Tables are set up, power strips are laid, exhibitors are filing in and setting up their displays! The Holiday Inn at Carol Stream put our name in lights!
Countdown to CoCoFEST: T-1 Day
Countdown to CoCoFEST: T-2 Days
NMBA!
One of the highlights of every CoCoFEST!, it’s the No Minimum Bid Auction. Thanks to the generosity of the community in both donating items for the auction, and for bidding on auction items, many of the funds needed to run each CoCoFEST are received from this auction. It’s such a draw that other classic computing events have implemented their own fundraising auction based on ours.
As in previous years, we’ve already amassed quite a collection of CoCo (and some non CoCo) items for auction, and I hope you consider sitting down with us Saturday afternoon and bidding on an item or 10.
Jason Timmons, co-organizer of the massive Fall VCF Midwest show, will once again wield the gavel as our auctioneer. If you’re on the fence about joining us, check out some of the items that went under the hammer in 2023:
Countdown to CoCoFEST: T-3 Days
In my opinion, gaming drives computing innovation, moreso than any other computing use case. I’ll fill my cup with some CoCo at the show and you can stop by and try to change my mind…
Even in the CoCo realm, I feel like pushing the platform via game development has unlocked significant platform secrets.
Over the years, we’ve enjoyed presentations on CoCo gaming from game designers/developers. Here’s Paul Thayer giving us a glimpse on his efforts to turn ideas into computing innovation through game development, using modern tooling:
CoCoFEST! Links
For starters you should scroll to the bottom of the page and click <Other Post>. And keep do this page after page until you go back to mouth of March and then will have seen all the recent CoCoFEST! post.
Countdown to CoCoFEST: T-4 Days
As a relative “noob” in the CoCo community, I was initially surprised when CoCo discussions started comparing the the TRS80 Color Computer to an Apple Macintosh. Community support notwithstanding, it’s patently unfair to compare an early 1980’s 8-bit platform with a early 2000’s 32 bit one. That aside, both sides had their proponents. The discussions touted the graphical UI and multi-tasking capabilities in the latter, though I assumed everyone already knew the Mac sported those in spades.
After a bit, though, I realized the discussion was not about the short lived Macintosh operating system OS 9, but the Microware real time operating system OS-9 for the CoCo, and sometimes specifically about the open source variant called NitrOS9. Researching, I determined OS-9 wasn’t just a multi-tasking OS, it was a true real time operating system (RTOS), the same type of OS designers choose when stability and guaranteed operation is a must! Now, everything from toasters to watches have a real time multitasking OS, so OS-9 may not seem as impressive, but it’s important to remember OS-9 on the CoCo was a thing before Windows 1.0 even arrived and just as the Macintosh first came on the scene.
Glenside welcomes all OS-9 (and NitrOS9) enthusiasts, and we typically have at least 1 presentation each year on some aspect of the OS. This year, L. Curtis Boyle and Ken Waters will present on the platform at 10:45 on Saturday, May 4. Below is their 2022 BASIC09 presentation:
Countdown to CoCoFEST: T-5 Days
As in previous years, the 32nd Annual “Last” Chicago CoCoFEST allows community members an opportunity to showcase advances in the “state-of-the-art”. Often times, these advances are specific to a Tandy or compatible platform, but other times the advance is more general in nature.
To be sure, few things are more general that the central processing unit in the Color Computer, the MC6809E microprocessor. And, just like anything used in the CoCo, there’s always room for improvement. Here’s Kevin Phillipson discussing his Turbo9 research effort, a modern implementation of the venerable 6809:
CoCoFEST! and Carol Stream Restaurants
Google Maps Search: “restaurants near Carol Stream, IL 60188”
Now choose cuisine:
American
Barbecue
Chinese
French
Hamburger
Indian
Italian
Japanese
Mexican
Pizza
Seafood
Steak
Sushi
Thai
American
Urban Counter, Fast Food Restaurant, Carol Stream, IL
Subway, Sandwich Shop, Wheaton, IL
Diana’s Red Hots, Hot Dog Restaurant, Carol Stream, IL
Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen, Chicken Restaurant, Glendale Heights, IL
Wingstop, Chicken Wings Restaurant, Glendale Heights, IL
Portillo’s/Barnelli’s, Fast Food Restaurant, Glendale Heights, IL
Jimmy John’s, Sandwich Shop, Lombard, IL
Chick-fil-A, Fast Food Restaurant, Bloomingdale, IL
Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, Fast Food Restaurant, Bloomingdale, IL
Fahrenheit, American Restaurant, Glendale Heights, IL
Stella’s Place, Café, Glendale Heights, IL
Brauer House, American Restaurant, Lombard, IL
Panera Bread, Café, Bloomingdale, IL
Potbelly, Sandwich Shop, Bloomingdale, IL
McAlister’s Deli, Sandwich Shop, Bloomingdale, IL
Noodles and Company, Restaurant, Bloomingdale, IL
Augustino’s Rock N Roll Diner, 246 S. Schmale, Carol Stream, IL (Note: John Mark Mobley recommends this place!)
Bakery
Alshakarchi Sweets and Bakery, Glendale Heights, IL
Crumbl Cookies, Bakery, Glendale Heights, IL
Hanna’s Bakery and Cafe, Bloomingdale, IL
Bar or Bar and Grill
Chrissy’s Gaming Bar and Grill, Carol Stream, IL
The Pub, Carol Stream, IL
Sully’s Place, Bar, Wheaton, IL
Gametime Pub, Sports Bar, West Chicago, IL
Payoffs Bar and Grill, Bar and Grill, Carol Stream, IL
Miska’s Corner Store, Bar, Glendale Heights, IL
Little Jimmy’s, Bar, Glendale Heights, IL
Jaxx Pub and Grill, Bar and Grill, Glendale Heights, IL
Barbecue
Steamboat BBQ, Barbeque Restaurant, Wheaton, IL
(closes early, 6 or 7 PM)
Breakfast
Manny’s Cafe, Breakfast Restaurant, Carol Stream, IL
First Watch, Breakfast Restaurant, Bloomingdale, IL
Denny’s, Diner, Carol Stream, IL
Red Apple Pancake House, Carol Stream, IL
Burger Theory-Holiday Inn, Hotel, Carol Stream, IL
Candy
Fannie May Chocolate Shop, Carol Stream, IL
Chinese
China Buffet, Chinese Restaurant, Carol Stream, IL
Jin28, Chinese Restaurant, Carol Stream, IL
Coffee
Tredwell Coffee, Coffee Shop, Wheaton, IL
Dunkin’, Coffee Shop, Carol Stream, IL
Starbucks, Coffee Shop, Carol Stream, IL
Ethiopian
Ethio Beans Ethiopian Restaurant and Cafe,
Ethiopian Restaurant, Carol Stream, IL
French
B Fresh Café, Restaurant, Milton Township, IL
German
Schnitzel Platz, German Restaurant, Glendale Heights, IL
Hamburger
White Castle, Fast Food Restaurant, Carol Stream, IL
Burger Theory-Holiday Inn Carol Stream, Hotel, Carol Stream, IL
Burger King, Restaurant, Glendale Heights, IL
McDonald’s, Fast Food Restaurant, Glendale Heights, IL (Scottish)
Wendy’s, Fast Food Restaurant, Glendale Heights, IL
Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers,
Fast Food Restaurant, Glendale Heights, IL
Five Guys, Fast Food Restaurant, Bloomingdale, IL
Steak ‘n Shake, Hamburger Restaurant, Glendale Heights, IL
Bo Burgerz, Fast Food Restaurant, Glendale Heights, IL
Ice Cream, Frozen Custard or Frozen Yogurt
La Michoacana, Ice Cream Shop, Glendale Heights, IL
Oberweis Ice Cream and Dairy Store, Ice Cream Shop, Bloomingdale, IL
Indian
Saffron Restaurant, Indian Restaurant, Bloomingdale, IL
Shaahi Biryani, Indian Restaurant, Glendale Heights, IL
Irish
Corned Beef Factory, Restaurant, West Chicago, IL
Italian
Olive Garden Italian Restaurant, Italian Restaurant, Bloomingdale, IL
Japanese
Abashiri Japanese Restaurant, Japanese Restaurant, Bloomingdale, IL
Mexican
Taco Real and Pupuseria, Mexican Restaurant, Carol Stream, IL
Gary Burritos, Mexican Restaurant, Carol Stream, IL
Taco Bell, Fast Food Restaurant, Glendale Heights, IL
Good Tequilas Mexican Grill, Mexican Restaurant, Glendale Heights, IL
El Famous Burrito, Mexican Restaurant, Glendale Heights, IL
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Mexican Restaurant, Bloomingdale, IL
Chili’s Grill and Bar, Tex-Mex Restaurant, Bloomingdale, IL
La Campana, Mexican Restaurant, Bloomingdale, IL
Pozoleria Amiguitas, Mexican Restaurant, Glendale Heights, IL
Amigas Restaurant, Mexican Restaurant, Glendale Heights, IL
Burrito Parrilla Mexicana, Mexican Restaurant, Glendale Heights, IL
Mis Tacos 2, Mexican Restaurant, Carol Stream, IL
Middle Eastern Grill
Nay Restaurant, Middle Eastern Grill, Glendale Heights, IL
Pizza
Marchette’s Pizzeria, Pizza Restaurant, Carol Stream, IL
Addante’s Pizzeria, Pizza Restaurant, Wheaton, IL
Rosati’s Pizza, Pizza Restaurant, Carol Stream, IL
Papa Saverio’s Pizzeria, Pizza Restaurant, West Chicago, IL
Generoso Pizza, Restaurant, Glendale Heights, IL
Hanna’s Gaming Cafe, Glendale Heights, IL
Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria, Curbside Pickup or Delivery, Carol Stream IL
Maciano’s Pizza and Pastaria, Pizza Restaurant, Carol Stream, IL
Polish Delicatessen
White Eagle Deli, Glendale Heights, IL
Seafood
Red Lobster, Seafood Restaurant, Bloomingdale, IL
Steak
Jameson’s Charhouse, Steak House, Bloomingdale, IL
Texas Roadhouse, Steak House, Bloomingdale, IL
Outback Steakhouse, Steak House, Bloomingdale, IL
Steak and Seafood
Ki’s Steak and Seafood, Restaurant, Glendale Heights, IL
Sushi
Lili Sushi and Ramen Sushi, Restaurant, Carol Stream, IL
Honkaka Sushi, Restaurant, Glendale Heights, IL
Monsun Sushi, Restaurant, Glendale Heights, IL
Shiki Buffet, Restaurant, Glendale Heights, IL (Opens soon)
Thai
CK Pad Thai, Thai Restaurant, Carol Stream, IL
Vietnamese
PhoLicious, Vietnamese Restaurant, Bloomingdale, IL
Where to go for a Chicago Style Hot Dog:
Portillo’s
I guess I must disclose that I own one share of Portillo’s stock
Where to go for a Chicago Style Pizza:
Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria, (Curbside Pickup or Delivery), Carol Stream IL
Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria, (Dine-in or Curbside Pickup), Schaumburg, IL
Giordano’s Limited, Bloomingdale, IL
Nancy’s Pizzeria, Stuffed Deep Dish, Roselle, IL
Maciano’s Pizza and Pastaria, Pizza Restaurant, Carol Stream, IL
Rosati’s Pizza, Pizza Restaurant, Carol Stream, IL
Where can I go for gluten-free pizza:
Domino’s Pizza, Carol Stream, IL
Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria, Schaumburg, IL
Pizzeria Uno, Schiller Park, IL
Where can I go for live music on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Night:
Schnitzel Platz, German Restaurant, Glendale Heights, IL
(https://schnitzelplatz.com/events)
Brauer House, American Restaurant, Lombard, IL
(https://www.eventbrite.com/o/brauer-house-amp-bhouse-live-18059974031)
Google Map Search: live music near Carol Stream, IL
What are the 27 Best Restaurants for Keto Diet Followers:
https://www.everydayhealth.com/ketogenic-diet/best-restaurants-keto-diet-followers/
CoCoFEST! Badge Artwork
Thanks to both Salvador Garcia and Ron Delvaux, we have some amazing artwork for posters and our badges:
Countdown to CoCoFEST: T-6 Days
Though the Glenside Color Computer Club hails from the Chicago, IL area, it long ago stepped over city, state, and even country boundaries. With the advent of the Internet and most recently the need to virtualize club meetings, we now enjoy a global membership. The fest itself welcomes visitors from Louisiana to Ohio, North Carolina to Oregon, and many points in between. Beyond the USA, we welcome folks from Canada all the way to Columbia.
To illustrate our global reach at the fest, Fabian Rodriguez and Reinaldo Torres share how to CoCo in Columbia:
Countdown to CoCoFEST: T-7 Days
If you’re like me, you’re panicking a bit at this point, feverishly finishing up stuff before you pack for the show and leave. In actuality, it’s T-5 for me, since I’ll be arriving Thursday evening to help with setup and just general prep. If you are, stop, take a deep breath, and remember that we’ll enjoy your presence no matter the situation.
As John Mark and others have noted in the past, the official title is The <number> Annual “Last” Chicago CoCoFEST!, where <number> is nominally the number of years since the first Annual event in 1992, with a skip in 2020 we don’t talk about much :-). Though, to be pedantically correct, except for the number, pretty much the entire name of the show is a lie…
As noted, with the skip in 2020, the word “annual” probably should have a “*” by it, as a few folks have noted. But, ignoring that for a moment, except for the current fest, the word “Last” in all the previous show names are lies, as we have held another one a year later. Obviously, it’s a bit of CoCo inside humor. But, if we give a pass for everything shutting down a year, us included, and keep a bit of humor in the title, I posit even the name “CoCoFEST!” is a lie.
Why, you may ask? Well, though we do tend to see quite a few Color (Colour for our members up North) Computers, we also see CoCo-like machines such as the Dragon 64, the Z-80 based Tandy machines, some related products (like the MM/1), and our favorite little Tandy system, the MC-10. Talk about an underdog!
A number of our community cater to this tiny member of the family, including Brendan Donahe. Here is Brendan explaining some novel constraints around the Tandy MC-10 video system:
So, if you have a non-CoCo Tandy or Radio Shack computer (or even a clone), you’re part of our people!