Retro Rendezvous

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The I.T. Crowd (Scotland) : Retro User Computer Group Sept 2024 (Day Event)

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Join us for an exciting day event dedicated to retro computer enthusiasts, with a special focus on Acorn machines. This ABUG event aims to bring together a community of like-minded individuals in a comfortable and modern setting at the Falkirk Business Hub in central Falkirk, Scotland.

Event Date and Time

Saturday, 28th September 2024
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Event Highlights

  • Workshops: Engage in hands-on workshops throughout the day (details to be confirmed).
  • Show and Tell: Bring your own hardware to display and discuss with fellow enthusiasts.
  • Collaborative Working: Spend time working on hardware, programming, or gaming projects.
  • Knowledge Exchange: Share ideas, insights, and skills with other retro computing fans.
  • Advice on Repair and Upgrade: Get tips and tricks for reviving and upgrading your Acorn machines.
  • We’ll have tea, coffee and biscuits on hand through the day.
  • All Are Welcome : While the event is primarily Acorn-centric, we also welcome enthusiasts of other retro machines. Past events have seen participation from fans of Sinclair, Atari, Commodore, Altair, and more.

Location

Falkirk Business Hub
45 Vicar St, Falkirk FK1 1LL
Access: Use the side door on Vicar Street, which also has disabled access.

The venue is a contemporary setting just a 2-minute walk from Grahamston Train Station, with easy 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.

Recommended Car Parks

Weir Street Car Park: Adjacent to the venue
Melville Street Car Park: One street away

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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We will be using the large seminar room which can be sectioned off for workshops

 

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

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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 27th June 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.

🔎 June 2024 Hardware Focus : Interfacing with the outside world

Acorn machines in the main were blessed with a staggering range of internal and external expansion options that made it the ultimate platform for interfacing with all sorts of devices!

For this month’s session, let’s bring in and demonstrate some of the more popular (or weird and wonderful) devices you can connect to an Acorn machine, such as :-

  • Turtle Graphics Device – Used with LOGO to draw and create graphics.
  • Infra-red Touch Screen – For direct interaction with the computer interface.
  • Analogue 3D Joystick (The Bitstick) – For advanced gaming and 3D applications.
  • Light Pens – For precise drawing and selecting on the screen.
  • Stylus Touch Pads – For graphic design and drawing tasks.
  • Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) Devices – Used with synthesizer keyboards and other audio equipment.
  • Robot Arm – For educational programming and robotics projects.
  • Philips LaserDisc Player – Connected via the BBC Domesday System for interactive video playback.
  • Sound Samplers – Devices for recording and manipulating sound.
  • Temperature Sensors – For scientific experiments and data logging purposes.
  • Satellite Receiver – For receiving and processing satellite signals. (I had one of these!)

💻 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 27th June 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.

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

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.

The I.T. Crowd (Scotland) : Retro User Computer Group Mar 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 28th March 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.

💻 All Are Welcome:
While the event tends to be Acorn-centric, we could welcome enthusiasts of other retro machines as well.

📅 Date & Time:
Thursday 28th March 2024 7:00PM running until 10:00PM

🔎 March 2024 Special Focus : Rare Machines

Bring in a machine that you consider is the rarest in your collection, or alternatively at the event talk about a particular rare retro machine you’ve got your sites on.

I’ll be bringing along a ZX Spectrum 128K toastrack and have it up and running demonstrating a digital tape loader.

Discover and Share: Beyond the joy of showcasing your own rare equipment, you’ll have the chance to see and learn about others’ unique items. It’s a fantastic opportunity to deepen your knowledge and appreciation for the rich history of Acorn computing and other retro makes.

Connect and Converse: Our event is the perfect ground for meeting like-minded enthusiasts. Whether you’re a veteran collector, a hobbyist, or someone curious about the evolution of computers, you’ll find friendly faces eager to share stories, insights, and a few laughs.

Inspire and Get Inspired: Witnessing the passion behind preserving and celebrating these machines can be incredibly inspiring. You might just leave with new ideas, a wish list of tech to seek out, or even the beginnings of a new project.

📍 Location: Falkirk Business Hub

45 Vicar St, Falkirk FK1 1LL
Nearest car park (opposite building) : weir street

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

The I.T. Crowd (Scotland) : Acorn User Computer Group Feb 2024

by

This is a gathering for lovers of 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.

To emphasise this event is open to all with an interest in Acorn computers!

Thursday 29th February 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.

🔎 February 2024 Special Focus : Restoration Workshop

Bring in a machine that you’re still repairing or can’t get to work and talk to the group to get advice about next steps for it’s restoration and some hands-on learning. You may be able to  get the computer tested, get advice on cleaning or replacing components and best sources for obtaining those components.

💻 All Are Welcome:
While the event is Acorn-centric, we could welcome enthusiasts of other retro machines as well.

📅 Date & Time:
Thursday 29th February 2024 7:00PM running until 10:00PM

📍 Location: Falkirk Business Hub

45 Vicar St, Falkirk FK1 1LL
Nearest car park (opposite building) : weir street

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

The I.T. Crowd (Scotland) : Acorn Computer User Group Jan 2024

by

(photography in this poster by Richard Keeble)

This is a gathering for lovers of 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.

To emphasise this event is open to all with an interest in Acorn computers!

Thursday 18th January 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.

🔎 January 2024 Focus : Acorn Swap Meet

Bring your Acorn-related items to swap, sell, offer as a freebie or showcase.

This could include hardware, software, magazines, and accessories, allowing you to expand your collections or discover rare items

If you want to take part in this, then In the StarDot forum for this event, post a reply stating one or more of these…

  • – What you’re looking for
  • – What you might be willing to swap
  • – What you may wish to sell
  • – What you may offer as a freebie
  • – What you may bring to just showcase

We’d encourage you to abide by the StarDot forum rules for trading

💻 All Are Welcome:
While the event is Acorn-centric, we could welcome enthusiasts of other retro machines as well.

📅 Date & Time:
Thursday 18th January 2024 7:00PM running until 10:00PM

📍 Location: Falkirk Business Hub

45 Vicar St, Falkirk FK1 1LL
Nearest car park (opposite building) : weir street

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