The office has been updated to REAL desks. And a few more Marvin decorations. (We found another box of Marvin memorabilia.

DL - that is AWESOME! So can I. "Oh, drat these computers. They're so naughty and so complex. I could pinch them."

I was using my phone and practicing with the "super" zoom it has. I have the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra with 100x zoom.

Honestly, it kind of is. I just opened it up today. Plugged it in and put out the slideout. I forgot how roomie it gets when you do that. I was telling the wife I am ready to sleep in it again. She just rolls her eyes.

I get that feeling of being too far away from "anything". But, like you said, you had a quaint little community that probably had most of what you needed. I like the idea of taking the camper to different campgrounds around the state (Michigan), as well as other places. You are "away" from civilization, but you are close enough to get what you need. Plus, it is typically less expensive than getting a hotel for a few nights. But, that is changing too. Some of the full-hookup sites are getting expensive. They have lots of stuff to offer for kids (and we don't have any littles running around anymore), so it is like $65-80 per night. Still cheaper than the hotel.

I ordered an expansion unit for the cartridge port from Bits of the Past (https://www.bitsofthepast.com/). I got the "130XE Cart/ECI to PBI converter with a cartridge port in a RA orientation" for $20. And I am glad I did - it sounds like he is shutting down - get what you can while there is still stock. I am thinking some rubber feet on the bottom to keep it level with the unit - making cartridge insertion easier.

My question about the number of COVID positives - is it counted every time you get tested positive as a new positive case? Let's take my friend for example. He got COVID last year - tested positive. He has COVID again now - tested positive? Is that one person that has COVID or is that counted as two cases? Grrr!!! COVID can just move on. It will most likely come to a point where we treat it like the flu. Instead of cold and flu season, it will be COVID season. You don't know who to trust for accurate anything, so I trust the people that I know that work in the hospitals and medical offices. And it all depends on where you are living too, I suppose. --Matt

I don't think you are downplaying, you are stating facts. At the very beginning, everything was a COVID death (for all intents here). It is the same question I ask when I hear about someone dying from COVID - did they have some underlying condition that they did not know about? My wife corrects me and reminds me that even healthy people are dying from it. But, yes, I agree that the death count is "off".

Oh my! That is the kind of snow we have been looking for. Plus a little warmer temps (feels like at -2 is NOT fun). Now, with it going to flood, is that going to have an effect on you or your home?

We have some of that white stuff on the ground too. Right now we are dealing with some cold weather. I wisely cancelled my run this morning. And I am sure the sidewalks were WORSE than they were yesterday. DarkLord - just get the heat cranking, sit down with your retro gear, and just quarantine away!

Alright, quick update. I reached out to the person (Joe Strosnider) that repaired my Apple //c and he is going to replace the RAM on the Atari 130XE. It ships out today, and he should have it by Thursday. I am hoping to hear some news over the weekend. Worst case scenario, I have a line on a couple units as "options".

I am trying to connect to the DarkForce! BBS and must have something wrong in my settings in SyncTerm. Can someone please provide me the proper address, port, etc.? Much appreciated!

I have another "simple" question. Would the 1MB upgrade available from RetroHax resolve this issue? If someone were to install that on the current system, does it bypass the existing memory and MMU? I could not tell from the site. Just a thought.

Here are the images I promised. She is naked as a jaybird. If you look at the images, you will see they are MT4264-15 RAM chips. Someone also said that it may be the "Freddie" chip.

I will take pics (I honestly forgot when I took her apart). But, all the RAM chips were soldered (with small resistors (I think) in front of them). There were only two socketed chips on the whole board. Expect new pics later this morning. Thanks! =)

So this is what I am getting on booting the 130XE. Looking for someone that can repair this unit for me.

Well, if that is not interesting enough, check out this Facebook post from yesterday. https://www.facebook.com/groups/5251478676?hoisted_section_header_type=recently_seen&multi_permalinks=10161610805048677 Someone is getting the FujiNet to work with Apple ][ devices on the SmartPort. From the initial read, it is still in the infancy stage right now, with just barely a heartbeat, but interesting nonetheless.

This is good news! That will put my Atari 130XE on the "interwebs" and BBSs sooner than my Apple //c!!! :) I am looking forward to testing it out.

I also ordered a SIO2PC USB universal interface from AtariMax last evening. If I understand what I read, it will allow the PC to be a floppy drive for the unit (via USB) and act as a modem?