- vcf-midatlantic - lists.vcfed.org

VAX console cable for workshop?
by Jonathan Sturges 11 Feb '17

11 Feb '17

> I have managed to leave behind the console cable for my VS2k. If anyone headed to the workshop might have such a beast, i'd love to borrow it this weekend. > > TIA, > Jonathan

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Advice on Xenix VCF exhibit
by Jason Perkins 11 Feb '17

11 Feb '17

VCFers, I'm working on planning my exhibit for this year. To keep things not identical to last year I was thinking of showing Xenix on my Lisa. However I'm worried the exhibit won't be interesting enough to the general public (Oh look, it runs. Oh look, it's Unix. Oh look, there's a clunky menu interface you can bring up.) Of course games are always interesting... however as far as I know none were made. The system does have a Pascal compiler, so perhaps that's an option to get something new into the system? Failing that, perhaps showing off Michael Brutman's MTCP suite would be better? I'm open to suggestions. Thanks! -- Jason Perkins

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Non-urgent thing for workshop tomorrow
by Evan Koblentz 11 Feb '17

11 Feb '17

I could use a travel-size 5.25 disk case (the kind that only holds 5-10 disks).

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Urgent - Needed for workshop tomorrow
by Evan Koblentz 11 Feb '17

11 Feb '17

Can someone bring a USB-serial adapter that I can borrow? I may need one to move files between my laptop and the Laser 128.

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Rock Salt for workshop
by Jeffrey Brace 11 Feb '17

11 Feb '17

If anyone has a chance, please pick up some rock salt to the workshop. There are some areas that need attention. Thanks! -- Jeff Brace - ark72axow(a)gmail.com

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Small microwave
by Evan Koblentz 11 Feb '17

11 Feb '17

I figured we already have a mini-fridge in the bottom of our rack, so why not put a microwave on top of it .... hey we might want popcorn or something! But my extra microwave is an inch or two too wide to fit inside and open its door. Anybody have a spare nuker that's narrow enough to fit into a standard 19" rack?

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Important Workshop Info - February 11 & 12, 2017
by Jeffrey Brace 10 Feb '17

10 Feb '17

Extra power cords is always a good idea. People seem to forget those yet have dozens of them at home but forget to bring them. On Fri, Feb 10, 2017 at 4:28 PM Jonathan Sturges via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: > Glad to see the workshop is on! Alex J. & I are driving up tomorrow AM > from the greater DC area. > I was wondering if anyone coming this weekend might have a working Seagate > ST225 I might purchase/trade/etc. for my VAXstation 2000?And separately, is > there anything someone thinks they might need for the workshop (or > otherwise) but don't have? I'm trying to head off > "oh-I-have-that-item-but-it's-at-home" syndrome. Could be a component, > board, adapter, tool, etc. I don't have as much as others, for sure, but > you never know what obscure sh*t someone might have laying around. > > -Jonathan S. > > -- Jeff Brace - ark72axow(a)gmail.com

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IBM model 29 keypunch for sale in Ohio
by Mike Loewen 10 Feb '17

10 Feb '17

I'm just passing this along to the list. If anyone is interested, contact Phil directly. Mike Loewen mloewen(a)cpumagic.scol.pa.us Old Technology http://q7.neurotica.com/Oldtech/ ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Fri, 10 Feb 2017 16:51:07 -0500 From: Phil Masturzo <pmasturzo(a)neo.rr.com> To: mloewen(a)cpumagic.scol.pa.us Subject: Re: ibm 29 I'm not sure on the operating condition or the value. I have seen them on eBay asking for $7,500 to $16,000. However you can ask for the moon, but what people will pay is different. PHiL On Feb 10, 2017, at 4:40 PM, Mike Loewen wrote: > > I already have one, but I can send your note out to our collectors group. > Can you give me an idea of its operating condition, and how much you're > asking? Thanks. > > On Fri, 10 Feb 2017, Phil Masturzo wrote: > > > > > > > > My name is PHiL and I live in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. I got your email > > > > > from > a computer museum who thought you may be interested in > > > > > purchasing my IBM > 29 computer. If so, email me back or call me on > > > > > my cell > > > > phone at 330-329-6639, if I can answer any questions you may have. > > > > > Thanks, > > > > > Phil > > > > > Begin forwarded message: > > > > > > From: "Phil Masturzo" <pmasturzo(a)thebeaconjournal.com> > > > > > Date: February 6, 2017 10:53:10 AM EST > > > > > To: <pmasturzo(a)neo.rr.com> > > > > > Subject: ibm 29 > > > > > > > > > > Mike Loewen mloewen(a)cpumagic.scol.pa.us > Old Technology > http://q7.neurotica.com/Oldtech/

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Important Workshop Info - February 11 & 12, 2017
by Jonathan Sturges 10 Feb '17

10 Feb '17

Glad to see the workshop is on! Alex J. & I are driving up tomorrow AM from the greater DC area. I was wondering if anyone coming this weekend might have a working Seagate ST225 I might purchase/trade/etc. for my VAXstation 2000?And separately, is there anything someone thinks they might need for the workshop (or otherwise) but don't have? I'm trying to head off "oh-I-have-that-item-but-it's-at-home" syndrome. Could be a component, board, adapter, tool, etc. I don't have as much as others, for sure, but you never know what obscure sh*t someone might have laying around. -Jonathan S.

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Last few things for modern history exhibit
by Evan Koblentz 10 Feb '17

10 Feb '17

Everyone, Here are the final items that we still need for the modern history exhibit: - Nintendo GameBoy (because that brand/model is widely recognizable; it doesn't have to work) - pocket dictionary - pocket thesaurus - someone please bring in a general-interest magazine (NOT a computer magazine) - someone please bring in a general-interest fiction book (ideally something famous -- Huck Finn, To Kill a Mockingbird, anything by Steinbeck, etc.) - We own a box full of calculators, but I must've misplaced it in the warehouse. It was not where I thought it would be. So, until I find that box, we need ANY simple pocket calculator, it need not work. - A camera: I'm 99% sure we have one, might even be in the museum workshop already If you're attending the workshop this weekend and you can bring any of these items, then post a reply here so others know not to bring the same things. Or go ahead and bring the same things; I'll pick which one I like best. :) ________________________________ 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

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Important Workshop Info - February 11 & 12, 2017
by Jeffrey Brace 10 Feb '17

10 Feb '17

The workshop is 100% on! The snow was trivial and the roads are clear now. If you have signed up, then you are guaranteed a table otherwise you will literally be left out in the cold with a cardboard box as a table while you see everyone inside enjoying the warmth of vintage computers. DATE: February 11 & 12, 2017 LOCATION: InfoAge Building 9032A - (2201 Marconi Road, Wall Township, NJ) TIME: Start about 10 A.M. on Saturday and ends whenever we go to sleep. End about 5 P.M. on Sunday. (Starts around 10 A.M. Sunday morning) SIGNUP: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13GnWX3AajJRMede2N7BrVht2j26hy t4lQoOXIKcjL_M/edit?usp=sharing COST: - $10 for all members attending the workshop, which VCF donates to InfoAge as thanks for providing the space for us. - $25 for those wanting to stay overnight. Please pay me when you get there so that I don't forget. OVERNIGHT: Bring your own pillow, blankets, soap etc. We provide a bed frame and an uncovered mattress. There are showers and a kitchen for your use. - We will have PayPal credit card swipes available. EQUIPMENT: - VCF will provide a table and you can use any available electrical outlet. - Bring your own tools, power strips, power cords, and supplies etc. - Please bring an extra one or two power cords as these are often forgotten by people. DRINKS: You should bring your own. I would recommend bringing a cooler of some type. FOOD: You provide your own. We usually order pizza, subs or go out to a dinner and everyone pays their own way. Usually, we make a decision when everyone gets hungry. GATE: During the hours from 1 pm to 5 pm close the front gate behind you. We want museum visitors to go to the front lobby and not wander through the middle of the campus. Outside of those times, you can feel free to leave the gate open. PARKING: Park across from 9032A on the grass area. QUESTIONS? Please ask me (Jeff Brace) or Evan. My cell is 732-759-1783 and Evan’s is 646-546-9999 in case you need to contact us. See everyone there! And have fun! -- Jeff Brace - ark72axow(a)gmail.com

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workshop weekend
by Blatboy 09 Feb '17

09 Feb '17

Alas, I have not one, but two memorial services I must be at on Saturday. I'm afraid that bars me from being able to come to the workshop this weekend. I'll try again. That's a threat. Walter http://www.jwalterhawkes.com http://www.blatboy.com like to know where/when I'm playing? Click here <http://www.blatomaster.com/mlist.php> to sign up for my list, and let the babble begin.

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FS: Special "Mil-Spec" XT-IDE rev 3 Build, with 128 MB DOM
by Systems Glitch 09 Feb '17

09 Feb '17

link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/272551697618 I sort of collect milspec ICs and parts -- I think they're neat, and that they look good, so I build a lot of my personal projects with them. I've decided to build up an XT-IDE rev 3 board with them, and I'm selling it to help support further open-source projects! Starting at $1 USD, we'll see where it goes! Thanks, Jonathan

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Altair 680 Prototype Boards
by Systems Glitch 09 Feb '17

09 Feb '17

All, I've been working with some of the people on the Altair Club listserv on a prodution Altair 680 RAM board. Phase one in that process has been to build a prototyping board -- the 680 uses the same physical connector as S-100, but the board is a different shape, and the bus is electrically different. Just sent the following design to be fabricated: http://imgur.com/JD9JGQv Bunch of largeish plated through holes, just like the Apple 2 protoboard -- I size the holes so that you can stuff a 2 Watt carbon comp resistor in there with no drilling, which also makes it easy to stick multiple wires in when doing a point-to-point soldered prototype. There's a regulator area in the top corner since it looks like you shouldn't draw much power from the regulated +5V rails on the bus. I used a large axial electrolytic for a main filter capacitor (bottom left of board) since that's what the original MITS 16K RAM board does -- presumably, like other MITS power supplies, this one is also lacking somewhat in primary filter capacitance. I'll send out a preorder for the finished version, which will have proper hard gold plated edge connector fingers, once I've gotten the design verified. Thanks, Jonathan

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OT test a site yoseminite X10
by william degnan 09 Feb '17

09 Feb '17

Anyone have yoseminite X10 that can test a web page, ngflorist.com? Does it work? Thanks Bill

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] stuff to donate
by William Dudley 09 Feb '17

09 Feb '17

Kyle, So noted. I'll be at VCF E, and if Evan turns those items down, they're yours. Bill Dudley This email is free of malware because I run Linux. On Thu, Feb 9, 2017 at 11:48 AM, Kyle Owen <kylevowen(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Hi Bill, > > I imagine Evan/the museum will want it, but I am very interested in the > U.S. Robotics modem if they turn it down. What a neat piece! Alas, I won't > be at the workshop...but I'll be there for VCF E. Also the AT&T 6300 > manuals. > > Thanks, and hope you're doing well! > > Kyle > > On Thu, Feb 9, 2017 at 10:40 AM, William Dudley via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: > >> I found some more stuff that may be of interest to the >> museum or to the members of this list. >> >> I would like Evan to weigh in on the museum's interest. >> Should Evan pass on something, the rest of you can >> figure out who ends up with an item. >> >> 1. US Robotics USR330 modem. This is a very early >> 300 baud consumer/hobbyist modem. It's in a vacuum-formed >> case, along with a comically large "data access arrangement" (DAA) >> as required by telecom rules back in the day. >> >> 2. An AT&T Dataphone II 2224B modem, with power supply. This was >> hot-shit in it's day. It would do 2400 bits/second. >> >> 3. A Digital Equipment Corp h312a null modem. It is also >> comically large, considering what it is. >> >> 4. New, in the shrink-wrap, manuals for AT&T 6386 computer: >> "Service Manual" and "Hardware Reference Manual" >> >> 5. IBM "APL/1130 Primer - Student Text" copyright 1968. This was >> one of my texts in high school. I have TWO pristine copies of this. >> >> 6. SPITBOL Version 2.0 manual, Feb 12 1971. This is stapled together, not >> a bound book, but is never the less early documentation for the language. >> >> 7. A full, four volume set of manuals AND 5 1/4" disks for STSC APL >> PLUS/PC, >> copyright 1987. Hardcover binders in slip cases. >> >> 8. AT&T 6300 Plus Service Manual and Hardware Reference Manual. >> Two hard cover binders in slip cases, including several different >> diagnostic >> diskettes (5 1/4"). >> >> I plan on bringing this stuff to the VCF workshop this weekend, unless >> we're snowed/cancelled due to weather. >> >> Pictures of items 1,2, 3, and 4 are here: >> http://www.dudley.nu/vcf-donations/ >> >> Bill Dudley >> whose house looks like an episode of "Hoarders". >> >> This email is free of malware because I run Linux. >> > >

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Workshop and snow
by Jeffrey Brace 09 Feb '17

09 Feb '17

So the weather looks like there will be as much as 12 inches of snow in New Jersey starting in the morning and ending in the afternoon/evening on Thursday. The roads should be cleared up by Friday evening. As of now the workshop is still on. We will re-evaluate the condition of the roads early Friday evening and make a call as to whether it is still on or off. This is just on the off chance that we have a super snowstorm like we did 4 years ago with three feet of snow and it took two to three days to plow. Also if you have not signed up by midnight, then you are not guaranteed a table. I will send the workshop info out one more time tomorrow for those that missed it from previous e-mails. -- Jeff Brace - ark72axow(a)gmail.com

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QIC 20/40 cartridge drive
by Jack Rubin 08 Feb '17

08 Feb '17

Does anybody have a QIC 20/40 cartridge drive (preferably with a SCSI interface) that they can spare? This drive takes DC2000 cartridges. I'm hoping to adapt my HP 9825 and HP 85 to take these cartridges and would like an external drive for transfers. Thanks, Jack

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Using simH to make a real bootable RSX11/M 3.2 RL02 disk
by william degnan 07 Feb '17

07 Feb '17

Now that I have my PDP 11/40 running with twin RL02's I have been having fun with it by using simH to make disks and then porting them to an actual disk using PDPGUI program. Here's a good example, if you're looking to run RSX11/M on a PDP 11, I worked through a way to get it onto an RL02 drive. Version 3.2 will run on any PDP 11 with 64K, even 11/20. http://vintagecomputer.net/browse_thread.cfm?id=668 I skimmed the web for a week, plus got some ideas and suggestions from simH users. The hard part was to find a way to get an operating system only found on RL01 drives to an actual RL02 drive. Most people believe RSX11/M is better than RT-11 I don't know yet, I was more interested in the process of making disks using simH. There is a lot of potential to do disk and tape operations with simH that would be impractical with actual hardware as very few of us have the real things. I would love to run UNIX 6, but I have a bad extended instruction set card (EIS M7238) so I have to wait for that to get fixed before I can run UNIX :-( Bill

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Ideas needed: attaching our tablets to shelf poles
by Evan Koblentz 07 Feb '17

07 Feb '17

Everyone, None of my ideas for attaching a tablet to our shelving units have yet panned out. Following are * specific requirements *. - We need to install tablets vertically against the metal upright poles of our shelving units in the museum. (Poles are this style: http://tinyurl.com/zzz9rch but the tablets need to be against the vertical pole, not involving the actual shelves.) - The tablets (Insignia Flex 8) only cost $50. So we do not want an industrial mounting system that costs just as much or more. - The tablets need to be flush (more or less) to the poles, not sticking out. They do not need to be adjustable; in fact I'd prefer they are not adjustable. - The mounts don't need to lock, but they do need to be basically secure -- goal is to stop a visitors from casually walking away with one, not stop a determined criminal. - Must be non-ugly. This is a museum, not your workshop. My first plan was to buy hard-shell tablet cases and put pipe/conduit-style U-clamps on the back of them. But I wasn't able to find hard-shell cases that fit the dimensions of these tablets. Second plan was to use locks like the kind atop this stand: http://tinyurl.com/zfqx6yl (you only get the horizontal part on top and the locking mechanism). Figured we could adapt those to be installed on top of a piece of plexi or sheet metal, in the shape of a tablet, with the bottom bent up like capital J. But the lock thingamajigs do not fit our tablets. Third idea was to use something like this (http://tinyurl.com/zs6nkea) but they are too big for our tablets. Also they're ugly. I need new ideas. Some folks suggested attaching U-clamps directly to the back of the tablets, but that is permanent-ish. I don't want to do that. We need to solve this ASAP. I want to install the tablets in time for VCF East. ________________________________ 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

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Ideas needed: attaching our tablets to shelf poles
by William Dudley 07 Feb '17

07 Feb '17

Did no one look at the tablet mounts I built? http://www.dudley.nu/projects/tablet_holder/ They're easy to make from pvc pipe. Two "C" shaped ones could be used to hold each tablet, so that the tablets can't be removed. The mounts attach to the shelf verticals using hose clamps. A screwdriver (or nutdriver) would be needed to move or remove a tablet. Bill Dudley This email is free of malware because I run Linux.

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Android tablet drive imaging
by Evan Koblentz 07 Feb '17

07 Feb '17

It takes about 30 minutes to set up the tablets exactly as needed. Is there an Evan-proof tool to image the drive of the first device and copy it exactly onto the other ones (probably around 10 total).

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Free Atari 2600 Carts at Sunday's Workshop
by Adam Michlin 06 Feb '17

06 Feb '17

Hi Everyone, As Evan has mentioned, I'm working on inventorying the video game section of the warehouse and reducing redundancies. Rest assured we already have at least 3 copies of the below cartridges in the warehouse and we really don't need to have any more than that. It seemed best to offer the extra cartridges to the membership at large and I'll be at the workshop (I don't need a table, hi Jeff!) and we are happy to give them to a good home with a member free of charge. Here is what we have (all cleaned and tested): Empire Strikes Back (qty 2) (both w/label) Frogger (qty 3) (none w/label) Qbert (qty 1) (no label) I'm thinking first come first serve by sending me an email *privately* (please don't clog the list!). One cart per person for now, to be re-evaluated if there is sparse interest. First priority will be for people who can pickup on Sunday, but I'll try to figure something out if you can't make it and no one who can has claimed a remaining cartridge, so let me know if you are interested. Best wishes, -Adam

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Babylon 5 and the Amiga
by william degnan 06 Feb '17

06 Feb '17

Yup, Amiga toaster and related tools. I have a video about the making of...will post on you tube, or it may already be there, let me know if it's not. Bill Bill Degnan twitter: billdeg vintagecomputer.net On Feb 5, 2017 2:43 PM, "Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic" < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: I decided to create a separate thread from the one about the workshop. Babylon 5 is off topic, but the Amiga is on topic. I wanted to explore how the Amiga was used to create the computer generated graphics on Babylon 5. The creator of Babylon 5 called it CGI (Computer Generated Imagery). The show used Amigas because it was really advanced graphics at a much lower price than a Silicon Graphics workstation or whatever was available at the time. Deep Space Nine was also on the air at the same time, but they must have used something much more expensive. Does anyone know which software was used? Do the computer models used still exist from the TV show or were they lost? -- Jeff Brace - ark72axow(a)gmail.com

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[OT] Stuff I'm Bringing, This Weekend
by J. Alexander Jacocks 06 Feb '17

06 Feb '17

All, I've got some things that are surplus to me, and I'll be bringing them with me, this weekend. I'm open to trade or sales, if anyone is interested: ZX Spectrum +3, fully working 1366x768 LCD panel, CCFL PowerBook 100 Series batteries PowerBook 500 Series RAM modules Sony VGN-SZ110 Laptop 3GB/160GB - https://esupport.sony.com/US/p/model-home.pl?mdl=VGNSZ110&LOC=3#/manualsTab IBM ThinkPad x230 Maybe some other stuff, I'll update the list if I find more items. I'm looking for a ZX Spectrum + 128, prefer non-working. Thanks! - Alex

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XT-IDE Slot 8 Support Writeups
by Systems Glitch 06 Feb '17

06 Feb '17

Two related writeups on adding IBM PC/XT 5160 Slot 8 Support to the XT-IDE cards: Building + rev 3 install: http://www.glitchwrks.com/2017/02/03/slot-8-support Rev 2 install + K3 hack: http://www.glitchwrks.com/2017/02/05/slot-8-xt-ide-rev2 This works on all XT-IDEs with ISA pin B8 present, which is all Rev 3 boards, I think all of the Rev 2 boards (with serial port), and some of the early rev 1 boards. Most of the production Rev 1 boards have ISA pin B8 removed to save on plating costs, so it's not applicable there. I still have one or two of the prototype boards left, if anyone wants a kit or assembled mod board. I'll be ordering more in the near future, so they're available for the VCF East XT-IDE workshop. Files haven't been uploaded to GitHub just yet, I need to go through them, should be up within an hour or so. Thanks, Jonathan

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Museum Report 2017-02-05 February 5, 2017
by Jeffrey Brace 06 Feb '17

06 Feb '17

An untold number of visitors came today with interest that I am unable to describe. It is fun to explain to kids about pre-internet computer communication as well as what a cassette tape player is etc. Dropped into the warehouse the latest donation. A few of the museum machines need repair. I am assigning certain members to repair them during the coming workshop. -- Jeff Brace - ark72axow(a)gmail.com

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Donation of the day: 9508S Microsystem Emulator
by Jeffrey Brace 06 Feb '17

06 Feb '17

After a few attempts at picking up, I finally was able to pick up this machine from Cliffside Park. It is the 9508S Microsystem Emulator. What is it? How does it work? Come to the workshop Feb 11 & 12 to let us know. :) https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B9SJLfGXYiG5R1FMUlo0NC1NekE?usp=sha… -- Jeff Brace - ark72axow(a)gmail.com

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] vintage comms days
by Ken 05 Feb '17

05 Feb '17

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Babylon 5 and the Amiga
by Jeffrey Brace 05 Feb '17

05 Feb '17

I decided to create a separate thread from the one about the workshop. Babylon 5 is off topic, but the Amiga is on topic. I wanted to explore how the Amiga was used to create the computer generated graphics on Babylon 5. The creator of Babylon 5 called it CGI (Computer Generated Imagery). The show used Amigas because it was really advanced graphics at a much lower price than a Silicon Graphics workstation or whatever was available at the time. Deep Space Nine was also on the air at the same time, but they must have used something much more expensive. Does anyone know which software was used? Do the computer models used still exist from the TV show or were they lost? -- Jeff Brace - ark72axow(a)gmail.com

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great day at the museum
by Evan Koblentz 05 Feb '17

05 Feb '17

Adam and I were at the museum today. Lots of awesome things happened. - VCFed owns two Laser 128 computers. Both fire up and both have working drives. One computer works completely, the other has a bum keyboard. The good one is missing the drive door handle. We had to turn the pin sticking out with pliers. We took both computers apart and tried swapping the drives, but they are different model drives and don't fit quite the same. Both computers said "128" but with different logos. I didn't get pictures. Neither said "EX" so I am unclear about which version(s) we have. Tony stopped by and said he may have a Laser or two available to us for parts, so we'll investigate that next weekend at the workshop. - We don't have any Laser power supplies, but we tried two //c supplies and they both worked fine with these computers. - Using the working computer and pliers to turn the drive door handle, I was able to successfully test the Lego software with our replica Apple Lego card (from Jon C.) in the Laser's expansion slot. The slot is made for a two-slot expansion box, but we don't have that and it works fine when you plug in a card directly. - The bad-keyboard Laser has a switch on bottom for configuring the expansion as slot 7 or slot 5. The working unit didn't have any switch. I tried the Lego software configured for slot 7 and it worked the first time. - This is good news (once we get the drive door handle settled). Laser 128 and a //c monitor use much less space than a //e and traditional monitor for the Lego programming demo station, and it's also much easier for me to bring on traveling demos. Less space, no separate drive needed, etc. - The reason Tony came over was to bring part 2 of a NeXT donation that he began bringing on Wednesday. This is a complete system from a woman in the DC area. It includes all hardware and a large assortment of original software/manuals. Very nice!!! - Roddy (the art guy across the hallway from our museum) finished putting our VCFed banner outside the building doorway. It's attached to a thick piece of white plexiglass which is held up by garden stakes. It looks very good. I'm going to get some white paint and go over the bolt heads. - There were several families who visited today. They all stayed for full tours. - Adam spent a couple of hours organizing part of our videogame console collection. He focused on systems and Atari VCF/2600 cartridges. - Some pictures: http://www.vcfed.org/evan/nextlogo.jpg http://www.vcfed.org/evan/next1.jpg http://www.vcfed.org/evan/next2.jpg http://www.vcfed.org/evan/sign.jpg ________________________________ 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

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Last call for February Workshop
by Jeffrey Brace 05 Feb '17

05 Feb '17

If you don't sign up by Wednesday midnight, then you are not guaranteed a table and you will be locked up in a room with Evan after he ate a lot of beans. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13GnWX3AajJRMede2N7BrVht2j26hyt4lQoO… -- Jeff Brace - ark72axow(a)gmail.com

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In Philadelphia free to non profit museum
by Christian Liendo 05 Feb '17

05 Feb '17

https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/clt/5967904410.html Vintage computers, free to not-for-profit computer museum(Lansdale) hide this posting Sharp "lunchbox" style portable computer, model: 7221. Complete with all original manuals and software. It was purchased May, 1989.This portable was unique for its day. One PC card could be installed in it. There is a external video card currently installed. When put away, it was in working condition. Macintosh SE desktop. This system is also complete with software and cables. It includes a carrying case. When put away, it was in working order. I will sell them to individuals or to for-profit museums. Please make an offer to be considered

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OT: entry-level tech support job available in Peapack NJ
by Evan Koblentz 05 Feb '17

05 Feb '17

I doubt many (any?) here would be interested, but this position is available if anyone wants it. -------- Forwarded Message -------- Subject: Needed: Tech Support in Peapack NJ Date: Fri, 3 Feb 2017 15:34:24 +0000 From: Conner, Alora (04860) <alora.conner(a)rht.com> To: evan(a)snarc.net <evan(a)snarc.net> *RH_Header*** 3 February 2017 10:31 AM Dear Evan Koblentz Thank you for taking the time to review this email. Please reply to this email if you are interested in working this position. If not, I would appreciate your help in identifying a consultant for a job opportunity that is coming up in your area. The Client would like to identify resources as soon as possible. If you are interested please reply to this email with the best time to call you and verify the *phone number that my database has on file. P 1-(646) 5469999, or forward this to anyone that might be available. *My apologies if the below project does not meet your current skillset, I have included you on this email to help me find the best resource. Email is the best way to contact me. Alora.Conner(a)rht.com, If you email me I will call you back as soon as possible. You can also reach me by phone at 877.838.6924 EXT 54114 For this or other job search needs, please email me your resume. Again, Evan Koblentz, I thank you for helping me locate the right person to do this job. Additional details are listed below: *Job Title* Tech Support *Locations* Peapack, NJ *Start Date* ASAP *Pay Rate* $15.00/hour *Duration* 12+ months *Hours*** Normal Business Hours ** *Job Description* *All Info below is provided by the client*** * Responsible for supervising the manufacturing and installation of computer or computer-related equipment and components. Major Job Duties: Test and image desktops and laptops. Maintain, analyze, and troubleshoot, software and computer peripherals. Ability to setup, configure and add all hardware. Assist Corporate Desk Side Support technicians with large IMAC’s. Assure that all tickets requiring follow up work and/or calls receive appropriate attention. Provide technical support to end users via telephone. Back up and burn end user data. Assist in developing and documenting improvements to current processes. Assist coworkers in resolution of end users’ technical issues. Assist coworkers in the execution of established processes and escalations. Test, image and clean PC’s, laptop, monitors, printers, and other related hardware. Education/Experience: High School Diploma or GED required. Entry level -2 years of hands on technical knowledge of laptop and desktop design and software installation required. Skills and Competencies: Familiar with standard concepts, practices, and procedures within a particular field. Relies on limited experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Possess 1 to 2 years experience in a break/fix environment. Able to lift and palletize heavy equipment. (PC’s, monitors, printers.) Strong verbal and written communication skills. A certain degree of creativity and latitude is required.* Email is the best way to contact me. Alora.Conner(a)rht.com, If you email me I will call you back as soon as possible. You can also reach me by phone at 877.838.6924 EXT 54114 *Thank you for your time. * Alora Conner TSS & RHL Recruiting Center <http://www.rht.com/> Phone: 877-838-6924 ext. 54114 Robert Half again was named to FORTUNE^® magazine's "World's Most Admired Companies" list, ranking #1 in our industry. (March 1, 2016) Robert Half is an Equal Opportunity Employer G5202trans

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Re: Joe O's X-Y Display Problem
by SVCatITC＠aol.com 04 Feb '17

04 Feb '17

Hi Joe; I will be at the workshop next weekend. Is the Vectrex something that can be transported, and can you come to the workshop in order to explore your problem? Being a hardware guy and interfacing a lot of exotic stuff in my main job, I could have a go at your problem. I'll need to know the SCELBI output signal configuration and wether we can generate up a synched time base for the X axis. We can discuss offline if you like. (I'm the Newbe working on the EAI TR20) Bill Inderrieden In a message dated 2/4/2017 12:00:39 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, vcf-midatlantic-request(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org writes: Message: 1 Date: Fri, 03 Feb 2017 17:26:45 +0000 From: Joseph Oprysko <joprysko1(a)gmail.com> To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] SCELBI Oscilloscope/Keyboard Interface Updates Message-ID: <CAPXecpCwDnu2ASSE73QfJmO_6q8WzE5RKD9Cd0ddLnkU=wDv5A(a)mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 Question, while I know the original display was an Oscillscope, would other X-Y displays work do you think? I'm asking as most scopes have relatively small screens. But the Vectrex game console has a 9" X-Y display. While I know modifications would be needed to accept the input, if it's something you may be interested in trying, I have 2 Vectrex systems, and would be willing to use one for that if you think we could make it work. Joseph Oprysko.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] SCELBI Oscilloscope/Keyboard Interface Updates
by Mike Willegal 04 Feb '17

04 Feb '17

Hi Joseph, I don’t know much, if anything about "X-Y” displays and how they may differ from a typical scopes. Because I’m only going to 20x5, the scope screen is actually plenty big enough. Here are a few details on the issues I hope to improve upon over the next couple of months. The scope interface has three outputs. Two are the X-Y vectors each of which is a voltage value offset. The third is a blanking signal. First problem is that my Tektronics 465 isn’t responding fast enough to the blanking signal. There are some limitations in the 465 blanking input, in that it’s capacitor coupled, and along a with resistor in the scope interface blanking circuit it is creating your classic RC time constant delay. I’m going to see if I can reduce a key resistor value a bit in order to reduce this effect or find another way to drive the input a bit harder. The second issue is that the analog board op amp circuit isn’t really calibrated correctly. The design uses an op-amp integrator scheme to “paint” the vectors on the screen. When the circuit is reset to top left, in order to repaint the page, the op-amp outputs drift a bit after that before they “settle down”. I haven’t looked into this in detail, but I’m pretty sure that I can fix this with some resistor value tweaks to the op-amp integrator circuits. regards, Mike Willegal

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Full VCF East schedule
by Evan Koblentz 04 Feb '17

04 Feb '17

Subject to change. :) http://vcfed.org/wp/festivals/vintage-computer-festival-east/vcf-east-sched… ________________________________ 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

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ONE MORE class needed for Friday 3/31
by Evan Koblentz 04 Feb '17

04 Feb '17

We have one last 60-minute spot to fill for the Friday classes at VCF East. Any topic is fair game if it has wide appeal and makes people into better vintage computing hobbyists.

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Well this is awesome
by Evan Koblentz 04 Feb '17

04 Feb '17

Ethan Dicks is going to give a VCF East Friday class about 3-D printing controlled by 8-bit computers. ________________________________ 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

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vintage comms days
by william degnan 04 Feb '17

04 Feb '17

I propose that we pick a day and time each week were persons turn on their vintage computing systems that can receive outside communications via dial up, telnet or, other networking. I think keeping a BBS or VAX machine up and running all of the time is tough, but if there is a window where you know that's when people kind of expect it, it'll be more managable...Do I hear a second? We can use the vcforum to post that week's list of who is online and when. Basically a sticky thread where people post the URL or IP address, phone number, etc and technical details to help others make the connection, hours of operation. I can help assign subdomains, etc if anyone needs networking assistance. For example I have alpha2100.vintagecomputer.net assigned to my Alpha here in my basement, but I don't run it 24/7, but I would be willing to schedule to turn it on on a known schedule to make it worth doing. This way I can be there to supervise / troubleshoot. This Friday night (tomorrow)I have to watch the kids, so once they're in bed, say 9PM, I could run a few systems until about midnight to help kick things off. It might be fun to see how many systems a person can hit, catch the flag style. Maybe we could make some sort of challenge of it. Send an email from one or download a file. Just for fun. Bill

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VCF East lodging @ InfoAge
by Evan Koblentz 04 Feb '17

04 Feb '17

Everyone, As most of you know, InfoAge now has a dorm facility. A few people asked Jeff B. and I about the process for reserving spaces there during VCF East. We are developing that process now, and we'll send details to the relevant people (exhibitors, Friday teachers, volunteers) after the March 1st exhibit registration deadline. ________________________________ 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

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SCELBI Oscilloscope/Keyboard Interface Updates
by Mike Willegal 04 Feb '17

04 Feb '17

I've been busy getting ready for the upcoming VCF east event and I'm really excited about what I'll be able to show this year. I'll show a working SCELBI 8B connected to a oscilloscope and keyboard which are used as a terminal. A cassette tape interface is used as mass storage. It will be running the vintage game, Star Shooter and SCELBI's original integrated development environment (MEA), which dates back to 1975. The SCELBI can natively assemble and run Star Shooter from source code and I'll be able to demonstrate that, as well. The hardware is all reproduction stuff, as fully functional, original SCELBI 8Bs don't exist. The oscilloscope interface has been a particularly challenging project. There is only one known set of original SCELBI oscilloscope and keyboard interfaces. These are in storage at the CHM in California. I only had partial schematics, some excellent photos that Jack Rubin took of the original interfaces during a visit to the CHM, and a few notes in some documentation of related hardware and software. As far as we know, the original oscilloscope driver software and documentation has been lost. I've had to reconstruct the software by reverse engineering MEA's interface to it, along with gleaning a few hints in some surviving documentation that refers to the oscilloscope interface. I now have the hardware and software working. Before VCF, I'm looking to tweak the oscilloscope analog interface board to see if I can improve the quality 0f the oscilloscope display output, as, at the moment, though it's usable, it is quite bad when connected to my Tektronix 465. In order to more easily reproduce the Oscilloscope/Keyboard interface software, I updated my Macintosh OS/X SCELBI application to support those interfaces. The revised application is now available on Apple's app store for $5. I still have version 2.7 (without oscilloscope/keyboard support) available for free download from my website:http://www.willegal.net/scelbi/scelbiapp.html <http://www.willegal.net/scelbi/scelbiapp.html>. I'm asking a little money for the latest version of the app, in order to help cover the cost of Apple Developer Membership, which is necessary in order to complete development of an IOS version, which I would like to do when I find time. enjoy, Mike Willegal

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1980's Sony console TV on CL in MD
by Matt Patoray 03 Feb '17

03 Feb '17

I know a lot of you are looking for older televisions for your vintage computer systems and game consoles. This appears to be a nice condition26" Trinitron from the 1980's. http://baltimore.craigslist.org/ele/5949413880.html Sent from my iPhone

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Urgent update -- exhibit registration
by Evan Koblentz 03 Feb '17

03 Feb '17

VCF East exhibit registration is 2/3rds full. Please register your exhibits soon. Don't worry if all the details are not settled; you can always change them later. We absolutely do not want to turn away anyone, whether you're a VCF East veteran or a newcomer. But when it's full, it's full.

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Semi-OT: skype help for museum tablet
by Evan Koblentz 03 Feb '17

03 Feb '17

As we discussed here a few weeks ago: I'm trying to put a Skype "call us" button on a web page, so that our museum docents can be elsewhere on the Infoage campus and have visitors easily reach them (all docents have to do is log into the Skype app on their phones using the museum account). It would be slick if it worked: visitors walk up to our wall-mounted tablet, touch one icon, and get put into a live conversation. I found two ways to create Skype call-me buttons. One way is documented on their site using a script, like this: <script type="text/javascript" src="https://secure.skypeassets.com/i/scom/js/skype-uri.js"></script> <div id="SkypeButton_Call_username"> <script type="text/javascript"> Skype.ui({ "name": "call", "element": "SkypeButton_Call_username", "participants": ["username"] }); </script> </div> The other way, according to various web sites, is to just do this: <a href="skype:username?call">Call us</a> I tried both ways. It always rings three times and then says "call failed". Then I tried it with my personal Skype account and it worked fine. I tried with another Skype account and it also worked fine. The difference: my account and the other one I tried are both standard Skype usernames, whereas the museum account is an @vcfed.org email address associated with a Microsoft account. If you're a new user, then Skype.com forces you to do it that way. I don't see any way on Skype.com to make a new account using the traditional method (just a username). So: how do I make this work? Do I need to change anything in the markup? ________________________________ 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

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Brian Stuart's latest ENIAC talk
by Brian L. Stuart 02 Feb '17

02 Feb '17

> Brian can chime in, but I assume this is basically a repeat of his VCF > East XI talk from last spring, with updates about his emulator project. Mostly, yes. What I've got planned right now will dig a little deeper into some of the inner workings of the machine. For example, at last year's VCF, I hadn't implemented the muliplier yet and didn't have much to say about it. For this talk, I expect to spend several minutes talking about how the multiplier worked and demonstrating the details on the simulator. So if you had a chance to catch last year's talk, some of it will be familiar and some will be new. I look forward to seeing anyone who can make it. BLS

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VCF East online ticketing is open
by Evan Koblentz 02 Feb '17

02 Feb '17

Get your tickets now. Save time at the show. http://vcfed.org/wp/festivals/vintage-computer-festival-east/tickets/ Remember: You get in free on the days you're participating. Thus tech speakers get in free Friday, exhibitors get in free Saturday/Sunday.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Eniac in the "news"
by Brian L. Stuart 02 Feb '17

02 Feb '17

On Thu, 2/2/17, Dan Roganti <ragooman(a)gmail.com> wrote: > Brian,I didn't know I missed any announcement about your > simulator since your VCF exhibit last year. I'm looking froward > in trying yours too. Rather use yours running natively than a java > applet. I'm using linux mint with the amd64, I see the executible > for this, it shouldn't matter then which distro right ?Dan Dan, It turns out I didn't make any announcements before now. I had hoped to get more documentation done before calling much attention to it. On the other hand, I do have to be realistic about the pace at which I'm getting there. :) But between the timing with the hackaday article and the finalizing of the configuration commands/files, it seemed a good time to mention it. The Linux distro shouldn't affect things to any significant extent. The binary is statically linked so it doesn't make any assumptions about library versions. You will need TCL/Tk installed, but there's a high probability it's already there. One thing I have noticed is that some installations create the wish executable with version number appended and not have one just called wish. If that's the case, you'll want to either create a wrapper script or a symbolic link so that you can run wish without specifying a version number. Have fun, and I'll be glad to try to answer any questions that come up. BLS

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Why isn't my program working?
by Evan Koblentz 02 Feb '17

02 Feb '17

Dan R. and I were up late, via phone + Facebook, trying to solve the latest bug in the quest to make cool Lego computer-controlled robots. A few days ago I gave up on the last version of the robot and make a new one. The previous version had a steering issue: it was rack-and-pinion style, like a car, but the Lego sensors (opto and touch) couldn't react fast enough to switch off the pinion motor. Thus the rack would keep moving after hitting its mechanical limit, breaking the Legos (or I'd strengthen the Lego construction and then risk burning out the motor). So I took it apart and made an all-new robot. This one has tank treads controlled by individual motors on each side. In the software, my first choice was to control it via keyboard: I'd pick four keys in the corners of a square pattern to represent the treads moving left/forward, left/reverse, right/forward, right/reverse. I wanted the user to have to hold the buttons down, like a gas pedal, for the motors to keep going. Applesoft expects the opposite -- press-and-release to do anything. We tried various tricks but at best the relevant bits would stutter on-off-on-off, not stay on as needed. Thinking it might be a keyboard issue, I switched to joystick button control. Button 0 for left tread, button 1 for right tread. When that works, then I'll made the joystick movement act as a shifter for forward/reverse on each tread. Same problem! With the latest test code I've got one motor stuttering and the other working smoothly (again this is in gas pedal style -- press and hold to keep the motor going). Here's where it gets really weird. Dan and I weren't sure where the problem resides, so I tried it in Logo. Works perfectly! That proved the problem isn't the joystick nor the Lego hardware interface. (I also tried swapping my well-used Lego hardware interface for the new-in-box one that Ben G. loaned us; same problem.) Back to BASIC. Swapped the button 0 and button 1 code positions in my test program. It still has the problem with the button 0 bit stuttering, even though it executes button 1 first! What the.... I'm stumped. Here is the test code (Lego subroutines excluded; they work fine): 10 REM INITIALIZE LEGO INTERFACE 20 GOSUB 1000 30 REM CLEAR THE MOTOR BITS 40 T(0)=0:T(1)=0:GOSUB 1215: (refers to ports 0-1 on the 7-port interface box; routine 1215 turns bits off) 50 REM CHECK JOYSTICK BUTTONS 60 B0=PEEK(49249) 70 IF B0>127 THEN T(0)=1:GOSUB 1115: REM TURNS ON BIT 0 80 IF B0<127 THEN T(0)=0:GOSUB 1215: REM TURNS OFF BIT 0 90 B1=PEEK(49250) 100 IF B1>127 THEN T(1)=1:GOSUB 1115: REM TURNS ON BIT 1 110 IF B1<127 THEN T(1)=0:GOSUB 1215: REM TURNS OFF BIT 2 120 GOTO 50 Other things we tried: swapping motors, swapping wires, different ports on the interface box, non-consecutive ports, rearranging the code lines to alternate (such as PEEK for B0/B1, enable one motor, enable the other, disable one, disable the other, loop). Also tried using the keyboard equivalents to joystick buttons 0/1 which on my computer (//e Platinum) are open-Apple and Option (Option = closed Apple from the earlier //e). I lost track of the results from each individual experiment (and I'm not going to do them all again), but they were all either the same or worse. Again, right now with the above code, the motor attached to button 0 stutters (you can even see port 0's LED flashing every couple of seconds) while the motor attached to port 1 goes on, stays on smoothly while you hold button 1, and turns off when you let go. Sooooo.... the problem isn't the joystick, the hardware, the Legos, or the computer. And it works fine in Logo. That leaves one thing: BASIC. How do I fix this? ________________________________ 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

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UPDATE! Re: Successful workshop January 14&15, 2017
by Herb Johnson 02 Feb '17

02 Feb '17

http://www.retrotechnology.com/restore/vcf_jan17_rep.html Photos and brief notes on the Jan VCFed Repair Workshop. I'd appreciate any corrections or additions. Thanks to Jeff Brace for some photos and ID's. Evan posted: > Img_5055 -- everyone at the restaurant was fascinated by your meal. The hamburgers and other dishes served at the Main Street Grill, were pretty impressively large and well prepared. there was two days of food on those plates. Herb -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey in the USA http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net

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