MadLibs: 1st Glenside Challenge

Posted on | by Grant Bloedow

Welcome to the first Glenside Color Computing Challenge in 2024! We welcome all people who are interested or new to the platform to consider submitting a Mad Lib entry for the challenge.

The TRS-80 Color Computer, affectionately known as the CoCo has been around since 1979 when it was first announced as a 4K RAM, Motorola 6809 CPU and grew into several variants until its final commercial release of the Color Computer 3 with options up to 512K in its initial release, with a multitasking OS in Microware’s OS-9 and many, many additional options and upgrades from 3rd-Party sellers since.

The rules are simple:

THE PLATFORM
Submissions need to run in a virtual CoCo or in hardware. MS BASIC, BASIC-09, Assembly Language, or another option on the platform. Please submit it so the program/submission can run in a Virtual Environment like XROAR, VCC or CoCoPi/MAME.

Take your own pick on the target platform. This is a general guide of what you might choose (just remember it should be usable via the emulators listed above).
– Color Computer 1, 4K or MC-10, with Color Basic
– Color Computer 2, Extended Color Basic, BASIC09 under OS-9 Level I
– Color Computer 3, Extended Color Basic on the CoCo 3 with additional capabilities.
BASIC09 under OS-9 Level II.

Our goal in this and upcoming challenges is to bring interest to the TRS-80 Color Computers for someone who might already have an interest in other similar 8-bit computing platforms, someone young looking to find a retro-challenge, or anyone who loves the CoCo.

Since this is our first whack at a challenge like this, and based on the feedback and participation we have plans for other future challenges, we may modify the judging (if in person at the CoCoFEST!), the prizes and timelines.

Just an example from the internet of a MadLib and how it is filled out when completed. (source: Medium article 2018)

THE CHALLENGE

Create a MadLib program that allows a user to enter the fields/options for a MadLib style word game to produce a resulting ‘story’.

We ask that any resulting Mablibs be respectful of the community and platform; we are all here to enjoy and have fun, not at the expense of one another. Keep the MadLibs short enough that it isn’t a novel. Plenty of examples can be found online (but a 10-15 word fill-in seems about right).

If you are new to the platform, there are resources to get you up-to-speed in BASIC on the CoCo, and many useful examples of BASIC code at the Color Computer Archive. You can navigate through the Books, Manuals, or other resources there to get you started. Those who knew the computers from the start used the “Getting Started with …” books as a great introduction to BASIC programming and widely touted as the best introduction to BASIC written.

WINNERS will be announced at the 32nd Annual “Last” Chicago CoCoFEST! Submissions are due by April 15, 2024 by 11:59pm. Submit your entries as an email to newsletter@glensideccc.com. Please include a shirt size with your submission if that is the winning prize for your category.

PRIZES may include vintage computing T-Shirt, a Color Computer 2, CoCoSDC (an SD card reader that emulates drives for easy use and loading of software), and more!!! We are waiting to see the initial response to determine what prizes will be available for this first challenge!

Are you ready, player one?!

For this challenge we will have two age groups.

Group 1 is ages 12 and under
Group 2 is for ages 13+

Details on judging and awards will follow…

An example of MadLibs and what can be done is demonstrated with this mobile app and there are printable examples: https://www.madlibs.com/printables/

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Glenside Club Meeting: Thursday February 8, 2023 @ 7:30PM Central

Posted on | by Jim Brain | Leave a Comment on Glenside Club Meeting: Thursday February 8, 2023 @ 7:30PM Central

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).

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February 24/25: 2024 Virtual CoCoFEST!

Posted on | by Jim Brain

At the height of the pandemic, Glenside found it would not be possible to hold our annual CoCoFEST event. We were not alone, with every classic computing event canceled in 2020, with some cancelled yet again in 2021. I know I was disappointed, and I suspect most were. Folks come to our event for many reasons, some for the platform itself while others for the friendships. That year, we all had to be content with virtual visits with friends.

Many GCCC members also view or participate in a weekly video video cast called “The CoCo Nation” (then named CoCoTALK!) and they felt an event of some type should still happen. So, they quickly arranged an unofficial Virtual CoCoFEST! around the time we had originally planned for the actual event. You can view it here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2PgbMjWkDM). Though it was not an officially sanctioned event, I think it helped many who were disappointed a physical event could not be held.

Time marches on, and, even though we had to delay our 2021 fest until later in the year, GCCC restarted our face-to-face events. We held the belated 29th event in November 2021, and will host the 32nd on May 4 and 5 2024. I hope we will see you at CoCoFEST! in Carol Stream, IL!

As someone who works remotely and spends a large portion of their week on virtual teleconferences via Zoom and Microsoft Teams, I empathize with folks who don’t want to spend another second on camera. That said, as someone who presented in a number of virtual 2020 and 2021 events, including the virtual CoCoFEST!, I found value in virtually presenting:

  • As we all found in 2020, it’s not always possible to travel to a physical location. Even though Glenside has returned to physical events, some folks are either too far away, don’t have the means, or physically cannot travel to an event. If they are just an attendee, streams of the show floor and the presentations may suffice, but if they want to present, we’ll miss that opportunity.
  • To address the above issue, some would suggest a virtual presentation at CoCoFEST!. It’s entirely possible, and I believe we’ve done it a few times. However, we feel it best to give preference to in-person presentations, and we often have enough of those to fully fill our speaker schedule.
  • And, speaking of our presentation schedule, there are limitations. By the time you factor in starting the show at a reasonable hour, Saturday and Sunday lunch, our Saturday auction, Saturday dinner, and our need to be out of the venue by 5PM Sunday, there are a limited number of half-hour and hour presentation slots available. Once they are claimed, we’re full.
  • There are some projects that don’t lend themselves well to travel. Do you have your CoCo 3 running your home entertainment system? That’s awesome, but probably not all that portable. Is your MC-10 handling data entry for a home weather system? Maybe that Alice is living a second life handling NC plots for your plasma cutter. Sure, one could take videos or pictures and create a presentation for our flagship event, but there’s nothing cooler than seeing a CoCo or MC-10/Alice in action
  • Some folks need a bit of a “push” after the holidays to resume their project work towards a CoCoFEST! completion. Demonstrating your efforts in January/February while your creation may just be a bunch of breadboards or not yet plug-n-play as a way to motivate you through the home stretch or even to whet CoCoFEST! attendees’ appetites a few months prior to the show can be a compelling argument.
  • Maybe you’re not sure about your ability to present in front of an audience, or maybe you feel your project or demonstration is not as important as others and you don’t hog a spot. I doubt either is true, but maybe a virtual presentation is an easier and safer lift.

For these reasons, I’ve long thought a virtual event in January/February would be a great addition to the yearly event lineup. Thus, Glenside and The CoCo Nation have partnered to hold the 2024 Virtual Fest on February 24/25, 2024. As The CoCo Nation has much more expertise holding video events, they’ll be handling much of the logistics. Mark Overholser (cocotech@thecoconation.com) is accepting presentation requests, and the event will be streamed on The CoCo Nation and the GCCC Youtube and Facebook channels.

For those wondering, GCCC is still holding our in-person event in May, and we’ll stream as much content as we can (last year, we had some Internet bandwidth issues, but we’re working to address those for 2024). This virtual event does not replace our normal yearly one, but I do hope we can drive some virtual value for the Tandy Color Computer community. If you have something you think is of interest, please send a note to Mark, even if you’re unsure if it’s “worthy” or a presentation slot. In fact, I’d go so far to say that this is an ideal time for those smaller and/or simpler presentations. Are you a young enthusiast just getting into the community? Take some time to present on your entrance, or how you’re getting along on finding information about the platform. Do you want to test the waters prior to the May event? This is your chance! There are a host of reasons to take advantage of this virtual event, and I hope folks take us up on the offer.

Above all, I hope the community enjoys this attempt to create something of value for the platform. I know it won’t appeal to everyone, but one size does not fit all, and this may be the best way to reach another part of the community.

I hope to see your on February 24 and February 25!

Jim Brain, 2023-24 Glenside Color Computer Club President

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Glenside Computing Challenges

Posted on | by Grant Bloedow

Welcome to the first of a continuing series of Glenside Challenges. We challenge you to play harder, think smarter, research and learn. Expand your reach in classic 8-bit computing with the TRS-80 Color Computer!

Coming soon to a galaxy near you…

There will be loot! There will be glory!
  • Programming Challenges
  • 4k programming (keep it under 4 kilobytes)
  • Little Man Computer
    (simple assembly language challenge)
  • Create a puzzle/game
  • BASIC Madlib generator
  • Write a new song using Lyra or midi notation (link to Lyra documentation)
    Or UltiMusE III
  • ugbasic – challenge to create an app that works on multiple supported platforms Port your BASIC to another system!

    Choose one of these, do your daring best –
    & submit!
  • Live Triathalon Gaming!
  • Donkey Kong – Remix
  • Double Back
  • Defender
  • Are you ready?
    PLAYER ONE!
  • Graphic Drawing – using a CoCo on-platform and the programs of your choice!

    CoCoMax II, CoCoMax III,
    ColorMax Deluxe,
    Colormax 3, The Rat?
  • Distinct age classes
    12 and under
    13-20 and
    21+

    We want YOU to step up to the 6809 challenges!

    If you don’t have access to a CoCo, use the online XROAR emulator when possible! Or download one to your local computer. Or use the CoCoPi on a RaspberryPi

We have some generous donations that will be used to entice your participation. If you have something you would like to donate we would happily accept. We already have some pretty cool swag!

  • CoCoSDC
  • Color Computer 2
  • CoCoIO
  • PLAYER ONE – T-Shirt
  • And maybe more!
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2024 CoCoFEST!

Posted on | by John Mark Mobley

This is regarding the TRS-80 Color Computer, Tandy Color Computer, MC-10, and clones.

The Glenside Color Computer Club, Inc. is having two CoCoFEST! this year.
2024 Virtual CoCoFEST! Saturday, Feb 24th and Sunday, Feb 25th.
2024 In-Person CoCoFEST! Saturday, May 4th and Sunday, May 5th.
May 4th is Star Wars day because of the saying that goes something like this “May the 4th be with you!”
That is why we are having a Star Wars theme CoCoFEST!

Glenside is not set up to handle a Virtual CoCoFEST! so we have asked the CoCo Nation to do it for us. They moved the date on us because we did not give them enough time to pull it all together.

https://forum.vcfed.org/index.php?threads/2024-virtual-cocofest.1246342/

https://forum.vcfed.org/index.php?forums/events-and-organizations.69/

-John Mark Mobley (Glenside Color Computer Club, Inc. Vice-President)

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CoCoFEST! 32 T-Shirt Design Updates

Posted on | by Jim Brain

Based on feedback, Salvador Garcia has updated his design (twice). First is replacing 32st” with “32nd” and putting some background on some of the text to make it stand out:

Current latest design moved the crawl off the jet to make it easier to read:

Thanks Salvador for the updates. Do *YOU* have an idea for a design? If so, please send it to myself (president@glensideccc.com) or our CoCoFEST! coordinator, Grant Leighty (cocofest@glensideccc.com).

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Another CoCoFEST! 32 T-Shirt Design Option

Posted on | by Jim Brain

Ron Delvaux provided another T-shirt option to consider

Here it is mocked up on a T-shirt:

Again, on behalf of GCCC, thanks for this option to consider. If anyone else has a creative touch, please reach out to myself (president@glensideccc.com) or our CoCoFEST! coordinator, Grant Leighty (cocofest@glensideccc.com).

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The 32nd Annual “Last” Chicago CoCoFEST

Posted on | by Grant Leighty

As we say goodbye to 2023, and we ring in the new year, CoCoFest will be here in a few short months. I’m excited to see what this years CoCoFest will bring. I have already heard that there will be some rare hardware and several new projects that people are working on. Don’t forget that this year’s theme is Star Wars since the fest is on May 4th. I am encouraging all the vendors to decorate their tables in the Star Wars theme.

We have opened the registration for all exhibitors and attendees. We were able to keep the prices the same as last year. We will be selling 8-foot tables for $40 each, and 6-foot tables for $30 each. This year I have increased the maximum number of tables from 2 to 3. If you are thinking about getting a table, please get it now before they are all gone. Tables are going extremely fast this year. This is a good problem to have, and I have already been working with the hotel about setting up additional tables in another room and in the hallway of the hotel. I will be posting updates on the Glenside website, Discord, and the Facebook groups. Since tables are in such high demand, we will not be taking payment for the them at the door this year. The tables MUST be paid in full no later than April 17th. This way we can be sure that all the tables will be used and sit empty.  If you would like to sign up for tables, you can do that at Tandylist.

If you would like to join us for this year’s for CoCoFest, you can. We will be at the same location as last year at the Holiday Inn & Suites Chicago-Carol Stream (Wheaton), in Carol Stream, IL. The cost to attend this year’s fest will be free this year. The hotel has provided us with a block of rooms at a discounted rate. To book a room at the Holiday Inn & Suites Chicago-Carol Stream, you can book your room online by clicking here. You must book before the cutoff date of Midnight Chicago time, April 17, 2024 for the special CoCoFEST! rate of $120 a night plus fees taxes for two queen beds, or a one king bed. There is an option for two rooms suite with a king bed for $135 a night plus taxes. They also have a two-room suite with two queen beds upon request. Please reach out to Grant Leighty if you are interested in this room. To get this rate, you must select any days between and including May 2nd to 5th and enter the CoCoFEST! group rate of GTS. You may alternatively call the Front Desk to book your room at 630-665-3000 and provide them the Group Code of GTS.

We will continue the tradition and will be having a buffet style dinner on Saturday night at the hotel. This year we will be offering a BBQ Buffet.

  • Garden Salad with two dressings
  • Smoked BBQ Brisket, and Pulled Pork with BBQ sauce
  • Baked Bean
  • Macaroni & Cheese
  • Desert

The cost of the Saturday dinner is $45 per person. You can register for the dinner at Tandylist. The dinners must be ordered and paid for no later than April 17, 2024. If you have a special diet need, please send me an email to cocofest@glensideccc.com and we will try to accommodate your needs.

This year’s theme will be Star Wars since the fest is held on May 4th. I encourage everyone to decorate their tables this year, and even wear Star Wars costumes to the show. We will be giving a prize to the best decorated table. Also, we will be selling t-shirts this year on our store website. Salvador has created one design option, and you can see it on the Glenside website. If you have an idea for a t-shirt design, please send it to me at cocofest@glensideccc.com.

One last thing, if you would like to give a presentation at this year’s CoCoFest, please send me an email with your presentation idea and I will get you added to the schedule. Presentations will be limited this year to only Saturday to allow more time for people to attend the booths. Remember that attending the CoCoFest is free this year. If you want to become a member of the Glenside Color Computer Club you can purchase a membership on Tandylist for only $15. If you have any questions, concerns, or ideas, please send me an email at cocofest@glensideccc.com. I hope to see everyone later this year at the 32nd Annual “Last” Chicago CoCoFEST.

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CoCoFEST! 32 T-Shirt Design Option

Posted on | by Jim Brain

Given that this year the fest falls on May 4, Star Wars themed graphics are appropriate to consider. Salvador Garcia has generously shared one fest design option and provided an update.

Salvador provided an update, noting (correctly) that the CoCo units on the fighters were small and hard to recognize.

On behalf of the club, I appreciate Salvador’s creativity. If you have comments, please share, as I know Salvador is interested in feedback. I’m also eager to see if there are other options we should consider. If you have an idea, please send it to myself (president@glensideccc.com) or our CoCoFEST! coordinator, Grant Leighty (cocofest@glensideccc.com).

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Glenside Club Meeting: Thursday January 11, 2023 @ 7:30PM Central

Posted on | by Jim Brain | Leave a Comment on Glenside Club Meeting: Thursday January 11, 2023 @ 7:30PM Central

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).

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