tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45888050641323822092024-03-05T11:33:03.105-08:00Musings of an Oxonian GeekAlex Arishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09495415061897599638noreply@blogger.comBlogger77125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4588805064132382209.post-42544296512641145132023-05-26T23:38:00.000-07:002023-05-26T23:38:05.439-07:00It's a Pixel 'Burst' Jump!<p style="text-align: justify;">I had to look back through my Twitter feed to find out when I first tweeted about 'Pixel Jump'. It was January 8th 2023! The game project began with the <a href="https://www.specnext.com/" target="_blank">ZX Spectrum Next</a> and was intended to be coded in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BASIC" target="_blank">BASIC</a> only with the hope to try and do a <a href="https://mega65.org/" target="_blank">MEGA65</a> version. Well, successful progress, for the most part, lead to a PC version, dubbed 'Pixel Burst' in being fast and challenging.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfgVGdUSgkucCVM1cM_a56HU3kdA6tzj76DlWGyZAgUS7flGZFVk7IBKXHH4X0EBNTis4zuB5XSCm6sjim2uZuWv3W3cpgXshfH3WMqEIpMFP71WrZveJ_uReYzNJwBDvPmovsKyp1Kf4EuQQWJyg3V2JrwVfy-bdzQvpzELd2Hx6EYkpabXzndrlYSA/s960/Multi%20-%20Title%20Screen.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="256" data-original-width="960" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfgVGdUSgkucCVM1cM_a56HU3kdA6tzj76DlWGyZAgUS7flGZFVk7IBKXHH4X0EBNTis4zuB5XSCm6sjim2uZuWv3W3cpgXshfH3WMqEIpMFP71WrZveJ_uReYzNJwBDvPmovsKyp1Kf4EuQQWJyg3V2JrwVfy-bdzQvpzELd2Hx6EYkpabXzndrlYSA/w640-h170/Multi%20-%20Title%20Screen.png" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">Each version of the game brought its own set of challenges. I was expecting a few hurdles along the way and as it currently stands the <a href="https://mega65.org/" target="_blank">MEGA65</a> still has a couple of issues to resolve.</span></p><p><b>ZX Spectrum Next</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The concept of Pixel Jump originally started here and with only a limit of 8 moving sprites in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BASIC" target="_blank">BASIC</a> ( more in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machine_code" target="_blank">Machine Code</a>) to hold me back. Not that was much of a problem, as you can actually have more sprites, 128 in total on the screen acting as background scenery or something that will involve the player to interact with or collide into. Remembering to take into account that more than 8 moving in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BASIC" target="_blank">BASIC</a> can be quite slow.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">All of the platforms where the player jumps onto and from, are all sprites. A total of 7 are used and then the X expand command comes to the rescue to stretch out the sprites horizontally. The rest of the background uses a bitmap picture to give a little character to the ground part of the platform.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTvipqvL8pcI9viAQ2Hq4mH39iJgP-Rq9_WHWt-GTBSQ9-jg8dYfw92a1w47rMsOXla8d0g_RqBWdWNe49JIyWXB1h2ve0GRYBWp38a0ph4TA9S06gPhfAqSjWo3JkcHGuAJw3SfMNznjxrOs_I2_IYo843ja1tz9WgQqZqWdomA9-LpqgZxm1KIpzJQ/s1238/ZX%20Spectrum%20Next%20-%20Ingame.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="991" data-original-width="1238" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTvipqvL8pcI9viAQ2Hq4mH39iJgP-Rq9_WHWt-GTBSQ9-jg8dYfw92a1w47rMsOXla8d0g_RqBWdWNe49JIyWXB1h2ve0GRYBWp38a0ph4TA9S06gPhfAqSjWo3JkcHGuAJw3SfMNznjxrOs_I2_IYo843ja1tz9WgQqZqWdomA9-LpqgZxm1KIpzJQ/w640-h512/ZX%20Spectrum%20Next%20-%20Ingame.png" width="640" /></a></div><p>Collision detection is used between the player and platform sprite with an offset : </p><p>e.g. <b>SPRITE OVER</b> (35,34,<span style="color: red;"><b>2</b></span>,<span style="color: red;"><b>0</b></span>): ; <b>Player Collision First Platform</b></p><p><b>SPRITE OVER</b> (PLAYER SPRITE, PLATFORM SPRITE, OFFSET X, OFFSET Y)</p><p>By adjusting the offset you can fine-tune the tolerance.</p><p>This was also used when setting up the collision detection between the Gems, Spikes and Dead Red Pixel.</p><p><b>Challenges</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The only problem I encountered during coding was trying to allow for a keypress to move and jump at the same time and stop double or continual jumping. Eventually, I decided to just have Joystick control only which solved the problem. However, I understand that <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BASIC" target="_blank">BASIC</a> doesn't really allow for simultaneous key presses such as moving left, or right with a jump. The only way would be to do would be in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machine_code" target="_blank">Machine Code</a>.</p><p><b>MEGA65</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Before I started working on the <a href="https://mega65.org/" target="_blank">MEGA65</a> version, I knew I would have to do things differently. Even though BASIC65 is really great to use, there is still the limitation of 8 sprites and only that. So, in knowing this I didn't have the luxury of using sprites as platforms. In fact, it's just the following :</p><p>Sprite (1) Player, Sprite (2) Dead Red Pixel, Sprites (3-6) Gems = 8 Total</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ8x2JH-M_xfbhDCNZJresb8psQYdtnMFtcRXRPxdejHUbg7cLwkYwyhFBaMNS-L-1dRJfLAgePaXqSA1r09V_N_VsGOYJxuy7yn1x17exer-E777pgSMJqxDfSixcmujoMPG31w1R7ZtoPmxMyfT_LsjTmBvuCZV4p8Mroe13LWKuPZTyrB9itYkk7Q/s881/MEGA65%20-%20Ingame.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="881" height="525" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ8x2JH-M_xfbhDCNZJresb8psQYdtnMFtcRXRPxdejHUbg7cLwkYwyhFBaMNS-L-1dRJfLAgePaXqSA1r09V_N_VsGOYJxuy7yn1x17exer-E777pgSMJqxDfSixcmujoMPG31w1R7ZtoPmxMyfT_LsjTmBvuCZV4p8Mroe13LWKuPZTyrB9itYkk7Q/w640-h525/MEGA65%20-%20Ingame.png" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">A lot of the code is almost a direct port from the <a href="https://www.specnext.com/" target="_blank">ZX Spectrum Next</a> version, apart from the obvious commands colour, sound and sprites. The typical IF, NEXT, GOSUB and GOTO were pretty easy to change or tweak.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">Most of the title and in-game background use PETSCII graphics which in this case works wonders when coding in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BASIC" target="_blank">BASIC</a>. There was also the added bonus of being able to use the <a href="https://www.ajordison.co.uk/" target="_blank">CBM PRG Studio</a> by Arthur Jordison to enhance the code experience which compiles and runs a project in <a href="https://github.lgb.hu/xemu/" target="_blank">Xemu</a> <a href="https://mega65.org/" target="_blank">MEGA65</a> mode. I can imagine how it was years ago without such tools and even though I'd only every program in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BASIC" target="_blank">BASIC</a> a couple of times on the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_64" target="_blank">Commodore 64</a>, the experience will always be remembered. And most fondly!</p><p><b>Challenges</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">As it stands I've encountered a problem when trying to code a routine to make the player jump on and off each platform. I managed to do some pre-checking to fall off each platform, but not successfully. I posted a question asking on the <a href="https://www.forum64.de/index.php?thread/134681-pixel-jump-game-help-needed-with-platform-routine-in-basic/" target="_blank">MEGA65 Homebrew Coding Forum</a> and even asked <a href="https://dansanderson.com/mega65/" target="_blank">Dan Sanderson</a> directly via e-mail. Although, the feedback and suggestions were very helpful my poor brain couldn't quite work it out. It's all to do with working out the X and Y coordinates using everyone's favourite, variables. But knowing which one would be active or not proved a bit too much to muster. I have to admit that playing some platform games is enjoyable, but coding them is a different matter altogether. </p><p style="text-align: justify;">I eventually asked <a href="https://www.pikxells.co.uk/index.html" target="_blank">Paul Kubiszyn</a> who was very kind enough with his time to help me out. Surprisingly, I managed to cobble together a Commodore 64 version to help him for which he added a superb breakdown of the code to simplify the understanding. The code was then translated from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_64" target="_blank">Commodore 64</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BASIC" target="_blank">BASIC</a> to <a href="https://mega65.org/" target="_blank">MEGA65</a> BASIC65 and this worked perfectly. The jumping method would be the same as the <a href="https://www.specnext.com/" target="_blank">ZX Spectrum Next</a> version.</p><p style="text-align: justify;">So, I then progressed to adding some collision detection for when the player collides with a Spike and this worked on the Y, but not on the X coordinate. After spending some time trying to get the code to work, I left this version unfinished. I can't of been very far away from getting the routine running fine. However, there also appears to be a random bug or problem with the Sprite collision detection between the player and Gem sprites. I am not sure if this is due to my coding or where the sprite registers aren't being cleared correctly. I know that using POKE 53278,0 clears the registers on the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_64" target="_blank">Commodore 64</a>, but I am unaware if there is a similar POKE on the <a href="https://mega65.org/" target="_blank">MEGA65</a>. Perhaps the BUMP in BASIC65 command isn't 100% working? I wonder if this is completely different in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machine_code" target="_blank">Machine Code</a>? Probably.</p><p>So, this version of Pixel Jump is unfinished, needs attention and is without sound effects.</p><p><b>PC</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Here we have the champion, notably named Pixel Burst, for its speed and somewhat scattiness in movement which adds to the whole character of the game itself. This version is more feature rich with an added high-score table and bonus scores, plus some great sound effects created with <a href="https://www.bfxr.net/" target="_blank">BFXR</a> and music wonderfully composed by <a href="https://sophie-rose.bandcamp.com/" target="_blank">Sophie Rose</a>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZCupDPB5k0F1LQbf5H4yfHeB7ivWoyHrgdToOqaG2V_tk4YUSqfYNBGAcjyeHfnv-TXooJ-LuQwnFfR3o5ehCwZcX_DB5lZrC6nqKAPqfeA_tfIMTr1Jrg_q1SsqK1wV5YDPWj_b1_VuDm-I3C4lubCwZ0FbyYaOmcIoXjtkqeV-yk_5tscFrA09Bw/s1024/Pixel%20Burst%20-%20Inagme.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZCupDPB5k0F1LQbf5H4yfHeB7ivWoyHrgdToOqaG2V_tk4YUSqfYNBGAcjyeHfnv-TXooJ-LuQwnFfR3o5ehCwZcX_DB5lZrC6nqKAPqfeA_tfIMTr1Jrg_q1SsqK1wV5YDPWj_b1_VuDm-I3C4lubCwZ0FbyYaOmcIoXjtkqeV-yk_5tscFrA09Bw/w640-h480/Pixel%20Burst%20-%20Inagme.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">I wasn't planning to do a version for the PC but found myself compelled to do so, as it had been a while since I created a game project with <a href="https://gamemaker.io/en" target="_blank">GameMaker</a>. I've been coding with <a href="https://gamemaker.io/en" target="_blank">GameMaker</a> since 2004 and have progressively improved over nearly 20 years of using it.</span></div><p style="text-align: justify;">The <a href="https://www.specnext.com/" target="_blank">ZX Spectrum Next</a> and <a href="https://mega65.org/" target="_blank">MEGA65</a> versions of Pixel Jump only have 5 levels with the same screen layout, but the PC version has 10 with a lot more challenging scenarios for the player to encounter. If the race against the timer wasn't enough those Spikes and Dead Red Pixels will certainly make you quicken your pace. Many hours have been spent playing each level and testing for bugs and changes. If you play the game several times, you'll probably complete it within 10 minutes. The clue in playing each level is to work your way up to the top and try to plan and study your movements. In time you will get the hang of each level and end up completing the game!</p><p><b>Challenges</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">You would think that there wouldn't be much to worry about not going to plan with the PC version. Well, two main things did end up with me pulling whatever hair I had left on the top of my head. The first was a mysterious bug that made a sound effect play at a seriously slow speed when the game ended in a 'Game Over' situation. This took a few hours to solve and was a case of having to put an extra delete object command to stop another object with a step command from running. The second problem I encountered was when the player was getting trapped between a moving and static platform. I solved this by putting in an extra check routine to move the player back to the start position of the level and double-checking the mask settings for both the player and platforms. Then, in a rather bizarre fashion, I played each level erratically by jumping and throwing the player around each level to try and replicate the problem, and thankfully the situation now seems to have resolved itself. Fingers crossed!</p><p style="text-align: justify;">I wanted to add a small high-score table for five players and remembered some code that was done by <a href="https://gamemaker.simondonkers.com/example/22" target="_blank">Simon Donkers</a> over 10 years ago. It was originally used with <a href="https://youtu.be/0__ergX6gxo" target="_blank">Elastic Band Warrior</a> in three scripts, Initiate, Draw and Enter. I stopped using it after a while and turned to just using a high-score routine with no name entries. It wasn't until I was near completing the Pixel Burst on PC did I decide to try and use the old routine again. This time I studied it further and basically stripped out bits that I thought weren't needed and tried to simplify the routine. A nice shadow effect was also added with the draw command in <a href="https://gamemaker.io/en" target="_blank">GameMaker</a> :</p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">draw_set_halign(fa_center);</div></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">draw_set_color(c_black);</div></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">draw_set_alpha(0.5);</div></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">draw_text(64+1,64+1,"HELLO WORLD");</div></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">draw_set_alpha(1);</div></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">draw_set_color(c_aqua);</div></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">draw_text(64,64,"HELLO WORLD");</div></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQbKsODkVy32_5w0UBeslTy96L-B8UNpBfUeqRw1X389usmr_c8Ycsn8un088RolDKs5NhEaBlUYAQQQb8esSKE_hcHT2nRZRidbKs9eKLUDMTYu_4LLTB5ROBH7PWoMrUamN5Rs50E401AtAKdYxyg7MZ40Pbxvn6V-LvEk0nV_kUSio_-tgrBXlDQ/s1024/Pixel%20Burst%20Highscore%20Table.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDQbKsODkVy32_5w0UBeslTy96L-B8UNpBfUeqRw1X389usmr_c8Ycsn8un088RolDKs5NhEaBlUYAQQQb8esSKE_hcHT2nRZRidbKs9eKLUDMTYu_4LLTB5ROBH7PWoMrUamN5Rs50E401AtAKdYxyg7MZ40Pbxvn6V-LvEk0nV_kUSio_-tgrBXlDQ/w640-h480/Pixel%20Burst%20Highscore%20Table.png" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;">Not only does it make any text stand out on a background, but it also gives the look of an arcade game from years ago. The routine was used over 10 years ago on <a href="https://youtu.be/fJQAr_nUFpE" target="_blank">Roswell Project</a> when I read an official GameMaker forum post from <a href="https://dailly.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mike Dailly</a> I believe, where he used the draw command to encircle all of some example text to give it an outline. By simply giving it a simple offset, a drop shadow effect is displayed making the visual experience even nicer. The effect is now also documented in the GameMaker <a href="https://manual.yoyogames.com/GameMaker_Language/GML_Reference/Drawing/Colour_And_Alpha/draw_set_alpha.htm" target="_blank">documentation</a> online.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>Conclusion</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Despite the few challenges that arose from doing this pretty epic project, I have surprisingly enjoyed myself. It has taken several months, even though I have only spent a bit of time here and there and thank heavens for coding environments like <a href="https://code.visualstudio.com/" target="_blank">Visual Studio Code</a>, <a href="https://www.ajordison.co.uk/" target="_blank">CBM PRG Studio</a> and of course <a href="https://gamemaker.io/en" target="_blank">GameMaker</a>. It certainly makes any programming task easier to edit and master. We must though respect those that programmed their computers back in the day like the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZX_Spectrum" target="_blank">ZX Spectrum</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_64" target="_blank">Commodore 64</a> even before disk drives became affordable with only a tape being the go-to source for backing up and saving your data.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><b>Source Code</b></p><p style="text-align: justify;">The source code can be downloaded from > <a href="https://gitlab.com/alexarisgames/pixel-jump" target="_blank">here</a> < for Pixel Jump on the <a href="https://www.specnext.com/" target="_blank">ZX Spectrum Next</a> and an unfinished <a href="https://mega65.org/" target="_blank">MEGA65</a> version. The source code for the PC version of Pixel Burst will likely follow in the future, so keep an eye out for this.</p>Alex Arishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09495415061897599638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4588805064132382209.post-23580906087468237212023-04-07T07:44:00.000-07:002023-04-07T07:44:22.429-07:0064 Tape Computing Issue 14 Found?<p>When I completed my research with regard to the <a href="http://musingsofanoxoniangeek.blogspot.com/2022/" target="_blank">64 Tape Computing</a> project, I thought the case would be closed as there didn't seem to be any trace or evidence at the time of Issue 14. That was until I had an email from <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@thechaosengineer/featured" target="_blank">Paul Jones</a> with news about the tape.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivZzSlOx052illkUe4xWx955ZsoJB35GVKghv-hVRa0bzC-pIJjnzqvuJumjIRQgzNzQn0aFMfEmpFAxJxx9aWGmG3NY5EpNODM9lWi9AWyvhzZQRRCZw7wcDi0U7fHusuVrdib7mCew5kSUmZssl6rsZJV0HqjYocJ6pDP4dVER2W0nhkROZHg8FaWg/s700/64%20Tape%20Computing%20No%2014.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="700" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivZzSlOx052illkUe4xWx955ZsoJB35GVKghv-hVRa0bzC-pIJjnzqvuJumjIRQgzNzQn0aFMfEmpFAxJxx9aWGmG3NY5EpNODM9lWi9AWyvhzZQRRCZw7wcDi0U7fHusuVrdib7mCew5kSUmZssl6rsZJV0HqjYocJ6pDP4dVER2W0nhkROZHg8FaWg/w400-h266/64%20Tape%20Computing%20No%2014.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo from <a href="https://retrocollector.org/index.php?page=1&system=1&media=123456789AYZ&publisher=-1&title=64%20tape%20computing&box=-1&region=-1&type=0123&release=10629" target="_blank">Retro Collector</a><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Paul has been preserving tapes for over 10 years and whilst looking at the <a href="https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/gtw64/64-tape-computing-issue-14/" target="_blank">Games That Weren't</a> website and he caught a glimpse of the request via <a href="https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/about/the-team/" target="_blank">Frank Gaskin</a> for help in tracking down the whereabouts of 64 Tape Computing Issue 14.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzWgssn00W3CQcTLYVlgRe2N_yinERIfjXlEZwRw3aV1m-E5tHxaZCeiTOzbDGKwdpkc8QhvXbdBKWwssyBqC1HF626Xzx58PKw_Y7Xidylblsq0i7su53gigO2WkLvzB0Z-sb_gSxz-iR4fPFiELJPRTJa009ggfJDn-aBkiZuglizl36vsdR7FJVLw/s422/64%20Tape%20Computing%20Issue%2014%20Backing.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="128" data-original-width="422" height="121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzWgssn00W3CQcTLYVlgRe2N_yinERIfjXlEZwRw3aV1m-E5tHxaZCeiTOzbDGKwdpkc8QhvXbdBKWwssyBqC1HF626Xzx58PKw_Y7Xidylblsq0i7su53gigO2WkLvzB0Z-sb_gSxz-iR4fPFiELJPRTJa009ggfJDn-aBkiZuglizl36vsdR7FJVLw/w400-h121/64%20Tape%20Computing%20Issue%2014%20Backing.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo from <a href="https://retrocollector.org/index.php?page=1&system=1&media=123456789AYZ&publisher=-1&title=64%20tape%20computing&box=-1&region=-1&type=0123&release=10629" target="_blank">Retro Collector</a></td></tr></tbody></table>I was kindly sent two TAP files to load and check by Paul. The format and content are what you would expect from a 64 Tape Computing Issue.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVfnAxMa3mLk2ZMEzSzeWUY3y2I8cqZ3xxiIeJiAkXW3mYLthVgx32a_rMwDzjRg6yhrwdK0eaVtqVBMU6gLBe8t7gXFllzP3AAXY67JSzY2CMQeMmHj8UyfzFATRtAqqW6X1sH3YX5W52X2vMJsEIFMfEq7bFVtcwBuWUho3VWnAxo3oAjzDkDQw-g/s1152/64%20Tape%20Computing%20No%2014%20-%20Contents.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="1152" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVfnAxMa3mLk2ZMEzSzeWUY3y2I8cqZ3xxiIeJiAkXW3mYLthVgx32a_rMwDzjRg6yhrwdK0eaVtqVBMU6gLBe8t7gXFllzP3AAXY67JSzY2CMQeMmHj8UyfzFATRtAqqW6X1sH3YX5W52X2vMJsEIFMfEq7bFVtcwBuWUho3VWnAxo3oAjzDkDQw-g/w640-h454/64%20Tape%20Computing%20No%2014%20-%20Contents.png" width="640" /></a></div>I was particularly interested in the game 'Theron'. Upon loading you are greeted by some bouncing sprites and then a sprite moving left and right across the title 'Theron' with the music from 'Godfather' playing in the background. After selecting the number of players and level of difficulty the game begins.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbGRFKrgOKXUz_SPEnJjRjKHrMJEeE72NvK9YpsKYaUAQE4eSf7rIM3tc2zQJlGbFGGc76H87wABw1IjO4f2jlaXBiFZFBB0jgj_IeOBQj9LTiuM_mmyWdq62Tk2P76MagZGOU4VW5WfGx2ox04WoVuPsJ8j70qlyjYcTagaLJY4UIKcnXZ5Ec5di_1Q/s1152/Theron%20-%20Title%20Screen.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="1152" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbGRFKrgOKXUz_SPEnJjRjKHrMJEeE72NvK9YpsKYaUAQE4eSf7rIM3tc2zQJlGbFGGc76H87wABw1IjO4f2jlaXBiFZFBB0jgj_IeOBQj9LTiuM_mmyWdq62Tk2P76MagZGOU4VW5WfGx2ox04WoVuPsJ8j70qlyjYcTagaLJY4UIKcnXZ5Ec5di_1Q/w640-h454/Theron%20-%20Title%20Screen.png" width="640" /></a></div>Unfortunately, the background graphics in the main game are corrupted and you can still kind of see the player's sprite and enemies which appear to be fine. I am guessing at this point that the background graphics data file was corrupted before mastering.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD--k5lskmrpA98imAJGkUeNOfxhNd7VNmNQuXAX5pW_5f5z6nHf2KZUMZfFaGQSv5Y6SbE88MDuHE6pK7v0GrFKJzX-Hpn4CM4YHliHCRY3bcxm0oBjA12ARwmW7rEkv5meHBLwuhFjSYoNfbKcZNIA4tB14DFitpej0LDJp0fIPXBZpWOqJlzxpZvw/s1152/Theron%20-%20ingame.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="1152" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD--k5lskmrpA98imAJGkUeNOfxhNd7VNmNQuXAX5pW_5f5z6nHf2KZUMZfFaGQSv5Y6SbE88MDuHE6pK7v0GrFKJzX-Hpn4CM4YHliHCRY3bcxm0oBjA12ARwmW7rEkv5meHBLwuhFjSYoNfbKcZNIA4tB14DFitpej0LDJp0fIPXBZpWOqJlzxpZvw/w640-h454/Theron%20-%20ingame.png" width="640" /></a></div>So after playing blindly through the game and collecting what looked like a box or something, I managed to get to another level. It looks like an underwater-themed one...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ0ziEto9T66jdNuc5sDX6kLd1aN819in20zx8nt5VYPDsSq8eLnF6GR5oBqC-bEgNJWn-qR9v0rQGRohh3igHNILSsLVX0sWC89YqLh1UORSTGiamQpdOmT-ZiLTesxZTMaqYkaSyGiAgKK0gy5F57QYRqTpai38xf-mX1R5E1zIB10n40goo2hDbVQ/s1152/Theron%20-%20Ingame%20-%20Level%202.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="816" data-original-width="1152" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ0ziEto9T66jdNuc5sDX6kLd1aN819in20zx8nt5VYPDsSq8eLnF6GR5oBqC-bEgNJWn-qR9v0rQGRohh3igHNILSsLVX0sWC89YqLh1UORSTGiamQpdOmT-ZiLTesxZTMaqYkaSyGiAgKK0gy5F57QYRqTpai38xf-mX1R5E1zIB10n40goo2hDbVQ/w640-h454/Theron%20-%20Ingame%20-%20Level%202.png" width="640" /></a></div>I, unfortunately, didn't get very far and couldn't get past the red-water serpent as hitting it causes the player to lose a life and there seems to be no way of crawling underneath. I think there may be more levels to play perhaps five?<div><br /></div><div>For the time being the case isn't quite closed until a hopeful and fully working version of 'Theron' is found. I guess the original author of the game, John Wood (JAW) if still around may be interested in this finding as well?</div><div><br /></div><div>A big thank you must go to Paul Jones for this find and it would be interesting if the original cardboard backing exists in some way or form so it can be scanned for the archive. Here's hoping!</div><div><br /></div><div>The 64 Tape Archive has now been updated with 64 Tape Computing Issue 14 and can be downloaded from <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/o88l47dz2npssej/64%20Tape%20Computing.zip?dl=0" target="_blank">HERE</a>!</div>Alex Arishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09495415061897599638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4588805064132382209.post-51909112580655518952022-10-31T23:17:00.000-07:002022-10-31T23:17:02.205-07:0064 Tape Computing Archive Project<p style="text-align: left;">Back in the 1980s on a home computer, the most common recordable media type was a cassette with a data tape deck or floppy disk with a disk drive if you could afford it. It wouldn't be until 1988 that I owned an Evesham Micros Excelerator Plus Floppy Disk Drive with Freeze Frame backup cartridge. So, for then, it was cassette tapes all the way.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9J30WB7cqx6l9gV7gfONol7MIhyOP4oYlRG8IPguvFBXt3l9GQR9TYb55bPJyLu3F31LWiiLDZ2lBP0uKfhOj5cXsPQvrdS1xSgzNWhYs8IRi61dTljYREHmKIDwOrMouyiC0zrJddqIAoOuNkVMIn3gAu7kMjXq--zqvIQNkzndA_wK_WGLHxjkE7g/s1236/64%20Tape%20Computing%20No%202.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="443" data-original-width="1236" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9J30WB7cqx6l9gV7gfONol7MIhyOP4oYlRG8IPguvFBXt3l9GQR9TYb55bPJyLu3F31LWiiLDZ2lBP0uKfhOj5cXsPQvrdS1xSgzNWhYs8IRi61dTljYREHmKIDwOrMouyiC0zrJddqIAoOuNkVMIn3gAu7kMjXq--zqvIQNkzndA_wK_WGLHxjkE7g/w640-h230/64%20Tape%20Computing%20No%202.png" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;">My first encounter with purchasing <a href="https://www.c64-wiki.com/wiki/64_Tape_Computing" target="_blank">64 Tape Computing</a> by British publisher <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argus_Press" target="_blank">Argus Press</a> was when glancing at computing magazines in a newsagent called John Menzies in a part of Oxford. It was either issue 2 or 3 and my mother had given me some money as a reward after completing a sponsored walk at school. She was at a Hairdresser's during this time and I will never forget the smell of hairspray, dyes and other hair products. Luckily, the rear of the shop had a door open, so some cross-ventilation flowed through.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPVzQIxlDxp7UvfppVY1ZnzuVNEBlVjBSLI6L1vRvwErVUjB8fJaeGoxnwyFjrjl3BPWhbKKSpbQnKKcE7kIdqgxP_26rvwbEKm6b9t5lrCiWkGTugL76dSjQ1124wcwdew6OhxIceHbmniIrkXfFULLgn0pmM5Iv9TMweMU95S6FuJ8fgbV6vjHqn5A/s960/64%20Tape%20Computing%20No%201%20Cover.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="960" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPVzQIxlDxp7UvfppVY1ZnzuVNEBlVjBSLI6L1vRvwErVUjB8fJaeGoxnwyFjrjl3BPWhbKKSpbQnKKcE7kIdqgxP_26rvwbEKm6b9t5lrCiWkGTugL76dSjQ1124wcwdew6OhxIceHbmniIrkXfFULLgn0pmM5Iv9TMweMU95S6FuJ8fgbV6vjHqn5A/w640-h454/64%20Tape%20Computing%20No%201%20Cover.png" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQe9i1enLMmRsa_Ghva9RXKfbBvskDHPf8N6-x73Uy_DIrMlqXRX2pnhqPDhMmXFpHdDS5oa7xLOog6GHOCQlR7wNMEfAkr1dg5VaAcdplfWBwmuHwMMfuj-M70wTivKBRw3ypX7Ezz_Fr3v3sc1OBqIJd3x2xV86wdzNxX83aL0xfhdDNy2H4vZLElg/s960/64%20Tape%20Computing%20No%2015%20Cover.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="960" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQe9i1enLMmRsa_Ghva9RXKfbBvskDHPf8N6-x73Uy_DIrMlqXRX2pnhqPDhMmXFpHdDS5oa7xLOog6GHOCQlR7wNMEfAkr1dg5VaAcdplfWBwmuHwMMfuj-M70wTivKBRw3ypX7Ezz_Fr3v3sc1OBqIJd3x2xV86wdzNxX83aL0xfhdDNy2H4vZLElg/w640-h454/64%20Tape%20Computing%20No%2015%20Cover.png" width="640" /></a></div><span style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.c64-wiki.com/wiki/64_Tape_Computing" target="_blank">64 Tape Computing</a> was a bi-monthly tape magazine in 1984 with reviews, games and utilities to suit the most avid user. From August 1985 it became available monthly. There were also some great adventure games, like True Spit. It ran from April 1984 to January 1986 spreading over 15 issues and was priced at GBP 3.99. It was also available on other 8-bit computers notably called Computing, on the Electron, Commodore VIC-20, ZX Spectrum and Amstrad CPC 464 with different content.</div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg08vcSPDr5dwiZFzs-Ug77vBSbjyQ3aNvCVqrM7XJAH7APfJKWDv7n-TUudy6ZO9NctxkBZ9vMf7v8gF-gbILXDd7pRiZU-3yJOqTirGY3QSXKIlYrfhSSkL8-0hT7D6BM1JnkKp6IagvXeK6HSYSVDlhw14KJaILCNK4tWxt8m8byMaFHCk-SZ0Jyvg/s4126/64%20Tape%20Computing%20Tapes%20No%201%20and%20No%2015.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1516" data-original-width="4126" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg08vcSPDr5dwiZFzs-Ug77vBSbjyQ3aNvCVqrM7XJAH7APfJKWDv7n-TUudy6ZO9NctxkBZ9vMf7v8gF-gbILXDd7pRiZU-3yJOqTirGY3QSXKIlYrfhSSkL8-0hT7D6BM1JnkKp6IagvXeK6HSYSVDlhw14KJaILCNK4tWxt8m8byMaFHCk-SZ0Jyvg/w640-h237/64%20Tape%20Computing%20Tapes%20No%201%20and%20No%2015.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">The sudden interest in 64 Tape Computing came about whilst browsing the Retro Games website ( <a href="http://www.retrogames.co.uk">www.retrogames.co.uk</a> ). Issues 1 to 15 were available but not 14. Perhaps this issue was popular or no copies exist for whatever reason. I believe it to be the Christmas issue, so it could have had some interesting software on it. I initially bought issues 2 and 3, then pondered about whether I should purchase the remaining issues and plan an archiving project, so I did progressively.</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrzMH4sL7Wb2xYPAkT8qsfZk-b7shaFpIuRyr8Fmv7BdqVyk-4eplXIssLAQ4AJV3K0pWrEvk67N5B_ewd_lP1Uon3xC7uksj_yVOPYxUXNPCOooaao8bN2eiK9ML-pPqFzGUk83LtRtwtIWoZNMgNzl59i7DgFjSPOshyRKpHRZ9tsrkYYJ3766oIdA/s1895/64%20Tape%20Collage%20(%2035%20%20percent%20).png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1895" data-original-width="722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrzMH4sL7Wb2xYPAkT8qsfZk-b7shaFpIuRyr8Fmv7BdqVyk-4eplXIssLAQ4AJV3K0pWrEvk67N5B_ewd_lP1Uon3xC7uksj_yVOPYxUXNPCOooaao8bN2eiK9ML-pPqFzGUk83LtRtwtIWoZNMgNzl59i7DgFjSPOshyRKpHRZ9tsrkYYJ3766oIdA/s16000/64%20Tape%20Collage%20(%2035%20%20percent%20).png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><b>Problems and Solutions</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;">The main part of this project was to record or sample each available tape into a TAP archive. The process was achieved by using the <a href="https://ultimate64.com/" target="_blank">Ultimate 64</a> where an entire tape could be sampled and then checked with <a href="https://commodore.software/downloads/category/160-tape-related-utilities" target="_blank">TapEx</a>, which was useful for cleaning up each TAP file, when and where necessary. If I was able to I would create a T64 image with the program files in it as well. But this did not work on all the TAP images as there were games and general knowledge programs that had SEQ files in them and for some reason, I couldn't figure out how to transfer them to the T64. So, there are a mix of T64 and TAP files available. The process has had its problems where you are dealing with nearly 40-year-old tapes and one tape header broke, ironically issue 1 and I managed to source two further copies and try to create a T64 file. Hopefully, by the time of reading this, there should be a working TAP file as well. I managed to fix the order of files on issue 13, side 1 where the cover and contents were missing a firework display intro. So, that was nice to see! My copy of issue 7 has its labels incorrectly placed or it was duplicated wrong. Side 1 is in fact side 2 if that makes sense! </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK5E1zREuhUgIAYzbGpfv8p1Ps7ZoLWIFcN7cHzmTIZJUvGopSnm2VyVgawiUy8SXch62gdP9zSYnfK5tz1LuCKj96pcPRbIvIlrNujgrHNrpZmYa2GVbQPHFH0Uo5yf9T3ZWPqunlcyEDFaXMjaCaBloYU6iTcwQ-vVfMovqhOQ9J6CKMeXyu8xIjeg/s3500/64%20Tape%20Computing%20Issues%2001-08%20(%20edit%20).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3500" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK5E1zREuhUgIAYzbGpfv8p1Ps7ZoLWIFcN7cHzmTIZJUvGopSnm2VyVgawiUy8SXch62gdP9zSYnfK5tz1LuCKj96pcPRbIvIlrNujgrHNrpZmYa2GVbQPHFH0Uo5yf9T3ZWPqunlcyEDFaXMjaCaBloYU6iTcwQ-vVfMovqhOQ9J6CKMeXyu8xIjeg/w549-h640/64%20Tape%20Computing%20Issues%2001-08%20(%20edit%20).jpg" width="549" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoSV_Ju77q-f570Gpf93jyW9aPMhvDIFQmT8G41ExjvO1wC-195AyuMJIo_h4Bx-1XHaW5eSrRxbAM0pQ2A3GX7h9ipI1-ekx2LEAT6gn3UKPLVHfgmFKQrKiv7Eb_xYm7HHcRwHICk8S9tIKtCPXiluyClY6aOH3PBgwgr6RerOJzixZvvQnb1f_-Wg/s3500/64%20Tape%20Computing%20Issues%2009-15%20(%20edit%20).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3500" data-original-width="3000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoSV_Ju77q-f570Gpf93jyW9aPMhvDIFQmT8G41ExjvO1wC-195AyuMJIo_h4Bx-1XHaW5eSrRxbAM0pQ2A3GX7h9ipI1-ekx2LEAT6gn3UKPLVHfgmFKQrKiv7Eb_xYm7HHcRwHICk8S9tIKtCPXiluyClY6aOH3PBgwgr6RerOJzixZvvQnb1f_-Wg/w548-h640/64%20Tape%20Computing%20Issues%2009-15%20(%20edit%20).jpg" width="548" /></a></div><p><b>Backing Cards</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">Not only have all the tapes been digitally archived, but each backing card with every issue. Even if most have a fair bit of wear and tear, GIMP or PhotoShop could tidy up any areas that need it.</p><p><b>Bloopers</b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;">Whilst examining and loading each tape there are a few continuity bloopers where a program like 'Wizzo' from issue 9 has another part mentioned and 'Tennis Menace' from issue 5. I am not sure if they were forgotten about or missed or left for inclusion on a future-issued tape. Also, Ellak’s Tomb appears on issue 8 with no mention and is officially on issue 6. But, I did come across a little gem by a music demo from issue 12 (May/June) 1985 by the legendary 'Rob Hubbard'. It's a music mailer demo sent out to attract interest in his work and contains some memorable tunes. An apology for the delay being included on a specific issue appears on the issue 8 cover and contents.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiNdSyZW3w-VCFen8svD2o2QNRV07Hqc3Lf6rYYvAyLXeUfSeYbQLyGK6hXET7xufNXsE4bW5Puxl4j8jgVvrptYgmdxcAq1wwQiAe5Gp3WP4Gup8W3Sygw8hK52zsMP0dVuLV6oou8QcIl57nYCJItNBSSU0W9R_3SLEV1qeCj8CYb7ImQTPI1iWwBA/s768/Music%20Demo%201%20-%20Rob%20Hubbard.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="768" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiNdSyZW3w-VCFen8svD2o2QNRV07Hqc3Lf6rYYvAyLXeUfSeYbQLyGK6hXET7xufNXsE4bW5Puxl4j8jgVvrptYgmdxcAq1wwQiAe5Gp3WP4Gup8W3Sygw8hK52zsMP0dVuLV6oou8QcIl57nYCJItNBSSU0W9R_3SLEV1qeCj8CYb7ImQTPI1iWwBA/w640-h454/Music%20Demo%201%20-%20Rob%20Hubbard.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ90CcKXX1fAggOZI4sTdTHsuLFNoRXIY9xbdZ8fSlUSnRpQ3g826ZINdedf25VgG0_329TRjgIvo6_RIKbEawYLBdSciIGmdAE6ypF7sGji1Xq1JXdwRMH-37tukp7wU4NEFzjFrF-rfYY3BI77glekC55DCk48QLPDnoU2yVlykxlBPzidpGV196xA/s768/Music%20Demo%202%20-%20Rob%20Hubbard.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="544" data-original-width="768" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ90CcKXX1fAggOZI4sTdTHsuLFNoRXIY9xbdZ8fSlUSnRpQ3g826ZINdedf25VgG0_329TRjgIvo6_RIKbEawYLBdSciIGmdAE6ypF7sGji1Xq1JXdwRMH-37tukp7wU4NEFzjFrF-rfYY3BI77glekC55DCk48QLPDnoU2yVlykxlBPzidpGV196xA/w640-h454/Music%20Demo%202%20-%20Rob%20Hubbard.png" width="640" /></a></div><p><b>Games</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">I liked the games, 'Grid Bash' and 'Laser Cycles', plus the arcade-quality 'Transector' and 'Diagon' by Stephen Kellett. Also, two other games featured on 64 Tape Computing '20 Tons' and Milky Weigh' ( 'Milky Way' ) appear on the Commodore 64 games compilation from Argus Press called '30 Games'. It may be worth checking out as some of the Taskset titles are included like, 'Cosmic Convoy', 'Jammin' and 'Super Pipeline'. Plus a rare classic with music by 'Rob Hubbard', 'Up, up and Away'.</p><p><b>Using TAP and T64 images</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">A degree of patience is needed when using the TAP and T64 images, as some of the programs don't like WARP mode on VICE. A few games will only run from a TAP file as these use SEQ files. The Extramon machine code program on issues 1 and 15 can cause a monitor jam on VICE, so it may be advisable to use another emulator or even a real Commodore 64. At the moment I am not sure if there is a workaround. I have supplied a spreadsheet in the archive which is populated with useful information for those that are interested. The archive is currently available <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/o88l47dz2npssej/64%20Tape%20Computing.zip?dl=0" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p><b>Conclusion</b></p><p style="text-align: left;">Was this a worthwhile project? I would say yes! As the experience gained has been valuable if similar archiving possibilities arise. The only problem I could envisage would be obtaining all the elements needed to complete an archive. That's the thrill of not knowing which part or section you'll find but equally as frustrating if you come to a dead end or there is a cost to completing what you've started. Thankfully in this instance, the outcome has been relatively successful and hasn't broken a big budget. Well! The cost of 16KB ZX Spectrum from the 1980s.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz6AmvYOrUQsP144LDi4o8I7j1AYgzGymvAEi_FtE18WVtqWvBaiztQDoxUl5v93RguETKPu3Z9d7JV4lC1trUMdGKZuY78I71AhQh9ku0r_JLXkYy0bxnZnltdwHVRhZdqhCE3D2RokPgBsMzy4Qr0yyYo9tu4fPrYKKaXmAka3G7o9jV6BLxcgStJQ/s1246/Inlay_A.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1246" data-original-width="1191" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz6AmvYOrUQsP144LDi4o8I7j1AYgzGymvAEi_FtE18WVtqWvBaiztQDoxUl5v93RguETKPu3Z9d7JV4lC1trUMdGKZuY78I71AhQh9ku0r_JLXkYy0bxnZnltdwHVRhZdqhCE3D2RokPgBsMzy4Qr0yyYo9tu4fPrYKKaXmAka3G7o9jV6BLxcgStJQ/w612-h640/Inlay_A.png" width="612" /></a></div>Alex Arishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09495415061897599638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4588805064132382209.post-32571670737255994422020-04-10T09:02:00.001-07:002022-11-02T23:37:22.195-07:00The Comeback and Midlife Crisis<div style="text-align: justify;">
It almost seems like an eternity since my last blog post and there certainly has been quite a lot happening during this time. A few weeks after Mrs A ( Mary ) and I had returned from the wonderful 8-Bit Symphony in Hull in June 2019, when she had started to feel ill. After contacting the Doctor who was very concerned at this point, an ambulance was called. Mary phoned me at work and I promptly left to get home as soon as I could. When I got home, there was a small team of paramedics who were talking to a doctor on the phone. It was decided at that point I would take Mary to the <a href="https://www.ouh.nhs.uk/hospitals/jr/default.aspx" target="_blank">Oxford Radcliffe Hospital</a> for further medical tests, as she didn't want to go in an ambulance. We were at the hospital for over 5 hours! 😟</div>
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After further biopsies and tests over the following weeks, Mary was then diagnosed with Stage 1 Endometrial <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cancer" target="_blank">Cancer</a>. This wasn't the news we were expecting and our response was emotional when told by a Doctor and a Macmillian Nurse sat next to him. When you hear or read the word '<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cancer" target="_blank">Cancer</a>' you instantly think of someone dying or death itself. I can fully understand how people feel emotionally and have the fullest empathy towards them, no matter what the type of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cancer" target="_blank">Cancer</a> is. Mary was due to have a hysterectomy but through a negative outweighing a positive, it was decided for a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hormonal_IUDs" target="_blank">Mirena</a> coil to be installed at the <a href="https://www.ouh.nhs.uk/hospitals/churchill/" target="_blank">Oxford Churchill Hospital</a>. This would and currently has, helped stem any further cancerous tissue build up. Still and at the moment, Mary is having biopsies every three months and the coil itself will be replaced every five years. Checkups are essential to check on Mary's health and her well being. I am really worried about her and each day I hope and pray for strength and good health for not only her but for us both. A person's physical and mental health should never be ignored. Life is so very precious! ❤</div>
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<b>GameDev / ProjectDev :: ( Commodore 64 | BASIC / Assembler - PC | Shooter - 16 Degrees )</b><br />
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Game development on <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_64" target="_blank">Commodore 64</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_computer" target="_blank">PC</a> has come to a pause for the moment. I still plan to finish my little game on the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_64" target="_blank">Commodore 64</a> in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BASIC" target="_blank">BASIC</a> and hopefully fully complete 16 Degrees on the PC. I am patiently waiting for Simon Kitson to complete his fabulous drawing and <a href="https://soundcloud.com/infamousuk" target="_blank">Chris 'Infamous' Bailey</a> to finish composing the awesome soundtrack. As we all know life sometimes gets in the way and we just have to try and accommodate time if possible. So, lots of respect to Simon and Chris for being part of this game project. 😊❤</div>
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<b>Midlife Crisis ( The Comeback </b><b> | </b><b>Commodore 64 ) ::</b></div>
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As we entered 2020 I was starting to think about and admittedly 'lusting' over owning a real <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_64" target="_blank">Commodore 64</a> again. 1983 was the year when my love for the 8-Bit machine began when I initially wanted a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZX81" target="_blank">Sinclair ZX81</a> after seeing an advert in a national newspaper. Fate, however, was directing me along another path, after a visit to the nationally known electrical store, Rumbelows with my father. You also have to remember at this point, that my father at the time couldn't afford a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_International" target="_blank">Commodore</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_64_peripherals" target="_blank">C2N Datasette</a> straight away, so all I had from day one was Clowns and Sea Wolf on a cartridge. There weren't any Paddles included either! So, the games were returned. I had to wait a few more weeks before I was able to own a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_64_peripherals" target="_blank">C2N Datasette</a> when one was purchased from Comet electrical store. Between then a neighbour had a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_64_peripherals" target="_blank">C2N Datasette</a> I could borrow because their <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_VIC-20" target="_blank">VIC 20</a> ( VC 20 ) was faulty. And so it began ...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My original Commodore 64 from 1988/89<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I owned the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_64" target="_blank">Commodore 64</a> in the above photo for over five years and used it for many hours each day. Its days were coming to an end when I inevitably moved over to the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amiga" target="_blank">Commodore Amiga</a>, but even when using the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amiga" target="_blank">Amiga</a>, I still had <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emulator" target="_blank">Emulators</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MOS_Technology_6581" target="_blank">SID</a> tunes to remind me of the wonder years of owning my Breadbin <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_64" target="_blank">Commodore 64</a>. Sadly, the Breadbin 64 had developed a fault and a dreaded black screen would occur after powering it on. This could have been one of many problems. More probable that a capacitor had leaked or blown or even the VIC II chip had died!😣 By this time I had given the computer to a college friend and can remember the computer repair shop at the time not knowing how to fix it. So, I guess it was disposed of. Nowadays, most <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_64" target="_blank">Commodore 64</a> computers are repairable unless the motherboard has had its day because of complicated issues. 😮</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Around 2001, there was a rekindling for the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_64" target="_blank">Commodore 64</a> again and thanks to a nice couple of rebates on a British Telecom phone bill, I was able to win some stuff on eBay and Yahoo! Auctions. Yes! Yahoo! had an auction site years ago. I remember being outbid by 50 pence on a 5.25" Disk Notcher. Even my father at the time was bemused by the experience! 😮</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">By this time I was collecting a fair amount of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_64" target="_blank">Commodore 64</a> hardware and software, both on disk and tape. The old family home where I lived in a converted garage really game me the room and scope to put my heart into this retro hobby. </span><span style="font-size: small;">I kept all of this wonderful until 2004 when I gave away and sold almost everything when I moved to get married in the USA. I did return though and this story hasn't ended yet! 😉</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">And so, here we are in 2011. Those tingling feelings have started again and I was raring to go on another retro hardware and software adventure. I think we can lovingly blame <a href="http://www.retrocomputermuseum.co.uk/" target="_blank">Retro Computer Museum</a>, for, after a visit to them, I was hooked and somewhat drooling from the experience. 😋</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVi-w1BS_wFdVM7xUzJ_ww5g2wmnTR7UQpVj0vb7LJYUjdcRqvyEA0xg_knMisAV9ecllFjBrCVHM7rCGA0M69dkX3eprKTyznCjYHEHatopP9sh3JJdPqlHA3GQcR_UpRaAN11LpkPU2o/s1600/199049_10150144235211205_7706787_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="431" data-original-width="720" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVi-w1BS_wFdVM7xUzJ_ww5g2wmnTR7UQpVj0vb7LJYUjdcRqvyEA0xg_knMisAV9ecllFjBrCVHM7rCGA0M69dkX3eprKTyznCjYHEHatopP9sh3JJdPqlHA3GQcR_UpRaAN11LpkPU2o/s640/199049_10150144235211205_7706787_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Would you believe that I won the above, a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_64" target="_blank">Commodore 64</a>, a C2N Datasette, 1541 II Disk Drive and loads of software for about £70? This was waiting for me ironically at home, after a visit to the <a href="http://www.retrocomputermuseum.co.uk/" target="_blank">Retro Computer Museum</a>. Beautifully synchronised if you ask me. 😍😀</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">It didn't stop there, as I started to collect more and more software. I was also determined to try and collect all of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mastertronic" target="_blank">Mastertronic</a> titles on tape. 😉</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj56-V1U2tz_QJsq3Sd5B8YiL1aZNfd9mn4ni8nABeinSvlN6tywZDfDi5b7IkgPzjPWb5XSsWOmm8VVGchXChJKL6CyEQoo2fVwiv-byA6lmbKTTgxsrGXVslAIir7lcSr1OkOUmkyFa88/s1600/193874_10150145106836205_6484604_o.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="958" data-original-width="1600" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj56-V1U2tz_QJsq3Sd5B8YiL1aZNfd9mn4ni8nABeinSvlN6tywZDfDi5b7IkgPzjPWb5XSsWOmm8VVGchXChJKL6CyEQoo2fVwiv-byA6lmbKTTgxsrGXVslAIir7lcSr1OkOUmkyFa88/s640/193874_10150145106836205_6484604_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAcje8EyW91lCw3eGFeWOXWRIuqDeftbxRug0i5hmsIiYaseZ9A3IqSLliAKwYtURpxwQDY-1AZSj_XAu7_xRym0Rh6wUaPxZJVidhnotnolor0RsTaFqZywPodxMlxPeuYIaOGoJbSCkE/s1600/263441_10150223391366205_1610768_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="431" data-original-width="720" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAcje8EyW91lCw3eGFeWOXWRIuqDeftbxRug0i5hmsIiYaseZ9A3IqSLliAKwYtURpxwQDY-1AZSj_XAu7_xRym0Rh6wUaPxZJVidhnotnolor0RsTaFqZywPodxMlxPeuYIaOGoJbSCkE/s640/263441_10150223391366205_1610768_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I had pretty much collected nearly all of the 200+ titles that were needed for the collection until one day and more than likely through ill health at the time. I decided to call it a day and basically sold all of my hardware and software. As I recall, I was suffering from depression at the time and hadn't long been diagnosed with an underactive thyroid ( <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypothyroidism" target="_blank">hypothyroidism</a> ). It is times like this where you have to do what you have to do in order to make things right, however weird it may sound. 😟</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5EVB8ne9vfN8B9xImA6NYTI-mIHkbzGY6vmR2Ur1JWfjq5xyWI5r-1NHQZD6sGly2tIEE4m8NdqEmgI79X7WQNsFbOOjgeGaJaJZeM-9Or-nJ8dFaLUIZGEfhzpLilJ7gDQNlQKlbFS9/s1600/188868_10150107609926205_1000502_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="431" data-original-width="720" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ5EVB8ne9vfN8B9xImA6NYTI-mIHkbzGY6vmR2Ur1JWfjq5xyWI5r-1NHQZD6sGly2tIEE4m8NdqEmgI79X7WQNsFbOOjgeGaJaJZeM-9Or-nJ8dFaLUIZGEfhzpLilJ7gDQNlQKlbFS9/s640/188868_10150107609926205_1000502_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivl4bZ7F1LDQ1178xpYzuKAmiQKdSO35owAh-4cBtuJ3bqQaV-Td6GzfVwoTLxvBNb6VRD9RimPKhM5QcyuLBDHwVFzQc3SWCxdBqwOEC5sfnSkQzG1IKSa6WCNVGqa0Hps07sOxY0edZ6/s1600/205764_10150145025501205_6435967_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="431" data-original-width="720" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivl4bZ7F1LDQ1178xpYzuKAmiQKdSO35owAh-4cBtuJ3bqQaV-Td6GzfVwoTLxvBNb6VRD9RimPKhM5QcyuLBDHwVFzQc3SWCxdBqwOEC5sfnSkQzG1IKSa6WCNVGqa0Hps07sOxY0edZ6/s640/205764_10150145025501205_6435967_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicNihO059iz1DiFPk0LKBcYJqHWuR8ljX96wj9R7r5Znj7xYaY03AF4xVv0lu4UPlCMpG5C0tNNSLLYgaMKGi9C3SP_SzRLd2JmXyx995sJg6tEFiCS24EhLD-uUxMdLcqGLpOt1hwrKaC/s1600/208276_10150145025206205_2170721_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="431" data-original-width="720" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicNihO059iz1DiFPk0LKBcYJqHWuR8ljX96wj9R7r5Znj7xYaY03AF4xVv0lu4UPlCMpG5C0tNNSLLYgaMKGi9C3SP_SzRLd2JmXyx995sJg6tEFiCS24EhLD-uUxMdLcqGLpOt1hwrKaC/s640/208276_10150145025206205_2170721_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The above photos wonderfully document my <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_International" target="_blank">Commodore 64</a> and 128 setups from back then and what a wonderful time I had. What I do regret, well probably not so much of regret is a wish, that all of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_International" target="_blank">Commodore</a> hardware and software that I ever owned from the past could have been stored somewhere safe. So that one day I'd return to the wonder of it! Thinking even back to the 1980s, I owned a lot of stuff and for whatever reason, I never photographed much or any of it. But if I had the photography buzz I have today, I would have photographed like crazy to capture a snapshot of the days that were. 🤗</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">So here we are now, pretty much back up to speed with the current chapter and a return back to the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_International" target="_blank">Commodore 64</a> stable. Once again, eBay has brought me back to my ever faithful and the feelings of what could be described as a 'midlife crisis' desire. It's like a whirlwind romance that never goes away! 🥰</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0xQgZokZunCjZ8_eJA-nE6rhX4-smGU0ObsieZ3ToZtiU33AmttvN4lVXp6CFvk7_L-3925CKAstMohC5DKkhddCkokzZo6Njgswk48Ms7uxObbzbM5UkytA0a7OBrIOIDdp3s58iE-b9/s1600/20200222_203755.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0xQgZokZunCjZ8_eJA-nE6rhX4-smGU0ObsieZ3ToZtiU33AmttvN4lVXp6CFvk7_L-3925CKAstMohC5DKkhddCkokzZo6Njgswk48Ms7uxObbzbM5UkytA0a7OBrIOIDdp3s58iE-b9/s640/20200222_203755.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The above is a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_International" target="_blank">Commodore</a> C64C and C2N Datasette that I won for, quite literally £64 plus postage. I did get a few games and a Lightgun included. Despite a smokey, musky smell, I thought that this was a bargain considering that the price for a lot of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_International" target="_blank">Commodore</a> 64 computers on eBay, in general, were much higher priced. Plus, the fact that this hadn't been tested fully. So, thinking ahead and taking the advice of those in the know, I sent the C64C away to have the capacitors recapped ( replaced ). I also purchased a modern power supply designed and manufactured by <a href="https://www.c64psu.com/" target="_blank">Electroware</a> in Poland. I cleaned up the case and C2N with some great Baking Soda wipes and the plastic sparkled with what I would say has no yellowing to be seen. Result! 😎 </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The plan is now to have a nice scaled back collection with fewer tapes and no physical disks or a floppy disk drive like years before. An </span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_64_disk_/_tape_emulation" target="_blank">SD2IEC</a> SD card reader is the way forward! 🤩</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">If all this wasn't enough, some experimental changes to my current set-up led me to an ultimate conclusion to this already retro computing adventure ...</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My first plan was to try and enhance the picture quality, as there tends to be as what is known as <a href="https://store.retrofixes.com/products/commodore-c64-jailbar-eliminator-lumafix64-kit-restock-in-oct" target="_blank">Jailbars</a>. This is a series of vertical lines that show up more predominantly on <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquid-crystal_display" target="_blank">LCD</a> than <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathode-ray_tube" target="_blank">CRT</a> screens. I don't actually remember it being that bad, but I thought I would proceed and see what could be improved. 🤨</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg56gfi7Ny8zRlt5itQsUYuES5DJy8JtdKVWMSIxvqYeIjeffkA7-7aOtbP9cZQuSaaGc07Vb8xO1WGx3qp4HoDl9M2ecyvYWkabwLHr_bbIyBwbtx9BXvLCgvUkQ2srCjjHKa-GF8UjZt/s1600/20200228_173851.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg56gfi7Ny8zRlt5itQsUYuES5DJy8JtdKVWMSIxvqYeIjeffkA7-7aOtbP9cZQuSaaGc07Vb8xO1WGx3qp4HoDl9M2ecyvYWkabwLHr_bbIyBwbtx9BXvLCgvUkQ2srCjjHKa-GF8UjZt/s640/20200228_173851.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The first part of the plan was to use a piece of hardware called <a href="https://store.retrofixes.com/products/commodore-c64-jailbar-eliminator-lumafix64-kit-restock-in-oct" target="_blank">Lumafix</a>, where the Jailbars could be at least tamed. The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_64" target="_blank">Commodore 64</a> 8565 R2 VIC II chip basically sits on top of the <a href="https://store.retrofixes.com/products/commodore-c64-jailbar-eliminator-lumafix64-kit-restock-in-oct" target="_blank">Lumafix</a> and the frequency of the bars can be adjusted by three screws, top, middle and bottom until the desired gap is reduced and picture quality improved. The above photo shows the </span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">8565 R2 VIC II chip in a socket for easy access. You can see the legendary SID 8580 chip a little to the right. This too was going to be part of an experiment. 😎</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Unfortunately, and probably due to poor eyesight, I inadvertently damaged the original 8565 R2 VIC II chip in the most dramatic, if not humorous way! 😥</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi08Gy9CWr_4CgLBgTKPWPZjiN6jSB6Odytgye8mg3kS8AQWBM7xxNOeB0cFyViUJ_TnlvmAjmDx1cORJUcixENZnwu7o9euCAQ_BELo9KmtCROijOCt8Ugire2Sj9W7czM3YUVuo62M3mj/s1600/20200228_184423.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi08Gy9CWr_4CgLBgTKPWPZjiN6jSB6Odytgye8mg3kS8AQWBM7xxNOeB0cFyViUJ_TnlvmAjmDx1cORJUcixENZnwu7o9euCAQ_BELo9KmtCROijOCt8Ugire2Sj9W7czM3YUVuo62M3mj/s640/20200228_184423.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">You guessed it! In extracting the chip with a screwdriver, I levered at the wrong angle and in pulling the chip up at a fast rate a leg came off. What we have here is an utterly terrifying situation! No replacement chip and now a basically screwed C64C. 😲</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Luckily, I ordered three more additional </span></span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">8565 R2 VIC II chips. All I had to do now is wait and less than seven days later I had at least three more chances to get it right? 🤐</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitt9GhEBre3ojwi4odyB6sQJcKbKeIwIF3fm3d0ywfNHVZ0dMNKW3ybZAAsar_vlL1hTlDo3JXJEXDBzoA1ljkw-qqyXbx4-Yjb2Wv2sYmagDnemeHJg5oshbfzdNetm0d9WPVyi1a4_41/s1600/20200307_120637.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitt9GhEBre3ojwi4odyB6sQJcKbKeIwIF3fm3d0ywfNHVZ0dMNKW3ybZAAsar_vlL1hTlDo3JXJEXDBzoA1ljkw-qqyXbx4-Yjb2Wv2sYmagDnemeHJg5oshbfzdNetm0d9WPVyi1a4_41/s640/20200307_120637.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">At first glance and by guessing you would think that this 8565 R2 VIC II chip from Europe was damaged by myself. However, this is a case with a combination of poor packaging delivery through the postal system case bent and damaged chip pins can occur. 😫 I did purchase a chip straightening tool to help resurrect this poor little chip, but the pins looked far too bent and I didn't even want to attempt to use a pair of pliers. I simply had to write off this chip! 😕</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHjviE455oKeFk57N2AssttG1lluVE6ZMVCQF33Zsj_eh599OR7NHQ9yms2qALB2kqpp3xYBWR9OKfXf-B_rfWVfhM5PTbnWL9Prg693IDUw2S0-3BJydR0VwQek29cwMAFPKql6_z_VhP/s1600/20200307_124228.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHjviE455oKeFk57N2AssttG1lluVE6ZMVCQF33Zsj_eh599OR7NHQ9yms2qALB2kqpp3xYBWR9OKfXf-B_rfWVfhM5PTbnWL9Prg693IDUw2S0-3BJydR0VwQek29cwMAFPKql6_z_VhP/s640/20200307_124228.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">So, after a bit more hard work and quite literately with the use of a magnifying glass, it took me at least 10 minutes to place one of the additional </span><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">8565 R2 VIC II chips into the Lumafix board.</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I want to quickly sidestep now to mention the chipboard that has replaced the 8580 SID chip in the photo. This is called Nano <a href="https://www.c64-wiki.com/wiki/SwinSID" target="_blank">SwinSID</a>. In theory, this hasn't replaced my already working 8580 SID, I was just curious about what it was like from an audio point of view. I set the jumper on the board to 6581 for you can choose between this or 8580. When using this SID replacement you will lose the use of Paddle and I believe Mouse controls too. To be honest, it is a pretty good replacement with only a few SID's that sounded a bit off-key. I used this for a little while and then removed it. The price of the Nano <a href="https://www.c64-wiki.com/wiki/SwinSID" target="_blank">SwinSID</a> at the time of purchase was less than £20 GBP. You will also be pleased to know that the removal of the 8580 SID chip was more successful than the original 8565 R2 chip. 😊</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now, let's get back to the <a href="https://store.retrofixes.com/products/commodore-c64-jailbar-eliminator-lumafix64-kit-restock-in-oct" target="_blank">LumaFix</a>. I did have some trouble if you want me to be brutally honest, in tuning the picture to get the best quality and at first use, it was nothing short of terrible. 😥</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVz2LffHjQ7FkkA2a2xtgNM_7uyLmySVX0bgwDXHavHRkw9DcTkBCjNQuxYt5goM2D9zaREb9DmLiaF75MLxGErKYWQamHJz0RlVMetpRAK-qcgn8kNbxxUpEy7BW4M7OB4WE5BNPOAxgi/s1600/C64C+Video+RF.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVz2LffHjQ7FkkA2a2xtgNM_7uyLmySVX0bgwDXHavHRkw9DcTkBCjNQuxYt5goM2D9zaREb9DmLiaF75MLxGErKYWQamHJz0RlVMetpRAK-qcgn8kNbxxUpEy7BW4M7OB4WE5BNPOAxgi/s640/C64C+Video+RF.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">The above is using LumaFix through an RF signal before any adjustment...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDy_5QhhzgMFsS85Yi3pZSEcoUaGbQ8PKgZb2D1GafW6AMIZbwj679DADHSda-r-V6519YmrPG_gUg_7ld0sGmGsZAwIbrxl85wwo4n7PwvN6F4Th2Ysn3sxntb9GrzFqP9jC6bM1tK9pJ/s1600/C64C+Video+Scart.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDy_5QhhzgMFsS85Yi3pZSEcoUaGbQ8PKgZb2D1GafW6AMIZbwj679DADHSda-r-V6519YmrPG_gUg_7ld0sGmGsZAwIbrxl85wwo4n7PwvN6F4Th2Ysn3sxntb9GrzFqP9jC6bM1tK9pJ/s640/C64C+Video+Scart.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">The above is using LumaFix through a Scart signal before any adjustment...</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">At this point you would be saying, where is the after photo with the improved picture quality? From my experience in using it, it was only marginally better. At the point, I thought there was no justification in continuing with this enhancement. So, I basically reverted back to using a Scart video cable from Retro Computer Shack and settled with the marginal Jailbars. 🙄</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">I also bought a few other goodies to go with the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_64" target="_blank">Commodore 64</a> setup, one of which is a Fastload Cartridge ( nice free pen ) and an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_64_disk_/_tape_emulation" target="_blank">SD2IEC</a> from <a href="https://www.thefuturewas8bit.com/shop/commodore.html" target="_blank">The Future was 8-Bit</a>, which allows you to load .D64 and .PRG and more straight into a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_64" target="_blank">Commodore 64</a>. Also, by chance, you can now buy reproduction Atari 2600 game controllers which now have microswitches inside online from Amazon. They are priced from £10-15 GBP. When you use them now, you'll experience a nice clicky sound! 😎</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9GqtQ0SeapVa2ycC08ppF2GZwZYUAsJ2B3-7G3Jtvyg-b7J4gtqN6kWrUEMIw7Unm9gx_vQlnPH3-8XjkjHIQeC1u5VB22WRti3xo35oYrchjQLl1zPMZawGAFGxxLZd6-m2IH9hHp8hv/s1600/20200226_144916.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9GqtQ0SeapVa2ycC08ppF2GZwZYUAsJ2B3-7G3Jtvyg-b7J4gtqN6kWrUEMIw7Unm9gx_vQlnPH3-8XjkjHIQeC1u5VB22WRti3xo35oYrchjQLl1zPMZawGAFGxxLZd6-m2IH9hHp8hv/s640/20200226_144916.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBR4qh2cQg5wxzRPNA35opa2qUjtoDEBmQQR9Sei1JJ47LfblRBxiNd6L7-1MO0kqrMbpiYPln3q2VsyGaTgGQ_FvDqyBhKD2Qx8CHRLNdIvPm9lB3yHwhO02BbGPiIpTgeHxZzxH2yts4/s1600/20200222_203819.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBR4qh2cQg5wxzRPNA35opa2qUjtoDEBmQQR9Sei1JJ47LfblRBxiNd6L7-1MO0kqrMbpiYPln3q2VsyGaTgGQ_FvDqyBhKD2Qx8CHRLNdIvPm9lB3yHwhO02BbGPiIpTgeHxZzxH2yts4/s640/20200222_203819.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">After all this excitement you'd think I'd need a nice lay down in a darkened room.😁 We'll when you are fighting from a technological point of view and with some degree of perfection you would think I should have been satisfied with perhaps my C64 mini and my already C64C setup? Well, no! Here we go again for another attempt at sorting this out ...</span></div>
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Everyone knows what it is like to lust over electrical hardware, as in falling in love with a new <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OLED" target="_blank">OLED </a>TV or Music Hi-Fi system with loudspeakers? This is where my direction started to fall into the technological arms of the <a href="https://ultimate64.com/Main_products" target="_blank">Ultimate 64</a> (U64) from <a href="https://ultimate64.com/Main_products" target="_blank">Gideon</a>. Now there is a bit of an expense to wanting this and I was fully prepared to make the sacrifice.</div>
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The first step was to purchase a newer case and I went for the <a href="https://shop.pixelwizard.eu/en/commodore-c64/cases/37/c64c-case-classic-beige#" target="_blank">Pixel Wizard</a> classic beige C64C case. This arrived within 7 days and all I had to do is wait for my pre-order of the <a href="https://ultimate64.com/Main_products" target="_blank">U64</a> to arrive, which it did in the week of my 50th birthday. 😍</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoP2tV84Yuks4cKK6xYpexwiuPb34vFUocBJl12zk9YQGlEGXvRBl2Q71K5fd1aTO6-5iLEEmubOXcI2xYwNYnLJltL22JhgdaYcFI3HtLQ2o32mEsF65mkWZ1DwHzWSHPPlCJzLh8UeN7/s1600/20200312_161008.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="778" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoP2tV84Yuks4cKK6xYpexwiuPb34vFUocBJl12zk9YQGlEGXvRBl2Q71K5fd1aTO6-5iLEEmubOXcI2xYwNYnLJltL22JhgdaYcFI3HtLQ2o32mEsF65mkWZ1DwHzWSHPPlCJzLh8UeN7/s640/20200312_161008.jpg" width="311" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">The package also came with an additional order of keyboard and <a href="https://ultimate64.com/Main_products" target="_blank">U64</a> mounts that I had ordered. I had also purchased a nice new blue <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light-emitting_diode" target="_blank">LED</a>, which gives it a nice cool look and feels to the new C64C case. Incidentally, I had to shave off a couple of millimetres of plastic from either side of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light-emitting_diode" target="_blank">LED </a>with Mrs A Nail file, which worked a treat and now sits flush inside the case! 😊</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCbZg6SVibrpGUsUTL5c2E9ZQ4X1TUYGK02tUoszZB7gV4R5JRan2Qw3yaMZfWzfuCy76WpD6nA7YGJQSLGUtsNK8Qa0x1vayr8BlUdHY1f3bXqbLpnF9iVp8S9m8AkJKdWKX3RApKvfDu/s1600/20200410_121859.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCbZg6SVibrpGUsUTL5c2E9ZQ4X1TUYGK02tUoszZB7gV4R5JRan2Qw3yaMZfWzfuCy76WpD6nA7YGJQSLGUtsNK8Qa0x1vayr8BlUdHY1f3bXqbLpnF9iVp8S9m8AkJKdWKX3RApKvfDu/s320/20200410_121859.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Finally, my <a href="https://ultimate64.com/Main_products" target="_blank">U64</a> had arrived and how wonderful it looked. It is smaller than an original C64 breadbin and also a C64C motherboard, a sort of L shape. The added technological beauty to all of this is that you can use pre-existing hardware, including the bonus of *real* SID 6581 or 8580 chips. The <a href="https://ultimate64.com/Main_products" target="_blank">U64 </a>Elite also has <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zero_insertion_force" target="_blank">ZIF</a> sockets, meaning it is so much nicer and easier to replace chips against trying to place them into sockets. A <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zero_insertion_force" target="_blank">ZIF</a> socket is rather like gently clamping the chip into place with a lever. If only this technology was cheaper and available years ago, I guess fewer chips would be damaged and would be a better alternative to most soldered to the motherboard chips, but this would only apply to commonly replaced chips. You would hope though that most chips lasted longer unless they were zapped with bad power supplies or static! 😲</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvD-ZCi-7NCBOxQvBTwO0SK5lBUlMeaDNZghAHcz48dmHveP1NuY0VbBluh_Rs3qWYcbsfEEfmwH5sZbCsNbzvVQqG8e9oQYKNmUGE4Z7kFxYYRHp8XvOzcsDRkh-kodHl5SioHComWqPJ/s1600/20200318_180530.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvD-ZCi-7NCBOxQvBTwO0SK5lBUlMeaDNZghAHcz48dmHveP1NuY0VbBluh_Rs3qWYcbsfEEfmwH5sZbCsNbzvVQqG8e9oQYKNmUGE4Z7kFxYYRHp8XvOzcsDRkh-kodHl5SioHComWqPJ/s640/20200318_180530.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg281_iSVrXaMiG0jlar8At-70RlHTIW9yQOtgmQ3dCtEC5KNOWw5MKaSXJ1m_36U4kqkwrs4IadEiAfb56U_18HHtqGPefmXnB0Mh4r_giQTKt74iBZYwqF6Nt1pGrVlNUq6v-8GfAkgxt/s1600/20200318_180429.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg281_iSVrXaMiG0jlar8At-70RlHTIW9yQOtgmQ3dCtEC5KNOWw5MKaSXJ1m_36U4kqkwrs4IadEiAfb56U_18HHtqGPefmXnB0Mh4r_giQTKt74iBZYwqF6Nt1pGrVlNUq6v-8GfAkgxt/s640/20200318_180429.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvAeJ_dODLIVyk1ngfdpc63OQZnxLROsQCc2ft3bi9cz3yyWA66KQwV8HyVjD8QTx91ASvOrPJQSF0ivkx0r0r1R6fnzR-fY9h_z2aXii2viqOQQrvDjBIMA5TPvPVJdiO9lzGDQLiNzwu/s1600/20200318_180436.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvAeJ_dODLIVyk1ngfdpc63OQZnxLROsQCc2ft3bi9cz3yyWA66KQwV8HyVjD8QTx91ASvOrPJQSF0ivkx0r0r1R6fnzR-fY9h_z2aXii2viqOQQrvDjBIMA5TPvPVJdiO9lzGDQLiNzwu/s640/20200318_180436.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">From a reproductive board point of view, <a href="https://ultimate64.com/Main_products" target="_blank">Gideon</a> has really nailed this project. It's a thing of beauty and I'm really pleased with the quality of this purchase, everything works as expected and when I switch the <a href="https://ultimate64.com/Main_products" target="_blank">U64</a> on, it's like I am using a C64 as a teenager all over again! 😍</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">When it came to the moment of putting everything together, I was, to be honest, very apprehensive. After the chip pulling and leg-breaking incidents, I had to be extra cautious. So, I managed to place all of the mounts and rests into the base of the case.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ0V9lLZF_1zO3UMjlGy1vV8ro9kr9eYLRLnB-YufZPTLV8aeVCYi5hNq2RG-FQdaQgJay4eRPN-8_1VZVey5fHeZawv0i6twaoJC381yphFX5mYusuBW8RHsNFROqqQkfFHXbffqTCMXP/s1600/20200318_180159.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ0V9lLZF_1zO3UMjlGy1vV8ro9kr9eYLRLnB-YufZPTLV8aeVCYi5hNq2RG-FQdaQgJay4eRPN-8_1VZVey5fHeZawv0i6twaoJC381yphFX5mYusuBW8RHsNFROqqQkfFHXbffqTCMXP/s640/20200318_180159.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">I gingerly placed the U64 in next and then set about putting the keyboard in afterwards. Oh! My! Really? 🙄</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx5Lpy6ni-eXKSRla2ByWHtx-HQh2i2k59eb27-x5MzoBh9IhQq0SymJF1p22s1MeICWMnQ2YQcyvKIOB-ZGfueUvPrwDs5uuS84NcEczHUMB7xg4H1SSOF1pkCWJ8HYPnCECZgC9uSKnj/s1600/20200318_203344.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx5Lpy6ni-eXKSRla2ByWHtx-HQh2i2k59eb27-x5MzoBh9IhQq0SymJF1p22s1MeICWMnQ2YQcyvKIOB-ZGfueUvPrwDs5uuS84NcEczHUMB7xg4H1SSOF1pkCWJ8HYPnCECZgC9uSKnj/s640/20200318_203344.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">For some reason, the case simply would not go on right. But why? Why oh why? The utter puzzlement followed for some time afterwards and at this point, I was getting quite tired. I had decided to do part of this project later in the evening and was now regretting it. I messaged <a href="https://freeze64.com/" target="_blank">Vinny Mainlofi</a> about my woe and he mentioned that he had the same problem when placing a keyboard inside his case and was trying to remember how he got around it. The keyboard cable is just a little short and this is one of the reasons when the case doesn't go back together. I could have bent the <a href="https://ultimate64.com/Main_products" target="_blank">U64</a> keyboard pins, but no! Why would I want to do that? I could have extended the cable, but that would have literally freaked me out and was, to be honest outside of my comfort zone. So, I flipped the keyboard over and had a look ...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhglb_qB4BAAJgXqj9tGmymz_UNU2DTu4VIUXRCn5jxMH9hsH7HpDfMCGgokNRWPgxYBIwxXuvVbLLXmonAlwB0EriUKLZTIPP8iJPGqTi0SeAIcchOMmB1_yA2vGVGhQUCIxxXFhDOcuoH/s1600/20200318_213312.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhglb_qB4BAAJgXqj9tGmymz_UNU2DTu4VIUXRCn5jxMH9hsH7HpDfMCGgokNRWPgxYBIwxXuvVbLLXmonAlwB0EriUKLZTIPP8iJPGqTi0SeAIcchOMmB1_yA2vGVGhQUCIxxXFhDOcuoH/s640/20200318_213312.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">As you can see above, there is tape and a clip holding and protecting the cables underneath. So, I thought, shall I remove both? Yes, I shall! It's worth a try ...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikdRLnVrWXJ4OLVBQsjZ2ZafgQX-ACmHmYLPrbnDFaUAyfTo4tl87jGw-ewMLfC4eUQtNxQrLTTBNHi8hqflAyrpUD-mWTLgDwIfIS8IkoeXTH236ZhTZz6dknp67rGa0quxomzHQM8o1T/s1600/20200318_213959.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikdRLnVrWXJ4OLVBQsjZ2ZafgQX-ACmHmYLPrbnDFaUAyfTo4tl87jGw-ewMLfC4eUQtNxQrLTTBNHi8hqflAyrpUD-mWTLgDwIfIS8IkoeXTH236ZhTZz6dknp67rGa0quxomzHQM8o1T/s640/20200318_213959.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">And Voila! This actually freed up a good few more centimetres of length to the cable connector. So, let's see how this fairs now ...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLZOXFjcYFDOuT-aGzx3mCPEDh275yvZwD20cbSLpvMu66vUO8gVd0D-ut2DZgyQwPzcDjM5j_4wJLgsJFk6GHUI4Ee-7uEomMDIjr7qAgwE-x7NwgmXU9s__NZWAS1QZhYE7n1toc33Sv/s1600/20200318_214353.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLZOXFjcYFDOuT-aGzx3mCPEDh275yvZwD20cbSLpvMu66vUO8gVd0D-ut2DZgyQwPzcDjM5j_4wJLgsJFk6GHUI4Ee-7uEomMDIjr7qAgwE-x7NwgmXU9s__NZWAS1QZhYE7n1toc33Sv/s640/20200318_214353.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">So, after the tweak, it actually worked and the keyboard fits inside the case. There is a bit of movement from the keyboard, but it's not really enough in ruining the enjoyment during use. I didn't bother using the three screws to hold the case together. That was enough for me! 🤨</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">The Atari 2600 Joystick theme inspired me to get another, so now I have a pair for both Port 1 and Port 2 for the <a href="https://ultimate64.com/Main_products" target="_blank">U64</a>.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8uiflGVssfIiWZ7n1VU8C8kwDbZFCC6K3B0VKPbfYRLCnhHNCovAQMqccBaL3H3T0ApOwarAtNFtxlsMNZvMYYHljHBMa9l_MuDvxfQHquO-aFx5XM9TWGb5HE-Gng-xK5ZHjWLNt4K82/s1600/20200328_143427.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="1600" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8uiflGVssfIiWZ7n1VU8C8kwDbZFCC6K3B0VKPbfYRLCnhHNCovAQMqccBaL3H3T0ApOwarAtNFtxlsMNZvMYYHljHBMa9l_MuDvxfQHquO-aFx5XM9TWGb5HE-Gng-xK5ZHjWLNt4K82/s640/20200328_143427.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">They are labelled as well, just in case I forget which Port is which. I still don't know why even today, that some games used Port 1, instead of Port 2. I always associate Port 1 usage with Paddles and a Mouse.</span></div>
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I have owned the <a href="https://ultimate64.com/Main_products" target="_blank">U64</a> for a few weeks now and I am so very happy it. There are a lot of features to tinker with and I've only just started, so those that are interested in one you should head over to <a href="https://ultimate64.com/Main_products" target="_blank">Gideon's</a> website to check out what it can do for you.</div>
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Apart from the obvious fast loading times with games or single file demos, I particularly like the .TAP files, where you can still experience the 10+ minutes of wait time. Listening to those Ocean Loader themes again is a real pleasurable head spinner! I LOVE IT! 😍🥰❤</div>
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<b>COVID-19 ( Coronavirus ) ::</b></div>
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As a closing point, not one person in the world has not been affected in some way by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coronavirus_disease_2019" target="_blank">COVID-19</a>. Most countries have experienced lockdowns and limited movements. I certainly would never want to live through something like this again. The one thing, apart from the reports of people dying around the world, was the result in panic buying in shops and stock pilling of essential items. Only then when some were selling sanitisers, soaps and toilet rolls on eBay and other online outlets for 100-500% profit. As I type this blog post, it's still happening online, but the local supermarkets have seen some sense made a few restrictions and then lifted them. However, it only takes 100 packs of 9 toilet rolls to be purchased in 5 at a time, then there is little or none left for everyone else. I guess it is human nature that makes us panic and as we try to purchase all we can for isolation or hibernation if you want to call it that.</div>
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Mrs A has been classed as a vulnerable person and has to stay at home with as little contact with people for a minimal period of 12 weeks, mainly because of her asthma and more than likely the Stage 1 Endometrial Cancer.</div>
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The whole scenario is very surreal, I just hope everyone that is affected can get through this and the experiences we learn can better our understanding of the killer virus!</div>
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Alex Arishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09495415061897599638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4588805064132382209.post-91749333418317223532019-07-02T10:52:00.001-07:002019-07-02T10:52:18.640-07:00To Hull and Back !<div style="text-align: justify;">
The last few weeks have been quite an adventure with a bit of travelling and some advancement with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_programming" target="_blank">programming</a>. I was hoping to gain with trying to get back into some <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lego#Mocpages/My_Own_Creation" target="_blank">MOC</a> <a href="https://www.lego.com/en-gb" target="_blank">LEGO</a> building over the last few weeks but always seemed to have been distracted with other things or was too tired to do so. I guess this like writer's block, but in this sense, it's builders block, even though this is a pun itself. 😆</div>
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I thought I was going to avoid <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allergic_rhinitis" target="_blank">hayfever</a> this year and was alright up until a few weeks ago. Then came the scratchy eyes and sneezing, mostly in the morning until later on in the evening, when I guess the tablets started to wear off! 😣</div>
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<b>GameDev / ProjectDev :: ( Commodore 64 | BASIC / Assembler )</b></div>
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I have made progress with the little <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BASIC" target="_blank">BASIC</a> project codenamed '<b>Arista Blasta</b>'. It really needs to be formed into a little game with some moving enemy objects and better sound effects. As we all well know, when comparing <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BASIC" target="_blank">BASIC</a> to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machine_code" target="_blank">Machine Code</a> it's quite different especially with the speed that the program runs at.</div>
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The above video is the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BASIC" target="_blank">BASIC</a> version and you can see that the speed is almost like a step frame by frame motion as each movement is basically poked into memory using the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PEEK_and_POKE" target="_blank">POKE</a> command.</div>
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The above video is the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assembly_language" target="_blank">ASSEMBLER</a> / <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assembly_language" target="_blank">Machine Code</a> version and even though you can quite clearly see that more needs to be done and added, the difference in speed is significant. NOTE: There is a lot more to understand and do with this version. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BASIC" target="_blank">BASIC</a> has been relatively easy to get to grips with. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assembly_language" target="_blank">ASSEMBLER</a> will take more time to master! 😨</div>
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Whilst <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_programming" target="_blank">programming</a> the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BASIC" target="_blank">BASIC</a> version, I came across a couple of problems in that the collision detection appeared to be working on the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_64" target="_blank">C64</a> Emulator called Frodo on <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_(operating_system)" target="_blank">Android</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_computer" target="_blank">PC</a>. However, on the <a href="https://www.c64forever.com/" target="_blank">C64 Forever</a> Emulator and a *real* <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_64" target="_blank">C64</a> the collision detection was ignored. It took a while to figure out why, until later finding out the collision registers needed to be cleared when setting up sprites or the beginning of the program. A simple <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MOS_Technology_VIC-II" target="_blank">POKE 53248+30, 0</a>.</div>
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During the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assembly_language" target="_blank">ASSEMBLER</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_programming" target="_blank">programming</a>, I asked for a little bit of help from <a href="http://www.studiox64.co.uk/" target="_blank">Paul Kubiszyn</a> and <a href="https://freeze64.com/" target="_blank">Vinny Mainolfi</a> who helped point a few things out and testing for me and. Also, thanks to <a href="https://twitter.com/JudgeDrokk" target="_blank">Mark Hellewell </a>aka Judge Drokk for taking time in doing a little testing also. Even though the project is small and still in its infancy it helps to get a bit of perspective.</div>
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As far as I can see, this will only be a small project with the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BASIC" target="_blank">BASIC</a> version being finished first and hopefully by the end of this year 2019. The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assembly_language" target="_blank">ASSEMBLER</a> may well take longer as it's taking a while to digest the workings on how the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_64" target="_blank">C64</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MOS_Technology_6510" target="_blank">6510</a> language behaves and works.</div>
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<b>Summer Time Travels :: ( 8-Bit Symphony in Hull / Weekend of 8th June 2019 )</b></div>
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Well, the time came and went and we had an absolutely marvellous weekend. 😊 The car journey took around five hours each way with a break about halfway. The first stop from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxford" target="_blank">Oxford</a> was at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leicester" target="_blank">Leicester</a> Motorway Services and with ample parking and quite a view from the dining hall area.</div>
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<b>Waitrose at Welcome Break</b></div>
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<b>Oh! Look its the M1, a viewpoint from the dining area across the Motorway!</b></div>
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We got caught up in traffic about an hour from the <a href="https://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/home.html" target="_blank">Premier Inn</a> in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingston_upon_Hull" target="_blank">Hull</a>, so we didn't arrive until about 4pm. The view of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humber" target="_blank">Humber River</a> was breathtaking and quite fortunate when the net curtains had fallen down from the Window. 😁</div>
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<b>View of the Humber River from our Premier Inn room</b></div>
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<br />As it was our first night at the <a href="https://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/home.html" target="_blank">Premier Inn</a>, we decided to dine there for the evening and have Gammon Steak as our main meal. Now, the restaurant was out of Ice Cream for dessert, but they were able to provide Coconut Sorbet to go with the Double Chocolate Brownie.</div>
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<b>That Double Chocolate Sorbet!</b></div>
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It took me a good five minutes to compose myself after eating the above dessert. The richness prolonged for a while, with the feeling of fullness trying and keep me from being sick. I don't think I could have even fit in a wafer-thin mint after this! It wasn't even a big serving! 😧</div>
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I was so excited about the <a href="https://www.8-bit-symphony.com/" target="_blank">8-Bit Symphony</a> concert that I didn't sleep much the night before, probably two hours at the maximum. After breakfast on Saturday morning, the hours went pretty quick and in no time Mrs A and I were waiting for Paul Chapman who lived just a few minutes away and was so kindly organising transport for us. We were fortunate enough in being invited to the VIP event before the concert where I was able to meet, greet and take photos of people I had not seen in years and meet some of my game soundtrack composer heroes, like <a href="https://soundcloud.com/mattgrayc64" target="_blank">Matt Gray</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rob_Hubbard" target="_blank">Rob Hubbard</a>! 😊</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvB84WAV3BInuRezdrlEmMZhFULc-IvpdtGmOseRRnym1eoJ4zam1oFsaH0yg04uVt7hIX5s_fgrnAq1puqFKn8D4VGbEX0epJDP0qvYlVPJbAiVUxZhR76jqe3viD0Z0I9BCByR1xxitN/s1600/20190615_173817.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvB84WAV3BInuRezdrlEmMZhFULc-IvpdtGmOseRRnym1eoJ4zam1oFsaH0yg04uVt7hIX5s_fgrnAq1puqFKn8D4VGbEX0epJDP0qvYlVPJbAiVUxZhR76jqe3viD0Z0I9BCByR1xxitN/s640/20190615_173817.jpg" /></a> </div>
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<b>Hello! We can see you! 😊</b></div>
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<b>Paul Chapman (left) and Darren Izzard (right)</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBPCKUwgnC3yNamMPcuNpb7NnDieNidbhou3-bpuE0orMOgxnxONfJGbFV7g9tp3aYxq5Lnckj7mYDyn14clG60yD09eHsccFIi4tPuzDkOkGS4NxNlDCQo7yRCcj3Y7UqvNZ9R6UJAaX5/s1600/20190615_173724.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBPCKUwgnC3yNamMPcuNpb7NnDieNidbhou3-bpuE0orMOgxnxONfJGbFV7g9tp3aYxq5Lnckj7mYDyn14clG60yD09eHsccFIi4tPuzDkOkGS4NxNlDCQo7yRCcj3Y7UqvNZ9R6UJAaX5/s640/20190615_173724.jpg" /></a> </div>
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<b>Myself (left) and Chris Abbott (8-Bit Symphony organiser) (right) </b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAWtPoiedELHJ9rJwwS18doD0kmGuMYtz26X8Z6AUA5cKRgoGLnRwRxAA-GjItbWTrfq0BfpBMFOEA5NFAnAoB99mub_frlwJyjNgcbXVJTmqNp5PpLFEHXyoIx6woixYyRe72JPfLOb9Y/s1600/20190615_165659.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAWtPoiedELHJ9rJwwS18doD0kmGuMYtz26X8Z6AUA5cKRgoGLnRwRxAA-GjItbWTrfq0BfpBMFOEA5NFAnAoB99mub_frlwJyjNgcbXVJTmqNp5PpLFEHXyoIx6woixYyRe72JPfLOb9Y/s640/20190615_165659.jpg" /></a> </div>
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<b>Myself (left) and Matt Gray (C64 Music Composer) (right)</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwLfgxrl9__6z2F-8-SM0h-AiJsucfPPWgjkO3tSdKvjlhGZ3EQhPWYYYgQTANFQErs9p3fgc-zy2v_2cK4pSjedYk-RH173waITIZLGDxL5Cv8Tx4j2AJ55NLzZd0JsstjhZWSW8Uqy2/s1600/20190615_172348.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLwLfgxrl9__6z2F-8-SM0h-AiJsucfPPWgjkO3tSdKvjlhGZ3EQhPWYYYgQTANFQErs9p3fgc-zy2v_2cK4pSjedYk-RH173waITIZLGDxL5Cv8Tx4j2AJ55NLzZd0JsstjhZWSW8Uqy2/s640/20190615_172348.jpg" /></a> </div>
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<b>Myself (left) and Rob Hubbard (C64 Music Composer) (right)</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrlCQ4vrV67ACheNeqyKHxtSUtJ_QgawokqYKxK5IRvpeDpplKhvpG0473CzY77BN2GtR2QE1ccvVZrlaX-ryY_5ifBBizcNCHJpH3sn0A2y7xdZQMEOxubNp3RdyTBFBpqyO_zTgDRoYT/s1600/20190615_162822.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrlCQ4vrV67ACheNeqyKHxtSUtJ_QgawokqYKxK5IRvpeDpplKhvpG0473CzY77BN2GtR2QE1ccvVZrlaX-ryY_5ifBBizcNCHJpH3sn0A2y7xdZQMEOxubNp3RdyTBFBpqyO_zTgDRoYT/s640/20190615_162822.jpg" /></a> </div>
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<b>From left to right, Simon Hadlington, Mat Allen, Andrew Fisher, Alison Fisher</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXTBeEnC1yxArCkxHnOvybTwAFTZFgRvFXjHoGfj74VIO6J2VyChzXWdflcEpVzcLfaYOurvx_8O8ERz8UwHYfPcLglpbZjazQ_YtZc359SFkaAoTOBXdW61xEFadlyDK5SAX9ibqE011Z/s1600/20190615_170359.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXTBeEnC1yxArCkxHnOvybTwAFTZFgRvFXjHoGfj74VIO6J2VyChzXWdflcEpVzcLfaYOurvx_8O8ERz8UwHYfPcLglpbZjazQ_YtZc359SFkaAoTOBXdW61xEFadlyDK5SAX9ibqE011Z/s640/20190615_170359.jpg" /></a> </div>
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<b>Myself (left) and Jan Lund Thomsen (KWED) ( </b><a href="http://remix.kwed.org/?fbclid=IwAR2W4pnd5sP4YbYvJXpW3PK0kXIY-UwbJtavgzm4iIjU-q1FnJqCJ28n-e8">http://remix.kwed.org</a>/ <b>) (right)</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAllRrvwadhvze1achGfWZURvbyPpT_On-DPEMQSX3XXxt7MFbGmWnIgqFwVo9t4rIdvE-1eF684FGLZPLEDb7msNj_Ks_arxAsId6rNwkkx4qxw83kBBaheQBueTuRX1E6qLXu8kBuw_o/s1600/20190615_171104.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAllRrvwadhvze1achGfWZURvbyPpT_On-DPEMQSX3XXxt7MFbGmWnIgqFwVo9t4rIdvE-1eF684FGLZPLEDb7msNj_Ks_arxAsId6rNwkkx4qxw83kBBaheQBueTuRX1E6qLXu8kBuw_o/s640/20190615_171104.jpg" /></a> </div>
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<b>Max Hall (left) and Jackie Mason (right)</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGMMOaLGx25sR-gxnVaJfRpWBbZpHrBhnyoR6IUtWDQPxW_H58C2dGym5LxxV7mI-VcghCOzhyeXEBI6poPiejO476FF5Rq0vWRi2sF9Ps65qYxuKAxkMAOLID5-0U8qFR9AfeDXDdhy7B/s1600/20190615_181045.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGMMOaLGx25sR-gxnVaJfRpWBbZpHrBhnyoR6IUtWDQPxW_H58C2dGym5LxxV7mI-VcghCOzhyeXEBI6poPiejO476FF5Rq0vWRi2sF9Ps65qYxuKAxkMAOLID5-0U8qFR9AfeDXDdhy7B/s640/20190615_181045.jpg" /></a> </div>
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<b>Kayleigh Wright (left) and Pete Sutcliffe (right)</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSrQz5E11kNa80bZnBRFXzwDGgQwXUNMsfES0ubn4_0XUP-NoWVlfxXc3zib7psMvo267mrM4BkvGxe2JwHMSJo_1sqjyxPop9f15wlVcuudbDoBD4TisMdnIwhw0Ksz5ovNDsPkZIA-kA/s1600/20190615_171622.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSrQz5E11kNa80bZnBRFXzwDGgQwXUNMsfES0ubn4_0XUP-NoWVlfxXc3zib7psMvo267mrM4BkvGxe2JwHMSJo_1sqjyxPop9f15wlVcuudbDoBD4TisMdnIwhw0Ksz5ovNDsPkZIA-kA/s640/20190615_171622.jpg" /></a> </div>
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<b>Myself (left) and Mark Hellewell aka Judge Drokk (right)</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGuLu-ldDKusCyH0d_T2BL6yE2pOwEnP4QA2gdUegqjaSikZA7xB5unnEBw289qZzt5-uxp8BC5flFEPHB6Cw2tLH-Z4AwiqnTn91qr79xwcXzToHf4rbif0dwbhwc4qh4J8UBpQST372_/s1600/20190615_173252.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGuLu-ldDKusCyH0d_T2BL6yE2pOwEnP4QA2gdUegqjaSikZA7xB5unnEBw289qZzt5-uxp8BC5flFEPHB6Cw2tLH-Z4AwiqnTn91qr79xwcXzToHf4rbif0dwbhwc4qh4J8UBpQST372_/s640/20190615_173252.jpg" /></a> </div>
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<b>Myself (left) and Glen McNamee (right)</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPcjVWp6msL3VBMzGB3zFBM3V28Z9tZvC0vxPRautYR8PJPavVqnuKiNtbY2kCCLaYCISwEnhXpySJ96V35MotNTD8GGXfKEDajmVg9x6HNUPhYkDKKfPtnnuldKOQYgpwy9xunN5STKqw/s1600/64428137_10155976590576205_5818852285672849408_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPcjVWp6msL3VBMzGB3zFBM3V28Z9tZvC0vxPRautYR8PJPavVqnuKiNtbY2kCCLaYCISwEnhXpySJ96V35MotNTD8GGXfKEDajmVg9x6HNUPhYkDKKfPtnnuldKOQYgpwy9xunN5STKqw/s640/64428137_10155976590576205_5818852285672849408_o.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<b>Myself (left) and Jason 'Kenz' MacKenzie (right)</b></div>
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The only downside to the event occurred when we took a walk from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hull_College" target="_blank">Hull College</a> to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hull_City_Hall" target="_blank">Hull City Hall</a> and it absolutely poured with rain and a thunderstorm rumbled around us. But despite this, the evening got even better once we were sat down in the main concert hall, Row C to listen to the concert in all it's glory!🎶</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDOojkR4sZXd0c3XN1sUeh1JMEKsshqnQWJGcamgE7IrfelsxNmpie3Wx8Ye4DiD_Ddw7ZxhLxe4VnDCqqgWdMbGnwDTaXni_gQy-S0cg8wXAoMRkyUshme9sUNPlkOAumJi-HEkWD0OHZ/s1600/20190615_191246.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDOojkR4sZXd0c3XN1sUeh1JMEKsshqnQWJGcamgE7IrfelsxNmpie3Wx8Ye4DiD_Ddw7ZxhLxe4VnDCqqgWdMbGnwDTaXni_gQy-S0cg8wXAoMRkyUshme9sUNPlkOAumJi-HEkWD0OHZ/s640/20190615_191246.jpg" /></a><b>Moments before the Hull Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra arrived on stage!</b></div>
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Mrs A and I were completely bowled over with the sheer awesomeness of the concert and the quality of the sound. <a href="http://www.hullphilharmonic.org/" target="_blank">Hull Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra</a> was just so very good, that the audiovisual memories are still playing back in my mind. I have to say that 'Monty on the Run' was my most favourite score of the night. 🎵😉 <a href="https://c64audio.com/" target="_blank">Chris Abbott</a> and all those involved with <a href="https://www.8-bit-symphony.com/" target="_blank">8-Bit Symphony</a> should receive the highest accolade for bringing this event and its music to the masses and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kingston_upon_Hull" target="_blank">Hull</a> itself.</div>
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On the half way journey back from Hull and still on a high, Mrs A and I dropped by the <a href="http://retrocomputermuseum.co.uk/" target="_blank">Retro Computer Museum</a> in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leicestershire" target="_blank">Leicestershire</a> for a break and to meet up with Andy Spencer and some of the guys that volunteer to run the Museum, including Lee Hearne and Simon Marston. It was great to see everyone again and see the new layout. 😊</div>
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And finally ...</div>
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Alex Arishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09495415061897599638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4588805064132382209.post-21758663547011870212019-04-19T07:43:00.001-07:002019-04-19T07:43:46.368-07:00Back to Basic and the Danger of Projected Forecasts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The last few months have gone reasonably quick and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas" target="_blank">Christmas</a> only seems like yesterday. Ironically, again I am able to spend time doing projects and relaxing as the working weeks don't leave me much energy left. My general health seems to be okay, however, the symptoms of fatigue caused by the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thyroid" target="_blank">thyroid</a> condition still remind me rest as much as possible. Even though my hormone levels are balanced in taking <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levothyroxine" target="_blank">Levothoxyrine</a>. On the odd occasion, I might get a comment like " If you feel tired, then why don't you go to bed earlier? " As a rule, a person doesn't have to understand, if they wish. But to understanding things, in general, is a better way to educate ourselves. But of course, not everyone thinks like this.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thyroiduk.org/tuk/tuk_shop/index.html#badges" target="_blank">Thyroid UK Butterfly Pin Badges</a></td></tr>
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<b>LEGO :: ( General Bits and Bobs )</b></div>
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Earlier this year I finally got around to organising my vast loose, <a href="https://www.lego.com/en-gb" target="_blank">LEGO</a> bricks and purchase a rather fantastic drawer set from <a href="https://www.vonhaus.com/vh_en/44-drawer-storage-organiser" target="_blank">VonHaus</a>. </div>
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The above photo shows the earlier stages or sorting the bricks out into different drawers. Since then I have spread across more drawers and have roughly 14 drawers left. I have yet to start MOC designs again, I did manage to do something last <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas" target="_blank">Christmas</a> ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWLzhl3iKU-lAFQtlLO7_vKvC67WpsovuJ3yb03DxhjiABoMxNGHnbD-FpdQhbVjYa1OZEk7kRK7SUtqhv8Po79dtuVEES3I6emO5PkOgW0qEN0MgK4-u4pBMJ3QrS3jfxpPE5rR5eGyd/s1600/20181230_205625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWLzhl3iKU-lAFQtlLO7_vKvC67WpsovuJ3yb03DxhjiABoMxNGHnbD-FpdQhbVjYa1OZEk7kRK7SUtqhv8Po79dtuVEES3I6emO5PkOgW0qEN0MgK4-u4pBMJ3QrS3jfxpPE5rR5eGyd/s640/20181230_205625.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I had plenty of flat LEGO bricks in my collection and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manic_Miner" target="_blank">Manic Miner</a> still stands proud on top of the <a href="https://www.vonhaus.com/vh_en/" target="_blank">VonHaus</a> drawer storage unit. 😊</div>
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In time for <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter" target="_blank">Easter</a>, I was able to pick up <a href="https://shop.lego.com/en-GB/category/brickheadz" target="_blank">LEGO BrickHeadz Easter Bunny</a>. The set is pretty cute and I really like the floppy ears! 😊</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqpN8GXlvGAE-FPn1ZeuFp0ZS_IFtMcJfscGoSecsHRvlrB4ihYgqZdCclkxLwV7wRJuFaWm3cY3PvIHZSlDtGt3izBM_VhQuE-C6y4X-ozCsPIn42XLWbP80pECcov0Uy90_ri8zByXv_/s1600/20190419_100546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="778" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqpN8GXlvGAE-FPn1ZeuFp0ZS_IFtMcJfscGoSecsHRvlrB4ihYgqZdCclkxLwV7wRJuFaWm3cY3PvIHZSlDtGt3izBM_VhQuE-C6y4X-ozCsPIn42XLWbP80pECcov0Uy90_ri8zByXv_/s400/20190419_100546.jpg" width="193" /></a></div>
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Some of newer seasonal <a href="https://shop.lego.com/en-GB/category/brickheadz" target="_blank">LEGO BrickHeadz</a> sets are out. There is an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter" target="_blank">Easter</a> Chick, perhaps I may get one for next year? 😉</div>
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<b>GameDev :: ( PC | Shooter - 16 Degrees )</b><br />
For the time being, 16 Degrees is on hold so that Simon Kitson 🎨 who is providing a wonderful drawing for the intermediate title screen can finish it off. Also, <a href="https://soundcloud.com/infamousuk" target="_blank">Chris 'Infamous' Bailey</a> 🎶 needs to have time to complete his aural splendour. I respect their time and life commitments and really appreciate their contribution to the project.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzOC3WRhi-9hwEq6xHqxFovEbQeWrhHJu8g6LDSyn3so1RH4YLfY-LPmVJ3hlDlbPttCnqDgLoXkKNQKGr39jSMh0uYn8JZ-p07ixGGds5Om4Toi0cgu97qp5ms2f3LWvLezu-wXAHiIr8/s1600/023+-+Title+Screen+-+Music+by+Chris+Bailey+%2528+800+x+600+%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzOC3WRhi-9hwEq6xHqxFovEbQeWrhHJu8g6LDSyn3so1RH4YLfY-LPmVJ3hlDlbPttCnqDgLoXkKNQKGr39jSMh0uYn8JZ-p07ixGGds5Om4Toi0cgu97qp5ms2f3LWvLezu-wXAHiIr8/s640/023+-+Title+Screen+-+Music+by+Chris+Bailey+%2528+800+x+600+%2529.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<b>GameDev / ProjectDev :: ( Commodore 64 | Basic / Assembler )</b><br />
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If I had told you some time ago I was going to attempt programming on the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_64" target="_blank">Commodore 64</a>, you'd first begin to think, really? Maybe why as well. Over the last few months, I have been thinking about returning to the ever so humble, loveable 8-bit computer and try my hand at programming. Initially, I would start off with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BASIC" target="_blank">BASIC</a> and work my way over to <a href="https://www.c64-wiki.com/wiki/Assembler_Example" target="_blank">6502 Assembler</a>. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assembly_language" target="_blank">Assembler</a> itself is more direct than <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BASIC" target="_blank">BASIC</a>, but can be a bit more difficult to master. I have managed to find some examples and hopefully, in the end, I shall have something to show in the future. Just give me time! 😊</div>
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As a start, I have slowly got to grips with the *FANTASTIC* <a href="http://www.ajordison.co.uk/index.html" target="_blank">CBM PRG Studio</a> by Arthur Jordison. This program is pretty much full featured and has really helped me on my way with a work in progress mini shooting game in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_64" target="_blank">Commodore 64</a> V2 BASIC.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3CgoeZuWvMf_4Km4EsJ043e1bgqWUjTuBr8UFsgchjdGMgaCTTitwD8XBYXqWbva3uyiXWFshZanLuLUogn6MUFWoMX0q98ktY2hJFZIk5yTgaLtT16clDeN1LxYCEa0EwyU8gKY8ODkq/s1600/C64+-+GameDev+-+02+-+CBM+PRG+Studio.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1366" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3CgoeZuWvMf_4Km4EsJ043e1bgqWUjTuBr8UFsgchjdGMgaCTTitwD8XBYXqWbva3uyiXWFshZanLuLUogn6MUFWoMX0q98ktY2hJFZIk5yTgaLtT16clDeN1LxYCEa0EwyU8gKY8ODkq/s640/C64+-+GameDev+-+02+-+CBM+PRG+Studio.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
At the moment I have successfully been able to create some <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sprite_(computer_graphics)" target="_blank">Sprites</a> and implement a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joystick" target="_blank">Joystick</a> routine which in turn moves a player ship around. However, whenever I fire a bullet it appears to move up the screen independently and only moves if the fire button is pressed.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJuuwQItcCuT7VFkaB_SZLmdSsldpLzYS02x7XuvXcIuedRqypIwufMrMy1qW0VfyX0nVRO8yLyUZD8kWRJ0WwF7JjbdYpnlRmYcdQlCwzznyb0Pbc599kOEmWU9A7KRbmhmUR_fn7LGXx/s1600/C64+-+GameDev+-+03+-+Arista+Blasta.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="272" data-original-width="384" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJuuwQItcCuT7VFkaB_SZLmdSsldpLzYS02x7XuvXcIuedRqypIwufMrMy1qW0VfyX0nVRO8yLyUZD8kWRJ0WwF7JjbdYpnlRmYcdQlCwzznyb0Pbc599kOEmWU9A7KRbmhmUR_fn7LGXx/s400/C64+-+GameDev+-+03+-+Arista+Blasta.gif" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I am quite certain I will be able to work this out and at least get the enemy Saucer moving enough to shoot. 😉 I hope to add a user-defined character set and of course some sound effects. I am not sure about music yet though! 😁</div>
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To follow on from programming in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BASIC" target="_blank">BASIC</a>, I've started to take baby steps in learning <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assembly_language" target="_blank">Assembler</a>. Thanks to the <a href="https://www.ajordison.co.uk/" target="_blank">CBM PRG Studio</a>, it is possible to launch <a href="https://www.c64forever.com/" target="_blank">C64 Forever </a>and see your efforts run. I really like this feature and it proves invaluable when testing your projects.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJzx8Scpz78TU1I1IpDiqwTfbLrRR8JipE2SYgybXHH3Jnlo5ZenI3FY9jk9-vhSQo_rCGkLQ81N4-_EAVhqs5ciUAqqqEQeGHFYAq-oW9_uEUe887_vAos5hPSaWnFkXBih8H2VcT35ss/s1600/C64+-+GameDev+-+04+-+CBM+PRG+Studio.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1366" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJzx8Scpz78TU1I1IpDiqwTfbLrRR8JipE2SYgybXHH3Jnlo5ZenI3FY9jk9-vhSQo_rCGkLQ81N4-_EAVhqs5ciUAqqqEQeGHFYAq-oW9_uEUe887_vAos5hPSaWnFkXBih8H2VcT35ss/s640/C64+-+GameDev+-+04+-+CBM+PRG+Studio.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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My first <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assembly_language" target="_blank">Assembler</a> program changes the border, screen and cursor colours, whilst printing a letter 'A' in the top-left hand corner of the screen. It's just the beginning ...<br />
<br />
<pre><style type="text/css">.fctbNone{ color:#000000; }
.fctbStyle5{ color:#228b22; }
.fctbStyle0{ color:#a52a2a;font-style:oblique; }
.fctbStyle0Style5{ color:#a52a2a;font-style:oblique; }
.fctbStyle3{ color:#6495ed; }
</style><span style="font-family: Courier New, monospace; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 13px;"><span class="fctbNone" style="color: #666666;">*=$</span><span class="fctbStyle5">C000</span><span class="fctbNone"> </span><span class="fctbStyle0">; sys </span><span class="fctbStyle0Style5">49152</span><span class="fctbNone">
<span style="color: #666666;">init_screen</span> </span><span class="fctbStyle3">lda</span><span class="fctbNone"> #$</span><span class="fctbStyle5">00</span><span class="fctbNone"> </span><span class="fctbStyle0">; colour black</span><span class="fctbNone">
</span><span class="fctbStyle3">sta</span><span class="fctbNone"> $</span><span class="fctbStyle5">d020</span><span class="fctbNone"> </span><span class="fctbStyle0">; border colour</span><span class="fctbNone">
</span><span class="fctbStyle3">sta</span><span class="fctbNone"> $</span><span class="fctbStyle5">d021</span><span class="fctbNone"> </span><span class="fctbStyle0">; screen colour</span><span class="fctbNone">
</span><span class="fctbStyle3">lda</span><span class="fctbNone"> #$</span><span class="fctbStyle5">02</span><span class="fctbNone"> </span><span class="fctbStyle0">; colour red</span><span class="fctbNone">
</span><span class="fctbStyle3">sta</span><span class="fctbNone"> $</span><span class="fctbStyle5">0286</span><span class="fctbNone"> </span><span class="fctbStyle0">; cursor colour</span><span class="fctbNone">
</span><span class="fctbStyle3">lda</span><span class="fctbNone"> #$</span><span class="fctbStyle5">01</span><span class="fctbNone"> </span><span class="fctbStyle0">; letter </span><span class="fctbStyle0Style5">A</span><span class="fctbNone">
</span><span class="fctbStyle3">sta</span><span class="fctbNone"> $</span><span class="fctbStyle5">0400</span><span class="fctbNone"> </span><span class="fctbStyle0">; character print</span><span class="fctbNone">
</span><span class="fctbStyle3">lda</span><span class="fctbNone"> #$</span><span class="fctbStyle5">03</span><span class="fctbNone"> </span><span class="fctbStyle0">; colour cyan</span><span class="fctbNone">
</span><span class="fctbStyle3">sta</span><span class="fctbNone"> $</span><span class="fctbStyle5">d800</span><span class="fctbNone"> </span><span class="fctbStyle0">; turn letter into colour</span><span class="fctbNone">
</span><span class="fctbStyle3">rts</span><span class="fctbNone"> </span></span></pre>
<br />
All this attempt of programming on the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_64" target="_blank">Commodore 64</a> maybe 30 years too late, but at least it has re-ignited my passion, sorry I mean continued passion. I really have to thank <a href="https://www.yoyogames.com/gamemaker" target="_blank">GameMaker Studio</a> and pre <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GameMaker_Studio" target="_blank">GameMaker</a> for helping me understand how variables and a game structure works.</div>
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There are lots of examples of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_64" target="_blank">Commodore</a> 64 <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assembly_language" target="_blank">Assembler</a> across the internet, one website, in particular, is well favoured by myself. <a href="http://tnd64.unikat.sk/" target="_blank">Richard Bayliss of TND</a> has some really excellent examples available. The section is called A$$EMBLE IT. It's well worth a look! 😎</div>
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<b>Commodore 64 :: ( Commodore 64 Mini )</b></div>
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Before <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas" target="_blank">Christmas</a> 2018, I had an opportunity to get a <a href="https://www.c64-wiki.com/wiki/THEC64Mini" target="_blank">Commodore 64 Mini</a> ( remember the teaser photo ? ). I am really pleased with it and also managed to get a stand and TV with the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raspberry_Pi" target="_blank">Raspberry Pi</a> to play when I want.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Y5Vi14XAytyJ7OoHC4q-jk6NyDP-HKo3r6udIn5qlIsmPPbE6QAnz7eMciW4DJc8ErQ9VT-y1xxr-vUFEn5HpUJsNaONde5x0UtPu2cCuJK5qGnDK-02AHjj02rdIq0lWJOehLvKV8zV/s1600/20181224_125714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Y5Vi14XAytyJ7OoHC4q-jk6NyDP-HKo3r6udIn5qlIsmPPbE6QAnz7eMciW4DJc8ErQ9VT-y1xxr-vUFEn5HpUJsNaONde5x0UtPu2cCuJK5qGnDK-02AHjj02rdIq0lWJOehLvKV8zV/s640/20181224_125714.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">C64 Mini - Christmas 2018</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoPuv-oHDZ6Osai2QHIzyo4xl075pUv9umorndk-wf_g3iibd14FhJc8i8cXfqZ8nBrQ29wFkYlJiJ5uz8Qn9SN8xWNPOzizy5HxZzcWVw0ns5qsopDO1F2Btca1IiY9p4H6ytHlbRtnq0/s1600/20181228_190548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoPuv-oHDZ6Osai2QHIzyo4xl075pUv9umorndk-wf_g3iibd14FhJc8i8cXfqZ8nBrQ29wFkYlJiJ5uz8Qn9SN8xWNPOzizy5HxZzcWVw0ns5qsopDO1F2Btca1IiY9p4H6ytHlbRtnq0/s640/20181228_190548.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">C64 Mini - Setup with Stand</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Keyboard, Mouse and Joysticks can be neatly put underneath and onto the stand for use until next time. It's great to be able to have a burst of retro gaming when I want to and it's easy to switch to and from the Raspberry Pi with RetroPi installed. 😊</div>
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<b>Crowdfunding :: ( Reformation / Project Sidologie )</b></div>
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Over the last few months, a few <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crowdfunding" target="_blank">crowdfunding</a> goodies arrived in the mail. All music related and beautifully presented.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5uO9k_MGVDTj9Ch5CNOyAfLGWakHueSlSvcEOUi_BAj0kq8Rt3I0AJpeJ9iqA7MUQdzgleiRdIn_2idg4rQoxGhNpeHac4jzcrpGmA-n-LZ_EEJ4c75M39kcU-3wMDXEs6DsS-rYrwcrb/s1600/20190122_183103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5uO9k_MGVDTj9Ch5CNOyAfLGWakHueSlSvcEOUi_BAj0kq8Rt3I0AJpeJ9iqA7MUQdzgleiRdIn_2idg4rQoxGhNpeHac4jzcrpGmA-n-LZ_EEJ4c75M39kcU-3wMDXEs6DsS-rYrwcrb/s640/20190122_183103.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matt Gray - Last Ninja and Reformation</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipSBESTFxY3CjNWs3st_DKG0xXmsWOOxXN0ljIPfcP1FXDNigsRO7iidkjADrG-SM06hwfvtsVcdEsWbGNS5Z-bjgXX1cpsPhHiJbS_x3nuNvI45v3C4ZJbW0EyMJC0vBAT94IJTdC57YT/s1600/20190306_151652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipSBESTFxY3CjNWs3st_DKG0xXmsWOOxXN0ljIPfcP1FXDNigsRO7iidkjADrG-SM06hwfvtsVcdEsWbGNS5Z-bjgXX1cpsPhHiJbS_x3nuNvI45v3C4ZJbW0EyMJC0vBAT94IJTdC57YT/s640/20190306_151652.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marcel Donné - Project Sidologie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>The Danger of Projected Forecasts :: ( Electricity Usage )</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
A few years ago, the electricity bills started to increase here at Aris HQ. At first, I thought perhaps that we were using too much but after further investigation, it was apparent that our <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_7" target="_blank">Economy 7</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_water_boiler" target="_blank">Boiler</a> was switched to boost ( expensive ). Thanks to a friend at work, I started to use a spreadsheet and with monthly meter readings, I successfully monitored and got our <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electricity" target="_blank">electricity</a> bills down.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUfUaLoTzLzJUQZw2fyWH3mKvN5M2n0PXArFC16oX36iSxgYp43OW3-p6ubz8c8Kt_hT7EjoH8d5bcMkadGshTO9zDm1HvnYNWehCFTaD-B2KO2JXvySNaLLE2ksGoF_FM0y7tGpvMTjH0/s1600/20190419_095738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="778" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUfUaLoTzLzJUQZw2fyWH3mKvN5M2n0PXArFC16oX36iSxgYp43OW3-p6ubz8c8Kt_hT7EjoH8d5bcMkadGshTO9zDm1HvnYNWehCFTaD-B2KO2JXvySNaLLE2ksGoF_FM0y7tGpvMTjH0/s640/20190419_095738.jpg" width="310" /></a></div>
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Everything was going very smooth until just recently when our electricity supplier, <a href="https://sse.co.uk/home" target="_blank">Scottish Southern Electric</a> (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottish_and_Southern_Electricity_Networks" target="_blank">SSE</a>) gave us a projected forecast for future usage and of course decided to increase our monthly direct debit.</div>
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I was utterly shocked! 😠 How on earth did they come up with this? We have three years of meter reading and spreadsheet evidence of how much we really use! 😡</div>
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£2,108 over the next 12 months ... I DON'T THINK SO!😠 I, of course, phoned up and complained to <a href="https://sse.co.uk/home" target="_blank">SSE</a> about the forecast. A computer predicts the usage, so some human intervention needed to be assigned. Thankfully and without having to get to the point of approaching an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ombudsman" target="_blank">ombudsman</a>. An apology of the aggressive projected forecast was made by <a href="https://sse.co.uk/home" target="_blank">SSE</a>. We were given a small token fee amount of credit to our account and our monthly direct debit was decreased to £110 per month, which covers winter heating payments as well. Don't worry! I will be keeping a close eye on this! 😎</div>
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The moral of this story is to submit monthly meter readings and keep on eye on your bills, just in case a computer-generated forecast is used to crank up your direct debits. The worrying fact to this as well is that 1000's of customers could be affected by this without even realising it! Also, what about the elderly and those that suffer from mental health issues? 😟</div>
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<b>Summer Time Travels :: ( 8-Bit Symphony / Saturday 8th June 2019 )</b></div>
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Mrs A and I are attending the <a href="https://www.8-bit-symphony.com/" target="_blank">8-Bit Symphony Concert</a> on Saturday 15th June 2019 at <a href="https://www.hulltheatres.co.uk/" target="_blank">Hull City Hall</a> 7:00pm and we're very much looking forward to the event. We'll hopefully be able to meet some old and new faces, not forgetting <a href="https://c64audio.com/" target="_blank">Chris Abbott</a> as well. 😉</div>
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Alex Arishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09495415061897599638noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4588805064132382209.post-10281938771021094102018-12-24T08:01:00.001-08:002018-12-24T08:01:17.786-08:00It's SANTA ! ! !<div style="text-align: justify;">
Can we all stop and catch our breaths now? 😫 It's been really busy with the build-up towards the end of the year for me. Thankfully, I made it and can now relax, put my feet up and have a good <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas" target="_blank">Christmas</a>. 😉</div>
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I finally managed to get my tiredness concerns diagnosed by the form of a blood test and check up at the Doctors. After a urine test and a *cough* <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prostate" target="_blank">prostate</a> examination 😲 ( both clear ), I had to wait for further blood test results. The blood test results returned with the need to increase my <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levothyroxine" target="_blank">Levothyroxine</a> from 75mg to 100mg and a repeat blood test in 4 to 6 weeks. This would account for my slight sluggishness and tiredness. Mrs A has told me to try and rest more, as the build-up from the working week can take its toll sometimes. So, rest I must and this festive break is a good way to make a start.</div>
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During the last few months, I have picked up a few goodies here and there play a bit of <a href="https://shop.lego.com/en-GB/" target="_blank">LEGO</a> for good measure. I hope to re-organise my <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raspberry_Pi" target="_blank">Raspberry Pi</a> set-up so that is in the study area, rather than in the living room. That way Mrs A can continue to watch television when I want to play some video games. 😉🕹📺</div>
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<b>LEGO :: ( BrickHeadz | Mr & Mrs Claus )</b></div>
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These festive BrickHeadz are just adorable. I bought these on the day they were released, direct from <a href="https://shop.lego.com/en-GB/" target="_blank">LEGO</a>. I am glad I did, as they sold out within a few days. Any orders afterwards were classed as back orders and would take longer to ship. Still, I love em'! 😊</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAdmb_BHR557OsYMQZ2F8d6Un9d0o0WItFxNSMvrTJsICm3LV-oIDESwe8SkMVJF64eFIReiwm8eVSpXB9E1ggMBn024c4DyPqkOxoLVPxNRQZurHUcEkI8GAHSvyvRPg5qV10d4xBjU8D/s1600/20181224_111309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAdmb_BHR557OsYMQZ2F8d6Un9d0o0WItFxNSMvrTJsICm3LV-oIDESwe8SkMVJF64eFIReiwm8eVSpXB9E1ggMBn024c4DyPqkOxoLVPxNRQZurHUcEkI8GAHSvyvRPg5qV10d4xBjU8D/s640/20181224_111309.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The <a href="https://shop.lego.com/en-GB/" target="_blank">LEGO</a> store online usually does an exclusive 'Limited Edition' set if you spend a certain amount. I was looking out for the Carousel set, but the amount you had to spend was a bit high for me at the time ( £85 ). However, whilst chatting with a fellow <a href="https://shop.lego.com/en-GB/" target="_blank">LEGO</a> fan at work Martin 'McFly' Morgan, he kindly gifted me one of his limited edition sets. By chance, it was one connected with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas" target="_blank">Christmas</a> and what a great little-themed set it is. 😊🎅</div>
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Little would anyone know that within this parcel, lives a small family ...</div>
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There are some really neat touches with this set and plenty of detail for the inquisitive onlooker. I like the style as well! 😉</div>
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<b>Cadbury's :: ( Christmas Chocolate Selection )</b></div>
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Whilst I was on an ad-hoc shopping mission in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sainsbury%27s" target="_blank">Sainsbury's</a> I came across a cute <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freddo" target="_blank">Freddo</a> plush toy that came with a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas" target="_blank">Christmas</a> chocolate selection. I am sure the bars were bigger looking, even in weight size when I was a child.</div>
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For some reason though, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freddo" target="_blank">Freddo</a> reminds me of the video game character from '<a href="https://www.c64-wiki.com/wiki/Thing_on_a_Spring" target="_blank">Thing on a Spring</a>'. In fact, a plush toy from the game would be really awesome! 😉</div>
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<b>GameDev :: ( PC | Shooter - 16 Degrees )</b></div>
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I am currently patiently waiting for a couple of contributors for 16 Degrees. Both have been really busy with work and life commitments, but have still found time for me, for I am very grateful for. Simon Kitson🖼 , a work colleague is providing a nice artful piece and Chris 'Infamous' Bailey with his always awesome aural delights. 🎶So, thanks, guys! 👍 The game is almost complete and is a mini-game, not a full game. During its production, I experimented with a few routines, with the power-up one being one of the best. In a future production, the routine may have a tweak or two, but I am very proud of what I have achieved. 😊</div>
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<b>Future Goings on in 2019 ::</b></div>
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During 2019, I plan to continue doing game dev with the hope that 16 Degrees is completed sometime in January. I will begin to play for the follow-up game and then afterwards, I'll just play around with routines. Trying to allocate time when your tired from a working day or week has proven to be quite a challenge. Doing small sessions at a time works, but the overall time for a project increases. My ill health over the last 12 months hasn't helped, but it is something I have had to manage as best as I can. The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_(operating_system)" target="_blank">Android</a> cross development has officially ceased and in the near future, I will be removing my games from the <a href="https://play.google.com/store?utm_source=emea_Med&utm_medium=hasem&utm_content=Apr2815&utm_campaign=Evergreen&pcampaignid=MKT-EG-emea-uk-all-Med-hasem-py-Evergreen-Apr2815-1%7cONSEM_kwid_43700007015697573&gclid=Cj0KCQiApILhBRD1ARIsAOXWTzs0TddM-tgTTYdfU5oXQio6w5OjB2-mwLYAgcRjef4BFp8F8ZdZse4aAq-zEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds" target="_blank">Google Play Store</a>. I really enjoyed the excitement from a few years ago and didn't make much of an income. It's a competitive field, which never really bothered me, as I was doing just for fun! 🕹📺😊</div>
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I would like to get back into <a href="https://shop.lego.com/en-GB/" target="_blank">LEGO</a> more and pick up again with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lego#Mocpages/My_Own_Creation" target="_blank">MOC</a> builds. I think I need some affordable solution to separate the bricks into types and colours. We'll have to see! I don't want racks and racks of drawers, just some manageable for the smaller brick elements.</div>
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I need to get back into play a video game or two each week, even if it is for a few minutes. Picking up or <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gamepad" target="_blank">Gamepad</a> or <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joystick" target="_blank">Joystick</a> and playing a favourite platformer or shoot'em up will do me good.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coming soon ... What is this!?!<br /><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: small;">The blog is still a semi-regular occurrence, it's better for me this way now. Plus I can add more subject matter this way, even if it's every other month or quarterly, whenever it lands.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">And finally ...</span></div>
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Alex Arishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09495415061897599638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4588805064132382209.post-83532677049843153262018-09-29T05:37:00.001-07:002018-09-29T05:37:26.014-07:00Semi-regular and Hello Vera<div style="text-align: justify;">
I have started to feel a bit better this month. However, the tiredness remains. 😧 I've been reading up a bit more with regards to <span style="font-family: inherit;">my '<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypothyroidism" target="_blank">Hypothyroidism</a>' <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thyroid" target="_blank">Thyroid</a> condition</span>. I was pleased to find a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom" target="_blank">UK</a> based organisation called <a href="http://www.thyroiduk.org.uk/index.html" target="_blank">Thyroid UK</a> which has lots of information about the condition and other useful facts. Mrs A also suffers from the same <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thyroid" target="_blank">Thyroid</a> condition as well. Apparently, the medication we take '<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levothyroxine" target="_blank">Levothyroxine</a>' can also be taken before bedtime. Well, Mrs A did this and found she felt less groggy in the morning. This would also help if you take other tablets, like vitamins and minerals ideally in the morning.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK3xPpur2x48OUaK6HZ8k6ozkTjRcN4o0A2pKJFY0_674VqwdDEyvRqx4sAS5W6BGM36BPJZXhOJh4qXWqz56m2zEc12bqOtUw2hQe1A3x14e2P9smIY3Gnr696ZYwTa2jYoApwtlJabGY/s1600/Tropic+Aloe+-+Strawberry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="899" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK3xPpur2x48OUaK6HZ8k6ozkTjRcN4o0A2pKJFY0_674VqwdDEyvRqx4sAS5W6BGM36BPJZXhOJh4qXWqz56m2zEc12bqOtUw2hQe1A3x14e2P9smIY3Gnr696ZYwTa2jYoApwtlJabGY/s320/Tropic+Aloe+-+Strawberry.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hello Vera!</td></tr>
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During a Saturday morning out and shop at a selection of stores, I decided to buy a drink, from <a href="https://www.poundland.co.uk/" target="_blank">Poundland</a> in fact. I chose Tropic Aloé Strawberry. This is what I thought to be flavoured water, but how wrong was I. It's a drink with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aloe_vera" target="_blank">Aloé Vera</a> extract, which is an unexpected experience to taste blobs within a sip or gulp. Even after shaking the bottle, you will still expect a gloopy texture. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aloe_vera" target="_blank">Aloé Vera</a> is supposed to be good for the digestive system and also for your skin. To be honest, I am not so sure about this drink and probably won't be buying it again for the unusual ingredient. 😝</div>
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<b>GameDev :: ( PC | Shooter - 16 Degrees )</b></div>
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Not much work has been done on the game this month. I still have a few tiles to check and look over, the changes will probably be subtle. Music Maestro <a href="https://soundcloud.com/infamousuk" target="_blank">Chris 'Infamous' Bailey</a> is still currently working on the soundtrack whenever he has the time. We also have to remember 16 Degrees is a mini-game and ordinarily, I would have completed a project like this in less than six months. However, the free time that was once before, has somewhat shifted because of other life commitments. I would also love to do a follow-up game and hope and pray that I can squeeze more time for the future. The project would be bigger with longer levels and I would like to have different attack waves for the enemy and more ground objects to shoot and be shot at by. Keeping positively focused with fingers crossed! 😉</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1gZziIQqjQByH9KYqZ8dYBTZHbeZROrFD7Gy9H-oLIMzhA4861vlYy9NBOBqLcQq0CG-oWEtgbloS4eyjxekUYHJPwo6rJYmBCCFFx8T7qeEuRhO_Rtlj_M4HGyfJSnrBfeknHBRi3Bwe/s1600/024+-+Game+Maker+Studio+2+%2528+16+Degrees+%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1366" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1gZziIQqjQByH9KYqZ8dYBTZHbeZROrFD7Gy9H-oLIMzhA4861vlYy9NBOBqLcQq0CG-oWEtgbloS4eyjxekUYHJPwo6rJYmBCCFFx8T7qeEuRhO_Rtlj_M4HGyfJSnrBfeknHBRi3Bwe/s640/024+-+Game+Maker+Studio+2+%2528+16+Degrees+%2529.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Game Maker Studio 2 - 16 Degrees</td></tr>
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<b>Petmate :: ( PC | Petscii Editor )</b></div>
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<a href="https://nurpax.github.io/petmate/" target="_blank">Petmate</a> is a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PETSCII" target="_blank">PETSCII</a> cross-platform image editor, which also allows you to design <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GIF" target="_blank">GIF</a> animations and export <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Program_Files" target="_blank">PRG</a> files for your favourite <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/8-bit" target="_blank">8-bit</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_International" target="_blank">Commodore</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer" target="_blank">computer</a>. Many years ago, I actually tried a hand at drawing with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PETSCII" target="_blank">PETSCII</a> graphics on the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_64" target="_blank">Commodore 64</a>. However, I can't remember the program name. I think it came bundled on a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_Disk_User" target="_blank">Commodore Disk User</a> cover disk. Anyway, over the last weeks, I've had a go at designing some screens with <a href="https://nurpax.github.io/petmate/" target="_blank">Petmate</a> and I am very happy with the results. I will definitely be doing some more! 😃</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ4pIoDJELJTVzPtRFa_kaloQgef0ESDwzU_FcvLWwdaBVLS4sMdAvvNRkBvK1_efvDkxxVc-ravokBTlMsezaVruA3UcYGMByTpeUjSU7dx02bN7HIasTkj32K4okMG6seUGbaEs1kxoa/s1600/Petscii+-+Commodore+Logo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ4pIoDJELJTVzPtRFa_kaloQgef0ESDwzU_FcvLWwdaBVLS4sMdAvvNRkBvK1_efvDkxxVc-ravokBTlMsezaVruA3UcYGMByTpeUjSU7dx02bN7HIasTkj32K4okMG6seUGbaEs1kxoa/s1600/Petscii+-+Commodore+Logo.gif" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The classic Commodore Logo ( my first Petmate PETSCII screen )</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguZrNng9KjWDLMTLrroZ5BQsjmi-lIYKFNg-PBRAUpQTF-cqvM0tdTrn-HUuBC4h3shejd62Gt-5jmaxaZZdz8IgbSheJjQf5x_g6fxAisNw6azpHO3Lkm1KDcWHJvyAVOUmb-VcyRt6u_/s1600/Petscii+-+Commodore+64+Basic+Backdrop+with+Joystick.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguZrNng9KjWDLMTLrroZ5BQsjmi-lIYKFNg-PBRAUpQTF-cqvM0tdTrn-HUuBC4h3shejd62Gt-5jmaxaZZdz8IgbSheJjQf5x_g6fxAisNw6azpHO3Lkm1KDcWHJvyAVOUmb-VcyRt6u_/s1600/Petscii+-+Commodore+64+Basic+Backdrop+with+Joystick.gif" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Joystick and BASIC prompt symbolises a lot</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_eMCoYaO3oeIfiaE494Zab54chCO2wUAJpDRdJpupYXR-b3mStHsounba2Yxd13_WniDSiFFEkgTZST3zdfRbOw8IFUZElsTRw4OLqG5yHIn_UtXzuhNIuXw6JWFPb2gSqilLlX8puoB/s1600/Petscii+-+Thing+on+a+Spring.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB_eMCoYaO3oeIfiaE494Zab54chCO2wUAJpDRdJpupYXR-b3mStHsounba2Yxd13_WniDSiFFEkgTZST3zdfRbOw8IFUZElsTRw4OLqG5yHIn_UtXzuhNIuXw6JWFPb2gSqilLlX8puoB/s1600/Petscii+-+Thing+on+a+Spring.gif" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I really love the *cute* <a href="https://www.c64-wiki.com/wiki/Thing_on_a_Spring" target="_blank">Thing on a Spring</a> character</td></tr>
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<b>Blog Frequency ( Semi-regular ) ::</b></div>
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The frequency of my blog posts is about to change. I will now post at semi-regular times, which might mean that some months or weeks there may be many posts or even less. Rest assured there will be continued blogging but at more random times throughout the year. This will also put less pressure on timescales for me towards the end of any month. I would like to get a few posts in before the end of 2018. Plus, of course, 16 Degrees should and hopefully be released by then. 😊 </div>
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Alex Arishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09495415061897599638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4588805064132382209.post-17245111182120007502018-08-31T10:36:00.000-07:002018-08-31T10:36:11.372-07:00When it's almost complete ...<div style="text-align: justify;">
Even though this month had less, there was actually more. I tried to get more rest and succeeded pretty well, that short nap in the early evening before tea really helped. I managed to dodge the tail end of the hayfever season and haven't had the need to take any <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antihistamine" target="_blank">Antihistamines</a> for a few weeks now, which is pretty good. 😃</div>
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The summer bank holiday was going really well, Mrs A and I visited our favourite haunt, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stratford-upon-Avon" target="_blank">Stratford-upon-Avon</a>. When we rolled into Sunday, I suddenly fell ill and was pretty much knocked for six with rising and falling temperatures and vomiting followed by customary <a class="" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diarrhea" target="_blank">Diarrhea</a> for several hours during the day. This all sounds rather graphic but most puzzling for me, I can only pinpoint it to be an anxiety attack through some thought or memory triggered over the last few days or even weeks. As I now realise, an attack can come at any time. The important thing is I got past it and rested as much as I could. I Even attempted to drive to work and made to the toilet there, only to bravely drive home again and return back to the toilet again. As a result, I reported in sick at work the same day. There really wasn't any point in trying to brave it out any further. The last time I was ill like this was during Easter. I will try to be more aware of the symptoms, as it wasn't anything that I ate! 😵</div>
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<b>GameDev :: ( PC | Shooter - 16 Degrees )</b></div>
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A little bit more work was done this month, particularly with fixing a few bugs on the load and save routine, but also music and sound options. Whilst on the title screen you can toggle either music or sound or turn everything off. So, once you quit the game, it should remember your settings the next time you load the game. Before this, only the sound effects options worked.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirRBcHQSuWbsQK3rYrP05FSQH3N8bFDfhEr5cgXBEptTHsWYverw2EcVIVBuLbRFrLDeE595gzDem30I5KOjAQYXeR_n2_fTqlc5qBjkplQkMQnWJ4cHI-vfgoBokR1Qj2FDi_UmedyvrE/s1600/023+-+Title+Screen+-+Music+by+Chris+Bailey+%2528+800+x+600+%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirRBcHQSuWbsQK3rYrP05FSQH3N8bFDfhEr5cgXBEptTHsWYverw2EcVIVBuLbRFrLDeE595gzDem30I5KOjAQYXeR_n2_fTqlc5qBjkplQkMQnWJ4cHI-vfgoBokR1Qj2FDi_UmedyvrE/s400/023+-+Title+Screen+-+Music+by+Chris+Bailey+%2528+800+x+600+%2529.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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I also worked on the game complete screen or 'outro'. Although simple, it should hopefully be rewarding enough for the player alongside some music. Incidentally, I have asked <a href="https://soundcloud.com/infamousuk/tracks" target="_blank">Chris 'Infamous' Bailey</a> to provide a soundtrack for the game. I have great teaser track to work with and I kindly asked for another already existing track for the already mentioned game complete screen. If the both of us able to get things complete around our life and work schedules, the end of 2018 might be a good release date. I still have some more tweaking and background tiles to add look over, so all in good time. 😉</div>
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After 16 Degrees is complete and released ( I still have to create a little <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PDF" target="_blank">PDF</a> instructions file as well ), I will continue to design games, even though another project might take a longer or shorter time span. I think I'll concentrate on some little routines for my current game engine in <a href="https://www.yoyogames.com/gamemaker" target="_blank">GameMaker Studio 2</a>. Once I have all I need, it should be a case of copying over routines and modifying them to my own requirements. At the moment, I am really keen on doing another shoot'em up, especially with power-ups and longer levels. Having Bosses at the end of each level adds that extra bit of excitement for the player. The more I think about it, the more I can't wait! 🕹😍</div>
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Alex Arishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09495415061897599638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4588805064132382209.post-68677138264451846072018-07-28T07:26:00.000-07:002018-07-28T07:26:51.370-07:00Keeping Cool, Whilst Overheating !<div style="text-align: justify;">
It has been a real struggle this month coping with the hot weather bringing temperatures up to 35 degrees <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celsius" target="_blank">Celcius</a>. 😅 The biggest discomfort is trying to sleep at night, even with a tower fan and window open, it seemed to make no difference. However, getting up and walking around a bit, and getting some water really helped. A <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heat_wave" target="_blank">heatwave</a> is a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heat_wave" target="_blank">heatwave</a> and surviving is another thing! 😓 Bring on some rain! 💧</div>
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Apart from the heatwave this month, it has been fairly productive and enjoyable. I got ahead with game development and have slowly started to get into <a href="https://www.lego.com/en-gb/" target="_blank">LEGO</a> again, being selective in what I buy, but also enjoying the moments building a set.</div>
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<b>LEGO :: ( BrickHeadz | Harry Potter™ & Hedwig™ )</b></div>
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I have a feeling that these series of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Potter" target="_blank">Harry Potter</a> sets will sell really quick and be limited edition in a short space of time. There will be those that'll buy more than one set and wait until reserves dry up, only to sell at an inflated price. It happens all the time unless the manufacturer produces a little more consistently after the release date, this should weed out profiteers.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5HHEdPVECLFs9DesD8M7teqmOzcUliMkRyyGr7uYIA6weAJm0uocQfXTw4EGbCZyryLUr4zLxiUZWfj7NOi7foH3G1eIm4D1M4eivu-YMDVOohF95H-Jn4_9vxsgOez6HFbZQ51xE9Gz9/s1600/IMG_20180728_123343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1600" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5HHEdPVECLFs9DesD8M7teqmOzcUliMkRyyGr7uYIA6weAJm0uocQfXTw4EGbCZyryLUr4zLxiUZWfj7NOi7foH3G1eIm4D1M4eivu-YMDVOohF95H-Jn4_9vxsgOez6HFbZQ51xE9Gz9/s640/IMG_20180728_123343.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The <a href="https://shop.lego.com/en-GB/Brickheadz-sets" target="_blank">BrickHeadz</a> series is quite delightful and I am really happy with this set, especially <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magical_creatures_in_Harry_Potter#Hedwig" target="_blank">Hedwig</a> the Owl. 😊</div>
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<b>GameDev :: ( PC | Shooter - 16 Degrees )</b><br />
The key addition to this months work on 16 Degrees was speech sound effects and all were recorded using my <a href="https://consumer.huawei.com/uk/phones/m/p20/?u=m&gclid=Cj0KCQjwqPDaBRC6ARIsACAf4hB7lk_ypP72EIg0v9Ia_rT9KC9dOMMB0Rs6S84voe1buTPQMwQqAnEaAvRCEALw_wcB&adobe_mc_sdid=SDID%3D02700F0A10FE2F8C-5E97E05D5D1E8B75%7CMCORGID%3D7DA25C0158C1322D0A495DB1%2540AdobeOrg&adobe_mc_ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.co.uk%2F" target="_blank">Huawei P9 Lite</a> with the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sony" target="_blank">SONY</a> <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sonymobile.androidapp.audiorecorder&hl=en_GB" target="_blank">Audio Recorder</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Application_software" target="_blank">app</a> for <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_(operating_system)" target="_blank">Android</a>. 🎤 It's simple but very effective for all your recording requirements. The additional editing was done using <a href="https://www.audacityteam.org/" target="_blank">Audacity</a>, another awesome piece of software.<br />
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With sound effects added, the game is given more depth and speech samples just make it that little more special. Music is coming soon, just a little longer wait for more of a full audio character for the game. 🎶🎮 I still need to design some more background tiles for the levels and place more tiles throughout. This will make them look a bit more interesting! 😊</div>
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Alex Arishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09495415061897599638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4588805064132382209.post-45712277887000080932018-06-29T00:06:00.000-07:002018-06-29T00:06:39.284-07:0016 Degrees and rising !<div style="text-align: justify;">
Whoa! It's getting hot in here and all around. It sure has been a flaming <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/June" target="_blank">June</a> with some glorious weather and a small amount of rainfall. So, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Window" target="_blank">Windows</a> open and Fans on to get the air flowing around as to cool down. 😅<br />
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After surviving the day to day routines I have some days off work now into <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/July" target="_blank">July</a>. Time for some relaxing, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hobby" target="_blank">hobbies</a> and time with Mrs A. 😍<br />
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I have some other bits and bobs coming up for the blog over the coming months, a few <a href="https://shop.lego.com/en-GB/#shopxlink" target="_blank">LEGO</a> purchases maybe and some <a href="https://www.yoyogames.com/gamemaker" target="_blank">GameMaker Studio 2</a> <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=game+maker+studio" target="_blank">books</a>. I just have to read, photograph and study to get everything together.<br />
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<b>GameDev :: ( PC | Shooter - 16 Degrees )</b><br />
After last months resolution changes, I added a few more background tiles which are subject to tweaks. However, I did do a lot of gameplay testing. Part of which I tried to get as far as I could with three lives. The first few attempts were quite brave and after each a try, I got a little further. But I never completed the game, until I changed the lives count to 4 and would you believe it, I completed the whole game with one life and energy power-ups. So, in all, the game can be completed but tact and perseverance are required for you to endure that extra mile! 🕹😁<br />
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During <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/July" target="_blank">July </a>more playtesting will be done and level tile design. I also need to add some more sound effects and maybe some speech, but I am not sure how much I need. It was quite good including speech in the game <a href="http://alexanderaris.wixsite.com/alexarisgames" target="_blank">Barriers</a> and added more depth. As to how near I think the game is to being finished? I'd say over 75%. Ideally, if I can finish the project by the end of the year, it will be a great bonus. Working on it in bits has taken longer, but has given me more time to think about how I want it to turn out. Playing the completed game will be a great accomplishment! 😊</div>
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Alex Arishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09495415061897599638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4588805064132382209.post-59540850490269850952018-05-27T08:35:00.002-07:002018-05-27T08:35:46.905-07:00A Resolution to a Resolution!<div style="text-align: justify;">
I don't know why, but I have felt mostly tired this month. Having a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypothyroidism" target="_blank">Thyroid</a> condition can affect most of what you try to do day by day when most people can quite comfortably manage without any issues. At the end of each working day and week, it feels as if I have had travelled on a long haul flight halfway across the world. Ironically, even if I have a day off or when the weekend comes, it is still the same if a little less. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lethargy" target="_blank">Lethargy</a> comes to mind! I guess this all comes with the territory of having an underactive <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypothyroidism" target="_blank">Thyroid</a>. So, please do forgive me if I mention this each month or periodically. 😵</div>
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The weather has really come up trumps this month with lots of nice sun and rain to cools things down a little bit but to also water natures garden. I have taken a precautionary measure and bought some <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allergic_rhinitis" target="_blank">Hayfever</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antihistamine" target="_blank">Antihistamines</a> and touch wood, so far everything is okay with limited sneezing fits. 😲</div>
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<b>LEGO :: ( Star Wars | 75193 Millennium Falcon Microfighter )</b></div>
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Here is a cute little set ideally themed for " <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars_Day" target="_blank">May 4th Be with You</a> " during the month of May. The build was fun and it is nice to have a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chewbacca" target="_blank">Chewbacca</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lego_minifigure" target="_blank">mini-figure</a>. 😉 I picked this up from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asda" target="_blank">Asda</a> Living during an ad-hoc shopping trip with Mrs A. 😍</div>
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<b>GameDev :: ( PC | Shooter - 16 Degrees )</b></div>
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During some testing on a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laptop" target="_blank">Laptop</a>, it suddenly dawned on me that the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Display_resolution" target="_blank">screen resolution</a> was too deep from a <b>Y</b> dimension sense. The original resolution was <b>1024</b> x <b>768</b>, but I found that this proved graphically difficult during gameplay. So, I have decided to change the resolution throughout the whole game to <b>800</b> x <b>600</b>. Of course, the scrolling screens will stay at <b>800</b> x <b>3840</b> or thereabouts.<br />
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The main game itself should remain unchanged but will make it more compatible with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laptop" target="_blank">Laptops</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_computer" target="_blank">PC's</a> with similar resolutions, especially full-screen. For the moment the main design and collision detection are set, so the change of path is actually good because I wanted to change the design of the background tiles. Once this is done, I can apply phased checking and tidying until I am happy. Not to forget plenty of playtesting! 🕹😉</div>
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<b>PC :: ( </b><b>Windows 10 | </b><b>Version 1803 Update )</b><br />
Normally, I say normally, a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Windows" target="_blank">Windows</a> update is fairly straightforward and shouldn't pose too much of a problem. Unfortunately, this time for me, there was an issue that just wasn't going to go away. For almost an entire week my <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_computer" target="_blank">PC</a> didn't want to update and everything else was functioning correctly.<br />
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Some of the solutions to remedy the issue were a bit too radical, like, re-installing <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Windows" target="_blank">Windows </a>altogether. That in itself would take several days during a working week or an entire week. Well, after some further investigation, I found out that clearing a certain folder could be the answer. According to a site called <a href="https://www.drivereasy.com/knowledge/windows-10-upgrade-stuck-at-99-solved/" target="_blank">Driver Easy</a>, my problem of " <b>Windows 10 Upgrade Stuck at 99%</b> " was pretty much solved. The folder in question was " <b>C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution</b> ". There are some other methods which involve stopping and starting services and running " <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Windows" target="_blank">Windows</a> <b>Update Troubleshooter</b> ". The clear winning solution was to delete the entire contents of the <b>Software Distribution</b> folder, but I did have to revert to doing this in Safe Mode as <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Windows" target="_blank">Windows</a> was protecting a few files for whatever reason. Within a couple of hours, I was fully updated and nothing was lost or broken. I did make a few <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backup" target="_blank">backups</a>, <b>Differential</b> and <b>FULL</b> just to be safe. So, yes! Phew! That's that until another big <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Windows" target="_blank">Windows</a> update! 😝<br />
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Alex Arishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09495415061897599638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4588805064132382209.post-39382001820278596192018-04-28T09:46:00.005-07:002018-04-28T09:46:54.368-07:00Game Development from 30 years ago!<div style="text-align: justify;">
What an interesting month this has been! And it really hasn't been without a dull moment with plenty going on, even if in small amounts. The weather has brought us both warm temperatures and rain. I am looking forward to the month of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/May">May</a> onwards with warmer days ahead. 😊</div>
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Whilst out on a walk with a work friend, we came across a fully working water pump which uses water from a nearby stream. The water is generally used for an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allotment_(gardening)">Allotment</a> 🌱 a very short distance away and I wouldn't even attempt to drink from its source. 😬</div>
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Ah! Its <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago">Chicago's</a> finest on a slightly rainy day in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stratford-upon-Avon">Stratford-upon-Avon</a>. 😃 I never thought we'd see a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Motor_Company">Ford</a> Police car 🚔 in really good condition and that looked the part, even if it was parked on the top floor of a car park. </div>
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Construction <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crane_(machine)">Cranes</a> everywhere! At the moment <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxford">Oxford</a> has them scattered all over the place because of a slight boom of business and housing projects. It just seems ironic at the moment that there some many of them. 😵</div>
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<b>GameDev :: ( PC | Shooter - 16 Degrees )</b><br />
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The official collision detection switch on happened this month and the game plays really well. At the moment I can complete the entire game in less than 10 minutes. Easy said when I know the game itself inside out. Some tweaks definitely need to be applied in order to make the gameplay longer and at the moment when your weapon overheats, the energy is replenished. I think this needs to be switched off and the challenge itself will become more.<br />
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I did find one bizarre bug where an end level boss hit count stopped working. After some reverse step diagnosis, I discovered that the collision detection mask had been set to a square outside of the main sprite. Thus the reason for the boss hit count not working and thanks to displaying the varibles on the screen, I could see that everything was working. The Earth enemy boss was the only one affected, leaving the Wind and Fire bosses A O.K.! 😊<br />
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On the Title screen when the scoring objects are displayed are I wanted to include a rank system that equalled to a score and then display a word or phrase. For several days I could get the piece of code to work, until tried the following :<br />
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<span style="background-color: black;">if (scorehi > 501 && scorehi < 1000) // Checks for variable greater than 501 and less than 1000</span></div>
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Hey! Presto! It worked and now scores can now have a certain word or phrase! 😊</div>
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<b>Phantom - The Mission :: ( Commodore 64 | Shooter - Shoot'em up Construction Kit )</b></div>
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This year marks the 30th anniversary since the release of <a href="http://alexanderaris.wixsite.com/alexarisgames/gallery">Phantom - The Mission</a> on the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_64">Commodore 64</a>. It was created using the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shoot-%27Em-Up_Construction_Kit">Shoot'em up Construction Kit</a> ( SEUCK ). Having read reviews of SEUCK in several computer magazines, I was eagerly anticipating it's release. Then came the day, after a days work at my work placement on the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Youth_Training_Scheme">Youth Training Scheme</a>, I headed into <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxford">Oxford</a> City and straight to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boots_UK">Boots</a> the Chemist. They sold Music and Video games back in the 1980's! Being 1988 and it's general release being 1989, there might have been a few months lapse with me purchasing it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Commodore 64 Setup from 1988/9</td></tr>
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What made me most excited about this creative piece of software, was the fact that you didn't need any programming experience. Just an idea for a game and it's rules! Even now in 2018, games are still being created with SEUCK and additional software add-ons and modified versions help expand your creations even further.</div>
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If I had any regrets about my creativity in the 1980's with the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_64">Commodore 64</a>, it would that my mind didn't understand programming more, especially with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Machine_code">Machine Code</a>. I know there were many books for beginners, but my mindset was quite different back then than it is today.</div>
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Despite the fact that <a href="http://alexanderaris.wixsite.com/alexarisgames/gallery">Phantom - The Mission</a> was created using a game creator tool, I was very proud and even more so for it to be published on a monthly disk magazine called <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_Disk_User">Commodore Disk User</a>. I still have the very same magazine and disk from all those years ago. A friend at the time, David Axtell helped with the creation and we earned £100 ( <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pound_sterling">GBP</a> ). In today's money that would be around £250 ( <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pound_sterling">GBP</a> ). <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PC - Phantom Millennium</td></tr>
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In 2010, I made an attempt to recreate the <a href="http://alexanderaris.wixsite.com/alexarisgames/gallery">Phantom - The Mission</a> experience with <a href="http://alexanderaris.wixsite.com/alexarisgames/gallery">Phantom Millennium</a>. Thinking back that that was eight years ago now and my game design and techniques have come along way since then. All of the games I design, always prove interesting in terms of problems that occur and solutions that evolve in remedying a bug or problem. </div>
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<b>Crowdfunding :: ( Symphony 64 - The Collection | Reformation 2 )</b><br />
With the kindness of Mrs. A, two late coming <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_64">Commodore 64</a> crowd funding albums have been bought for me. <a href="https://c64audio.com/collections/music-albums/symphony-64">Symphony 64 - The Collection</a> ( <a href="https://c64audio.com/">Chris Abbott</a> ) and <a href="https://c64audio.com/pages/reformation-2-pre-order-kickstarter-additional-page">Reformation 2</a> ( <a href="https://c64audio.com/pages/reformation-2-pre-order-kickstarter-additional-page">Matt Gray</a> ).<br />
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<a href="https://c64audio.com/collections/music-albums/symphony-64">Symphony 64 - The Collection</a> ( <a href="https://c64audio.com/">Chris Abbott</a> ) is due for release late Summer 2018 and <a href="https://c64audio.com/pages/reformation-2-pre-order-kickstarter-additional-page">Reformation 2</a> ( <a href="https://c64audio.com/pages/reformation-2-pre-order-kickstarter-additional-page">Matt Gray</a> ) late May into June 2018. After this, I will have more than enough music to keep my ears entertained for the coming months and years. 🎵 😊<br />
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And finally ...<br />
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Alex Arishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09495415061897599638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4588805064132382209.post-57999993537044407632018-03-31T09:43:00.000-07:002018-03-31T09:43:06.380-07:00Speed Champions and Virgin Media<div style="text-align: justify;">
I was not surprised to see the snow ☃ again this month, even though now we have had more rain. Snow is nice, just as long as you don't have to travel in it. Last weekend was <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daylight_saving_time">daylight savings</a>, so we are now moving towards lighter mornings and evenings. 😊</div>
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The above photo was taken in a supermarket car park, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aldi">Aldi</a> to be precise. I thought the shrubbery looked quite interesting amongst the snow. Thankfully, the car park was well gritted and no skidding or wheel spins took place whilst parking. 🚗</div>
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<b>Virgin Media ::</b></div>
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Last summer, a <a href="http://www.virginmedia.com/">Virgin Media</a> sales guy knocked on our door and informed us that their services were being installed in the area. We were offered a " Lightning Deal " special offer! However, the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broadband">Broadband</a> contract with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EE_Limited">EE</a> was still locked in for another eight months. If we switched then, we would've had to pay several half payment months to end the contract. Thankfully, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virgin_Media">Virgin Media</a> locked in the deal for us and at the end of February 2018, we had their services installed. 😁</div>
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The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TiVo">Tivo</a> V6 box is really awesome and allows for up to six programs to be recorded at once and the extra channels and programmes are a welcome addition to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freeview_(UK)">Freeview</a> ones. I have noticed that the internet speed is only around 38mb. The lowest available speed in 50mb and the next is 100mbs ( our package speed ). At the moment, I am not sure why it is this low! I am thankful to have a respectable speed and our phone now uses <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VoIP_phone">VOIP</a> technology.</div>
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<b>LEGO :: ( Speed Champions | 75885 Ford Fiesta M-Sport WRC )</b> <br />As March was the month of my Birthday 🎂 ( and Mrs A ), I decided to buy a <a href="https://www.lego.com/en-gb/">LEGO</a> set, a Speed Champions one. This is my first of this theme. I really liked the build and design but didn't like the fact that there are lots of stickers. I can only think that it is much cheaper to produce a sticker set include printed bricks. If I can at any point, I'll look out for another set of stickers on <a href="https://www.ebay.co.uk/">eBay</a> or <a href="https://www.bricklink.com/v2/main.page">Bricklink</a>.</div>
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<b>Gaming :: ( PC / Commodore 64 )</b></div>
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Not surprisingly again, on my birthday 🎂, I decided to buy two games 🕹for just over £10 <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pound_sterling">GBP</a>. The first game or games is a pack or anthology called <a href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/675750/GameDevDan_vs_Life/">GameDevDan vs Life</a> which is available on Steam. For less than £5 <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pound_sterling">GBP</a> you get 50 games covering different genres with lots of interesting types of gameplay. It definitely comes along way from the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cassette_50">Cascade 50 Games</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compact_Cassette">Tape</a> back in the 1980's. There is more passion and effort with <a href="http://store.steampowered.com/app/675750/GameDevDan_vs_Life/">GameDevDav vs Life</a> for sure. Worth every penny! 😉</div>
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The next purchase £6 <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pound_sterling">GBP</a> was <a href="https://galencia.itch.io/galencia">Galencia</a> for the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_64">Commodore 64</a> by Jason Aldred. This is an awesome shoot'em up including 50 levels loosely based on <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galaga">Galaga</a>, but even more addictive. I quite embarrassingly can't get off level 5 at the moment!</div>
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I am currently playing this awesome game on <a href="https://retropie.org.uk/">RetroPie</a> via the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VICE">Vice</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_64">Commodore 64</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emulator">emulator</a>, bringing it home on the big screen Television. I try to spend a good few minutes every month if I can to play some classic games. It helps me unwind and brings back nostalgia for the good old computing days! 😍</div>
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<b>GameDev :: ( PC | Shooter - 16 Degrees )</b><br />This month I only worked on a couple of things and the collision detection event is going to happen during the month of April. Luckily, I have a few days off over the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter">Easter</a> period for which I'll use some free moments. The weather element features have worked rather well and the Fire level will star a spouting fire geyser.</div>
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There is still more cosmetic tweaking to do and that will be attended to during the phase by phase checking until I am happy that everything is looking and working as expected.</div>
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Alex Arishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09495415061897599638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4588805064132382209.post-24446948385494385412018-02-24T04:24:00.000-08:002018-02-24T04:24:18.345-08:00Frosts and Flowers! <div style="text-align: justify;">
I pretty much survived this month avoiding <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pothole" target="_blank">potholes</a> and enduring frosty mornings. Although, it is a bit confusing when it rains the next day? 😕 I will be glad when spring finally arrives, seeing <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galanthus" target="_blank">Snow Drops</a> around is a reassuring sign that warmer temperatures are on the way. 😊 </div>
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Our <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/search?ei=gj-RWrSrAdH3gQbH3oPAAQ&q=amarylliss&oq=amarylliss&gs_l=psy-ab.3..0i10k1l10.5664035.5669453.0.5669924.10.10.0.0.0.0.86.672.9.9.0....0...1c.1.64.psy-ab..1.9.667...0j0i46i67k1j46i67k1j0i131k1j35i39k1j0i67k1j0i131i67k1.0.WpUrY1oT4I0" target="_blank">Amaryliss</a> has flowered. It was given as a gift with a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas" target="_blank">Christmas</a> <a href="https://capuk.org/" target="_blank">Hamper</a> and didn't take too long to grow from the bulb over the last couple of months. It makes me feel very cheery indeed! 😄</div>
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<b>GameDev :: ( PC | Shooter - 16 Degrees )</b><br />
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We are nearly approaching a point where the big collision detection and game testing phase begins. I am hoping that it will work out to be a gradual difficulty progression, although I have a feeling it may be a bit random.</div>
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I finished the intro and game complete screens. There may well be some changes to these, but the overall placement gives an idea of what I wanted. The current build of <b>16 Degrees</b> is now close to its first phase of completion. I usually like to do several phases making improvements wherever needed. 😎</div>
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<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_effect" target="_blank">Sound effects</a> haven't been added yet, but I have an idea of what I would like use. You really can't beat vocal effects being edited in <a href="https://www.audacityteam.org/" target="_blank">Audacity</a>! 😃</div>
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Alex Arishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09495415061897599638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4588805064132382209.post-89761305827725175022018-01-27T04:27:00.000-08:002018-01-27T04:28:52.895-08:00He's Batman!<div style="text-align: justify;">
I wasn't aware that <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/January" target="_blank">January</a> has now been labelled as being a great way of buying through now called " Blues Sales ". Okay for those with some spare cash! 😐 It can also be a long month, especially straight after <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas">Christmas</a>, until next <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wage">payday</a>. It's also a smart idea to start saving now for the festive build up now, so everything is financially prepared for towards the end of the year. 😉</div>
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My productivity levels have been pretty good with game development and I got further with tweaks and a few bug fixes. I have also been feeling very good well being wise, apart from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thyroid" target="_blank">Thyroid</a> related conditions, like feeling tired. This is quite common and typical, although I think I may have a cold rolled in for good measure! 😬</div>
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<b>LEGO :: ( BrickHeadz | 41585 Batman )</b> <br />
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Thanks to a little bit of Christmas money giving as a gift, I treated myself this <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lego">LEGO</a> <a href="https://shop.lego.com/en-GB/Brickheadz-sets">Brickheadz</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batman">Batman</a> which cost £9.99 <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pound_sterling">GBP</a>. The build time was about 10 minutes at a leisurely pace. I quite like this range of characters and hope get <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_(character)">Robin</a> and at a later date.</div>
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<b>GameDev :: ( PC | Shooter - 16 Degrees )</b><br />
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I managed to do a reasonable amount of gamedev over the last few weeks, including a Joystick routine that I thought was going to be difficult, but as it turned out, was in fact fairly easy after deconstructing each element.</div>
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A basic intro is now in place, as well as an attract mode where the Title screen alternates between the Credits and an Objects and Scoring section. This is all timed and the game can be started at any time so the player doesn't have to wait any further. There is still more to do with the placement of Enemy Objects and background Tiles, not forgetting the *BIG* collision detection switch on where the whole game itself will be tweaked for playability and lastability. Let's hope the game gets a fair few minutes of gameplay! 🕹</div>
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<b>RetroPie ::</b></div>
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Over the last few weeks, I have managed to work out how to install more game systems on the <a href="https://retropie.org.uk/">RetroPie</a>, including the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_International">Commodore</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amiga">Amiga</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_64">64</a>. All these leaves are trying to work out what games I want to put on? Perhaps a few quick play titles? 🕹I can always use the save state feature if the gameplay is longer than a few minutes! 😊</div>
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Although <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pac-Man">Pac-Man</a> was one of the first games I played on <a href="https://retropie.org.uk/">RetroPie</a>, <a href="https://www.c64-wiki.com/wiki/Thing_on_a_Spring">Thing on a Spring</a> came a close second, especially with the awesome soundtrack by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rob_Hubbard" target="_blank">Rob Hubbard</a>! 🎵😉</div>
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Alex Arishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09495415061897599638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4588805064132382209.post-28800415941951450722017-12-26T12:56:00.003-08:002017-12-26T12:56:34.044-08:00It's Snowing and Santa has been<div style="text-align: justify;">
Here comes the Snow! ❆ The timing was pretty much perfect with the lead up to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas" target="_blank">Christmas</a>. 🎄 😊 Even though a lot had fallen over many hours and our housing estate looked pretty major, I was still able to commute to work without any issue. However, for several days there were severe mornings with black ice. Thankfully, every road I had to travel on was treated with grit by the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxfordshire" target="_blank">Oxfordshire</a> County Council Highways team. 👍 </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVgPTQP7k1JAdsPejJF0Bta-_o-255WYyS-MoMJVzCfnYobFHA1K4Ee5hGBB1tMr0cKxVCJSMRRFs0pA9Hs-MnB_FbcriHnyng4ekmvjWerNU8TPeTPlGAZpWXXsIPx_pFcXcA9jH2_W1h/s1600/IMG_20171210_075254.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1600" height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVgPTQP7k1JAdsPejJF0Bta-_o-255WYyS-MoMJVzCfnYobFHA1K4Ee5hGBB1tMr0cKxVCJSMRRFs0pA9Hs-MnB_FbcriHnyng4ekmvjWerNU8TPeTPlGAZpWXXsIPx_pFcXcA9jH2_W1h/s640/IMG_20171210_075254.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Christmas 2017 ::</b><br />
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Even though this has been a relatively quiet <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas" target="_blank">Christmas</a>, it has been one of the best for many, many years. Mrs. A and I have enough food and drink and togetherness to keep up happy and content for the entire festive period. My anxiety and stress levels have now pretty much disappeared, which is not only amazing but perfectly timed as well. We had a nice selection of presents, Toiletries, Clothes, and Chocolates. 😋💓 Two of main presents were unexpected, but very welcoming all the same. One of the presents from Mrs. A was a Cross Stitch Kit. I wanted to start another hobby and maybe do some basic retro gaming designs.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOUmlq6Rh9ZmXDc011Lrgew3odfCeD1xZflg7BhpycPuZVQKlTYrT3YKN1ZtpcY_IaAHZUZtGnLpu0fexS_-gucCgVYojcN-RxL_INu4G0MI52pyTbFOrsTA4K1nb6tGdnME4EyL_NBwvB/s1600/IMG_20171226_175122.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1600" height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOUmlq6Rh9ZmXDc011Lrgew3odfCeD1xZflg7BhpycPuZVQKlTYrT3YKN1ZtpcY_IaAHZUZtGnLpu0fexS_-gucCgVYojcN-RxL_INu4G0MI52pyTbFOrsTA4K1nb6tGdnME4EyL_NBwvB/s640/IMG_20171226_175122.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Even though the design may take a while to do, it's something different and also cute. I really like the Tiger and Bees that surround it! 😊</div>
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The next present was really, really unexpected. I had been mulling over the decision on purchasing this device, after the disappointing failure with the Eee PC. So, an <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/" target="_blank">Amazon</a> parcel arrives for Mrs. A and me, she gets a fantastic Picnic Basket with all the items required and I receive the following ... 😲 </div>
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Mrs. A's brother, John had surprised us again this year and with me, it was a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raspberry_Pi" target="_blank">Raspberry Pi</a> 3 Model B. One of my first decisions with this wonderful device, was to install <a href="https://retropie.org.uk/" target="_blank">RetroPie</a>. This would be the ultimate multi-arcade platform retro experience! 😍 </div>
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I managed to figure out how to install game ROM files for specific systems, this involves copying them from a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB_flash_drive" target="_blank">USB memory stick</a> to a system RetroPie ROM folder, for example, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZX_Spectrum" target="_blank">ZX Spectrum</a> where the files can be loaded from.</div>
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The interface of <a href="https://retropie.org.uk/" target="_blank">Retropie</a> is fairly intuitive and there is plenty of options available to tweak the whole environment to your liking.<br />
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Over the coming weeks and months, I should be able to get all my favourite games loaded onto the system and boot up for a quick game or two whenever I feel the need. No need for long undate files and patches like modern day consoles! 😬<b> </b><br />
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I watched Shin <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godzilla" target="_blank">Godzilla</a> on DVD ( present from Mrs.A ) <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas" target="_blank">Christmas</a> Day as there was nothing much else on <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Television" target="_blank">Television</a>. It was a really good reboot from the original 1954 version. The tweak to the storyline and added special effects were truly amazing! Well worth watching! 😃</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiiO-h-mxEq67vFrgEiZafYicl0CxoAwwDCDnE8ZyIsW1oOtA3QvF7BsT3q8bWoVXVG9eM3NqlcFkSIIUn9NCGAtVsZqFxTt_lChh0nipg7I3fRclrJGFWuwgYcebsdoTz4pCoYLHRNXn6/s1600/M2+Fitness+Band.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1600" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiiO-h-mxEq67vFrgEiZafYicl0CxoAwwDCDnE8ZyIsW1oOtA3QvF7BsT3q8bWoVXVG9eM3NqlcFkSIIUn9NCGAtVsZqFxTt_lChh0nipg7I3fRclrJGFWuwgYcebsdoTz4pCoYLHRNXn6/s640/M2+Fitness+Band.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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During December, Mrs. A came to ther rescue and purchased another fitness band for me. This is an M2 band from <a href="http://www.thinkrace.com/thinkrace-sport-smart-bracelet-m2.aspx" target="_blank">ThinkRace</a>. Their products can be bought through outlets like <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/" target="_blank">Amazon</a> and <a href="https://www.ebay.co.uk/" target="_blank">eBay</a>. The reason why I changed from my MiFit device, was because it was inadvertently lost literally down the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toilet" target="_blank">Toilet</a> when a replacement band fell apart during that flushing meadows moment we partake everyday or whenever. To think about it now, is nothing short of being hilarious. I heard a chink, but thought of it just being a coin or my keys falling on the floor! 😁</div>
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<b>GameDev :: ( PC | Shooter - 16 Degrees )</b><br />
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Up until <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas" target="_blank">Christmas</a>, I hadn't done much game development. However, I plan to start turning on the collision detection to see how crazy, sorry, I mean the gameplay is going to pan out. I would say the drawing or pixelling is currently taken most of the time. But it is something that I really enjoy, whilst trying to fit it in around other projects and other life commitments.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIK3D9sQHKOFY14HSSc4FszjawEsYTtqtkuhCYK3oojUi_yHonw0OEBDVa_LR6klRiLN-RQ35PgJW7drNgZmxjAWv4lM42qsVUAoRsK8XnA3ovpTOdK92RpXZdKt8RX5J-U-tNIxfYdW7f/s1600/014+-++Drones.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="1175" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIK3D9sQHKOFY14HSSc4FszjawEsYTtqtkuhCYK3oojUi_yHonw0OEBDVa_LR6klRiLN-RQ35PgJW7drNgZmxjAWv4lM42qsVUAoRsK8XnA3ovpTOdK92RpXZdKt8RX5J-U-tNIxfYdW7f/s640/014+-++Drones.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Over the holiday I have, I hope to get a bit further with the game. Whilst still not forcing myself to rush the overall project. Pacing myself is far better than rushing any progress. Next year should bring much more and you never know, the game will be completed at some stage! 😎</div>
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<b>Into the New Year ::</b></div>
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I have to say that 2017 had brought some challenging situations, which I managed to overcome and resolve. The key thing was not to give up and ask for help whenever and where possible. This definitely worked out to be a better focus for the future. 👍</div>
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And finally ...<br />
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Alex Arishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09495415061897599638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4588805064132382209.post-38205833413427496022017-12-09T07:12:00.000-08:002017-12-09T07:12:27.941-08:00Shirt Buttons<div style="text-align: justify;">
Apart from food and a roof over our heads, money is an important factor in everyday life. Sometimes we don't realise this, as it is programmed automatically within us through a process. At the end of each week or month from a paid job or benefits, we pay our way, as we eat, breath and sleep. It isn't until the movement of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_pendulum" target="_blank">financial pendulum</a>, suddenly turning into a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_pendulum" target="_blank">chaotic motion</a>, that brings us to understand that there is a problem. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3sYtmM2KsEJNNUNLPvkozH-0SrxXTCw_qDIAyM88lHcQ2fGQ6uhj1x_RHl5BJyyaH7z5G83dlh-76VltJI-cSPuZHO-a4RDNPxip5PsYyOmlwOwFpUpsT_3cjV6Yw_XZBV9XJakH6bZKl/s1600/Shirt+Buttons+Story+-+Shirt+Buttons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1600" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3sYtmM2KsEJNNUNLPvkozH-0SrxXTCw_qDIAyM88lHcQ2fGQ6uhj1x_RHl5BJyyaH7z5G83dlh-76VltJI-cSPuZHO-a4RDNPxip5PsYyOmlwOwFpUpsT_3cjV6Yw_XZBV9XJakH6bZKl/s640/Shirt+Buttons+Story+-+Shirt+Buttons.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Shirt Buttons</b> - When it's all the money you have!</td></tr>
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The glamour and enticement of obtaining <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debits_and_credits" target="_blank">credit</a> through <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finance" target="_blank">finance</a> or retail outlets are all too easy and straightforward. Only the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creditor" target="_blank">creditor</a> can see the potential with ample amounts of an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annual_percentage_rate" target="_blank">annual percentage rate</a>, which can vary so much between banks and lenders. If we can't afford to pay off the full amount each month, we pay the minimum and get charged interest as a result. It's always been this way, especially with insurance policies. " You can't pay the full policy in advance? That's no problem, pay it over 11 months with a deposit we'll charge you extra! " - It's too late! They've stung you without even realising it!<br />
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And through desperation, we turn to credit when everyday bills rise and the rent or mortgage is due. Some say the saddest thing, is when credit is used to buy food or a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_bank" target="_blank">food bank</a> is relied upon just fill an empty stomach. We do what we need to do, in order just to survive! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimmOMFTDiJWZ1v5HtXxci0_7XfC6mpNXwP6s2T7STVD8Kf3r_46xsImzsEUdNtYNYiCdJhGgC-xiNx19A7HrWtoHhYYe_AnI-TEKFNtoUgPQ3JUy50uFiBu210ak6mUrDBFvTnZnVEIUeL/s1600/Shirt+Buttons+Story+-+Credit+Cards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1600" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimmOMFTDiJWZ1v5HtXxci0_7XfC6mpNXwP6s2T7STVD8Kf3r_46xsImzsEUdNtYNYiCdJhGgC-xiNx19A7HrWtoHhYYe_AnI-TEKFNtoUgPQ3JUy50uFiBu210ak6mUrDBFvTnZnVEIUeL/s640/Shirt+Buttons+Story+-+Credit+Cards.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debt" target="_blank">Debt</a> is now all too common, it's ridiculous!</div>
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And so, for me, I fell into secondary debt through a loan and credits cards which had built up over many years! It bit me like a rabid Dog or a frenzied Shark swimming the perilous seas, as I drowned with no sign of surviving. But there is always hope and it starts with asking for help from one of the many <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?search=debt+advice+charity&title=Special:Search&profile=default&fulltext=1&searchToken=822ogk4dvovpzf79rrk5ajgfc" target="_blank">debt advice charities and organisations</a>. I took my first brave step and contacted <a href="https://capuk.org/" target="_blank">Christians Against Poverty</a> (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christians_Against_Poverty" target="_blank">CAP</a>) in April 2017.<br />
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Throughout the duration of being in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debt" target="_blank">debt</a>, the creditors wrote letters and phoned pretty much constantly. The phone calls must have been well over 200 times across several months, which seemed a real waste of energy and my circumstances hadn't changed at all. From day one, I suffered from crying, sleepless nights, stress, depression, lack of appetite and experienced scary types of anxiety attacks, which involved dizziness and vomiting! Each and every step has been taken seriously which is no wonder why I have felt so tired and exhausted. It really does hit you hard and to think there are some out there in the big wide world that commits suicide as a last resort to finding a way out. It is so sad, it's frightening for someone to follow that path! Life is so precious and a person with that frame of mind taking their final decision is very hard to comprehend. I did ironically attend a stress and anxiety course through <a href="http://talkingspaceplus.org.uk/" target="_blank">Talking Space Plus</a> in June 2017, which was very beneficial. Even though the accumulation of anxiety had been building up before and after the course.<br />
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During my amazing debt support with <a href="https://capuk.org/" target="_blank">CAP</a>, I attended a money course where I learned lots of new and useful ideas on how to budget and save. You then begin to realise that one of the bases of credit in some ways, is to get what you want quicker! Rather than taking the more sensible route of saving and waiting. We tend to live in a utopian world of credit which is sadly classed as the norm nowadays. </div>
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I have also learned that there are two main types of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debt" target="_blank">debt</a>, primary and secondary. Primary covers; mortgages, rent, local taxes, utilities, cable, and satellite etc. Secondary covers, loan, credit cards etc. Although both types of debt aren't good to fall behind with. Primary carries the most serious consequences with secondary the lesser. So, it is very important to ask for help when the moment everything financially becomes difficult.<br />
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One of the most difficult things is to speak up about <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debt" target="_blank">debt</a>. It's far too easy for some to be judgemental and shame a person for their situation. The ignorance and reaction can be detrimental to persons well being and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mental_health" target="_blank">mental health</a>. It is one thing being in debt, but to be mocked and ridiculed, is another thing altogether!<br />
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My end to debt has closed with going insolvent with my fee paid for by kind charities and donations known through <a href="https://capuk.org/" target="_blank">CAP</a>. It now means that I have a fresh start and even though my <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Credit_score" target="_blank">credit score</a> will be affected for six years, I will no longer have to carry the weight of financial pressure and can live a normal life again.</div>
Alex Arishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09495415061897599638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4588805064132382209.post-84183380757777304882017-11-25T05:08:00.000-08:002017-11-25T10:53:50.090-08:00Festive and Frosty<div style="text-align: justify;">
It's that time of year again! Yeah! The frosty mornings have returned and it is a strange treat to de-ice the car, scraping the windscreen whilst bundled up with a fleece, coat and gloves. For the moment, I haven't required a hat, only time will tell though. As per usual Mrs A and I celebrated our UK equivalent of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving" target="_blank">Thanksgiving</a> with all the food you can eat and very nice it was too. 😊</div>
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My anxiety levels have been fever pitch during this month and I have tried my best to manage the situation. Even though I have found it difficult at times, the relaxation through sleeping and a calming process has helped. I am certain to pass this phase by and look into the new year soon with a more positive frame of mind.</div>
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Mrs A has been quite creative over the last few days and has crochet some marvellous <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Festival" target="_blank">festive</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_decoration" target="_blank">decorations</a>! 😃 She finds it easier to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crochet" target="_blank">Crochet</a> than <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knitting" target="_blank">Knit</a> and that's alright with me. 😉 </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE1oZwHJ5rAUVACnLevw38XqkAcB_8WI71-NpZXV4VQruLTDc5revdpDnHq-VIhoUfL0cFFVPg-xVIwy4CvaJoI5v0f_hIYp3WHJtJIOBcdXDWk7yqjEoK7N4pk6YhPkVFfh34KztMGeck/s1600/IMG_20171125_100821.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1600" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE1oZwHJ5rAUVACnLevw38XqkAcB_8WI71-NpZXV4VQruLTDc5revdpDnHq-VIhoUfL0cFFVPg-xVIwy4CvaJoI5v0f_hIYp3WHJtJIOBcdXDWk7yqjEoK7N4pk6YhPkVFfh34KztMGeck/s640/IMG_20171125_100821.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An adorable Christmas Tree with Star</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3V6sQahKxHvP_3VdEk-HksehcaAkq3J16FJFKHEQpAJZIGBnCxjrkV95LlJpjdrJBkD9cAYOApmXP_Ho680X3hgRxxse2DCpWpZkDYJAup415eG2YWZfYASLFCwie8DH-2UkWAr-SyE5C/s1600/IMG_20171125_100700.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1600" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3V6sQahKxHvP_3VdEk-HksehcaAkq3J16FJFKHEQpAJZIGBnCxjrkV95LlJpjdrJBkD9cAYOApmXP_Ho680X3hgRxxse2DCpWpZkDYJAup415eG2YWZfYASLFCwie8DH-2UkWAr-SyE5C/s640/IMG_20171125_100700.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kitchen Cupboard Wreath </td></tr>
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Last month I mentioned that one of my front teeth had fallen out. Over the years, the work that I had been done involving a fixed <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dental_braces" target="_blank">brace</a> on the upper set had finally shown wear. Part of the process involved removing one protruding tooth and wearing the brace for about three months. I mean, this was when I was 18 years old. Plenty of time has passed since then and from the dentist explanation, the root of the fallen tooth had been weakening over the years. For those that are really curious, here is a cropped photo of what I am having to bravely bear until the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tooth_fairy" target="_blank">Tooth Fairy</a> can help me.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4z8QQYtlK-phrHV04CNau4S21zbEAQpMn-M9rIFDP_IElT6ONHwz4UmWk5exhRJSo_wYUUhKXbsHT8JxGudyTdSqLm-Kvy-hV11v3pR18mmQEBPB8ggMCY3YuhT4cSol3vOa5NLGNLzgb/s1600/Missing+Tooth+%2528+November+2017+%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="366" data-original-width="664" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4z8QQYtlK-phrHV04CNau4S21zbEAQpMn-M9rIFDP_IElT6ONHwz4UmWk5exhRJSo_wYUUhKXbsHT8JxGudyTdSqLm-Kvy-hV11v3pR18mmQEBPB8ggMCY3YuhT4cSol3vOa5NLGNLzgb/s200/Missing+Tooth+%2528+November+2017+%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tooth lost in action</td></tr>
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At first, I felt self-conscious about my appearance. Some people didn't even notice at first until I had mentioned it to them. So, for the time being, I soldier on. 😣</div>
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<b>GameDev :: ( PC | Shooter - 16 Degrees )</b><br />
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I continue to faithfully design background tiles, even if part of the process is still in a draft phase. It won't be too long until I get to the final detailed version of each tile. 😎<b></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWW7FpHFDPSOOk3T8bgaEZsm92WWjV6Wr1txipAqi2T-fv0l79PvU-Z_xopHvm0ic6-ji4ZYQicwCfgG0VFM99ZE8a08x2aGIPQtadOOReTyn86M0fWRwW1EXB0Zlei0onddnUisviCq_U/s1600/012+-++Background+Tiles.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="679" data-original-width="1171" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWW7FpHFDPSOOk3T8bgaEZsm92WWjV6Wr1txipAqi2T-fv0l79PvU-Z_xopHvm0ic6-ji4ZYQicwCfgG0VFM99ZE8a08x2aGIPQtadOOReTyn86M0fWRwW1EXB0Zlei0onddnUisviCq_U/s640/012+-++Background+Tiles.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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The core elements of the game are working as expected with the appearance of some <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unmanned_aerial_vehicle" target="_blank">Drones</a> to keep the player on their toes. As if trying to maintain the weapon temperature wasn't enough? 😁</div>
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Alex Arishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09495415061897599638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4588805064132382209.post-4106847979160494892017-10-27T14:09:00.000-07:002017-10-27T22:57:32.892-07:00Tiling and The Tooth is out!<div style="text-align: justify;">
The daily commute to work is now like night, even though it is stupid'o clock in the morning. That's fine however, I have always liked an early start to the working day. I don't think the weather can make it's mind up, as it is still relatively mild at the moment. The heating hasn't been switch on yet at Aris HQ, but there is going to be the big switch on at the end of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/October" target="_blank">October</a>. Just in time for <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autumn" target="_blank">Autumn</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter" target="_blank">Winter</a> to really kick in! 😊</div>
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I think the change in season has made me feel more tired, I felt more alert during the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summer" target="_blank">Summer</a> months, all I want to do now is hibernate. For some reason, I still feel anxious about certain things. I now find when I make a mistake, I can't forgive myself and stress over the matter. There seems to be more energy into the theory why a problem has occured, rather than just moving on and learning. I do however think that over analysis in trying to be too perfect with some tasks really doesn't help! 😕 A more relaxed approach is probably better, life and situations aren't always perfect.</div>
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A few days ago, a troublesome <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_tooth" target="_blank">tooth</a> from a year ago finally fell out. Now, for several weeks, it had become quite loose and began to literally interfere whilst I was eating anything. There was no pain, just annoyance more than anything.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLMGZtfkh5q6WYFprfvSSJP_YUe7EKiah15RD3eSH3MwPtTQn7Pzg97KoZzsN5X4kmbWlJtk57yvVi6cPaxUl131PqzA_47cQNQN8zoqvn6IdfmxtSKKON8JhJg2MMqnwsWDT-ryvz-G0/s1600/Front+Tooth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1600" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLMGZtfkh5q6WYFprfvSSJP_YUe7EKiah15RD3eSH3MwPtTQn7Pzg97KoZzsN5X4kmbWlJtk57yvVi6cPaxUl131PqzA_47cQNQN8zoqvn6IdfmxtSKKON8JhJg2MMqnwsWDT-ryvz-G0/s400/Front+Tooth.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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You may well be trying to work out what part of the mouth the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_tooth" target="_blank">tooth</a> came from? Well, it is in fact the front left to the middle two front <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_tooth" target="_blank">teeth</a>. Cosmetically, it does look quite stark! 😨 All is not lost though, the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tooth_fairy" target="_blank">Tooth Fairy</a> maybe able to help out and get me a bridge <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_tooth" target="_blank">tooth</a>. That will hopefully be sometime next month! 😃 </div>
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<b>GameDev :: ( PC | Shooter - 16 Degrees )</b><br />
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Apart from some more tweaks to the player and enemy objects, I decided to design some basic background tiles. Without even realising, <a href="https://www.yoyogames.com/gamemaker" target="_blank">GameMaker Studio2</a> can now support animated tiles. This will prove very useful whilst designing levels with water based backgrounds or a simple attract mode. Each animation speed can be adjusted by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frame_rate" target="_blank">frames per second</a> ( FPS ), so it can be slow or fast by how you want it to be.</div>
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I have now added two addition power-up weapons for the player, forward multi-directional orbs and a homing missle. One of the enemy objects acts as a parent object with the rest of the enemies regarded as child object, so when a homing missle is fired it will follow any enemy and rotate to change course accordingly. Each power-up will have a timer for about 30 seconds and it will then reset to the default weapon. I think the game would be too easy if all the weapons were active, but there should be enough shooting to keep the player occupied! 😉</div>
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There should hopefully be a more detailed background for next time. Perhaps some buildings, trees and water based features. I think I need to put in some bridges, even if a does give it a feel or hommage to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Raid" target="_blank">River Raid</a>. 🛩 😉</div>
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<br />Alex Arishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09495415061897599638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4588805064132382209.post-61864308858002783992017-09-30T08:18:00.000-07:002017-09-30T08:18:01.015-07:00Who's the Boss?<div style="text-align: justify;">
So, it's here again ... <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autumn" target="_blank">Autumn</a>! Although, it doesn't feel like it temperature wise. You could probably get away with wearing a t-shirt or light coat. For a about a week, we didn't use a fan during the night at Aris HQ, but now it's on set to night mode. This enables a gentle sweep of air to keep the room cool without adding too much disturbance to relaxation and sleep. 💤</div>
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In preparation for the cold and flu season, I've started to stock up on the appropriate medication. 😷This should last for a while unless the heavy colds persist, then I'll get some more. The cold and flu relief are favoured more, as the hot drink really helps sooth a sore throat as well. 😊</div>
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There is no <a href="https://www.lego.com/en-gb/" target="_blank">LEGO</a> related section this month. I've been spending more time doing game development, if only in small sections over a weekend. So, it nothing has been abandoned and do expect some sections to be semi-regular at times. 😉</div>
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<b>GameDev :: ( PC | Shooter - 16 Degrees )</b><br />
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Over the last few weeks I have been working on the end of level enemy bosses. Each one looks different and is surrounded by enemy scout ships, which must be destroyed finally, before the boss. I am hoping to have each one moving in some way or another with a missile or orb homing in on the player.</div>
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Not only have I been working on the end of level bosses, but also little touches like enemy thrust trails like the players, but in blue. It looks much better than a static graphic behind the moving object and a bit more realistic. </div>
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I think over the next few months, the game is going to really pull together. The scrolling background will change, but only towards the end of the project. As with the current design and build, everything is subject to change. 😉 </div>
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Alex Arishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09495415061897599638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4588805064132382209.post-60232784728603784492017-08-27T08:03:00.003-07:002017-08-27T08:03:57.232-07:00LED Bulbs, The Caterham and Triggers<div style="text-align: justify;">
This month has been much more settling and less of a roller coaster experience. Sleep is much more easier to get to grips with, staying up late like during my younger days is now a thing of the past. That's why most nights 10pm is the limit, unless it's <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Year%27s_Eve" target="_blank">New Years Eve</a>. 😉</div>
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The weekly grocery shop at <a href="https://www.aldi.co.uk/" target="_blank">Aldi</a> is still proving to be a great money saving exercise. I have noticed that fruit, vegetables and meat can very in price a little, still better value than most of the other well known supermarkets. A continual win-win! 😊</div>
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<b>LEGO :: ( 21307 | Caterham )</b><br />
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With no speed build for this month and as luck would have it ... 😋 A colleague from work kindly offered to lend me one of his recent purchases to construct, due to him having to pack items up for a house move. So, I took up his offer and built the following ...</div>
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The building sensation is quite different when the set isn't from new and with <a href="https://www.lego.com/en-gb/" target="_blank">LEGO</a> pieces in one more press and seal bags, the time taken to complete is increased. It took two hours to build and 30 minutes to take apart. I really liked the techniques with the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caterham_Cars" target="_blank">Caterham</a>. You really don't expect after linking each section that you'd end up with the finest car and I could imagined a racing green colour. Just think as well, what it would been like if it was a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bentley" target="_blank">Bentley</a>? 😃</div>
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<b>GameDev :: ( PC | Shooter - 16 Degrees )</b><br />
Throughout August, I have played around attack waves with the added option of random enemies just in case the player becomes used to game play. There will be standard enemy bullets and intercepting ones, rather like homing missiles. But for now, most of the basic mechanics is working and in place. Notice the trigger points during the game? They won't be visible, the lines act as point to launch the attack wave or another action. The player could well race to a specific point of the level or take longer if they wish. There won't be any overall time to complete each level, only a timer/temperature penalty if the player is fires too much.</div>
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The title and intermediate screens have a basic layout and are subject to change. For the moment there will be three levels with different degrees of difficulty. Once everything is in place with collision detection turned on, all will make perfect sense! 😀</div>
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<b>LED Light Bulbs :: ( At Home )</b><br />
For some weeks or even months, I have been mulling over the idea of getting some <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light-emitting_diode" target="_blank">LED</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_light" target="_blank">Light Bulbs</a> for Aris HQ. Currently, we have energy savings ones which last up to five years. Each bulb could save over 85% according some technical specifications. I gather that would be <a href="http://blog.constellation.com/2016/03/25/led-vs-cfl-bulbs/" target="_blank">verses</a> a domestic bulb and not an energy saving one? Still, that's good in my books. 😉</div>
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Just in case you are wondering, they are very <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B017B9RPI2/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1" target="_blank">bright</a>! 💡😁</div>
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Alex Arishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09495415061897599638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4588805064132382209.post-85576154041951727322017-07-22T10:59:00.003-07:002017-07-22T11:05:37.389-07:00Attack waves, a Car and the House !<div style="text-align: justify;">
I just about made it through <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/July" target="_blank">July</a>. Notably through surviving an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anxiety" target="_blank">anxiety</a> attack which wasn't very pleasant at all. This all seems ironic after attending sessions through <a href="http://talkingspaceplus.org.uk/" target="_blank">Talking Space Plus</a> only just last month. Thankfully, my attack happened at home and for the first time in a couple of years, I took a few days off sick from work. I hadn't slept properly for over a week and my body clock was messed up to the point where I was forcing myself to eat. After about 48hrs with sleep and relaxation, I actually started to feel better. I purchased some natural aid sleeping tablets by <a href="http://www.kalmsrange.com/kalms-range/kalms-night-one-a-night/" target="_blank">Kalms</a> with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valerian_(herb)" target="_blank">Valerian</a> root extract. This has definitely helped and I will probably extend the course for another month. The recommended time take one tablet is before bedtime.</div>
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Time had come around again to renew my <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Driver%27s_license" target="_blank">Driving Licence</a> and I can't believe 10 years has passed. If you have a valid <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passport" target="_blank">Passport</a>, your photo can be used and processed online. However, I had to do things differently and visited the main <a href="http://www.postoffice.co.uk/uk-driving-licence-application" target="_blank">Post Office</a> in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxford" target="_blank">Oxford</a>. Whilst there, your photo and signature are digitally taken with the rest of the application processed. I was expecting it to take up to two weeks, but I received mine within three working days. Excellent! 😊<b> </b></div>
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<b>Lego :: ( MOCs | speed builds )</b></div>
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To my surprise, I managed to get two speed builds recorded and edited. Each build uses classic bricks which are pretty common in my collection at the moment. Apart from regular bricks, I also have what I call non-regular which are specific certain sets or builds. I initially would like to sort them into colours and types. Over time, this will probably happen, subject to space and costs. Keeping the bricks in two tubs at the moment is easy, but not so convenient when your trying to locate one for a build.</div>
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I really like the house build, but would of liked to have a window, door and sloped roof tiles. Using regular bricks doesn't necessarily have limitations, it's how you apply the design to make the subject stand out and be noticeable.</div>
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You really can't beat a cartoon character and especially one with big eyes and squishy tyres. I know the wheels aren't perfectly round, that's what makes this design so quirky. Keeping the imagination flowing helps. A few designs ago, I didn't actually use the <a href="http://ldd.lego.com/en-gb/" target="_blank">Digital Designer</a> from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lego" target="_blank">Lego</a>. They were designed on what I call, the fly! For example, the <a href="https://youtu.be/sSpFoQi9e5A" target="_blank">Emoticons</a> and <a href="https://youtu.be/-2--ohfKW4A" target="_blank">Trees</a>. When I computer isn't on and you have containers of <a href="https://www.lego.com/en-gb/" target="_blank">Lego</a> at hand, it's win, win regardless! 😉</div>
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<b>GameDev :: ( PC | Shooter - 16 Degrees)</b><br />
I've been concentrating on basic attack waves so far this month. Your general, left, right, up and down, but also sweeping movements from the left and right. It has been fun experimenting with different techniques as well.</div>
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The friction and speed code can be adjusted to give a more realistic sweeping motion. With the Path editor, you can be basic or elaborate as desired. 😎<br />
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I think I might start slowing preparing the intermediate screens soon, not forgetting the title screen. I have a basic idea on how I want the layout. The gameplay might appear simple and hopefully when everything is in place and tweaked, it will all become much clearer. 😉</div>
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Alex Arishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09495415061897599638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4588805064132382209.post-81008170560435676242017-06-24T08:18:00.000-07:002017-06-24T08:18:11.086-07:00Hot! Hot! Hot!<div style="text-align: justify;">
Wow! Temperatures rose to up 34c😅degrees during <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/June" target="_blank">June</a> with not much rain to speak of. Although, we should be grateful for better weather, but when it is 20c during the night with windows open and just a fan blowing the air around, it gets uncomfortable.😳 It's also <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allergic_rhinitis" target="_blank">hayfever</a> season, thankfully, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aldi" target="_blank">Aldi</a> had 14 day <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loratadine" target="_blank">Loratadine</a> for 89 pence. 😂</div>
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Also, during this month I have been attending <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anxiety" target="_blank">anxiety</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depression_(mood)" target="_blank">depression</a> therapy sessions through <a href="http://talkingspaceplus.org.uk/" target="_blank">Talking Space Plus</a>. For some time now, I have had a mixture of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anxiety" target="_blank">anxiety</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychological_stress" target="_blank">stress</a> issues which were first reported to my doctor. A suggestion was made to contact <a href="http://talkingspaceplus.org.uk/" target="_blank">Talking Space Plus</a> about how they maybe able to help, so I registered with them and have found the sessions very helpful and informative. I didn't want to go down the path of relying on any form of medication, but each person is different and also every level of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anxiety" target="_blank">anxiety</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depression_(mood)" target="_blank">depression</a>. Life sometimes puts us through a lot of scenarios or we become involved in them without choice. The most important thing to do, is to ask for help or talk to someone about your situation. This is always the first and brave step to take! People can sometimes be quite judgemental and ignorant about a subject or scenario, so I would recommend talking to a professional or charitable organisation, trusted confident or friend or your doctor. This should always be free and never a chargeable case in any sense of the word!</div>
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<b>Lego :: ( MOCs )</b></div>
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I was hoping to get the House speedbuild mentioned last month with the photograph teaser from <a href="http://musingsofanoxoniangeek.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/april-showers.html" target="_blank">April</a> done. However, I haven't had much time to prepare, record and edit a video. I usually use time during a weekend or on a day off, but as we all know life does sometimes get in the way. I'll try and allocate some time during <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/July" target="_blank">July</a>, as I have three days off around mid month. So, fingers crossed! 😉</div>
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<b>GameDev :: ( PC | Shooter - 16 Degrees)</b><br />A small amount of time was spent this month setting up some of the rules for the now named shooting game, 16 degrees. The name derives from a recommended minimal office / school temperature advisory. Of course when I was at school and earlier jobs, you just had to put a coat on and kind of get on with it. So far, I have a moving ship that fires with a timing frequency. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh9s1oojpqgSwW0x0hybCDvJ9RNgeKCjdWRzqgYPsaTBlpI2NS-o1jDWoOVxvq4g-g_DZnycsq5oS0xmmuxn0OkNbRqKNDU3ye-YKTW2SJC1n0FgjTL0bsl42FckrxO2CyJkpzIwSLNPXQ/s1600/002+-+Player+Ship.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh9s1oojpqgSwW0x0hybCDvJ9RNgeKCjdWRzqgYPsaTBlpI2NS-o1jDWoOVxvq4g-g_DZnycsq5oS0xmmuxn0OkNbRqKNDU3ye-YKTW2SJC1n0FgjTL0bsl42FckrxO2CyJkpzIwSLNPXQ/s640/002+-+Player+Ship.png" width="640" /></a><a href="https://www.yoyogames.com/gamemaker?utm_source=google_adwords&utm_medium=text_ads&utm_campaign=Game_Making_UK&utm_term=Gamemaker_studio&gclid=CjwKEAjwm7jKBRDE2_H_t8DVxzISJACwS9WbPgNx0oNDAz7hGe-8k0uwvkHx7BRezh2vpYqYzmM5yBoCWPjw_wcB" target="_blank">GameMaker Studio 2</a> is becoming more and more enjoyable everything time I use it. Moving from version 1.4 hasn't been as bad as I first thought. If projects from 1.x to 2 are imported, you will be expected to look over your code and check everything. To be honest, I would start new projects in 2 and finish off others 1.x. It is usually better to work this way and would prevent frustrations at a later date.</div>
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The plan is to get the basic rules layed down and working as a start. Then once this is acheived other features, effect and backgrounds etc will be added. Even though I do like space themed shooting games, I would like to try and add some mixed backdrops with animated attract modes or objects. Little touches like this will make it look better and more interesting!</div>
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As you can see from the animated <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GIF" target="_blank">GIF</a>, it's just the basics. Temperature will have an effect on the game play as well, just to make things a bit more interesting. I plan on putting in a few power ups, this will no doubt invovle those loveable variables! 😁</div>
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<b>Eee PC Project :: ( Bunsen Labs Debian )</b>
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Last month I managed to get the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asus_Eee_PC#Eee_PC_701" target="_blank">Asus Eee 4G 701 PC</a> working with an installation of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lubuntu" target="_blank">Lubuntu</a> with a minimal installation. However, for whatever reason, there wasn't much disk storage space left at the end. I think there literally only 200-300 <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megabyte" target="_blank">megabytes</a> left. So, thanks to recommendation of <a href="http://chilledrat.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Lee Hearne</a>, I installed <a href="https://www.bunsenlabs.org/index.html" target="_blank">Bunsen Labs</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debian" target="_blank">Debian</a>. Not only was the installation a lot quicker, it also left stacks of disk storage space, about 1+ <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gigabyte" target="_blank">gigabyte</a> I believe.😄</div>
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Now, after the success I tried my hand at trying to install <a href="http://www.emulationstation.org/index.html#" target="_blank">Emulation Station</a>. After a few sudo updates via terminal, I had some results.</div>
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Part of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo" target="_blank">Nintendo</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_Entertainment_System" target="_blank">NES</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_game_console_emulator" target="_blank">Emulation</a> partly launched, but failed at <a href="http://www.retroarch.com/index.php" target="_blank">RetroArch</a>. So, for the time being there is a little more work to get at least one system up and running. I guess this will be a semi-regular slot with progressive updates. The main goal with this, is to have a mini arcade retro gaming PC! 😉</div>
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Alex Arishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09495415061897599638noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4588805064132382209.post-45161712622237717842017-05-30T03:53:00.001-07:002017-05-30T03:54:40.543-07:00Trees and the Eee PC Project<div style="text-align: justify;">
After the mixed bag of events from last month, mostly with the feeling of '<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meh" target="_blank">Meh</a>', I've started to feel a bit better and have managed to get back on with my interests and hobbies alike. I had my <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thyroid" target="_blank">Thyroid</a> levels checked and they are normal. So, I have tried to get more rest whenever possible. Sleep is always a bit random when I sometimes only get four to five hours a night, mostly during a working week. Alhough, the feeling of slight <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jet_lag" target="_blank">Jet lag</a> is always with me, being one of the conditions of an under active <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thyroid" target="_blank">Thyroid</a>. 😖</div>
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<b>Lego :: ( MOCs | Tree )</b><br />
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I feel as if I'm back on track with the speed builds and for this month I present a couple of trees. These could quite easily be used for a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minecraft" target="_blank">Minecraft</a> or similar rustic project using classic bricks. I think it has been good to have a short break, even though I have an abundance of ideas, not having to worry about getting a certain amount of videos edited per month is kind of a good thing. I want to enjoy the building design and process. I hope to get the speed build for the house done for <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/June" target="_blank">June</a> if I can with any other builds that become available. 😉</div>
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<b>Eee PC Project ::</b></div>
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Over the last few months I have been trying to bring an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asus_Eee_PC#Eee_PC_701" target="_blank">Asus Eee 4G 701 PC</a> back to life, in the form of getting an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operating_system" target="_blank">operating system</a> fully working on it. Ideally, I wanted to get any version of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux" target="_blank">Linux</a> or <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ubuntu_(operating_system)" target="_blank">Ubuntu</a> running.</div>
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Alas, the only working <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operating_system" target="_blank">OS</a> I managed to install was <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lubuntu" target="_blank">Lubuntu</a> with a minimal installation. You can run <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Live_CD" target="_blank">Live CD</a> or <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB" target="_blank">USB</a> builds without installation and that works to a degree. The original <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operating_system" target="_blank">OS</a> was <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_XP" target="_blank">Windows XP</a>, but is long gone. I was curious to read that several people had got early versions of Android working, if a bit slow running for some. However, my attempt, even a brave one, wasn't enough to get everything up and running. It would have proved very interesting to get <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_(operating_system)" target="_blank">Android</a> working and also fun at the same time. So, for now, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lubuntu" target="_blank">Lubuntu</a> it is! 😐<br />
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<b>GameDev :: ( PC | Shooter )</b><br />
Well, I've made a small start in the sense of getting a few variables set out for the next game. The rules will be set out by temperature, power ups of some kind and shooting mostly everything in order to gain that high score.<br />
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I am hoping to vary the backdrops / background. A space theme with stars and planets is always good, but I think this time I'll add some land. Probably on the same vain as <a href="http://alexanderaris.wixsite.com/alexarisgames/gallery" target="_blank">Phantom - The Mission / Millennium</a>.<br />
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I really liked my gamedev from a few years ago, I used to design about two or three a year. Even though I have slowed down a bit, I am proud of what I have achieved since 1988. 😃<br />
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Alex Arishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09495415061897599638noreply@blogger.com2