In this episode I’ll demonstrate how to draw random lottery numbers on a Commodore 64. The secret sauce here is not only the RND function to generate random numbers, but also two loops inside each other that prevent the same number from coming up more than once. Here’s the lottery generator code: 10 x=rnd(-ti) 20 … Read more
In this episode I’m demonstrating how to build a word splitter on the Commodore 64. We’ll use string functions to parse a sentence and split each word off into an array of words so that they can be analysed later (for example, as part of an adventure game). Here’s the code I’m building: 20 input … Read more
In this video I’ll demonstrate how to build a simple clock on the C64. We’ll go through this process step by step, including the built-in TI and TI$ variables, string formatting with LEFT$, RIGHT$ and MID$, as well as screen formatting. Here’s the code I’m writing – works in Commodore BASIC v2 and above: 5 … Read more
In this episode I’ll demonstrate how to create those seemingly random YouTube Video IDs using a Commodore 64. Here’s the code I’m writing – works in BASIC v2 and above: 10 print chr$(14) 20 gosub 100:x=rnd(-ti):cn=1 30 a$=”https://youtu.be/” 40 for i=1 to 11 50 rn=int(rnd(0)*62)+1 60 a$=a$+yt$(rn) 70 next 80 print:print cn;” : “;a$ 85 … Read more
In this video I’m taking a closer look at the Logitech C920 webcam. I’m testing it on my Mac running Sierra, as well as under Windows 10 Pro. I wanted a 1080p capable webcam for use with Camtasia, mainly for my Windows system which currently doesn’t have a webcam. Let’s find out if it does … Read more
In this episode I’ll show you four ways of finding your YouTube Channel’s URL. I’ll also explain why there are three types of YouTube Channel URLs, and what the query parameters are that you can append.
Just in case watching videos isn’t your thing, or you’re in a hurry, I thought I’d include some written instructions as well 🙂
Podcast: Download (Duration: 12:48 — 11.7MB)
Most of my own WordPress sites have been up for longer than a decade at the time of writing, and I was wondering how much I had written in that time. Post count notwithstanding, I was interested in the total word count of my output in that period of time. Here’s a small function that … Read more
Although most of Windows 10 keeps getting better with every iteration, some things just never change. Windows Updates are one of those. They always want to download and install when we really don’t have the time or the battery power.
What’s worst, Microsoft have removed the graphical option to simply shutdown the system – and all we’re left with are two choices: “Update and shutdown”, or “Update and restart”.
What if all we want to do is to shutdown or restart WITHOUT applying those updates? Perhaps we’re out and about, running on an already near-depleted battery? Or we’re in a hurry and would like to leave the update for when we have more time, or a power outlet?
Fear not, there is a way to do these things – even if they don’t come up in the Start menu anymore.