[Coco] What does it mean to be a member of the CoCo community?

[Steve Strowbridge]

Wow! Ed Snider, had no idea you were that "new" to the CoCo based on all
your expertise, but I appreciate you sharing your story with us, and I
certainly enjoy your many hardware projects, and appreciate what you've
done to help me, thank you!

Steve Strowbridge, aka
The Original Gamer Stevie Strow
http://ogsteviestrow.com
ogsteviestrow at gmail.com


On Tue, Apr 4, 2017 at 3:25 PM, Zippster <zippster278 at gmail.com> wrote:

> Hello Steve (and all),
>
> Here’s my story in joining the group...
>
> I am somewhat of a newcomer too, I think I joined the list sometime in
> 2014.
> At that time, I was only vaguely aware of what a Color Computer was to tell
> the truth.  I’d always been into computers and had had a habit of
> collecting and
> playing with old systems for many years.
>
> One day, I found myself looking at two old machines I had snagged off of
> eBay.
> What the heck were these?  I started searching the web and learning a bit,
> and
> discovered I had a couple of CoCo2’s.
>
> I didn’t have any disk or cassette drives for these things, so I went
> searching about
> for some kind of storage, and learned about the CoCo SDC.  And that’s when
> I
> fount the email list here…
>
> Anyway, I couldn’t get an SDC as no one was making them at the time.  I
> just happened
> to come along at a time when there were some others that wanted them as
> well and
> were discussing on the group as to whether Darren would allow someone to
> produce them.  He replied that he didn’t have a problem with that, and I
> jumped at
> the opportunity.  Badly wanting a couple for myself, I volunteered to
> produce a run.
>
> I opened up a list for interested parties, and had to cap it at 100 SDC's
> before I got in
> over my head!   It was my first time doing a run of anything you see…
>
> Making these, and getting them sent out to everybody, I got to know the
> CoCoList
> group, and realized what a great community was here, with a lot of history.
>
> I’d been pretty heavy into the N8VEM group, building lots of single board
> and bus
> based computers and experimenting with hardware and software there.  So
> what I
> found in the CoCo group fit with my interests very well, with it’s great
> history of
> hardware and software projects, etc…
>
> So I came looking for a CoCo SDC, and stayed for the great group I found
> here.
>
> Since then there’s been a lot of fun projects, and I’ve really tried my
> best to contribute
> to this great community, which welcomed me in as if I had always been a
> part of it.
>
> It’s been awesome to see the revival of interest and activity that’s been
> going on for
> some time now, with new people joining in, and so many hardware and
> software
> projects being pursued.
>
> What I’d consider the CoCo community online is this mailing list, the
> Facebook group,
> and the CoCoFPGA group mostly.  The MC-10 and Dragon groups are also
> closely related and
> kind of an extension of our community in some ways as well.
>
> Now to your questions… (These are all just my opinions.)
>
> >   - Is there a hierarchy to it?
>
> No, not really.  It seems to be a pretty informal community.
> Everyone pursues and involves themselves in things as they see fit.
> There’s no real hierarchy, though I suppose we do have “prominent” members,
> based on how active they are in the community, or their long-standing
> participation in all things CoCo...
>
> >   - Is there a reluctance to accept "newcomers"
>
>
> That sure hasn’t been what I’ve observed or experienced.  Everyone is
> welcome.
>
> >   - How do the veterans feel about newcomers
>
>
> I guess they’ll have to answer that one, I don’t think I’m a veteran yet…
> I think they are glad to see the interest in the CoCo.
>
> >   - What are the "requirements" to be "accepted" or be deemed
> "legitimate"
>
>
> Have an interest in these machines?  Join the group(s)?
>
> >   - Is there an actual "Great divide" between OS9 and RS-DOS?
>
> Maybe.  People seem to either love it or run away from it (OS9).   :D
>
>
> I guess that’s it…  Hopefully this was what you were looking for, and not
> just me rambling…   :)
>
> By the way Steve, you’re contributing a lot to the group with what you’ve
> been doing.
> Very good for our community I think!
>
> - Ed
>
>
> > On Apr 4, 2017, at 10:05 AM, Steve Strowbridge <ogsteviestrow at gmail.com>
> wrote:
> >
> > So maybe this post will spark some interests and response, but as I
> compile
> > my thoughts and experiences of being a part of several CoCo channels,
> such
> > as this list, the Facebook page, The Podcast, the comments I get from
> > around the web on YouTube, it really got me thinking, what does it mean
> to
> > be a member of the CoCo community?
> >
> >   - Is there a hierarchy to it?
> >   - Is there a reluctance to accept "newcomers"
> >   - How do the veterans feel about newcomers
> >   - What are the "requirements" to be "accepted" or be deemed
> "legitimate"
> >   - Is there an actual "Great divide" between OS9 and RS-DOS?
> >   - You name it
> >
> >
> > All these thoughts and ideas are in the minds of many because I see
> > questions and comments about them in the various locations I mentioned.
> >
> > I've heard the term CoCo Luminary mentioned quite a bit, when referring
> to
> > someone, and I actually like that word, it makes me think of the
> illuminati
> > and the big pyramid eye in the sky.
> >
> > Certainly there are some founding father type figures that have done
> major
> > things to the past and present of the CoCo's history, and those people
> > deserve proper respect and recognition.
> >
> > I myself am still very much a newcomer, I've only known about the
> community
> > for less than 2 years, and from my experience, I've made a lot of friends
> > and gained an extended family.
> >
> > I am not technical in the electronics or software development arenas, but
> > have a fond appreciation for both, and the people working on projects in
> > both areas.
> >
> > My first interactions were on Google+ which led me to Facebook, which led
> > me learning about the CoCo underdog book, the CoCo Crew Podcast, and the
> > people who are still talking about this computer every day.
> >
> > I don't feel like I have any "place" or "level" in this perceived
> hierarchy
> > (nor am I seeking any), I'm just a member of this community.
> >
> > I have been very fortunate to have some of the legends of CoCo creation
> > spend time with me and give interviews, and even become friends, and I am
> > humbled by that, but don't in any way think that has "elevated my
> status."
> > I have asked other people do do interviews about their projects, and some
> > people feel that what they are doing is "not worthy" of what other people
> > have done or are doing.
> >
> > I think that anybody who is doing anything to help keep the CoCo alive
> and
> > well in their hearts, and in the hearts of others, is an equal member of
> > the community, and regardless of how technical you are, or aren't I would
> > hope we should all feel the same about each other.
> >
> > So the combination of my simple mind and big heart think, that no matter
> > what you are doing with or for the CoCo, you should feel proud about it,
> > and share it with the community.
> >
> > Well that's just me, I've always been naive and a big pie in the sky kind
> > of guy, but hopefully these are some great starting points to get people
> to
> > weigh in, love to hear many points of views and perspectives.
> >
> > And maybe, this can be the topic, or one of the topics we discuss this
> > Sunday on CoCoTALK!
> >
> > Steve Strowbridge, aka
> > The Original Gamer Stevie Strow
> > http://ogsteviestrow.com
> > ogsteviestrow at gmail.com
>
>
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