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Geek Culture / Retro Programming Goodness

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CJB
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Joined: 10th Feb 2004
Location: Essex, UK
Posted: 9th Feb 2016 09:20
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Usborne have made all their old BASIC programming books available online! Awesome retro programming goodness:
• Computer Fun
• Simple Basic
• Practical Things to Do With a Microcomputer
• Introduction to Computer Programming
• Machine Code for Beginners
• Programming Tricks and Skills
• Computer Spy Games
• Computer Battle Games
• Weird Computer Games
• Computer Space Games
• Creepy Computer Games
• The Mystery of Silver Mountain
• Island of Secrets
• Write Your Own Fantasy Games
• Write Your Own Adventure Programs

V2 T1 (Mostly)
Phone Tap!
Uzmadesign
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JLMoondog
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15
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Joined: 18th Jan 2009
Location: Paradox
Posted: 9th Feb 2016 10:08 Edited at: 9th Feb 2016 10:10
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Wow these are incredible! I've never even heard of these books...blah my 30-years-ago-child-self is super jealous! Just skipped through the first and last book for good measure, this would be an awesome premise to convert to AppGameKit speak. *thinking of a new and awesome e-book project

Pertaining to the last book, I recently bought a book from the thrift store that head over 100 walk-throughs and maps for early Adventure Games from 80's-early 90's. Amazing read. I love these older basic books.
http://jlmoondog.weebly.com/
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BatVink
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Joined: 4th Apr 2003
Location: Gods own County, UK
Posted: 9th Feb 2016 10:19 Edited at: 9th Feb 2016 10:20
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Nice!

These would be great as a basis for a
Quote: "new and awesome e-book project"
or a competition.
Pick one of the game books, and pick a game.
Convert the code to AppGameKit and publish it with code
Then make a better version and publish that one too with code

It would be a fantastic learning resource for newcomers (and oldcomers).
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Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum sonatur
TutCity is being rebuilt
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JLMoondog
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Posted: 9th Feb 2016 10:24
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Quote: "
or a competition.
Pick one of the game books, and pick a game.
Convert the code to AppGameKit and publish it with code
Then make a better version and publish that one too with code

It would be a fantastic learning resource for newcomers (and oldcomers).
"

Great idea! I'd say let's put a plan together.

The nostalgia is overwhelming.
http://jlmoondog.weebly.com/
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SpecTre
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Joined: 24th Feb 2003
Location: UK
Posted: 9th Feb 2016 13:29 Edited at: 9th Feb 2016 14:03
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Wow this is a great find, I love anything Retro as I am a bit of a Retro freak!!

Going to set some time today to have a good read
Great idea for converting to AppGameKit!


[EDIT]
http://www.usborne.com/catalogue/feature-page/computer-and-coding-books.aspx

Here is the link from the site with cover pictures of the books
The Amiga and Amos were great!
My website LEAP - Download Paint Pot here!
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Crazy Programmer
AGK Developer
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Joined: 6th Sep 2004
Location: Lost in AGK
Posted: 9th Feb 2016 13:59
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Woooot!!! Christmas came early this year!!!
Download My Games for Android. Made with AGK.
Jellyfish Dive- https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.CrazyProgrammerProductions.my_JellyFishSwim
Brick Destroyer - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.CrazyProgrammerProductions.my_BrickDestroyer
Ping Bong - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.CrazyProgrammerProductions.my_Pong_Ping_Bong
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Kevin Picone
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Joined: 27th Aug 2002
Location: Australia
Posted: 9th Feb 2016 14:41
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yeah... It's nice they’ve published them. Bound to be some useful stuff tucked away. The most 8bit basic's generally didn't have nice convenient drawing / interface command sets, in favor you hitting the hardware directly (Peek / Poke). If your not familiar with this, it could make deciphering those programs a bit of a headache today (ie C64), but the hardware reference manuals are everywhere.

To get the real experience fire up the C64 emulator and write something on it..


Convert PlayBASIC To Machine Code
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SpecTre
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Joined: 24th Feb 2003
Location: UK
Posted: 9th Feb 2016 15:19
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Quote: "fire up the C64 emulator"


Forget the emulator, time to dig out the C64 from the loft and get the nostalgia flowing
The Amiga and Amos were great!
My website LEAP - Download Paint Pot here!
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BatVink
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Location: Gods own County, UK
Posted: 9th Feb 2016 15:32
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Quote: "time to dig out the C64 from the loft and get the nostalgia flowing"


That's the easy bit. Have you got a TV that it will work with?
Can you imagine Spectrums and C64s on a modern 42" TV?!?! My Dragon 32 only ever got presented on a 14" TV.
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Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum sonatur
TutCity is being rebuilt
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SpecTre
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Joined: 24th Feb 2003
Location: UK
Posted: 9th Feb 2016 16:31
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Quote: "Have you got a TV that it will work with?"


I have an old portable TV up there too! Even easier
Hmmm.... thats if it still works haha!
The Amiga and Amos were great!
My website LEAP - Download Paint Pot here!
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Dazzag
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Joined: 26th Aug 2002
Location: Cyprus
Posted: 5th Apr 2016 13:20 Edited at: 5th Apr 2016 13:26
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Nice. Still got my Spectrum programming book somewhere, and I definitely had a few of these books back in the day.

But stuff wires, and portable TVs etc. Time to get out my birthday present...

Cheers
Current fave quote : Cause you like musicians and I like people with boobs.

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