Well, could I begin by apologising for missing the
last couple of BUG CLUB CALLs but I was a bit late for the copy dates.
I did actually apologise in the last issue for missing the issue
before but I was a bit late with that too!. I am trying to make it a
regular feature. Basically, amongst a lot of uninteresting writing,
the crux of the last column was informing everyone that we have
changed the location of our meetings, due to the conversion of the
Matador into a temporary swimming pool. The Matador has since
re-opened but we like our new place so much we have decided to stay.
You can now find us at THE ROYAL GEORGE, Digbeth High Street. It is
directly opposite St Martins Church, a stone's throw from the Matador.
So, what's been happening since then? Well, most of
it seems old hat now, and what doesn't will do by the time you read it
but I don't intend to miss the deadline this time!
Some months ago we had a Macintosh brought in to
play around with to show what kind of a machine the ST would be like.
Then, some weeks before they were available, Software Express let us
borrow a 130XE to play around with for the night. A couple of weeks
later we received a present from John Spring, proprietor of Computer
World in Broad Street. We cannot thank him enough for the donation of
a 130XE to the club. At the next main meeting we had a visit from Paul
Woakes of 'Encounter' fame. He brought along a prototype of his new
game 'Mercenary' for us to play with and even asked for our ideas and
criticisms. Now, if you thought the graphics on
Encounter were stunning you want to see what is coming up this time.
And now it is time to thank Andre Willey again. By
the time this goes to print, the 520ST should be available and most of
you will have seen it, but it's only June at the moment and last week
good old Andre managed to get hold of not just the computer but a
3½" drive, monitor and printer too. It is very impressive but
just a little too large to fit on my desk. We did have a little
trouble with the printer but it was only development software.
A new section has now been established within the
club. I don't know what you'd call them but they get their kicks by
ripping machines apart and adding things to them and interfacing and
serial bussing and that kind of thing. If that's your scene then you
need to look up Wilf Coton to find out what they're about.
There is also some very good user written software
being demonstrated and developed at the club. Scamp and Russ's
Character Editor are two excellent examples. They make my programs
look silly in comparison. So if you want to see the new generation of
computer millionaires in action you should be at BUG on a Thursday
night! We know there are a lot more users out there that are not
members yet so why don't you drop in one night and see what we can
interest you in.
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