What's new Pussycat too?

Tell me about the cold / flu, I have it here, and it's like a cold on steroids, I'm murdering bog rolls as we speak. Glad you are feeling better Richie, if you are back tinkering then that is a good sign

 

Jag-Wahr (there is still an "R" pronounced at the end) would be closer to the way we say it actually. As far as correct pronunciation, I say when in Rome...so if it were English, then Jag-U-R, if American, then Jag-Wahr. But the Jaguar was designed in the UK and built in the US, so in this case it's correct to say it either way.

Now, technically, being an English minor in college, knowing old, middle, classic and modern English, I do agree that proper English pronunciation and spelling originate in England.

As to my Jaguar system, thanks for the compliment, and I have pondered selling it all over the last few years, since my collection could fetch around $3,000 or more. But I also know I'd be missing my Jaguar collection, and I know once that money is spent, I couldn't afford to ever buy it back again for such prices, and even if I did have the money to buy it all again.

So I'll leave it all to someone as an inheritance after I'm gone and they can sell it all for probably about $20,000 (counting all my electronic & media stuff, not just Jaguar), by today's prices and probably much more if I manage to live another decade or two. I would only ever need the money myself (aside from emergencies) if the economy completely collapses, and ironically due to that collapse, no one will be able to afford or care about such stuff, and it would essentially all become worthless at that point anyway...

I'm too logical to spend comparatively astronomical prices for essentially frivolous entertainments as well. That's also why I buy and restore "junk" the majority of the time, instead of paying top dollar for the stuff in good condition to start with. So it isn't getting sold unless it's for financial survival.

The same applies to most of my vintage electronics at this point and I'd rather have my vintage stuff than selling it all off and replacing with modern crap. I've already sold too many of my prized electronic toys before and re-acquired them again to know the cycle all too well, but before prices weren't as insane and I could. If I let them go now, I know I won't ever see them again as I won't ever pay what they all sell for these days and I suspect prices only to increase.

 

Great to hear that you're back in the world of the living, buddy.
Excellent - the MSX upgrade sounds gReat too and you've other (COCO) stuff also waiting in the wings.
No matter you aint got a Jag or Falcon at the mo, mate - a Fiat or a budgie will do for now! (sad attempt at dad joke humour there - apols).
Hey, Matt, I finally got into MAN DOWN - it's hilarious though I am saddened that I've now reached the point where the protagonist's dad (Rick Mayall) is no longer in it... as he's passed away obviously in real life), but it's still a howler for me whenever I stick it on.
Keep smilin n chucklin, you fellas - laughter is the best medicine - you knows it.

 

Just one little question Richie, does your PS5 have a blu ray drive in it or is it the bare digital version. If it has the Blu ray then I'm up for creating a deal out of some gear, if not, then it's no good for me as I'll have a PS4 and a PS5 where the PS5 can play the PS4 games so I could sell the PS4.

Speak to you as and when..

 

Yes, I was saddened at that point in the show too, and that's the way I found out that Mayall had died. Brilliant comedian lost there...as you say, still a good show after Mayall, but I did find I really missed the practical jokes protagonist's dad pulled on him constantly.

My all-time favorite quote/line in the show is when he tells his mum "your brain is folding in on itself!" I was rofl at that one!

What was the name of that fantastic show Mayall was in during the late 70's and early 80's? The one where they all die in a bus crash over the cliff in the series conclusion? Mayall was brilliant and so was the show...Oh, 'The Wild Ones,' correct?

 

Sadly my PS5 is the digital model @Paul "Mclaneinc" Irvine. It was the only one available at the time.

 

No probs Richie, yes they were tight on the ground back then. Probably for the best, I have enough trouble playing what I have, let alone adding to it.

Keep safe and well...

 

Absolutely agree with you 300%, Matt.

The ground-breaking Beeb ealy 80s anarchistic students-living in a hellhole alternative comedy show with Rik, Neil Planer, Ade Edmondson (and whoever played Mike - the cool smart guy - can never remember that actor's name) was very very nearly "The Wild Ones" but was actually The Young Ones! So close, I'll give you that Matt!

Yeah, god bless Rik - it must be a riot of laughs and insane practical jokes up there every bloody day!!



Mike , P(Rick), Vyvyan Basterd and Neil the bloody hippy!



Best scene ever, Baby I don't wanna live forever!!

 

I just laughed at the way he used to park his old white Merc across two bays of the disabled zones in Chiswick Sainsburys. Did it almost every time that I was there..Cindy met him, I was always on my way out when he turned up.. Sad loss to the comedy world..

 

Wasn't a Young Ones fan but really loved him in The New Statesman Mind you, the Right Honorable Alan B'Stard wouildn't be able to hold a candle to todays politicians and the antics they get up to!

 

Finally able to post some photos of my latest bits and bobs.

First up we have the Atari 2600+. It's a lovely little recreation although still needs quite a bit of work done on the 7800 and Pal compatibility front. It feels great though and looks awesome under the 'big' TV in the living room. There's somehting about the physical process of inserting a cartridge and flicking switches to start a game that just hits all the right notes in this retro gamer. Another nice touch is the light up fuji logo on the front of the console



Talking of cartridges, I've been having some fun hunting down games to play as well. There's been quite a bit of rubbing alcohol needed to get used to clean the edge contacts but most have only cost me £3 or £4. My favourite title so far is Warlords, a game I never really played until Atari 50th on the XBox. It feels so good with a paddle controller and I'd love to get a four player game going at some point. Next thing to do is hunt down manuals and maybe even boxes for the games that weren't complete.



While I was at a retro seller in Glasgow he had an 800XL for sale so I asked if he had any other Atari bits. Ended up striking a deal for a boxed with new belts 1010 data recorder. Told him I'd take it without any guarantee and closed the deal at £10. It's in excellent condition so is now sitting next to my 1050 drive and 1027 printer. Really happy with such a good deal.



And finally..... two extra photo's. First is my display of some Atari curio's and tin retro signs and the final one is my little Vic20/C64/Amiga setup.




I'm visiting the Barras and some Christmas fairs with my daughter tomorrow so you never know, might even end up with more show and tell before the weekend is out.

 

Some uber smooth, cool and yule-friendly Atari console goodness going on there, Al.

Lovely post - some quality goods and like you say, the wonder and joy is still there for us all to behold that these venerable veteran systems still boot in such a pleasing way and bring the good times back in an instant - bloody brilliant, mate - big telly n'all!

Really pleased you negotiated a rare old deal on the 1010 too - excellent method.

Mate, the Atari 2600 carts you are still seeking destructions/boxes for.... run us a wee list and I'll keep me feelers out for ya, fella. (I can see you've got the Battlezone instructions - do you need all the others pictured?)

Super Atari wall display of tin signs etc (and a dodgy Baz Retro Xmas card by the looks of things!) and also your CBM-64, mini Amoeba and VIC-20 area is also very pleasing to behold too, buddy. (Speccy mousemat photobombing the proceedings too!)

PS. Really enjoying Shetland on iPlayer with Bev at the mo - not a patch on Alan B'stard in terms of fiendishness, the temp-DI Tosh "whats-her-name", but gripping drama all the same!

Have a great further sweep of Glasgow micro fairs coming up soon, with yer daughter, Al.

It's all mighty retro micro good stuff.

 

Yeah, nice stuff there, the new Retro Gamer has a 2600 spread. Enjoy the fairs with your daughter, make sure she gets a look in

I know what you canny Scots are like when looking for a bargain

Nice to hear everyone having a decent time, Matt with his superb creations, Andy with his gear, Al with all his treasures. Richies feeling better so that's good. Best wishes from my lot to all the folk on here, my your Xmas be the best

Most of all, stay safe, there's some weird and not so wonderful flu variants going around and the old weather is freaky. As we start to age, none of this is great for us..

Keep warm, keep cheery

Paul, Cindy, Serena and Felix..

 

Bloody marvellous, Paul - cheers, and here, here.
Our lot are all run through with coughs, colds, covid n lurgies - incl me mam, step-mam, mum in law, sister in law and an aunt n uncle (aunt so blocked up she can't hear anymore... pardon).
It aint great and I've had a limp of late which when Bev had a quick skeg at me right achilles last night, she says I've bloody gone and ruptured it - no wonder it didn't feel reet these past few weeks and one of the top reasons for this occurrence is, apparently, "old age".... sheesh - as you point out, Paul, thank god Richie's getting better and Al's on a retail therapy sweep cos the rest of us are dropping to bloody bits.
If it aint 4 new tyres it's a worry over the "spare" tyre appearing around our midriffs!
As Paul says, all the very best as we approach the Chrimbo madness and Bev and I also hope everyone keeps warm, well, safe and out of harm's/illness' way - it's no fun feeling like shite.
Finally, I apologise in advance for the outbreak in rank retro card crap heading your way soon - the 1st victims of this may well be the likes of Manu, Matt, Daz and other folks abroad as their packets are due out end of next week with the rest of the "homies" getting theirs the week after.... like I say, you have been warned so board up yer letterboxes and some of you may even move out of your lodgings to avoid the serial annual christmas card abuse you receive from this part of the micro retro empire

 

I can't complain, new mini PC, 2TB SSD and the first 3 John Wick films on blu ray from Music Magpie (well cheap). Yeah, the whole country is suffering this awful flu crap, almost took a test because I wasn't sure if I could taste but false alarm. Sorry about the limp, but at least you have expert help right there, no A&E for you.

The biting cold isn't helping along with the strong winds down here. Whips across the face and feels like you are being cut with a cold knife. Ney fun but if you can, keep warm and maybe have one mince pie too many with a bit of Brandy cream (if there's any actually to buy!).

Paul..

 

Everyone seems to be getting hit with these bugs at the moment, stay safe as best you can fellas.
Andy, that achilles sounds painful Think you might need to lay off the Iron man training and cycle touring for a few months!

Didn't turn up any new retro stuff today but had some proper quality time with my daughter and a good meander round the Barras and Christmas markets. Thoroughly enjoyed it and we had a good laugh. Poor wee soul is now looking at a manic month in work (jewellery retailer).

 

So nice you had quality time with your daughter Al, I'm a big old softie and love all the time with my daughter. Good on you and best of luck to her on this retail madness month...

Poor Andy, he's going to have to hire an Uber for his chip suppers now. Send him down a deep-fried Mars bar and tell him to man up Al

 

No problem here, Baz - waiting for your XMas card is part of the Holidays tradition now.

 

Daz, waiting for a picture of a semi naked man hiding in an Xmas tree or whatever is on this one should not be a tradition

Or then again, if that's hat floats your boat

Happy Xmas to you and yours, happy holidays and a prosperous new year (hopefully) (This goes to you and everyone on here)

 

Ahahahah, Paul - definitely not! I don't think that Andy's silhouette will make a good impression. Not for my tastes.

But if I receive such a picture, I'd like to reciprocate by taking a picture of a semi-naked man hiding behind a XMas tree. But that would require a XMas tree in the apartment, which is not the case - will Andy settle for a picture without a XMas tree? ;-) I'm kidding, this is absolutely not recommended for his and your sensitivity...

I also wish you and everyone here a very special time during the XMas holidays. Most of all, I wish you a lot of serenity for all the year to come. God knows we all need a break after all these years of confusion and pain.

 

Here, here, Dave/Daz/Alex!

The last year has shown just how much more misery man can hand on to man - wherever you look on the news all you get is death, terror, wars and pictures of politicians takin the piss - we've all had enough, so why not get out that ol funny muscle/man boobs and yer turkey giblets and wave them around a bit so as to dust off the snow, cobwebs and show the retro world that we need to look on the bright (and bizarre) side of life.

As our Good Lord J.C. (John Cleese) observed when getting pished and listening to Eric Idle at the 1976 Monty Python Christmas Party:

Life's a piece of shit (hoo-hoo)
When you look at it (hoo-hoo)
Life's a laugh and death's a joke, it's true (hoo-hoo-hoo)
You'll see it's all a show (hoo-hoo)
Keep 'em laughin' as you go (hoo-hoo)
Just remember that the last laugh is on you (hoo-hoo-hoo)
And
Always look on the bright side of life
Always look on the right side of life



Enuff said.

Get yer joystick out this Chrimbotide but note that Atari Owner WILL NOT be held responsible for any arrests, seizures or rigor mortis setting in during these procedures - amen.

 

I endorse your every word, dear Baz. And thank you very much for the video contribution, now I know what to send to my loved ones and acquaintances as a digital wish for happy holidays.

Speaking of joysticks and old 8-bit computers, do any of you here have a Commodore 64 NTSC version, perhaps @M.D.Baker? I would need someone with a real C64 NTSC or even a DREAN system (from Australia) to try out a demo that a friend of mine recently programmed as a tribute to a famous Italian actor who passed away a few years ago.

If any of you can help me, I would be very grateful. Here is the demo to be tested on NTSC and DREAN systems.

https://csdb.dk/release/index.php?id=237321

 

I tried it on Vice as an NTSC machine, no issues, bar a little flicker in the bottom bar raster splits.

Good old Bud Spencer, and Terence Hill...Not their real names but a great pairing and very funny...

 

Thank you, Paul. I had tested the demo on VICE NTSC too, and on Hoxs64 and Micro64 and a couple of other emulators that promise to be cycle-exact but the real, physical C64 might as well show a little different behaviour. So that's because I'm looking for an original NTSC breadbin to run the demo.

FYI, the demo runs smoothly and without glitches on my PAL C64.

 

I figured you would have tried emulators and yes, real hardware will maybe play differently, I've even seen differences with some programs between emulators that are all pretty equal. Chances are that unless it was coded to check the system display and adjust timings, that it may have tiny raster split jerks..Hardly a thing to worry about, as long as it scrolls ok and isn't losing any screen content, then it's good to go..