Any C-128 users?

[LoadWB]

When I had both the 128 and 128D, I did open both up and it looked like you could just solder in the extra memory chips on the 128 since it had the pads on the board for them.  Surface-mount back then was so large that you'd really have to have a nervous disorder in order to not be able to solder on the extra chips yourself.  I guess this is a more expensive but simpler solution...

What the 128 really needs is an upgraded 8563 VDC chip that increases the color cell density down to one pixel. ...but then 64k may not be enough...

At 320x200 that's just at 64k.  Possible, I suppose, but doesn't the new VIC used in the D64TV (or whatever it's called) provide better video options?  Could make a nice drop-in for the 128/D, though I wonder how many 128/Ds are actually in use.

I used sockets to solder 64k into my old 128.  The 64k has a good number of uses besides the regular video duties.  One program used it as a buffer for copying disks, and ISTR a program for 64 mode which used the 64k as a RAM disk (much slower than the 1700 but still useable.)

I really like these types of projects.  Take an old hack and turn it into a pretty plug-in expansion.

[LoadWB]

The whole point about 128 was the 80 column mode.  I was a 'power-user' and I would load a program that did some things like put me into 80x50 column mode by interlacing the 80 column display.  Since I was using a Magnavox monitor for 80 column mode, I was able to get a nice sharp 80x50 display.  640x400 with 1:1 pixel density would have made it a better business and game machine but 2Mhz was still limiting...  Now, CPM mode did run at 4Mhz using the Z80 processor, but there was not enough interest in that.  In fact the Z80 processor runs first when you turn on the 128 then based on the CPM button and the 40/80 column button it would put you in the appropriate mode, etc...  Yea, I used to be into it hardcore...

I dig it.  I'm familiar with the Z80 boot-strap mode of the 128.  I used CP/M a good bit, though I wasn't as hard-core as most.  I did get some C programs to compile and I also did some COBOL on my 128D.  Sadly, when I got my 128, rather than learn how to program and take advantage of the extra features I learned how to exploit them from 64 mode.  Features like the extra keys, 80 column video, and double speed.  If I had more time these days, along with learning to write real programs on the Amiga and not just Rexx/MUIRexx I would learn more 128 and maybe port my BBS program over.

Speaking of, were there any CP/M BBS programs that worked on the 128?

I loved GEOS 128.  I used it well up to my college days (late 90s) until I managed to get my hands on a printer for my Amiga 500 and started using Word Perfect 4.  Not long ago I purchased a couple of disks of GEOS enhancements and I've yet to crack it open.  UGH!  No time, and I'm planning to have kids?!  CRAZY!!

[LoadWB]

Can people go into C64 and run C64 games if one switched from BASIC 8 to GEOS ROM and is using GEOS? Does that mean as soon as you turn your C128 on it will go into GEOS? Where can one find such ROM?

With a properly crafted ROM I suppose it's possible, but the only GEOS ROMs of which I'm aware are for GEOS 128.

Otherwise you just hold down the C= key when booting your 128 and you're in 64 mode, or type GO64 at the 128's BASIC prompt.

[LoadWB]

The other day I wanted to teach my 7 year old son to program so I looked at many BASIC compilers for Windows and hated all of them, none of them had a nice GUI or even a GUI that I could make nice and they were all difficult to use. So I ran VICE and emulated the Commodore 128 just for my son to learn BASIC. There just is no BASIC environment as user friendly as BASIC 7.0 for the Commodore 128.

That's awesome.  A lot of kids I know like the older computers for a number of purposes.  BASIC 7 definitely is nicer than TI BASIC or Extended BASIC (as much as I love those, as well,) but I have a particular love for GFA Basic.  I used it first on the Atari ST and then on the Amiga.

All things considered, I wish I had learned 6502 before BASIC.  I learned TI BASIC then TMS-9900, CBM BASIC 2 and BASIC 7, then 6502.  AppleSoft and Integer BASIC is in there somewhere, but I never pursued the Apple 8-bit stuff too far, though I did a lot of stuff with AppleDOS.

As much as emulation provides for the old 8-bits (VICE and Classic 99 are both awesome,) I really love to put the real machines in front of people.  I can't wait for my kids to get their hands on my classic systems.

There are programs out there which allow you to use BASIC 2.0 and TI BASIC for scripting.  Both work pretty well, even for simple file processing.

TI BASIC
Amiga: http://aminet.net/package/dev/lang/ti99basic
Others: http://ti99basic.sourceforge.net/

CBM BASIC 2.0
http://www.pagetable.com/?p=48 (can't find an Amiga version)

Bonus! Create your own Version of Microsoft BASIC for 6502
http://www.pagetable.com/?p=46
(Includes 6502 source code)