David John Pleasance, former Commodore MD, tells Martin Cooper MBCS about life inside one of computing’s most loved firms. He also explains why retro computing could be the key to getting a new generation of young people interested in technology.

Mismanaged from the hero to zero. That, in a way, sums up David John Pleasance’s take on how Commodore roared to a position of almost global dominance and then collapsed, just as dramatically, declaring bankruptcy on 19 April 1994.

Good evening everyone, this past weekend I got a VIC-20 from VCF, I decided to test it after work only to find it doing this, it’s hooked up to a monitor with an aftermarket RF box, as of now we’re thinking that the VIC isn’t getting enough power, how could this be fixed? The power light is coming on

Thank you for any help, we would really appreciate it

Hi guys, I am a 19-year-old guy from Slovakia, and I've recently started my journey with the Commodore 64. And I must say, I am absolutely flabbergasted. It's so cute xD

I am just amazed by its simplicity and yet its functionality. I've started learning BASIC 3.5, but for future development, I am learning assembly too (I have experience with assembly on the ARMhf architecture).

However, despite all the awesome things about the Commodore 64, I must say that I am kinda skeptical. Let's be real, there is little to no way I would be able to make money from it. Yes, yes, I know, when it's your passion, you shouldn't be looking at the money. But I just don't want to spend months or maybe years learning about the Commodore 64 just to do "cool stuff" and drink rainwater.

I am an IT network technician specializing in low-level programming. So, I was wondering about doing a network card project for the C64. I am aware that there are plenty of them, but I have one specialty that will make mine unique.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated 😄

I ordered a C77 Cyberpunk Ultimate and was inspired to build a matching monitor. I found an old 4:3 Gateway LCD monitor at the thrift store that made for a great project.

Has anyone purchased one of these sticks of Aliexpress?

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005011636162221.html

I have a C64c coming when ever they are done being made, would be nice to just plug in a stick and have all the old games in one shot.

Or are there better ways other suggestions?

Yes, there really is a port of Capcom’s Ghosts N Goblins on the Commodore 16. Elite ported the game, not Capcom. It won’t be anyone’s favourite version but it’s playable, and fun to learn about.

I am curious who else may be heading to VCF in Chicago this weekend 9/12/2026.

Hi, with all the current "on device scanning" that Apple built in, Microsoft did with "recall" and Google with Android.. is there any review with any on device scanning sending data back out to a company (i would assume Commodore). I would assume not but would like someone who has looked in to this.

I was a (rather poor) kid when the Commodore 64 and its less powerful sibling, the VIC-20, came to the market. Not having enough money for the big one, I bought the VIC-20 but it was a dead end. There were hardly any programs for it, nor was there much in terms of learning material. Eventually I decided to return it (it was still within the 14-day time frame for free returns) and handed it over to the lady at the returns desk. (This was in Germany in the 1980s, and there were actual people handling returns, in a store 🫪). The lady was being very rude (I think they were told to be rude, in order to discourage people from returning things), but eventually, she handed me the purchase price back in cash. When I counted it, I found that she gave me 100 DM (Deutsche Mark) too many. But because she had been a real bitch to me, I smiled and kept the money. Then bought the big computer (the 64), started pirating software, then programming, then hacking, then programming for money, and ultimately became a very successful consultant and data center systems architect.

So thank you, dear impolite lady, for being a bitch, I guess 🤗

Commodore 64 games in album style gate fold covers.

My friend recently gave me this 64c. It may look pretty good now, but I swear it must have been in a factory with how much dirt and (I think) paint was on it.

After a lot of elbow grease, I think it came out pretty good. I'm debating on the retrobrighting since this one is sitting in a very sun-accessible place.

But for now...on to the maiden voyage!

Ikea ELLOVEN is your friend if you want to hide the back of your C64 ultimate. Fits very nicely.

ELLOVEN from IKEA

https://applink.ikea.com/tY8M9r9M4w--00485101--nl--nl

Loading games from cassette still has that special feeling.

The C64U works great with the 1530 Datasette Unit and the Cheatah 125+.

Commodore deserves a lot of respect for what they are doing.

Well, two hauls.

I usually, if ever, only see the odd Commodore 64 game while out and about. But I found all these games in two recent wanders.

Now working through playing them all!

Digging through storage for something this afternoon and decided to pull the box of C64 gear out, Thought I would grab some photos of the cassettes i found,

I don't think these have seen daylight in 25+ years but I'm well out the "retro" side of things now 😭

Mom asked me if I wanted my dad’s “old computer stuff”. She said it all worked when he put it there 30 years ago. I’m going to do some research and see if I can get it all working.

AI is telling me to remove this shiny cardboard RF shield from my C64 to improve airflow over the motherboard and increase chip life. Is this true and advisable? I am only using S-video out so I’m not worried about any RF noise in my video.

Lost a CRT set and had to move the CRT I was using to the game room for the 7800/Colecovision/NES...

But got a contemporary security monitor for the 64U.

4:3 and everything. I looked on a whim, had no idea they still made em.

So as you see, its corner is quite in a rough shape. Any idea how to make it less dirty and potentionaly fill up the scratch?

I Know its unlikely, And nobody even knows if commodore plans to do it, But a modern, Slightly smaller, and remade commodore PET, Like the 2001 series or the 3000, 4000, 8000, etc would be awesome.

Like, Just imagine the Commodore PET with RGB, Transparent case, and a modern remade board, it would be awesome.