er case which monitors the regulated
+5VDC, the one on the Saver was considered unnecessary. The cost of the Saver is $50 US. That price could be reduced somewhat with a larger production run, but unless there is greater interest in this device, I'm not ready to tool up for that. More than half that amount was spent for parts, including shipping.

Any time something is hand-made and parts are individually purchased, the
price of the end product will be higher than people expect. The construction
of a stand-alone device is normally higher than the same circuit built into a computer such as the C64. That's due to the added expense of a case, cable
wire and connectors as well as the added time it takes to assemble the device. There are few shortcuts, so the price is firm.

One version of this device has been seen for sale on the Internet, but the builder likely didn't consider one thing when constructing it. Most importantly, the "trip" point of the Saver is critical. That is the exact voltage level at which the device cuts off power to the computer. Because of variable tolerances of some of the components, the trip point must be manually set with an accurate voltmeter and variable bench power supply. This setting
is done as a last step after the device is built. If it is set too high, the computer is still at risk, and if too low, the device may cut power with a normal power supply that has a slightly abnormal but acceptable output level during a "no load" condition such as when the supply is plugged in to AC power but the computer is turned off. Keeping those voltage limits in mind, I found the optimum trip point to be between 5.3 and 5.4 volts DC. RAM chips have an absolute maximum rating of 5.5 volts, so the protector must be set to below that value.

Because the protectors' LEDs are on its case, I decided to make the cable between it and the computer rather short - about one foot long - so those LEDs can be monitored. If desired, that cable can be made longer so that the protector is off the desktop. However, very long cables will reduce the
voltage at the computer since it draws nearly one Amp in normal operation. The short cable seemed like the best arrangement.

Ray

See Computer Saver on exhibit at CommVEx,

Robert Bernardo

Fresno Commodore User Group
videocam.net.au/fcug
July 27-28 Commodore Vegas Expo v9 -
www.portcommodore.com/commvex


*************************************
VIC-VODER
Voice Synthesisor For The VIC/C64/128
*************************************

From: Rick Melick
To: commodorefree@commodorefree.com
Subject: press release

TAKEN FROM THE WEBSITE

VIC-VODER (Vocal Output DEmonstratoR) is a brand new voice synthesizer for the Commodore VIC-20/C64/C128 that features some of the latest advancements in speech technology. The system was invented in Silicon Valley and is available to order now. VIC-VODER features an all-in-one design that simply plugs into the User Port to produce quality text-to-speech (English). Talking is as
simple as a PRINT statement. A built-in amplifier and speaker complete the entire package. The architecture is "open," which makes it a terriffic
platform for the development community and hackers. You can upgrade your
system as new features become available in the months and years ahead.

HISTORY OF THE VIC-VODER

Voice synthesizers for legacy systems are getting harder and harder to find these days. The inspiration for VIC-VODER is to provide modern-day users, enthusiasts, hobbyists and collectors of vintage computer systems an easy
means to take full advantage of all the latest advancements in speech technology, while maintaining a form-factor and interface suitable for legacy systems.

Back in the day, low-end units required manual translation of allophones or phonemes from lookup tables in manuals, combined with PEEKs and POKEs, to form words and sentences. Their price was relatively attractive, and they opened up the world of speech to budding developers at home.

The high-end units were primarily designed as assistive technology and were incredibly expensive ($370.00+). These units processed streams of printable ASCII characters and automated the conversion to allophones or phonemes for
the synthesizer to reproduce as human speech. They were therefore easier to use, but voice quality still left a lot to be desired. Research into speech technology has continued over the past 30 years, of course, and is much better today.

The concept for a modern day Voice Synthesizer for legacy computers began in April, 2013 after the AtariVox+ began shipping for retro-gaming consoles. An early, silicon-based approach was abandoned in May. A second approach began in June that resulted in VIC-VODER.

VIC-VODER only requires your computer to connect to its USER PORT. Nothing
else is needed. Everything is contained within the system itself. ...Except
for what you want it to say:

1 OPEN 1,2,3,CHR$(10)
2 PRINT#1, "HELLO WORLD"
3 END

Now you have the power to say whatever you want. Speaking is as easy as 1, 2, 3. That's VIC-VODER.

Click here for VIC-VODER product specifications and sales information: goo.gl/nx64h


*************************************
REVIVAL STUDIOS - GAME
DEVELOPMENT FOR CLASSIC SYSTEMS
*************************************

Although this news item is "not actually commodore related"!

News from martijn (Revival Studios).

A full june update will be mailed soon, but here is a quick update on the release of mage 2 (videopac / odyssey2), for those that don't want to miss out.

All information about the game at: www.revival-studios.com/?page=175

It has information, trailer, preview trailer and a 'making of' feature.

RELEASE INFORMATION:

The game will be available in a Light and Dark Edition (75 copies each).

Depending on the edition the game will start in the Dark or Light world and will experience different levels, layouts, enemy patterns and difficulty accordingly. The light-edition will be slightly easier than Mage: The
Enchanted Crystals and will come in a blue cover, whereas the dark edition
will have a red cover and will be slightly harder than the first Mage game.

The games are 39 euros each. Refurbished plastic videopac cases for the games are available for an additional 5 euros.

For those interested in both editions, you can buy them together at a discounted price 75 euros.

COLLECTORS EDITION:

There will also be a Collectors Edition of the game (20 copies) that will contain both editions of the game, a special Mage2 keychain and an A3-sized double-sided poster for the game, priced at 99 euros. So far 4 copies have
been allocated to myself and Ren, and things like competition prizes and 10 copies have been randomly allocated via dice-roll to preorders from loyalty-program members, leaving only 6 copies available via regular sale.
Each day I will diceroll 1 copy until all slots are filled. Email me if you
are interested (email address available on my website).

Here is a list of allocated copies:

1. Martijn
2. Rene
3. Competition prize
4. Other usage
5. Jeremy Stockman
6. Maurice
7. Bill Loguidice
8. Russ Perry jr.
9. Ian Baronofsky
10. Thomas Becker
11. George Hayward
12. Pere Gomez
13. Geri
14. Rayxamber
15. *dice rolled on 26/6/2013*
16. *dice rolled on 27/6/2013*
17. *dice rolled on 28/6/2013*
18. *dice rolled on 29/6/2013*
19. *dice rolled on 30/6/2013*
20. *dice rolled on 1/7/2013*

Currently taking a few pictures. Packaging photos will be up soon.

Even though a full update is incoming, you can also reply if you want to order the regular edition(s) of this game.

Kind regards,

martijn

Revival Studios - Game development for Classic systems such as the Atari, Colecovision, Commodore, MSX, Sega, Videopac/Odyssey2, Vectrex, ZX81 and more.

www.revival-studios.com


*************************************
C&A FAN ISSUE 10 RELEASED
*************************************

ca-fan.pl/ca-fan-10/

C&ACommodore and Amiga Polish Magazine Reaches issue 10

Sorry, but as it's in Polish, I can't really comment on what it contains or
how good a read it is. However, it

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