Retro Rendezvous

Connect, Collaborate and Code

Acorn Electron

The I.T. Crowd (Scotland) : Retro User Computer Group Jan 2025

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Event on Monday 13th January

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.

Monday 13th January 2025 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.

🔎 Jan 2025 Focus

Acorn’s Sandbox Gaming Legacy

Celebrate the open-world and exploratory games of Acorn computers, including classics like Elite, Exile, Citadel, Repton, and The Lords of Midnight (inspired by Acorn-era gaming – I will have a simple version of this running for the BBC Micro). These games were influential for their freedom of choice and creativity, laying the groundwork for modern sandbox gaming.

Bringing in non-Acorn machines? See if you can find an early sandbox-style game for your own machine.

Ways to Contribute:

  • Game Demos: Showcase these classics on your BBC Micro, Acorn Electron, or Archimedes.
  • Custom Content: Share custom levels, mods, or unique strategies for games like Repton or Exile.
  • Personal Stories: Talk about your experiences with these games and their impact.
  • Competitions: Organize friendly challenges on Elite or Repton for prizes.
  • Hardware & Swaps: Bring spare hardware, peripherals, or game disks to trade or sell.

💻 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:
Monday 13th January 2025 7:00PM running until 10:00PM

📍 Location: Falkirk Business Hub

45 Vicar St, Falkirk FK1 1LL

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

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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.

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🚗🅿 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.

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

by

 

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 30th May 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.

🔎 May 2024 Hardware Focus : Econet and networking : Software Focus – multi-player games

  • Econet Networking Demo: Let’s set up some Acorn computers with Econet hardware and demonstrate how Econet networking works. Show how files can be shared among connected computers.
  • Acorn Econet Computer Showcase: bring your Acorn computers, especially those with Econet interfaces, to showcase and discuss your setups.
  • Econet Troubleshooting: Experienced members can offer guidance and assistance in diagnosing and solving problems on networking Acorn machines together.
  • Multiplayer Gaming Sessions: Econet Elite anyone? Let’s get some multiplayer gaming sessions set up!

Other networking activities:-

  • Bulletin Board : Stardot user BrianMartin runs the “Night Owl” Bullentin Board – let’s see if we can connect to that or have it up and running at the meetup
  • Connecting together other makes of retro machines locally or to others across the world.

💻 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 30th May 2024 7:00PM running until 10:00PM

📍 Location: Falkirk Business Hub

45 Vicar St, Falkirk FK1 1LL

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

Image

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.

Image

🚗🅿 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.