SAVE THE DATE! ABUG South, 12th - 14th April 2024.

[kieranhj]

Happy weekend ABUGgers! JudgeBeeb has passed the baton for organising ABUG South on to me, and I'm pleased to announce that I've confirmed the dates of 12th - 14th April 2024 for the next event. The venue is The Ely, Camberley, same as previous, and a booking thread will be posted around six weeks beforehand.

You may wish to book accommodation ahead of time and news of any room rates / discounts will be shared below, if/as they arise. Please subscribe to this thread for updates, including the announcement when booking goes live.

If you have any questions, please feel free to post them, although for now all the details will remain the same as before - JudgeBeeb did such a great job there doesn't seem much point in me messing with the formula! I look forward to seeing many of you again soon.

[1024MAK]

Thanks! Subscribed

Mark

[Cruxinc]

would love to go to this, i'm 15, would it be ok to come along with parents? (will bring my beeb) thanks!

[kieranhj]

would love to go to this, i'm 15, would it be ok to come along with parents? (will bring my beeb) thanks!

Hi Elliot, if you are coming along with your parents then that’s totally fine by me.

[Cruxinc]

would love to go to this, i'm 15, would it be ok to come along with parents? (will bring my beeb) thanks!

Hi Elliot, if you are coming along with your parents then that’s totally fine by me.

great thanks a lot! have subscribed to this thread to keep up with booking

[BigEd]

Thanks for taking this on! (Subscribed)

[chrisn]

Thank you Kieran for organising this I missed the last ABug so hoping to join you all again in April.

[colinhoad]

Thanks a lot for taking this on, Kieran! I've subscribed to the thread and blocked out the 12th-14th April in my diary

I assume it's OK to come without actually exhibiting anything?

[NickLuvsRetro]

You're a legend Kieran, thank you for stepping up to take the reigns (and thank you JudgeBeeb for the many years you've taken this on). I'm already planning in advance to make sure I'll be along. This year's was my first ABUG, and I highly recommend it to anyone sitting on the fence.

[Rob_hawk]

Thanks from me too Kieran. I’m hoping to make one of these next year.

[1024MAK]

I assume it's OK to come without actually exhibiting anything?

Absolutely, yes!

Mark

[colinhoad]

I assume it's OK to come without actually exhibiting anything?

Absolutely, yes!

Mark

Awesome I might actually bring my Beeb, as I'm hoping some kind soul might help me fix a sticky "?" key (I've tried the 'usual' steps and it's still not quite done, and that key is so important for so many games!)

[DamoJay]

Excellent News and thanks for sorting out. Already looking forward to it !!

[Soruk]

Subscribed! I couldn't make the last one as it clashed with an event at my child's school.

I won't be booking accommodation as I live relatively nearby in Basingstoke.

[philpem]

Thanks a lot for taking this on, Kieran! I had a great time at the last one, and I'm looking forward to this one

[danrolfe]

Definitely looking forward to this. The previous one was my first and I thought it was great! Now my A3000 is working I have lots to learn and do...

[craig_read]

I am keen to join this.. (subscribed)..

[sdsolle]

Evening all!

I've not attended a meet before, so I reckon it's about time I did

Looking at the threads for past ABUG South events, it seems most people arrived on Friday afternoon — is that effectively the setup day?

And are most attendees also "exhibitors"? I.e. is the main aim of the event to bring one's ancient kit and spend the weekend tinkering with it while nattering with nearby retronauts, or are there talks and demos that mean arriving in a state of Beeblessness would still be worthwhile?

[daveejhitchins]

Evening all!

I've not attended a meet before, so I reckon it's about time I did

Looking at the threads for past ABUG South events, it seems most people arrived on Friday afternoon — is that effectively the setup day?

And are most attendees also "exhibitors"? I.e. is the main aim of the event to bring one's ancient kit and spend the weekend tinkering with it while nattering with nearby retronauts, or are there talks and demos that mean arriving in a state of Beeblessness would still be worthwhile?

Friday is set-up day, however, it's also a catch-up with everyone as they arrive and, of course still a 'main' day along with Saturday. Sunday tends to be quiet with people gradually moving out.

I think everyones aim is to tinker/fix/develop their particular projects, some folk actually manage to do that but effort is usually interrupted many times with lots of verbal catch-up and discussing/helping out in general.

To sum it up - just a fabulous time

Dave H.

[Cruxinc]

Evening all!

I've not attended a meet before, so I reckon it's about time I did

Looking at the threads for past ABUG South events, it seems most people arrived on Friday afternoon — is that effectively the setup day?

And are most attendees also "exhibitors"? I.e. is the main aim of the event to bring one's ancient kit and spend the weekend tinkering with it while nattering with nearby retronauts, or are there talks and demos that mean arriving in a state of Beeblessness would still be worthwhile?

Friday is set-up day, however, it's also a catch-up with everyone as they arrive and, of course still a 'main' day along with Saturday. Sunday tends to be quiet with people gradually moving out.

I think everyones aim is to tinker/fix/develop their particular projects, some folk actually manage to do that but effort is usually interrupted many times with lots of verbal catch-up and discussing/helping out in general.

To sum it up - just a fabulous time

Dave H.

hi dave,
what time do people usually arrive on a friday? as i plan to go 2 days but not stay over as only an hour away.
thanks and have a good day.
-elliot

[daveejhitchins]

hi dave,
what time do people usually arrive on a friday? as i plan to go 2 days but not stay over as only an hour away.
thanks and have a good day.
-elliot

Lunch time . . . I managed about 1pm last visit, however, if you're there early you'll be volunteered to help set-up the tables

Dave H.

[BigEd]

Friday is a half an afternoon and a proper evening! Saturday is fairly full on, Sunday morning is about realising that you didn't get much done and the thing is coming to a close, and then Sunday afternoon people start drifting off until there's only one person left. Not sure what happens then, as I've gone by then.

There no talks or exhibits: as Dave says, for many it's about chat or catching up, for some it's about a bit of pair-programming, or getting assistance with a repair, for others it's a chance to get their head down and make something or fix something - perhaps demo something. More or less everyone is happy to be interrupted and talk about what they are up to. There is some demo stuff too, and games-playing. Sometimes a few things might be bought or sold, but it's not a trading event.

[sdsolle]

I think everyones aim is to tinker/fix/develop their particular projects, some folk actually manage to do that but effort is usually interrupted many times with lots of verbal catch-up and discussing/helping out in general.

no talks or exhibits: as Dave says, for many it's about chat or catching up, for some it's about a bit of pair-programming, or getting assistance with a repair, for others it's a chance to get their head down and make something or fix something - perhaps demo something. More or less everyone is happy to be interrupted and talk about what they are up to.

Brilliant! Thank you both - definitely sounds like I need to (a) come, and (b) bring at least one Beeb

[1024MAK]

Many of the questions from people who have not attended before have been asked before. It's worthwhile having a quick browse through the topics for previous ABug events.

On the Friday, people start arriving from sometime after 13:00 (1pm) and this continues throughout the afternoon.

Some people bring a car load (or a van load) of kit. Others just bring themselves. And there are plenty that are somewhere in-between

As said, there are no formal exhibits, but some may show off some of their items.

Normally at least one member will bring a Beeb that others can play games on. But it does depend on who attends.

Mark

[sdsolle]

Many of the questions from people who have not attended before have been asked before. It's worthwhile having a quick browse through the topics for previous ABug events.

Ah, apologies - I was browsing on my 'phone last night and completely missed this ...

What happens at ABUG
Acorn & BBC Micro User Group (ABUG) events are open to enthusiasts of the BBC Micro, Acorn Electron, Atom and Archimedes/RISC OS machines. Attendees will typically stay for two if not all three days. The events are always very informal and can involve:

• attendees bringing their own hardware to set up and show off
• time spent working on hardware and programming/games projects
• exchange of ideas/knowledge
• upgrade and repair of poorly Acorn machines
• collaborative work on community projects, such as software preservation, preparation/planning for displays at other events etc.
• sale of items by members (not guaranteed, but there are often opportunities to buy bits)
• general socialising, food/drink and the odd hi-score competition!
• Important! Ensure that any hardware you bring that features the RIFA/paper-type capacitors with a tendency to go POP (e.g. Beebs) have had the caps changed! We can't risk setting any smoke alarms off as that may incur charges!

... which as you say, was exactly what I was looking for!

Some people bring a car load (or a van load) of kit.

Heh. I suspect I won't be the only one taking advantage of ASDA's special offer on 64 litre Really Useful Boxes then

[Cruxinc]

Many of the questions from people who have not attended before have been asked before. It's worthwhile having a quick browse through the topics for previous ABug events.

On the Friday, people start arriving from sometime after 13:00 (1pm) and this continues throughout the afternoon.

Some people bring a car load (or a van load) of kit. Others just bring themselves. And there are plenty that are somewhere in-between

As said, there are no formal exhibits, but some may show off some of their items.

Normally at least one member will bring a Beeb that others can play games on. But it does depend on who attends.

Mark

i would happily volunteer for my beeb to be the games machine if no one else wants to. ideally i would like to get my psu fully reccaped and econet installed. do people usually bring things to sell?

[Cruxinc]

if possible, it would be really great if someone could help degauss my 653 at abug as i have no experience adjusting monitors! the white text is currently slightly rgb tinted thanks to me leaving a cassete recorder next to it for a month straight before i new that could cause issues!

[sdsolle]

degauss

Well how weird. I was solving this puzzle when your notification arrived …

[daveejhitchins]

if possible, it would be really great if someone could help degauss my 653 at abug as i have no experience adjusting monitors! the white text is currently slightly rgb tinted thanks to me leaving a cassete recorder next to it for a month straight before i new that could cause issues!

I have a degauss tool . . . remind me a few days before the show and I'll bring it down with me.

Dave H.

[Cruxinc]

if possible, it would be really great if someone could help degauss my 653 at abug as i have no experience adjusting monitors! the white text is currently slightly rgb tinted thanks to me leaving a cassete recorder next to it for a month straight before i new that could cause issues!

I have a degauss tool . . . remind me a few days before the show and I'll bring it down with me.

Dave H.

brilliant, thanks a lot!