- vcf-midatlantic - lists.vcfed.org

Commodore 64 curb find, need power supply
by Jason Perkins 24 May '17

24 May '17

Last week I was driving through my neighborhood and spied an electric lawn mower by the curb. When I walked back to nab it, by eye caught a Commodore logo on a box. I thought to myself "Surely there's not commodore equipment inside." Turns out it was a never opened MPS-801 dot matrix printer! Everything, even the original ribbon, was in its packing. Well, this warranted a closer look at the other curb items. Nearby was a long box lid, with 2 items in plastic bags. One bag contained 1541 drive, and the other an original style C64. Both with plastics in perfect condition! The C64 has an "A" revision motherboard. I've never had a C64, so I figure this is worth a play :) It didn't come with a power supply though. Does anyone have an extra they want to sell? I'm just outside DC if that makes a difference. Thanks! -- Jason Perkins 313 355 0085

1 0

OT - electronics question
by william degnan 24 May '17

24 May '17

There is a "thing" that one can use to regulate LED voltages in a string, with a pretty large voltage/resistance variation. It's better than having a resistor at each light. What is this thing called?

6 7

Re: [vcf-midatlantic] COBOL
by Kenneth Seefried 24 May '17

24 May '17

Something I've noticed being overlooked whenever this topic comes up (what, several times a year): the industry *has* been trying to migrate off COBOL for as long as I've been in the game (30+ years). At one point, the "4GL" suites were going to let you capture all that business logic in a 'better' language. Most are all long forgotten and barely lamented. PowerBuilder, anyone? Then IBM decided the answer to COBOLness was, of all things, Smalltalk. They dumped all kinds of resources into retreading COBOL programmers into object-oriented quiche-eaters. A glorious experiment; I think pretty much the only legacy is Object COBOL and a lot of programmers that really, really hate the whole OO paradigm. Then about a decade ago I guess, Java was going to put the final stake in COBOLs heart. Jury still out there, I suppose. I do see a *lot* of business apps for conservative, disciplined, COBOL-esque IT shops being done in Java. Not sure they're replacements, tho. I've even heard of real projects to migrate COBOL to Ada (reasonable), Visual BASIC (icky) and C (kill it with fire). I'm sure over time all these 'alternatives' eroded away the *number* of COBOL apps in production; after all, if you've got some smallish, auxiliary app why not make it easier for more people to be competent to maintain. And there's an entire ecosystem of products that let you put a nice UI in front of what is on the back-end a block-oriented, 3270 terminal abstraction. All programmable in VB, Javascript, etc. What seems clear, however, is that little migration of business critical, high volume, high reliability transaction processing applications that are COBOL/Mainframe core competencies is being seriously undertaken. P.S. - If you're really interested in learning COBOL academically, take a peek at Columbus State University TSYS School of CS (https://goo.gl/0cx6qH) You can get a COBOL/Mainframe oriented certificate or BS degree. It's a joint venture of sorts between the University System of Georgia, IBM and TSYS, who is one of the largest credit card processors in the world. This is a tangible answer to "not enough new COBOL programmers". P.P.S. - I'm currently an IT executive at the 5th largest bank in the US. Yes we use COBOL. No, it's not going away any time soon. They're hiring, last I checked. KJ

2 1

Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Computing time in BASIC
by william degnan 24 May '17

24 May '17

There was a whole industry in 8bit times selling clock cards with batteries. I have also seen replacement chips with clock/batteries on them. Not sure what specifically was used for your machine to accomplish this but that's one thing you can do, IF the clock writes to a memory location that BASIC can then access. Poor man's alternative, use a stopwatch and run the program. Have an on-screen counter running that shoes your program loop counter maybe a space bar to force a stop. Eventually you'll find the best method to accomplish. Help? Bill Degnan twitter: billdeg vintagecomputer.net On May 24, 2017 1:03 AM, "Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic" < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: Suppose I want an Applesoft (Microsoft) BASIC program to do something for a certain amount of time as measured in seconds or minutes. FOR-NEXT loops don't align to any real increment -- they just count based on how fast the processor can go, right? If so, then how do you make something happen for a time amount? ------------------------- Evan Koblentz, director Vintage Computer Federation A 501(c)3 educational non-profit Evan(a)vcfed.org (646) 546-9999 www.vcfed.org facebook.com/vcfederation twitter.com/vcfederation

4 4

OT: What would you do with a 1Gbps connection to the internet?
by Joseph Oprysko 24 May '17

24 May '17

Just an interesting topic of conversation, since Verizon has the 960/880 connection, and Comcast is rolling out the 960/35 connections in the area. -- Normal Person: Hey, it seems that you know a lot. Geek: To be honest, it's due to all the surfing I do. Normal Person: So you go surfing? Normal Person: But I don't think that has anything to do with knowing a lot... Geek: I think that's wrong on a fundamental level. Normal Person: Huh? Huh? What?

1 0

Exciting UNIVAC artifacts
by Evan Koblentz 23 May '17

23 May '17

Some of you may have heard that the Unisys Blue Bell (Penn.) Retirees Group recently closed due to lack of mission/membership. They donated all of their artifacts to VCF. The shipment will arrive soon. They said its contents include: - Digital and printed copies of their "Newsbits" newsletter from the mid-1980s to present, most issues are there - UNIVAC I programming guide (will pair nicely with the UNIVAC 1 technical guide they already donated a few years ago) - 50TH anniversary celebration book - CDs with interviews of Univac 1 workers - Ridge Ave. (their old factory) dedication book - Documents/photos "of the early days of Eckert-Mauchly Corp." ________________________________ Evan Koblentz, director Vintage Computer Federation a 501(c)(3) educational non-profit evan(a)vcfed.org (646) 546-9999 www.vcfed.org facebook.com/vcfederation twitter.com/vcfederation instagram.com/vcfederation

3 3

Re: [vcf-midatlantic] COBOL - HR hiring policies
by mike willegal 23 May '17

23 May '17

Certainly hiring is different from company to company, but my experience is different than what is portrayed in this thread. I have seen very little HR involvement in creating detailed job descriptions and requirements for new hires, other than making sure that the law is followed. In my experience, hiring managers set job requirements. regards, Mike Willegal

1 0

Looking for a serial terminal
by Herb Johnson 23 May '17

23 May '17

> I'm interested in obtaining a RS-232 serial CRT terminal... Hint: when you want some physical thing, it always helps to say "I'm in [city, state, country]". Shipping, car travel, etc. I love it when I get such requests, and then find later the person is in Austraila. I'm in central New Jersey USA (see below). This actually happens to me. Herb Johnson -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey in the USA http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net

3 2

Jason Scott rescue
by Evan Koblentz 22 May '17

22 May '17

Hey everyone. Jason Scott no longer needs the vast majority of his vintage computer collection. He's donating it to us for our museum and/or fundraising -- we'll make decisions when the collection gets to NJ. Who can help us rescue it? There are (at least) two full shelving units of hardware: https://twitter.com/textfiles/status/865598646120718337 This is located at his home in Hopewell Junction, NY. Contact me, not Jason. ________________________________ Evan Koblentz, director Vintage Computer Federation a 501(c)(3) educational non-profit evan(a)vcfed.org (646) 546-9999 www.vcfed.org facebook.com/vcfederation twitter.com/vcfederation instagram.com/vcfederation

4 9

Re: [vcf-midatlantic] obsolescence of a language, was Re: COBOL
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 22 May '17

22 May '17

From: SMTP%"vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org" 22-MAY-2017 11:07:00.75 To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> CC: Dave McGuire <mcguire(a)neurotica.com> Subj: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] obsolescence of a language, was Re: COBOL Return-Path: vcf-midatlantic-bounces(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org Received: from mailmanlists.network (192.34.61.247) by great-escape.tmesis.com (V5.7-ECO3, OpenVMS V8.4 Alpha); Mon, 22 May 2017 11:07:00 -0400 (EDT) Received: from [192.34.61.247] (localhost [IPv6:::1]) by mailmanlists.network (Postfix) with ESMTP id 412EF21372; Mon, 22 May 2017 11:06:28 -0400 (EDT) DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/simple; d=lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org; s=mail; t=1495465588; bh=mGaVWLEfX5XbSoUQ0Q2IZ4eF9ddjpjhL9B0c3tlzrRM=; h=To:References:Date:In-Reply-To:Subject:List-Id:List-Unsubscribe: List-Archive:List-Post:List-Help:List-Subscribe:From:Reply-To:Cc: From; b=ItCSTX+0ziJNkfJ0cDjMqnIwA8TzJ8Cpcr/Mmjy59JG2mLFJ7HihGbzHtUWoOB5Wy nMDjQrPJyd3LOE/EYKziTL2MJQdic62LWE/TrDOJuI4WG9sNIqbBg++d+QtacoA03f n/K/b9uZJnZfcgye8cyqdXI1jZGT8uk+1RMSa4PY= X-Original-To: vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org Delivered-To: vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org Received: from mail.neurotica.com (mail.neurotica.com [50.73.179.3]) by mailmanlists.network (Postfix) with ESMTPS id B44B4211A9 for <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org>; Mon, 22 May 2017 11:06:26 -0400 (EDT) Authentication-Results: mailmanlists.network; dkim=pass (1024-bit key; unprotected) header.d=neurotica.com header.i=(a)neurotica.com header.b=AbhDIWvn; dkim-atps=neutral Received: from localhost (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by mail.neurotica.com (Postfix) with ESMTP id 3EC14D95 for <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org>; Mon, 22 May 2017 11:06:26 -0400 (EDT) X-Virus-Scanned: amavisd-new at neurotica.com Received: from mail.neurotica.com ([127.0.0.1]) by localhost (mail.neurotica.com [127.0.0.1]) (amavisd-new, port 10024) with ESMTP id 78N-94myGo8G for <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org>; Mon, 22 May 2017 11:06:24 -0400 (EDT) Received: from [192.168.1.15] (gw.neurotica.com [50.73.179.1]) (using TLSv1 with cipher DHE-RSA-AES128-SHA (128/128 bits)) (No client certificate requested) (Authenticated sender: mcguire(a)neurotica.com) by mail.neurotica.com (Postfix) with ESMTPSA id AF924D94 for <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org>; Mon, 22 May 2017 11:06:24 -0400 (EDT) DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/simple; d=neurotica.com; s=default; t=1495465584; bh=mGaVWLEfX5XbSoUQ0Q2IZ4eF9ddjpjhL9B0c3tlzrRM=; h=Subject:To:References:From:Date:In-Reply-To; b=AbhDIWvnsOC0AR9Ahe2Dl1pV/WXz6mdMoo2IH1rliZkcwtYs869a4V2braahHEycL OCt/tFPSTmIzRJqpkKKI/ErWDIJ0E+XI3jVuiWXjZ0ToRBm8SVhXvw8aHCpE+6lFCt fr4ARz0FnAM4e0KFh7LHWGjLDjJ/K/XSLQR7NsCg= To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> References: <17052211014274_23607106(a)tmesis.com> Message-ID: <6cf84d25-6e17-0532-07be-35b5b25f04b5(a)neurotica.com> Date: Mon, 22 May 2017 11:06:23 -0400 User-Agent: Mozilla/5.0 (X11; Linux x86_64; rv:45.0) Gecko/20100101 Thunderbird/45.8.0 MIME-Version: 1.0 In-Reply-To: <17052211014274_23607106(a)tmesis.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] obsolescence of a language, was Re: COBOL X-BeenThere: vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.23 Precedence: list List-Id: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic.lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> List-Unsubscribe: <https://lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org/mailman/options/vcf-midatlantic>, <mailto:vcf-midatlantic-request@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org?subject=unsubscribe> List-Archive: <https://lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org/pipermail/vcf-midatlantic/> List-Post: <mailto:vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> List-Help: <mailto:vcf-midatlantic-request@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org?subject=help> List-Subscribe: <https://lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org/mailman/listinfo/vcf-midatlantic>, <mailto:vcf-midatlantic-request@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org?subject=subscribe> From: Dave McGuire via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> Reply-To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> Cc: Dave McGuire <mcguire(a)neurotica.com> Errors-To: vcf-midatlantic-bounces(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org Sender: "vcf-midatlantic" <vcf-midatlantic-bounces(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> Dave McGuire via vcf-midatlantic writes: >On 05/22/2017 11:01 AM, Brian Schenkenberger via vcf-midatlantic wrote: >>> I'm not sure I'd even say that. While COBOL generally makes me want >>> to vomit, and that's a common position, that's not the point. >>> Organizations are using it for a reason: It's the right tool for their >>> job, based on whatever criteria they've set forth. I really don't think >>> it's up to any of us to assert that they're wrong. >>> >>> But apart from that, what would be the motivation for declaring its >>> obsolescence? I assume the big deal is age. So, what's the cutoff age >>> for modern vs. "obsolete", when it comes to a language? Note that I'm >>> not talking about implementations of the language, but the language >>> itself, as the COBOL compilers in common use today are current, modern, >>> maintained products. C++ is 35 years old, C is 45, Java is about 20 I >>> think. All have seen recent standardization activity, and all have seen >>> recent development in implementations. Just like COBOL. >>> >>> I don't think there's much that's necessarily "new" or "old" about a >>> language for representing and expressing data structures and algorithms, >>> in cases where the language specification has continued to evolve. Yes, >>> newer techniques (object-oriented programming) and newer habits (long >>> identifier names, use of lowercase characters, column independence) come >>> into being, but these languages continue to evolve to take advantage of >>> them. Modern COBOL implements those newer things, specifically, along >>> with many others. >> >> Object Oriented COBOL. <ducks!> > > Yup. Terrifying, isn't it? The last time I found programming that >distasteful, I was writing x86 assembler. Really, computer programming >just doesn't have to be that bad! Writing PDP-11 assembler, by >comparison, is like listening to a symphony. ;) People who have never touched PDP or VAX assembly don't know what they're missing. 8080/x86 assembly, bleachk! If that is they're introduction to assembly language programming, I can understand their typical disdain. Now, if C only had Macros. ;)

2 1

Re: [vcf-midatlantic] obsolescence of a language, was Re: COBOL
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 22 May '17

22 May '17

Dave McGuire via vcf-midatlantic writes: > > I'm not sure I'd even say that. While COBOL generally makes me want >to vomit, and that's a common position, that's not the point. >Organizations are using it for a reason: It's the right tool for their >job, based on whatever criteria they've set forth. I really don't think >it's up to any of us to assert that they're wrong. > > But apart from that, what would be the motivation for declaring its >obsolescence? I assume the big deal is age. So, what's the cutoff age >for modern vs. "obsolete", when it comes to a language? Note that I'm >not talking about implementations of the language, but the language >itself, as the COBOL compilers in common use today are current, modern, >maintained products. C++ is 35 years old, C is 45, Java is about 20 I >think. All have seen recent standardization activity, and all have seen >recent development in implementations. Just like COBOL. > > I don't think there's much that's necessarily "new" or "old" about a >language for representing and expressing data structures and algorithms, >in cases where the language specification has continued to evolve. Yes, >newer techniques (object-oriented programming) and newer habits (long >identifier names, use of lowercase characters, column independence) come >into being, but these languages continue to evolve to take advantage of >them. Modern COBOL implements those newer things, specifically, along >with many others. Object Oriented COBOL. <ducks!>

2 1

Museum Report May 21, 2017
by Jeffrey Brace 22 May '17

22 May '17

Steve Anderson was at the museum as docent today. About a dozen visitors spread out throughout the day. One of the visitors used to be a programmer of an IBM 360. -- ======================================================== Jeff Brace ========================================================

2 1

Museum report from yesterday
by Evan Koblentz 21 May '17

21 May '17

Extremely busy at the museum yesterday because of a veteran's event on campus. Constant stream of visitors from 11am to 6pm. We were supposed to close at 5 but I stayed because of all the people. Usual mixture of families/kids all the way to very technical people.

1 0

Looking for a serial terminal
by Paul Rickards 21 May '17

21 May '17

Hi Folks, I'm interested in obtaining a RS-232 serial CRT terminal (mono, green or amber preferably). Something like a DEC VT or Wyse but brand not important. Contact me off-list. Cheers, -Paul Twitter: @paulrickards

1 0

List phishing attack
by Evan Koblentz 19 May '17

19 May '17

I emailed the list provider and asked: >> Someone sent a phishing attack to our list. We didn't fall for it. :) We assume they got the addresses by mining our public archive. Is there a way to retain our public message archive but hide the addresses? They replied: >> I've edited your list's template for archived messages so that the sender's email address is no longer displayed at the top of the message. However, some of your members include their email address in their messages (typically in the footer of their message) - which we can't prevent.

1 0

whoa
by Evan Koblentz 18 May '17

18 May '17

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Early-1977-Apple-II-Rev-0-Low-SN-A2S1-1144-w-white-… ________________________________ Evan Koblentz, director Vintage Computer Federation a 501(c)(3) educational non-profit evan(a)vcfed.org (646) 546-9999 www.vcfed.org facebook.com/vcfederation twitter.com/vcfederation instagram.com/vcfederation

5 7

stumped...what is this keyboard enclosure for?
by Herb Johnson 18 May '17

18 May '17

> stumped...what is this keyboard enclosure for?... > claim it as worth saving historically. I sent Bill some private comments, in more detail. Briefly, I suggested it's an artifact typical of the 1970's or so, when individuals made one-off things for purposes of now-vintage computing. It's attractive visually and shows some craft and design, in my opinion. It likely represents a kind of activity at some point in time. But since it was made for one purpose, it's not unreasonable for Bill to reuse it for another purpose. (Some would dismiss it, for those same reasons.) So, he can preserve the artifact, or preserve the photo, and interpret either based on what he knows about it - his choices. Any significance would likely be happenstance. - Herb Johnson Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey in the USA http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net

3 3

Re: Vol 19, Issue 17 Is This Thing On? (PA Workshop)
by SVCatITC＠aol.com 18 May '17

18 May '17

Yeah Bill I am interested. I get around your area at least 2-3 times a year with job travel. Have a customer in Avondale, up the road from you. Crossroads Diner, Wilmington is very good food AND a bar to boot. I'll start my VCF East '18 project. July would be better for me as I will be in the Midwest the latter half of June. Bill Inderrieden In a message dated 5/17/2017 12:05:10 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, vcf-midatlantic-request Bill Degnan writes: I'd like to host a workshop here (Landenberg, PA) some time this Summer. Not sure what date. Prob end of June early July. If anyone has interest let me know. Bill

1 0

The Best Way To Transmit Satellite Data? In Trucks. Really
by Devin Heitmueller 18 May '17

18 May '17

I guess this is the modern equivalent to "Never underestimate the bandwidth of a station wagon full of tapes hurtling down the highway." https://www.wired.com/2017/05/best-way-transmit-satellite-data-trucks-reall… Devin -- Devin J. Heitmueller http://www.devinheitmueller.com

3 2

stumped...what is this keyboard enclosure for?
by william degnan 18 May '17

18 May '17

stumped...what is this keyboard enclosure for? http://vintagecomputer.net/pictures/2017/Temple/Mystery_Keyboard_Enclosure.… The key pattern fits no computer I own, and I have a lot of keyboards <Hank Hill impression> I tell you what</Hank Hill impression> I plan to re-purpose it as a guitar pedal holder because it'd be perfect for that...but before I do please warn me otherwise or claim it as worth saving historically. Bill

4 5

Entrex 480 on eBay
by AJ Palmgren 18 May '17

18 May '17

Just wondering if anyone here might know who bought this? I want to start aggregating and archiving info on this rare clone-of-a-clone system. I seem to have a propensity for this type of thing... http://www.ebay.com/itm/282462822861 -- Thanks, AJ Palmgren http://Entrex480.com

1 0

Computer Graphics 101 Cartoon
by william degnan 18 May '17

18 May '17

http://vintagecomputer.net/browse_thread.cfm?id=680 b

5 10

August 2017 Workshop Date
by Jeffrey Brace 18 May '17

18 May '17

The August workshop will be 12 & 13. Sign up here: So far future Workshops are: *June 10 & 11 :* https://drive.google.com/open?id=13qn9xUYyZum3ZD8HV0HtYJ2NHfDsY8Tmdw8NQyIHS… *July 15 & 16 :* https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16G0w7Z5y15B2uWh-NKItmVnoJF-f3NIIFQD… *August 12 & 13 :* https://drive.google.com/open?id=13qn9xUYyZum3ZD8HV0HtYJ2NHfDsY8Tmdw8NQyIHS… -- Jeff Brace - ark72axow(a)gmail.com Sent from my Commodore 64 ========================================================

1 2

August 2017 Workshop Date
by Blatboy 17 May '17

17 May '17

Greetings. The August link points to the June document methinks. :) w http://www.jwalterhawkes.com http://www.blatboy.com like to know where/when I'm playing? Click here <http://www.blatomaster.com/mlist.php> to sign up for my list, and let the babble begin.

1 0

Anybody have an old mainframe lying around?
by Drew Notarnicola 17 May '17

17 May '17

I was working on laying out The Progress newspaper of Essex County NJ and found an interesting little tidbit. ;)

1 1

Suspected Phishing Attack
by Christian Liendo 17 May '17

17 May '17

So I got this to one of my email addresses ========= Start Message =============== Hello! We have 3 old Russian computers ДВК-3 and we want to sell them. There are photos here: https://drive.google.com/open? <no im not stupid enough to put the whole link> Is it interesting for you? -- With best regards, Michael ========= End Message =============== Did anyone else get something like this?

7 8

Is this thing on?
by Evan Koblentz 16 May '17

16 May '17

Quiet here. Figured I'd see if it is working. ________________________________ Evan Koblentz, director Vintage Computer Federation a 501(c)(3) educational non-profit evan(a)vcfed.org (646) 546-9999 www.vcfed.org facebook.com/vcfederation twitter.com/vcfederation instagram.com/vcfederation

4 3

Intel AboveBoard AT info needed
by Richard Cini 16 May '17

16 May '17

All -- I may have posted about this before but I have an AB/AT (TTL version, not with the large GAL on it) and I'm having problems getting the software configured properly for EMS use. The driver ZIP archives on the Net are incomplete (based on errors produced from the setup program). GlenS has been helpful in piecing together info, but I have not been able to locate a complete disk or manual for the board anywhere. I do have it running as XMS based on switch settings I found and the memory tests good, so at least I've made progress. If anyone has the disk and manual let me know. Thanks! Get Outlook for iOS<https://aka.ms/o0ukef>

1 0

Museum security cameras
by Evan Koblentz 16 May '17

16 May '17

Martin donated four IP security cameras to us. This was a few months ago. We need to prioritize installing them. The building has a permanently installed ladder into the attic where there is a catwalk. (No word on whether there are any cats...) We need volunteers to climb up there and install the cabling. A logical time is at our next repair workshop, but sooner would be better. I'm leaving it to Martin and Dean to coordinate the technical details.

2 1

Museum Report 5/14/17
by Douglas Crawford 15 May '17

15 May '17

Fairly slow day at the museum, likely due to Mother's Day and the weather back and forth from rain to sun. Two families came in. One had two boys in college in technology fields, CE and EE. They were fairly interested and got "the tour". The other family was not particularly tech oriented and they simply strolled through and moved on.

3 3

Possible August 2017 workshop dates
by Jeffrey Brace 15 May '17

15 May '17

Any conflicts with: August 12/13 August 26/27 ? -- Jeff Brace - ark72axow(a)gmail.com Sent from my Commodore 64 ========================================================

1 1

Museum report
by Evan Koblentz 14 May '17

14 May '17

Slow day at the museum due to a huge rainstorm. One visitor found us via a VCF East Youtube video and brought us Newtons + miscellaneous Apple things. Highlight is a boxed eMate. Another group was an older couple who visited last weekend and were so impressed that they returned today with their adult children. Today's the first day that we had a working Amiga on display. Good times. Looking forward to swapping it (the 500) for our 1000 when the keyboard is ready. Dean is retrobriting it. ________________________________ Evan Koblentz, director Vintage Computer Federation a 501(c)(3) educational non-profit evan(a)vcfed.org (646) 546-9999 www.vcfed.org facebook.com/vcfederation twitter.com/vcfederation instagram.com/vcfederation

1 0

Radio Shack
by william degnan 14 May '17

14 May '17

Drove past a Radio Shack that was closing, today. Walked out with "all I could fit in a bag for $50". ... The retail total was ...wait for it ... wait for it. wait for it... $2650 (or thereabouts.) Maybe some of you should see if there are others closing down this weekend. BIll

5 5

July 2017 Workshop Date
by Jeffrey Brace 13 May '17

13 May '17

The July VCF workshop will be July 15 & 16. -- Jeff Brace - ark72axow(a)gmail.com Sent from my Commodore 64 ========================================================

1 0

Test...
by William Sudbrink 13 May '17

13 May '17

Sorry for the test. Working out my email client. Bill S. --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

3 7

The Amp Hour Podcast
by William Sudbrink 12 May '17

12 May '17

One of the things I did to avoid going into complete withdraw shock over the last year was to listen to The Amp Hour podcast: http://theamphour.com/ I have a half-hour commute each way to work so it's a good thing to listen to. Episode 241 is an interview with Chuck Peddle. Covers a lot of the same turf as the VCF YouTube Video but all in one chunk. Bill S. --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

1 0

Re: [vcf-midatlantic] WTF
by Christian Liendo 12 May '17

12 May '17

So WTF Is Absynthia >From their KickStarter https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1426283174/steampunk-science-fiction-t… "Sick of Hollywood remakes and a lack of original ideas? Well Absynthia is a new original idea with strong female characters, the men who love them (who have secrets of their own), AND a drama to rival all dramas!" They have a Twitter account as well. https://twitter.com/AbsynthiaRyan In short someone allowed them access to the room for filming, because I doubt that much work can go on without anyone noticing.

8 10

Possible July workshop dates
by Jeffrey Brace 12 May '17

12 May '17

So KansasFest is July 18-23 Would it be better to have our workshop July 15/16 or July 29/30? Any preferences? -- Jeff Brace - ark72axow(a)gmail.com Sent from my Commodore 64 ========================================================

4 3

I'm back...
by William Sudbrink 12 May '17

12 May '17

Hi all, I've been pretty much occupied with rebuilding my house for the last year, but we (my wife and I) now see the light at the end of the tunnel and we're pretty sure it's not ANOTHER train. I can now walk from one end of my basement to the other and I'm beginning to plan the layout for my lab/playroom. Finally, about the time all this started, Verizon (bless their hearts) started rejecting all of the list traffic, so I sort of dropped off the list. I've just finally set up a gmail account and subscribed it to the list. Looks like you all had a lot of fun at VCF East this year. I won't miss next year. Bill S. --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

2 1

Needed: traditional wall thermometer
by Evan Koblentz 12 May '17

12 May '17

Drew N. pointed out last weekend that our modern history exhibit should include a thermometer. Good point -- I check the weather through my phone all the time! Does anyone have a simple thermometer (it's fine if it also has a barometer, etc.) to donate? ________________________________ Evan Koblentz, director Vintage Computer Federation a 501(c)(3) educational non-profit evan(a)vcfed.org (646) 546-9999 www.vcfed.org facebook.com/vcfederation twitter.com/vcfederation instagram.com/vcfederation

2 2

I'm back...
by William Sudbrink 12 May '17

12 May '17

Hi all, I've been pretty much occupied with rebuilding my house for the last year, but we (my wife and I) now see the light at the end of the tunnel and we're pretty sure it's not ANOTHER train. I can now walk from one end of my basement to the other and I'm beginning to plan the layout for my lab/playroom. Finally, about the time all this started, Verizon (bless their hearts) started rejecting all of the list traffic, so I sort of dropped off the list. I've just finally set up a gmail account and subscribed it to the list. Looks like you all had a lot of fun at VCF East this year. I won't miss next year. Bill S. --- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus

3 2

Semi OT 1970 Robert Moog radio interview
by Matt Patoray 12 May '17

12 May '17

Hi all, I have recently come into possession of the master tapes for a radio interview with Dr. Robert A Moog, inventor of the voltage controlled synthesizer that carries his name. I have transferred the interview from the original 2 track 7.5 IPS reel to reel master tape. If anyone is interested in hearing the interview please drop me a line. Only Semi OT because late 60's Minicomputers such as the DEC PDP-8/e where often used in large electronic music studios to control patching of large synthesizers. And of course later on Microprocessors such as the Z80 and 80186 where used to control machines such as the Prophet 5 and the Rhodes Chrome, then there was the Aphpasyntauri that used an Apple II/II+ as its driver. And who could forget the Fairlight CMI, the sampler/synth literally called the Computer Musical instrument, which Bob Moog demoed around the US and sold. -- Matt Patoray Owner, MSP Productions KD8AMG

5 5

Rx01 drives
by william degnan 11 May '17

11 May '17

I have Rx01 drives contact me privately if interested. Pick up preferred but will ship if you cover labor and materials Bill Degnan twitter: billdeg vintagecomputer.net

1 0

WTF!!!!!!!!
by Evan Koblentz 11 May '17

11 May '17

Some kind of film crew posted on the IA page 20 minutes ago that "our awesome location" is in the VCFed museum. They posted a picture of our mainframe aisle with their stuff on top of our MOBIDIC display case, on top of the Prime, and TAPED to the front of George. None of this happened with any permission from us, nor even Fred giving us any heads-up about it. I called Dean. He said he's 8 minutes away. I told him to rush over, go directly to our space, and find out what the hell is going on. ________________________________ Evan Koblentz, director Vintage Computer Federation a 501(c)(3) educational non-profit evan(a)vcfed.org (646) 546-9999 www.vcfed.org facebook.com/vcfederation twitter.com/vcfederation instagram.com/vcfederation

14 20

OT: Something to make us smile
by Evan Koblentz 11 May '17

11 May '17

Here's a little project I did tonight. It was relaxing. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5thK4McllfJakhXVU1JUFpQS1U/view ________________________________ Evan Koblentz, director Vintage Computer Federation a 501(c)(3) educational non-profit evan(a)vcfed.org (646) 546-9999 www.vcfed.org facebook.com/vcfederation twitter.com/vcfederation instagram.com/vcfederation

5 8

Re: [vcf-midatlantic] OT Linux Malware
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 11 May '17

11 May '17

Ethan via vcf-midatlantic writes: >> My signature is "approximately" true. I got tired of seeing "this >email > free of > malware because I run such-and-so anti-virus program". >> Bill Dudley > >Brute force attempts to log into Linux hosts by SSH isn't exactly >malware though? It's not like a graphical or script ad delivered via a >commercial ad network on a web page that exploits vulnerabilities in a >browser. First, the attempts were not on a Linux box but from a Linux box. >You can easily free yourself from the SSH attempts by moving sshd to a >different port if you must leave it open to the entire internet. Also >turning off interactive (password) based logins can help. I have ssh running on a different -- not port 22 -- port.

2 1

Re: [vcf-midatlantic] OT Linux Malware
by William Dudley 11 May '17

11 May '17

My signature is "approximately" true. I got tired of seeing "this email free of malware because I run such-and-so anti-virus program". Bill Dudley This email is free of malware because I run Linux. On Thu, May 11, 2017 at 9:04 AM, Systems Glitch via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: > > > I wouldn't bet on that. I've intercepted five or six Windows botnet > > >viruses that implement just enough of SSH to get the job done and > > >masquerade as Linux machines. > > > > > > Telnets back to ports 22, 25 and 80 all report Linux. > > Both immitators and actual Linux malware is out there. It's not hard to > lie about a service when you contol the service, though. > > Assuming malware-freeness due to running Linux is probably not correct > nowadays, in the same way that "Macs don't get viruses" is incorrect -- > yeah, way less of a target than Windows, but it's out there. > > Thanks, > Jonathan (also a Linux user) >

2 1

Re: [vcf-midatlantic] WTF!!!!!!!!
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 11 May '17

11 May '17

Dave McGuire via vcf-midatlantic writes: >On 05/10/2017 08:53 PM, Brian Schenkenberger via vcf-midatlantic wrote: >> William Dudley via vcf-midatlantic writes: > >> This email is free of >malware because I run Linux. > > ROTFLMFAO! Give me a break! I've been >getting ssh break-in attempts > on ssh all day from a Linux box on >Verizon's net. No malware my ass! > > I wouldn't bet on that. I've intercepted five or six Windows botnet >viruses that implement just enough of SSH to get the job done and >masquerade as Linux machines. Telnets back to ports 22, 25 and 80 all report Linux.

3 2

Re: [vcf-midatlantic] WTF!!!!!!!!
by Dan Roganti 11 May '17

11 May '17

well, time to put a lock on the door this amount of carelessness and stupidity warrants such measures

2 2

Zenith luggable available
by William Dudley 11 May '17

11 May '17

Zenith ZWL-183-93 laptop. A very early luggable, with (I think) a plasma monochrome display, 3 1/2 " floppy, and hard disk. Runs MSDOS. The museum gets first crack at this. See attached photos. This belongs to a friend, who asked me to find a home for it. Bill Dudley This email is free of malware because I run Linux.

2 3