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

[James Jones]

Interesting questions! I can but speak for myself, of course; here goes.

Is there a hierarchy to the CoCo community? Perhaps, but everybody
interested in the CoCo is welcomed and treated with courtesy and respect.
The community isn't centered around a hierarchy.

Is there a reluctance to accept newcomers? Not just no, but heck no. Over
and above it being unwise to reject newcomers if we want the community to
stick around, I and I think others think it's great that new people are
interested.

How do veterans feel about newcomers? I think I already answered that.

What are the requirements to be accepted or deemed legitimate? If there are
requirements, I'd think it's showing interest, being active to the extent
possible, and helping when possible.

Is there an actual "great divide" between OS-9 and RSDOS? Yes, there is.
Nobody nowadays would tolerate it if upgrading, say, a graphics card meant
having to replace every single piece of software one owned; progress in the
computer field would slow down seriously. The way every single RSDOS-based,
or at least loaded, program is intimately tied to every feature and wart of
the CoCo, every programmer independently writing code for I/O etc. is what
killed the CoCo and greatly shrank the CoCo community. (Kevin Darling
recognized it; if anyone has a post that I think he made to CIS--if not
there, then Delphi--titled "You're Killing the CoCo!", I would very much
appreciate a copy of it.) Were it not for RSDOS we'd be a lot further
towards a sort of CoCo V'ger, bypassing the Coco's relentlessly cheap and
CPU-burdening hardware as much as possible, uncoupling the tasks done by
the GIME so they could be improved independently of each other.

That war was lost long ago, though. Today's equivalent of the CoCo as a
small, capable computer that lets you experiment with hardware and/or
software hacking is any of the various SBCs such as the Raspberry Pi. For a
few days' mowing lawns an enterprising young person can get a computer we'd
have killed for back in 1986. Today's EYP and we might both hook up our
computers to our televisions, but our NTSC TV would provide a blurry low
resolution image, but today the TVs are sharp 1920 x 1080 (actually, the
Odroid C2 can drive a "4K" monitor). So keeping the CoCo going is a mixture
of nostalgia and the joy of seeing just how far you can push it and how
long we can collectively keep it around... along with honoring those who
made it possible.


On Tue, 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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>