The I.T. Crowd (Scotland) : Retro User Computer Group Apr 2024

This is a gathering for lovers of any retro microcomputers, especially those fond of the BBC Micro, Acorn Electron, Atom, and Archimedes/RISC OS machines. This event is aimed at bringing together a community of like-minded individuals in a comfortable and modern setting – the Falkirk Business Hub, in central Falkirk, Scotland.

Thursday 25th April 2024 7:00PM running until 10:00PM

🕹 Event Features:

This is an informal gathering for…

• – Show and Tell: Bring your own hardware to display and discuss with others.
• – Collaborative Working: Spend time on hardware, programming, or gaming projects.
• – Knowledge Exchange: Share ideas, insights, and skills with other enthusiasts.
• – Advice on Repair and Upgrade: Reviving poorly Acorn machines.
• – Socialize and Enjoy : There’s a kitchen for coffee, tea and biscuits. We’re in the town centre for bars, pubs and restaurants for potential afterwards gatherings.

🔎 April 2024 Software Focus : Adventure Games and Hardware Focus : Spring Cleaning

I’ll be including a specially written version of “The Hobbit” – “Exploring Wilderland” written in BASIC on a BBC Micro that allows you to explore the original map of the game and it includes NPCs (remember Thorin and Gandalf?) with some additional programming to make them a little more…unpredictable. Just like in the original – wild things may happen! I’ll include a kiosk powerpoint on how I approached this coding project.

Bring along your own favourite text adventure/graphic adventure game and experience text/graphic adventures the way they were meant to be played—on vintage hardware. We’ll have setups ready for you to step back in time and immerse yourself in nostalgia.

Spring Cleaning
Bring along a machine that needs a spring clean and demonstrate or ask advice on the best approaches to clean keyboards, edge connectors or circuit boards.

 All Are Welcome:
While the event tends to be Acorn-centric, we could welcome enthusiasts of other retro machines as well. We’ve had Sinclair, Atari, Commodore, Altair etc.

 Date & Time:
Thursday 25th April 2024 7:00PM running until 10:00PM

🔎 April 2024 Special Focus : TBC

 Location: Falkirk Business Hub

45 Vicar St, Falkirk FK1 1LL

Access : use the side door on Vicar Street. This also has disabled access.

https://falkirkbusinesshub.co.uk/ – a contemporary venue centrally located, just a 2-minute walk from Grahamston Train Station and with seamless access to the M9 motorway between Stirling and Edinburgh. Numerous bars and restaurants are nearby for post-event socializing.
There is a car park next to the building which is free in the evenings.
Building includes disabled access and lifts.

🚗🅿 There are two recommended car parks:-

i) Weir street car park which is next to the venue. Free parking in the evenings
ii) Melville street – one street away – also free in the evenings.