God Bless America!

N1NKM's Commodore home page

My Commodore adventures! :)

The HOLODECK BBS is visible!!
I've put the old BBS online for all to see!
(It is all READ-ONLY, obviously.)
You can SEE IT HERE!!

This page is a WORK IN PROGRESS. (It is an offshoot of my HAM RADIO page.)
I hope to add more to it as time goes by.

I still enjoy the ol' Commie as a hobby. I don't always have time to tinker with it
but you can always check back now and then to see what's new. :)
Created: 08/08/2004
Updated: 04/26/2005
Updated: 10/20/2007
Updated: 11/11/2007
Updated: 05/24/2008

A C= 64 in a JOYSTICK!

Imagine being able to run a nearly pocket-sized Commie 64 for HOURS on 4 AA batteries? It's TRUE!
They actually re-created a true Commie 64 inside a JOYSTICK!! Check it out HERE! :)

My Commie system desk
As it was in 2004
My C64 setup in 2004

My trusty C64, alive after all these years! After I took my BBS down in about 1994, the system sat in storage until 2004! I used it for a month or so, then it sat dormant until 2007! (see below)
In this pic, you can see my 1571, CMD HD-40, the C64, an "EPROMMER64" Cart plugged in, (barely visible in front of the CMD drive) my C*Base dongle, and the monitor with a 1581 drive on top of it. Not visible: My 1200 baud modem, MPS1000 printer and several other C64's and a 128-D, all of which are in good condition. I have a C128 that doesn't "see" anything on the serial port. I suspect it's the 7406(?) chip, but (STILL) haven't had time to check it out.
After all these years, some of the old floppies were disintegrating! I didn't realize what was happening until too late for one of them... but was able to salvage the files on the others! That's where the XE1541 cable & it's software came in handy! It allowed me to copy those disks directly to D64 images on the PC quickly enough that the disks didn't disintegrate before the files were transferred. Thankfully, I had the wisdom to make more than one copy of important files, so nothing was really lost. :) WHEW!
A note about the EPROMMER cartridge... I bought it about 15 years ago, but it did not come with software... so it sat, useless, all these years. Through the wonder of GOOGLE, I found the software, created a disk from the D64 image, and and it works! :) Now the funny part... what can I do with it? Not too many uses for 2732 EPROMS these days! I guess I could just make nifty stuff for the C64! :) That is even still a distinct possibility!

Here is a brand new pic of the re-designed C= desk! (10/20/2007)

(Click pic for large version)
On the lower left is the P166 PC that is connected to the C= serial port. In this pic, it is running the DOS-based 64HDD software. (You can click the link to visit their WEBsite.)

SIDE THOUGHT:
This is a GREAT Thing to do with an old PC!! Build an XE1541 cable (not difficult) or get one from one of several sites that sell them, then connect it from the printer port of the PC to the serial port on your C= system. If you have ever wanted (but couldn't afford) a genuine Commodore-compatible HD, this truly is the next best thing! ANY old PC from a 486/33 on up will run this software! Yes, you could even grab a PC at "curbside special" and resurrect it for this! :) Got an old 1Gig drive? Slap it in, load any version of DOS (from 6.0 onward) or a free dos, and away you go! You can store a WHOLE LOT of C= software in a GIG! Since you won't NEED Windows on the machine, you'll have lots of room! If you have a larger HD, you can use Winows 98 or Ubuntu LINUX to get the machine online, and either download files directly into your C= directory, or transfer files to/from another machine on your LAN (this is what I am doing, here.) Thus, you can run a C= emulator in the PC, but then ALSO run the same programs on a genuine Commie!

On top of that PC is my 1581 drive. Above that, on a home-made extension shelf are the monitor & keyboard for the Commie-link PC. (Adding that shelf made this whole expanded system possible!)
Next to the monitor are a 1571 with my CMD HD-40 drive on top. Next is the ol' C= 64. Below it is a new 1541 drive, but it's not connected. To the right of the C64 is the C= monitor. (I also still have the printer & other accessories mentioned above.)
On the bottom right is the home-made power supply for the C64 and the supply for the CMD drive.
The open binder is the C*Base 3.0 manual. I still have my old BBS stored in the HD, and I wanted to bring it up so that I could look through it and reminisce a little! :) I also plan to transfer most of it to the PC, so that an old friend who MET HIS WIFE on my BBS can look through it and share some memories with her. :)
You can SEE IT HERE!! (11/11/07 - only SOME is posted. More to come!)
I also have some "Modem Movies" stored there, and wanted to see them again. :) I also plan to create a whole new section on this WEBsite, to make the Commie files I had on the BBS available to YOU to DOWNLOAD! :) I suspect that my CMD HD-40 is dying, so I plan to extract those files to the PC before it's too late! <:o
NOTE ABOUT MODEM MOVIES! I was just e-mailed a link to a PC-based ASCII MOVIE! :) This isn't as fancy as the Commie with nice graphics and color, but it is an AMAZING accomplishment! Check it out! You'll be glad you did! :)
telnet (not ssh) to towel.blinkenlights.nl
You can use the Run box in Windows by typing:
telnet towel.blinkenlights.nl
Someone had a lot of time on their hands!! ;)

Misc C= software & files:
Here is a DISK IMAGE of the EPROMMER64 file: EPROM64.D64
Here is a DISK IMAGE of the BLITZ! Utility: BLITZ.D64
Here is a DISK IMAGE of the QuantumLink software: Q-LINK.D64
(QuantumLink was a C= 64 / 128 Online service that preceeded AOL. C= enthusiasts have set up a server to simulate it!)
ENJOY! :)

Closeup screenshot of my enhanced BASIC
Screenshot of C64
This is a closeup screenshot from the C64 system, above. It is showing my customized BASIC extension in operation. This is the boot screen, with an extra command typed in to make the colroful border. Instead of "READY", it uses "HELLO". :)
My "Custom 64" software patch makes use of modified ROM images, and several utilities which load into RAM above $8000. One of them is the wonderful MICROMON utility, loaded at $9000. My expanded BASIC resides at $8000, but doesn't use the whole 4K. It consists of 5 unique keywords, one of which is a universal tool to access up to 79 different ML routines. The command is CUST followed by a number, and any optional parameters. On screen, is CUST11, which makes that rainbow border. The command was made simply to "spruce-up" menu screens in BASIC. It puts up the colorful border, than waits for a keypress, which is returned in the CPU's accumulator.
Eventually, I am going to make a disk image of my Custom64 system and post it here. :) I think others may enjoy it. It adds some nice functionality without sacrificing speed! (I tried the SIMON'S BASIC cartridge years ago, and HATED IT because it slowed things down SIGNIFICANTLY!) When I do finally get a satisfactory DISK IMAGE going, I will also include an ASCII TEXT documentation file with it. :)

Closeup screenshot of my enhanced BASIC
This is a closeup screenshot from the C64 system, above. It is showing my customized BASIC extension in operation. This is the boot screen, with an extra command typed in to make the colroful border. Instead of "READY", it uses "HELLO". :) My "Custom 64" software patch makes use of modified ROM images, and several utilities which load into RAM above $8000. One of them is the wonderful MICROMON utility, loaded at $9000. My expanded BASIC resides at $8000, but doesn't use the whole 4K. It consists of 5 unique keywords, one of which is a universal tool to access up to 79 different ML routines. The command is CUST followed by a number, and any optional parameters. On screen, is CUST11, which makes that rainbow border. The command was made simply to "spruce-up" menu screens in BASIC. It puts up the colorful border, than waits for a keypress, which is returned in the CPU's accumulator. Eventually, I am going to make a disk image of my Custom64 system and post it here. :) I think others may enjoy it. It adds some nice functionality without sacrificing speed! (I tried the SIMON'S BASIC cartridge years ago, and HATED IT because it slowed things down SIGNIFICANTLY!) When I do finally get a satisfactory DISK IMAGE going, I will also include an ASCII TEXT documentation file with it. :)

Putting a C= 128d to WORK!

C128 in WFIF studio!
Screenshot of C64
This is the old WFIF on-air studio. (Picture taken in mid-1990's) The C128d and its monitor are the very bright thing in the center of this pic. The C128d is a very nice machine! The metal case resembles the Amiga, with a 1571 floppy drive built-in. Sadly, THIS machine's keyboard was in less-than-perfect condition. I got it working, but there is a keytop missing. OH WELL.
This machine was connected to a control box that turned AC power on/off for two cassette decks. The C128 ran a custom BASIC program that I wrote which relied upon the built-in TOD clock of the CIA chip for accurate timekeeping. This machine was used to power-up those cassette decks at preset times, to record programs off the satellite overnight and during the day. (Before the computer, we had to do it manually... while also being on the air! This is why we'd sometimes miss the recordings, or start them a few seconds late.)
It was quite primitive... all it did was START the decks as programmed. It was up to the staff to change the tapes, set the satellite channels, etc. Even still, once this was implemented, we were no longer missing any more program recordings! (If we missed one, we usually had a backup, but it became VERY hectic trying to record both your regular stuff AND the backups!) COMMIE to the rescue! :) The last person of the day would set the satellite boxes (2 of them) the the correct channels, put a cassette into each of the two decks, press a key on the computer, shut off the monitor, and go home. When I came in the next day (I'm the Morning Announcer) I would take out those two tapes, and pop in the next two... set the sat boxes, power up the monitor, and press a button. :) This enabled me to concentrate on being on the air, and let the computer start the recordings (there were about 8 a day) every half hour.
This system was in use for at least a couple years, before we got a nice, Windows 95-based automation system. Naturally, it was leaps-and-bounds better technology. For one thing, it recorded directly to HD... no more tapes! But, now I'm going off-topic. ;)

C128 in WFIF studio!
This is the old WFIF on-air studio. (Picture taken in mid-1990's) The C128d and its monitor are the very bright thing in the center of this pic. The C128d is a very nice machine! The metal case resembles the Amiga, with a 1571 floppy drive built-in. Sadly, THIS machine's keyboard was in less-than-perfect condition. I got it working, but there is a keytop missing. OH WELL. This machine was connected to a control box that turned AC power on/off for two cassette decks. The C128 ran a custom BASIC program that I wrote which relied upon the built-in TOD clock of the CIA chip for accurate timekeeping. This machine was used to power-up those cassette decks at preset times, to record programs off the satellite overnight and during the day. (Before the computer, we had to do it manually... while also being on the air! This is why we'd sometimes miss the recordings, or start them a few seconds late.) It was quite primitive... all it did was START the decks as programmed. It was up to the staff to change the tapes, set the satellite channels, etc. Even still, once this was implemented, we were no longer missing any more program recordings! (If we missed one, we usually had a backup, but it became VERY hectic trying to record both your regular stuff AND the backups!) COMMIE to the rescue! :) The last person of the day would set the satellite boxes (2 of them) the the correct channels, put a cassette into each of the two decks, press a key on the computer, shut off the monitor, and go home. When I came in the next day (I'm the Morning Announcer) I would take out those two tapes, and pop in the next two... set the sat boxes, power up the monitor, and press a button. :) This enabled me to concentrate on being on the air, and let the computer start the recordings (there were about 8 a day) every half hour. This system was in use for at least a couple years, before we got a nice, Windows 95-based automation system. Naturally, it was leaps-and-bounds better technology. For one thing, it recorded directly to HD... no more tapes! But, now I'm going off-topic. ;)

My memories of C= BBS'ing...

One of the "coolest" things I remember about the C= BBS scene, was the very colorful text & keyboard graphics that many users incorporated into their BBSes and their online "signatures". My favorite things were the "Modem Movies"... these were, essentially, text files which "streamed" at the blazing speed (hehe!) of 1200 baud, and provided crude animation as the cursor moved back & forth, up & down, drawing new "scenes" one after another. Some of them were full-blown lo-res cartunes! The creativity of the people who made these should never be forgotten! :) One of these days, I would like to put some of those files up here on the WEB, for all to enjoy! EVENTUALLY, that will happen... I just have to find them all, transfer them to the PC, then launch Windows to move them across the LAN, and onto the WEB! When that happens, I'll provide links on this page. Sure, nowadays we have "RealMedia" and "MOV" and "AVI" files... but there was something special about actually having an enjoyable, watchable form of graphical animation/entertainment streaming at only 1200 baud! :) I vaguely remember one Modem Movie that was nearly 5 minutes long, and very well-written! I think it was about 20K bytes, if memory serves. I even wrote a BASIC program to watch those movies... but don't know which disk it was on. I'd like to make a compilation disk of those movies & that program, and then create a D64 image. Now that I have this Commie-to-PC system redesigned and set up permanently, I WANT TO DO THIS! I just may finish it before the end of 2007! (Parts of the old BBS are already there! You can SEE IT HERE!! )

My lament of C= BBS'ing...

The two C64 BBSes that I used to run were first called "The Fellowship Hall" and then that was changed to "The HOLODECK". They both ran on the C*BASE BBS software. The Fellowship Hall was more-or-less forced "off-the-air" by some very determined snot-nosed punks with nothing better to do than wardial me. (A primitive form of the now infamous DoS attacks. (Denial of Service) From what I gather, these punks didn't like the overtly Christian theme of the Fellowship Hall BBS, so they took it upon themselves to make my life miserable, and attempt to hack it, or just tie up the phone line for hours on end. (Caller ID was not invented, yet, but the PhoneCo put a tracer on my line, and mysteriously, the calls stopped that very same day.)

After it was "resurrected" as "The Holodeck" with a Star Trek theme, things seemed to go a bit more smoothly. During the "downtime", I extensively modified the C*Base software, adding several security features. For about a month, the board ran in "stealth" mode while I was developing/debugging the system. By "stealth" I mean that when you connected, all you got was a connection. No prompt. You had to type a special password (which I had personally given to a handful of my best users) and hit enter. There was no prompt, no keystroke echo... you typed "blind", and had 2 attempts. If you failed, it simply dropped carrier and ignored the phone line for 5 minutes. A successful password gave you the BBS login screen, where everything else was "normal" after that. The hackers finally gave up, and the Holodeck was born. It ran for about a year.

Little by little, users stopped calling... not just my board, but ALL Commie BBSes! <:'( They were becoming "traitors" as I called them... leaving the beloved C=64 behind, and moving over to the PC. When my board first went up in 1991, and for several months into 1992, it was constantly in use! No sooner one user would log out, another was logging in! (I even had to rewite the BBS logoff/reset/wait-for-call routines to speed them up!) Eventually, that slowed down until it got to the point where there was ONE user, who called once a day, to see if there was anything new. He'd log in, see that he was the last user online, and log out. That went on for about a month. That's when I KNEW it was time to pull the plug. <:'( I had the 2'nd phone line taken out, and that was it. It was a sad day. <:(

I still used my trusty Commie 64 with the SPEEDSCRIPT word processor, writing and printing letters. Matter of fact, I DID MY RESUME' ON IT!! LOL! That was the last time I needed it! (I was "downsized" in 2007, so guess what?! I will retrieve it form the Commie, and port it to the PC where i can edit it and print it in Inkjet quality.)

After about a year, I, too, ended up becomeing a "traitor"... I got my first PC, a 486/25. That was when the poor Commie went into storage. NOW IT'S BACK!

A few thoughts on what's left of the Commie Scene

It is good to see a number of WEBsites with people still interested in the Ol' Commie 64 and it's cousins! :) I am thinking that it's going to become a little bit like model trains... a hobby that is not HUGE, but has a very dedicated following. :) Unlike stamp or coin collecting, model trains and Commie systems are things you can PLAY WITH! :) That's part of the fun of enjoying them as hobbies! I have spent MANY AN HOUR in the soft glow of my TV connected to the C64 (and VIC20 before that) working on software, tinkering/hacking (in the GOOD sense of that word) with the software AND HARDWARE of the machines. Then I discovered C= BBS'ing in the late 80's, right at its peak.

SIDE NOTE:
Here is a WEB-based BBS dedicated to discussions and HELP for Commie users! It's not exactly a Commie BBS... but it's a BBS about Commie software and hardware! :) There are some knowledgeable and helpful people there! Check it out!

Now, it's all just a small but devout group of people who support and particiapte in C= hobby computing. One thing that does surprise me, is the RISE in prices on the hardware!! Usually, you can snag a WORKING C= machine at a yard sale for only a few bucks... but some online retailers are getting well-over $100 for refurbished units! WOW! It almost makes me want to go tag-saling, and scarf as many Commies as I can, and offer 'em online for "just $99+shipping!" Hehe!! ;)

MORE TO COME!!!!

(Yikes!!!)

Take me HOME...

Legal Notes:
The C= logo and name "Commodore" are trademarks of Commodore International Corp.
and are only used here for reference purposes.