Glenside Color Computer Club

The 32nd Annual “Last” Chicago CoCoFEST

Posted on January 7, 2024 | by Grant Leighty

As we say goodbye to 2023, and we ring in the new year, CoCoFest will be here in a few short months. I’m excited to see what this years CoCoFest will bring. I have already heard that there will be some rare hardware and several new projects that people are working on. Don’t forget that this year’s theme is Star Wars since the fest is on May 4th. I am encouraging all the vendors to decorate their tables in the Star Wars theme.

We have opened the registration for all exhibitors and attendees. We were able to keep the prices the same as last year. We will be selling 8-foot tables for $40 each, and 6-foot tables for $30 each. This year I have increased the maximum number of tables from 2 to 3. If you are thinking about getting a table, please get it now before they are all gone. Tables are going extremely fast this year. This is a good problem to have, and I have already been working with the hotel about setting up additional tables in another room and in the hallway of the hotel. I will be posting updates on the Glenside website, Discord, and the Facebook groups. Since tables are in such high demand, we will not be taking payment for the them at the door this year. The tables MUST be paid in full no later than April 17^th. This way we can be sure that all the tables will be used and sit empty. If you would like to sign up for tables, you can do that at Tandylist.

If you would like to join us for this year’s for CoCoFest, you can. We will be at the same location as last year at the Holiday Inn & Suites Chicago-Carol Stream (Wheaton), in Carol Stream, IL. The cost to attend this year’s fest will be free this year. The hotel has provided us with a block of rooms at a discounted rate. To book a room at the Holiday Inn & Suites Chicago-Carol Stream, you can book your room online by clicking here. You must book before the cutoff date of Midnight Chicago time, April 17, 2024 for the special CoCoFEST! rate of $120 a night plus fees taxes for two queen beds, or a one king bed. There is an option for two rooms suite with a king bed for $135 a night plus taxes. They also have a two-room suite with two queen beds upon request. Please reach out to Grant Leighty if you are interested in this room. To get this rate, you must select any days between and including May 2nd to 5th and enter the CoCoFEST! group rate of GTS. You may alternatively call the Front Desk to book your room at 630-665-3000 and provide them the Group Code of GTS.

We will continue the tradition and will be having a buffet style dinner on Saturday night at the hotel. This year we will be offering a BBQ Buffet.

Garden Salad with two dressings
Smoked BBQ Brisket, and Pulled Pork with BBQ sauce
Baked Bean
Macaroni & Cheese
Desert

The cost of the Saturday dinner is $45 per person. You can register for the dinner at Tandylist. The dinners must be ordered and paid for no later than April 17, 2024. If you have a special diet need, please send me an email to cocofest@glensideccc.com and we will try to accommodate your needs.

This year’s theme will be Star Wars since the fest is held on May 4^th. I encourage everyone to decorate their tables this year, and even wear Star Wars costumes to the show. We will be giving a prize to the best decorated table. Also, we will be selling t-shirts this year on our store website. Salvador has created one design option, and you can see it on the Glenside website. If you have an idea for a t-shirt design, please send it to me at cocofest@glensideccc.com.

One last thing, if you would like to give a presentation at this year’s CoCoFest, please send me an email with your presentation idea and I will get you added to the schedule. Presentations will be limited this year to only Saturday to allow more time for people to attend the booths. Remember that attending the CoCoFest is free this year. If you want to become a member of the Glenside Color Computer Club you can purchase a membership on Tandylist for only $15. If you have any questions, concerns, or ideas, please send me an email at cocofest@glensideccc.com. I hope to see everyone later this year at the 32^nd Annual “Last” Chicago CoCoFEST.

CoCoFEST! 32 T-Shirt Design Option

Posted on January 4, 2024 | by Jim Brain

Given that this year the fest falls on May 4, Star Wars themed graphics are appropriate to consider. Salvador Garcia has generously shared one fest design option and provided an update.

Salvador provided an update, noting (correctly) that the CoCo units on the fighters were small and hard to recognize.

On behalf of the club, I appreciate Salvador’s creativity. If you have comments, please share, as I know Salvador is interested in feedback. I’m also eager to see if there are other options we should consider. If you have an idea, please send it to myself (president@glensideccc.com) or our CoCoFEST! coordinator, Grant Leighty (cocofest@glensideccc.com).

Glenside Club Meeting: Thursday January 11, 2023 @ 7:30PM Central

Posted on January 3, 2024 | by Jim Brain

Welcome to CoCo 2024!

I hope everyone had a very CoCo-riffic holiday season and is excited for what this new year has in store. I can’t wait to see what new games, utilities, releases of NitrOS9, videos, podcasts, blog postings, and hardware comes our way this year!

I know it seems like I am sending this note out late (again… about this month’s meeting, but I’m actually early. In December, attendees voted to move the meeting to the second Thursday of the month, which is January 11, to hopefully avoid some conflicts. I hope this new date allows each of you more flexibility to join.

With the new year, we’re ramping up planning for the May 4/5 2024 CoCoFEST! Our fearless coordinator, Grant Leighty has negotiated our space in the Carol Stream Holiday Inn and will be shortly sending details about registration and speakers. As always, we invite suggestions on how best to support all those who physically or virtually attend, exhibit, and/or present. For those attending virtually and those considering streaming from the show, we know Internet bandwidth was lacking last year and we will be addressing that for 2024.

Please join us this Thursday. We will open the call a bit early at 7:00PM to chat and address any Zoom connections issues folks might have.

Meeting Agenda

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cjZk_4wcBdeCeKMqBFhOaTk_lQTsUL4F/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=115546368758315252280&rtpof=true&sd=true

Join the Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82797367585?pwd=OUxibkJaR2N1SUtSOU9EUUlYeXBJQT09

Meeting ID: 827 9736 7585
Passcode: GCCC

One tap mobile

+13126266799,,82797367585#,,,,*686821# (Chicago)

Meeting ID: 827 9736 7585
Passcode: 686821
Find your local number: https://us06web.zoom.us/u/kdIAqFZbZR

Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.
Monthly: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/tZYqfu6rqDwvEtGPAHF62Rhv1v5lakjdaO9W/ics?icsToken=98tyKuGqqTItGdKStRGCRpwQB4r4KOnwpmZYj7d6rD7NJXYBUAvgZ_QXPrN0GtzR

For those unable to join us on Zoom or have prior commitments, we will livestream and have a replay available on our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/290791956162) and our YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFk2dMxcjJcX2qbSqFHQMbA).

Passing of Steve Bjork, Computer Gaming Pioneer and CoCo Developer

Posted on December 19, 2023 | by Eric Canales

We regret to announce the passing of Steve Bjork at 65 years of age on April 10, 2023. Steve was a foundational figure in the world of the Color Computer and a passionate developer for the Tandy Color Computer. For those who wish to pay their final respects in person, Steve’s final resting place is at the Oakwood Memorial Park in Chatsworth, California. Steve’s remarkable contributions have left a lasting impact on our community and will continue to inspire future generations.

More about Steven Bjork and who he was can be found here.

Steve Bjork presenting next to a computer.

In Memoriam: Steve Bjork, Pioneer and trailblazer of Personal Computing and the Tandy Color Computer

Posted on December 19, 2023 | by Eric Canales

With a heavy heart, I tearfully announce the passing of Steve Bjork, a beloved pioneer in the world of computer gaming and a key figure in the Tandy Color Computer (CoCo) community. Steve’s career, marked by ingenuity and programmatic mastery, spanned over two decades, leaving an enduring legacy in the world of the CoCo and personal computing at large.

In the early years of computing, you could find him mingling with the likes of Steve Wozniak and Adam Osborne at the Homebrew Computer Club in Menlo Park. And just like these other pioneers of the computing age, Steve’s contributions weren’t limited to game development. He used his soldering iron just as much as he did the keyboard. He learned in college the importance of knowing both the hardware and the software side of a computer, and found great success in being able to handle both sides of the computer.

He took what he learned through The Homebrew Computer Club, in high school and college, and his experiences on the job at Radio Shack selling computers, and created hardware that found it’s uses across store shelves. He was particularly proud of his ability to corner the market on light pens by designing an inexpensive pen with good software. This was one of his personal favorite early accomplishments.

Steve then began his remarkable game making journey. His first published game was created in 1980, called “Space Ball” for the TRS-80 line of computers. This was an early showcase of his knack for games programming. Over the next few years he embedded himself as a cornerstone of the CoCo world, introducing classics like “Popcorn!” and “Audio Spectrum Analyzer” in 1981 and “Zaxxon” in 1983, a remarkable adaptation of the arcade favorite. He continued to make a multitude of game through the 80s like “Rampage” in 1989 and even into the 90s and spanning new console systems like “The Rocketeer” for the SNES. His games, known for their clever design and charm, brought joy to countless coconuts and gamers.

Steve’s greatest legacy is how deeply he inspired the entire community around the CoCo. You could find him at many Rainbowfests and CoCoFESTs, and other events over the years, even becoming a CoCo spokesman of sorts. He would speak, and teach others, and he would enjoy seeing what everybody was working on. Without Steve Bjork, the Color Computer would almost certainly have failed to become one of the most popular and beloved 8-bit machines that it is today.

As we say goodbye to Steve, we remember him for his kind spirit, his wonderful works, and his unwavering dedication to the art of game development and hardware design. His contributions and his passion have not only shaped the gaming world but have also touched the lives of countless individuals.

Steve leaves behind a legacy of innovation, inspiration, and innumerable fond memories in the hearts of those who played his games, used his hardware, and knew him. I want to extend my deepest condolences to his family, friends, and the CoCo community. Rest in peace, Steve Bjork. May your memory and your creations and the CoCo you loved so much live on forever.

Glenside Club Meeting: Thursday December 7, 2023 @ 7:30PM Central

Posted on December 6, 2023 | by Jim Brain

Have a Happy CoCo Holiday!

With the season in full swing, treat yourself to that long awaited CoCo hardware upgrade or software title. If nothing else, think of the looks on your family’s faces when you open a vintage Tandy Color Computer 1 box wrapped (carefully, so as to not mess up the original packaging) and under the tree.

Please join us for our December meeting and ring out the year 2023, a great CoCo year! We’ll be considering the results of the meeting date/time poll (please cast your vote if you have not already), but otherwise have a light agenda. I hope we can take some time during or after the meeting for members to take a few moments and point their cameras to their current CoCo setup (big or small, real or virtual).

Please join us this Thursday. Since we have a belated board meeting that will be held immediately prior to our business meeting, we will be opening the call just a bit before 7:30PM.