Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Love Commodore 64s? You’re not alone
Turns out that some of us never let that old school technology go.
There happen to be a lot of these Commodore-loving folks in Toronto. Meet Toronto’s longest continuously-running Commodore 64 user group (called the Toronto PET Users Group, or TPUG). This Saturday, they’re hosting a weekend of all things Commodore.
For the bargain price of $10 (non-members), you can gather information about various Commodore systems, watch Commodore-related videos and get the scoop on what’s the latest in Commodore technology.
For those of you who confused about what century this is, Commodore aficionados cite several reasons as to why it’s so great to cling on to these old things.
Leif Bloomquist, a new TPUG member himself, thinks one reason why Torontonians have stuck to their Commodores for so long is that a number of key Commodore people have lived here. One of them was the late Jim Butterfield, also known as the Commodore Guru. Whenever Commodore developed a new product, Butterfield tested it.
“He was really gifted on how to explain the product, especially to kids,” Bloomquist says.
Commodores are apparently great for learning, too. Back in the day, commodores came with their own schematics, and many of today’s developers got their start opening up their family computer and having a go.
“Many of the people who got their start with Commodores developed new products as a way of giving back to the computer that started it all,” Bloomquist says. And tinkering with a Commodore is still a good way to get schooled DIY-style on electronics.
Bloomquist says he is going to buy the Easy Flash cartridge Saturday, and he’s excited about it.
Meanwhile, York University’s computer museum will showcase a collection of Commodores. And there will be tons of vendors — some hobbyists, some real businesses — hawking their wares.
The Wii, it seems, has nothing on a Commodore.
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