meeting ID: 827 9736 7585
Passcode: 686821
Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kdIAqFZbZR

Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.
Monthly: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/tZYqfu6rqDwvEtGPAHF62Rhv1v5lakjdaO9W/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGqqTItGdKStRGCRpwQB4r4KOnwpmZYj7d6rD7NJXYBUAvgZ_QXPrN0GtzR

For those unable to join us on Zoom or have prior commitments, we will livestream and have a replay available on our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/290791956162) and our YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFk2dMxcjJcX2qbSqFHQMbA).

Summer is drawing to a close, and with it with start of the Fall/Winter show schedule.

Probably the biggest news in 2024 classic computer events is the expansion of the Vintage Computer Festival – Midwest, or VCF-MW. Obviously, Glenside is proud to see CoCoFEST! grow in the past decade, from the basement at Heron Point in a single room, to taking pretty much every square foot of space at the Carol Stream Holiday Inn. We’re also proud to represent the Tandy Color Computer (and friends) at VCF-MW, which has grown from the same venue (Heron Point) to now holding its 2024 show at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center. The 2024 show will now encompass 50,000 square feet of exhibitor and vendor space, which is roughly 10 times the size of our most recent CoCoFEST!. As with our fest, admission is free, and we hope to see our membership stop by the CoCo Contingent during that weekend. More details are available at vcfmw.org.

At the end of September, Tandy Assembly will kick off in Springfield, OH. The Color Computer and Glenside will be represented, as will many of the other Radio Shack offerings, including the Model I/III/IV and the business-focused Model II/12/16/6000 line. By my calculations, this will be the 7th Tandy Assembly. More details on the show are available at tandyassembly.com.

At this month’s meeting, I’d like to start discussions on holding another virtual color computer festival/show in January 2025. The CoCo Nation (TCN, when CoCoTALK!) held one in 2020 after we were forced to cancel CoCoFEST! that year, and I enjoyed folks sharing their efforts in a low effort/low prep fashion. TCN and GCCC held a followup in 2024, and I’d like to continue the trend in 2025.

Please join us this Thursday. We will open the call a bit early at 7:00PM to chat and address any Zoom connections issues folks might have.

Join the Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82797367585?pwd=OUxibkJaR2N1SUtSOU9EUUlYeXBJQT09

Meeting ID: 827 9736 7585
Passcode: GCCC

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+13126266799,,82797367585#,,,,*686821# (Chicago)

Meeting ID: 827 9736 7585
Passcode: 686821
Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kdIAqFZbZR

Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.
Monthly: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/tZYqfu6rqDwvEtGPAHF62Rhv1v5lakjdaO9W/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGqqTItGdKStRGCRpwQB4r4KOnwpmZYj7d6rD7NJXYBUAvgZ_QXPrN0GtzR

For those unable to join us on Zoom or have prior commitments, we will livestream and have a replay available on our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/290791956162) and our YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFk2dMxcjJcX2qbSqFHQMbA).

With the dust settled a bit, I wanted to extend another thanks to all of our volunteers, speakers, exhibitors, and attendees to CoCoFEST! I’d like to extend a special thanks for CoCoFEST coordintor Grant Leighty for putting on a very successful show.

Though we’re in the thick of Summer, it seems appropriate to gather in our meeting and share what we like (and what we’d like to improve) about the fest. We’re also in a better position to share some show statistics and financials. The main story, though, is that the fest was financially successful and there will indeed be a 33rd Annual Chicago CoCoFEST! With rising venue pricing and such, I know some had concerns, but your support made the decision an easy one.

So, whether you’re poring over your CoCo gaming or writing the next killer app, or you’re kicking back with a cold beverage in a lawn chair on the back deck (or quite anywhere doing almost anything), feel free to drop by this Thursday, we’ll keep things light and mainly just chat about the fest. As always, we’re constantly improving the show and your comments help us know where to focus energy.

Please join us this Thursday. We will open the call a bit early at 7:00PM to chat and address any Zoom connections issues folks might have.

Join the Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82797367585?pwd=OUxibkJaR2N1SUtSOU9EUUlYeXBJQT09

Meeting ID: 827 9736 7585
Passcode: GCCC

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+13126266799,,82797367585#,,,,*686821# (Chicago)

Meeting ID: 827 9736 7585
Passcode: 686821
Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kdIAqFZbZR

Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.
Monthly: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/tZYqfu6rqDwvEtGPAHF62Rhv1v5lakjdaO9W/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGqqTItGdKStRGCRpwQB4r4KOnwpmZYj7d6rD7NJXYBUAvgZ_QXPrN0GtzR

For those unable to join us on Zoom or have prior commitments, we will livestream and have a replay available on our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/290791956162) and our YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFk2dMxcjJcX2qbSqFHQMbA).