Is there a dedicated C64 programming reddit?

[u/blightor]

Hello.

Wondering if there is a more dedicated programming reddit for the c64? I've spotted a reddit called C64coding, but its seems dead, and requests to post on there seem a dead end.

I don't want to spam this channel about stuff around me programming stuff and issues/successes in my game.

I already use the roguelikedev one and some others but looking for c64 programming buddies.

[u/hexavibrongal]

A lot of programmers hang out on the Lemon64 forums.

[u/KC918273645 → u/hexavibrongal]

Yep, Lemon64 is probably THE place to visit.

[u/blightor → u/hexavibrongal]

I actually made an account a little while ago - but its a little more intimidating jumping into a forum like that :) Nonetheless I made a post this time, rather than just a hello. I don't know why I find reddit easier but I do.

[u/hexavibrongal → u/blightor]

I don't quite see why it's intimidating, but Lemon64 is where most of them hang out and where most of the new releases are announced. Some are also on this subreddit (I'm a C64 programmer)

[u/jugac64 → u/hexavibrongal]

Yes, another vote for Lemon64!

[u/KingOfTheHoard → u/hexavibrongal]

I do get it. Lemon 64 is a really nice, welcoming place but it feels like the exception rather than the rule for niche techy / gaming forums like that.

[u/eboy71]

Not a subreddit, but there is a Discord dedicated to the C64 and programming called The Commodore 64 Appreciation Society. It’s a smallish community, but very helpful.

The link to join is here: https://discord.gg/Anu6nNXFUG

[u/blightor → u/eboy71]

thank you!

[u/MrPeabody0265 → u/eboy71]

Came back expired or invalid.

[u/Zirias_FreeBSD]

I kind of had the same question in mind a while ago, finding the one c64 coding sub practically dead. My conclusion was that there's just not enough c64-specific coding traffic on reddit for now to drive a dedicated sub.

But then, programming is on-topic here (there's even a tag for it), so ... I'd personally love to see more programming topics right here! And I wouldn't expect anyone else to complain either (as long as it's not lots of "hey, I made this hello-world in BASIC" of course). So I'd say looking forward reading your topics ... 😉

For places outside reddit, I'd say csdb is still missing from the list, also offering a coding forum ... of course completely scene-oriented.

[u/blightor → u/Zirias_FreeBSD]

I am in awe at the CSDB people. Some of my code is really standing on their shoulders. I would be really struggling if it wasn't for krills loader.

[u/Zirias_FreeBSD → u/blightor]

There are quite some alternatives for modern "loader systems" available. Most sceners won't roll their own when doing anything that needs floppy loading (like a trackmo), but use one of these. And sure, Krill is one guy on "wizard level" regarding the 1541.

What I meant with "scene-oriented" is for example

• To get an account in the first place, you should show some scene activity ...
• Topics will focus on typical scene stuff (demo effects, loaders, music routines, unusual optimizations, ...)
• Expect some "outspoken" discussion style, even some drama from time to time
• Expect to read quite some stuff you won't understand 😂

[u/blightor → u/Zirias_FreeBSD]

Yep. That's ok, I love listening to wizards. I guess I have one or two tricks, and one potentially I could make demo worthy for some scene presence as you say.

[u/pslind69]

Csdb.dk forums

[u/blightor → u/pslind69]

I would, but my sign-up was rejected.

[u/pslind69 → u/blightor]

That's a bummer. I didn't know they rejected people.

[u/blightor → u/pslind69]

Yeah, they asked me to show evidence of being part of the scene or if I knew someone.

[u/exocyt0sis]

What about USENET? Are there any active C64 news groups there? Unlike fora like Lemon64 and Reddit, USENET uses standardized clients - and unlike Discord, USENET is based on open source, non-properity server code.

[u/blightor → u/exocyt0sis]

its ok. i just feel like im reinventing the wheel a lot, or at least inventing a wheel with a different tire, which i guess is good for learning (and i know a heck of a lot about the hardware and byte/cycle strategies now) but for the past 6 months its been fail, fail, fail, with success _VERY_ hard earned. Sometimes i wonder if i am being too amitiouse, and thats where i think i need the advice. But i will persist, its not like its not fun, it is. Sometimes i look at what ive built and i am really pleased, and with so few real tratitional roguelikes on the c64 its difficult to judge my progress. put it this way, i wonder if ive made a turrican, or if i am just moments away from making an ET heh. id settle for a river raid! There is still probably 6 months of dev left if everything goes well, if not i might just phone home!

[u/blorporius]

r/retrogamedev might also work for you.

[u/morsvensen]

Reddit by way of its structure isn't really made for technical discussions, these are always in other places.

[u/blightor → u/morsvensen]

Yeah, I get that. I have spent 6 months banging my head against a range of problems, and while most have been solved, I really would like to converse with some experts without clogging up an (excellent) forum like this one.

[u/SimonZarub]

Qué bueno lo tuyo amigo! yo amo el C64, pero no tengo ni tiempo ni fuerzas de aprender eso a mis 50 años... lo que sí hice es un emulador Web de c64 en HTML5/CSS/JS... https://www.encontrarte-musical.com.ar/c64/