Bill Loguidice's Blog, page 73
January 31, 2018
Name your price for The Humble Book Bundle: Crazy Sexy Love
Here’s the link. Offer expires 2018-02-14 11:00:00 PST.
Love to love this bundle. Pick up a hot new bundle of ebooks and comics for your reading pleasure! You can score Empowered, Love Addict: Confessions of a Serial Dater, five volumes of Sunstone, a special selection of Chuck Tingle’s signature “tinglers,” and more. You know, this bundle would make a great Valentine’s Day present. Or you could just give it to yourself. You deserve it.
Pay what you want. All together, these comics and books would cost over $179. Here at Humble Bundle, you choose the price and increase your contribution to upgrade your bundle! This bundle has a minimum $1 purchase.
Read them anywhere. The books in this bundle are available in PDF, ePUB, and MOBI formats, and the comics are available in CBZ, PDF, and ePub, so they work on your computer, e-readers, iPads, cell phones, and a wide array of mobile devices! Instructions and a list of recommended reading programs can be found for the books here and the comics here.
Support charity. Choose where the money goes – between the creators, the National Coalition Against Censorship, and the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund via the PayPal Giving Fund. If you like what we do, you can leave us a Humble Tip too!
The Humble Book Bundle: Crazy Sexy Love
The post appeared first on Armchair Arcade.
January 30, 2018
Pay what you want for Rockstar Games, including Grand Theft Auto IV, all of Max Payne, all of L.A. Noir, and more!
Here’s the link. Offer expires soon.
This bundle is a total rock star. That’s right, we said it. Rock on with this sweet collection of games from our friends at Rockstar Games, including Grand Theft Auto IV, Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City, all of Max Payne, all of L.A. Noire, and lots more. It’s a rock solid lineup.
Pay what you want. Normally, the total cost for these games is as much as $196. Here at Humble Bundle, though, you choose the price!
Redeem on Steam. All of the games in this bundle are available on Steam for Windows, and some for Mac, too. Please check out the full system requirements here prior to purchasing.
Support charity. Rockstar Games is contributing their share of the proceeds from this bundle to charity! This bundle supports the Rainforest Alliance via the PayPal Giving Fund. If you like the bundle or like what we do, you can leave us a Humble Tip too!
The Rockstar Games Humble Bundle
Disclaimer
This promotion is solely the responsibility of Rockstar Games and is not sponsored or administered by The Rainforest Alliance. The Rainforest Alliance is a proud participant in the Humble Bundle/PayPal Charitable Giving Fund program, pursuant to which Humble Bundle makes directed grants to PayPal Charitable Giving Fund for the benefit of certain of its eligible charity partners, subject to PayPal Charitable Giving Fund’s discretion and control. The Rainforest Alliance’s participation in this program is not an endorsement of the contents of any video game or other product.
The post Pay what you want for Rockstar Games, including Grand Theft Auto IV, all of Max Payne, all of L.A. Noir, and more! appeared first on Armchair Arcade.
Pay what you want for The Humble Book Bundle: Mobile App Development by Packt
Here’s the link. Offer expires 2018-02-12 11:00:00 PST.
It’s time to apply yourself. Hone your mobile app development skills with our new bundle from Packt! Add a sweet stack of knowledge to your digital library with titles like Mastering iOS 11 Programming, Android Development with Kotlin, React and React Native, and lots more. Plus, learn from a selection of videos including iOS 11 Programming with Swift, Mastering Kotlin for Android Development, and five more courses of over two hours each.
Pay what you want. All together, these books and video courses would cost over $1396. Here at Humble Bundle, you choose the price and increase your contribution to upgrade your bundle! This bundle has a minimum $1 purchase.
Read (or watch!) them anywhere. The books in this bundle are available in PDF, ePUB, and MOBI formats, meaning you can read them anywhere at any time. Instructions and a list of recommended reading programs can be found here. The HD videos in this bundle are available in MP4 format.
Support charity. Choose where the money goes – between the publisher, Code.org, and, if you’d like, a charity of your choice via the PayPal Giving Fund. If you like what we do, you can leave us a Humble Tip too!
The Humble Book Bundle: Mobile App Development by Packt
The post Pay what you want for The Humble Book Bundle: Mobile App Development by Packt appeared first on Armchair Arcade.
January 26, 2018
Fixing repeating key presses on an Apple IIe Platinum
At the same time I did extensive keyboard surgery on my Atari 1200XL, I also took the opportunity to try and debounce some of the keys on my Apple IIe Platinum’s keyboard. Fortunately, that was a far simpler process.
Initially, I noticed that the D key would sometimes create additional characters per single press, e.g., “LOADDD” instead of “LOAD“. Since every other key seemed to work fine, I assumed it wasn’t a bad keyboard encoder or some other procedure that would require more extensive work. It was probably just dirty.
Since getting rid of most of my collection, I no longer have the luxury of multiple spares, so I’m far more cautious with what I do with my little remaining vintage computing equipment (and I obviously don’t want to add any more vintage equipment, since that would have defeated the point of auctioning off the collection in a few months). As such, I wanted to be 100% sure that pulling a keycap wouldn’t cause any damage. After all, I could live with an occasional extra D rather than something physically broken.
After confirming on the excellent Apple II Enthusiasts Facebook Group that it indeed is safe to pull Apple IIe keycaps, I proceeded. It was recommended to me that I pull the keycap as straight up as possible to avoid cracking any of the plastic. Since I still had a few modern mechanical keyboard key pullers in my possession, I used one of those. It worked well, with the key cap pulling right off once I worked the puller under.
The keys really do pop off fairly easily.
As you can see from the photo, there’s still a lot of plastic between the key and the contact points. Nevertheless, I sprayed the usual cleaning solutions, including Deoxit and its variants, to really get into the grooves. I pressed the stem multiple times and really tried to work the solution in, being careful to wipe some of the excess and even using some compressed air for additional penetration and drying.
In the process of testing the D key (it was recommended to me to press the key many, many times, which I did), I came to find that J and M were exhibiting similar issues. Not 100% happy with the results of the D, which exhibited less frequent, but still occasional “bounces,” I took the opportunity to clean that again as well. Long story short, I cleaned and worked all three keys, which appeared to do the trick.
Success. No more key repeats!
After waiting until 24 hours later to see if the cleaning really worked, I’m happy to report that all three keys work perfectly now. While some of the more egregious Apple II keyboard problems require desoldering of the switches or a new keyboard encoder, it appears that excess grime is fortunately really the most common issue. As with most of my vintage computer equipment, I was not the original owner, so it’s hard to tell how well this stuff was actually cared for. While it’s easy enough to use something like Goof Off to remove permanent marker serial numbers (which I had to do on this particular model), until you really get inside do you know how deep the cleaning needed really is.
I’ve said it a bunch of times before and I’ll no doubt say it a bunch of times again. Getting rid of 99% of my collection and actually having a functional basement with a small selection of vintage equipment was one of the best things I did. Even modest victories like fixing the keyboard on my Atari 1200XL and Apple IIe Platinum would have been difficult and/or handled differently when I was inundated with wall-to-wall stuff. I really get to enjoy the individual pieces now and really get to use them. What was previously something of a stress is now the more Zen-like experience I always wanted it to be.
The post Fixing repeating key presses on an Apple IIe Platinum appeared first on Armchair Arcade.
January 25, 2018
Get your free copies of the Amnesia Collection!
We’re giving away FREE copies of the Amnesia Collection, which includes Amnesia: The Dark Descent and Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs, for 48 hours in the Humble Store! This promotion is available from Thursday, January 25 at 10 a.m. Pacific time to Saturday, January 27 at 10 a.m. Pacific time.
The post Get your free copies of the Amnesia Collection! appeared first on Armchair Arcade.
The seemingly inevitable Atari 1200XL keyboard fix
While the Atari 800 is generally known as the “hot one” of the Atari 8-bit line, the Atari 1200XL is almost always considered the one with the best keyboard in function, if not in reliability. After liquidating most of my collection, the Atari 800, Atari 1200XL, and Atari 800XE were the three Atari 8-bits I decided to keep for various reasons. Of the three, I considered the 1200XL the workhorse due to its various upgrades, including ClearPic2002 video, R63 resistor for SIO, 28 pin EPROM OS motherboard, and an OS with two switch selectable operating systems, 800XL and Omniview+40/80 column text mode, for maximum compatibility.
Now, when I originally procured this particular Atari 1200XL – incidentally because another Atari 1200XL I had had a non-functioning keyboard – everything worked perfectly, including the keyboard. According to the seller, “I overhauled and rebuilt the conductive mylar traces on the keyboard PCB and the keyboard is 100% working like new. All keys work, all the time!”. This was true up until I tried to use it again early last week after a few years of inactivity.
Unlike with my previous Atari 1200XL, I wasn’t ready to easily give up on this model. I researched keyboard fixes, since I was aware of them and just never got around to bothering with the other 1200XL. This link and this video were the two best how-to’s I found.
After removing three sets of screws, the first set from the case, the second set from the physical keyboard, and the third – and most numerous – set from the mylar that attaches to the keyboard, I began the cleaning process. Using various cleaning solutions, including Deoxit and its variants, I began the process of trying to re-trace the weakened circuits with conductive pens.
With that out of the way, I went to scraping the detritus from the contacts on the circuit board where the mylar circuits meet the physical part of the keyboard. For whatever reason, this was caked with what may or may not have been solder. It took a while to scrape off what I could – and I did put some fine scratches on the gold contacts – but I deemed it good enough.
Long story short, despite repeated cycles of this process and the frustration of trying to line up the mylar, etc., I could never get all keys on the keyboard to work. I figured the existing mylar was too warped and damaged. Enter Best Electronics.
Despite having a Website that would have been considered out-of-date in the late 90s, I’ve had good results with ordering stuff from them in the past (the hardest part is usually finding anything on their Website). After sending an email to ask about ordering and a little more back and forth, I ended up paying nearly $50 between the shipping and my preferred use of Paypal. Not cheap, but cheaper than replacing my unit, and potentially more-than-worth-it for a lasting fix. Yesterday, the package arrived.
Note the old mylar on the keyboard circuit board and the new mylar at the upper left of the desk. Note also all the screws in the upper right of the desk.
I once again disassembled the Atari 1200XL and cleaned the circuit board contacts again. I applied the mylar, including the small PCB that goes between the mylar and the keyboard circuit board. This is further compressed for a better connection by a small piece of sticky foam on the non-conductive side of the mylar.
This small PCB goes between the mylar and the circuit board.
After a few false starts where not everything seemed to work, I eventually scraped off a bit more hard gunk between the first and second traces that might have been creating a bridge or other issues, and tried it again. The last try worked.
Success!
Obviously, I didn’t document the entire process each step of the way, but I thought at least giving an overview of what I went through after the fact might help someone else when they come across an Atari 1200XL with a poor or non-functioning keyboard. Definitely try fixing the existing mylar first, but if that fails, know that the Best Electronics solution – while arguably a bit pricey – is a viable answer. Fingers crossed it proves a permanent solution.
The post The seemingly inevitable Atari 1200XL keyboard fix appeared first on Armchair Arcade.
January 24, 2018
Name your own price for The Humble Book Bundle: Sous Geek Cookbooks!
Click here for the offer, which expires 2018-02-07 11:00:00 PST.
Bienvenue Chez Geek. We’ve cooked up a fresh new bundle for you, and this time, it’s dinnertime. Inspire your inner nerdy chef with books like the Hamilton Cookbook or The Astronaut’s Cookbook; whip up some new recipes from titles like Geek Sweets and The Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cooker Cookbook; and enjoy your meal while reading Bob’s Burgers: Medium Rare or Chew Vol 1: Taster’s Choice. Bon appetit!
Pay what you want. All together, these books would cost over $414. Here at Humble Bundle, you chooe the price and increase your contribution to upgrade your bundle! This bundle has a minimum $1 purchase.
Read them anywhere. Most of the books are available in PDF, ePUB, and MOBI formats (instructions and a list of recommended reading programs can be found here). The comics are available in CBZ, PDF, and ePub formats (instructions and a list of recommended reading programs can be found here).
Support charity. Choose where the money goes – between the publishers, Feeding America, and, if you’d like, a charity of your choice via the PayPal Giving Fund. If you like what we do, you can leave us a Humble Tip too!
The Humble Book Bundle: Sous Geek Cookbooks
The post appeared first on Armchair Arcade.
Humble Monthly adds a copy of Owlboy to Civilization VI plus extras!
Get a copy of Owlboy right now with a $12 subscription to Humble Monthly in addition to Sid Meier’s Civilization VI + 2 DLC packs with more games to come on Friday, February 2 at 10 a.m. Pacific time.
Here’s what was posted about the earlier version of this deal:
The Humble Monthly for January is now out, which means it’s time for the new Early Unlock game! The Early Unlock game for February is Sid Meier’s Civilization VI, the Australia Civilization & Scenario Pack, and the Vikings Scenario Pack! Humble Monthly subscribers can get the game right away for just $12, plus more games to come on Friday, February 2 at 10 a.m. Pacific time.
The Early Unlock game for February is Sid Meier’s Civilization VI, the Australia Civilization & Scenario Pack, and the Vikings Scenario Pack!
The post Humble Monthly adds a copy of Owlboy to Civilization VI plus extras! appeared first on Armchair Arcade.
January 23, 2018
Pay what you want for games like Stellaris, Pillars of Eternity, Crusader Kings II, and more from Paradox Interactive!
Here’s the link. Offer expires 2018-02-06 11:00:00 PST.
Nothing paradoxical about this bundle. Yep, it’s totally straightforward: Get games like Stellaris, Pillars of Eternity, Crusader Kings II + “The Old Gods” DLC, and more from Paradox Interactive while supporting charity. But wait, if this bundle isn’t paradoxical, does that make it a paradox after all?
Pay what you want. Normally, the total cost for these games is as much as $239. Here at Humble Bundle, though, you choose the price!
Redeem on Steam. All of the games in this bundle are available on Steam for Windows, and most for Mac and Linux too. Please check out the full system requirements here prior to purchasing.
Support charity. Choose where the money goes – between the creators and, if you’d like, a charity of your choice via the PayPal Giving Fund. If you like the bundle or like what we do, you can leave us a Humble Tip too!
The Humble Paradox Bundle 2018
The post Pay what you want for games like Stellaris, Pillars of Eternity, Crusader Kings II, and more from Paradox Interactive! appeared first on Armchair Arcade.
Staxel, a creative farming and village game, is now available
Here’s the link to purchase the Steam Windows version of Staxel.
Staxel is a creative farming & village game with a cast of quirky villagers. Build your farmhouse, help villagers, take to the wilds to fish or hunt bugs, and grow a variety of crops. If you’re feeling social, you can even invite your friends over to share in the fun! When you’re not hanging out with your neighbours or working on your farm, you could be pursuing a new hobby, completing one of many collections, spending your hard-earned money on precious seeds, or lending a hand and making your mark on the town!
Meet and befriend the villagers.
A wide selection of hobbies to get stuck in with.
Grow and improve your village however you like.
A rich and rewarding farming system.
Extensive character customisation to create a character unique to you.
Invite your friends to join you via online multiplayer.
The post Staxel, a creative farming and village game, is now available appeared first on Armchair Arcade.
