- vcf-midatlantic - lists.vcfed.org

NOT OT PDP 12 on Facebook for sale?
by Sentrytv 10 May '25

10 May '25

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] NOT OT PDP 12 on Facebook for sale?
by Jeffrey Brace 10 May '25

10 May '25

On Fri, May 9, 2025 at 10:34 AM Sentrytv via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > Perusing through Facebook pages I found that there is a PDP 12 that was on > one of the retro computer groups that has a PDP 12 for sale as well as > other things for some reason I can’t get the link to work. Maybe you guys > can figure out where it is. > I know somebody here would be interested > I did put in one of the comments that they should contact VCF. > If they want to donate to VCF, then great, but we don't buy artifacts. We could however refer them to forum.vcfed.org for posting to sell. > > Mike > > Sent from: > My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device. > <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campai…> Virus-free.www.avast.com <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campai…> <#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>

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VCF MidWest 2025 (XX)
by Jeffrey Brace 10 May '25

10 May '25

Who's going to VCF MidWest this year? Who's driving? I plan on going there and representing VCF and getting two tables. I plan on flying there and staying two nights Friday and Saturday and leaving Sunday afternoon. Take care! Jeff Brace VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President VCF East Showrunner VCF/MARCH Fundraising Manager Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity https://vcfed.org/ <http://www.vcfed.org/> <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campai…> Virus-free.www.avast.com <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campai…> <#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Anyone going to Holmdel on May 15?
by Sentrytv 09 May '25

09 May '25

Please explain Sent from: My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device. > On Apr 8, 2025, at 9:47 AM, Hopkins, Justin via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > >

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NOT OT PDP 12 on Facebook for sale?
by Sentrytv 09 May '25

09 May '25

Perusing through Facebook pages I found that there is a PDP 12 that was on one of the retro computer groups that has a PDP 12 for sale as well as other things for some reason I can’t get the link to work. Maybe you guys can figure out where it is. I know somebody here would be interested I did put in one of the comments that they should contact VCF. Mike Sent from: My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device.

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OT: Mid year Model Train show @ InfoAge May 10, 11, 14, 17, 18, 21, 24, 25 12-5PM
by Jeffrey Brace 09 May '25

09 May '25

InfoAge Science and History Museums @Camp Evans National Historic Landmark New Jersey’s WW II Living Memorial 2201 Marconi Road, Wall, New Jersey 732-280-3000 Admission Adults $12 -$8 for ages 12 and younger Includes access to all Museums Is Proud To Announce That We Are Hosting May 10,11,14,17,18,21,24,25 12-5PM A Mid-Year Model Train Show!! Can’t wait for our Christmas and Holiday Train Show? Come see our new mid-year extravaganza as we host the Raritan Valley Hi-Railers during the month of May!! In addition, we will be operating our own Garden State Central HO Railroad, an S Scale modular railroad, and our hands-on Lionel layout.” The Hi-Railers will be showcasing a 20’ x 60’ modular O Scale railroad featuring a 4-track mainline with a multitude of operational industries and buildings and thousands of lights. To get an idea of what will be on display, Google ‘Raritan Valley Hi-Railers” and watch their YouTube videos. Scene from the Raritan Valley Scene from the Garden State Central Come see the Garden State Central’s fascinating journey as the main line travels from Jersey City, NJ to the coal fields of Wilkes Barre, PA and many points in between as the railroad begins to get close to completion. Although still under construction the trains will be running from the docks at Jersey City to Bethlehem Steel. <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campai…> Virus-free.www.avast.com <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campai…> <#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>

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OT: Unseen Signals exhibit @ InfoAge May 25 to Dec. 28
by Jeffrey Brace 09 May '25

09 May '25

I'm letting everyone know that the IEEE will be setting up an exhibit entitled "David Armstrong: Unseen Signals" exhibit in 9010-D (Men's bunkroom) starting May 25th to Dec. 28th at InfoAge. It was previously at the National Industrial Museum in Bethlehem, PA. It will be in the exhibit room that we called 2E during VCF East 2025. Enjoy! Jeff Brace VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President VCF East Showrunner VCF/MARCH Fundraising Manager Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity https://vcfed.org/ <http://www.vcfed.org/>

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Swap Meet Help Needed (June 6 & 7)
by Jeffrey Brace 09 May '25

09 May '25

It takes a village to run an event. I only have 3 volunteers committed so far for the swap meet: myself, Andrew Mattera, RJ Clark. That's not enough. I don't have the help of the Sea Cadets because their new Commander is still getting used to the new position. So .... I need MARCH/VCF members to step up and help. I'm not going to continue killing myself doing all the work with a small number of volunteers. I just need a little help from each osso that we can all enjoy the event. I will just cancel the event if I don't get enough volunteers. I need 3 volunteers on Friday, June 6. I need 16 volunteers on Saturday, June 7. Here are the tasks, number of people needed, days and times: TASK # START END FRIDAY Load Truck 3 17:00 20:00 SATURDAY Setup 3 06:00 07:00 Entrance 1 07:00 14:00 Admissions 2 07:00 14:00 Front Desk 2 07:00 14:00 Parking Directors 3 07:00 14:00 Exit 1 07:00 14:00 Breakdown 4 14:00 15:00 E-mail me with your availability and preference. Thanks! Jeff Brace VCF/MARCH Fundraising Manager

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Macintosh TV for sale in Rochester
by Jeffrey Brace 08 May '25

08 May '25

Someone called VCF's landline looking for ideas on where to sell Macintosh TV and a Mac Plus. If anyone is interested, then I can forward you his contact info. Take care! Jeff Brace VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President VCF East Showrunner VCF/MARCH Fundraising Manager Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity https://vcfed.org/ <http://www.vcfed.org/>

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] OTish: Any Core2duo desktops super reliable?
by Kenneth Seefried 06 May '25

06 May '25

> From: Kenneth Gober <kgober(a)gmail.com> > > In my experience, the Dell OptiPlex 745 and 755 lines have been very solid. > > Can confirm that Dell Optiplex machines from the LGA775 era seem pretty reliable. In addition to having a couple of thousand pass through our company back in the day, I still have several Dell Optiplex 960 desktop FF in a mix of Core Duo and Quad that are my regular 'crash and burn' machines (and a couple of later Optiplex i7-860s); they aren't exactly treated gently. Despite the abuse, they have never given me any trouble. The only real downside I run into if you want to call it that is the 8GB memory limit on that generation of kit. YMMV. And no, mine have never needed a recap. That is not a foregone conclusion. KJ

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] OTish: Any Core2duo desktops super reliable?
by Ethan O'Toole 05 May '25

05 May '25

> On any older Systems, such as these, you will have to recap the power > supply and the motherboard that is typical of components this age > Expect that when you go looking I am trying to avoid that work, at least for the short term. Have two CRT monitors to recap from the games, and one has HV arcing as well. Never used corona dope before but I might get my chance here. 78 capacitors on those Wells Gardner D9200s, and I have yet to figure out how to extract the monitors from the game cabinets. When it comes to motherboards, it's probably 3 bucks for a 3300uf 6.3v these days! - Ethan

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] OTish: Any Core2duo desktops super reliable?
by therenguy 05 May '25

05 May '25

I would like to remove myself from this mailing list. Would someone tell me how to do that. Dr. Randy M. Kaplan the renguy On May 5, 2025 at 9:55 AM -0400, Sentrytv via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org>, wrote:

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Swap Meet June 7, 2025 @ InfoAge
by Jeffrey Brace 05 May '25

05 May '25

https://vcfed.org/vcf-swap-meet/ *CLICK HERE FOR VENDOR Registration* <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScVH2pMWrQt4yeNTwHdohC4Om_g1MdaNJc…> Take care! Jeff Brace VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President VCF East Showrunner VCF/MARCH Fundraising Manager Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity https://vcfed.org/ <http://www.vcfed.org/>

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OTish: Any Core2duo desktops super reliable?
by Ethan O'Toole 05 May '25

05 May '25

Any advice as to core2duo desktops that have really reliable components? I have two Dell E520 type desktops where I did some custom hacks to get Windows XPe installed to run software. XPe is embedded, so it's driver stripped. Any known reliable PCs that are Core2duo or maybe P4? Thinkcenter? HP/Compaq? Some other brand? Needs 6 channel audio, ethernet, ability to put in a lower end older NVidia card (Original was AGP but had it running on a PCIe one.) Curious if there is anything out there that should still be working today without issue. I have old P4 Compaq SFF that I use for disk imaging that has been strong. Longer story: Originally the computers were DFI I believe, and I forget the motherboard model but I still have something close enough. These are for arcade games, Need for Speed/Need for Speed underground. I had them running fine on the Dells pre-covid but now one isn't happy. It's blue screening when it boots into XPe, but passes memtest86+. the PSU has swollen caps, and the mobo had two bad ones. I replaced the bad ones, still blue screens. Time is tight so looking for alts. I think original was P4, but Core2duo is fine. 6 channel audio is needed, ethernet, and USB. Intel chipset is desired because I know I can install the XP copy of the chipset drivers in XPe on the original motherboard then move the drive into the new machine.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Past VCF Photo Galleries
by Jeffrey Brace 04 May '25

04 May '25

On Fri, May 2, 2025 at 8:20 PM Alexander Pierson via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > Mike, > > > Does your q7.neurotica.com site contain all of the older galleries you > used to keep on your previous website? I ask because in my travels of > gathering up links, I've found atleast half a dozen references to your old > website, but so far they're all for things that I already had the newer > version of on my directory. > > > Since posting about the page publicly, I've received no less than 4 dozen > new links so far. We're down to about 9 domestic events I'm missing > something from as of right now. Sadly, records from European events are > rather spotty, and I'm not sure who might have stuff from those events to > fill in those gaps. Either way, keep 'em coming! > I have some contacts with the european events. Here are some from VCF GB: https://www.facebook.com/vcfgb/photos_albums > > > Thanks, > > > -Alexander 'Z' Pierson >

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Signup Sheet for MARCH Repair Workshop - June 7-8
by Jeff Salzman 04 May '25

04 May '25

Here is the signup sheet for the upcoming MARCH Repair Workshop for Saturday and Sunday, June 7-8, 2025. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1LnfIzE2RH6EAPVMhQwnYPIyqi5mOL9BCSjZ… Note that this coincides with the VCF/MARCH Swap Meet that runs in the morning of June 7. https://vcfed.org/vcf-swap-meet/ Below are signup sheets for the other MARCH Workshops this year, in case you want to get a head start on reserving a space for future events. July 12-13: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Q0gBzeCUCYCjWWvyDh_2BqHSfl6ADPFO_EK… August 9-10: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1hT8BFEpNLZLa5ibWOG7sGZDzkd5S6Mmd13I… September 6-7: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/19Ngyq02l57Z3oEFSoQ24JXXuegF3goNNuJF… October 18-19: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1VjEFJF7lxYFgcdQk0OeNWjof1ZhrpYRPDqj… November 15-16: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ZZNkZB6MGB-xPF-LVwmzkpKP4dxqZWazqcA…

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Past VCF Photo Galleries
by Ethan Dicks 03 May '25

03 May '25

On Wed, Apr 30, 2025 at 1:44 AM Alexander Pierson via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > I don't know about you, but I find myself looking at photos of past VCFs for a number of reasons, and not just photos I took, or from events I attended. It affords us an opportunity to see community members, speakers, exhibitors, etc. who might no longer be with us. Yes! > So I made a directory of all the links I could find from every VCF I could find: > > https://www.commodorez.com/vcfarcgal.html Funny thing - I stumbled across this a few days ago on my own searches for VCFs past. My own goal was to populate a list of shows I've attended, and where I've presented or exhibited, on what. Your archives and links were most helpful! I'm still trying to track down a couple of data points - the oldest VCF East shows don't have show dates on the VCF archive pages. In particular, I'm missing dates for 3.0/2006, 5.0/2008, and 6.0/2009 (my own first VCF East wasn't until 2012). I have a quantity of pictures myself, but not (yet) sorted into albums, etc. I'm happy to find some place to post them for all. Thank you for pulling all this together! It's a fantastic historical resource. -ethan

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Anniversaries of MARCH/Vintage Computer Festival/Vintage Computer Federation
by jritzman＠neo.rr.com 02 May '25

02 May '25

REMOVE -----------------------------------------From: "Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic" To: "vcf-midatlantic" Cc: "Jeffrey Brace" Sent: Wednesday April 30 2025 1:10:18PM Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Anniversaries of MARCH/Vintage Computer Festival/Vintage Computer Federation On Wed, Apr 30, 2025 at 10:35 AM David Gesswein via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > Not sure which this is. From old email > That would be *MUSEUM 2.0*. VCF East 5.0 - September 13-14, 2008 That's the day that I joined this group as an attendee! > Highlights of VCF East 5.0 include a presentation by Bill Mauchly, son > of computer pioneer and ENIAC co-inventor John Mauchly, as well as the > grand opening of the MARCH Grabbe Computer Museum at the InfoAge > Learning Center. > > > -=/ VCF East 5.0 Speaker Schedule /=- > > Saturday, September 13 > > Time Speaker Topic > -------- ---------------- ------------------------------------------ > ... > 1:15 PM Evan Koblentz MARCH - Grabbe Computer Museum Opening > > > On Wed, Apr 30, 2025 at 10:24:04AM -0400, Jeffrey Brace via > vcf-midatlantic wrote: > > *2025* > > 20th VCF East > > 20th VCF Midwest > > 20th VCF West (originally not called West) > > 20th Anniversary of MARCH museum opening (May 14, 2005?) > > > > *2026* > > 10th Anniversary of Vintage Computer Federation (June 17, 2015) > > 20th Anniversary of VCF East @ InfoAge (May 13, 2006) > > 25th Anniversary of VCF East (July 28-29, 2001) > > > > I need to track down which year we opened MARCH museum 2.0 and 3.0. > > > > Take care! > > > > Jeff Brace > > VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President > > VCF East Showrunner > > VCF/MARCH Fundraising Manager > > Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity > > https://vcfed.org/ [1] /> > Links: ------ [1] https://vcfed.org/

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Northern VA - Meetup
by Ryan Stapleton 02 May '25

02 May '25

Hello All, I hope you had a great time at System Source this past weekend (I know I did) and their swap meet. Pick up something neat? In the DMV area and want to show it off? I have an event for you. This Sunday May the 4th! Yes Star Wars day! From 1-6 PM @ the Chantilly Regional Library. 4000 Stringfellow Rd Chantilly, VA, 20151-2628 https://www.bluewizard.net/dmvvcm/vintagecomputermeetup/ Just as a reminder we are at the local library and we are unable to do buying or selling on property. Also means please eat before or post event as we are limited to light things. I hope to see ya there and chat with as many people as I can. Thank you -Ryan Stapleton

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May 17th Workshop / kennett classic surplus sale open online orders
by Bill Degnan 01 May '25

01 May '25

https://www.kennettclassic.com/surplus/ Lots of items remain. Priced cheap for pick-up only https://www.kennettclassic.com/workshop-scheduled-for-may-17th/ Kennett Classic Workshop May 17th If you buy an item from the surplus I can bring it to the KC workshop on the 17th. Also have a complete NeXT cube with display, mouse, keyboard. SCSI2SD card harddrive installed. Works $2700. Will consider shipping this. Contact me privately with questions. BIll Degnan kennettclassic.com 484 732 7041

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Anniversaries of MARCH/Vintage Computer Festival/Vintage Computer Federation
by Jeffrey Brace 30 Apr '25

30 Apr '25

*2025* 20th VCF East 20th VCF Midwest 20th VCF West (originally not called West) 20th Anniversary of MARCH museum opening (May 14, 2005?) *2026* 10th Anniversary of Vintage Computer Federation (June 17, 2015) 20th Anniversary of VCF East @ InfoAge (May 13, 2006) 25th Anniversary of VCF East (July 28-29, 2001) I need to track down which year we opened MARCH museum 2.0 and 3.0. Take care! Jeff Brace VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President VCF East Showrunner VCF/MARCH Fundraising Manager Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity https://vcfed.org/ <http://www.vcfed.org/>

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Past VCF Photo Galleries
by Christian Liendo 30 Apr '25

30 Apr '25

Thank you for putting all of them together, it's a good idea. It's funny that you mention this I was going though old USB drives and found images from MARCH's Spring 2009 party, back when there were Spring Parties. https://photos.app.goo.gl/kbpk55UVu17MMvHr9 On Wed, Apr 30, 2025 at 1:44 AM Alexander Pierson via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > Howdy, > > > > I don't know about you, but I find myself looking at photos of past VCFs for a number of reasons, and not just photos I took, or from events I attended. It affords us an opportunity to see community members, speakers, exhibitors, etc. who might no longer be with us. I can think of a few names off the top of my head who have passed on, yet remain immortalized in event photo sets. We can see how things have changed within the hobby, but also machines that sometimes haven't come back on display in a long time. Personally, I like finding photos of myself for posterity (and maybe a little prosperity), or what my exhibit looked like. People work hard putting those exhibits together, and finding out that someone else cared enough to take a few photos of it can mean the world to the exhibitor. I think it's important that we keep record of vintage computer festivals just as much as we keep records of the computers we celebrate. Plus, many of these events have gotten so big that if you miss something, the only way to see everything is in retrospect through the lens of someone else. > > > > > The problem I've encountered is that finding these galleries has been difficult at times, especially the farther back you go. They're scattered across the web, and things like link rot, domains going away, image hosting shifting like sand -- these all contribute to the history getting harder to find. You've also got walled gardens to contend with, and not everyone having solid free image hosting options available to them. > > > > > So I made a directory of all the links I could find from every VCF I could find: > > > https://www.commodorez.com/vcfarcgal.html > > > > East, West, Midwest, Southwest, Southeast, Pacific Northwest, SoCal, UK, Europe, Italia, Zurich, Lite, and whatever else is out there that I'm forgetting, I want links to all of it. I've been asking folks I know, as well as pulling from links provided by the VCFed and VCFMW to get it all centralized and easier to traverse. Is this a perfect solution to the problem? Certainly not; it's far from archival. But hopefully it's a step in the right direction. While I'm not looking to host content for others, I am interested in making it easier to find this stuff in the future. > > > > Here's where you come in: Do you have a link to a public VCF photo gallery that's not on my list but should be? Maybe an article about the show? A video? Send that link my way! Though I do ask that you check first to see if it's already on there... > > > > Thanks! > > > -Alexander 'Z' Pierson

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Past VCF Photo Galleries
by Jeffrey Brace 30 Apr '25

30 Apr '25

Hello Alexander, Thanks for doing this! It just so happens that I was looking for pictures for something and found some from VCF East 3.0 (2006). It doesn't look like these are on any websites. I can't remember where I got them from. Maybe a CD of pictures or sent from Evan Koblentz many years ago. I've been thinking about the best solution as well for hosting pictures that I have taken or that others want to contribute. For now it is just a Google Drive or Google Photos. I need to get them more organized and in one place now that VCF has 100TB of space of Google storage to use. I wonder how much space all of these photos would take up. Jeff Brace On Wed, Apr 30, 2025 at 1:43 AM Alexander Pierson via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > Howdy, > > > > I don't know about you, but I find myself looking at photos of past VCFs > for a number of reasons, and not just photos I took, or from events I > attended. It affords us an opportunity to see community members, speakers, > exhibitors, etc. who might no longer be with us. I can think of a few > names off the top of my head who have passed on, yet remain immortalized in > event photo sets. We can see how things have changed within the hobby, but > also machines that sometimes haven't come back on display in a long time. > Personally, I like finding photos of myself for posterity (and maybe a > little prosperity), or what my exhibit looked like. People work hard > putting those exhibits together, and finding out that someone else cared > enough to take a few photos of it can mean the world to the exhibitor. I > think it's important that we keep record of vintage computer festivals just > as much as we keep records of the computers we celebrate. Plus, many of > these events have gotten so big that if you miss something, the only way to > see everything is in retrospect through the lens of someone else. > > > > > The problem I've encountered is that finding these galleries has been > difficult at times, especially the farther back you go. They're scattered > across the web, and things like link rot, domains going away, image hosting > shifting like sand -- these all contribute to the history getting harder to > find. You've also got walled gardens to contend with, and not everyone > having solid free image hosting options available to them. > > > > > So I made a directory of all the links I could find from every VCF I could > find: > > > https://www.commodorez.com/vcfarcgal.html > > > > East, West, Midwest, Southwest, Southeast, Pacific Northwest, SoCal, UK, > Europe, Italia, Zurich, Lite, and whatever else is out there that I'm > forgetting, I want links to all of it. I've been asking folks I know, as > well as pulling from links provided by the VCFed and VCFMW to get it all > centralized and easier to traverse. Is this a perfect solution to the > problem? Certainly not; it's far from archival. But hopefully it's a step > in the right direction. While I'm not looking to host content for others, I > am interested in making it easier to find this stuff in the future. > > > > Here's where you come in: Do you have a link to a public VCF photo > gallery that's not on my list but should be? Maybe an article about the > show? A video? Send that link my way! Though I do ask that you check > first to see if it's already on there... > > > > Thanks! > > > -Alexander 'Z' Pierson >

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Past VCF Photo Galleries
by Alexander Pierson 30 Apr '25

30 Apr '25

Howdy, I don't know about you, but I find myself looking at photos of past VCFs for a number of reasons, and not just photos I took, or from events I attended. It affords us an opportunity to see community members, speakers, exhibitors, etc. who might no longer be with us. I can think of a few names off the top of my head who have passed on, yet remain immortalized in event photo sets. We can see how things have changed within the hobby, but also machines that sometimes haven't come back on display in a long time. Personally, I like finding photos of myself for posterity (and maybe a little prosperity), or what my exhibit looked like. People work hard putting those exhibits together, and finding out that someone else cared enough to take a few photos of it can mean the world to the exhibitor. I think it's important that we keep record of vintage computer festivals just as much as we keep records of the computers we celebrate. Plus, many of these events have gotten so big that if you miss something, the only way to see everything is in retrospect through the lens of someone else. The problem I've encountered is that finding these galleries has been difficult at times, especially the farther back you go. They're scattered across the web, and things like link rot, domains going away, image hosting shifting like sand -- these all contribute to the history getting harder to find. You've also got walled gardens to contend with, and not everyone having solid free image hosting options available to them. So I made a directory of all the links I could find from every VCF I could find: https://www.commodorez.com/vcfarcgal.html East, West, Midwest, Southwest, Southeast, Pacific Northwest, SoCal, UK, Europe, Italia, Zurich, Lite, and whatever else is out there that I'm forgetting, I want links to all of it. I've been asking folks I know, as well as pulling from links provided by the VCFed and VCFMW to get it all centralized and easier to traverse. Is this a perfect solution to the problem? Certainly not; it's far from archival. But hopefully it's a step in the right direction. While I'm not looking to host content for others, I am interested in making it easier to find this stuff in the future. Here's where you come in: Do you have a link to a public VCF photo gallery that's not on my list but should be? Maybe an article about the show? A video? Send that link my way! Though I do ask that you check first to see if it's already on there... Thanks! -Alexander 'Z' Pierson

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VCF/MARCH Swap Meet June 7 @ InfoAge
by Jeffrey Brace 28 Apr '25

28 Apr '25

All the information is here: https://vcfed.org/vcf-swap-meet/ Any questions? Jeff Brace MARCH Fundraising Manager

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SOL1 with Koyo Monitor with Imgur Link
by Christian Liendo 25 Apr '25

25 Apr '25

So I realized I called the Koyo monitor a Toyota Monitor, which is incorrect I uploaded the images to imgur so you can see what is part of the package https://imgur.com/a/gKmE73Q

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System Source Swap Meet Weather Update
by Ryan Burke 24 Apr '25

24 Apr '25

Due to the high likelihood of rain on Saturday, April 26th, we have decided to postpone the swap meet until the next day, Sunday, April 27th. The museum will still be open for a regular workshop day on Saturday from 9:00 AM until 9:00 PM. The Sunday swap meet will have the same times as was planned for Saturday. On Sunday, setup for vendors will be at 7:00 AM, and general admission for the public will be 8:00 AM. Please email me here at rburke(a)syssrc.com with any questions.

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SysSrc swap / TI SN76489 Colecovision sound IC
by Ethan O'Toole 24 Apr '25

24 Apr '25

Anyone have a spare SN 76489 colecovision / Tandy 1000SX sound IC I could buy from you at the system source swap? My colecovision one died, I tested with one from my Tandy 1000SX and narrowed it down. Figured I would ask. - Ethan

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Sol 20 with Toyota Monitor $1500
by Christian Liendo 23 Apr '25

23 Apr '25

A guy I know is selling his Sol. He is in Brooklyn and he wants to sell this and have it picked up. He won't ship and I don't blame him. I have a picture but I know the email thread doesn't allow pictures so I can send to you Here is his post Processor Technology Sol-20 Terminal Computer + Koyo Monitor + Manuals Selling a piece of digital history. Purchased in 1977, it predates the Big Three: the Apple II, Commodore PET and Radio Shack Tandy TRS-80. It includes 24K RAM, GraphicAdd board, Music System board, Koyo Monitor, 9 manuals, data cassettes (I don’t know if they are still readable). Sadly, this beauty no longer functions properly but the right hands might be able to bring it back to life. It does power up, but the output is a random series of characters (see photo). All IC chips are in sockets, so it’s possible that reseating them might help, but I’m no hardware expert. It is being sold as is. Cassettes: Basic 5, Extended Cassette Basic, Music System, Gamepac1, Games. It’s a beauty to display for a collector or a promising project to restore for a techie.

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NavCore (Navigational Computer Systems, Inc.)
by Jeffrey Brace 23 Apr '25

23 Apr '25

VCF recently acquired a donation from the daughter of John Paul Jones, Jr (now deceased). Apparently he was the founder of NavCore which operated out of Norristown, PA. He was a prolific inventor who had as many as 100 U.S. patents (I've only found 50 or so of them). We went through most of his donations which are mostly paper materials such as brochures, company reports, patent applications, books and photographs. We received a few of his computer inventions as well. So far no one I have talked to has heard of this company. I'm just curious if anyone else has. We are still researching, but there are lots of interesting things in the materials. Jeff Brace VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President

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Marlin P Jones (electronic surplus) is shutting down
by Jeffrey Jonas 23 Apr '25

23 Apr '25

mpja.com Marlin P. Jones is shutting down after 40 years of electronic surplus. So few surplus electronics stores remain: Goldmine, who else? At least I got to visit the West Palm Beach, Florida store when I could. -- Jeff Jonas

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NeXT Cube on Facebook Mktpl
by Bill Degnan 23 Apr '25

23 Apr '25

https://www.facebook.com/share/1BrusRoaB6/?mibextid=wwXIfr

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SGI IO9 card available?
by David Riley 21 Apr '25

21 Apr '25

Hey all, I have a coworker who needs an SGI IO9 card (used in Origin 350 systems, among others) rather urgently. Does anyone have any available? He's found one potential option from a parts vendor, but it's a -005 rather than the -006 in the system, and it's unclear if there's any difference (the National Stock Number registry indicates all variants from -001 through -006 are compatible, but that's not exactly gospel). If you can help out, he'd love to hear from you, and I can put you directly in touch. Thanks! - Dave

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May 17th Kennett Classic Workshop
by Bill Degnan 21 Apr '25

21 Apr '25

For those of you not on the KC list, we’re having a workshop May 17th near where the original museum was located. If you’re around, visit kennettclassic.com for more details. Were eventually moving to a permanent new location but for now the museum and library is only available by appointment Thanks Bill

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VCF East 2025 Survey Results
by Jeffrey Brace 19 Apr '25

19 Apr '25

https://bit.ly/vcfe2025post_results Jeff Brace VCF East Showrunner

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VCF East 2025 photo gallery...
by William Sudbrink 18 Apr '25

18 Apr '25

Commodore Z has put up a very nice gallery of photos of VCF East 2025. Bill S. -- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. www.avast.com

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Swap Meet Reminder
by Ryan Burke 18 Apr '25

18 Apr '25

The Computer Museum at System Source is hosting another swap meet next Saturday, April 26th with a rain date of Sunday, April 27th in Hunt Valley, Maryland. We have over 20 vendors so far, and the museum will be liquidating some duplicates from our overstuffed warehouse. You can expect to see: Power Mac G3 and G4s Nintendo 2DS and more game consoles iPods Laptops and PowerBooks Mac IIci Polaroid cameras PCs, IBM and more Come and check us out, and help us spread the work! Register and find more information at this link: https://ca.syssrc.com/wp/?page_id=105&civiwp=CiviCRM&q=civicrm%2Fevent%2Fin…

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] VCF Class Idea...
by Jameel akari 18 Apr '25

18 Apr '25

If it looks like I can make VCF East next year, I’d be happy to teach a class on this - and other more-vintage cabling. It’s not quite too-soon, IMO, when we have machines going on 30-35 years old that have Ethernet. -- Jameel Akari > On Apr 14, 2025, at 2:35 PM, Hopkins, Justin via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > <mime-attachment>

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] VCF Class Idea ...
by Jeffrey Jonas 16 Apr '25

16 Apr '25

I had a job crimping lotsa RJ45 "ice cubes". 1) use GOOD TOOLS. I prefer the Tyco/Amp RJ45 Die Crimp Tool for Cat5. It punches down all the connectors equally, unlike a hinged tool. The cutter would be perfect if it had a depth/length gauge. Cut too short and the wires don't go all the way into the connector. Too long and the strain relief won't work. I find a clothes-pin style jacket stripper is just fine. 2) Put on the rubber boot FIRST! What color? That's up to you! If you get the pretty pink ones, that means I really like you :-) 3) My way of handling EIA/TIA-T568B - spread out the 4 pairs like a star - untwist each pair using the removed jacket like a straw around one wire - flatten the wires using something smooth like needle nose pliers or a metal bar - work with pairs, not individual wires - due to the center pairs being intertwined, I start from the center and work outwards: + start with the BLUE pair, solid to the LEFT + put the GREEN pair AROUND it, solid to the RIGHT + ORANGE pair to the LEFT + BROWN pair to the RIGHT - check the wires: SOLID colors always ALTERNATE with striped wires - insert into the "ice cube" connector - check the colors. again. - check all wires touch the end - check the jacket is inserted as far as possible, so the strain relief works - THEN crimp - test the cable with a cable tester. Really nice cable testers have multiple remote ends to identify up to 4 cables, and have a TDR (time domain reflectometer) to measure the cable length. > Include 10-base-2 for those who want to recreate that style of networking. Including wire-splinters from the braid? No thank you :-0 And that opens up the can-of-worms: twist-on connector vs. crimp everything. > You could also include building serial cables (9 and 25 pin) > both straight through and null-modem. Too many variations: - ribbon cable, crimp pins vs. solder cup - there are several null modem variations, as well as cheating (only 3 wires) fondly, Jeff Jonas

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Wang PC-S1-3 workstations and PM-004 displays
by Dean Notarnicola 15 Apr '25

15 Apr '25

Anyone want to rescue these for the museum? https://www.facebook.com/share/1C18pvAXKL/?mibextid=wwXIfr

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] VCF Class Idea...
by Jeffrey Brace 14 Apr '25

14 Apr '25

On Mon, Apr 14, 2025 at 2:35 PM Hopkins, Justin via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > I know this probably will have zero interest besides me... But is there > any interest in doing a class on how to create/repair Cat-5 cables? > I think yes. The current idea for next year's classroom is: not just one computer, but one computer and multiple other topics that are all hands-on. We have been heading in this direction for a while now and it makes sense. I just wish that we had multiple classrooms so that we could do more. > I have a repair kit, but it came with non-pass through cable endings, and > it took me literally an hour to make one) > > (the glitchwrks email just triggered my brain because they were next to > the soldering classroom at VCF east) > Also, one thing about the VCF East program that I missed when reviewing it > and only realized it after I got to VCF East. It had a start time but not > an ending time for breakfast... > > > > This message and any attachments are intended only for the use of the > addressee and may contain information that is privileged and confidential. > If the reader of the message is not the intended recipient or an authorized > representative of the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any > dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have > received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by > e-mail and delete the message and any attachments from your system. >

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] VCF Class Idea...
by Chris Fala 14 Apr '25

14 Apr '25

This is one skill that I happen to possess :-), and I would be happy to give a lesson. Not sure when I will be at infoAge next, though. Chris On Mon, Apr 14, 2025 at 2:35 PM Hopkins, Justin via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > I know this probably will have zero interest besides me... But is there > any interest in doing a class on how to create/repair Cat-5 cables? > I have a repair kit, but it came with non-pass through cable endings, and > it took me literally an hour to make one) > > (the glitchwrks email just triggered my brain because they were next to > the soldering classroom at VCF east) > Also, one thing about the VCF East program that I missed when reviewing it > and only realized it after I got to VCF East. It had a start time but not > an ending time for breakfast... > > > > This message and any attachments are intended only for the use of the > addressee and may contain information that is privileged and confidential. > If the reader of the message is not the intended recipient or an authorized > representative of the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any > dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have > received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by > e-mail and delete the message and any attachments from your system. >

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VCF Class Idea...
by Hopkins, Justin 14 Apr '25

14 Apr '25

I know this probably will have zero interest besides me... But is there any interest in doing a class on how to create/repair Cat-5 cables? I have a repair kit, but it came with non-pass through cable endings, and it took me literally an hour to make one) (the glitchwrks email just triggered my brain because they were next to the soldering classroom at VCF east) Also, one thing about the VCF East program that I missed when reviewing it and only realized it after I got to VCF East. It had a start time but not an ending time for breakfast... This message and any attachments are intended only for the use of the addressee and may contain information that is privileged and confidential. If the reader of the message is not the intended recipient or an authorized representative of the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by e-mail and delete the message and any attachments from your system.

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Ping Glitch
by Neil Cherry 14 Apr '25

14 Apr '25

Sorry folks but I can't seem to send anything to Jonathan (Glitch). I've tried his direct email, his web site and used my gmail account with no luck. So trying this method. -- Linux Home Automation Neil Cherry kd2zrq(a)linuxha.com http://www.linuxha.com/ Main site http://linuxha.blogspot.com/ My HA Blog Author of: Linux Smart Homes For Dummies KD2ZRQ

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] VCF Class Idea...
by Bill Degnan 14 Apr '25

14 Apr '25

That’s not a terrible idea. It may be a few years premature, but only a few years. Bill On Mon, Apr 14, 2025 at 2:36 PM Hopkins, Justin via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > I know this probably will have zero interest besides me... But is there > any interest in doing a class on how to create/repair Cat-5 cables? > I have a repair kit, but it came with non-pass through cable endings, and > it took me literally an hour to make one) > > (the glitchwrks email just triggered my brain because they were next to > the soldering classroom at VCF east) > Also, one thing about the VCF East program that I missed when reviewing it > and only realized it after I got to VCF East. It had a start time but not > an ending time for breakfast... > > > > This message and any attachments are intended only for the use of the > addressee and may contain information that is privileged and confidential. > If the reader of the message is not the intended recipient or an authorized > representative of the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any > dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have > received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by > e-mail and delete the message and any attachments from your system. >

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] But...Windows 95...
by Dean Notarnicola 13 Apr '25

13 Apr '25

I think part of the resistance is the fact that Windows as it was is largely still with us, at least in spirit, and that the first exposure people around my age had to it was in a work environment. So we don’t exactly have fond memories of playing with it. I know I didn’t have fun loading it from diskette for hours and trying to get real mode drivers to play nice. For us, early 8 and 16-bit micros were fun, PCs were (mostly) work. For us who like to tinker with hardware in the 90s, PCs started becoming more and more black boxes. That being said, thirty is indeed retro. And I believe many are nostalgic for it and would be interested, especially if introduced with a short history of computer GUI’s, Windows evolution and the challenges we faced configuring and running it in the days of ‘Plug and pray’ which would still involve a short side trip Into memory and IRQ conflicts. Care to volunteer? On Wed, Apr 2, 2025 at 1:14 PM Jeffrey Golas via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > Anyone else that would have been mildly interested in the Win95 talk? Its > turning 30 this year in August, is that retro yet? > > I know some have serious Winderz hate and thats ok, but I have fond > memories waiting for it to boot on a 486 dx2 I got used and admiring the > new graphics. > > Jeff

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?End of an era?: The last RadioShack in Maryland is closing its doors
by Herbert Johnson 13 Apr '25

13 Apr '25

I'm not satisfied with the "suits killed Radio Shack" suggestions. Web search about the 21st century history of Radio Shack - or searching one's memory of the last 30 years - is that it was competing with direct online sales of components and consumer electronics at lower prices and more selection. Retail companies had all kinds of issues in the period. "Amazon"? "WalMart"? They still do. Details are business history matters that are usually outside the general discussions here. The question implied by the subject thread, is about the future of the Radio Shack name as a storefront (presumably in the USA where most of us are). Web search takes some time but finds a general answer soon enough. I'll be brief and provide actual references. Wikipedia says the "RadioShack" brand is owned since 2023 by Unicomer, bought from another corporation that bought up Radio Shack several years prior. Wikipedia says Unicomer Caribbean Holding Co. Ltd is a multinational retailing and consumer finance group headquartered in San Salvador, El Salvador with regional offices in Miami, Trinidad, Jamaica, and Costa Rica. It operates several chains of retail brands in the consumer durables sector, specializing in furniture, audio & video, appliances, and electronics in Central America, the Caribbean, South America, and United States. ... But the radioshack.com Web site, shows NO stores today, anywhere, in their "find a store" maps. It mentions plans to come back in the US and something about stores through Central America. The site sells branded electrical products online, a limited selection. https://www.soundandvision.com/content/yes-radioshack-stores-still-exist https://recommendedstations.com/2025/02/01/the-shack-is-back/ https://www.twice.com/industry/radioshack-returns-to-u-s-as-product-brand These articles suggest, previous Radio Shack stores had some license agreement to use the Radio Shack brand for some time; and may in the future get relicensed with Unicomer. Some stores may have simply left the expensive signage up. The twice.com article references a CES 2025 show appearance by Unicomer to promote Radio Shack and its storefront future as RadioShack USA and as a product brand. Unicomer seems to have a modest storefront presence, a few hundred stores in South and Central America and Caribbean. As vintage computerists of age, we've seen old electronic and computer brand-names, sold and reused to tag modern consumer products, occasionally computing products, sometimes services. Not too many vintage retailers come back as actual stores. The concept of brick-store franchises itself is endangered. But either as old signage or as possible franchises, it appears that "Radio Shack" is not at its very end. Regards Herb Johnson doin' the homework -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey USA https://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net preserve, recover, restore 1970's computing email: hjohnson AT retrotechnology DOT com or try later herbjohnson AT comcast DOT net

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‘End of an era’: The last RadioShack in Maryland is closing its doors
by Christian Liendo 12 Apr '25

12 Apr '25

https://wtop.com/calvert-county/2025/04/end-of-an-era-the-last-radioshack-i…

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] ‘End of an era’: The last RadioShack in Maryland is closing its doors
by Mike Loewen 11 Apr '25

11 Apr '25

On Fri, 11 Apr 2025, Sentrytv via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > I was told and somebody can correct me if I’m wrong That there is still a > Radioshack privately owned up in Boston I don’t remember where but maybe > somebody could have the details available My cousin owns a Radio Shack in New Holland, PA. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XU-OYWAh6vw Mike Loewen mloewen(a)cpumagic.scol.pa.us Old Technology http://q7.neurotica.com/Oldtech/

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] MS 50th anniversary
by Jeffrey Jonas 11 Apr '25

11 Apr '25

An exhibitor had the infamous "Letter to Hobbyists" on a high speed paper tape punch, zipping out copies of said BASIC. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/An_Open_Letter_to_Hobbyists

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