Colin Hoad
@colinhoad.com
Senior Data Engineer at cfc.com
"Vintage computing enthusiast" -- The Register
I run a YouTube channel and blog dedicated to the Beeb and all things Acorn, Psion and more:
https://www.colinhoad.com
Discord: https://discord.gg/zjvSBjG7rw
Art: VectorinID
"Vintage computing enthusiast" -- The Register
I run a YouTube channel and blog dedicated to the Beeb and all things Acorn, Psion and more:
https://www.colinhoad.com
Discord: https://discord.gg/zjvSBjG7rw
Art: VectorinID
Pinned
Colin Hoad
@colinhoad.com
· Dec 1
Day 1: The Advent of Beeb Games 2025
YouTube video by Colin Hoad
youtu.be
What's that knocking at the door? Why, it's the first of the Advent of Beeb Games videos!
youtu.be/jWa0oNtmBc4
youtu.be/jWa0oNtmBc4
Reposted by Colin Hoad
More 6845 CRTC experimentation on the BBC Micro. This time it's Mode 1 and an infinite vertical scroller. I'm probably not doing this right as it's not as smooth as I would expect. Need to do some more reading on this one. No music with this demo.
#bbcmicro #demoscene
#bbcmicro #demoscene
December 31, 2025 at 2:27 PM
More 6845 CRTC experimentation on the BBC Micro. This time it's Mode 1 and an infinite vertical scroller. I'm probably not doing this right as it's not as smooth as I would expect. Need to do some more reading on this one. No music with this demo.
#bbcmicro #demoscene
#bbcmicro #demoscene
Reposted by Colin Hoad
And now you know why I needed it: youtu.be/4pG8_bWpmaE?...
Mathematically extra-complicated Secretest Santa 2025
YouTube video by suckerpinch
youtu.be
December 31, 2025 at 3:13 PM
And now you know why I needed it: youtu.be/4pG8_bWpmaE?...
Just seen someone claiming the Amiga was "better than any PC In those days" in response to a post about Windows XP and early 2000s computing. I, err, don't think it was, old chap.
December 31, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Just seen someone claiming the Amiga was "better than any PC In those days" in response to a post about Windows XP and early 2000s computing. I, err, don't think it was, old chap.
Over Christmas, we were reflecting on family memories and one in particular for which I had a vivid recollection but nobody else could recall (even though they were in it!) This morning I found a photo in an album (pre-digital!) that confirmed it and I realised what a privilege it is to have (1/3)
December 31, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Over Christmas, we were reflecting on family memories and one in particular for which I had a vivid recollection but nobody else could recall (even though they were in it!) This morning I found a photo in an album (pre-digital!) that confirmed it and I realised what a privilege it is to have (1/3)
I think this means I have to be Susan, Death's granddaughter...
Well, now I'm an English professor...
December 30, 2025 at 7:35 PM
I think this means I have to be Susan, Death's granddaughter...
I've been playing a lot of Doom 3 recently, and it is very clear how much of an impact Half-Life must have had on the game's development. There are an awful lot of "bring the reactor back online" style missions, along with a greater emphasis on fighting armed troopers compared with Doom/Doom 2.
December 30, 2025 at 2:13 PM
I've been playing a lot of Doom 3 recently, and it is very clear how much of an impact Half-Life must have had on the game's development. There are an awful lot of "bring the reactor back online" style missions, along with a greater emphasis on fighting armed troopers compared with Doom/Doom 2.
In 2007, I was on the 172 bus heading towards Waterloo, on the upper deck, and saw Kevin Spacey crossing the road outside the Old Vic theatre. He did not see me.
Please quote this with the time you didn’t interact with someone famous - eg one time I was in Cardiff the same weekend as Willem Dafoe (but I didn’t see him or even know he was there until he appeared on the telly later)
Please quote this with your major interactions with massive celebrities. eg “I was married to the pope for fifteen years”
December 30, 2025 at 1:50 PM
In 2007, I was on the 172 bus heading towards Waterloo, on the upper deck, and saw Kevin Spacey crossing the road outside the Old Vic theatre. He did not see me.
How I'm walking out of 2025
December 30, 2025 at 10:18 AM
How I'm walking out of 2025
Apparently Jared Leto is going to play Skeletor in a live-action Masters of the Universe movie. I'm not as negative about him as some (more indifferent tbh) but I do feel Mark Hamill ought to have got the gig after his incredible voice acting in the semi-recent Netflix 'Revelation' animated series.
December 30, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Apparently Jared Leto is going to play Skeletor in a live-action Masters of the Universe movie. I'm not as negative about him as some (more indifferent tbh) but I do feel Mark Hamill ought to have got the gig after his incredible voice acting in the semi-recent Netflix 'Revelation' animated series.
Reposted by Colin Hoad
Quite a busy 8 bit year for me.
In January I did Sparx 2, a very simple update on an original.
June saw my first proper Master System game in the form of Black Hole RX, based on a ZX80 type in I had previously discovered.
And of course most recent is Roojliek for the ZX and SMS
In January I did Sparx 2, a very simple update on an original.
June saw my first proper Master System game in the form of Black Hole RX, based on a ZX80 type in I had previously discovered.
And of course most recent is Roojliek for the ZX and SMS
December 29, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Quite a busy 8 bit year for me.
In January I did Sparx 2, a very simple update on an original.
June saw my first proper Master System game in the form of Black Hole RX, based on a ZX80 type in I had previously discovered.
And of course most recent is Roojliek for the ZX and SMS
In January I did Sparx 2, a very simple update on an original.
June saw my first proper Master System game in the form of Black Hole RX, based on a ZX80 type in I had previously discovered.
And of course most recent is Roojliek for the ZX and SMS
Dune 3: Tokyo Drift
December 29, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Dune 3: Tokyo Drift
Reposted by Colin Hoad
In case you needed one more reason not to use AI …
The CEO of ChatGPT is blaming a teen’s suicide on his failure to follow the terms of service:
Adam Raine, 16, told ChatGPT he was suicidal and the AI bot told him his feelings were valid and even provided suggestions and detailed instructions.
The CEO of ChatGPT is blaming a teen’s suicide on his failure to follow the terms of service:
Adam Raine, 16, told ChatGPT he was suicidal and the AI bot told him his feelings were valid and even provided suggestions and detailed instructions.
OpenAI says teen's 'misuse' of ChatGPT is to blame for his suicide, because he broke the TOU: 'Users must comply with OpenAI's Usage Policies, which prohibit the use of ChatGPT for suicide or self-har...
The lawyer presenting Adam Raine's family calls the response "disturbing" and I have to agree.
www.pcgamer.com
November 27, 2025 at 8:33 PM
In case you needed one more reason not to use AI …
The CEO of ChatGPT is blaming a teen’s suicide on his failure to follow the terms of service:
Adam Raine, 16, told ChatGPT he was suicidal and the AI bot told him his feelings were valid and even provided suggestions and detailed instructions.
The CEO of ChatGPT is blaming a teen’s suicide on his failure to follow the terms of service:
Adam Raine, 16, told ChatGPT he was suicidal and the AI bot told him his feelings were valid and even provided suggestions and detailed instructions.
This guy continues to be a mental vacuum. Nobody is afraid of Copilot, mate.
www.independent.co.uk/tech/ai-jobs...
www.independent.co.uk/tech/ai-jobs...
Microsoft AI chief warns against ‘uncontrollable’ AI
‘If we can’t control it, it isn’t going to be on our side’ the leading AI boss said
www.independent.co.uk
December 29, 2025 at 12:34 PM
This guy continues to be a mental vacuum. Nobody is afraid of Copilot, mate.
www.independent.co.uk/tech/ai-jobs...
www.independent.co.uk/tech/ai-jobs...
No.
In theory humanoids should fit smoothly into a world built for humans. But just how soon they will be ready for prime time is unclear econ.st/48JkXcg
Photo: 1X
Photo: 1X
December 29, 2025 at 12:01 PM
No.
After spending several enjoyable days engaged in Pascal coding for hobby projects, my first day back at work has mainly been running Python code, wondering why it doesn't work and then realising I'm using := and semi-colons all over the place 🤣
December 29, 2025 at 11:43 AM
After spending several enjoyable days engaged in Pascal coding for hobby projects, my first day back at work has mainly been running Python code, wondering why it doesn't work and then realising I'm using := and semi-colons all over the place 🤣
Reposted by Colin Hoad
Today's demo effect on the BBC Micro... water ripples. This would be much better in higher resolution so I may try a Mode 1 or 5 version. It doesn't quite follow the original algorithm due to the resolution constraints. 🔊
#bbcmicro #demoscene
#bbcmicro #demoscene
December 29, 2025 at 9:41 AM
Today's demo effect on the BBC Micro... water ripples. This would be much better in higher resolution so I may try a Mode 1 or 5 version. It doesn't quite follow the original algorithm due to the resolution constraints. 🔊
#bbcmicro #demoscene
#bbcmicro #demoscene
Re-reading "Hogfather" and have just come to the bit where it refers to an "Anthill Inside" sticker on the side of Hex, the Unseen University computer - little details like that are why I will always love Terry Pratchett 😁
December 27, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Re-reading "Hogfather" and have just come to the bit where it refers to an "Anthill Inside" sticker on the side of Hex, the Unseen University computer - little details like that are why I will always love Terry Pratchett 😁
Reposted by Colin Hoad
Here it is with the front folded down. It's a "portable" (well, at 15.6 kg it's more "luggable") BBC Master 128K with a small CRT built in.
Modded to include an MMFS SD file system. Pics show Thrust running from MMFS and Exile running from the original disc.
Modded to include an MMFS SD file system. Pics show Thrust running from MMFS and Exile running from the original disc.
December 24, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Here it is with the front folded down. It's a "portable" (well, at 15.6 kg it's more "luggable") BBC Master 128K with a small CRT built in.
Modded to include an MMFS SD file system. Pics show Thrust running from MMFS and Exile running from the original disc.
Modded to include an MMFS SD file system. Pics show Thrust running from MMFS and Exile running from the original disc.
This is what happens when search engines give way to LLMs.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Warning about using AI for festive swim tide time advice
The Coastguard warns about AI after two people are stranded after being given the wrong tide times.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 26, 2025 at 12:46 PM
This is what happens when search engines give way to LLMs.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Colin Hoad
How about a little #Psion gaming for the holiday season! @cyningstan.bsky.social has written a brand new game for the original Series 3 entirely in OPL. I've got it running on my 3mx. The added EL backlight adds an ethereal feeling to the play.
Get your copy here: cyningstan.itch.io/dragonfell-p...
Get your copy here: cyningstan.itch.io/dragonfell-p...
December 25, 2025 at 10:18 AM
How about a little #Psion gaming for the holiday season! @cyningstan.bsky.social has written a brand new game for the original Series 3 entirely in OPL. I've got it running on my 3mx. The added EL backlight adds an ethereal feeling to the play.
Get your copy here: cyningstan.itch.io/dragonfell-p...
Get your copy here: cyningstan.itch.io/dragonfell-p...
Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house, not a creature was stirring except maybe this game from Cascade!
youtu.be/hvgzOO3BWfw
youtu.be/hvgzOO3BWfw
Day 24: The Advent of Beeb Games 2025
YouTube video by Colin Hoad
youtu.be
December 24, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house, not a creature was stirring except maybe this game from Cascade!
youtu.be/hvgzOO3BWfw
youtu.be/hvgzOO3BWfw
A huge thank you to everyone who has chosen to subscribe to my Acorn nonsense on YouTube, there are 2,250 of you now, for which I feel immensely honoured. Thanks for all the likes, comments and goodwill, all of which keeps me wanting to make more videos. Have a lovely Christmas!
December 23, 2025 at 10:49 AM
A huge thank you to everyone who has chosen to subscribe to my Acorn nonsense on YouTube, there are 2,250 of you now, for which I feel immensely honoured. Thanks for all the likes, comments and goodwill, all of which keeps me wanting to make more videos. Have a lovely Christmas!
It's Christmas Eve Eve! youtu.be/lrPXzz_jNqM
Day 23: The Advent of Beeb Games 2025
YouTube video by Colin Hoad
youtu.be
December 23, 2025 at 9:35 AM
It's Christmas Eve Eve! youtu.be/lrPXzz_jNqM