89 replies to this topic

[Cootster]

I just downloaded the PDF, but yes, I would drool over a hard copy . . . Be much easier to follow along to while actually coding . . .

Someday, 2600 Bullfight will happen . . . And probably a lot of others from my arcade-convo list in the main 2600 forum . . . And a less cutesy Benji hack that might interest people . . .

[RCorcoran]

I am still open to suggestions on how to make the PDF a better resource for those interested. I know it isn't the greatest, but it's a start.

[elviticus]

Yes, I'll buy a book! Please make it so.

[dr. kwack]

Indeed. A book would be great!

[fsuinnc]

What happened to the .pdf file? Did the link change or has it been removed (or am I looking in the wrong place).
Yes, a book would nice.

[Iron Chef Pontiff]

Just dont make the book too expensive.

[Sean M.]

I think a book would be a nice thing to have, but online PDFs would be more feasible, I think. Publishers aren't necessarily going to be warm to the idea of a book for programming an extremely obselete piece of equipment, and then factor in the widely dispersed and limited consumer base... = expensive.

[MrMobius]

I think it would be nice to have a book. Is there any news on this? Is it likely that you will find someone to print it? Thanks.

[Dan Iacovelli]

if the book idea for the programing 2600 for beginers is still good I would recomend cafepress.com to puiblish it.
you can use it's free service to publish it ( you can make a color cover, but the pages will be in b/w) just ask greg george about it he uses it for the atari times. (I'm using it for the VGS program as well as the final jagfest issue (plus I'll be adding other issues to it all)

[MrMobius]

Ya, I looked on cafepress yesterday before I posted and you can get a 150 page book printed for less than $11. If you don't want to set it up, is there any way you will let someone else manage getting it printed?

[Dan Iacovelli]

their print rates are about the same of Office Depot ( .09 cents doublesided self serve) the only high charge is the binding (5.00 for wire binding and 4 for saddle sitch staples).
the jagfest final issue base price is actually 7.97 (2.97 for the print job and 5.00 for the wire binding) I would love to set up a shop just for the book but it's not up to me it's up to an drew after all he's the man who started the programing newsbies. If he gave me the ok and make a good color cover I would be glad to either set up a new shop just for the bookor add it to the AVC newstand (and just charge the base price so I won't get any commission on the sale)

[Dan Iacovelli]

Dan Iacovelli said:

their print rates are about the same of Office Depot ( .09 cents doublesided self serve) the only high charge is the binding (5.00 for wire binding and 4 for saddle sitch staples).
the jagfest final issue base price is actually 7.97 (2.97 for the print job and 5.00 for the wire binding) I would love to set up a shop just for the book but it's not up to me it's up to an drew after all he's the man who started the programing newsbies. If he gave me the ok and make a good color cover I would be glad to either set up a new shop just for the bookor add it to the AVC newstand (and just charge the base price so I won't get any commission on the sale)

just currious if andrew(or anybody else) wants me to go through with this.
or if anybody besides me wan ts to give it a shot to make this book.

[Nathan Strum]

RCorcoran said:

Posted online as a zip.
http://www.snipercad...programming.zip

Excellent! Any chance of updating this with Session 24 and possibly the assembly tutorials by Robert M? It would be very cool to have those included as an appendix, or perhaps a separate, single PDF.

[yuppicide]

Yes yes yes yes and yes! By the way did I say yes?! Turn it into a book.. put in lots of examples.. maybe a CD with binaries or something on it.. maybe some sample sounds you can use or a sample game you can expand upon. Put a coupon in the book you can enter a contest to design a game or something..

[Tickled_Pink]

Sean M. said:

I think a book would be a nice thing to have, but online PDFs would be more feasible, I think. Publishers aren't necessarily going to be warm to the idea of a book for programming an extremely obselete piece of equipment, and then factor in the widely dispersed and limited consumer base... = expensive.

Not necessarily. The Tyne and Wear Atari User Group produced a two-volume 'update' to Mapping the Atari a few years ago (entitled 'The Complete and Essential Map'). I think it cost £24.95 at the time. As far as I recall, they did the printing and layout themselves (there was some layout issues, though) but had it ring bound externally. They used a dot matrix (probably 24-pin) by the looks of it, which meant that it would be cheaper to produce than with an inkjet.

I think they limited it to 150 copies at that price.

If anyone has a laser printer then self-printing wouldn't be out of the question.

Hmmm ... what to call it, though?

Atari 2600 Programming for Morons?

[Scorp.ius]

i dont think that this has come to a happy end, right?

[BJWanlund]

probably not. I'll put in my vote as well.

BJ

[mijagourlay]

I couldn't seem to access the latest PDF from that website.

Maybe some of you will find this Word document form useful. I have attached it.

Note that I corrected some spelling errors and changed spellings from UK to US because UK spelling distracts me.

I also embedded some images (but not as many as the old PDF had).

Feel free to do whatever you want with it.

Thanks for writing the tutorial.

I voted "yes" for a hardcopy, by the way. If it gets printed, I will buy it.

Attached Files

•  Atari2600ProgrammingForNewbies.doc   672.5K   475 downloads

[Andrew Davie]

mijagourlay, on Sun Sep 16, 2007 11:55 AM, said:

I couldn't seem to access the latest PDF from that website.

Maybe some of you will find this Word document form useful. I have attached it.

Note that I corrected some spelling errors and changed spellings from UK to US because UK spelling distracts me.

I also embedded some images (but not as many as the old PDF had).

Feel free to do whatever you want with it.

Thanks for writing the tutorial.

I voted "yes" for a hardcopy, by the way. If it gets printed, I will buy it.

First thing I suggest everyone do is change the spelling back to the way it was meant to be.
Cheers
A

[MausGames]

And why exactly does the spelling matter?
Sneers
M

[Primordial Ooze]

Definitely would like to see this as a book.

[Bill_Loguidice]

I would rather see this go through a traditional publisher. I can think of a few that might be interested. Even if you need to be repped by a literary agent like I did just to get through the right doors, I don't think it would be all that hard if it were written in a suitable manner (based on the publisher's needs/standards). It really isn't that difficult of a process and should at least be explored as option one before going the vanity publishing/POD route, which is a fine second option.

[cbmeeks]

Any word on this? I just downloaded the PDF and Word copies.

What about using a print on demand like LuLu?

Thanks for the great work!

[abaudrand]

I'll buy it too... No news about using Lulu.com?

[diogoandrei]

Andrew Davie, on Mon May 26, 2003 8:10 PM, said:

Should this tutorial be tidied up, turned into a book and hawked to a publisher for release in hard-copy format?

Yes, sir!