- vcf-midatlantic - lists.vcfed.org

Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Dave McGuire / Only at VCF East!
by Matt Patoray 08 May '19

08 May '19

On Tue, May 7, 2019 at 8:41 PM Tony Bogan via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > >> On 5/7/19 3:50 PM, Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > > > >> This big dude..... > > So you’re saying he was 5’ 8” 130lbs or so? > > ;-) > > Tony > ROFL! -- Matt Patoray Owner, MSP Productions KD8AMG

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Dave McGuire / Only at VCF East!
by Evan Koblentz 08 May '19

08 May '19

This big dude who I don't know walks up to me, sticks his arm out, PINCHES MY LEFT NIPPLE, and calmly says, "Dave McGuire made me do it."

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VCF Repair workshops June and August
by Jeffrey Brace 08 May '19

08 May '19

The next VCF repair workshops: June 1 & 2: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1cdRaUOarYmLe0c7Veddzl4HhOqB1BXTgTCQ… August 24 & 25: < https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13Gmvr2ZEtEXouN0oB7Y_UtCRabbwhLTi4E_… > -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President Vintage Computer Federation

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Museum info kiosk question
by Evan Koblentz 07 May '19

07 May '19

The info kiosk that I built ahead of VCF East consists of a micro form factor PC running Linux Mint and the OpenKiosk software, simple HTML4/CSS pages served over our network, and a 27-inch touchscreen monitor. There is a small issue I've been unable to duplicate on demand. Sometimes, if you touch our logo on the content pages just right, it OpenKiosk browser opens our logo as a new page (same tab). I can't figure out what touch gesture makes this happen. I know there are various CSS tricks I could employ, such as disabling image dragging and (probably) disabling image opening ... but first I hope to find out what happened to cause the image to open. Any ideas?

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Post your VCF East pictures
by Evan Koblentz 07 May '19

07 May '19

Hey everyone. Another VCF East is in our rearview mirror. Attendance was huge, everyone had a blast, and there were no major fires to put out (logistics-wise) -- so I consider that all awesome!!! Tons of people came up to me and gave me the credit. My answer is always the same: it's because of the dozens of people who participate/volunteer. Many people also said this year was the most relaxed they ever saw me at a VCF East event -- same answer as the other question! We did a lot of things better than this than ever before. In no particular order: A/V, signs, switching to Eventbrite, physical setup, better use of social media, and exhibit diversity. Please post links to your photographs. -- Evan Koblentz, executive director Vintage Computer Federation www.vcfed.org evan(a)vcfed.org (646) 546-9999 VCF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization

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vcfe19 Keynotes appear on Youtube!
by dillera＠gmail.com 07 May '19

07 May '19

UNIX/KenT/BrianK -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EY6q5dv_B-o <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EY6q5dv_B-o> Atari/JoeD -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=mlfWR6cl95E <https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=mlfWR6cl95E> Thanks so much VCF peeps for getting these edited and up so fast. I was very worried about the video quality esp given the weird lighting in that room- but Bill's camera did an excellent job, and the audio is excellent. Great job organizing and documenting these amazing speakers for history. -andy

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OT: 20" iMac "Flower Pot" Sold at VCF
by Douglas Crawford 07 May '19

07 May '19

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does anyone have one of these badges or know how to order more?
by Jeffrey Jonas 06 May '19

06 May '19

I'd love to get 1 or 2 of these paper tape reader convention-badges: https://hackaday.com/2019/04/12/cyphercon-badge-has-a-paper-tape-reader-bui… Does anyone have one, or know how to order more? Please tell me! thanks -- jeff jonas

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Survey VCF East 2019
by Jeffrey Brace 06 May '19

06 May '19

For those that attended, exhibited, taught or volunteered at our VCF East 2019, I want to thank you for helping to make VCF East happen. This show couldn’t happen without you. To get feedback about what we did well, where we can improve and suggestions, I would like all who attended to fill out this survey: https://bit.ly/2ZLuz0A Thanks! -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President Vintage Computer Federation

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Volunteer parking on VCF weekend
by Neil Cherry 03 May '19

03 May '19

I thought it might be a good idea to ask. Where should the volunteers park? -- Linux Home Automation Neil Cherry ncherry(a)linuxha.com http://www.linuxha.com/ Main site http://linuxha.blogspot.com/ My HA Blog Author of: Linux Smart Homes For Dummies

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VCF East - Online ticketing is open
by Evan Koblentz 02 May '19

02 May '19

We're using Eventbrite this year. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vintage-computer-festival-east-2019-tickets-60… Thanks to Dean for setting it up.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Consignment CTI?
by corey cohen 02 May '19

02 May '19

We would request any donated “money” items be on a separate consignment sheet. This makes it easier at payout. If items don’t sell you have 3 options. Option 1. Take it home Option 2. Give it to VCF (you need approval for this from Evan or myself or we will mark it option 3 automatically) Option 3. Mark it free and I’m sure someone will take it. Not sure what CTI means. Too many acronyms I have to deal with on a daily basis. Cheers, Corey corey cohen uǝɥoɔ ʎǝɹoɔ Sent from my iPhone > On May 2, 2019, at 11:22 AM, Sentrytv via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > <mime-attachment>

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Consignment CTI?
by Ethan O'Toole 02 May '19

02 May '19

Hello, This will be my first year putting up items for consignment. I have read: http://vcfed.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/east2019consignment.pdf And seen the consignment sheets. Two questions: 1. CTI is given at event or in advance? I am going to try to fill out forms tonight and print them in advance. 2. Is it possible to mark some items 100% donation to VCF and some not? I have this mental thing that usually if I get it for free as a donation or gift I don't re-sell it, so anything like that I'd rather put up 100% to VCF. Maybe use two CTIs? I plan to buy some post-its or index cards. Laser printing index cards is a cheap way to make description tags. I will probably arrive Friday afternoon or evening, picking up a friend on the way -- his first VCF. - Ethan

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OT: Looking for: ST Cubase/Notator dongle, 800xl in box, Space Quest 3 in box
by Ethan O'Toole 02 May '19

02 May '19

As I put together the items I plan to put in the consignment area and hump to get the System V unix stable on the TT030 for UNIX town .... Some time ago I talked to someone on here about Atari ST notator dongle or Cubase dongle, and 800XL in box. But searching subject lines in my huge inbox isn't hitting anything. If that person still has and is heading to VCF, hit me up! I am also looking for Space Quest 3 and Monkey Island in box. Not new in box. If anyone has, there the only two software titles I care about and it's mostly because I always liked the theme music. Any platform, it doesn't matter I have all the platforms and a MT-32 ;-)

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Model II
by Peter Cetinski 02 May '19

02 May '19

I rescued a TRS-80 Model II in NYC a couple of years ago for someone on this list but I can’t recall who it was! If you’re still around let me know and I can bring it to VCFE. It’s been sitting on my shelf. I’ll be there Sunday morning attending the show and delivering and picking up other Model IIs and 16s for other folks. Pete

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] VCF Exhibit map...
by Ethan O'Toole 01 May '19

01 May '19

The 8bit is the Atari computer glory days. The ST was cool looking but Amiga was better. > Date: Wed, 1 May 2019 12:34:35 -0400 > From: Peter Fletcher via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> > To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> > Cc: Peter Fletcher <pfletch(a)mac.com> > Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] VCF Exhibit map... > [NON-Text Body part not included]

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] VCF Exhibit map...
by Vincent B 01 May '19

01 May '19

Are they going to have to segregate the 8-bits and the STs? On Wed, May 1, 2019, 12:19 PM Tony Bogan via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > Atari Exhibit? What’s it going to be? A bunch of 2600 consoles and a > Jaguar? > ;-) > > Sent from my iPhone > > > On May 1, 2019, at 12:12 PM, Dean Notarnicola via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > > Yes, we didn't want to show up the more pedestrian exhibits :-0 > > > > On Wed, May 1, 2019 at 12:10 PM Peter Fletcher via vcf-midatlantic < > > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > >> But… But… Bill, we have cookies!!! And no, you cannot have any. > >> > >> -Pete > >> > >>> On May 1, 2019, at 11:58 AM, William Sudbrink via vcf-midatlantic < > >> vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > >>> > >>> Just got the VCF East Exhibit map... > >>> Thank goodness we're keeping all of the Atari and Unix riffraff locked > >> up in one room! > >>> > >>> ;-) :-) > >>> > >>> Bill S. > >>> > >>> > >>> --- > >>> This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. > >>> https://www.avast.com/antivirus > >>> > >> > >> > >

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] VCF Exhibit map...
by Dean Notarnicola 01 May '19

01 May '19

Yes, we didn't want to show up the more pedestrian exhibits :-0 On Wed, May 1, 2019 at 12:10 PM Peter Fletcher via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > But… But… Bill, we have cookies!!! And no, you cannot have any. > > -Pete > > > On May 1, 2019, at 11:58 AM, William Sudbrink via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > > Just got the VCF East Exhibit map... > > Thank goodness we're keeping all of the Atari and Unix riffraff locked > up in one room! > > > > ;-) :-) > > > > Bill S. > > > > > > --- > > This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. > > https://www.avast.com/antivirus > > > >

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VCF Exhibit map...
by William Sudbrink 01 May '19

01 May '19

Just got the VCF East Exhibit map... Thank goodness we're keeping all of the Atari and Unix riffraff locked up in one room! ;-) :-) Bill S. --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

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OT: Looking for ECC DDR3 memory
by Andy Meyer 01 May '19

01 May '19

I'm building a Dell system, and I'm looking for RAM: Up to 32GB 1600MHz ECC; up to 16GB 1600MHz non-ECC DDR3 memory; 4 DIMM slots I would prefer four 8GB ECC if possible. Please check your junk boxes. Reply off-list. Thanks, Andy

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VCF East Consignment Room Selling
by Jim Scheef 30 Apr '19

30 Apr '19

Do you have stuff to sell in the Consignment Room? Now is the time to get organized. 1. Download the forms: http://vcfed.org/consignment/Consignment%20Sale%20Sheet.pdf All of the forms are in one PDF. Use Acrobat to separate them and make copies as needed. 2. All of the forms are fillable using Adobe Acrobat and probably other PDF programs. Filling the forms online makes them easier to read, reduces errors and speeds up check-in. After your forms are completed, print two copies, so you have a record. 3. Guidelines (newly revised) for using these forms are here: http://vcfed.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/east2019consignment.pdf 4. Make signs for your stuff. You won’t be around to answer questions, so: What is it? Does it work? What are the specs? The price on the sign must agree with the price on the listing form; if not the price on the form wins. 5. Pricing: VCF has a reputation for fair prices. That’s why lots of stuff sells. 6. You can lower your price on Sunday morning and again late Sunday afternoon. 7. If you negotiate a deal with a buyer, both buyer and seller must come to the Consignment desk together. Let me know what you agreed; VCF will collect the money in the normal manner. 8. Remember every item MUST have your Consignor Tag Identification (letter code) and the line number from your "Individual Item Sales Sheet". Apply a piece of painter's tape to each item at home leaving room for your Consignor Tag Identification. Free advice: • Do you find eBay prices are frequently too high? Price accordingly. • Good signs bring good sales. Jim Scheef Consignment Room Deity

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Funny story
by Herb Johnson 30 Apr '19

30 Apr '19

> Dean Notarnicola: I pinned a [VCF-E] brochure to the corkboard on Nassau St a few weeks ago. I wonder if that what he saw? > > Jeff Salzman wrote: That's certainly a lot more effective, and cheaper, than pinning VCF business cards to $20 bills and scattering them along the boardwalk. :D > > Dean: I stopped doing that. It was eating into my floppy disk fund. > > [exchange about fake non-fake currency] These seem like jokes, fake history. But in fact, when I was at the Dayton Hamfest one year in the 1990's, an airplane flew over the event and dropped flyers - with real $1 bills attached! I saw the airplane, saw the drop, grabbed a few flyers; so there's no doubt. Of course, people forget that "catching eyeballs" is a source of income on the Web. Google reported billions of dollars just today, income from selling ads and Web-search placements. So: money gets spent on advertizing; and location matters. Herb -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey in the USA http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net

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Funny story
by Evan Koblentz 30 Apr '19

30 Apr '19

A journalist called me today to ask about VCF East. He said he heard about it from a flier posted on a (real-life) bulletin board in downtown Princeton. I have no idea who put it there! -- Evan Koblentz, executive director Vintage Computer Federation www.vcfed.org evan(a)vcfed.org (646) 546-9999 VCF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Funny story
by Evan Koblentz 30 Apr '19

30 Apr '19

Monopoly money On Tue, Apr 30, 2019, 10:55 AM Tony Bogan via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > Evan was skimping and only used $5 bills, that’s why we didn’t get as big > a response. > Tony > > Sent from my iPhone > > > On Apr 30, 2019, at 9:19 AM, Dean Notarnicola via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > > I stopped doing that. It was eating into my floppy disk fund. > > > > On Tue, Apr 30, 2019 at 9:09 AM Jeff Salzman via vcf-midatlantic < > > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > >> That's certainly a lot more effective, and cheaper, than pinning VCF > >> business cards to $20 bills and scattering them along the boardwalk. :D > >> > >> On Tue, Apr 30, 2019, 12:44 AM Dean Notarnicola via vcf-midatlantic < > >> vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > >> > >>> We go there just to hang on nice weekends > >>> > >>> On Tue, Apr 30, 2019 at 12:43 AM Dean Notarnicola < > >> dnotarnicola(a)gmail.com> > >>> wrote: > >>> > >>>> I had it from TCF > >>>> > >>>>> On Tue, Apr 30, 2019 at 12:42 AM Evan Koblentz <evan(a)vcfed.org> > wrote: > >>>>> > >>>>> > >>>>>> I pinned a brochure to the corkboard on Nassau St a few weeks ago. I > >>>>> wonder if that what he saw? > >>>>> > >>>>> Yes! > >>>>> > >>>>> What were you doing there with VCF stuff? > >>>>> > >>>>> > >>> > >> > >

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WTB/WTT: SWTPC 6800 Boards
by systems_glitch 30 Apr '19

30 Apr '19

All, I'm still looking for boards for my mostly-empty SWTPC 6800 chassis. I've got a power supply and backplane for it now, but still no boards. If you've got spares and especially if you'll be at VCF East, I'm interested in buying or trading for them. Thanks, Jonathan

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DEC PDP 11/03-AA for sale
by Mike Loewen 30 Apr '19

30 Apr '19

I have a PDP 11/03-AA available for sale, which I will bring to VCF East. This CPU was used as the console of a VAX 11/780, and includes an RX01 floppy drive and cables. I've never gotten around to even powering up this machine, and it's time to let it go. The installed boards are: M7264 EB 11/03 processor with 4-Kword MOS RAM M7940 Serial Line Unit (SLU, Async) M7946 RX01 8" floppy disk controller M8017 Single-line async control module M7944 4-Kword 16-bit MOS RAM (external refresh) M9400 YE Headers and 240-ohm terminators (18-bit bus only) I also have the following boards to upgrade the system to something more useable: M8012 BDV11 bus terminator, bootstrap and Diagnostic Module M8044-DB 32K, 16-bit RAM M8043 Q-bus quad serial interface Also have the cable for the M7940 (BC03L-00). About the floppy drive...the M7946 is a RX01 controller, but the part number on the drive itself is for an RX02. I know practically nothing about DEC hardware, so I don't know why the discrepancy. I'll be taking offers for the whole setup (off-list, please) until midnight, May 1. Pictures are at: http://q7.neurotica.com/Oldtech/PDP1103/ Mike Loewen mloewen(a)cpumagic.scol.pa.us Old Technology http://q7.neurotica.com/Oldtech/

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One more VCF East ticket desk person needed
by Evan Koblentz 30 Apr '19

30 Apr '19

Everyone, We have three ticket desk volunteers: Charlotte, Jayme, and Gina. They're all awesome, but they are all new at it. (Ann/Amy aren't available this year.) Can anyone suggest a fourth volunteer, so that we're better able to cover all of the hours? (8:30am-6:00pm Saturday; 8:30am-5:00pm Sunday.) As previously stated: ticket desk people need to be reliable, outgoing, on-the-ball in a retail/service environment, and represent us professionally. We hope to find a fourth person who can 100% commit no later than Wednesday mid-day. Obviously it can't be one of those "if" or "they'll try" situations.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] This weekend
by Evan Koblentz 29 Apr '19

29 Apr '19

> Hope marathon went well! Thank you. I finished :), which is something to be proud of because it was my first one since having bone tumor surgery in my leg in 2016. Docs said I might never run again!! I came all the way back. Unfortunately I missed my time goal by 8 minutes.

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This weekend
by Evan Koblentz 29 Apr '19

29 Apr '19

Everyone, Jeff B. and I decided to close the museum this weekend so we can do VCF East stuff and not be tied to the tour guide desk. Also I will be unreachable from this Saturday evening through Sunday evening or Monday morning. I'm running in the NJ Marathon this Sunday (7:30am start). It is my first one since 2015 ... in 2016 I had surgery and they said I might never run again. I showed 'em!

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Consignment cheat sheet
by Evan Koblentz 29 Apr '19

29 Apr '19

Here's a consignment process cheat-sheet, thanks to Jim Scheef: http://vcfed.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/east2019consignment.pdf -- Evan Koblentz, executive director Vintage Computer Federation www.vcfed.org evan(a)vcfed.org (646) 546-9999 VCF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

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Fyi: Ride share available from Boston to VCF East
by Evan Koblentz 27 Apr '19

27 Apr '19

See https://twitter.com/33asr/status/1121599733712269314?s=19 for the details. Don't reply here.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] This weekend
by Evan Koblentz 26 Apr '19

26 Apr '19

> You go Evan! Best of luck in the marathon. Thanks Pete! It is my third one, but the first since 2015. If it were a 5K then I'd just pick a different one; those are held all over the place practically every weekend. Marathons are harder to come by... the funny part is it normally takes a week-ish to get my legs back after running 26.2. This time I have two days and then we start setting up for VCF East. :)

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VCF East on Reddit
by Evan Koblentz 26 Apr '19

26 Apr '19

I posted about the show at https://www.reddit.com/r/vintagecomputing/comments/bhiv74/massive_celebrati… ... please vote it up!

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OT - Anyone familiar with OpenNMS ? If so, please contact me off-list
by Martin Flynn 26 Apr '19

26 Apr '19

OT - Anyone familiar with OpenNMS ? If so, please contact me off-list https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenNMS https://www.opennms.com/

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Museum report
by Evan Koblentz 25 Apr '19

25 Apr '19

Busy day! I got to the museum around 11am and stayed to 11pm. We had a good amount of visitors today. Several families came through, including a few engineers. Jeff B. and I worked on VCF East preparation between the visitors. After-hours, I made good progress on our new info kiosk. I used aeronautical-grade velcro (thank you Martin) to attach one of the micro form-factor PCs to the back of the 27" touchscreen monitor, configured all the OpenKiosk software settings, and learned how to connect from our office PC to the web server with SSH (thank you Bill Dudley for the telephone tech support). I know SSH is very secure, but afterward I decided to put FTP on the web server because (don't kill me) I prefer a point-and-click way to move files. Then I spent an hour or two on the kiosk content. Got the main template finished. All that's left to do is update a few content pages, tie back the kiosk cabling, and hang a sign from the ceiling pointing to the kiosk. Probably another 2 hours total and then it will be done.

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Belated announcement :)
by Evan Koblentz 25 Apr '19

25 Apr '19

Emmanuel Goldstein interviewed me live for 2600's Off the Hook radio show just now. It was a 5-minute chat about VCF East. I assume they will post it as a podcast in the next day or two.

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OT: How to use Stack Exchange chat rooms?
by Evan Koblentz 23 Apr '19

23 Apr '19

VCF East is being discussed at https://chat.stackexchange.com/rooms/38597/the-bbs (apparently I posted in the wrong place and they moved it into the retrocomputing chat room) .... I am logged into SE but I can't figure out how to participate in the chat. Help! -- Evan Koblentz, executive director Vintage Computer Federation www.vcfed.org evan(a)vcfed.org (646) 546-9999 VCF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

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Help needed Wednesday 1pm
by Jeffrey Brace 22 Apr '19

22 Apr '19

Mike Ruane of Infoage needs help. I will be there, but we need more people. If available, send me a private message and I will let Mike know. Here is his message: To All – Pat and I need help getting three display cabinets from the Ocean County Historical Society in Toms River this Wednesday. We need two more guys to help us. We would leave InfoAge at 1:00 and be back by 3:00. Please get the word out to your folks and let me know if we have any volunteers. I don’t want to lose these cabinets. Thanks!! -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President Vintage Computer Federation

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Solaris SPARC install VM?
by Ethan O'Toole 22 Apr '19

22 Apr '19

Anyone know if there is an install VM for net-installing older Solaris on Sparc like 2.6, 2.7? I know one exists for IRIX. I found some FAQs and such that indicated some issues with older Linux providing the root filesystem over NFS. Any pointers appreciated. - Ethan

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Hard drive art
by Brian Brubaker 22 Apr '19

22 Apr '19

Thank you for your thoughtful comments, I'm very sorry if I caused any agitation as a result of my art. I must admit, lurker may have been too strong of a word. I have a friend involved with vintage computers and is the one who pointed out the one 14" platter I found from this group. Since then I subscribed, but dont get a chance to read often. The majority of my art supplies have come from Ebay with a substantial investment on my part, most being sold as scrap. Some platters, spacers, and actuators were bought disassembled already. The ones not sold as scrap, I'm paying the value of a working drive. Now at this point anyone else could have purchased these drives and attempted to use them. I would be happy to work with people from this forum to sell some individual parts one might want. As for the drives themselves, I've spent over $300 in shipping alone for some of the 8" and 9" drives I've bought and disassembled from CA. I've been scanning Ebay for over a year targeting value, and specific models , I've got 60+ searches I check daily. I've invested thousands of dollars, countless hours disassembling drives, countless hours designing and creating my art, and tons of blood and sweat. That all being said, I do have an impressive collection of hard drive parts from the last 50 years, and I can understand your frustration as a vintage computer restorer. I would honestly rather use my parts for art, but I could be willing to help provide parts for sale where I could. I have sold 90% of the circuit boards on Ebay, including many from real vintage drives. I will say, when I looked into starting this project, I did tons of research into art made from hard drives, what I found was there were lots of clocks, and a few sculptures here and there, but nothing anywhere near what I had in mind to make. So, I found something new and unique and creative to reuse many old hard drives that eventually all would find their way to a scrap yard or landfill. New + unique + recycling seems a rare thing these days, and something I feel the world needs more of. I think the shelf life (or wall in my case), can out live any working vintage hard drive. That being said, I'm happy to work with those who want to prolong their own vintage computers. On Sat, Apr 13, 2019, 12:43 PM Herb Johnson via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > Brian Brubaker posts about use of hard-drive parts to create art, for > our appreciation. Well, this use of vintage electronics as art, gives me > pause. I thought about it; I wrote a lecture; I decided a lecture would > not be read or appreciated. So here's my straightforward considerations. > > Brian: I restore vintage computers to operation. So I see in parts of > your art, computers that can't be restored because they were demolished. > That's not an abstraction, for me - that is a fact. > > This situation is not your fault. However, you have posted in a group of > vintage-computer restorers; so my point is relevant in this forum. > > So: Brian, I encourage you to make available, such ancient drives and > parts as might be useful to restore ancient computers. I'm sure you can > get guidance about doing so. > > I don't mean to spoil your fun or interests. Do not go back to "lurking" > because some old-guy doesn't like your work - that is not what I said, > that's not how I said it. Art evokes responses; the artist can't > determine all those responses. This is part of my response. And > certainly, there's art today which is FAR more controversial than a > bunch of old computer parts. I'm making a point, not cursing your works, > which have artistic merit. > > Brian, thanks for showing your works in this forum. > > Herb Johnson > > -- > Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey in the USA > http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net >

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Drive repairs, was Hard drive art
by CT 22 Apr '19

22 Apr '19

Thanks Herb! I'll definitely say hi at the show and will take some pics of the drives as well to bring up. Looking forward to meeting everyone (and some of you again!) On Sun, Apr 21, 2019 at 10:47 PM Herb Johnson via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > I have a couple Macintosh external drives that aren't working properly. > > Would it be the right venue to bring them to VCF East to the class? Or > > should I wait for a repair workshop? > > > > Thanks, > > Eric, chesapeaketechie @... > > I deal in Apple Macintosh SCSI drives. I (and others here) can give you > some hints about making these run a while longer. Contact me after > VCF-East and say hello at the show! I'll be a vendor. > > Herb > > PS: I'm a little busy with VCF-E prep, to follow these drive repair/art > discussions. Glad people care! There's a lot of work going on in > hard-drive recovery. David Gesswein is very modest about his MFM > emulator; it's extracting good data from bad drives, and David et al are > working hard to support oddball drive controllers's oddball formats. > Dave McGuire talks about servo tracks... I have buddies struggling with > those on 8-inch hard drives. > > This is how engineers do vintage computing. Makes me hungry for silicon > and iron oxide .... > > Herb > > -- > Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey in the USA > http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net > preserve, recover, restore 1970's computing > email: hjohnson AT retrotechnology DOT com > or try later herbjohnson AT retrotechnology DOT info >

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Drive repairs, was Hard drive art
by Ethan Dicks 22 Apr '19

22 Apr '19

On Sun, Apr 21, 2019 at 9:47 PM Herb Johnson via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > I have a couple Macintosh external drives that aren't working properly. > > I deal in Apple Macintosh SCSI drives. I (and others here) can give you > some hints about making these run a while longer. Contact me after > VCF-East and say hello at the show! I'll be a vendor. I'd be interested in a conversation about Seagate ST1480N drives (found in some Quadras and in lots of Sun workstations as a "SUN0424" drive). I have a couple that work and a couple that do not. One HDA makes unhealthy "buzzsaw" noises and is likely a write-off. The other spins up then immediately spins down. I wonder if there's a rotation feedback sensor in the HDA that's not reporting correctly that's causing this behavior. I wouldn't mind being able to copy data from these drives but I know they were last used in the 1990s and the data on them was mostly the OS install and any user files were copied off long ago, but I doubt there's anything magical and wonderful to be found on them. Just getting one of them working again would be convenient. I don't have that many sub-1GB drives left anymore (I have lots and lots of Seagates and others in the 1GB-4GB range). -ethan

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VCF East -- Schedule + Friday keynote change
by Evan Koblentz 22 Apr '19

22 Apr '19

Here is the full VCF East 2019 schedule: http://vcfed.org/wp/festivals/vintage-computer-festival-east/vcf-east-sched… Let me know if there any mistakes. Note: Steve Bellovin is unable to be there on Friday. In his place, we're having a panel on D-I-Y computing with Alexander Pierson, Jon Chapman, and possible one or two other people.

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Drive repairs, was Hard drive art
by Herb Johnson 22 Apr '19

22 Apr '19

> I have a couple Macintosh external drives that aren't working properly. > Would it be the right venue to bring them to VCF East to the class? Or > should I wait for a repair workshop? > > Thanks, > Eric, chesapeaketechie @... I deal in Apple Macintosh SCSI drives. I (and others here) can give you some hints about making these run a while longer. Contact me after VCF-East and say hello at the show! I'll be a vendor. Herb PS: I'm a little busy with VCF-E prep, to follow these drive repair/art discussions. Glad people care! There's a lot of work going on in hard-drive recovery. David Gesswein is very modest about his MFM emulator; it's extracting good data from bad drives, and David et al are working hard to support oddball drive controllers's oddball formats. Dave McGuire talks about servo tracks... I have buddies struggling with those on 8-inch hard drives. This is how engineers do vintage computing. Makes me hungry for silicon and iron oxide .... Herb -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey in the USA http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net preserve, recover, restore 1970's computing email: hjohnson AT retrotechnology DOT com or try later herbjohnson AT retrotechnology DOT info

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Hard drive art
by Dave McGuire 19 Apr '19

19 Apr '19

On 4/16/19 1:51 PM, Herb Johnson via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > This is becoming an argument. That's understandable, but that's not my > goal. > > My point of throwing the "old guy" card, is to say some interest in > vintage computing is persistent, is beyond keeping one's computer > running, but in goals you refer to as "museum". Most museums put a > computer on a shelf, don't touch: the work I describe re-engages > people with now-working computers. Your work also engages others; > I don't question the value of art, or oblige it to be for purpose. > This is what engagement looks like. Herb, this has nothing to do with you being an "old guy". Let's just face facts: Most of us try very hard every day to keep rare and valuable hardware out of the hands of people like the original poster, and I'm know for a fact that I'm not the only one who thought "this guy had better hope he doesn't run into me on the street". "Hey, there's a complete Model T Ford, I'm gonna grab it, tear our the seat and use it for a couch!" Nobody in their right mind would every dream of doing that, yet people do stuff like this and actually feel justified. Unbelievable. -Dave -- Dave McGuire, AK4HZ New Kensington, PA

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Cool -- double emulation!
by Evan Koblentz 19 Apr '19

19 Apr '19

Here's the "APPalm" (Apple II) emulator inside PHEM (Palm Hardware Emulator) on my brand-new Galaxy S10e phone. :) http://tinyurl.com/y3thepoy

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New acquisition
by Richard Cini 19 Apr '19

19 Apr '19

All — I was able to get my hands on another Seattle Gazelle. I will mostly use this for spare parts for my main machine but this one came with original manuals and an 8” diskette. No floppy controller or drives, though, which is fine with me since I already have those. What’s interesting is that this is the second system of this type I’ve seen that uses the TEi enclosure. The one in the VCF collection is a 22-slot version and I have a 12-slot version. More to come as I restore this one. It was working as of when it was stored 20 years ago. Get Outlook for iOS<https://aka.ms/o0ukef>

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OT: NJARC YouTube
by Evan Koblentz 18 Apr '19

18 Apr '19

Off-topic: Our museum neighbors in the NJ Antique Radio Club said they need 1,000 subscribers to do live streaming, but they are a long way off at 300-something. They're asking for subscribers among like-minded people: https://www.youtube.com/user/njarc?fbclid=IwAR0DTOIO-_DH70ZvdyW8XWS_iSqqn-2….

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Museum report
by Evan Koblentz 18 Apr '19

18 Apr '19

Today was shockingly busy for a non-summer Wednesday, but Jeff B. pointed out that it's spring break for local schools so that explains it. Tons of visitors today! I used the small amount of downtime between visitors to do some more work on the information kiosk + random VCF East tasks.

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InfoAge campus clean-up
by Evan Koblentz 18 Apr '19

18 Apr '19

InfoAge is having a campus clean-up day on Saturday, April 27 from 9am-noon. They (rightfully) want all the groups to help. I told them VCF supports the project, but that it's a terrible time for us because of our event next weekend. Jeff B. and I will be going nuts (hard to tell the difference, I know!) doing final show preparations. But if anyone is interested in helping with this project, then let me know.

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