"The Time Has Come..."

And with those CoCo-famous words, The Rainbow published it's final issue. Well, the CoCo Collector isn't ceasing, and this certainly isn't as monumental an event, but this blog is toast. I'll be moving the CoCo Collector articles and posts to The CoCo Hut blog starting today. This blog will stay up as long as Google will let it, mainly so it doesn't break any links. Over the next few weeks, I'll be revamping my site links and moving sidebar content over. You are, of course, invited to update your bookmarks and linkage as well.

Read the new CoCo Collector on The CoCo Hut at:

http://cocohut.blogspot.com

The main reason for the change is to simplify and streamline my workload. Which, let's face it, is never going to happen (I'm too disorganized... and I like it that way!), but I do have to make the effort. heh! When I started both blogs, Blogger didn't have a labels feature, so keeping separate blogs on different topics made sense. Now they do offer such a feature, so a broad topic blog, like The CoCo Hut, that is subdivided into topics is feasible, easy, and more conducive to reading as well. It's a one link stop to CoCo collecting, news, projects and ramblings.

So, without further ado, adios to The CoCo Collector blog... join me, Brian and the rest of the gang over in the new CoCo Collector topic (among other things) at The CoCo Hut!

Angel's Luck,
Capt.

Manuals, expensive mint games, and an X-Pad

Some changes coming to the CoCo Collector in August, so stay tuned. The poll to the right is a new blogger feature. Pretty neat. May have to run these occasionally just for grins. Hey, take a second to click it. Couldn't hurt, right? :)

On to the Color Computer collecting Goodness...

eBay: TRS-80 computer games book lot (item 330146610257 end time Jul-19-07 13:21:28 PDT)

This lot contains two CoCo manuals in decent shape. They're also for a couple of rare games, Bridge Tutor and Color Cubes, that are often sold without. So, if you've recently purchased these without the manual, here's a shot to pick 'em up. Both from the flat clamshell packaging.

eBay: TRS-80 Tandy Color Computer CoCo 3 RGB Video Cable (item 190132725303 end time Jul-21-07 15:47:51 PDT)

Here's an 3rd party RGB cable for use with the CoCo 3. This is the sort of thing you need to run a Magnavox or Commodore monitor, but be sure to check. Different vintage "non-Tandy" monitors often had different connectors. Inquire, as always. Have to say I haven't seen one of these before, though.

eBay: TRS-80 Tandy Color Computer CoCo Rainbow on Disk Dec 88 (item 190132725735 end time Jul-21-07 15:50:44 PDT)
eBay: TRS-80 Tandy Color Computer CoCo Rainbow on Disk Jan 90 (item 190132725872 end time Jul-21-07 15:51:37 PDT)

A couple of Rainbow on Disk issues up for grabs. These are always fun to poke through even if you don't have the corresponding issue. Good solid collectible as well, as these are getting rarer.

eBay: TRS-80 Color Computer Tandy CoCo Klendathu Manual (item 190132727967 end time Jul-21-07 16:02:37 PDT)

Another manual only, but also from a game that is often sold without. Klendathu was an early (1982) CoCo 1 PMODE 3 game on tape that had you blasting away at the Bugs as they try to over run your position. Great game. For the time, really captured some of the fun of the Robert H. Heinlein book, Starship Troopers. The bug animations were pretty groovy back in '82 (and are still pretty fun to watch). It's also not really like any other game you'll find for the CoCo. Different is good!

eBay: Tandy Software Where in the Worldis Carmen Sandiego (item 290140003306 end time Jul-23-07 08:06:45 PDT)
eBay: Tandy Software The Dallas Quest (item 290140004573 end time Jul-23-07 08:10:45 PDT)
eBay: Tandy Software Interbank Incident (item 290140005420 end time Jul-23-07 08:14:12 PDT)
eBay: Tandy Software Flight Sim 1 (item 290140007495 end time Jul-23-07 08:21:43 PDT)
eBay: Tandy Software Rescue on Fractalus (item 290140008706 end time Jul-23-07 08:25:56 PDT)

This seller has several software packages for the CoCo 3 on disk. All appear to be mint. All are also well worth getting. Interbank Incident, as mentioned a bajillion time before, is a personal favorite from a retro point of view. The mouse interface was one of the first used and, being all graphical, it was just one of those "Wow! This is cool!" moments for a young, 15-year old CoCo 2 nutter. :) Anyhow, Buy It Now prices and high shipping may scare off a few buyers on these. Sigh.

eBay: Tandy 128k Color Computer 3 Keyboard Vintage NO RESERVE (item 170132010258 end time Jul-24-07 07:11:00 PDT)

A mislisted CoCo 3 up for grabs. Could be cleaned up and be quite serviceable, or an excellent candidate for a repak or mod, assuming it runs, of course.

eBay: Vintage TSR 80 Computer X-PAD GRAPHIC TABLET GT-116 (item 230153457496 end time Jul-24-07 18:09:08 PDT)

Nice looking, in the box, appears complete X-Pad. Problem with this thing the lack of software that uses it. McPaint does the job, from what I've heard, but finding that thing is murder. I've got it, but can't turn it loose, unfortunately. (Haven't tested it with the X-Pad, yet. Have to hook up a CoCo 1 and give it whirl one of these days.) Hopefully the authors will release all that stuff into the wild soon. (hint, hint... heh!)

That's it for now!

Angel's Luck,
Capt.

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Some CoCo Goodness ending soon!

Some of this stuff is ending soon, so jump in if you're inclined...

eBay: TRS-80 64K COLOR COMPUTER+DIGITAL FLOPPY DISK DRIVE LOT (item 110147328329 end time Jul-15-07 18:00:00 PDT)

This one includes a duel Digital disk drive unit and an unidentified controller.  Can't remember who sold Digital drives like this, but it might have been Howard Medical.  hmm... maybe.  Anyhow, a neat collectible as these certainly don't come up much!

eBay: Tandy Color Computer3 / FD Drive /Casssette Recorder+ (item 220129275255 end time Jul-13-07 17:27:01 PDT)

Beautiful condition CoCo 3 Goodness.  Right up there in the collectible quality.

eBay: Tandy/Radio Shack Color Computer ROMs and Tape (item 170128287909 end time Jul-09-07 21:53:33 PDT)

This one has a hidden gem.  The CoCo 1/2 game BlocHead from Computerware!  If I remember correctly (and I'm too lazy to get up off my arse and go look) this is a Q*Bert clone.  Also hidden in there is a blue blox Chess pak.  I don't know that actual story behind the blue bloxes (most pak boxes were gray), but they don't show up often either.

eBay: Tandy/Radio Shack Color Computer Disk Programs & Games! (item 170128284579 end time Jul-09-07 21:27:12 PDT)

Lots of CoCo fun with original disks for Sinistaar, Those Darn Marbles, Sub Battle Simulator (a personal fav), Super Disk, two issue of the rarely seen CoCo Friends Disk Magazine (Mary's father did this one), Super Ram III and Wargame Designer too among others. Whew!  Best software lot we've seen in awhile!

eBay: Tandy / Radio Shack Color Computer Assorted Books (item 170128281446 end time Jul-09-07 21:03:05 PDT)

Some pretty darn rare books/mags in this one including issues of UpTime and Helpful Hints from The Rainbow.

eBay: Vintage Radio Shack Tandy Color Computer 3 CoCo3 Great! (item 110146527460 end time Jul-12-07 19:34:18 PDT)

Very nice, mislisted CoCo 3 setup with CM-8 and drive.  Also includes the rare and popular on the CoCo Star Rainbow printer.  Shipping is steep even for such a heavy lot, but then again people have paid more for CoCo 3 setups before.

Angel's Luck,
Capt.

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A whole lotta nothin'

Well, I've been offline for over a week, so I figured there would be plenty of CoCo goodness to ogle on eBay, right?  Geez!  Barely any listings for the last two weeks or so.  Pretty dry spell, I'd say.  Couple of things that caught my eye:

eBay: 6 TRS-80 Color Computer Cartridges Radio Shack lot 2 (item 220127468389 end time Jul-09-07 18:47:04 PDT)

This is a nice collection of paks for using. It's got the rare Panic Button and Demolition Derby paks that make the price right for your game playing pleasure. Offered combined shipping with the next lot makes it an attractive set, if you want some plug and play Color Computer fun.

eBay: 6 TRS-80 Color Computer Cartridges Radio Shack 80's (item 220127467534 end time Jul-09-07 18:42:14 PDT)

This one has Androne and Dragon Fire, both of which are pretty rare. You won't go wrong with any of the paks in this lot, though.  I love Color Baseball.  You can control the ball after you hit it, which is just freakin' hysterical. heh...

eBay: Vintage TRS-80 Color Computer Setup! Rare! NR! (item 180135697351 end time Jul-06-07 14:24:02 PDT)

Here's a good looking CoCo 1 in original box with manuals. An Extended BASIC machine by the looks of it, but no word on the memory or cat no.  This CoCo usually had 16K or 64K installed.  32K upgrades were possible, but not as common on this type of CoCo. The seller is also throwing in a rather nice looking CGP-220 color printer.  I'd ask him if he'd drop it to save on the shipping, but complete with manuals in the box, it is somewhat rare as well.  Note the two black dots on the center keyboard. No idea, but it's interesting.  Also includes the CoCo Max pak with tape, which is exceedingly rare.  Even more rare?  That orange label Real Talker pak.  Oh baby!

And I'm afraid that's about it for now.  Tune in and stay tuned!

Angel's Luck,
Capt.

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