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

Tue Apr 4 22:02:41 EDT 2017

The first and most important step to becoming part of the accepted coco
community is to send me $1,000 (preferably cash and in small bills!) :)

(for the humor impaired I joking!!)

On Tue, Apr 4, 2017 at 8:21 PM, James Jones <jejones3141 at gmail.com> wrote:

> 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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> > Coco at maltedmedia.com
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> >
>
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