- vcf-midatlantic - lists.vcfed.org

DAT tapes
by Kelly Leavitt 15 Jan '18

15 Jan '18

I have a couple of NIB DAT tapes. Some DDS-4, some DAT 24 some DAT 72. I figured someone might still be running stuff that could use these. If so, send me your address. I'll drop them in a fixed rate box. There's some cleaning tapes too. First one gets them. Kelly

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Favorite quote at workshop dinner
by Jeffrey Brace 15 Jan '18

15 Jan '18

So 10 of us went to the Main Street Grill for dinner last night and the waitress remembered our group from last time. Evan said: “We’re geeks.” The waitress said: “Whatever you guys are into I don’t judge.”

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Osborne 1 boot disk?
by Herb Johnson 14 Jan '18

14 Jan '18

Someone local to me, who has been helpful to some of us in the vintage community, has asked me about a boot diskette "for an Osborne 1". I told him to determine if he needs single or double density. I can't make such a disk for him, I suggested Dunfield's "imagedisk". Meanwhile, if someone has means to make and mail single or double density Osborne 1 boot diskettes, please email me privately [not in this email list!], discuss your terms to do so. I'll forward his request to you, you can reply to him accordingly. My email address can be found on my Web site, or you have it from this VCFed email discussion. Herb Johnson -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey in the USA http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net

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Vintage CPUs doing OK with Meltdown/Spectre
by John Heritage 14 Jan '18

14 Jan '18

I just wanted to report my 68020 powered Amiga 1200 is surfing the web securely despite the new vulnerabilities.. My 68000 based Mega STE with NIC also seemed unaffected. I haven't dialed any BBSes lately on my Atari 800XL, but I'm pretty confident that machine is safe too. I felt these were pretty risky as they are "modern" machines with complex custom chips, but they seem to be doing OK. So far I haven't heard of any floppy virus variants of Meltdown/Spectre. I hope everyone else has vintage machines available to survive the security apocalypse this year :)

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Semi-OT: Meltdown-Spectre Confusion..
by Joseph Oprysko 14 Jan '18

14 Jan '18

It’s been said that the Meltdown/Spectre flaws affect CPU’s as far back as 1995. Which in some opinions possibly could put some of the affected processors into the ‘vintage’ range. But I’ve yet to see a comprehensive list of all processors affected. Intel released a list, but that only goes back to around 2011 or so with the branding change to “Core” and others released in the time since. I’m curious about exactly what CPU devices, regardless of manufacturer, other than those listed, that are also affected. So including ARM processors, AMD, PowerPC?, G3/4/5? that may vulnerable to those flaws. And where they got the 1995 date from, because there’s a fair number of disused processors in that timeframe as well. Anyone have any insights on this? -- Normal Person: Hey, it seems that you know a lot. Geek: To be honest, it's due to all the surfing I do. Normal Person: So you go surfing? Normal Person: But I don't think that has anything to do with knowing a lot... Geek: I think that's wrong on a fundamental level. Normal Person: Huh? Huh? What?

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Can Anyone Bring a CF-to-IDE Adapter This Morning?
by J. Alexander Jacocks 14 Jan '18

14 Jan '18

I brought one, but it seems to be broken. Thanks! - Alex

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Anyone with a QIC drive or original LaserDisc player coming to Festivus?
by Jason Perkins 14 Jan '18

14 Jan '18

The planets aligned, and it looks like I'll be able to make it to Festivus this year :D I have a QIC tape that has the OS for the TI MicroExplorer LISP card I got a few years back... and no way to read it. It's Mac formatted somehow. Does anyone have something that could read this tape? I've also got some somewhat degraded LaserDiscs from 1979 that don't play in my 1990s player. If someone has one of the original machines with a helium neon laser tube I'd love to see if the discs are salvageable. Thanks! -- Jason Perkins 313 355 0085

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Sold on eBay: Convergent Technologies S/50 a.k.a. Unix PC, AT&T 3B1 Unix Workstation
by AJ Palmgren 14 Jan '18

14 Jan '18

I'm just wondering if anybody here did (or knows who) bought this one. http://ebay.to/2DaRr13 Even though these were all manufactured by Convergent Technologies, this one is actually BRANDED by Convergent, as their model S/50. And there's software included here. I tried to buy myself, but just missed it. I'd really like to connect with the buyer here, to see if we can do a more expansive documentation project on this machine, as well as an archival of the software that was included. As far as I know, this is the only Convergent S/50 I've ever seen that has survived, especially with all the CONVERGENT software and manuals (vs the AT&T ones)! Thanks! -AJ http://MightyFrame.com

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Sunday breakfast
by Evan Koblentz 14 Jan '18

14 Jan '18

We'll be at the Princess Maria Diner, Rt. 35 in Wall, at 9am tomorrow

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Wow! 20 attendees at VCF Repair
by Blatboy 13 Jan '18

13 Jan '18

Oh man. I'm sorry I'm going to miss this one. I'm playing in Tuscon... :( Hopefully will be able to make the February one. I picked up a couple PET 4016s I need to bring in and work on... Have fun! Walter http://www.jwalterhawkes.com http://www.blatboy.com like to know where/when I'm playing? Click here <http://www.blatomaster.com/mlist.php> to sign up for my list, and let the babble begin.

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Opening around 10am tomorrow
by Evan Koblentz 13 Jan '18

13 Jan '18

Workshop attendees: Jeff B. won't be there until the afternoon, so I will open up around 10am tomorrow. On Jan 11, 2018 10:20 PM, "Jeff Galinat via vcf-midatlantic" < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: On Tue, Jan 9, 2018 at 2:11 PM, Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: > Here is the signup link for those that are still interested: > https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1P_V4ZK7gVPihRXoDL4Ij4o4tNpB4MlwU > djqiboLnESc/edit?usp=sharing > > I'm extending the time to signup until Thursday at midnight. > I recently obtained a smaller 5A Variac that is surplus to my needs as I already have 2. These are very useful in bringing up a linear power supply gradually to "reform" older caps I was looking for $60 for it so if anyone is interested please let me know before 6am Saturday & I will bring it. I will bring all my TTL/Microprocessor/RAM/discrete components parts stock along with soldering/desoldering tools and some test equipment if that is able to help anyone else out with their projects. Please let me know if you need something specific that I might have. Regards, Jeff

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[OT] Film Projectors at ReStore
by J. Alexander Jacocks 12 Jan '18

12 Jan '18

All, There was an assortment of film projectors, in excellent condition, at the ReStore, Frederick, MD: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1-7Fw9ULlWWembNnpQPEEk3-NYM_aur90 Really brought back memories, for me, but I don’t own any film. If anyone is interested, let me know and I can pick them up. - Alex

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Wow! 20 attendees at VCF Repair Workshop January 2018 update
by Jeffrey Brace 12 Jan '18

12 Jan '18

Here is the signup link for those that are still interested: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1P_V4ZK7gVPihRXoDL4Ij4o4tNpB4MlwUdjq… I'm extending the time to signup until Thursday at midnight. Looks like we have 20 people signed up for the workshop. I think that this is the biggest ever. I'm happy that we are going to have a great turn out. The weather looks to be warm on Saturday 50F with rain. And colder on Sunday with 30 degrees. I'm just glad that there is no snow. The snow that is on campus should be mostly melted by Saturday. Please make sure to park on blacktop and not the grass or dirt. We still have space available, but it is important to let me know ahead of time if you are coming so that tables are available, otherwise you get to carry tables from another building. Otherwise you get to buy me lunch for my troubles.

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Important note about this weekend's workshop
by Evan Koblentz 12 Jan '18

12 Jan '18

Everyone, I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that a precocious 10-year-old (Connor S.) visited our museum and wants to learn more about his Apple IIGS. He and his father Alan are attending the workshop Saturday. Our guest may be precocious but he's very young. Please keep the daytime drinking and (ahem) presidential language to a minimum when he is there.

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[OT] Does Anyone Have a Spare Touch Enabled LCD?
by J. Alexander Jacocks 11 Jan '18

11 Jan '18

All, Does anyone have a spare touch-enabled LCD monitor? I'm looking for one that's at least 10", for a CNC controller. They are available on eBay, but none are exactly what I want. I'd prefer an HDMI/USB unit, but will take VGA/USB, if that's what's available. It'd be great if anyone could bring one to the workshop, this weekend. Thanks! - Alex

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Possible updates to my book: feedback wanted
by Evan Koblentz 11 Jan '18

11 Jan '18

I'm pondering a second edition of my book, "Abacus to smartphone: The evolution of mobile and portable computers" (www.abacustosmartphone.com) A question for those who read the first edition: what if any significant changes/updates would you like to see?

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Requesting help for local pickup from Inwood NY (near JFK Airport)
by malcolm＠avitech.com.au 10 Jan '18

10 Jan '18

Greetings all. Down here in Australia we've been putting together a reproduction of an early 1980's single-board computer called the Super 80. There's some information about the original Super 80 on this Wikipedia page -> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Smith_Super-80_Computer The PCB reproduction has been completed, and we'll shortly be placing the custom manufacturing order for the keyboard kit. One part we've had trouble locating is a suitable transformer (it needs to have 12-0-12 and 7VAC secondaries). The only part we can find worldwide is manufactured in Inwood NY. They have stock on hand currently. Is there anyone who can help out by picking up an order of about 10 transformers (2.8 pounds each) and helping to get them mailed out to Australia via the U.S. Postal Service? We've not had any luck trying to work out a cost-effective international shipping arrangement with the manufacturer. There is no hurry to get this done - anytime in the next few weeks would be fine. Cheers, Malcolm (Melbourne, Australia)

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IDE DOM or CFCard for disk emulator
by corey cohen 10 Jan '18

10 Jan '18

So I’m trying to understand which is better, forgetting you can quickly remove a CF Card vs the IDE DOM. I’m just about done with my Lisa 2/10 and am using an XProfile drive replacement for the widget drive. With the way the XProfile is mounted both an IDE DOM and CF Card are easy to swap in and out but I’m worried that in the long run LisaOS does a lot of writing of state to the disk. For the occasional MacWorks use to run Macintosh software on the Lisa, I will use a CF Card. Does one have a different read/write duty cycle so it will last longer? Or are they really these days just the same thing in a different package/interface? Thanks, Corey corey cohen uǝɥoɔ ʎǝɹoɔ

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Who's going to VCF Pacific Northwest?
by Jim Scheef 10 Jan '18

10 Jan '18

The Living Computer Museum has been on my list of things to do since it opened. Combined with a VC Festival, it is irresistible. So I have my plane ticket and hotel reservation. Who else is going? If it makes a difference, I'm staying at the Georgetown Inn about 3 miles south of the museum. Jim

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Urgent: Anyone near Elizabethtown, PA?
by Evan Koblentz 08 Jan '18

08 Jan '18

Who can pick up a small item near Elizabethtown PA for the museum?

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IBM 1520 on EBAY
by Douglas Crawford 08 Jan '18

08 Jan '18

No doubt ebay frequenters have seen this, but I thought I'd post it for those that don't frequent it since I've not seen one come up since getting involve in vintage 7 ish years ago. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-IBM-5120-computer-with-documentation/12288…

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OT: Sinclair zx81 memopaks
by Tony Bogan 08 Jan '18

08 Jan '18

All, I recently acquired a memopak16 and memopak32 in original packaging for the Sinclair zx81. The 32k may have been used, the 16k was definitely used as you can see the insertion scratches on the edge connector pins. Both are in excellent shape, I have no way of testing these as I do not own a Sinclair. If anyone going to the workshop this coming weekend has any interest I will bring them with me. Otherwise contact me off list if you're interested. Not looking for much, they go for $15-$50 on eBay depending on the day of the week and the barometric pressure ;-) I'm happy with $15 plus shipping for the 16k and $20 plus ship for the 32k. Gets my $$ back for the stuff I picked up they were with which is all I am looking for. Tony Sent from my iPhone

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h89 in your neighborhood
by alex bodnar 08 Jan '18

08 Jan '18

Mike, just saw this on epay, but it looks ok and cheap too. "https://www.ebay.com/itm/Zenith-Data-Systems-Z90-80-Vintage-Computer-Z-90-P owers-On/112736191208?hash=item1a3f99c2e8:g:~6MAAOSw~y9ZF1J5" Alex Alex M. Bodnar amateur Radio: K3CIM Emergency Services: ARES/RACES

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OT: "storagebanner"
by Evan Koblentz 08 Jan '18

08 Jan '18

This is truly off-topic. Other than an Oct. 6, 2017 Tweet by @storagehulk, can anyone find me online references to a defunct data storage reseller called "Storagebanner"? Please reply to me off-list only. Thank you.

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Docent duty at the workshop (Jan. 13 & 14) 2018
by Jeffrey Brace 07 Jan '18

07 Jan '18

For those attending the workshop next weekend, I created a signup list for docent duty. If you are interested, then let me know and signup here: < https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1nJnUUNX-ub1RDhFDpINcXk0G1ZhCbbLB-39… >

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Museum closed today 1/7/18
by Jeffrey Brace 07 Jan '18

07 Jan '18

Due to extreme cold InfoAge and VCF are closed today.

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Re-post of signup link for Repair Workshop 2018 January
by Jeffrey Brace 06 Jan '18

06 Jan '18

Long URL: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1P_V4ZK7gVPihRXoDL4Ij4o4tNpB4MlwUdjq… Shortened URL: https://goo.gl/C6NBBn Works now?

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Important Jan 13 & 14, 2018 Workshop Info
by Jeffrey Brace 06 Jan '18

06 Jan '18

We are going to have the workshop in 9032-A which is the bigger room near the main building, since we have people working on a decent amount of stuff. As a reminder the workshop is $10 *per* person, *per* day. Sorry this InfoAge's rule and not our decision. If you have signed up, then you are guaranteed a table, otherwise you have to beg for forgiveness and bribe me with my favorite snack. DATE: Jan 13 & 14, 2018 LOCATION: InfoAge Building 9032A - (2201 Marconi Road, Wall Township, NJ) TIME: Start about 10 A.M. on Saturday and ends whenever we go to sleep. End about 5 P.M. on Sunday. (Starts around 10 A.M. Sunday morning) SIGNUP: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1P_V4ZK7gVPihRXoDL4Ij4o4tNpB4MlwU djqiboLnESc/edit?usp=sharing COST: - $10 per person, PER day. This is required by InfoAge for us to pay them. - $25 for those wanting to stay overnight. Please pay me when you get there so that I don't forget. Otherwise I will send my attack cat to find you. Seriously, it's a pain to have to chase people around for money. It's not a fun job, but it is necessary because we rent the place from InfoAge and the dorms from the Sandy group. OVERNIGHT: Bring your own pillow, blankets, soap etc. We provide a bed frame and an uncovered mattress. There are showers and a kitchen for your use. - We will have PayPal credit card swipes available. Let me know ahead of time if you want to use this and I will set it up, otherwise it will *not* be available. It takes me time to make sure it located and setup properly. EQUIPMENT: - VCF will provide a table and you can use any available electrical outlet. - Bring your own tools, power strips, power cords, and supplies etc. - Please bring an extra one or two power cords as these are often forgotten by people. DRINKS: You should bring your own. I would recommend bringing a cooler of some type. FOOD: You provide your own. We usually order pizza, subs or go out to a dinner and everyone pays their own way. Usually, we make a decision when everyone gets hungry. GATE: During the hours from 1 pm to 5 pm close the front gate behind you. We want museum visitors to go to the front lobby and not wander through the middle of the campus. Outside of those times, you can feel free to leave the gate open. PARKING: Park across from 9032 or 9010A on any blacktop area. InfoAge doesn't like us parking on the lawn anymore. QUESTIONS? Please ask me (Jeff Brace) or Evan. My cell is 732-759-1783 and Evan’s is 646-546-9999 in case you need to contact us. See everyone there! And have fun!

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Lisa 1, how high will it go...?
by Evan Koblentz 06 Jan '18

06 Jan '18

Ebay item #182999855120. Bid is at $45,100 and the reserve is not met.

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OT: Need to borrow digital camcoder
by Jeffrey Brace 06 Jan '18

06 Jan '18

For my student teaching, I need to video record two of my lessons over the next two months or so. Does anyone have a good working digital camcorder that I can borrow? It doesn't have to be top of the line, but audio and video need to be decent for a classroom. e-mail me privately. Thanks!

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March 2018 VCF Repair Workshop
by Jeffrey Brace 05 Jan '18

05 Jan '18

The March workshop will be March 3 & 4. There is no February workshop because the schedule didn't allow availability in February. Signup here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/123vqgOH6iteYwHwLiANXmdSUvZOTEMTArZR…

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Wanted for the museum: DVD/VCR combo
by Evan Koblentz 05 Jan '18

05 Jan '18

Still hunting for a combination DVD/VCR player. Requirements: it must be fully working and it needs it needs to be black.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Needed: gray metal teletype stand/table/desk
by Duane Craps 04 Jan '18

04 Jan '18

Great news! Government offices are still full of those. If you can't fit everything in, you could delete the JHU/APL I/O switching unit. I don't see where it adds much. I was hoping that it used a mini computer to route the signals to the various peripherals but, nope, That sucker is full of T-Bar relays. They were kinda neat. you can have one solenoid and stack a lot of 12PDT modules to switch as many signals as you needed. The early TARTAR Missile Systems used them to switch two 1219 computers to a 1532 Input-Output Console. Later systems used a later console with a duplexer . Duane On 1/3/2018 11:34 PM, Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > Good news everyone! Martin was right (as often happens). The same desk > that we need for the Univac is in one of the satellite dish buildings > at InfoAge. Tony is going to retrieve it for us on Saturday Jan. 13 > (first day of our next workshop). > > Between this desk and the custom pallets Bill Drom is building, we'll > have a nicer and safer exhibit. > > But where will we fit this new desk, you ask? Isn't that part of the > museum already quite full, your mind ponders? We have a secret > workaround for this. :) You'll all find out soon enough. > -- DuaneCraps sdɐɹɔ ǝuɐnp

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New museum artifacts :)
by Evan Koblentz 04 Jan '18

04 Jan '18

We have two new additions to the museum collection, courtesy of VCFed chairman Erik Klein: a Mark-8 and a Byte Shop Byt-8, both unassembled! This is VERY exciting stuff!!! The new-to-us Mark-8 will replace our current one, which was loaned to us from David Larsen.

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Needed: gray metal teletype stand/table/desk
by Evan Koblentz 04 Jan '18

04 Jan '18

Everyone, We're still looking for an appropriate desk, stand, table, etc. to use with the Univac. It needs to be metal, and ideally painted gray but we could always paint it by ourselves. Of course it needs to be strong enough to hold the 1960s teletype, but it shouldn't be too large -- we do not want a big desk there, just something maybe 2-3 ft. wide. We need this relatively soon. It should be in good condition (nothing rusted, in need of repair, etc.) and have a period 1960s look.

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FS: IMSAI MPU-A rev 4 Repaired/Tested/Working
by systems_glitch 04 Jan '18

04 Jan '18

link: https://www.ebay.com/itm/273009951984 This one came in with a dead +12V regulator and a bad CPU socket. Replaced the 78L12 with a standard TO220 7812 which is less likely to have overheating problems (they run hot on an IMSAI with only a few boards installed). CPU socket replaced with a high quality machine pin socket. Fully tested in my IMSAI 8080. As always, offers welcome! Thanks, Jonathan

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semi OT: looking for Compact Flash cards
by Jeffrey Jonas 03 Jan '18

03 Jan '18

I'm looking for Compact Flash Cards. Does anyone have some to spare? I just got a tiny68k board and it uses a Compact Flash card. Are there adapters from Compact Flash to SD card? -- Jeff Jonas

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thinking ahead to VCF-east 2018
by Jeffrey Jonas 03 Jan '18

03 Jan '18

Are any of our VCF-MW brethren confirmed to sell The 6502 40th Anniversary Computer Badge at VCF-east 2018? I'd love to see AM: build the badge PM: assembler programming the badge

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talking to myself
by Jim Scheef 03 Jan '18

03 Jan '18

Nowhere else have I found a facility with the "vintage feel" baked right in here at SDF (Super Dimension Fortress), also know as freeshell.org. SDF/Freeshell provides free UNIX shell accounts. Of course if you send them a little money, you get more privileges. For a mix of vintage feel with modern reliability, I read most of my VCF mail using the command line ssh available in the Bash shell built into Windows 10. Several email clients are available at SDF; I use Pine. Back in December, SDF suffered one of it's occasional hiccups when one of the servers ran out of disk space. Mail to my account from this list started bouncing, so the list stopped sending. I finally realized why mail from the list has not resumed. I believe I set things correctly and now need to see some traffic. Of course I could wait for someone to get bored at work and post a message, or I could send a test in the form of this message. If you read this far, you truly are a nerd worthy of participation in this list. Happy New Year, Jim

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Books on The Calculator Wars
by Jeffrey Brace 02 Jan '18

02 Jan '18

Can anyone recommend any books on The Calculator Wars? I find it a fascinating topic.

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January 2018 Workshop is Jan. 13 & 14
by Jeffrey Brace 02 Jan '18

02 Jan '18

I will send more detailed into soon. The usual place 9032-A. The usual times: 10am to sleep Saturday and 10am to 5pm Sunday. $10 per person per day. (Sorry InfoAge rules) Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1P_V4ZK7gVPihRXoDL4Ij4o4tNpB4MlwUdjq…

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Need VCF volunteer to cover InfoAge front desk January 21
by Jeffrey Brace 02 Jan '18

02 Jan '18

Since we have a limited number of docents, we are asking the general VCF list for someone to volunteer to take the VCF front desk. The hours are 1-5pm, the next day is January 21. The training is minimal. I can tell you what is needed. Either Evan or myself will be at the VCF museum the same day. Basically the job is taking admission fee from visitors, giving them a brochure, and having them sign in. If you are interested, then contact me privately.

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Help with pickup in Hummelstown PA?
by Jack Rubin 01 Jan '18

01 Jan '18

Can anyone help me by picking up a typewriter in Hummelstown PA and providing short term storage? It's in the Harrisburg/Hershey area. The machine is an early electromechanical unit, a precursor to the Friden Flexowriter. I'll be heading East in April and would be able to pick it up then. Thanks, Jack in Chicago

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Don't forget!
by Evan Koblentz 31 Dec '17

31 Dec '17

Today is your last chance to contribute to VCF as a 2017 tax deduction. Please visithttp://vcfed.org/wp/contribute/to help us keep the forum running, continue expanding the Vintage Computer Festival events, improve the VCF museum, and more. Thank you!!!

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Apple 1 emulator
by William Dudley 31 Dec '17

31 Dec '17

I find this somewhat amazing. https://hackaday.com/2017/12/30/espple-a-wireless-apple-1-on-an-esp8266/ Bill Dudley This email is free of malware because I run Linux.

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Catweasel MK4 Plus
by william degnan 31 Dec '17

31 Dec '17

Ebay has a Catweasel MK4 Plus <https://www.ebay.com/itm/Catweasel-MK4-Plus-Multi-Floppy-Controller-for-PC-…> ending in two hours ... going to be pricey per its rarity, but here is your chance! Bill

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Museum report
by Evan Koblentz 31 Dec '17

31 Dec '17

Highlights from the museum today: - Bill Lange and his uncle stopped by - A few families visited. One family had a 10-year-old son who impressed me with his knowledge of Apple II history. He has a GS and knew BASIC. - I finished setting up our two new display cases in the microcomputer aisle. Last time (Wednesday) we selected the initial batch of artifacts: case #1 got our blue box, 6501 kit, early USR modem, Pennywhistle modem, and Popular Electronics Digital Logic Micro Lab (from 1970); case # has an top shelf open for now (to be filled with various early PDAs) while its other shelves have consoles (Tele-Games (Atari) Pong, Fairchild Channel F, Magnavox Odyssey). Today, I installed the black backings that we made for each case because they're glass on all four sides and nobody needs to see behind them. Here is case #1: http://snarc.net/case1.jpg .... I'm going to put another piece of thin black material under the 6501 box so it doesn't reflect onto the shelf below it (looks lousy from above). Here is case #2: http://snarc.net/case2.jpg. Both displays look better in person than up-close with the camera.

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Correction -- Semi-OT: Annual post: what tech did ya get?
by Herb Johnson 31 Dec '17

31 Dec '17

a Pro-Log model 980 EPROM programmer, with multi-PROM adapter. The unit's software is not working. But the value of the 4040 processor, several hex-digit numeric display, keyboard and other parts made the purchase worthwhile. And, I may get it running! Anyone with a Pro-Log 980, please contact me. (no Web page yet on this item.) Also obtained: a pre-microprocessor "micro"controller with core memory. It played a small part in MINIcomputer to microprocessor development. This is what microcomputers looked like, before microprocessors. http://www.retrotechnology.com/restore/varisystem.html Herb Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey in the USA http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net

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IBM 1401 repair article
by Mike Loewen 30 Dec '17

30 Dec '17

Interesting article about repairing core memory and power supplies to get a CHM 1401 back up and running: http://www.righto.com/2017/12/repairing-1960s-mainframe-fixing-ibm.html Mike Loewen mloewen(a)cpumagic.scol.pa.us Old Technology http://q7.neurotica.com/Oldtech/

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Could a Blockchain based file system be the answer!
by Herb Johnson 28 Dec '17

28 Dec '17

This discussion thread, was/is about using some kind of "blockchain technology" to preserve vintage computing data, programs, PDF's, photos - you know, the digital bits - with some kind of distributed file system like "blockchain". I'm afraid that in my stone-age 20th century opinion, this is all besides the point, in any number of ways. 0) I refuse to engage in discussion of "blockchain" as per preservation of vintage computing content. Blockchain is a means to an end. I'll address the "end". 1) The issue of preservation of digitized content, is mostly about physical archives. Either one has physical media (say, CD-ROMs) or one has a physical presence for accessable data (some file server on a Web domain). A number of people and organizations do this; they should be supported. If someone wants to add themselves to the crowd, save and distribute copies, that's up to them. If someone wants to create a new organization, they can do that. Otherwise, show some love to those digital archives that you USE for vintage computing. Every day. For free - except someone is paying someone for your "freedom". 2) The issue of saving CONTENT does not preserve *physical artifacts*. I have worked for decades to support and preserve S-100 physical systems, root out their history, support their restoration. Real cards, real power supplies, real diskettes, real paper documentation. All the emulation in the world is not the same as a "ugly box of boards", sitting on your desk, roaring fans, clunking floppy drives, blinking lights, toggling switches (if any, that stopped in 1979 or so), and so on. The challenges of preserving physical artifacts are enormous. Physical space and collecting them is only the beginning. Putting them *back to use* is challenging squared. There's many "museums" which are stacks of computers on a shelf. They have "don't touch" policies, and few on-staff who know how to plug in an AC power cord. The legacy of use, and the capacity to read old data and programs, depends on *use* of vintage computing devices. Emulators succeed in running recovered data and programs. They are very useful in reverse-engineering programs and data files (even on audio cassettes) which are already (re)digitized. They simulate computing on a screen, on modern computers: this at the very least, encourages interest. But there was a time when personal computing was NOT about images on a TV screen! Preserve *that*! Regards, Herb "Flintstone Computing" Johnson -- 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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