Category: Meeting Notices

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

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).

May the Fourth Be With You!

A few years ago, when we were planning the next few show dates, I saw that there would be a May 4 in 2024, and I was stoked to suggest that date to the club for our 2024 show. I can see some of you rolling your eyes, but the Star Wars Saga and the home computing era in the 1980s have such deep connections. Almost every platform, including the CoCo, offers a multitude of Star Wars themed games, even if they weren’t licensed from LucasFilm. Even catch phrases like “Stay on Target!” and “It’s a Trap” find their way into CoCo games, utilities, apps, and discussions. So, corny though it may be, I am excited about our nod to George Lucas’ space western for our 2024 show.

I don’t anticipate any major concerns at this point, but it’s the calm before the storm as we hold our last meeting before the 32nd Annual CoCoFEST! Tables are in short supply, the hotel is well filled, speakers are cleaning up their presentation materials, and I’m getting ready to print attendance badges. Speaking of which, if you want a nice preprinted badge, my advice is to pre-register on www.tandylist.com in the next week or so. I usually print the badges the Monday of the show (so April 29), and to speed up registration their year, I think we’re going to just hand out a Sharpie and badges with the show graphic and a blank name box for walk-ups. And yes, if you surmise this is attempt to get folks to pre-register to speed the process up, you are not wrong!

Anyway, Grant will give us a late-breaking news fest update at our meeting this month and field any last minute questions folks may have. If possible, we’ll continue our discussions on the club’s capability to finance estate purchases for archival. As well, if you’d like to bring up any other topics, please let me know and I’ll add them to the agenda.

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.

Meeting Agenda

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dUgzT9pTs36P4xS2cHwlOjUehP8vKDIA/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=115546368758315252280&rtpof=true&sd=true

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).

Countdown to CoCoFEST!

The main room is booked solid, tables in the overflow room and the hallway are going fast. I am excited for our upcoming fest, and I hope you are as well. I hope everyone looking for a room is able to secure one, and that your project and/or presentation preparations are going well!

And, the CoCo is not the only platform getting more love these days. Many of you are probably aware the Vintage Computer Festival Midwest, also held in the Chicago area, is moving to a larger venue. For those who visited the 2023 event and saw the packed 12,000 sq ft main VCF-MW hall, prepare for the almost 38,000 sq ft event in the Fall 2024! GCCC will have a booth at this show as well.

I would like to take a moment to thank Mark Overholser and our presenters at the 2024 Early Virtual Fest held on February 24th and 25th, 2024. I hope you were able to catch one or more of the presentations. There’s interest in planning another for early 2025, and Mark suggests we start preparations in October to give people plenty of head up

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.

Meeting Agenda

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dC_KPgpCL6wNR1DZot-QXdLAhCH3zNoa/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=115546368758315252280&rtpof=true&sd=true

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).

Whole Lotta CoCo Love!

If the rising prices on eBay CoCos and peripherals are any indication, there’s more interest than ever in the platform (all of them, really). I hope you acquired or received some new hardware or software for your system recently. If not, as they say, “there’s still time”.

Since we’ve moved meetings to the second Thursday of the month, it’s time again for our monthly meeting. This month, we’ll be continuing our discussion about the club setting aside funds to procure items of significance for preservation or archival. If you have any questions or comments, join us and share.

I don’t want to steal our CoCoFEST! coordinator’s thunder, but we’ve added some more tables to accommodate the demand. If you have yet to secure one, don’t wait until it’s too late!

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.

Meeting Agenda

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1d5MnEmvoh0vMfl_9s-vt8srvixIi8Ks_/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=115546368758315252280&rtpof=true&sd=true

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).

Welcome to CoCo 2024!

I hope everyone had a very CoCo-riffic holiday season and is excited for what this new year has in store. I can’t wait to see what new games, utilities, releases of NitrOS9, videos, podcasts, blog postings, and hardware comes our way this year!

I know it seems like I am sending this note out late (again… about this month’s meeting, but I’m actually early. In December, attendees voted to move the meeting to the second Thursday of the month, which is January 11, to hopefully avoid some conflicts. I hope this new date allows each of you more flexibility to join.

With the new year, we’re ramping up planning for the May 4/5 2024 CoCoFEST! Our fearless coordinator, Grant Leighty has negotiated our space in the Carol Stream Holiday Inn and will be shortly sending details about registration and speakers. As always, we invite suggestions on how best to support all those who physically or virtually attend, exhibit, and/or present. For those attending virtually and those considering streaming from the show, we know Internet bandwidth was lacking last year and we will be addressing that for 2024.

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.

Meeting Agenda

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cjZk_4wcBdeCeKMqBFhOaTk_lQTsUL4F/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=115546368758315252280&rtpof=true&sd=true

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).

Have a Happy CoCo Holiday!

With the season in full swing, treat yourself to that long awaited CoCo hardware upgrade or software title. If nothing else, think of the looks on your family’s faces when you open a vintage Tandy Color Computer 1 box wrapped (carefully, so as to not mess up the original packaging) and under the tree.

Please join us for our December meeting and ring out the year 2023, a great CoCo year! We’ll be considering the results of the meeting date/time poll (please cast your vote if you have not already), but otherwise have a light agenda. I hope we can take some time during or after the meeting for members to take a few moments and point their cameras to their current CoCo setup (big or small, real or virtual).

Please join us this Thursday. Since we have a belated board meeting that will be held immediately prior to our business meeting, we will be opening the call just a bit before 7:30PM.

Meeting Agenda

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cZ-W0ckW_vDBfEx6Kf1XOp3fyhtI87VO/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=115546368758315252280&rtpof=true&sd=true

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).

CoCo Thankfulness

The temperature is falling, but if you’re not into the colder weather, turn that frown upside down! Instead of turning up the heat in your home, just turn on your CoCo! That heavy transformer and linear power supply will keep your room nice and toasty. Play a game, run some OS9, or just stare at the green, your CoCo will keep you warm and keen.

Please join us for our November meeting and show your thanks for the platform and for GCCC (and CoCoFEST!) Also, another thanks to our 2022-23 officers who were nominated unopposed for another year and will be officially instituted at our meeting.

Please join us this Thursday. We will open the call a bit early at a new time: 7:00PM.

Meeting Agenda

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cTcH_m3PmSyme_zrHYmVVAfviyOFtAsn/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=115546368758315252280&rtpof=true&sd=true

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).

CoCo Trick AND Treat Time!

Don’t let the spooky technical details of your CoCo keep you from enjoying it this Halloween season. There’s plenty of tricks still yet to explore on the platform, and finding them will be a treat!

As we bid “SepTANDY” a fond farewell, I’d like to thank those who attended our September Glenside Outing in West Dundee last month. Please join us at the October meeting and let us know how it went and what we should consider for 2024! Also, another thanks to our 2022-23 officers who were nominated unopposed for another year and will be officially instituted at our meeting.

Please join us this Thursday. We will open the call a bit early at a new time: 7:00PM.

Meeting Agenda: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cELxnVxgoLq39h2ADpb0Z_JSLW-HAE8V/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=115546368758315252280&rtpof=true&sd=true

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 Fall Show Time!

Fellow CoCoFEST!-ers in or around the Chicago area will be once again congregating in the area on September 9-10 for the Vintage Computer Festival – Midwest, one of the larger VCF Fests in the US. If you’re near (or even if not), consider stopping out and seeing all the exhibits! From the looks of the table reservations, CoCo is well represented.

Before the VCF-MW party starts, though, consider joining our September meeting this Thursday. It’s once again time to nominate officers for the 2023-24 term. 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 a new time: 7:00PM.

Meeting Agenda: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1c5bIOY39sddjrFQFWSYX7zfnBI14aYn3/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=115546368758315252280&rtpof=true&sd=true

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).