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Mike Hankey wrote: simulators
In the late 80's I worked as a software consultant at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. One of my projects was doing the cockpit heads-up display for an F-16 simulator. The "window scenery" was based upon a camera that flew along a scale model of terrain that was around 25 feet tall and over 200 feet long. The best part was the cockpit itself. It was mounted on a huge gimbaled arm that could pitch, yaw, and roll to match the pilot's control inputs.
Unfortunately I never got to fly the simulator. This was probably a good thing, as I would have almost certainly tossed my cookies after a barrel roll or two.
Software Zen: delete this;
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I've seen those simulators, not in person and thought how cool they were. Bet they've come a long way since you worked on them?
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PEEK and POKE!
Now I feel really, really old.
cheers
Chris Maunder
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Yeah, I never did understand those (PEEK & POKE) when I was back there in BASIC.
I remember doing stuff in BASIC but I never understood it. My brain just wasn't ready for it.
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Only if you actually remember using them, Chris.
I do  .
Software Zen: delete this;
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Yep, I only used them to cheat in games 
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Cool but I dont get it: he says "10-line-contest" and posts 120 lines...
"If we don't change direction, we'll end up where we're going"
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Yeah, I thought the same thing, but the contest was something like based on 120 character lines and the .txt file that shows the code is just a representation of the code that is in the 8-bit code file so I think the .txt one is formatted nicer and that's why it doesn't look like only 10 lines. I was confused about that too.
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I used to have that I think, on the Atari 400 "computer" 
Real programmers use butterflies
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Wow, you were hard-core. Atari 400[^] had that strange press-pad membrane keyboard.
Did you actually ever type much on that thing? You must have serious biceps on your phalanges.
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I typed a few basic programs into it before taking it apart.
Real programmers use butterflies
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raddevus wrote: Anyone familiar with the code?
Do you mean, with the instructions ? Of course !
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Rage wrote: Do you mean, with the instructions
Well, I really mean the All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Codes. 
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I was speaking to a teacher at our local primary school today and she's giving the kids a rest week this week. No homework, extra time at recess, chill week all around. Usually it would be March break here but The Powers That Be have decided to postpone it till April to... I honestly don't know.
Everyone around me seem to be getting through OK. Day by day, keep to yourselves, heads down, get the work done type thing. But everyone's also a little tired and frayed.
I'm just wondering how the experience is across the pond and down south. Everyone OK or things starting to fray at the seams a little?
cheers
Chris Maunder
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My main complaint is that I am unsuited to "working from home", so this has been a rather unproductive year.
My wife has been able to stave off cabin fever by getting out and hiking. I can't imagine being cooped up in the Great White North.
(We did visit some snow a couple of times this winter. Arizona is quite diverse)
Our kid has been unaffected; he never leaves his lair anyway.
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We had a very mild winter which has been good (I managed to get out on the bike a few times) and bad (the ticks in the forests are going to be terrible this year).
cheers
Chris Maunder
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<regional australia=""> What be this pandemic thingy? They lock down the capital cities, close the borders and we see almost no effect except there are no international tourists in the tourist traps. Port Douglas - all the resorts are full, can't hire a car in Cairns. Tis really weird!
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity -
RAH
I'm old. I know stuff - JSOP
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You're in Port Douglas? Ah, the life.
I was talking with a couple of mates back home last night and they are pretty relaxed about the whole thing too.
Have a word with ScoMo for me, will ya, and see if we can't get things sorted out a little quicker. I'm out of vegemite and I'm cold. Surely that's grounds for immediate evacuation on compassionate grounds?
cheers
Chris Maunder
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ScoMo - I have cluebat around here somewhere, if I wrap some barbed wire around it, apply enthusiastically I may make an impression but he is from marketing so maybe not.
We are in Cairns but enjoy the drive to Port and the markets and restaurants are excellent. I'm not even sure you can mail vegemite, horrible stuff. Winter (dry season) is almost upon us so temps are dropping to 24deg overnight, still the pool is lovely at the height of the day.
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity -
RAH
I'm old. I know stuff - JSOP
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To stave off the Covid blues we bought a fixer-upper house 7 months ago. Well we're still in the process of fixer-up and I'm tired of working on the house and want to get back to projects I'm interested in.
Also miss camping, have an RV that hasn't been out all winter.
Got my second shot a couple of weeks ago so I'm good but better half gets her's next week so maybe after that thins will get somewhat back to normal.
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Hi Chris, I'm in the UK and pretty much doing what everyone around the globe is doing ( what they're told ) the unsettling feeling I have of late is, I think I'm getting used to isolation ( I'm was / am very much a straight to the pub after work man ) Hopefully there is an end to this chaos in sight.
"I didn't mention the bats - he'd see them soon enough" - Hunter S Thompson - RIP
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Quote: I think I'm getting used to isolation
Insightful comment PK.
I know the feeling that you describe and I love the Pub like you.
In 2026 they will speak of people having 2020 syndrome.
These will be those who still seek and want this isolation.
Sad but understandable.
I feel it, even though we have had it very easy here compared to where you are.
The chaos will end.
Then most of us will be able to go to the pub and be sociable again.
We can unlearn all this.
After a few drinks it will be easy for most of us.
Alas some will wallow.
......and if you even start to falter just remember the Bats.
They will save you.
Ponder these quotes and elevate.
Quote: The edge... there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who really know where it is are the ones who have gone over.
Quote:
I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence or insanity to anyone.
But they have always worked for me.
"Rock journalism is people who can't write interviewing people who can't talk for people who can't read." Frank Zappa 1980
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I see you are a Hunter fan - the bats are accused of starting COVID ! they won't like that - nothing worse than an angry bat - trust me I know.
"I didn't mention the bats - he'd see them soon enough" - Hunter S Thompson - RIP
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