August 2018 teaser

This Month, who knows where things will take us, maybe we will take on the idea of developing a 36-bit computer?  Of course there are those probably thinking "Why not just go 64-bit?".  Well extra cost for one thing but building an extra 4-bits onto an existing 32-bit system may be a saving in costs and developement time.  Think what 36-bits could give the end-user in terms of colour (or color) definition vs. the traditional defacto-standard of 24-bits!

Utilising something that provides some familiarity like Motorola's 68EC060 running at 75 Mhz may also provide a path for backward compatability with computer like the Atari ST.  So let's get out the schematics and start designing...

July 2018 Meeting Report

For any of the younger generation (especially those who've grown up not experiencing technology such as the cathode ray tube) emulators may be the only way in which they'll interact with the Atari classics (And yes quite a few classics licensed to Atari as well).

So this Month we've set up RetoPie 4.4 from scratch.  With all the hard work done by the retroPie community this is the sort of project I imagine you could get the kids involved in.

Step one.  Wiltronics were able to supply us with the basics to start.  And at a modest price we were able to purchase a Raspberry Pi Model B+, a 2.5 AMP power supply (neccessary to power this 1.4GHz beast) and a 16GB Micro SD Card to get us started

With initial support from Gra and an Internet connection (Essential), it was on to setting up the Micro SD Card for use with the Pi...

There's more to come, including  playing classic games that use the Atari's STA (siamese twin analog) controllers...

July 2018 teaser

I'm guessing the tech-perts among us are already familiar with this but if you want to find out how your android phone stacks up against, oh I don't know let's say, a Raspberry Pi then try downloading the free android app CPU-Z from the Play Store.  It will give you all the stats (well more stats than I'm ever likely to need!)

Why the Raspberry Pi?  Well because it's gaining a reputation for emulation.  It definitely quite good at reproducing classic games for the Atari such as Activision's Pitfall II: Lost Caverns

Check out the latest Raspberry Pi at the July meeting this Sunday 15th of July 2018.  Meeting at Level 1, 479 Warrigal Road, Moorabbin (VIC Australia)(Opp. Bunnings) from 10 AM (our time)

June 2018 Meeting Report

A couple of nice things about the RetroPie (based on the successful Raspberry Pi from the UK)

• One - It has HDMI output (Which can come in handy!)
• Two - It is a great device for playing those old Atari classics via emulation!

 
"Retropie, Retropie, output to a HDMI projector & project onto clouds in The Sky!"

I'm not sure if such an idea will work, just a thought

June 2018 teaser

Invitation to The Melbourne Computer Club Open Day
You are invited to come along to our Moorabbin Office on Sunday the 17th of June to see some of the great Projects that our members have been working on and talk to fellow Members about your own interests and help to influence the future direction of our club. The full details of the "Open Day" are as follows:- Event Details Level 1, 479 Warrigal Rd, Moorabbin 13:00-17:00 Sunday 17th June 2018	Activities Our Members will be displaying how to: Automate Curtains & Blinds Analyse Solar Usage Build a sun tracking Mirror Automate a Gate Opener Construct a Robotics Kit Build a 3D Printer Build a CNC Router
To Register for the Open Day please enrol on the Melbourne Computer Club Web Site Our mailing address is: Level 1, Suite 26, 479 Warrigal Road, Moorabbin, VIC 3189 Australia