[Coco] PopStar Pilot blog offline

[Al Hartman]

I know how it feels Brian. I've sold off a lot of my Coco hardware over the 
years.

I just sold off my two CocoSDC boards.

I owned two Multi Paks - SOLD!

I owned a Disto Super Controller - Lost (lent it to a software developer who 
never used it, and then said his mother threw it out with all his Coco 
stuff.)

I had a lot of hardware stolen by someone who "helped me move" and instead 
helped himself to choice pieces in my collection.

My original WORKING     1978 Model I was dropped on the floor and broken by 
a clumsy family member in my last move.

My fully tricked out TDP-100 was also badly handled by a helper sometime in 
my moves from NYC to Philadelphia in the late 90's and the HJL keyboard is 
missing a key, and it no longer works (It has a lowerkit, HJL keyboard, 
Composite adapter, reset switch, power light, and was pretty nice when it 
was working.

I'm disabled, haven't been out of my house except for a doctor appointment 
in two months, and my only joy is playing with my classic computers.

I would like an MPI again.

I'm sorry that I haven't developed a computer product since the 1980's. I 
had to go earn a living when the 8-bit market collapsed, and that ended up 
being Novell Networks and PC-Compatibles in Schools and Businesses. I'm not 
a hardware design guy. I never learned electrical engineering. I never 
learned C, C++, Java, or Assembler. All of my code has been in BASIC on the 
PC, Apple ][, Coco, Timex and TRS-80. Or, various versions of dBase II/III. 
But, I can assemble hardware. To support my classic computer hobby I built 
an 8-Bit IDE Controller 
(http://www.lo-tech.co.uk/wiki/Lo-tech_ISA_CompactFlash_Adapter_revision_2), 
and an 8-Bit HD Floppy Controller 
(http://www.malinov.com/Home/sergeys-projects/isa-fdc-and-uart), as well as 
a TRS-80 Model III HD Controller 
(http://www.lo-tech.co.uk/wiki/Lo-tech_TRS-80_IDE_Adapter_rev.2)

I had fun with those projects, and helped others source parts and build 
theirs too.

I built a PC/XT and a 486 system so I could image 5.25" floppies for the 
TRS-80, Coco, IBM-PC and others. My plan is to offer to make copies of disks 
for the cost of media and postage. When I can get a permanent setup other 
than my kitchen table.

I found and scanned in manuals for the Coco Burner, Lowerkit II, and Charit 
and sent those up to the Archive. I have tons more if I could just get to 
them.

So, don't treat me like I'm nobody, who has done nothing for anybody else, 
and wants to sit on 30 year old laurels.

I'm trying as best as I can, and with limited funds and mobility to still be 
a contribution to the hobby and to others.

I went a little crazy spending money on my credit cards the last two years, 
and have had a major decline in my health -- spending more than three months 
last year in the hospital. I haven't touched a classic computer in about 8 
months. I'll have to get back to it someday soon. Right now, I'm struggling 
to pay for all that stuff I charged last year, and make up for losing SNAP 
benefits and having my mortgage go up $40 a month without a corresponding 
raise in income. Not to mention over $10k in medical debt.

It's not fun at all to see all this neat hardware I'd like to play with and 
see it priced way out of my reach.

I have so much neat stuff here I'd love to setup and play with, but I can't 
climb a ladder to get at it, or pick up a heavy box, or move furniture to 
make room for a new desk. In 2013, my Coco 3 ran on a snack table in my 
bedroom hooked up to my bedroom TV. I had to take it down because there was 
no room for my sister to take care of me in bed with it setup. She also kept 
tripping over the wires.

You have no idea how frustrating this all is.

-[ Al ]-

-----Original Message----- 
From: Brian Blake

Imagine how it feels to have to sell some of your CoCo hardware to make
some ends meet. White CoCo 1 - gone. TDP-100 - gone. Two J&M controllers
- gone. Grey CoCo with HJL-57 keyboard - gone. Complete in box MPI -
gone. You're in no position to lecture me or anyone on this list who
have had to make sacrifices for the expense of living. Get over
yourself, you're not alone.

>
> Think about that before you attack me for being rude.
>
> -[ Al ]-

I didn't attack you, Al. I could, but, I will not. But I will point out
when someone's rude behavior causes a contributing member of the CoCo
community to leave.