Re: KansasFest 2008 Report - Saturday

[Kirk Mitchell <kirkmitchell@gmail.com>]

Hmmm... slept in this morning after visiting until 2:30 AM.  Got up at
8:00 AM, so I didn't miss breakfast.

First session of the day was Ryan Suenaga, who presented a product
called IItter (pronounced twotter), which is a Twitter client for the
Apple IIgs.  Twitter is a one of those social network websites that
allows you to miniblog short messages to followers.  It's a bit
addictive.  IItter is an NDA, and really looks to be fun.

Geoff Weiss presented two software products.  One is MegaMemory
Tester, a program to test memory on expansion cards.  The system test
can test the memory on the GS, so now we're covered.  For developers,
he also announced a new Hash tool that will allow md2, md4, md5 and
sha1 hashes.  Like I really know what all that means.  Might allow GS
programs to log into secure sites with future programs.  Developers
can ask Geoff for the new tool.

John Littlejohn showed a number of hardware items, one which I've
forgotten, but it had LED's on it.  One was connector that moved one
of the slots outside of the case at the end of a long cable.  He also
had a two slot switch that would allow you to place two cards in one
slot, and switch between them after a reboot.  He also had a 4 slot
switch that would do the same.  Convenient to not have to always open
your case to fiddle with cards.  These work on //e's and II's and II
+'s.

Ken Gagne announced that he had some updates on ...  some compilations
disks that he used to have on Zip Disks but moved to CD-ROM, or
something...  I was busy futzing around with my new iPod Touch, so my
attention was diverted.  B-)  He also announce that he'd be doing
another year of Juiced GS, the only paper publication for the Apple II
computer that I am aware of.  I subscribed for next year.  I hope
everyone does, who has an interest in the Apple II.  Support Ken!

After lunch, our HackFest participants received their prizes for their
efforts.  Surprisingly, we only had two participants.  Margaret
Anderson wrote a Game Menu program, and Ryan Suenaga wrote a Marinetti
CDA that would read a URL found in the Clipboard, ship it to a website
called http://bit.ly which would take that long URL and return a
shorter version, much like sites like TinyUrl.com.

I will find this extraordinarily useful since I frequent the Apple II
chat on irc.a2central.com but use my GS to get there.  It's a huge
annoyance when one of the other participants pastes a huge URL,
wanting to show me something, and then expect me to turn to my G5 to
type that long thing in.  I've tried to train folks there to use
tinyurl, but now I don't have to.  A copy in Spectrum, a visit to the
CDA, and I'll have a nice short URL to type.

Ryan won.  And I wasn't even a judge.  B-)

The Vendor Fair followed, with a few tables set up to sell software
and hardware.  I hope it was profitable for our vendors, the crowd was
small.  I didn't get much, as I've pretty much got most of what was
there.  That and I spilled a bunch on my iPod Touch anyway...  B-)

We then headed out to eat at KC Masterpiece, still a tradition that's
usually been followed for most of the 12 years I've been going to
KFest.  I had a half slab of the Classic Ribs.  Yummmm....

Back in Corcoran Hall, our numbers start to dwindle as some head for
home.  Others are packing, getting ready for early flights out in the
morning.  A group is still hovering over a video card, trying to get
it to work, while the rest of us are visiting for the last time for at
least another year.  I'll have several as guests soon, but I'll miss
these folks.  B-(

I'll be helping Tony pick stuff up before we head back West.
Traveling with Tony is always an adventure, whether it's driving or
flying in his small plane, so I may be posting a postscript to this
tale when I finally get home.  I know I'll be sleeping more when I get
there.  B-)

I certainly hope we'll have the opportunity to hold another KFest.
The next one, if it occurs will be the 20th.  It's just GOT to
happen.  And to work, it'll need you.  I certainly hope to see
everyone I've seen post here come to the next KFest.  I can dream,
can't I?  B-)

Take care,

Kirk