- vcf-midatlantic - lists.vcfed.org

Saturday @ HOPE
by Evan Koblentz 21 Jul '16

21 Jul '16

Bob Frankston emailed me to point out that he and I are giving talks at the same this during HOPE this Saturday. World-changing programmer vs. lowly historian/journalist... I'd rather listen to him. :)

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Museum Report 07/20/16
by Jeffrey Brace 21 Jul '16

21 Jul '16

About 10 visitors today. It seems that during the summer many of the visitors are from out of state. Interested kids, so it's all good. Bill I. stopped by to copy some documentation for the TR-20 EAI Analog machine. == Jeff Brace

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I meant (oops)...Paging Ray Fantini
by william degnan 20 Jul '16

20 Jul '16

After a confused conversation with Ray Sills....Ray Fantini - are you out there? I wanted to talk about the RL11 project but I have not heard back from you and I can't find your email address or phone # in my home. Bill -- @ BillDeg: Web: vintagecomputer.net Twitter: @billdeg <https://twitter.com/billdeg> Youtube: @billdeg <https://www.youtube.com/user/billdeg> Unauthorized Bio <http://www.vintagecomputer.net/readme.cfm>

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Urgent!! Z-100 update
by Evan Koblentz 20 Jul '16

20 Jul '16

I don’t think a train woul work. Someone would have to get it to the train station (Sridhar can't due to this work schedule). Also while the computer is not large, it is quite heavy! Basically it's an S-100 chassis with the screen and floppy drive all integrated. However I am chasing some car leads... stay tuned.

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paging ray sills
by william degnan 20 Jul '16

20 Jul '16

Ray - I have been trying to reach you...are you around? Bill Degnan

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Urgent!! Z-100 update
by Systems Glitch 20 Jul '16

20 Jul '16

> I take an Amtrak train that passes through Poughkeepsie between 7 and 8 am on Thursday on my way to NYC. Amtrak also offers a Package Express service, if it comes to that. Someone could also take Metro North into Poughkeepsie, pick it up, and ride back. It's not that big of a machine. Thanks, Jonathan

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Urgent!! Z-100 update
by Evan Koblentz 20 Jul '16

20 Jul '16

Sridhar got the computer from Ian, so now it is in Poughkeepsie, no longer Schenectady. WE MUST GET IT TO HOPE THIS WEEKEND. It could be brought to my place in northern NJ or directly to the show this weekend, but getting it there is not optional. I am under no-driving orders from my dr. so we need someone else to do this. Someone please step up!!

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Museum Report 7/16 & 7/17
by Dave McGuire 20 Jul '16

20 Jul '16

On 07/19/2016 08:53 PM, Bill Sudbrink via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > Originally, if I recall correctly, it was: > > sync > sync > sync > halt > > Yea, later on, all that fancy "shutdown -h" really made the > sync's unnecessary. The syncs were never actually necessary. > But, can you really trust the jerk who wrote the shutdown routine? Generally speaking, yes. ;) > Slightly changing subjects, I don't recall ever seeing the > system in question. The first 68K *nix box I ever played > with was a Masscomp. An MC-500 if memory serves. Is that > the machine we're talking about here? No, the AT&T UNIX PC 7300, a.k.a. the 3B1. It was by no means the first 68K-based UNIX system, of course. -Dave -- Dave McGuire, AK4HZ New Kensington, PA

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Museum Report 7/16 & 7/17
by Dave McGuire 20 Jul '16

20 Jul '16

On 07/19/2016 09:10 PM, Bill Sudbrink via vcf-midatlantic wrote: >>> Originally, if I recall correctly, it was: >>> >>> sync >>> sync >>> sync >>> halt >>> >>> Yea, later on, all that fancy "shutdown -h" really made the >>> sync's unnecessary. >> >> The syncs were never actually necessary. > > Hate to argue with you, but in BSD, "back in the old days" I think "halt" > was "right now", no cleanup, no dirty writes, just a little better than > yanking the cord out of the wall. Perhaps I am remembering a shutdown script? But I've always done "sync;sync;halt", and I distinctly remember a buffer flush in the halt program. -Dave -- Dave McGuire, AK4HZ New Kensington, PA

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Museum Report 7/16 & 7/17
by Brian L. Stuart 20 Jul '16

20 Jul '16

On Tue, 7/19/16, Dave McGuire via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: > Actually none of us ever HAD to do anymore than zero syncs. A final > sync() is done before the filesystem is umounted. Doing a sync at all, > especially more than one, is nothing more than superstition. Admittedly, it's been over 30 years so my memory may be faulty, but I seem to remember that in 6th Edition there wasn't a shutdown program or script that unmounted the root file system. As I recall, the documentation specified that sync should be run before hitting the halt swtich on the 11. > I myself use two. =) Me too BLS

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Museum Report 7/16 & 7/17
by Jeffrey Brace 20 Jul '16

20 Jul '16

I forgot to mention in the workshop report that I was also giving tours to visitors both Saturday and Sunday. There was about a dozen visitors each day. It was nice to have other VCF members around who could help add more information to the tours. They could add more in depth knowledge about systems that they have worked on. For example Bill I. showed parts of the analog EAI machine and explained in more detail the mechanics and composition. == Jeff Brace

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] UNIX PC, was Re: Museum Report 7/16 & 7/17
by Brian L. Stuart 19 Jul '16

19 Jul '16

On Tue, 7/19/16, Dave McGuire via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: > The big deal with the UNIX PC is that it's a full-blown UNIX > system on a desktop for less than $10K, when such a thing was unheard of. It is a sweet little machine. One of these days, I'm going to have to write up my "desert island" experience with the first one I got. I picked it up at a hamfest in the early '90s missing a disk drive and without the compiler suite. To make things more interesting, it was a period when I didn't have Internet access. But i still managed to get gcc running on it. The secret is that it's possible to write a 68000 disassembler in AWK. :) It's also been useful in that I still use it's MMU for questions on my OS exams sometimes. > As a matter of opinion, this machine has the finest keyboard > I have every used on any platform. I completely agree. I miss using mine. BLS

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OT: Hamfest Sunday July 17th Augusta NJ
by Kelly Leavitt 19 Jul '16

19 Jul '16

Unfortunately I won't be there this weekend. Held at the Sussex County Fair Grounds, 37 Plains Road Augusta, NJ 07822 Gates open at 6AM for vendors and our food service area will have coffee and breakfast sandwiches for our early arrivals. Fair Grounds overnight camping fee is $10 to $25 depending on type of vehicle. Cold drinks, Hamburgers and Hot Dogs will be available later in the morning Buyers are asked to arrive closer to 8AM so vendors can finish getting set up. We will have a VE Session at the Fairgrounds Administration building at 10 AM. DXCC card checking will be available. For the VE Session details, go to: http://www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-exam-session and type in Zip Code: 07882 and CITY: Augusta Our fees for 2016 are the same as last year. * Buyers $7 * Tailgate spot $20 (includes one admission) additional persons $7 * Indoor Tables $20 each We have major vendors already planning to attend: * KJI Electronic * Quicksilver Radio * Hy Power antennas * Fisher Cable * Eagle One * Total Electronic Concepts (W1TEC) * Art W2REN * Manual Man WA2CWA * Satellite Sam * Towaco Imaging * The Wooden Ham * KD Cubed Door prize: Yaesu FT-1900R (50w 2meter rig) donated by KJI Electronics For more information our webpage is http://www.scarcnj.org/hamfest/<http://www.scarcnj.org/hamfest> Email Hamfest(a)scarcnj.org<mailto:Hamfest@scarcnj.org?subject=July%20Hamfest>

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DOS question
by Evan Koblentz 19 Jul '16

19 Jul '16

I'm using a Compaq 386. Rather than typing CD DOS every time that I need to run a program (BASICA) in the DOS directly, how can I create a shortcut that loads on boot to let me type BASICA at the C:\ prompt and have it run automatically? Also, is there a shortcut I can use (for example in autoexec.bat or config.sys) to make Caps Lock automatically enable on boot?

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WWW Proxy Translation for Older Computers?
by John Heritage 19 Jul '16

19 Jul '16

Hi folks! I was playing around and finally got my Amiga 1200 running NetSurf. Obviously it's horrendously slow, www.amiga.org took 141 seconds to render.. but still fun :). Does anyone know if there is a proxy server or similar out there that could 'simplify' web pages browsed through it.. for older computers like this? Examples of simplification might be: - Remove Ads - Convert JPGs to something simpler to process (reduce colors, resolution) - Strip Javascript or other 'difficult' stuff out I can't find anything like this, and maybe it's on the super complex side.. but I figured I'd ask.. www.google.com appears to load 200 KB of text.. not counting the google image, and even that takes ~ 15 seconds to render on this Amiga.. (68020 @ 28 mhz, 35MB total RAM, no FPU). Thanks! John H

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OT: FIOS Voice Backup Battery Replacement for 12V 7.2Ah
by Herb Johnson 19 Jul '16

19 Jul '16

> How do I know that the battery needs recharging vs. failing? Look for a date code, stamped or printed on the battery. But frankly, given the application - your phone and networking! - I'd say replace it every three-four years with a fresh battery. And keep one around on-charge for backup. You can trickle charge old batteries with a few-dollar 12V trickle charger - anything that puts out 10% of rated current at voltage (720mA at 14 volts max) will not cook your battery. Safety compels me to say: don't charge batteries unattended. There's a small chance of overcharge or shorting and excessive current, to lead to a fire. As to where to get these batteries. Many places that sell electroniics and car batteries locally sell them, at higher prices. Alarm companies use them, emergency lighting uses them, so those vendors may source them. Or you can mail-order them, and pay several dollars shipping. Jeff, without further comment - this is a once every three-four year purchase, so you decide how much shopping you want to do. This is a $15-$30 purchase. check the date of any battery you buy off the shelf. If it's more than a year old, I'd not buy it at retail prices. The size and placement of the terminals matters, as noted previously. So carry the old one to compare, or measure and photograph it, so you don't "ooops, the terminals are backwards, the wires won't reach, the connectors won't fit". Rule of thumb for lead type batteries: the heavier the battery for the same "ratings", the more capacity you'll actually have. The lead carries and produces the current; more lead means more current. battery makers won't waste lead but a more expensive brand won't cut lead. Herb PS: this is vaguely on-topic, for the robot builders. Gel batteries are often used in hobby robots, they are common and cheap as used/discards. -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey USA http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net

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OT: FIOS Voice Backup Battery Replacement for 12V 7.2Ah
by Jeffrey Brace 19 Jul '16

19 Jul '16

So I heard this beeping about every 30 minutes or so. I thought it was a watch. My sister heard it too and didn't tell me so I was going nuts trying to find it. It turns out that it was the replacement battery light on our FIOS box. This is the battery backup in case power fails and lasts about 8 hours. It didn't help with Sandy because the power was out for 8 days. So anyway I need to replace it. It is 12V 7.2 Ah. The one that Verizon sells is 12V 8Ah: https://www.verizon.com/home/accessories/fios-voice-backup-battery/?&skuPar… . I figure that I can get a cheaper or better one (longer lasting). Before I start searching eBay, Google search are there any recommendations or warnings? Thanks! == Jeff Brace

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OT: Will be in Philly, anything I should check out
by Christian Liendo 19 Jul '16

19 Jul '16

Hi. This week I'm going to Philly to prep for the Democratic National Convention. I know there are some locals on this group and I'm asking if there is anything I should check out in the ways of finding food to some cool places to go. I figure Mon-Fri I will be nuts, Sat/Sun I should have some time. Any advice is appreciated.

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WTB: RCA VP4801 Terminal
by Herb Johnson 19 Jul '16

19 Jul '16

I'm looking for the RCA VP4801 terminal, that looks like a keyboard with video port and serial port. Here's some photos of one, from Josh Bensadon, he showed on at VCF-Midwest: http://www.retrotechnology.com/vcfmw9/josh_vp4801_5.jpg http://www.retrotechnology.com/vcfmw9/josh_vp4801_6.jpg Has to be in working condition and look decent. Contact me directly, please, at retrotechnology.com. Herb -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey USA http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net

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Vintage computer finds at the Sussex Hamfest
by Herb Johnson 19 Jul '16

19 Jul '16

I was at Sussex as a buyer, got there about 9:30AM. Of course I saw Jeff Galinat, he showed me the KIM he obtained. It was a good show as is usually the case, Sussex is one of the largest hamfests in NJ now. But there was not much vintage computing there, or it was sold earlier in the day if brought. I left around noon, when most but not all the vendors left: by then it was hot, clear and muggy - probably upper 90's heat index. I saw a 8086 in-circuit emulator, but I do very little with the 8086, more with the 8088, so I let it pass. A few books were on 70's computing or on robotics, I bought those. Parts were of all kinds, I got some discounted IC sockets and on a lark, 200 removed NE2 neon lamps. A Radio Shack bulk-tape eraser was cheap - the grey device that looks like a hand-mixer without the twirley-bits. Handfuls of parts, otherwise. I see a number of 20Mhz-40Mhz oscilloscopes at the hamfests, which go begging. Most are secondary brand, some are not; most work. Seems to me, for not much more spent than for a logic probe, one can get a much MUCH more informative test instrument. I acquired two, which worked back home but need some mechanical repairs. I may make these available at a convenient venue. I saw several people in our vintage-computing world who recognized me, or I them. It's a good opportunity to see people who live north of New Jersey. It's pretty low-mountain country up there, and there's good mid-20th-C. diner food. The geology in Sussex County is interesting and in some cases world-class (the Sterling fluorite mine, colonial iron-mines). Herb Johnson -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey USA http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net

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WTB: VAXstation 3100 Memory Module (MS42-CA or MS42-BA)
by Systems Glitch 19 Jul '16

19 Jul '16

I'm looking for a memory module for my VAXstation 3100. Mine is one of the smaller Model 10 slabs. The memory modules I'm interested in are MS42-CA (16 MB) or MS42-BA (12 MB). I'm particularly interested in the MS42-CA since it's the only one with a stacking connector, which you need to increase memory beyond 20 MB. Thanks, Jonathan

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OT: Maintenance around 9010-A & 9036A
by Herb Johnson 19 Jul '16

19 Jul '16

While InfoAge grounds maintenance is a good idea, you might consider that most of New Jersey has been under high-temp, high-humidity alerts, and thunderstorms alerts, through this summer. Consider scheduling such work in the spring or fall. - Herb -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey USA http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net

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OT: Maintenance around 9010-A & 9036A
by Jeffrey Brace 19 Jul '16

19 Jul '16

So the building that houses the museum looks like it needs maintenance. For example: 9010-A: 1) There are invasive weeds around the entrance that Jonathan G. identified. Dan Jacobs recommends salt and vinegar: http://homeguides.sfgate.com/use-vinegar-salt-weed-killer-49329.html. 2) The bathroom smells. I will ask Fred the director if there is a mop and some cleaner that could be used. I think it would help when we have workshops and events that we help clean that bathroom. 3) I'm looking into getting more soap for that bathroom. 9036-A: Behind the building that holds our warehouse is a bunch of weeds that need to be cleared out. This is a fire hazard in the winter months when they are dried up according Fred the InfoAge director. It would be nice if a few of us could get together to help clear them out. Just trying to support our landlord InfoAge and it helps as at the same time!

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Free PowerMac G5, Wash DC
by Jason Perkins 18 Jul '16

18 Jul '16

I have an Apple PM G5 that needs a new home. IIRC it has a 500 gb drive, 8 gb ram, and OS 10.4. DVD burner worked the last time I used it. I recall it was the 2dn fastest G5 sold. Model A1047. Need it gone asap. Come pick it up! Jason Perkins 313 355.0085 Sent from my phone.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] OT: FIOS Voice Backup Battery Replacement for 12V 7.2Ah
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 18 Jul '16

18 Jul '16

Richard Cini via vcf-midatlantic writes: >That's a pretty standard SLA battery. I got mine on eBay. I don't >remember f= rom whom but I probably shopped by top-rated seller and >closest to NY. No is= sues since replacement two years ago.=20 > >I have a small 2000w Generac generator that I use during longer power >failur= es for "infrastructure" stuff like the FiOS box, routers, and >charging my el= ectronics. Sandy lesson unfortunately. I also have a >massive 12kw portable o= ne that I have not used (thankfully) that can >power half of my house if I ne= ed.=20 I got a 9kW generator a year or two before Sandy because the power in my area sucks. Lost power one July after a heavy noreaster like storm and the power was out for 3+ days in 90degF temps. It was a godsend when Sandy took out my power for 2 weeks. The only issue then was gasoline which was being rationed at my local gas stations. I purchased a transfer switch but I still have not installed to allow connecting the generator to the whole house instead of me running 230V and 115V extension cables through the house.

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OT: Looking for network setup resource near Lake Hiawatha, NJ
by william degnan 18 Jul '16

18 Jul '16

I am looking for network hardware support resource near Lake Hiawatha, NJ. Independent contractors contact me privately for poss contract or work. Must know firewall/routing in a small business. I can train but overlapping previous knowledge will be required. I have a customer for whom I am setting up a high-security small business network, remotely. There may be some ongoing support that needs to be done on site and I don't want to drive 2-3 hours each way for this on an ongoing basis. I want to be able to recommend someone near this location. In short whatever can be done remotely will be, but sometimes someone needs to go to the customer location. Interested? Contact me via degnanco.net (my company) contact form. Bill

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] OT: Will be in Philly, anything I should check out
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 18 Jul '16

18 Jul '16

David Riley via vcf-midatlantic writes: >On Jul 18, 2016, at 09:32, Christian Liendo via vcf-midatlantic ><vcf-midatla= ntic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: >=20 > >Hi. This week I'm going to Philly to prep for the Democratic National > >Convention. I know there are some locals on this group and I'm asking > >if there is anything I should check out in the ways of finding food to > >some cool places to go. I figure Mon-Fri I will be nuts, Sat/Sun I > >should have some time. Any advice is appreciated. > >I live here in SW Center City. I'll send you a private message later >about p= laces to eat; there are some interesting tourist things, too, >but the bell i= s broken. Fado Irish Pub! 1500 Locust. Also, check out the Reading Terminal Market.

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Workshop 7/17/16
by Jeffrey Brace 18 Jul '16

18 Jul '16

So I got there by 10am, others showed up at 12pm. I worked on the Commodore 64 robot and got a working robot with the huge assistance of David and Jonathan G. who helped me to redesign the project from the manual to actually make something that worked well. I will make another robot device or two on Wednesday for HOPE. Bill Dromgoole finished testing the Univac generator and worked getting the teletype for the Univac working. Bill I. worked on the Analog EAI computer and did some documenting of the system. Jeff Jonas floated around and assisted everyone all day. Jonathan G. worked on his Dectalk -III Power supply unit. It was a lot of fun and we wrapped things up around 6pm or so. Can others add more details to what they did? == Jeff Brace

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] OT (maybe WAY OFF topic)
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 17 Jul '16

17 Jul '16

Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic writes: >>> If someone checks what Pokestops/gyms are at Infoage, and updates the >social media sites with "We have x Number of Pokestops and y Gyms >onsite"= it literally could increase the foot traffic/interest, and >bring more pe= ople. And it could increase visitors to the museum. > >I hope you're right, but the eagle watchers are there almost daily (for >s= everal years now) and most of them never go inside. The watchers or the eagles?

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OT (maybe WAY OFF topic)
by Joseph Oprysko 17 Jul '16

17 Jul '16

Has anyone here played the Pokémon Go game? If so, what team are you on? -- Normal Person: Hey, it seems that you know a lot. Geek: To be honest, it's due to all the surfing I do. Normal Person: So you go surfing? Normal Person: But I don't think that has anything to do with knowing a lot... Geek: I think that's wrong on a fundamental level. Normal Person: Huh? Huh? What?

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Urgent! Move a micro from upstate NY to NY area
by Evan Koblentz 17 Jul '16

17 Jul '16

>> What day next week, Saturday or Sunday? We need to get it to HOPE by Sunday mid-day, in order to have it on stage for their closing ceremony that afternoon. On Jul 17, 2016, Bob Aviles via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: >From: Bob Aviles <raviles132001(a)yahoo.com> >To: vcf-midatlantic ><vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> >Sent: Sun Jul 17 09:36:01 EDT 2016 >Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Urgent! Move a micro from upstate NY to >NY area > >Hi, > What day next week, Saturday or Sunday? >Bobby > >On Saturday, July 16, 2016 10:47 PM, Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic ><vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: > > >Update: Sridhar said he can move the computer from Schenectady to >Poughkeepsie tomorrow. That is 90 minutes closer to its destination. > > >On Jul 16, 2016, Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic ><vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: >>Everyone, >> >>Ian restored a Zenith Z-100 that belongs to the 2600 crew. We need to >>get it to HOPE next weekend. Who can help? (It would be acceptable if >>someone can drive it to my place in NJ as a stopover.)

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Urgent! Move a micro from upstate NY to NY area
by Evan Koblentz 17 Jul '16

17 Jul '16

Everyone, Ian restored a Zenith Z-100 that belongs to the 2600 crew. We need to get it to HOPE next weekend. Who can help? (It would be acceptable if someone can drive it to my place in NJ as a stopover.)

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Unusual workshop hours :)
by Evan Koblentz 17 Jul '16

17 Jul '16

The museum workshop stopped at 9pm last night, but I didn't start at home until 7pm. Stayed up until now (5:45am) working on Lego stuff for my HOPE game next weekend. Redesigned the reduction gearbox for compactness. Now it's half the size and just as efficient. We only have two motors. One opens and closes the garage door to let cars down the track. The other moves the garage sideways for aiming the cars. Players will control both of them using my BASIC program, so I dug through my big box o' childhood Legos and found some computer-y looking parts from a Lego space station model. I will make a little control room. If anyone asks, that's what runs all the action. :) Going to sleep for a while and get back to building and coding later.

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Workshop 7/16 report
by Jeffrey Brace 17 Jul '16

17 Jul '16

Alex and I were the first to arrive today. He helped me setup the tables in the room. I started him working on the Hero 1 Robot. Alex can provide deals, but he was unable to get the Hero 1 working. :( Later Bill Dromgoole came and worked on the generator for the Univac. He can provide you his progress report. Dean and Drew worked on and fixed their three Vic-20 keyboards. They also helped out myself with setting up the wi-fi network better as well as did a food run to Taco Bell. Jeff Jonas and Bill I. helped bring over and do a cursory check of the EAI analog machine. Bill I. will be working on this tomorrow. I worked on helping get everyone setup and settled and was docent at the museum. There were about a dozen visitors. I started sorting out the parts for the C64 robot, and picked out all the parts for a project to build. I will work build it tomorrow. Everyone shared knowledge and helped it each other out. It was great fun! We ended the night rather early for a workshop at around 9pm. We start again tomorrow at 10am.

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Looking for the CompuPro monitor code
by Richard Cini 17 Jul '16

17 Jul '16

All – I’m planning ahead for another S100 project and wondered if anyone had the CompuPro 8088/8086 Monitor-Debugger code or manual. I did some searching and I haven’t hit on it yet, so I thought I’d ask. I’d like to get my 8086/87 and System Support Board working. Thanks! Rich -- Rich Cini http://www.classiccmp.org/cini http://www.classiccmp.org/altair32

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] OT (maybe WAY OFF topic)
by Alexander 16 Jul '16

16 Jul '16

Just the other day I decided to give this Go game a shot, since pokémon has been something I've enjoyed since it hit American shores in '98. It's a buggy ARG, but it is kinda fun. If it weren't the dead if summer in Virginia, I would probably be walking around more to make the most of the experience. For someone like me, it's letting me play out something I've enjoyed for most of my life. I still find myself carrying an original Gameboy (or more recently the Japanese exclusive Gameboy Light) with a copy of Red version from time to time. Then again I happen to be in the age range that pokémon targeted when it was released. I watched the poorly animated/dubbed TV show, collected the early era of cards -- I've even been known to cosplay at anime conventions as one of the stock bad guy grunts, Team Rocket. Side note, it's not dog fighting, it's Japanese beetle collecting and fighting -- something kids don't exactly participate in here. While I await work to begin at the workshop, I'm going to see if I can catch something. -Alexander 'Z' Pierson Sent from my pocket telephone. william degnan via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: >I had said elsewhere that it was fun taking my kids to hunt pokemon around >town. We already had an account (billdeg of course) so it was easy to >download the ap and go. FAmily Fun > >Bill Degnan >twitter: billdeg >vintagecomputer.net >On Jul 16, 2016 8:55 AM, "Ethan via vcf-midatlantic" < >vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: > >> I was resisting to play this game, but I was curious. This is one of those >>> fads that makes me curious and I wanted to see what it actually was and >>> looked like. It will be one of those things we look back on 10 years from >>> >> >> I played Ingress. I remember capturing portals @ VCF East last year. >> >> It's interesting that the Ingress game got so big. >> >> I don't know how well it will last though, you will have the power people >> that just play it non-stop and become the kings of the game. Also strange >> communities with all their drama around it. >> >> I used the same nickname I used on the BBS systems on Ingress and I must >> of run into 15 people from the old school BSS days on Ingress (many of whom >> were also using their BBS handles!) That part was wild to me. >> >> The Ingress client kept getting "updated" and to the point where it would >> no longer run on my phone. When I upgraded I could play it again, but then >> they kept feature creeping it to the point of it not running. I like my >> cell phones with physical keyboards so I can use the control/esc keys for >> unix screen utility and stuff, so I'm stuck at the pinnacle of keyboarded >> Android phones which is pretty old. >> >> So now I have to run Ingress or the Go thing on a tethered tablet or phone >> that is more capable of drawing crap when you really don't care about any >> of hte graphics. >> >> Also, the entire idea of Pokemon is dog fighting. >> >> >> >>

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Atari Kickstarter
by Evan Koblentz 16 Jul '16

16 Jul '16

Our good friend Bil Herd is one of the main people behind this documentary. They already met their goal, but there's one day left to help them further. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1744798558/easy-to-learn-hard-to-maste…

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Workshop July 16/17
by Jeffrey Brace 16 Jul '16

16 Jul '16

I know that there will be less attendees for this workshop, but still wanted to send this out. The room for the workshop is cleared. There are enough outlets for the people coming. I'm told there are eight separate circuits. There are tables from 9010-B that we can use for the workshop. Looks like we are in good shape and ready to go. I just ask that everyone make sure that they take care not to mess up the carpet and to clean up afterwards as much as possible. LOCATION: InfoAge Building 9010A - (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) COST: $10 for all members attending the workshop, which VCF donates to InfoAge as thanks for providing the space for us. 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. DRINKS: You should bring your own. I would recommend bringing a cooler of some type. Upon request there is a refrigerator available down the hall. FOOD: You provide your own. We may order pizza or go out to a dinner. Usually we make a decision when everyone gets hungry. GATE: Please 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. PARKING: Park across from 9010A 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!

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WTB/WTT: PDP-11/34 Chassis, or Boards for Trade
by Systems Glitch 15 Jul '16

15 Jul '16

All, I recently picked up a large lot of board scrap that appears to contain a gutted PDP-11/34. The CPU, front panel interface, floating point, et c. all appears to be there, in relatively OK shape (for board scrap). I don't have a PDP-11/34 chassis, so I'd like to see if anyone has one for sale/trade, with or without anything in it. If I'm unsuccessful in finding a chassis, does anyone need some/all of the board set for a PDP-11/34? Obviously untested since I don't have a chassis. Thanks, Jonathan

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Workshop July 16/17
by Evan Koblentz 15 Jul '16

15 Jul '16

I've got a million things to do, so I decided to sit this workshop out. Jeff B. has everything covered.

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Interesting craigslist sale
by Evan Koblentz 15 Jul '16

15 Jul '16

http://elmira.craigslist.org/sys/5656768392.html

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Museum Report 07/13/16
by Jeffrey Brace 14 Jul '16

14 Jul '16

He improvised and said "Let's play Global Thermal Nuclear War". ;) On Thu, Jul 14, 2016 at 10:53 AM, Bill Sudbrink via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: > Jeffrey Brace wrote: > > He was a War Games fan so he asked "Shall we play a > > game?" What was the response? > > How about a nice game of chess? > > Bill S. > > >

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F/S: Sharp PC-5000 laptop from 1983
by Evan Koblentz 14 Jul '16

14 Jul '16

I have a Sharp PC-5000 (laptop circa 1983) in the box with the manuals. It worked last time I tried it several years ago. Not sure if I still have the disks but it should be standard DOS. Hate to sell it because it was a gift from another collector (my plan was to give it to the museum) but I really need some money. In my opinion* it's worth a few hundred dollars. * Strictly my personal property and personal opinion about the value; not at all related to VCFed stuff.

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Museum Report 07/13/16
by Jeffrey Brace 14 Jul '16

14 Jul '16

So it was a slow day with 5 visitors. They were very interested. One boy around 15/16 even tried his hand at BASIC on the PET. He was used to programming Python. He was a War Games fan so he asked "Shall we play a game?" What was the response? Also gathered and started setup for Workshop this weekend.

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OT: Exploring Mars lecture @ InfoAge July 31
by Evan Koblentz 14 Jul '16

14 Jul '16

http://www.n2mo.org/temp/the_journey_of_curiosity.pdf Our own Frank O. is giving a lecture about Mars rovers etc. on July 31 at the satellite dish campus. It's unclear if Frank plans to use that occasion to phone home. :) Anyway, it sounds interesting! Some of us will be at HOPE and others will be busy with Kfest, but all are welcome to attend this.

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display case for museum
by Evan Koblentz 13 Jul '16

13 Jul '16

Everyone, We need a large display case for some ENIAC/Univac artifacts. We have a few display cases that are waist-high. But we need something taller in order to show more artifacts without using more floor space. The ideal case would have a black exterior, adjustable shelves, lights for each shelf, mirrored back panel, and locking door. It would be four feet wide, a foot or two deep, and maybe chest height. That's asking a lot... we can probably take something simpler and add our own mirrors, lock, etc. Anybody have something that might work or know where we could get something inexpensive? I'm not above converting a bookcase or using Craigslist. New ones are quite expensive. (Don't just bring something in, we need to see it first...)

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Museum Report 7/6/2016
by Jeffrey Brace 13 Jul '16

13 Jul '16

Slow day at the museum. It's a nice hot and sunny day so everyone is at the beach, pool or working etc. One visitor, but he had been here previously at VCF and didn't have the time to look at the museum before. Looked about by himself and I chatted with him for a while. My main project was to get the Internet working in the museum. I got it working. So wi-fi now works for our members. Right now the speed is relatively slow, but next week I hope to move the receiver closer to the window to increase the speed. I didn't get to the Commodore 64 robotics kit, mostly because the parts haven't arrived and partly because I left the manual at home. I will be working on this next week as the parts will be here before next Wednesday. == Jeff Brace

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Museum Report 7/10/16
by Jeffrey Brace 13 Jul '16

13 Jul '16

Sorry for the late post, but I've been busy. Mouse was docent this past Sunday. About 30 visitors came by because there was a Rebel Arts Music Fair on InfoAge's campus right behind the museum. About 300 came to that festival. This kept Mouse really busy. Thanks so much Mouse for being docent this past Sunday! -- Jeff Brace

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Cool new artifact
by Evan Koblentz 12 Jul '16

12 Jul '16

Our newest artifact, to be delivered next month, really is "cool": a member of the Mauchly family is giving us a desk fan that John M. brought home from the Eckert-Mauchly Computer Co. office. It will go in a display case in our museum. We can make a sign (for example): "Early computers made their surrounding environment quite hot. This desk fan favored by John Mauchly came from the EMCC office."

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Fwd: Fwd: IBM 5150
by Evan Koblentz 12 Jul '16

12 Jul '16

See below. Anyone who wants to make a few bucks should reply directly to Brooke. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: "Brooke Douglass" <brookemdouglass(a)gmail.com <mailto:brookemdouglass@gmail.com>> Date: Jul 12, 2016 12:10 PM Subject: IBM 5150 Good afternoon, I have an IBM 5150 PC from 1981(?) and I'm looking for someone who knows a bit about old computers. I basically need to hire someone to take a look at it and figure out if it still works. I tried to turn it on to no avail but my husband thinks maybe it just needs a different hard drive or something. Are you in MD and if so, do you provide this kind of service? We have a very extensive collection of accessories, original keyboard, original boxes, printer, and tons of floppy disk games and programs. Thank you! Brooke

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