- vcf-midatlantic - lists.vcfed.org

Re: [vcf-midatlantic] IBM Documents in Boston
by Dave McGuire 15 Mar '25

15 Mar '25

On 3/13/25 14:16, Mike Rieker via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > I'm local too as a backup. Hey Mike I emailed you off-list about this, please check your spam filters. Thanks, -Dave -- Dave McGuire, AK4HZ New Kensington, PA

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Dennis Grimm Obituary
by Christian Liendo 13 Mar '25

13 Mar '25

I know this is an auction, but the obituary was really nice. There are many people who worked in the industry that will never be remembered and I appreciate when someone is discussed. Anyway I hope someone appreciates it as much as I do. https://www.rrauction.com/provenance/dennis-grimm-collection/?fbclid=IwY2xj…

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MARCH contact info (Dayton Microcomputer Association)
by Herbert Johnson 13 Mar '25

13 Mar '25

> I'm a member of a Dayton Ohio user group > [might start] a master listing of computer clubs around the world or country > I had suggested that APCUG www.apcug2.org set up a master list o For what it's worth, I looked over the Dayton Microcomputer Association (DMA) Web site and glanced at some of their activities. My review was brief but informative. https://dma1.org/sigs/ They seem to have interests in older computing and microprocessor computing, through their SIG's (subgroups) which meet in several Dayton areas. The club began in the very vintage era (as did I). So there's some overlap among my vintage computing interests. I spent some time in Ohio, and Dayton is the location of world's largest hamfest (and one of the oldest-active hamfests). One of the SIGs meets at a Dayton radio amateur location. I'm saying, there's stuff going on there in Dayton OH. Separately: The DMA is a member of a "club of clubs" called APCUG www.apcug2.org which seems to be an affiliation of computing-related clubs. MOst of course deal with modern or recent computing, some do not. How VCF Inc. responds to the posted request is up to the VCF inc. officers. But it may be useful to open lines of communications to these groups and see if there's common interests. And of course, it's an opportunity to inform them about MARCH and VCF events. Also, MARCH members outside of New Jersey may be interested in organizations near to them, such as may be found within the APCUG, or have interest in the DMA of Dayton OH. Regards Herb Johnson -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey USA https://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net preserve, recover, restore 1970's computing email: hjohnson AT retrotechnology DOT com or try later herbjohnson AT comcast DOT net

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VCF West 2025 Survey
by Jeffrey Brace 12 Mar '25

12 Mar '25

SAVE THE DATE! VCF West is back on August 1 & 2, 2025 at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California. Please fill out this survey to help us with planning: https://forms.gle/R1kSCsVqEyZfgQ4Q8 This survey is for everyone! We have started plans to make VCF West a bigger, better, and more unique show than we ever have before! We're partnering with the Sacramento Amiga Computer Club and AmiWest to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Amiga and other special guests. We will have quality speakers, a large consignment area, exhibits galore and our Friday Night Social. Exhibit space will, however, be limited so we are going to be selective in the process. There is still room for talks so if you're interested or know someone who is, please let us know at vcfwest(a)vcfed.org We're looking forward to seeing you there! Take care! Jeff Brace VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President VCF East Showrunner MARCH Fundraising Manager Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity https://vcfed.org/ <http://www.vcfed.org/> jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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Who can I talk to about www.midatlanticretro.com
by Christian Liendo 11 Mar '25

11 Mar '25

Please private email me. This is not critical, but I don't want to spam the group with this.

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Swap Meet at System Source
by Ryan Burke 10 Mar '25

10 Mar '25

System Source in Hunt Valley, Maryland is hosting a swap meet on April 26th and 27th. There will be space in the front parking lot to sell out of, and space to set up tables and tents. We will also be hosting a repair workshop immediately following the swap meet. The Computer Museum at System Source is also currently looking to free up space in our overstuffed warehouse. To do this, we will be selling many duplicate computers, game consoles, AV equipment, and more. All proceeds from sales go directly to supporting the museum and making it better. Here are a few things that you can expect to see for sale: Power Mac G3 and G4 Classic Macintosh IBM PCs and compatibles Game consoles, from the Atari 2600 to Nintendo 3DS Turntables, speakers, and projectors iPods and iPhones Apple Newtons iBook G3s and Powerbook G3s Please follow this link to find more information and register: https://ca.syssrc.com/wp/?page_id=105&civiwp=CiviCRM&q=civicrm%2Fevent%2Fin… Please help us by spreading the word! Email rburke(a)syssrc.com with questions.

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Video converter info
by Mike Loewen 09 Mar '25

09 Mar '25

I have a video board that outputs analog RGB-Hsync at 59.94Hz Vertical and 15.734KHz Horizontal. What do I need to convert this to display on a modern LCD display? Mike Loewen mloewen(a)cpumagic.scol.pa.us Old Technology http://q7.neurotica.com/Oldtech/

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Northern VA VCM Meetup - 4 May @ 1-6 PM
by Ryan Stapleton 08 Mar '25

08 Mar '25

Hello All, I am holding my next DMVVCM (DMV Vintage Computer Meetup) on 4 May from 1-6 PM. This will be at the Chantilly, VA public library. 4000 Stringfellow Rd Chantilly, VA, 20151-2628 More information available at: https://www.bluewizard.net/dmvvcm/vintagecomputermeetup/ Thank you -Ryan

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MARCH Hack-a-Thon on March 8-9, 2025 CANCELLED. Please Read.
by Jeff Salzman 06 Mar '25

06 Mar '25

We regret that the MARCH Hack-a-Thon scheduled to take place on March 8 & 9, 2025, at the InfoAge Science and History Museums, Wall, NJ, has been cancelled due to a lack of participation. Despite our best efforts to promote this event, we have only received one registration over the past month and a half. The regularly scheduled MARCH Workshop, occurring on the same dates, is still ongoing. Details for the Workshop can be found here: Repair Workshops @ InfoAge – Vintage Computer Federation <https://vcfed.org/repair-workshops-at-infoage/> While we believe the Hack-a-Thon has great merit and received numerous responses from individuals interested in participating, many were unable to attend on the scheduled dates for various reasons. As this is the first event of its kind that MARCH has decided to host, we are particularly disappointed by this outcome, but we understand the challenges involved in coordinating schedules. We also understand this may be disappointing news, especially for those who were looking forward to showcasing their programming skills and creativity in the world of vintage computing. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Additionally, we recognize that some of you may have been looking forward to the outcomes of this event, even if you weren't directly participating. Your enthusiasm and support mean a lot to us. Based on the feedback we received, here are some reasons in the form of feedback that we believe led to the lack of participation, and subsequently, our decision to cancel the event, along with our thoughts: Don't feel they are good enough to compete. We understand that some of you may feel hesitant to compete, thinking you might not be good enough. However, the MARCH Hack-a-Thon is designed to be a friendly and inclusive event where everyone, from beginners to experienced programmers, can participate. The spirit of the event is about learning, sharing, and celebrating our shared passion for vintage computing. Even if you don't have extensive programming experience, your unique perspective and creativity are valuable. We encourage everyone to join in, have fun, and gain new skills in a supportive environment. Remember, every expert was once a beginner! Wish the contest was open to more computer systems. We acknowledge that our initial focus on specific 8-bit systems may have excluded some of you who are passionate about other validly classified vintage computing platforms. Your feedback is valuable to us, and we are considering opening future events to a wider range of computer systems to ensure more enthusiasts can participate. Since even systems that technically qualify as "8-bit" have a disparate array of capabilities and features, we felt that we could effectively grade submissions if we drew a line somewhere along the architecture aspect to provide a level of fairness. The grading rubric preview previously distributed reflects that notion. Future all-systems contests may consider a qualification cutoff based on the system's introduction year, allowing for a broader range of participation while still maintaining the spirit of vintage computing. Didn't like that the contest was two days, possibly requiring the expense of an overnight stay for those out of town. We understand that a two-day contest may not be feasible for everyone, particularly those who would need to incur additional expenses for overnight stays. The contest was initially considered to be a two-day event because we felt it provided a suitable amount of time for the nature of the task, as programming efforts of any kind often require more than a single day to complete. In the future, we will consider adjusting the event duration to better accommodate participants' schedules and reduce potential costs. We are exploring options such as single-day events to ensure a more accessible and convenient experience for all participants. Wish they could compete in the event from home. We recognize that attending an in-person event may not be feasible for everyone due to distance, time, or other constraints. While we have always valued the importance of on-site participation for promoting a sense of community and the collaborative nature of group events, we are exploring ways to incorporate remote participation in future events. This approach will help us reach a broader audience and ensure that more people can engage with and contribute to the retro computing community, without sacrificing the sense of community and collaboration that makes these events special. The contest was scheduled too soon. We get it—some of you felt the contest was announced a bit last-minute, making it tough to prepare. One reason for the short timing was due to the first serious consideration back in December 2024 for MARCH to even host a Hack-a-Thon, our collective excitement to go for it, planning the concept, and then deciding that suitable prizes could include free tickets to the VCF-East 2025 event in April, making timing a bit of a constraint for the prizes to remain useful and valid. Going forward, we'll make sure to announce events well in advance, giving you (and us) plenty of time to plan, prepare, and clear any personal schedules. Prizes for future Hack-a-Thons will vary. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Since this event coincides with one of our regular MARCH Repair Workshop events, we are allowing the now cancelled Hack-a-Thon to proceed in an informal capacity. Attendees are welcome to participate as though the contest were still on. There will be no grading, no strict adherence to the contest rules, nor any defined challenges. But I'm sure if you are looking for some ideas, any of our staff might be able to suggest a challenging idea for you to practice. Although no prizes will be awarded, this event provides a great opportunity to bring your vintage computer systems and practice your vintage computing skills in a friendly environment. If you wish to participate in an informal capacity, we would still appreciate the opportunity to gather a headcount. Please add your name to the linked spreadsheet below, and indicate in the second column that you're attending the Hack-a-Thon only. Should enough informal participants attend, we may ask the attendees if they want us to reinstate the formal contest on the spot, including prizes, subject to a consensus of those in attendance who wish to continue under the original contest rules. 2025-03-8 March 8-9, 2025 - Google Sheets <https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1jvaA37o4wLwCxzC-jvn0umQDYXsdJ_27YQN…> Please note that Hack-a-Thon only participants will not receive a wristband granting access to MARCH Repair Workshop resources or other InfoAge museums and activities on campus, a benefit regularly granted to Workshop attendees through the standard $15 daily Workshop fee. This proposed informal Hack-a-Thon alternative is a unique opportunity to have a space to test your skills and enjoy the company of fellow enthusiasts without any fees or admission charges. We are committed to fostering a vibrant and engaging community for retro computing enthusiasts and are exploring alternative dates or formats for future events. We will keep you updated with any further developments. We are also pleased to announce that the next official in-person Hack-a-Thon event is projected to be on October 18 & 19, during the scheduled MARCH Workshop the same weekend. This new date takes into consideration many understood issues so far, such as not having enough time to be ready for the event, schedule conflicts (October 18 & 19 are not scheduled near any other major vintage computing events), lodging considerations (lodging near InfoAge is far cheaper after Labor Day than during Summer months), and provides more time for MARCH to refine the Hack-a-Thon concept as a whole. Future MARCH Hack-a-Thons will not just be programming contests. We plan to cover a wide range of computing skills as event themes, as long as they relate to the spirit of vintage computing. Also note that all future Hack-a-Thons are not going to only be programming contests. Themes will vary, and may vary greatly between programming challenges, hardware challenges, both, or even something completely off-the-wall. If you have any questions or need additional information, please feel free to contact the MARCH Events Manager at jeff.salzman(a)vcfed.org. Thank you for your understanding and continued support. We ask, whether you plan, or don't plan, on attending any MARCH Hack-a-Thons now or in the future, that you fill out the survey linked below to provide feedback on how MARCH can make Hack-a-Thons a worthy event for the vintage computing community. MARCH Hack-a-Thon Survey <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf_npzGahVGxwoGuoDICfnUO1Qp2H_IZW5…> Sincerely, Jeff Salzman Events Manager Steering Committee Member Mid-Atlantic Retro Computing Hobbyists (MARCH)

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] OT HAM TICKET
by David Riley 05 Mar '25

05 Mar '25

A reminder that the General is the second-tier ham license, and that if you do not already have the Technician level, you probably want to get that first. Nothing that says you can't do both in one go, but the General exam gets into a LOT more detail on policy that you probably want to study well in advance (plus lots more EE which you may already be okay with). I'm hoping to get my General when I have time to take the exam some time this year! The Technician level was much easier than I had thought it was going to be, so anyone who has been thinking about it should definitely give it a go (and try out the ARRL's practice test generator, which is great for establishing confidence level). - Dave > On Mar 5, 2025, at 2:48 PM, Sentrytv via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > From: Sentrytv <sentrytv(a)yahoo.com> > Subject: OT HAM TICKET > Date: March 5, 2025 at 2:48:13 PM EST > To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> > > > Found this Link on Facebook. > Free JUST A FRIENDLY REMINDER..... > SIGN UP FOR THE FREE - ONLINE-GENERAL LICENSE COURSE!! WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU NEXT WEEK! > For anyone who wants to check it out?

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] OT HAM TICKET
by Joseph Giliberti 05 Mar '25

05 Mar '25

Mmm, free ham On Wed, Mar 5, 2025, 2:49 PM Sentrytv via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > Found this Link on Facebook. > Free JUST A FRIENDLY REMINDER..... > SIGN UP FOR THE FREE - ONLINE-GENERAL LICENSE COURSE!! WE ARE LOOKING > FORWARD TO SEEING YOU NEXT WEEK! > For anyone who wants to check it out? > [image: 468650034_10163026103737214_4362231708123326532_n.jpg] > > New Jersey CB & Ham Radio > <https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AGkUynucG/?mibextid=wwXIfr> > facebook.com > <https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AGkUynucG/?mibextid=wwXIfr> > <https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AGkUynucG/?mibextid=wwXIfr> > > JEFF? > > > Sent from: > My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device. >

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OT HAM TICKET
by Sentrytv 05 Mar '25

05 Mar '25

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... IBM MT/ST magnetic tapes
by Herbert Johnson 04 Mar '25

04 Mar '25

> Spotted on the "code4lib" mailing list, forwarding here because,I'm hoping someone can/will help this grad student out. ---rsk ] The forwarded message, was from a grad-student, attempting to read/recover/preserve some IBM MT/ST magnetic tapes, from an academic business museum. Their message included a Web link to the RICM, the Rhode Island Computer Museum. The link the student found, shows recent work on restoring an IBM MT/ST with its Selectric typewriter and magtape console. The physical format of the tape makes it unlikely that any other apparatus could recover the tape's content. I suggested privately to the person, that they follow up on RICM and make good contacts there. That's a great group which has preserved vintage computers for decades. They provide public access to their works. I think there would be mutual benefit from that contact. I also provided contact links to a data recovery service, and to a Selectric repair service. They may have leads to some recovery services. Regards Herb Johnson -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey USA https://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net preserve, recover, restore 1970's computing email: hjohnson AT retrotechnology DOT com or try later herbjohnson AT comcast DOT net

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Only a few days left! First ever MARCH Hack-a-Thon
by Jeff Salzman 03 Mar '25

03 Mar '25

⏳ *Only ONE WEEK left to sign up—don’t miss your chance to be part of the first ever MARCH Hack-a-Thon!* The number of days left to sign up can be counted in four-bits, or one nybble. 🙂 🎉 *Join Us for the MARCH Hack-a-Thon!* 🎉 Step into the golden age of computing and unleash your creativity as you tackle unique programming challenges designed for 8-bit systems. This event is all about exploring the incredible possibilities of retro hardware, celebrating ingenuity, and connecting with a vibrant community of enthusiasts. 📅 *Event Date:* March 8–9, 2025 📍 *Location:* The InfoAge Science Center, 2201 Marconi Rd., Wall, New Jersey, 07719 ⏳ *Only ONE WEEK left to sign up—don’t miss your chance to be part of the MARCH Hack-a-Thon!* 💡 *Think you’re not up for the challenge? Think again!* This event is for everyone, whether you're a retro programming pro or just starting out. Bring along your own vintage computer system and show off what it can do—your creativity, effort, and resourcefulness will absolutely be celebrated. You might just surprise yourself with what you’re capable of! 🌟 *Our judges are eager to see how contestants push the boundaries of vintage hardware and create something truly unique.* Your contributions could spark inspiration across the entire retro computing community. 🎁 *Admission is free, and there are prizes to be won!* Come for the fun, stay for the rewards, and let’s make programming history together. 🖋 *Sign Up Here:* [Registration Form]( https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfM4GE40lGEfo2t_6FVLL_xJc2ojJ1T_aK…) ℹ️ *More Details:* [Event Web Page]( https://vcfed.org/2025/02/13/march-hack-a-thon/) Act fast, secure your spot, and let’s make programming history together at the MARCH Hack-a-Thon. The countdown is on! 🚀

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Only a few days left! First ever MARCH Hack-a-Thon
by Jeffrey Brace 03 Mar '25

03 Mar '25

Mike, The Interim Computer Festival is in the Seattle area. I don't know why their link isn't working. It has been held for the past 2 or 3 years I think. I have never gone, but Jason Perkins has. Jeff Brace On Mon, Mar 3, 2025 at 12:50 PM Sentrytv via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > Jeff, I guess my confusion with the workshop dates was because the > Hackathon was the same day weekend! > > Now I’m trying to figure out what the > “interim Computer festival” is? > > The link seems to be broken > “service unavailable”. > > Mike Rosen > > > Sent from: > My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device. > > > On Mar 3, 2025, at 12:09 PM, Jeff Salzman via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > > ⏳ *Only ONE WEEK left to sign up—don’t miss your chance to be part of > the > > first ever MARCH Hack-a-Thon!* The number of days left to sign up can be > > counted in four-bits, or one nybble. 🙂 > > > > 🎉 *Join Us for the MARCH Hack-a-Thon!* 🎉 > > > > Step into the golden age of computing and unleash your creativity as you > > tackle unique programming challenges designed for 8-bit systems. This > event > > is all about exploring the incredible possibilities of retro hardware, > > celebrating ingenuity, and connecting with a vibrant community of > > enthusiasts. > > > > 📅 *Event Date:* March 8–9, 2025 > > 📍 *Location:* The InfoAge Science Center, 2201 Marconi Rd., Wall, New > > Jersey, 07719 > > > > ⏳ *Only ONE WEEK left to sign up—don’t miss your chance to be part of the > > MARCH Hack-a-Thon!* > > > > 💡 *Think you’re not up for the challenge? Think again!* This event is > for > > everyone, whether you're a retro programming pro or just starting out. > > Bring along your own vintage computer system and show off what it can > > do—your creativity, effort, and resourcefulness will absolutely be > > celebrated. You might just surprise yourself with what you’re capable of! > > > > 🌟 *Our judges are eager to see how contestants push the boundaries of > > vintage hardware and create something truly unique.* Your contributions > > could spark inspiration across the entire retro computing community. > > > > 🎁 *Admission is free, and there are prizes to be won!* Come for the fun, > > stay for the rewards, and let’s make programming history together. > > > > 🖋 *Sign Up Here:* [Registration Form]( > > > https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfM4GE40lGEfo2t_6FVLL_xJc2ojJ1T_aK… > ) > > > > ℹ️ *More Details:* [Event Web Page]( > > https://vcfed.org/2025/02/13/march-hack-a-thon/) > > > > Act fast, secure your spot, and let’s make programming history together > at > > the MARCH Hack-a-Thon. The countdown is on! 🚀 > >

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Fwd: [onadebanjo@UALR.EDU: [CODE4LIB] Seeking advice on preserving and processing IBM MT/ST magnetic tapes (first first word processor)]
by Rich Kulawiec 03 Mar '25

03 Mar '25

[ Spotted on the "code4lib" mailing list, forwarding here because I'm hoping someone can/will help this grad student out. ---rsk ] ----- Forwarded message from Noah Adebanjo <onadebanjo(a)UALR.EDU> ----- > From: Noah Adebanjo <onadebanjo(a)UALR.EDU> > Date: Mon, 3 Mar 2025 09:21:41 -0600 > Subject: [CODE4LIB] Seeking advice on preserving and processing IBM MT/ST > magnetic tapes (first first word processor) > Reply-To: Code for Libraries <CODE4LIB(a)LISTS.CLIR.ORG> > > Dear Code4Lib Community, > > I'm a graduate assistant working at the Center for Arkansas History and > Culture archives, currently processing the born-digital materials from the > Winthrop Rockefeller Institute collection. Among these materials, I've > discovered several IBM MT/ST (Magnetic Tape/Selectric Typewriter) tapes > that date from the late 1960s/early 1970s. > > As these are relatively uncommon media formats now, I'm reaching out for > advice on a couple of things; > > 1. Best practices for preserving these magnetic tapes > 2. Recommendations for recovering/accessing the data they contain > 3. Whether any institutions have experience with similar materials and > would be willing to share their workflows > 4. References to vendors or specialists who might be able to assist with > data recovery > 5. or any documentation about the IBM MT/ST file formats and technical > specifications > > Although, when I did my research I found the following resources ( here > <https://archive.org/details/IBM-MTST-OneTapeStation-OperatingInstructions/p…>, > here > <https://www.ricomputermuseum.org/collections-gallery/small-systems-at-ricm/…>and > here <https://blog.bruchez.name/posts/ibm-mt-sc-1/>) written by some > computer gurus, but it doesn't necessarily answer how to get the content on > the tapes - it only talks about the complete machine so I still don't know > the best practice for the archival field. My goal is to properly document > and potentially recover the content if possible from these tapes as part of > my processing work. > > Any insights, suggestions, or resources the community could share would be > greatly appreciated. > > Thank you so much y'all. > -- > > Noah Adebanjo | Graduate Assistant > Center for Arkansas History and Culture > University of Arkansas at Little Rock > > *onadebanjo(a)ualr.edu <onadebanjo(a)ualr.edu>* > > He/His/Him ----- End forwarded message -----

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Signup Sheet for MARCH Repair Workshop - March 8-9, 2025
by Jeff Salzman 03 Mar '25

03 Mar '25

Yes it is. Local events that were under the name VCF for many years, and are/were regularly scheduled at InfoAge, are now being referenced by the former name of MARCH (Mid-Atlantic Retro Computing Hobbyists). One of the reasons for this is that VCF is a global organization. MARCH is local to InfoAge as its headquarters. So the more frequent local vintage computing events, other than VCF-East, like the Workshops and the new Hack-a-Thons, will carry the MARCH name. Jeff Salzman On Sun, Mar 2, 2025 at 7:55 PM Sentry TV via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > This workshop is at VCF InfoAge? > Mike Rosen > On Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 06:33:12 PM EST, Jeff Salzman via > vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > Very late on this. I apologize. > > Here is the signup sheet for the upcoming MARCH Repair Workshop for next > Saturday and Sunday, March 8-9, 2025 > > > https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1jvaA37o4wLwCxzC-jvn0umQDYXsdJ_27YQN… > >

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Signup Sheet for MARCH Repair Workshop - March 8-9, 2025
by Jeff Salzman 03 Mar '25

03 Mar '25

Very late on this. I apologize. Here is the signup sheet for the upcoming MARCH Repair Workshop for next Saturday and Sunday, March 8-9, 2025 https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1jvaA37o4wLwCxzC-jvn0umQDYXsdJ_27YQN…

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VCF-East 2025 Consignment Vendor Access Ready to Go
by Jeff Salzman 28 Feb '25

28 Feb '25

Vendor access to Consignment is now open for VCF-East 2025. Who are the vendors? YOU are the vendors! If you plan on attending VCF-East this year April 4-6, 2025 at InfoAge in Wall Township, NJ, and you have vintage computer-related goods stuff you want to sell, you can do so by registering your "inventory" on the VCF-East Consignment system. Many attendees in the past have used the Consignment option to sell their goods, and even earn enough to pay for their trip. Consignment at VCF-East has been a very popular feature of the event for almost an entire decade. VCF will keep 18% of the sale price of items sold on your behalf in the Consignment room. The remaining amount of your net sales will be paid to you at the end of the VCF-East event on Sunday, March 6. If you were a vendor last year, your account is still accessible, along with your previous inventory. For new vendors this year, you will need to set up a free account on our POS system. The POS system is available here: POS — VCF Consignment <https://nexopos.vcfed.org/> Use the Sign-in button if you are a former vendor. Use the Register button if you're new to the VCF Consignment system. When you're logged in, you can click on Consignment Home, then My Items. Use the "+" button to add your items one at a time. You should fill in a short name for the item, the price you want to sell it for, the quantity you have, then fill out a small description. Click Save to save the item into inventory. If it doesn't save for you, check your item Name. There's a limit of 25 characters for the Name. For former Vendors who want to sell items that you entered into the Consignment system that didn't sell last year, find your item in your inventory list and change the quantity. No need to re-enter the item. All quantities of last year's event have been zeroed out. You just need to change the quantity to make it available again for sale. Also for former vendors, any items that are still in the system with a zero quantity when VCF-East 2025 starts will be purged from the Consignment system. Thank you, Jeff Salzman

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Painting of 2x4 section of plywood
by Martin A. Flynn 27 Feb '25

27 Feb '25

Can someone paint the 2x4 section of plywood in the 9059 furnace room black? It's leaning on the chimney behind the door. Both sides and edges need to be painted so it does not warp in the attic of 9036 Martin

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fufu - I think I caught a Ghost! :-D, <fufu.flexusergroup.com>
by Neil Cherry 27 Feb '25

27 Feb '25

Yes Dave you are seeing this again, different list. ;-) Bid and won on a Gimix Ghost. Not sure what's in it but at least now I have a Ghost. Might have a hard drive interface and a video card in addition to other cards. I was spoiled rotten with a fully loaded Gimix that we used for development work (1984?). We ran 5 users on it until we got 3 new developers and then the C compiling kinda slowed things down a bit. 😉 I have no drive in it but do a few boards. Lets see what condition this thing is in. I do have some of Bob's Corsham boards and Fredrics Peripheral Technologies boards (he still makes them). Thomas, I'll spend some time later this year putting something together for the Ghost and the SWTPC we spoke about yesterday. -- Linux Home Automation Neil Cherry kd2zrq(a)linuxha.com http://www.linuxha.com/ Main site http://linuxha.blogspot.com/ My HA Blog Author of: Linux Smart Homes For Dummies KD2ZRQ

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Looking for a DOS-era laptop for VCF East
by Benjamin Krein 27 Feb '25

27 Feb '25

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Looking for a DOS-era laptop for VCF East
by Benjamin Krein 27 Feb '25

27 Feb '25

I'm looking for an inexpensive DOS-era laptop (8088-80486, maybe Pentium I or II) in working condition that I can use at the FujiNet table for showing off the latest developments of the RS232 version of FujiNet. Unfortunately what I currently have is either unreliable or unpresentable & I need something better. I prefer a laptop for portability/built-in display if possible. Floppy & serial port is a must, hard drive would be nice (I have a CF card adapter for IDE). Working display & keyboard is important. I'm happy to clean something up so if it's dirty that's fine. I'm going to be at the System Source repair day this weekend if anyone has something & wants to meet me there. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks! -- - Benjamin Krein

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Leading Edge Model M and Mitsubishi 1982
by Bill Degnan 26 Feb '25

26 Feb '25

Anyone have a 1982 Leading Edge Model M? "M" for Mitsubishi parts. Not easy to find them. So I was wondering if there might be a 1982 Mitsubishi PC sold in Japan....? There is the 1982 Mitsubishi Multi16 - a CP/M computer:(16 bit? but it's not MS DOS) https://www.reddit.com/r/cassettefuturism/comments/1fi249f/mitsubishi_elect… Anyone have either of these computers? Mitsubishi could have put out a PC of their own but they chose to partner with Leading Edge instead. As many of you know the Japanese stayed with CP/M longer than the US. Or maybe Mitsub. sold Leading Edge Model M's as "Mitsubishi" OEM in Japan but no one has written about it, low sales. Interesting. Bill

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FAQ: MARCH Hack-a-Thon, March 8-9, 2025
by Jeff Salzman 26 Feb '25

26 Feb '25

Since starting this *NEW* idea of Hack-a-Thon events at MARCH, at the InfoAge Science Center, questions have been asked. Here is a FAQ covering details for the upcoming Hack-a-Thon on March 8 and 9, 2025, and for future Hack-a-Thon events that get scheduled. FAQ Is this a real event? Yes, it's real. It's new for us, but not necessarily new for others. Events like this have been held in all sorts of other locations and venues. While this is our first attempt to host an event where we task contestants to use their favorite vintage computing platform in a themed challenge, there are plans to host several Hack-a-Thons each year. Is it called MARCH Hack-a-Thon, or VCF Hack-a-Thon??? VCF, or Vintage Computer Federation, is an organization that grew from the original MARCH (Mid-Atlantic Retro Computer Hobbyists) organization. Since then, and for quite a few years, all events hosted at InfoAge Science Museum in Wall Township, NJ that involved vintage computing were done under the VCF moniker. The VCF moniker has been applied to many vintage computer events all around the world, namely the Vintage Computer Festival (East, West, Southwest, MW, etc.). Since VCF (the festival) and VCF (the Federation) have created confusion with VCF (the moniker), it was decided that all lesser vintage computer events, such as the workshops, museum, and now the Hack-a-Thons that take place at the InfoAge Science Center in Wall Township, NJ will be run under the adopted former name of the group that started there in the first place, MARCH. Other than Vintage Computer Festival - East, along with the VCF Swapmeets, Workshops, and Hack-a-Thons at this location will be called MARCH Workshops and MARCH Hack-a-Thons. Will the Hack-a-Thon events always be programming challenges? No. The first event will be a programming challenge, but even the details of the challenge won't be released until the start of the event. Future Hack-a-Thon events could still be programming challenges based on specific themes, or they could be hardware challenges. Perhaps even both as any particular theme will allow. Why are you doing Hack-a-Thons now? For a long time, MARCH (in its present and former name) has been hosting vintage computer workshops, where anyone can bring their vintage computing equipment into an event space shared by others in order to learn how to use, repair, or recondition their equipment. This became a popular social event where like-minded collectors could meet up to get their collections repaired with the help of others who may be familiar with these systems. Or to simply have an open workspace to work on something they may not have the resources, tools, or space to work on at home. But there's more to just fixing these systems. The Hack-a-Thons were created under the concept that people might not need to repair their systems but would want to meaningfully engage in the use of these systems. During a Hack-a-Thon, you have the chance to put your knowledge to use and give your system(s) a good workout while competing for a goal. These are sanctioned events to allow you to use your vintage computers among other like-minded collectors, or even if you simply enjoy working with your systems in a shared creative environment. Are the listed systems for the first Hack-a-Thon the only choices? No. The primary challenge is to use an 8-bit era system. The list provided in the initial announcement are examples, not limitations. When you enter the Hack-a-Thon contest, you are given the option to put a different system than those listed. Your submission will be considered for its relation to the 8-bit era theme before it is approved. That being said, systems like Altair 8800, IMSAI, PDP systems, etc., and even certain 16-bit systems, would most likely be allowed. All you have to do is ask. "But there's no way my ZX-81 can compete with a Commodore 64. The C64 does so much more. How could I possibly win?" Nonsense! The grading of the competition is not based solely on a superficial "wow factor" of one system compared to the next. Part of the grading rubric will include how the contestant made their computer system do something unique and creative within the scope of the system's own capabilities. For example, if the Hack-a-Thon theme was "Show us what you can do with your computer's graphics capabilities", the judges know that a PET 4032 does not have the same graphics capabilities as a Commodore 64, and would take that into account. By using some real-world examples to explain this, if a Hack-a-Thon contest were to allow the use of modern custom hardware, an example like the PET 4032 that was on exhibit at VCF-East years back which took live video, digitized and converted it to PETSCII characters that displayed real-time on the PET display would probably score very high against an Atari 800XL which was running a cool looking player/missile graphics demo on its own. That's just one example. The point is, that the judges are looking at what you can make your system do in alignment with the output expected by the contest theme... a theme which won't be announced until the start of the event. Is it too late to enter? Not yet. The cutoff for online entry is March 7, 2025. Although we *might* make an exception for those who just show up at InfoAge to enter the contest, we are not obligating ourselves to do so. Pre-registration allows us to have a proper headcount so we can provide location resources to set up your equipment. https://vcfed.org/2025/02/13/march-hack-a-thon/ Can we work this Hack-a-Thon contest at home? Not at this time. The Hack-a-Thon intends to bring like-minded people together in a shared environment. And since the rules of this particular contest state that period correct hardware and software are only to be used, and not emulation, modern IDE environments, cross-compilers, etc., in-person participation allows the contest rules to be properly adhered to and managed. There may be a future Hack-a-Thon theme that could be considered a "work from home" contest, but if so, will be rather infrequent.

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Sam’s photofacts discarded
by Sentrytv 25 Feb '25

25 Feb '25

I saw no mention these were to be discarded. Would it be possible that an email get sent out prior to doing this again? If there was an email sent about these being destroyed, then I missed it. Sent from: My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device. > On Feb 24, 2025, at 9:31 PM, Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > On Mon, Feb 24, 2025 at 9:04 PM Thomas G via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > >> I just threw a pallet of these into the shredder! >> > > Oh yeah. The ones that Jason Scott donated. I remember that! > > >> >>> On Mon, Feb 24, 2025 at 3:26 PM Mike Rieker via vcf-midatlantic < >>> vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: >>> >>> hey it does say "or best offer" :) >>> >>>> I think the price is just a bit high for this. >>>> >>>> https://www.ebay.com/itm/365420431210 >>>> >>>> It's interesting that these are now being graded. >>>> >>> >>> >>> >>

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Sam’s photofacts discarded
by Patrick Finnegan 25 Feb '25

25 Feb '25

Whoosh On Mon, Feb 24, 2025, 23:18 Sentrytv via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > I saw no mention these were to be discarded. > > Would it be possible that an email get sent out prior to doing this again? > > If there was an email sent about these being destroyed, then I missed it. > > > Sent from: > My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device. > > > On Feb 24, 2025, at 9:31 PM, Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > > On Mon, Feb 24, 2025 at 9:04 PM Thomas G via vcf-midatlantic < > > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > >> I just threw a pallet of these into the shredder! > >> > > > > Oh yeah. The ones that Jason Scott donated. I remember that! > > > > > >> > >>> On Mon, Feb 24, 2025 at 3:26 PM Mike Rieker via vcf-midatlantic < > >>> vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > >>> > >>> hey it does say "or best offer" :) > >>> > >>>> I think the price is just a bit high for this. > >>>> > >>>> https://www.ebay.com/itm/365420431210 > >>>> > >>>> It's interesting that these are now being graded. > >>>> > >>> > >>> > >>> > >> > >

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] I think that's a little high
by Thomas G 25 Feb '25

25 Feb '25

I just threw a pallet of these into the shredder! On Mon, Feb 24, 2025 at 3:26 PM Mike Rieker via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > hey it does say "or best offer" :) > > > I think the price is just a bit high for this. > > > > https://www.ebay.com/itm/365420431210 > > > > It's interesting that these are now being graded. > > > > >

2 1

I think that's a little high
by Christian Liendo 24 Feb '25

24 Feb '25

I think the price is just a bit high for this. https://www.ebay.com/itm/365420431210 It's interesting that these are now being graded.

4 3

Large collection of Sam's "PhotoFact" service manuals on CL near York, PA
by Rich Kulawiec 24 Feb '25

24 Feb '25

There's a Craigslist ad for them: https://york.craigslist.org/ele/d/york-sams-photofact-service-manuals/78239… After I noticed this ad, I asked the Internet Archive if they wanted them, but apparently they're already set. But it wouldn't be a bad idea for another institution to acquire and keep this collection so that it doesn't just disappear. (I can't, I'm way past merely "out of space".) ---rsk

6 7

VCF Montréal Survey
by Jeffrey Brace 24 Feb '25

24 Feb '25

This survey is in its final days. You are invited to add your anonymous input by clicking here https://bit.ly/vcfm2026pre-en Ce sondage entre dans ses derniers jours. Vous êtes invité à ajouter vos commentaires anonymes en cliquant ici https://bit.ly/vcfm2026pre-fr DATE: January 25 & 26, 2026. LOCATION: Montréal, QC, Canada Jeff Brace VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President

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Announcing the new-old-fashioned MARCH website!
by Thomas G 23 Feb '25

23 Feb '25

Hello all, As part of our re-establishment of MARCH, the creation of a new, MARCH-specific website became a priority. In keeping with our shared hobby, I felt the new website needed to be something that even the most paleolithic web browser could reasonably handle - so I used the most paleolithic web authoring suite I could scrounge up - none other than WebMagic from SIliconGraphics (later rebranded as Cosmo Create), which was the first WYSIWYG html editor to be sold, circa January 1995. It's roughly styled after the original MARCH site, though the font and colors are a bit different! I have tested this site to be functional with Lynx, Netscape Navigator, NCSA Mosaic, and even the accursed Internet Explorer. It's currently served over plain http, though https will come along in time to stop modern browsers from whining about security. Without any further ado: http://midatlanticretro.com/ Some of you may notice the different TLD - the original MARCH website was a .org. Unfortunately, that domain is currently registered by someone else - last I checked it was redirecting to some Japanese company. But no matter - the .com TLD granted me the ability to do some very stupid wordplay... Of course, the new website is nowhere near a finished, set-in-stone work. Wording, content, layout, etc. is bound to change in time - this is just what I've thrown together thus far! Let me know if you see anything factually incorrect or confusing so I can correct it! Thanks, -Thomas G. Chairman of the MARCH Committee

6 6

Bill Gates interview Feb. 23, 2025 at 8PM on CNN
by Jeffrey Brace 23 Feb '25

23 Feb '25

Bill Gates talks about his recently released auto-biography: https://cnnpressroom.blogs.cnn.com/2025/02/18/the-whole-story-with-anderson… Take care! Jeff Brace

1 0

Cromemco STDC
by Mike Loewen 23 Feb '25

23 Feb '25

Does anyone have a Cromemco STDC hard disk controller that I could use for troubleshooting/testing? Mike Loewen mloewen(a)cpumagic.scol.pa.us Old Technology http://q7.neurotica.com/Oldtech/

3 2

MARCH Hack-a-Thon - March 8-9, 2025
by Jeff Salzman 22 Feb '25

22 Feb '25

MARCH Hack-a-Thon Number of event slots: 10 Number of registrants so far: 1 Come on, guys... you don't want that one person to win by default, do you? 😎 We at MARCH didn't know what to expect for turnout, since this is the very first Hack-a-Thon event we ever created. We will have other Hack-a-Thon events in the future, all with different themes and goals. But for now, this event is still on, and we're playing this one by ear, and sticking to this particular theme. We will follow through with our end of the event by hosting it at InfoAge on March 8 and 9. It will be held concurrently with our monthly Repair Workshop on March 8 and 9. The Workshop attendees will be in the same area doing their own thing, so there will still be plenty of social interaction if you need to take a break from your programming efforts and get a chance to see what else we do here at MARCH. So, if you're willing to take a chance at a coding project using vintage computers, and to shoot for one of the free admission prizes for VCF East this year, follow the link below for more information and sign up for the event. We look forward to your presence at the Hack-a-Thon event. Let me know if you have any questions. https://vcfed.org/2025/02/13/march-hack-a-thon/ Thanks, Jeff Salzman M.A.R.C.H. Events Manager

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Reminder: Workshop in Maryland
by Ryan Burke 22 Feb '25

22 Feb '25

System Source is hosting a repair workshop on March 1st and 2nd in Hunt Valley, Maryland. Participants will be able to work on anything they want, and receive help from other members of the community. Please follow the link below to register: https://ca.syssrc.com/wp/?page_id=105&civiwp=CiviCRM&q=civicrm%2Fevent%2Fin… System Source is also hosting a swap meet on April 26th, you can find more information at the link below: https://ca.syssrc.com/wp/?page_id=105&civiwp=CiviCRM&q=civicrm%2Fevent%2Fin…

4 3

Free rk diskpac on FB
by Bill Degnan 21 Feb '25

21 Feb '25

https://www.facebook.com/share/12E2RMQSUeB/?mibextid=wwXIfr It’s not mine I am just passing along the info. Looks like an rk05 but I don’t know Bill

1 0

$20 antique tv switchboard
by Bill Degnan 20 Feb '25

20 Feb '25

If you have a Facebook account and live in PA maybe you can spring for this $20 antique telephone switchboard? https://www.facebook.com/share/1BZQPzwJ9u/?mibextid=wwXIfr I don’t know the seller but I did notice the price has gone down week after week. Bill Degnan

2 3

College Student in NY looking for old terminals for a film.
by Christian Liendo 18 Feb '25

18 Feb '25

A friend of mine's son is looking at renting some older terminals, preferably working for a college video. They are in LI and was hoping if someone around NY would have them. I have personal computers and the one terminal I had I sold to Ian.

1 0

May Repair Workshop @ InfoAge cancelled
by Jeffrey Brace 14 Feb '25

14 Feb '25

We will all need a break between VCF East and the MARCH Swap Meet. Jeff Brace MARCH Fundraising Manager

1 0

MARCH Hack-A-Thon (March 8 & 9, 2025)
by Jeffrey Brace 14 Feb '25

14 Feb '25

MARCH Hack-a-ThonA 2-Day, 8-Bit Computing Challenge *DATE: *March 8 & 9, 2025 *LOCATION*: InfoAge Science and History Museums, Wall, NJ *Fee*: None *Contact Email*: jeff.salzman(a)vcfed.org Calling all retro computing enthusiasts, programmers, and hackers! The Mid-Atlantic Retro Computing Hobbyists (MARCH) is proud to present the first-ever MARCH Hack-a-Thon, a 2-day, 8-bit computing challenge that will put your skills to the test. The Challenge Using a vintage 8-bit computer system, contestants will have two days to design, develop, and deliver a working project that showcases their programming skills, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. The project theme will be announced at the start of the contest, and contestants will have to work efficiently and effectively to complete their project within the allotted time frame. Eligible Systems The contest is open to any vintage 8-bit computer system that meets the following criteria: The system must have been first marketed before January 1, 1990. - The system must have a CPU and memory architecture primarily in the spirit of an "8-bit era" computer system. - Examples of eligible systems include, but are not limited to: - Apple II - Commodore 64 - ZX Spectrum - ZX81 and Timex Sinclair 1000 - Atari 8-bit - Texas Instruments TI-99/4A - TRS-80 - Amstrad CPC - MSX - Coleco Adam - Dragon 32/64 - Acorn Atom - BBC Micro - Electron - Enterprise 128 - Jupiter Ace - Oric-1 - SAM Coupé - Sinclair QL - For any other system that may qualify, please indicate the system you wish to use when registering for the contest. MARCH reserves the right to disqualify any system that does not fit the “spirit” of an 8-bit computing system. Rules and Requirements - A maximum of ten (10) contestants will be accepted. Entries will be prioritized and cut off based on the entry submission date. - Contestants must use a native programming tool(s) available for their chosen system. - All programming must be done on the vintage system itself; no cross-compilation or emulation is allowed. - Contestants may use any period-specific programming language or tool available for their system, including but not limited to BASIC, Assembler, FORTRAN, and FORTH. - The cutoff publishing date for period-specific programming tools is December 31, 1999. - For example, if the Apple II system just happened to be graced with a cool Apple II based set of programming tools in October 1997, then that programming tool would be fair to use for this contest. This applies to all eligible contest systems. - The final contest submission must be a standalone application that runs on the vintage system without the need for specialized external hardware or software. - As part of the judging criteria, contestants must provide a copy of their code and any relevant documentation to the contest organizers at the end of the contest period. - The challenge is to use original hardware, with an allowable exception of floppy or tape storage. We understand that disk or tape media is not as reliable as it used to be. If you wish to use original floppy and tape storage, by all means, do so. Flash-based storage will be allowed in a limited capacity. It must be designed to replace original media storage without significant enhancements. For example, storage devices cannot be capable of being bridged to the Internet, i.e Fujinet, Meatloaf, etc. Other stand-alone SD and CF based flash devices may be fine. - Once the contest starts, you won’t be able to download or add additional software tools to work the contest. Make sure you have all the programming and design tools you think you’ll need already on floppies, or pre-installed on your flash storage device. We reserve the right to inspect the content of your floppies and flash storage before the contest starts. - We understand it may be cumbersome to carry around programming guides, like memory maps and other system architecture resources. You may use Internet resources during the contest strictly for research purposes, not for downloading any additional code, data, or files onto your 8-bit computer. - All programming code should be of your own design. Judging Criteria The submissions will be judged by the MARCH Steering Committee members on the following criteria: - Creativity and originality of the project - Technical skill and proficiency in programming the vintage system - Overall quality and completeness of the project - Adherence to the contest rules and requirements Prizes and Recognition There will be three primary winners, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, chosen for the contest. - The primary winners will receive a prize as indicated below, along with recognition on the MARCH website and social media channels. - 1st Place: Their winning entry will be showcased at VCF-East. They will also receive a free three-day ticket to VCF-East 2025, along with a special “Golden Ticket” pass for exclusive entry to shop at Consignment 30 minutes before Consignment opens to the public, along with the privilege of bypassing any Consignment waiting line during open hours (if a line exists). - 2nd Place: Free three-day ticket to VCF-East 2025 and a “Golden Ticket” to wait at the front of the line when Consignment opens, and to bypass any Consignment waiting line during open hours (if a line exists). - 3rd Place: Free three-day ticket to VCF-East 2025. - All contestants who complete the contest, but are not one of the first three prize winners, will also have recognition on the MARCH website and social media channels. Schedule - Contestants may begin to set up their systems at 10:00 AM EST on Saturday, March 8, 2025. - The contest will start on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at 12:00 PM EST, running until 8PM Saturday evening. The contest will continue from 9AM to 5PM on Sunday, March 9. Registration - Registration for the contest is free and open to anyone who meets the eligibility criteria. - Contestants must register in advance by filling out the online form at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1...c2ojJ1T_aKjCjzLejcRVpG1XA/viewform?us… <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfM4GE40lGEfo2t_6FVLL_xJc2ojJ1T_aK…> <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfM4GE40lGEfo2t_6FVLL_xJc2ojJ1T_aK…> - VCF officers, VCF management, and MARCH Steering Committee members are not eligible to participate in the contest. Venue - The contest will take place at the InfoAge Science Museum in Wall Township, New Jersey. - Contestants are responsible for bringing their own vintage system, power supply, and any necessary cables or peripherals. - Details for contest day activities (entry into the building, etc.) will be provided to the applicants closer to the contest date. We look forward to seeing your creative and innovative programming projects! Register now and get ready to hack your way to victory!

3 2

OT: Workshop free stuff
by David Gesswein 14 Feb '25

14 Feb '25

Have a Laserjet 5p looking for a new home. Verified it did print the test page using printer buttons. Also a Nexus 10 Android 5.1.1 tablet. email me if interested. Can bring to workshop.

3 2

Can someone please bring a 5170 diagnostic disk?
by Joseph Giliberti 13 Feb '25

13 Feb '25

Greetings, I'm planning on bringing an IBM 5170 to recap and restore this weekend. Can anyone who is attending possibly bring a diagnostic disk so I can get past POST after replacing the battery? Thanks in advance! Regards, Joe Giliberti

3 4

February 15-16 Vintage Computer Workshop
by Jeff Salzman 13 Feb '25

13 Feb '25

Last reminder for this weekend. If you're interested in attending this workshop, please add your name to the document linked below. Repair workshops are events which are open to the general public where members of all levels technical abilities and experience get together to help each other repair vintage computer hardware. Repair workshops are a chance to work with other VCF members to help repair your vintage artifact. We are not there to do repairs for you, only to allow you the facilities and partnership to help you figure out how to repair it. Repair workshops are held about 9 times per year at the InfoAge location in Wall, NJ, 2 times per year at the System Source location. Any questions? Feel free to ask. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1nHJHC4fgZdZZocCe9gkG-Vek5HlpDfyjCmG… Jeff Salzman Events Manager / Steering Committee Member Mid-Atlantic Retro Computing Hobbyists (MARCH)

2 1

RetroBrite at VCF East
by Jeffrey Brace 13 Feb '25

13 Feb '25

Hey everyone, Javier can't make it to VCF East. Is there anyone else that can teach a RetroBrite class? Thanks! Jeff Brace VCF East Showrunner

1 0

Vintage Computer Festival Montreal Survey
by Jeffrey Brace 13 Feb '25

13 Feb '25

We invite you to take part in a brief, anonymous survey about VCF Montreal. Click here https://bit.ly/vcfm2026pre-en Nous vous invitons à participer à un bref sondage anonyme sur VCF Montréal. Cliquez ici https://bit.ly/vcfm2026pre-fr We are creating a new Vintage Computer Festival franchise. We are in the very early stages. DATE: January 25 & 26, 2026. LOCATION: Montreal, QC, Canada Jeff Brace VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President VCF East Showrunner MARCH Fundraising Manager Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity https://vcfed.org/ <http://www.vcfed.org/>

1 0

Warning on a Commodore 64 Silver Label
by Christian Liendo 11 Feb '25

11 Feb '25

So I saw this come up and I thought this was kind of an odd price for this. $200 seemed cheap https://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/vgm/d/brooklyn-commodore-64-silver-label… I thought it might be fake so I wanted to do some research For giggles, I decided to just see what they were going for and found this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/235921534457 Same pictures Same serial number Out of all the things I thought people would scam over, vintage computers was not that one thing

5 5

Atlantic Inn & Suites Hotel Block for VCF East 2025
by Jeffrey Brace 09 Feb '25

09 Feb '25

If you reserved a room at The Atlantic Inn and Suites for VCF East, then you need to do it again. The same discount still applies: $100/night for one bed and $120/night for two beds. You must mention Vintage Computer Festival when you call on the phone: (732) 974-8400. While checking how many rooms were left, I was informed that all the reservations for The Atlantic Inn and Suites were lost due to a terminated employee not recording any of them. Dawn was our contact last year and is no longer with the hotel. Jeff Brace VCF East Showrunner

1 0

Introduction and Reason for Contact
by therenguy 07 Feb '25

07 Feb '25

Hello, My name is Randy Kaplan and I am joining this list to obtain some information and help. I am a long time computing professional (50 years or so), have built my own hardware, and have been a software developer for many years. I also have many years of teaching computer science at the University level - not entirely relevant, just for background. In any event I am the owner of an intact PDP-8/e that was operating once upon a time when I received it. A kind person gave it to me because they had too much hardware and needed a loving home for it. That is how I came to own it. At one point in my career many years ago I was invited to DEC to write code for a similar computer. I am looking for someone to help me restore it to operating condition. It has not been used for many years and has been sitting and moved between many closets. I have its power supply also. Can someone help kick off this adventure with me? I would be very interested in having a conversation with anyone who can make suggestions on how to proceed, who to contact, and if perhaps someone is interested, would like to help with such a project. I understand there are sessions help by VCF in this region, I live in PA, and I would certainly be willing to attend such a session. Please let me know with any information you might think is helpful. Thanks in advance for your assistance. Regards, Randy Kaplan

5 9

Amiga "Chambers of Muon" and Apple "j" RPG
by John Heritage 06 Feb '25

06 Feb '25

Greetings, A long time ago there was an Amiga based multiplayer arcade game at Echelon Mall called "Chambers of Muon". I only vaguely remember playing - it had awesome sound, intereresting graphics, and you could play other players. I also remember my parents saying it was expensive for an arcade :). When I asked to go back and play the game (a month later or so), it was gone. That led me to find a blog of the ( :( ) decreased creator of Chambers of Muon - Michael J. Alan. "499 days" is his blog, warning - it's a bit bleak. Wanting to learn more, I realized his autobiography was on Amazon and I just read through the physical book. It's written in reverse order and definitely feels brtually open about his experiences. Anyway, it had three chapters I think fully relevant to this group. One chapter was on Chambers of Muon -- how it was created, how it worked, etc. It was based on a network of 7 Amiga 1000s (6 players, and 1 'control' unit). It sounds it was built in New York, with the main test in Echelon Mall in NJ. There was apparently another test at a mall in Texas, but Bally decided not to continue because the financial return wasn't as good as games like PacMan. (not unreasonable). Feedback for the game was that people thought the chamber was moving somehow - when it wasn't. It was just the graphics, and the Amiga's sound echoing loudly inside giving the sensation of movement. Another chapter covered a game called "j" (lower case) for the Apple II, an RPG I cannot find anything about. "j" was inspired by Wizardry but took place on a 'donut shaped space station', with pseudo-random generation of hallways, activities, etc. He tried to address the piracy issue by distributing it to pirates, but using a copy protection that required codes to unlock harder/higher levels that he then sold. The third 'vintage' theme chapter is around founding an Apple II related software business in 1980 - (a) financial application(s) that received some seed money from Apple and investments from other partners, and seems to have been published and supported through at least the mid 1980s. There's some intrigue with Visicalc here too whom he also approached, but there's not a lot of text. Anyway, I was curious if anyone ever heard of "j" or was familiar with Muon. I also feel like these two chapters of the book probably deserve to be scanned or archived someplace relevant for Amiga / Apple enthusiasts (copyright correctness withstanding). I'm pretty confident the software for Muon at least is long gone -- in his book, he said "about five years later" (1990?) people went to NY to try to find the Muon prototype and they basically found nothing. John

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