Commander X16

voidstar wrote: ↑Sat Jul 15, 2023 9:29 pm I hope in a year or two, we can get some schools involved, imagine classrooms full of X16's.

An amusing thought, but unlikely. In the US, more and more schools are turning away from the use of computer labs to requiring students to bring their own laptop or tablet as it's more cost effective for the schools. Also, the instructional focus is on current (or near current) versions of productivity/creative applications.

Yeah, I see it happening more as a specialty thing, like a club that sets a room full of X16s up to teach a programming class with them or something.

I'm not sure what it would take to make the X16 and similar things to be mainstream. It's kind of a step backwards from where we are, with the intention to step forwards-but-different. I'm all for it, but a lot of people are going to get hung up on that backwards step.

DragWx wrote: ↑Sun Jul 30, 2023 8:04 pm Yeah, I see it happening more as a specialty thing, like a club that sets a room full of X16s up to teach a programming class with them or something.

Given the boutique price, the club would need some deep pockets (or a generous sponsor) for that kind of setup. Best bet would be for each member to BYOC.

I'm all for it, but a lot of people are going to get hung up on that backwards step.

It's not a matter of being "hung up", it's just a fact of reality. As much as we may think retro-computing is the greatest thing since sliced silicon wafers, the reality is that this will always be a niche hobby, and there's nothing wrong with that.

X16 just needs a memorable commercial like Apple did in 1984

People still go to Medieval Times shows - it's all about the marketing and providing a "unique experience." X16 got a nice logo, cute size with expansion ports, standalone operation (no wifi or "call home" stuff), and a posh (and licensed) BASIC with the OG PETSCII.

Having the case large enough to set the screen on top of it - that'll be a "unique experience" thing. It gives it an identity - people come over and say "what's that? oh it's an X16!" as opposed to some little box velcro'd and unseen behind a monitor.


But mainstream has its downside too -- dealing with returns (can never please everyone no matter what) and RMAs (inevitably, some circuit mishap will happen).

I'm as stoked as for X16 as most anyone here.... but my guess is the average millenial will stick there nose up when it can't do youtube or TikTok... Where I work I've got co-workers from 16-80 and thats kinda just how I see the average Millenial.

I was recently co-workers with a young lady who was something of a Computer enthusiast.
But Windows XP was her idea of RETRO. (Windows XP was my daily driver as early as 6 years ago )

She did enjoy my history lessons though... But I don't see here ever jumping on the X16 bandwagon.

DEV0082 arrived back in July and is stationed in Fairfax County, Virginia. It ran in an inexpensive microATX case from Thermaltake until the official case arrived from Laser3d last week. Current project is working on an assembler for use with the excellent X16EDIT.

As an aside, my son is just a little disappointed with the lack of case RGB connectors

TomXP411 wrote: ↑Wed Jun 21, 2023 11:31 pm I'm super stoked. Number 42 arrived at the XP411 Ranch, and I've put it through its paces. So far, everything I've tried has been exactly as I'd hoped.

IMG_2817.jpg

So you've got the answer to life, the universe & everything???

cjc1959au wrote: ↑Tue Dec 26, 2023 9:28 am

TomXP411 wrote: ↑Wed Jun 21, 2023 11:31 pm I'm super stoked. Number 42 arrived at the XP411 Ranch, and I've put it through its paces. So far, everything I've tried has been exactly as I'd hoped.

IMG_2817.jpg

So you've got the answer to life, the universe & everything???

Well, yeah. Problem is, I don't know what the question is.

TomXP411 wrote: ↑Tue Dec 26, 2023 7:35 pm

cjc1959au wrote: ↑Tue Dec 26, 2023 9:28 am

TomXP411 wrote: ↑Wed Jun 21, 2023 11:31 pm I'm super stoked. Number 42 arrived at the XP411 Ranch, and I've put it through its paces. So far, everything I've tried has been exactly as I'd hoped.

IMG_2817.jpg

So you've got the answer to life, the universe & everything???

Well, yeah. Problem is, I don't know what the question is.

Build an Earth - that should help solve it.