- vcf-midatlantic - lists.vcfed.org

OT: Surplus LTO Library?
by Ethan 13 Dec '17

13 Dec '17

Anyone know of a Dell ML6000 style tape library for sale via surplus channels? HP and IBM and ADIC sell the same unit ,all made by some German company. They have a head unit with a LCD on the front and you can keep stacking expansion modules below them to expand them. Looking for a LTO5 one for home to backup NAS server. eBay has a bunch but at high prices, especially when 8TB disks are $150 now. Any pointers appreciated!

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Festivus is officially over!
by Jeffrey Brace 13 Dec '17

13 Dec '17

Finally cleaned up the place, put everything back, drove home, unpacked and now relaxing. Festivus is a labor of love for me and I love seeing everyone together enjoying themselves. It is the one event where we are just there to socialize, have fun and geek out! Favorite quote from Festivus (Evan talking a selfie with two other guys, a third tries to get in the picture) "Go away. Your not bald enough." Thanks to Herb, Bernie S and Jeff Jonas to help clean up. Thanks to Evan, Ian and Connor for staying late to help finish up. I hope that everyone had a fun time and look forward to the next event which is the January 13/14 workshop. Until the next time, enjoy the holidays! :-D -- Jeff Brace

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Brick Vocational School Tour Today 2017-12-13
by Jeffrey Brace 13 Dec '17

13 Dec '17

I took the day off work today (at my expense, If I don't work, I don't get paid) to give a tour to Ocean County Vocational school (Brick Township, NJ), which is a vocational high school. Two groups of about 25 students. They seemed to like it, but as always there is never enough time to explain everything or demo very much. They looked at two or three other museums, but asked for ours in particular. It's always nice to educate younger people about the history of computers.

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I visited MOS Technology building today...
by Douglas Crawford 13 Dec '17

13 Dec '17

See the thread. Open issue: A ton of mag tapes are in the basement. Could possibly have C= stuff on them. Any one interested in that? I'll have pictures tomorrow of the site. http://www.vcfed.org/forum/showthread.php?60872-Gmt-plant-final-cleanout-co… DC

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Please read: Personal note about Festivus + 2018
by Evan Koblentz 12 Dec '17

12 Dec '17

I'm sad Festivus is over. It is my favorite event of the year. Random highlights: - Eight of us arrived Friday night to beat the snow and celebrate Festivus Eve! That was a fun change from past Festivii. - Everyone got their slide rules. Mouse and others watched Youtube videos to learn how to use these. - Alex J. brought HP-9000s and donated a working one to VCFed. He also purchased and will soon give us the correct color monitor for our IBM PS/2 486 (Win 3.1 demo machine). - Jon C. brought ADM terminals and floppy disks (which everyone loved; bought a box for myself). He also brought a very clean and fully working Kaypro II. Nobody wanted it, their loss, VCFed's gain! We made a trade -- the Kaypro for an Intel board. This particular Kaypro is in much better shape than any of our other Kaypro units. - I gave the old MARCH banner to Jeff S. who designed the logo waaaaaaaay back in 2004. - "New Lou": it's always great to meet new members! - There were several surprise visitors: Connor; Tony's friend Ken (who's done a lot of manual labor for us in the past two years); Mouse's colleague (whose name I forget); and Jon G.'s friend Davi. I may have forgotten another person or two. - Festivus Claus is real! He gave Tony the long RCA cable that we needed to connect the Lego desk to the big monitor above our workbench. Tony played the part of a reindeer and delivered it to us. - A non-member brought us a very nice homebrewed version of a Netronics Elf II. I included Herb and Bernie when the benefactor arrived because they both know a lot about 1802. - The final highlight, as posted in earlier emails tonight, was Jeff's idea to donate extra items to a local community food bank. It's one thing to be good citizens in the vintage computing community and the InfoAge community, quite another to be good citizens to the real world! I'd like for us to do more things along these lines. Suggestions welcome. Regarding 2018, I talked on Saturday night about some of the Federation-wise ideas/plans for next year and also sent a long email to this list on Nov. 29. Thank you to everyone who donated so far! Some of the near-term plans include museum updates (displays, technology, maybe lighting); VCF PNW (Feb. 10-11, Seattle!); inventory software shopping; and more restorations. ** Please keep the 2018 donations flowing!! ** There are about 180 people on this list. If everyone gave just $5, that would pay for some museum improvements such as another display case that Corey and I are considering to show things like our blue box, 6501 kit, and so on. If everyone reached deep and gave $50, that would be more than our entire VCFed fiscal year budget from 2016! The link to make a donation is http://vcfed.org/wp/contribute/. As for 2017, "That's all, folks!" -Evan PS. I told a little white lie: that may * not * be all for 2017! There's a cool artifact donation being delivered soon. :) I will announce it when it's actually in our hands. Nebulous hint telling you virtually nothing: this artifact has a special connection to Silicon Valley.

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Leftover Festivus food donated
by Jeffrey Brace 12 Dec '17

12 Dec '17

There were lots of leftover frozen burger patties, hamburger buns and hot dog rolls. I was able to donate them all to the local food bank down the road from me called Fulfill (formerly Monmouth/Ocean Food Bank). I also donated a bunch of keurig coffee pods. I was glad that this will go to someone who needs it and won't go to waste.

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Small Intro and a Thank You to everyone
by Lou 11 Dec '17

11 Dec '17

Hello! My name is Lou Kohn but I also go by Faust in the community (IRC mainly). I am 27 years young with a jump to 28 next weekend and I live in the farmlands and suburbs of Gloucester County New Jersey. As for my interest in vintage computing it comes from many different places, from my fascination in technology at an early age to experiencing my first time using a system which was a 486sx on win3.11 (I know not really old) and exploring different systems, the history and what ultimately became of them in relation and development to modern technology today. I love exploring more obscure systems and different operating systems with my current interest towards different flavors of Unix, but also I have great appreciation and interest in the "Big Iron" systems which I still want to learn more from. In fact when it comes to learning I still have a lot ahead of myself but I am always eager to pick up anything I can to better understand it. In fact this year I am going to be doing a lot of this when it comes to doing hardware and I hope to grasp hardware repair better because a big part of the hobby is repairing and restoring. I hope that I can find a place here among others who share the same interest and maybe even become a regular in due time! Also I have to give you all a big thank you Saturday night when attending the festivus event! Not only was it my first but being the socially awkward person that I am (with an even more socially awkward fiancee that was with me during the event) everyone was so nice and awesome, we really felt welcome to be there and just have fun among everyone. A special thanks to Evan for the tour around the building, Ian for using his CRT repair kung-fu in figuring out what was up with my terminal and Herb for giving me a scsi drive for a mac that did not have one. I can go on with the thanks but to make it clear its wonderful to be among a group like this and I cannot wait for the next event. Hope everyone else enjoyed the weekend and got home safe!

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Re: More Thank You's to the Festivus Cleanup Crew!
by SVCatITC＠aol.com 11 Dec '17

11 Dec '17

On 12/10/2017 8:48 PM, Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > Finally cleaned up the place, put everything back, drove home, unpacked and > now relaxing. > > Thanks to Herb, Bernie S and Jeff Jonas to help clean up. > > Thanks to Evan, Ian and Connor for staying late to help finish up. Thanks guys again for the "mop up". Sorry I was not there to help out. Everything was a delicious "Festivus Miracle!" Bill Inderrieden

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Festivus is officially over!
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 11 Dec '17

11 Dec '17

Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic writes: > >> Favorite quote from Festivus (Evan talking a selfie with two other >guys, a > third tries to get in the picture) "Go away. Your not bald >enough." > >I'm not even sure I was bald enough! I know I'm not! :P

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Festivus Festivities, Thank You!
by Jeffrey Brace 11 Dec '17

11 Dec '17

And thanks to Ian for all the work involved with testing, transporting and setting up all the vintage video games. Everyone really enjoyed and appreciated it! On Sun, Dec 10, 2017 at 12:44 PM, Bill Inderrieden via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: SVCatITC(a)aol.com > To: vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org > Cc: > Bcc: > Date: Sun, 10 Dec 2017 12:44:01 -0500 > Subject: Re: Festivus Festivities, Thank You! > First and foremost: THANK YOU Jeff Brace, and Evan for all you did in > setting up > this year's festivities. > > Thank You's also go out to: > > Bill Dromgoole: for our reminiscing down memory lane on high class > construction of "old iron". > > Bill Degnan: for the invite to your place when around Avondale, PA. > > Herb Johnson: for the wise and expert knowledge imparted to the group > concerning > analog computation and simulation, and other > subjects throughout the year. > Look for follow up from me sometime this week. > > Jeff Jonas: for the assist in the accent lighting materials for the > EAI TR 20. Stay safe. > > Tony Bogan: for the spirited discussion at breakfast on Sunday. Will > miss you at Festival East. > > Alex Jacocks: Ditto, and look for more industrial museum info offline. > See you at the Jan. workshop. > > Mouse: Loved the tats. Cool! > > Dean & Drew: Wished we could have talked more. Thanks anyway! Drew I > need to show you > pix of the steam plant there at IA close to 9032. > > Bill Dudley: Look forward to maybe seeing your collection, since you > are close in Jackson. > > > And to all that I missed, I enjoyed our discussions. Sorry for not > identifying you. > The brain here is getting feeble. Forgive me. > > As more updates come in on the EAI TR 20 project, they will be forwarded > here. > > > Hope to see most of you at the Jan. workshop. > > Bill Inderrieden > > > >

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HP 87XM
by Mike Loewen 10 Dec '17

10 Dec '17

This is something else that followed me home from VCF Midwest, an 1983 vintage HP 87XM microcomputer. http://q7.neurotica.com/Oldtech/HP/HP87XM/ It worked, but was fairly dirty and I had to remove all of the key caps to clean them. The machine has the typical yellowing of this class of machine, but not as bad as my 85A. BASIC, Printer and Mass Storage ROMs are built-in, and it also came with a ROM Drawer with Plotter and I/O ROMs installed. I'd like to locate some extra Memory Modules for it, as well as the Service ROMs (which are probably unobtainium). An 82901M dual-floppy drive would be nice, too. An 82900A CP/M cartridge would be even nicer. :-) Mike Loewen mloewen(a)cpumagic.scol.pa.us Old Technology http://q7.neurotica.com/Oldtech/

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Re: Festivus Festivities, Thank You!
by SVCatITC＠aol.com 10 Dec '17

10 Dec '17

First and foremost: THANK YOU Jeff Brace, and Evan for all you did in setting up this year's festivities. Thank You's also go out to: Bill Dromgoole: for our reminiscing down memory lane on high class construction of "old iron". Bill Degnan: for the invite to your place when around Avondale, PA. Herb Johnson: for the wise and expert knowledge imparted to the group concerning analog computation and simulation, and other subjects throughout the year. Look for follow up from me sometime this week. Jeff Jonas: for the assist in the accent lighting materials for the EAI TR 20. Stay safe. Tony Bogan: for the spirited discussion at breakfast on Sunday. Will miss you at Festival East. Alex Jacocks: Ditto, and look for more industrial museum info offline. See you at the Jan. workshop. Mouse: Loved the tats. Cool! Dean & Drew: Wished we could have talked more. Thanks anyway! Drew I need to show you pix of the steam plant there at IA close to 9032. Bill Dudley: Look forward to maybe seeing your collection, since you are close in Jackson. And to all that I missed, I enjoyed our discussions. Sorry for not identifying you. The brain here is getting feeble. Forgive me. As more updates come in on the EAI TR 20 project, they will be forwarded here. Hope to see most of you at the Jan. workshop. Bill Inderrieden

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Sunday breakfast
by Evan Koblentz 10 Dec '17

10 Dec '17

We'll be at the Princess Maria Diner (2044 Rt. 35, Wall NJ) at 9am tomorrow for breakfast. Back at the museum around 10:30ish.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] SNOW! and Festivus
by Evan Koblentz 10 Dec '17

10 Dec '17

About half the people are here so far. Tons of food/drink, BBQ is on, more is on the way. Join us! But please drive safe. Stay over if you like, we have lots of extra bedding. On Dec 9, 2017 12:17 AM, "Evan Koblentz" <evan(a)vcfed.org> wrote: Festivus eve is concluded. Hoping you all can stay safe and still manage to get here this weekend. The original plan was to open tomorrow at noon. Scratch that! Show up in the morning if you want. Some of us will be here. If the gate is still locked when you arrive, then call me: 646-546-9999 <(646)%20546-9999>. On Dec 8, 2017 10:14 PM, "Evan Koblentz" <evan(a)vcfed.org> wrote: > Eight people are here, anyone else arriving tonight? > > On Dec 8, 2017 9:12 PM, "David Riley" <fraveydank(a)gmail.com> wrote: > >> Me too, I just finished cooking it! :-) >> >> >> - Dave >> >> >> On Dec 8, 2017, at 20:05, Evan Koblentz <evan(a)vcfed.org> wrote: >> >> Hope you can make it ... you have the pasta :) >> >> On Dec 8, 2017 7:52 PM, "David Riley" <fraveydank(a)gmail.com> wrote: >> >>> Speaking of snow, my in-laws are making rumblings about possibly not >>> coming to watch the kids while I'm away, in which case I won't be able to >>> make it because it's my wife's busy season. They haven't decided anything >>> yet and probably won't until the morning, but I figure advance warning >>> would probably be a good idea. I hope to see you all tomorrow! >>> >>> >>> - Dave >>> >>> >>> > On Dec 8, 2017, at 19:09, Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic < >>> vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: >>> > >>> > Six people are here already! All are welcome for celebrating Festivus >>> Eve. >>> > >>> > On Dec 8, 2017 1:29 PM, "Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic" < >>> > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: >>> > >>> >> Awesome! It's great how she can support us! >>> >> >>> >> Here's the latest on the snow prediction: >>> >> http://www.nj.com/weather/index.ssf/2017/12/6_inches_of_ >>> >> snow_could_fall_in_nj_saturday.html#incart_2box_nj-homepage-featured >>> >> >>> >> On Fri, Dec 8, 2017 at 1:15 PM, Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic < >>> >> vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: >>> >> >>> >>> Good news. Joy (person in charge of the sleeping area) brought over a >>> >> large >>> >>> amount of extra sheets, towels, pillows, sleeping bags, etc. for >>> whomever >>> >>> needs it this weekend. >>> >>> >>> >>>> On Dec 8, 2017 12:29 PM, "Evan Koblentz" <evan(a)vcfed.org> wrote: >>> >>>> >>> >>>> Update .... I'll be available to let people into the party/sleeping >>> >> area >>> >>>> as of 4:00 this afternoon. >>> >>>> >>> >>>>> On Dec 8, 2017 10:19 AM, "Evan Koblentz" <evan(a)vcfed.org> wrote: >>> >>>>> >>> >>>>> Hey everyone. >>> >>>>> >>> >>>>> I urge you all to take Jeff's advice: allow extra time for your >>> trip, >>> >> or >>> >>>>> come up this evening if you can. The latest forecast says 4-5 >>> inches >>> >> in >>> >>> * >>> >>>>> other * parts of NJ but only 2-3 inches at the museum. Safety is >>> >> always >>> >>>>> priority #1. But if you can still get here then I'd assert snow >>> only >>> >>> adds >>> >>>>> to the Festivus tradition! :) Also there is plenty of space for >>> more >>> >>> people >>> >>>>> to stay Saturday night if you want to wait until roads are clearer >>> >>> Sunday >>> >>>>> before leaving. >>> >>>>> >>> >>>>> Be safe and I can't wait to see you all! >>> >>>>> >>> >>>>> On Dec 8, 2017 9:37 AM, "Brian Schenkenberger via vcf-midatlantic" >>> < >>> >>>>> vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: >>> >>>>> >>> >>>>>> Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic writes: >>> >>>>>> >>> >>>>>>> So the current forecast for our area has predicted 3 inches of >>> snow >>> >> in >>> >>>>>>> InfoAge's area. It will be starting around 10am and accumulate >>> over >>> >> a >>> >>>>>>> few hours. This could change to more or less. >>> >>>>>>> >>> >>>>>>> The party is still going forward as planned. Everyone is >>> encouraged >>> >> to >>> >>>>>>> use their best judgment as to their safety in driving to >>> Festivus. >>> >> If >>> >>>>>>> you do drive, then take it slow. Leaving early is greatly >>> encouraged >>> >>> as >>> >>>>>>> well. >>> >>>>>>> >>> >>>>>>> Evan will be staying there Friday night for anyone wanting to >>> come >>> >>>>>>> earlier and stay Friday night is welcome. Please send me a >>> private >>> >>> reply >>> >>>>>>> to let me know that you will be arriving earlier. >>> >>>>>>> >>> >>>>>>> If you decide not to come, then let me know that as well. >>> >>>>>>> >>> >>>>>>> http://www.nj.com/weather/index.ssf/2017/12/revised_forecas >>> >>>>>> t_calls_for_3_to_4_inches_of_snow_i.html#incart_2box_nj-home >>> >>>>>> page-featured >>> >>>>>>> >>> >>>>>>> Also keep in mind that we will still be there Sunday until >>> around 5 >>> >> or >>> >>>>>>> 6pm. >>> >>>>>> >>> >>>>>> This weekend? I'd penned in next weekend. Oops. >>> >>>>>> >>> >>>>>> >>> >>>>>> >>> >>> >>> >> >>> >>

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slide rule manuals & instructions
by Jeffrey Jonas 10 Dec '17

10 Dec '17

The boxed sets usually include instructions. I scanned some: http://ferretronix.com/march/previews/sliderules/

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9000/300 available (fwd)
by Mike Loewen 09 Dec '17

09 Dec '17

This was forwarded from a Vintage HP list. If anyone wants a mid-'80s HP/UX system, please contact the original poster (adam.raub(a)simco.com) The systems appears to be in Allentown, PA. Mike Loewen mloewen(a)cpumagic.scol.pa.us Old Technology http://q7.neurotica.com/Oldtech/ ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Wed, 22 Nov 2017 06:43:12 -0800 Reply-To: VintHPcom(a)groups.io To: VintHPcom(a)groups.io Subject: [VintHPcom] 9000/300 available I received his email today. If anyone is interested please contact Adam directly. David Collins _____________________________ Hello, We currently have a HP 9000/300 series computer that we are going to scrap. Would you be interested or know someone who may want it? We have a monitor, a few keyboards, cables & a few boxes of disks for it along with extra hard drives. Adam Raub Technician Simco Electronics Allentown, PA 18103 ( x-apple-data-detectors://1/0 ) Phone: (610)798-0100 Ext. 4248 adam.raub(a)simco.com ( tel:(610)798-0100;4248 )

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Real snow now...
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 09 Dec '17

09 Dec '17

Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic writes: >Starting to stick... drive careful! Evan, did you pickup Philly Pretzels this year? The snow will mean that I'm not going to fire up my grill for making ribs, so if you didn't order/bring Philly Pretzels, I might get some when I come over.

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Real snow now...
by Evan Koblentz 09 Dec '17

09 Dec '17

Starting to stick... drive careful! On Dec 9, 2017 9:14 AM, "Dean Notarnicola" <dnotarnicola(a)gmail.com> wrote: On our way On Sat, Dec 9, 2017 at 9:02 AM Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: > Woke up to flurries. > > On Dec 8, 2017 8:45 PM, "Herb Johnson via vcf-midatlantic" < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: > > On my way tonite! Ahead of the snow! - H > > -- > Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey in the USA > http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net >

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"Go fuck yourselves" :)
by Evan Koblentz 09 Dec '17

09 Dec '17

You can't not take this as a joke! I hope everyone remembers the Festivus tradition we started last year: the official VCF holiday greeting is to shake someone's hand, look them in the eye, and say, "Go fuck yourself" with a smile. So, in the spirit of Festivus, I hope everyone go fucks themselves this year. I look forward to everyone getting here today, shaking my hand, and telling me to go fuck myself, too! It would mean so much to me. Happy Festivus and safe travels (sincerely). Go fuck yourselves, Evan On Dec 9, 2017 12:17 AM, "Evan Koblentz" <evan(a)vcfed.org> wrote: Festivus eve is concluded. Hoping you all can stay safe and still manage to get here this weekend. The original plan was to open tomorrow at noon. Scratch that! Show up in the morning if you want. Some of us will be here. If the gate is still locked when you arrive, then call me: 646-546-9999 <(646)%20546-9999>. On Dec 8, 2017 10:14 PM, "Evan Koblentz" <evan(a)vcfed.org> wrote: > Eight people are here, anyone else arriving tonight? > > On Dec 8, 2017 9:12 PM, "David Riley" <fraveydank(a)gmail.com> wrote: > >> Me too, I just finished cooking it! :-) >> >> >> - Dave >> >> >> On Dec 8, 2017, at 20:05, Evan Koblentz <evan(a)vcfed.org> wrote: >> >> Hope you can make it ... you have the pasta :) >> >> On Dec 8, 2017 7:52 PM, "David Riley" <fraveydank(a)gmail.com> wrote: >> >>> Speaking of snow, my in-laws are making rumblings about possibly not >>> coming to watch the kids while I'm away, in which case I won't be able to >>> make it because it's my wife's busy season. They haven't decided anything >>> yet and probably won't until the morning, but I figure advance warning >>> would probably be a good idea. I hope to see you all tomorrow! >>> >>> >>> - Dave >>> >>> >>> > On Dec 8, 2017, at 19:09, Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic < >>> vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: >>> > >>> > Six people are here already! All are welcome for celebrating Festivus >>> Eve. >>> > >>> > On Dec 8, 2017 1:29 PM, "Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic" < >>> > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: >>> > >>> >> Awesome! It's great how she can support us! >>> >> >>> >> Here's the latest on the snow prediction: >>> >> http://www.nj.com/weather/index.ssf/2017/12/6_inches_of_ >>> >> snow_could_fall_in_nj_saturday.html#incart_2box_nj-homepage-featured >>> >> >>> >> On Fri, Dec 8, 2017 at 1:15 PM, Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic < >>> >> vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: >>> >> >>> >>> Good news. Joy (person in charge of the sleeping area) brought over a >>> >> large >>> >>> amount of extra sheets, towels, pillows, sleeping bags, etc. for >>> whomever >>> >>> needs it this weekend. >>> >>> >>> >>>> On Dec 8, 2017 12:29 PM, "Evan Koblentz" <evan(a)vcfed.org> wrote: >>> >>>> >>> >>>> Update .... I'll be available to let people into the party/sleeping >>> >> area >>> >>>> as of 4:00 this afternoon. >>> >>>> >>> >>>>> On Dec 8, 2017 10:19 AM, "Evan Koblentz" <evan(a)vcfed.org> wrote: >>> >>>>> >>> >>>>> Hey everyone. >>> >>>>> >>> >>>>> I urge you all to take Jeff's advice: allow extra time for your >>> trip, >>> >> or >>> >>>>> come up this evening if you can. The latest forecast says 4-5 >>> inches >>> >> in >>> >>> * >>> >>>>> other * parts of NJ but only 2-3 inches at the museum. Safety is >>> >> always >>> >>>>> priority #1. But if you can still get here then I'd assert snow >>> only >>> >>> adds >>> >>>>> to the Festivus tradition! :) Also there is plenty of space for >>> more >>> >>> people >>> >>>>> to stay Saturday night if you want to wait until roads are clearer >>> >>> Sunday >>> >>>>> before leaving. >>> >>>>> >>> >>>>> Be safe and I can't wait to see you all! >>> >>>>> >>> >>>>> On Dec 8, 2017 9:37 AM, "Brian Schenkenberger via vcf-midatlantic" >>> < >>> >>>>> vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: >>> >>>>> >>> >>>>>> Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic writes: >>> >>>>>> >>> >>>>>>> So the current forecast for our area has predicted 3 inches of >>> snow >>> >> in >>> >>>>>>> InfoAge's area. It will be starting around 10am and accumulate >>> over >>> >> a >>> >>>>>>> few hours. This could change to more or less. >>> >>>>>>> >>> >>>>>>> The party is still going forward as planned. Everyone is >>> encouraged >>> >> to >>> >>>>>>> use their best judgment as to their safety in driving to >>> Festivus. >>> >> If >>> >>>>>>> you do drive, then take it slow. Leaving early is greatly >>> encouraged >>> >>> as >>> >>>>>>> well. >>> >>>>>>> >>> >>>>>>> Evan will be staying there Friday night for anyone wanting to >>> come >>> >>>>>>> earlier and stay Friday night is welcome. Please send me a >>> private >>> >>> reply >>> >>>>>>> to let me know that you will be arriving earlier. >>> >>>>>>> >>> >>>>>>> If you decide not to come, then let me know that as well. >>> >>>>>>> >>> >>>>>>> http://www.nj.com/weather/index.ssf/2017/12/revised_forecas >>> >>>>>> t_calls_for_3_to_4_inches_of_snow_i.html#incart_2box_nj-home >>> >>>>>> page-featured >>> >>>>>>> >>> >>>>>>> Also keep in mind that we will still be there Sunday until >>> around 5 >>> >> or >>> >>>>>>> 6pm. >>> >>>>>> >>> >>>>>> This weekend? I'd penned in next weekend. Oops. >>> >>>>>> >>> >>>>>> >>> >>>>>> >>> >>> >>> >> >>> >>

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Breakfast at Princess Diner - 10:00
by J. Alexander Jacocks 09 Dec '17

09 Dec '17

2044 State Route 35 Wall Township, NJ 07719 - Alex

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Weather: FLURRIES
by Evan Koblentz 09 Dec '17

09 Dec '17

Woke up to flurries. On Dec 8, 2017 8:45 PM, "Herb Johnson via vcf-midatlantic" < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: On my way tonite! Ahead of the snow! - H -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey in the USA http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] SNOW! and Festivus
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 09 Dec '17

09 Dec '17

Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic writes: >So the current forecast for our area has predicted 3 inches of snow in >InfoAge's area. It will be starting around 10am and accumulate over a >few hours. This could change to more or less. > >The party is still going forward as planned. Everyone is encouraged to >use their best judgment as to their safety in driving to Festivus. If >you do drive, then take it slow. Leaving early is greatly encouraged as >well. > >Evan will be staying there Friday night for anyone wanting to come >earlier and stay Friday night is welcome. Please send me a private reply >to let me know that you will be arriving earlier. > >If you decide not to come, then let me know that as well. > >http://www.nj.com/weather/index.ssf/2017/12/revised_forecast_calls_for_3_to… > >Also keep in mind that we will still be there Sunday until around 5 or >6pm. This weekend? I'd penned in next weekend. Oops.

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Twas the night before Festivus
by Jeffrey Brace 09 Dec '17

09 Dec '17

To help youze guys prepare for Festivus here is a primer on the tradition of Festivus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HX55AzGku5Y Ian will be bringing the aluminum pole so anyone that wants to take a picture in front of it is welcome. Promptly at 6pm on Saturday we will be doing The Airing of Grievances. It starts out by someone saying "I've got a lot of problems with you people.". Since there is so many of us, we all need to pick one person to air our grievance and then let the next person go. I will start everyone out so that you can see how it goes. Feats of strength will start right after The Airing of Grievances. Tables are setup and food bought. Drive safely and see youze guys tomorrow.

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SNOW! and Festivus
by Herb Johnson 09 Dec '17

09 Dec '17

On my way tonite! Ahead of the snow! - H -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey in the USA http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net

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The Games of Joseph Weisbecker
by Herb Johnson 09 Dec '17

09 Dec '17

> Pierri, Florencia wrote > > I wanted to bring your attention to a new exhibit we have at the Sarnoff > Collection that might be of interest to all of you, *Playing with > Innovation: The Games of Joseph Weisbecker* I've had the pleasure of meeting Florencia at the Collection. I had some small participation in the exhibit, by evaluating the FRED 2 computer which will be part of the "Games" exhibit. I've described the likely FRED 2 on this Web page: http://www.retrotechnology.com/memship/cosmac_fred2.html That page has links to another Web page, about the "System 00" at the Collection. It's likely the earliest prototype of the COSMAC 1802 architecture. The FRED 2 has a two-chip implementation of what became the 1802 microprocessor. System 00 is pure TTL logic - but implements the same COSMAC instruction set. The exhibit emphasizes Weisbecker's experience as a board-game and game-toy designer and producer, of "computer logic" games. The FRED/COSMAC, represents the computer-logic flavor he put into many of his games; and his day-job as RCA engineer. Some of those games, were implemented as the earliest programs on the COSMAC computers in the Collection. Joe's daughter Joyce has had recent acknowledgement, as "the first female commercial/indie video game designer", from her game-programming work on the earliest COSMACs. On the exhibit Web pages, is the RCA COSMAC Microtutor; a predecessor to the COSMAC ELF (Popular Electronics Aug 1976 article) and to generations of "Elf" COSMAC computers. The VCFed museum, has a Microtutor and other RCA microcomputer development products. I brought the Collection's Microtutor to VCF-East a few years ago. I"ve been supporting a COSMAC ELF derivative for some years now, on my Web site. Herb 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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Festivus door code
by Evan Koblentz 08 Dec '17

08 Dec '17

There's no way to keep the main party building door unlocked and we do not want to prop it. When entering this weekend use code 1029. The code is being changed on Monday. On Dec 8, 2017 1:29 PM, "Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic" < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: Awesome! It's great how she can support us! Here's the latest on the snow prediction: http://www.nj.com/weather/index.ssf/2017/12/6_inches_of_ snow_could_fall_in_nj_saturday.html#incart_2box_nj-homepage-featured On Fri, Dec 8, 2017 at 1:15 PM, Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: > Good news. Joy (person in charge of the sleeping area) brought over a large > amount of extra sheets, towels, pillows, sleeping bags, etc. for whomever > needs it this weekend. > > On Dec 8, 2017 12:29 PM, "Evan Koblentz" <evan(a)vcfed.org> wrote: > > > Update .... I'll be available to let people into the party/sleeping area > > as of 4:00 this afternoon. > > > > On Dec 8, 2017 10:19 AM, "Evan Koblentz" <evan(a)vcfed.org> wrote: > > > >> Hey everyone. > >> > >> I urge you all to take Jeff's advice: allow extra time for your trip, or > >> come up this evening if you can. The latest forecast says 4-5 inches in > * > >> other * parts of NJ but only 2-3 inches at the museum. Safety is always > >> priority #1. But if you can still get here then I'd assert snow only > adds > >> to the Festivus tradition! :) Also there is plenty of space for more > people > >> to stay Saturday night if you want to wait until roads are clearer > Sunday > >> before leaving. > >> > >> Be safe and I can't wait to see you all! > >> > >> On Dec 8, 2017 9:37 AM, "Brian Schenkenberger via vcf-midatlantic" < > >> vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: > >> > >>> Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic writes: > >>> > >>> >So the current forecast for our area has predicted 3 inches of snow in > >>> >InfoAge's area. It will be starting around 10am and accumulate over a > >>> >few hours. This could change to more or less. > >>> > > >>> >The party is still going forward as planned. Everyone is encouraged to > >>> >use their best judgment as to their safety in driving to Festivus. If > >>> >you do drive, then take it slow. Leaving early is greatly encouraged > as > >>> >well. > >>> > > >>> >Evan will be staying there Friday night for anyone wanting to come > >>> >earlier and stay Friday night is welcome. Please send me a private > reply > >>> >to let me know that you will be arriving earlier. > >>> > > >>> >If you decide not to come, then let me know that as well. > >>> > > >>> >http://www.nj.com/weather/index.ssf/2017/12/revised_forecas > >>> t_calls_for_3_to_4_inches_of_snow_i.html#incart_2box_nj-home > >>> page-featured > >>> > > >>> >Also keep in mind that we will still be there Sunday until around 5 or > >>> >6pm. > >>> > >>> This weekend? I'd penned in next weekend. Oops. > >>> > >>> > >>> >

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Festivus and another thing ...
by Jeffrey Brace 08 Dec '17

08 Dec '17

As per the Sandy Recovery manager, Joy, all staying overnight *must* sign a liability waiver form. We don't have a choice as they manage the place. I hope everyone understands. Jeff Brace

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analog computers do real work
by Jeffrey Jonas 08 Dec '17

08 Dec '17

I met a fellow who used an analog computer for factory molding (making parts with a heated mold). The heater control was not just a thermostat but calculated the acceleration of heat transfer to keep the part at the proper temperature. Definitely the job for an analog computer (till recently). I'm unsure what tech was used (tubes or transistors).

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SNOW! and Festivus
by Jeffrey Brace 08 Dec '17

08 Dec '17

So the current forecast for our area has predicted 3 inches of snow in InfoAge's area. It will be starting around 10am and accumulate over a few hours. This could change to more or less. The party is still going forward as planned. Everyone is encouraged to use their best judgment as to their safety in driving to Festivus. If you do drive, then take it slow. Leaving early is greatly encouraged as well. Evan will be staying there Friday night for anyone wanting to come earlier and stay Friday night is welcome. Please send me a private reply to let me know that you will be arriving earlier. If you decide not to come, then let me know that as well. http://www.nj.com/weather/index.ssf/2017/12/revised_forecast_calls_for_3_to… Also keep in mind that we will still be there Sunday until around 5 or 6pm.

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FS at Festivus: Working Kaypro 2
by systems_glitch 07 Dec '17

07 Dec '17

Pretty sure these things breed! I've got a nice, clean Kaypro 2 (built-in modem, half-height floppies) that boots from disk and appears to work just fine. I don't need it as I've already got one. I can bring non-original boot disks with it. Make offer! Thanks, Jonathan

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The Games of Joseph Weisbecker
by Pierri, Florencia 07 Dec '17

07 Dec '17

Dear All, I wanted to bring your attention to a new exhibit we have at the Sarnoff Collection that might be of interest to all of you, *Playing with Innovation: The Games of Joseph Weisbecker <https://davidsarnoff.tcnj.edu/2017/12/07/playing-with-innovation-the-games-…>*. You might recognize that name from the 1802 microprocessor, but this exhibit focuses on the paper and plastic computer games he developed in the late 1960s and 1970s. If you're driving back from Festivus and your path takes you to Ewing, consider coming to visit the Sarnoff <https://davidsarnoff.tcnj.edu/visit/>. Or, you can visit our online exhibition--which has more detailed information about the individual games-- here <http://sarnoff.omeka.net/exhibits/show/playing-with-innovation>. All Best, Flori -- Florencia Pierri Curator The Sarnoff Collection, The College of New Jersey davidsarnoff.tcnj.edu/ Twitter: @TCNJSarnoff <https://twitter.com/tcnjsarnoff> Instagram: @TCNJSarnoff <https://www.instagram.com/tcnjsarnoff/>

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Festivus Degnan bringing update
by william degnan 07 Dec '17

07 Dec '17

Of the things I offered I was asked to bring VaxStation 3100 for Ian RL01 cart for Jon XT era keyboards (poss Herb interest) VT 100 with poss flyback issue (just the bare cover and tube) Non DEC-branded 11/44 era A/D type cards for Herb. I am looking for a DecMate OS/8 disk and drive cable, eventually I will make one but if anyone has one to sell/trade let me know. I am looking for an RL02 stand alone RSX-11M compatible with an 11/40 with no EIS card, so it needs to be an older version. I have three or four RL02s but none work, I am doing something wrong to build. I might need a NeXT Cube CD tray, if I am correct that these are not the same as a CD tray from a SGI. BIll

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Saturday chili
by John Heritage 07 Dec '17

07 Dec '17

My wife and I would like to make and bring a veggie chili to festivus Saturday. However we won't be able to stay super long (11-4 or so) as we have another obligation that evening. Is there anyone else who can also bring a crockpot to transfer the goods from our crockpot if it hasn't disappeared by 3-4? (We're not veggies btw.. its just a recipe that works and is relatively healthy :) )

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vacuum tube computers
by Herb Johnson 07 Dec '17

07 Dec '17

The discussion below concluded in late November, but I have some comments and considerations. First, I'll say that there's any number of explanations available, for the history of computing technology and use. The person or institution doing the explaining, has their own objectives. The item has its time and place, and has levels of technology in it. And, there's sometimes consideration of the audience (child, expert in X but not Y, etc.). So - no right and singular answers to questions of presentation. I'll give or support a view for my own reasons. Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic wrote: >> How would you explain the George Philbrick machine to an 8 year old? > > Well, as you know it's critically important to tune your presentation > to the level of the guest. When starting a more personal tour of LSSM, > we usually find a non-intrusive way, starting out with reading body > language etc, to ask a person what their levels of technical knowledge > and interest are. Then we explain things in different ways, on > different levels, based on that. > > For a total technical neophyte, our explanations are more geared > toward talking about how what we have now (holding up my smartphone) > wouldn't exist without having first passed through all of these > (gesturing toward the exhibit floor) phases of development, then go to > some specific stories as to how and why. > > For an EE or CS person with a background in electronics and/or > processor architecture, that's a waste of time. We go into things like > "this machine is a 12-bit system implemented using all 7400-series TTL > chips" when I fire up the PDP-8/e. I talk about "no chips at all, all > discrete transistor logic" when we walk past the table of Straight-8s. > > While the LSSM doesn't have anything like the Philbrick system, we do > have a Heath H-1, another late-1950s tube-based analog computer. To a > young person, we'd explain that it was used by scientists and engineers > to perform calculations for designing planes and big buildings. It's > complicated, look at all those knobs! > > But to an EE/CS person who maybe doesn't know about analog computers > (most haven't), we explain that it's a system with no bits, just > voltages representing physical quantities, and most importantly it's not > a discrete system, but a continuous system. These operational > amplifiers (gesturing toward the op-amps) and resistors can be wired up > to perform most any mathematical primitive, and wired together with > capacitors to perform integration and differentiation, to solve the > differential equations that most every real-world process is based on. > >> How do you explain what a vacuum tube actually does to an 8 year old? > > I wouldn't, as there's essentially no chance that he/she would be > interested or have the background to be able to understand it. See > above. ;) > -- > Dave McGuire, AK4HZ > New Kensington, PA I have to agree with earlier posts by David Gesswein, who stressed the point that analog computers solve "differential equations". And all have mentioned in various ways, that analog computers use voltage-levels, not "bits", to represent the values computed. Those are fundamental considerations from my view. Other people have other views, I won't argue much with them - I'm arguing with people who are still choosing what views to consider. My view is, as a BSEE educated in the 1970's about both analog and digital circuits, who saw analog computers in use in academia and in the factory, who worked on one or two of them in my working lifetime. The hardest thing about explaining analog computing, is that it's almost TOTALLY EXTINCT today. It's hard to think or talk about something, outside your experiences. And preservation of extinct computing - and explaining it in it's own context - matters to me. One can explain "voltages not bits", in any number of ways, appropriate to audiences and settings. "Temperature" might be a good example. There's still mercury thermometers, mechanical thermostats and mechanical thermometers. They use the expansion of metals in an ANALOG way, to represent "temperature". The Weather Channel, gives it some number. But we feel "hot" or "cold" without numbers in our heads. A point to consider: the physical world is not lists of numbers, it's events and materials and the flow of time. "Differential equations" is jargon used by engineers and scientists. But it comes down to actions in systems over time. How fast does water boil on the stove? Or freeze if put outside in the winter? How long does it take your car to go from zero to 60? How long does it take a baseball/football in flight to be caught? These are ANALOG values that change with time. And, there are analog circuits (components wired up) which can represent these rates-of-change calculations. Then you feed those circuits the analog values as voltages, and watch what they do over TIME. *That* is what an analog computer is about. Circuits and components, wired for one computation, using time and voltages to represent values - no "bits", no digital (except for numeric results or inputs). I myself, don't tell people "this is too complicated to explain". I give them *something*; it will provide some impression and place to start; further consideration will be their choice to make. So. I hope the two explanations above, of "voltages not bits" and "differential equations", are helpful. I hope the notion of "extinct computer preservation" gets some attention. Otherwise, I'm not going to debate some ultimate description or how-to-talk-to methods. I've explained why, and I've offered my own views. Herb Johnson retrotechnology.com PS: a vacuum tube, controls electrons going from a hot metal to a metal plate. The flow of electrons is a current, like water from a faucet. The current is controlled by the electrons going through a grid. a grid is wires strung across the current-flow, which repel the electrons like magnets do. Just as you can control water by turning a faucet, you can control electric currents with a vacuum tube, by changing voltages on its grid. Old radios and TV's, very old computers, used vacuum tubes. -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey in the USA http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net

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batteries in computers (was: NeXTstation)
by Herb Johnson 07 Dec '17

07 Dec '17

In regards to the possible battery in a NeXTstation. Also, this post is appropriate to the discussion on "inventory". > Check the large Panasonic lithium battery on the [NeXT] motherboard, > like a Mac II, it will not boot with a dead battery. > They are still produced and available from Mouser, the > Mac cubes and the slabs use the same type of battery. Caution: the lithium batteries used in various computers to keep time-of-day running, and to retain other information (as in "Mac PRAM battery"), have good odds of *leaking* and emitting hydrogen or other gasses. The results are very, very damaging, and often not repairable. Details: Any vintage Mac collector, and some owners, have had the horror of opening their Mac and seeing several square inches of circuit-board covered in goo. And, adjacent metal surfaces covered in red rust - not just discoloration, but deep rust. Components in the vicinity, have rusted leads and through-holes on the PC boards. These are not repairable. I'm sure there's pictures on the Web of such damage. I myself, checked out several Macs recently, and found one so rusted by leakage, neither case nor motherboard was salvageable. The Mac Plus/128K/512K, has a large 4.5v battery, in a holder accessed without disassembling the case. Leaving the battery in those units, almost guarantees the battery-holder will green-rust and corrode. No battery is needed to operate these oldest Macs. Bottom line Suggestion: While the VCF Museum is doing their inventory and cataloging, it may be a good idea to inspect computers for these batteries *and remove those batteries* if not wired in. I suppose a note can be added inside the computer, to specify the kind of battery removed and where it was connected if not obvious. If it's known the computer won't start without a working battery, add that info to the note. Comment to "this is too complicated, too much work, etc." This is the cost of long-term ownership. The space and time taken by a computer, will be lost if it it self-destructs and that's not discovered until that computer is needed or accessed. Herb Johnson retrotechnology.com -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey in the USA http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net

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Festivus food we need
by Jeffrey Brace 07 Dec '17

07 Dec '17

Hot dogs 4 10 packs kosher beef hot dogs (Nathans, Hebrew National, etc.) Burgers 4 20 Packs Shoprite Brand Burger buns 40 Hot dog Buns 20 Tomatoes 2 Cheese 3 packs of 16 Pickles 1 20 OZ Ketchup 1 20 oz. Mustard 1 19 oz. Paper towels 2 80 sheet roll Milk 1 Half Gallon Orange Juice 1 Half Gallon Head of Lettuce 1 If you want to bring one of these, then let me know and I will put it down on the list.

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Festivus Feats of strength - Bills vs. Jeffs vs. Jonahtan's (sorry only two Evan's)
by Jeffrey Brace 06 Dec '17

06 Dec '17

In the Festivus tradition we will be doing the feats of strength. While individuals will be wrestling until someone is pinned, the Jeffs, Bills and Jonathans will be doing a tag team tournament to determine the champion.

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Festivus 2017 Info readme2.txt (part 2)
by Jeffrey Brace 06 Dec '17

06 Dec '17

*EQUIPMENT:* VCF will have tables setup for food and games. We will have two full sized refrigerators and one full sized freezer to temporarily store food and drinks. We will be borrowing *my* propane grill to cook hamburgers and hot dogs outside. *DRINKS:* Everyone is encouraged to bring their own drinks and enough to share with others. Bring your favorite and put what you are bringing on the list: *FOOD:* VCF will be supplying hamburgers, hot dogs, condiments, plates, forks, napkins, cups. I sent out a list of what we need. E-mail me if you want to bring. You are encouraged to bring your own favorite good and put what you are bringing on the list: *IMPORTANT TO KEEP FOOD AND DRINKS IN THE CAFETERIA! THIS IS THE RULE OF THE FACILITY OWNERS.* *ENTERTAINMENT?* Ian: Vintage video games and boob tubes. Jeff Brace: Namco Joystick games, C64 Jostick Games, Intellivision Joystick Games, C64 with Super CPU and Metal Dust with optional PS2 controller, Cards Against Humanity!, Vectrex Evan: Will be entertaining us bad jokes and stinky farts. Bill Degnan: Live action Terrance and Philip skit with Jeff Brace. Name the farter/burper: Throughout the night there will be a contest to identify who farted or burped. Difficulty will increase when we are all in bed and it is dark. *STAYING OVERNIGHT?* Let me know if you want to stay overnight. The cost is $25. A mattress is provided in a bunk bed frame. You provide your own mattress cover, blankets, pillows. There is a shower area, lounge, bunk beds, hot water for tea, microwave oven, toaster oven, keurig, coffee pot, ice machine, sink, cable TV, wi-fi. Evan will be responsible for sorting the snoring people into the "snoring room" and the non-snoring people into the "non-storing" room. To get an accurate headcount, let me know as soon as possible that you are staying overnight and how many nights. There will be coffee, milk, cream, sugar and tea bags available as well. * BUYING, SELLING, FREEBIES :* You are allowed to bring items to sell and trade with specific individuals, but this isn't a hamfest where you get a table to sell your stuff. If you want to bring your stuff, you are encourage to post to the list what you want to sell/trade and set it up ahead of time with individuals. Anything you bring in and don't sell/trade, you bring home. We can set aside a freebie table as per traditional, but you *must* take your stuff home before leaving if no one takes it. *SIGN-UP LINK:* https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1odmPxfBK9BrR-NDZIx4_c-V2lZpt_-vU- 3fIBGiyrM4/edit?usp=sharing If anyone is actually reading this, then reply with 42.

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Festivus 2017 gifts to all and door prize
by Jeffrey Brace 06 Dec '17

06 Dec '17

All those attending Festivus will receive a gift of a slide rule. We had tons of them donated so we want to say thank you to all who support us during the year. There will be a door prize of an Atari Flashback 2 machine. Evan will write a BASIC program to randomly determine the winner. He's gotten so good at writing BASIC on his Apple 2. If he is ambitious he might even write it in assembly.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Festivus Feats of strength - Bills vs. Jeffs vs. Jonahtan's (sorry only two Evan's)
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 06 Dec '17

06 Dec '17

Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic writes: > >> In the Festivus tradition we will be doing the feats of strength. >While > individuals will be wrestling until someone is pinned, the >Jeffs, Bills and > Jonathans will be doing a tag team tournament to >determine the champion. > >I think we'll have to adjust that to something more appropriate for >vintage computer collectors! Sliderule lightsaber battles? Noooo... don't nick and or damage them like that.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Festivus 2017 gifts to all and door prize
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 06 Dec '17

06 Dec '17

Drew Notarnicola via vcf-midatlantic writes: >I guess it's time I actually learned how to use them. <SHOCKED!>

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Festivus 2017 gifts to all and door prize
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 06 Dec '17

06 Dec '17

Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic writes: > >> All those attending Festivus will receive a gift of a slide rule. We >had > tons of them donated so we want to say thank you to all who >support us > during the year. > >Adam and I have them ready: http://vcfed.org/evan/sr.jpg I never had a Picket. I'd love an all metal LOG-LOG if there is one and one that's in good shape which I'd assume they are seeing as how you've got them boxed!

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Your Christmas wish list (ca. 1984)
by Glenn Roberts 05 Dec '17

05 Dec '17

Interesting look back 33 years to the hot "techie" wish list items of 1984, courtesy of Radio Shack. The computers are mostly toward the end. Fun to reminisce! http://www.timesunion.com/life/christmas/article/Take-a-look-back-at-a-Radi… - Glenn

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Have you grown tired of your WiF232 Internet Modem?
by jsalzman＠gmail.com 05 Dec '17

05 Dec '17

C64 users can get the Strikelink for WiFi modem capabilities that uses an AT command set similar to the WiFi232. Perhaps the creator of the Strikelink could be convinced to make a serial port version of his adapter. https://1200baud.wordpress.com/2017/03/17/strikelink-c64-300-9600-baud-wifi… On Dec 5, 2017 9:33 AM, "Jason Howe via vcf-midatlantic" < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: On 12/04/2017 03:58 PM, Ethan via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > I've spoken with Paul Rickards about helping make more units. There's some >> new competition as mentioned, and unless Paul has a real burning desire to >> share files then it's probably not worth cloning as I / Manila Gear had >> planned. >> > > Ah cool. The things I'm aware of on Amazon and such aren't really ... > aimed at the same market? They're commercial serial servers similar to the > Lantronix MSS and MS units, Digi Portserver units and such aimed at > commercial people using them for automation, signage, access control > systems and such. > After some talking with Bill Degnan and John Morris (Applesauce: >> https://wiki.reactivemicro.com/Applesauce) I think there are some issue >> that need to be addressed with the project in order to better support more >> platforms as well as some missing options. When Morris is done with >> Applesauce we have plans to tackle some other less relevant projects and >> this particular one I feel should be pretty simple. And if done correctly >> can offer a lot more to the retro community than the current solutions. >> > > Really SSH client support is the only thing I can think of, and that might > require more processor ass. > > The neat thing about the wifi232 (from what I've read) is that it supports > ATDT to dial out, so as long as term program doesn't do input restriction > you could have a directory of hosts in say -- qmodem. > > An ISA card might be cool :-) But if you made an ISA card version for the > DOS people, you could also leave jumpers to cut or not install and leave > off the uart with just pins for serial lines then it could also be > installed inside an Amiga 2000ish computers. > > Not sure when the project would start, however I guess about April assuming >> all goes well with Applesauce in the coming months. >> > > So many projects... so little time! > > - Ethan > > I've been very happy using my Lantronix Device for a couple years now. The only think I really want for is a newer model Lantronix device that will take a hostname rather than an IP address. Some of the BBSes I frequent have a VERY dynamic ip address. SSH access would be really nice to have, but honestly I just "dial" into my Linux box and bounce out from there. I was using a rpi as a telnet/ssh 'gateway' for a while, but then needed it for something else, but it worked quite well for that purpose as well. --Jason

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De-acquisitions
by E.M.F. 05 Dec '17

05 Dec '17

Happy to bring these items to Festivus. Prices negotiable. Please email me off-list. -Eric Apple IIGS (A2S6000) with Apple Design M2980 ADB keyboard, 1MB expansion. May have mouse, too. No drives, no monitor - $15.00 Apple Authorized Service Mac 800K internal disk drive with mounting bracket, P/N 661-0345, Sony Model MP-F51W-03, in original apple service box - $10.00 Apple iSight webcam A1023 in original box - $5.00 Apple Design M2980 ADB keyboard - FREE Apple IIsi Accessory Kit - original software disks, manual, in original box - FREE Apple Mac LC III model M1254 - nonworking PSU, for parts - FREE

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Have you grown tired of your WiF232 Internet Modem?
by Jim Scheef 05 Dec '17

05 Dec '17

I would like to get a WiFi232. It appears a new production "batch" may not be forthcoming. If the new has worn off yours, please let me know. Fair price or maybe a trade. Thanks, Jim

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] vacuum tube computers
by Neil Cherry 05 Dec '17

05 Dec '17

Would analog computers have be used in control systems where feed back would be use. I can't quite recall those classes anymore (I haven't needed them since the early 80's). Also my Calculus professor gave us an example of Calc used daily. I can't quite recall all of it but something like Acceleration Speed force I think that you can derive the next from the later. I'm sure there are other examples of where we actually use these formulas without realizing it. -- 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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replacing NeXT battery
by william degnan 05 Dec '17

05 Dec '17

Here's a good thread about rebuilding the NeXT after replacing a dead battery http://www.nextcomputers.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=3475&sid=9630ef34e48339… I am looking also to see if one has a *working* battery how to back up the configuration to diskette or the network or something before the battery dies so one can resume without a big thing to rebuild the machine config, trying to guess everything I did to get it just right. Bill

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Bernie S at Festivus 2017
by Herb Johnson 04 Dec '17

04 Dec '17

>> Bernie S of 2600 magazine fame...[has some wire recordings to >> retrieve from the Radio museum and will stop by Festivus] >> Wire recording predated magnetic tape, and was used by the 1950 SEAC >> computer for data storage. Early microprocessor computers, and some later video-gaming home computers, used audio data cassettes for data storage. We in this list know this. But recent experience I've had with 21st century young adults, is that such use is a complete surprise to them. and, a lot of modern computerists, work far harder than necessary, to digitally extract data from those old audio recordings. So, it's a surprise to me, that the earliest wire-recorders, were also used with some computers of the 1950's. If he has more information on that use, I suggest that VCFed try to obtain some information from Bernie "S" - does he have a last name or is his identity confidential for some reason? - and make that information available and archived. Herb Johnson -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey in the USA http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net

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Bernie S at Festivus 2017
by Jeffrey Brace 04 Dec '17

04 Dec '17

Bernie S of 2600 magazine fame will be attending Festivus. He said: "Btw, Saturday I'll be stopping by the Radio Technology Museum to retrieve some restored wire recordings from the 1940's that my late father made. Wire recording predated magnetic tape, and was used by the 1950 SEAC computer for data storage. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SEAC_%28computer%29 <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SEAC_(computer)>" <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SEAC_(computer)>If anyone is interested in seeing this 1940's wire recording technology demonstrated on Saturday, then let Evan or myself know. Bernie would be happy to demonstrate it at the Antique Radio Technology Museum. -- Jeff Brace

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