April 15, 2008: This is how the CoCoPS website started
out back in 1999, before it was taken over by Steve Bjork and made to look
spiffy. (I do not know if we have a copy of the redone website anywhere,
so this will have to do for now.) The CoCoPS has long since ended, but I
wanted to place these files here as a tribute, and to serve as a launching
point for an all-new CoCoPS -- preserving former memories of the CoCo (fest
photos, documents, etc.). More to come! - Allen Huffman
Last Updated on August 27th, 1999
The Color Computer Preservation Society
![[coco6.gif]](coco6.gif)
"Preserving the legacy of the Color Computer."
The Color Computer Preservation Society
PLEASE READ THE NEWS BELOW!
About CoCoPS -
History -
Credits -
Signing Up -
Benefits -
The Future -
Online Resources
News and Announcements!
- 8/27/99 - Looking to buy (or sale) CoCo stuff? Check out www.buyCoCo.com today! Also, www.ebay.com often has CoCo goodies being
auctioned off. More details will appear on this site in the near future!
- 8/23/99 - CoCoPS #3 did get sent out a few months ago, but there
was a database crash and some subscription names were lost. If you did
not receive a copy of Issue #3, e-mail us
so we may get you updated. The fourth issue will be put together soon to
talk about the CoCoFest that just happened in Pennsylvania. Remember, the
big 20th Anniversary of the Color Computer happens in the year 2000,
so look for some neat, new things!
What is the CoCoPS?
The Color Computer Preservation Society, or just CoCoPS for
short, is an organization dedicated to preserving the spirit of the
Radio Shack Tandy/TRS-80 Color Computer, lovingly nicknamed
the "CoCo". In 1980, Radio Shack rolled out it's first color
capable computer based not on the existing Z-80 processors it's predecessors
were using, but on Motorola's new 6809 which acted like an 8-bit chip on
the outside, but internally ran like a 16-bit. Using a version of
Microsoft's ROM based BASIC (which later became GW-BASIC,
inheriting many of the features originally put in Extended Color Basic
on the CoCo), the machine was very advanced for it's time. While
other legendary machines such as the Apple II family overran all the schools,
and the wildly successful Commodore 64 made it into millions of homes,
the CoCo quietly developed a loyal following of hobbyist user, some of
which remain to this day.
BACK TO TOP.
How it all began.
In August of 1997 at Ron Bull's Pennsylvania CoCoFest a group
discussion was hosted by former CoCo game programmer Steve Bjork.
During this discussion, Rick Cooper and others came up with
the idea of a low-cost way of keeping the community informed on
what's going on. Since everyone seems to have a mailing address,
this format was chosen (while Scott Griepentrog would volunteer
to host a web based version as well for those not "net challenged").
The intent was not to replace or compete with club newsletters such
as Glenside's "CoCo 1-2-3" or publications such as Frank
Swygert's "the world of 68' micros" but to augment them offering
even those who couldn't budget $15-$20 a year a way to get "just the facts"
on what is happening. With this idea, a small group was formed to
ensure that it became a reality, unlike so many other great ideas in the
community's past.
BACK TO TOP.
Who's in charge here?
Of course, the community as a whole is responsible for the direction
CoCoPS takes, but to see that it gets driven correctly are the
following co-pilots:
- Allen Huffman
- Known for his involvement with Sub-Etha Software from
1990 to 1995, as well as owning a CoCo since 1982, Allen sees that
articles are collected and assembled. Many of you may know him from his
CoCoFest reports which get uploaded to online services everywhere
usually within days after the event.
- Rick Cooper
- The Kentucky teacher who has been supporting the CoCo for longer than
just about anyone else still around is in charge of collecting money and
doing the printing and distribution of the final product. His
previous experience with "Rick's Computer Friends
Magazine" ensures this will be no problem.
- Scott Griepentrog
- Creator of the infamous StG-Net CoCo OS-9 BBS package,
which was a very internet-ish networked system (back before most of us
had ever even heard of the internet, and certainly before it was
popular), Scott brings along experience from his own publication
"The OSKer".
- Steve Bjork
- While Steve is known for his countless game programs for the CoCo, as
well as his hardware skills (Steve invented the Tandy Hi-Res
Joystick Interface), he currently acts as editor for
"E-Tech News and Review" which is a gadget lover's bonanza
of great "fun" information. Steve will act as an overseer and
material reviewer.
BACK TO TOP.
How can I sign up?
Membership to CoCoPS is available for the low retro-price of just
$5 per year (U.S.). With your five dollar subscription you
will receive four issues, each being 3 to 4 pages in length.
It is currently intended for this to be a quarterly publication
though, with many new ventures, things may change. We hope that even
if you are viewing these pages on the World Wide Web you might consider
signing up for the print version just to support the group. To do
so, send a check or money order to:
-
CoCoPS (c/o Rick Cooper)
P.O. Box XXX
Liberty KY 42539
If you have any questions, you may write to all involved members of CoCoPS
by addressing your message to "cocops@stg.net"
or drop a card/letter to the above listed mailing address.
BACK TO TOP.
What do I get out of it?
While CoCoPS membership might not be as exciting to everyone as
the Record- or Book-of-the-Month club, it does have certain advantages.
First, membership gives you access to certain exclusive discounts
with vendors who are also members. Second, exclusive club merchandise is also expected
to be made available from time to time, such as buttons and t-shirts.
Third, you get the pride of knowing you are helping keep the spirit of
the CoCo alive and well until - and beyond - the year 2000.
BACK TO TOP.
The Future.
Since many have started to climb aboard the "CoCo 2000" bandwagon
(such as Farna Systems and Rick's Computer Enterprises) it
seems that CoCoPS should as well. While there is no certainty that
enough support will exist tomorrow for this newsletter to continue, it
will be the intention of those involved to do their best
to make sure it does. CoCoPS will not flyby night, but it will not
soar on it's own either. We need your support. For five dollars
a year you can do just that. So...what are you waiting for? Sign
up today!
BACK TO TOP.
Online Resources.
There is a variety of online resources available of potential interest
to Color Computer users. Some of these are maintained locally, while
others are maintained elsewhere. Regardless, we hope you find something
of interest here.
- NEW! CoCo 2000
- 20th anniversary information.
- SOON! CoCoFest HQ
- the online CoCoFest resrouce.
- CoCoPS
- On-line version of the first newsletter.
- CoCoPS #2
- Issue #2 Online!
- CoCoNet
- Color Computer-related internet sites.
- CoCo4x
- Complete archive of all coco4x mailing list traffic.
- ...And more to come in the future.
BACK TO TOP.
Disclaimers and Other Stuff.
This web page and it's contents are intended to be accurate, but no
responsibility is taken if errors are found (we'd like you to let us know
about them, however). Read this page at your own risk. Unauthorized
duplication is permitted if it helps promote the group (but we'd like you
to let us know about that as well).
The Color Computer 3 graphic is by John
Kowalski of the Sock
Master Home Page and is used with his permission. If you want
to use it as well, be sure to ask
him first! He seems to be a nice enough guy to allow it.
This page was created originally by Allen Huffman using Netscape
Communicator. Due to all the weird things that these editors place into
the source, the whole site was later redone by hand using Allen's
HTML preprocessor
program. Additional edits were done (possibly) by Scott Griepentrog
using MS-Word 97, which may add some other weird things to it.
Questions or comments? Send e-mail to: cocops@stg.net
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