- vcf-midatlantic - lists.vcfed.org

Re: [vcf-midatlantic] (Semi-off topic) Looking for a place in NJ that does in-place expandable foam packing.
by william degnan 07 May '16

07 May '16

> > > > >I've used Insta-Pak RT for shipping very delicate/expensive electronics > and lab equipment in the past -- I'm currently out and need to order more. > It's excellent packing material, a little expensive, but not so expensive > if you consider the risk it avoids! I buy mine through ULINE. Make sure to > get the Insta-Pak *RT* variety -- RT indicates "Room Temperature," the > cheaper Insta-Pak requires a heating plate or it won't activate. > > > >Thanks, > >Jonathan > > I shipped a TRS 80 model 3 by filling the box that chocolate syrup that hardens when it cools. Makes a perfect mold. I have not yet heard back from the guy but I bet it worked perfectly. If you're going to do that with an Apple 1, you should probably shrink wrap it first, it might be hard to spray off all of that chocolate. -- @ 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] (Semi-off topic) Looking for a place in NJ that does in-place expandable foam packing.
by Alexander 07 May '16

07 May '16

I've used the self-contained Instapak stuff, and it works wonders. We packaged up delicate electronic gear using three packs of the stuff in stages. Just be warned, the reaction of the foam expanding creates alot of heat and that's normal. It also only gives you a short window to fit your item to be packed, so you may need more than pair of hands to get it right. -Alexander 'Z' Pierson Sent from my pocket telephone. Systems Glitch via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: >I've used Insta-Pak RT for shipping very delicate/expensive electronics and lab equipment in the past -- I'm currently out and need to order more. It's excellent packing material, a little expensive, but not so expensive if you consider the risk it avoids! I buy mine through ULINE. Make sure to get the Insta-Pak *RT* variety -- RT indicates "Room Temperature," the cheaper Insta-Pak requires a heating plate or it won't activate. > >Thanks, >Jonathan

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] (Semi-off topic) Looking for a place in NJ that does in-place expandable foam packing.
by Corey Cohen 07 May '16

07 May '16

So what do I do, just bag the item, start spraying it in he bottom, put it in the box while it's still expanding and keep spraying till the box is full? Thanks, Corey corey cohen uǝɥoɔ ʎǝɹoɔ > On May 7, 2016, at 8:33 AM, gnievin(a)comcast.net wrote: > > > You can get a can of that stuff at Home Depot. It is used as a space filling insulation. Good for sealing small spaces against mice and whatnot. > > ------ Original Message ------ > > From: Corey Cohen via vcf-midatlantic > To: vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org > Cc: Corey Cohen > Sent: May 7, 2016 at 7:14 AM > Subject: [vcf-midatlantic] (Semi-off topic) Looking for a place in NJ that does in-place expandable foam packing. > > I have to ship a vintage monitor, Keyboard and some other stuff overseas. What to make sure it not only gets there in one piece, but has reusable boxes that the items can be shipped back in the future. > > When I got my ADM-5, the shipper used an expanding foam that made a perfect shape around the terminal. > > Anyone have a place in NJ, preferably in Middlesex, Monmouth or ocean counties that does this for individual who are shipping stuff. > > Thanks, > Corey > > corey cohen > uǝɥoɔ ʎǝɹoɔ

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DEC Pathworks licenses?
by David Riley 07 May '16

07 May '16

Hi VMS folks (you know who you are), I'm looking to get DEC Pathworks for OpenVMS (Macintosh) installed on my MicroVAX in preparation for what I hope will be a VCF exhibit next year. I've acquired the layered product kit and can install it, but I don't have the licenses and they're not provided by the hobbyist PAK kit. What's the best way to get a license (license PAK names are described at the bottom)? It's been a retired product for quite some time, so I assume it would be quite difficult to buy them from HPE at this point (and would cost me an arm and a leg anyway even if available); are there second-hand licenses for this sort of thing? Licenses required are at least one of the following: Product: PWXXMACAT01.03 Producer: DEC Version: V1.3A Release Date: 31-JAN-1995 Product: PWASMACCC01.03 Producer: DEC Version: V1.3A Release Date: 31-JAN-1995 Product: PWASXXXFP01.03 Producer: DEC Version: V1.3A Release Date: 31-JAN-1995 - Dave

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(Semi-off topic) Looking for a place in NJ that does in-place expandable foam packing.
by Corey Cohen 07 May '16

07 May '16

I have to ship a vintage monitor, Keyboard and some other stuff overseas. What to make sure it not only gets there in one piece, but has reusable boxes that the items can be shipped back in the future. When I got my ADM-5, the shipper used an expanding foam that made a perfect shape around the terminal. Anyone have a place in NJ, preferably in Middlesex, Monmouth or ocean counties that does this for individual who are shipping stuff. Thanks, Corey corey cohen uǝɥoɔ ʎǝɹoɔ

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Apple 1 demo @ VCF East: video
by Evan Koblentz 07 May '16

07 May '16

https://youtu.be/IDkGHYK1cd8

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VCF East XI....pics
by Herb Johnson 06 May '16

06 May '16

> > http://www.pdp8online.com/shows/vcfe16/vcfe16.shtml > > Specifically > http://www.pdp8online.com/shows/vcfe16/display.shtml David has done nice work on describing his own history with computers. This is how people "got into" computers, when computers were uncommon. On my own VCF-E Web page, I'll be glad to carry other exhibitor's descriptions of their own exhibits. http://www.retrotechnology.com/vcfe11/vcfe_11.html Herb -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey USA http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net preservation of 1970's computing email: hjohnson AAT retrotechnology DOTT com alternate: herbjohnson ATT retrotechnology DOTT info

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VCF East XI....pics
by Dan Roganti 06 May '16

06 May '16

I posted a few pics It's still a rough cut, no title, no descriptions I was going to add these later, using the info from the exhibitors page on VCFed I didn't get pics of the classes since they were in parallel tracks oddly enough, a lot of the exhibitor pics don't include the exhibitor don't tell Evan you weren't at your booth :) http://www.rogtronics.net/blog/?page_id=688 Dan

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Black Apple
by Evan Koblentz 06 May '16

06 May '16

The floppy drive arrived today, computer was shipped separately and should arrive in a day or two. Drive is super clean and in original Apple (not B&H) shipping box.

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ENIAC Video ... and some 1130s
by Bob Flanders 06 May '16

06 May '16

On YouTube, there are some interesting videos in the "Computer History Archives". This one is about ENIAC. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGk9W65vXNA If you look carefully, there are four IBM 1130s in this film starting at about the 7:33 mark https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tb0cRL2mnbA Bob

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Steve Dompier's coding...
by Dan Roganti 06 May '16

06 May '16

On Thu, May 5, 2016 at 8:56 PM, Bill Sudbrink via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: > How about a quiz? > > See if you can answer before Herb (who can probably answer > without even looking...) > > 1) What 8080 instruction did Mr. Dompier use as a debugging > "breakpoint"? > > 2) How could he tell that the code reached his "breakpoint"? > > 3) What secret (or at least undocumented) keystroke did he > implement to facilitate punching his work to paper tape? > > 4) What drawback did his method have? > > > dude, I did too much lsd and pot in those days to worry about trivia if you want to talk about how to debug code then that's another story But lately , I'm knee deep in 6502 code every night I would be very glad to read about this as a history article on your website Dan

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Steve Dompier's coding...
by Dan Roganti 06 May '16

06 May '16

On Thu, May 5, 2016 at 4:50 PM, Bill Sudbrink via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: > Herb Johnson wrote: > > > [Cromemco Dazzler Dazzlemation...] > > > .... Mr. Dompier hand wrote that program > > > LITERALLY (hand, pencil, paper), no editor, no assembler. > > > He then toggled it in (or maybe raw keyed it in with a > > > primitive ROM monitor) and [used paper tape to save/restore it] > > > > I agree, it's informative to look at such code, to see methods of > > coding. But that's normal activity, given the era. > > And I agree with you. I did some myself. I was trying to interest > some of the people who might not be aware. I've exhibited my IMSAIs > and Altairs a number of times. On numerous occasions, I've heard > comments like "those front panels are pretty but you couldn't really > do anything with them". I'm pretty sure now that Mr. Dompier > toggled Dazzlemation into the machine. The recollection is that he > didn't get a 4FDC until later, so he probably didn't have a monitor > in ROM. > > Bill S. > > > yes, I still kept most of my programming code and notes here in my Altair and Imsai manuals using the obligatory yellow legal pads from the 70s. It was not just common practice, but *required* Dan

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Steve Dompier's coding...
by Dave McGuire 05 May '16

05 May '16

On 05/05/2016 04:50 PM, Bill Sudbrink via vcf-midatlantic wrote: >>> .... Mr. Dompier hand wrote that program >>> LITERALLY (hand, pencil, paper), no editor, no assembler. >>> He then toggled it in (or maybe raw keyed it in with a >>> primitive ROM monitor) and [used paper tape to save/restore it] >> >> I agree, it's informative to look at such code, to see methods of >> coding. But that's normal activity, given the era. > > And I agree with you. I did some myself. I was trying to interest > some of the people who might not be aware. I've exhibited my IMSAIs > and Altairs a number of times. On numerous occasions, I've heard > comments like "those front panels are pretty but you couldn't really > do anything with them". I'm pretty sure now that Mr. Dompier > toggled Dazzlemation into the machine. The recollection is that he > didn't get a 4FDC until later, so he probably didn't have a monitor > in ROM. Many years ago, in the mid-1970s, there was a construction article in, I think, Popular Electronics magazine, for basically a blinking light panel. It had a field of LEDs that blinked randomly, nothing more. The article stated that the blinking lights on large computers of the day were simply there to impress their owners, and that "a painted metal panel would convey the same amount of useful information". Since such machines were prohibitively expensive for the hobbyist, there should be a way for the average hobbyist to "get a decent set of blinking lights", hence that construction project. The article's author was clearly completely (and dismissively!) clueless about what computer front panels are really all about. -Dave -- Dave McGuire, AK4HZ New Kensington, PA

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black Apple arrived
by Evan Koblentz 05 May '16

05 May '16

Needs a cleaning, but otherwise it looks good. Have not done any functional testing: http://vcfed.org/evan/darth.jpg Also came with this stand/port consolidator thingamajig: http://vcfed.org/evan/ports.jpg We have one floppy drive as well.

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Lo-Tech Z-80 Test Board
by Al Hartman 05 May '16

05 May '16

Thought people on the list might find this useful... https://www.lo-tech.co.uk/wiki/Lo-tech_Z80_CPU_Test_Adapter -[ Al ]-

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Steve Dompier's coding...
by Bill Sudbrink 04 May '16

04 May '16

I took a peek at the access logs for the Cromemco Dazzler files that I recently put up on my web server. I'm gratified to see that a lot of people are taking advantage of the availability of these documents, that have not recently (if ever) been easily available on the web. I also see that a lot of people took the Dazzlemation HEX file and the Magenta Martini paper tape image, presumably to run on Udo Monk's great Windows Cromemco Z1 simulator. Also, thanks to everyone that generated pdf files for me! One thing I noticed is that not many people looked at the disassembly of Dazzlemation. If you are an 8080 or Z80 programmer (or any 8-bitter for that matter) I really recommend that you take a look, it's a real treat. I'm reliably informed that Mr. Dompier hand wrote that program LITERALLY (hand, pencil, paper), no editor, no assembler. He then toggled it in (or maybe raw keyed it in with a primitive ROM monitor) and went through a few iterations of: 1) store to paper tape 2) modify in memory 3) test 4) go to 1 It's neat to see some of the "tricks" he used and also the level of sophistication of the code. It does a lot of stuff in not a lot of bytes. Also, here and there, in "dead" areas, you can also see the debris of ideas that he started and then abandoned. Bill S.

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Anyone live in/near Center City Philadelphia?
by Evan Koblentz 04 May '16

04 May '16

If so, then email me privately.

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XT-IDE rev 3 Preorder
by Systems Glitch 04 May '16

04 May '16

All, As discussed on the forums ( http://www.vcfed.org/forum/showthread.php?52343-Anyone-Selling-XT-IDE-Cards ) I'm doing a revision 3 of the XT-IDE board. The design is simplified and the routing is completely redone, and much cleaner! To gauge interest and try and guess at what size of initial order I need to do, I've put together a preorder form: http://www.glitchwrks.com/xt-ide/preorder This allows you to specify how many bare boards, kits, and/or assembled+tested units you're interested in. You'll get a confirmation email with a link to validate your preorder. If you don't validate within 48 hours, the preorder will be dropped. Thanks, Jonathan

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VT320 CRT replacement?
by David Riley 03 May '16

03 May '16

I have a VT320 with a pretty bad case of Being Old. The screen is so dim that even with all the lights off in the basement, it's difficult to read (and if it gets switched to 132-character mode, next to impossible). I know surplus caches of these CRTs pop up every once in a while, and I know other mono CRTs of the same size are often mechanically and electrically compatible, but I'm a bit at sea. Does anyone have pointers for acquiring such things? The current tube is amber, but I really don't care what color it is as long as it's legible. Failing that, how well do rejuvenators really work on these? My understanding is that it's usually a pretty temporary fix at best (like Retr0Brite). - Dave

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Lego LOGO: My childhood dream came true today!
by Evan Koblentz 03 May '16

03 May '16

This is awesome. In response to last week's call for vintage computer robotics help, Ben G. sent us his new-in-box Lego LOGO kit from 1986. I was 13 in 1987. My two favorite things were Legos and my Apple //e. I distinctly remember wishing for a way to combine them. We were learning BASIC in school, we'd already learned LOGO turtle graphics, and nobody ever told us that Lego ** DID ** have a kit for this. In adulthood I learned about Mindstorms but never bought any. My childhood dream had already been squashed. Today the package arrived from Ben. I opened it and turned 13 again. Thank you, Ben!!!!! This is an incredible setup and I can't wait to start playing wi... errr "testing" :) it ahead of HOPE. Check out these pictures: http://vcfed.org/evan/lego_logo/logo_manuals.jpg http://vcfed.org/evan/lego_logo/technic.jpg http://vcfed.org/evan/lego_logo/technic_inside.jpg http://vcfed.org/evan/lego_logo/technic_manual.jpg http://vcfed.org/evan/lego_logo/logo_disks.jpg It also has an IBM PC card (with printed instructions for interfacing to it), all the sensors/cables, and even the warranty card.... truly new-in-box. The actual Lego parts are in their original sealed plastic bags. I almost hate to open it! Obviously going to be extremely careful, unlike when I was child and ripped it all open. :)

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Cromemco Dazzler 40th birthday presents...
by Bill Sudbrink 03 May '16

03 May '16

Check it out: http://wsudbrink.dyndns.org:8080/dazzler.html More to come. Bill S.

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September Workshop will be 9/17 & 9/18
by Jeffrey Brace 03 May '16

03 May '16

The September workshop will be Sept. 17 & 18. -- Jeff Brace

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Video release order?
by Evan Koblentz 02 May '16

02 May '16

In what order should we post the East XI keynotes? Stick with the Fri-Sat-Sun order, maybe one every couple of weeks?

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TechRepublic Covers VCF East XI (2016)!!
by Todd George 02 May '16

02 May '16

I get the daily e-mails from TechRepublic. Today's featured the VCF East XI event! http://www.techrepublic.com/pictures/images-from-the-vintage-computer-festi… Nice job Evan!!

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Museum report
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 02 May '16

02 May '16

Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic writes: >Corey texted to say he acquired a toolkit for our workshop. There's been some mention on this list about DEC MMJ cables, connectors and the crimping tool. Does VCF -- the group formerly known as MARCH -- have a crimping tool? I have a Paladin set with interchangeable dies for crimping all sort of connectors but I also have another MMJ crimper that, I believe, I acquired from a client that believed they no longer needed it. If it can be of benefit to VCF, I'd lend/loan it to the group to include in the tools kit.

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Funny moment @ VCF East last weekend
by Evan Koblentz 02 May '16

02 May '16

Watch this video clip: https://youtu.be/SoGFFXbpsfI

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Museum report
by Evan Koblentz 02 May '16

02 May '16

Doug and I were at the museum today. There were a good amount of visitors including my dad who hadn't been there since a few years ago. Doug learned about the Mimeo, and we have a productive discussion about how to do some fundraising. Corey texted to say he acquired a toolkit for our workshop.

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LSSM outing
by Mike Loewen 01 May '16

01 May '16

I had a great time at Dave McGuire's Large Scale Systems Museum (LSSM) on Saturday. Lots of interested folks touring the museum. Several Federation members in attendance, including (obviously) Dave McGuire, Matt Patoray, Connor Krukosky, Sridhar Ayengar and wife Roopa, Ian Primus, Jeff Jonas and Dan Roganti. Corey Little was just down the street with his pop-up CP/Museum. We managed to sneak in a little work on one of Dave's newly acquired systems, an HP 2117F mini. The power supply checked out (and no foam!), but entering a program from the front panel indicated some sort of memory issues. The system came with a 2102E High Speed memory controller, four 64KW HS memory boards, M.E.M. board, Memory Protect and D.C.P.C. board. The I/O cage had the Time Base Generator, Firmware Expansion Module (FEM), BACI, Terminal interface and 13037C disc controller interface. All it needs is an HP-IB interface (12821) and possibly some additional ROMs, and it can run RTE-6/VM. Mike Loewen mloewen(a)cpumagic.scol.pa.us Old Technology http://q7.neurotica.com/Oldtech/

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OT: narrow LED flood bulb
by Evan Koblentz 01 May '16

01 May '16

I'm doing a personal project unrelated to computers. I need to use an LED flood light bulb 1.5 inches at its widest point. Google says to buy a bulb size called "R12" commonly found in elevators. The project will use ordinary 110V AC. What do I use for the bulb socket? I'm having difficulty finding a straight answer.

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September Workshop?
by Jeffrey Brace 30 Apr '16

30 Apr '16

I was thinking September 17/18. 10/11 is already taken.

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August Workshop will be Aug. 20/21
by Jeffrey Brace 30 Apr '16

30 Apr '16

The August workshop will be on August 20 & 21.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] MAC with squashed screen (william degnan)
by Earl Baugh 30 Apr '16

30 Apr '16

> > I am thinking about working to repair the display on my '84 MAC, > occasionally the horizontal is "squashed" although for now it recovers. > Was this covered in any VCF E classes this or last year? > > http://vintagecomputer.net/browse_thread.cfm?id=95 > > I assume there are a few places on the web that describe MAC repairs like > these, but any comments as to what to target are welcome and will save me > some time. > > b > Bill, Just an FYI, these two books : Dead Mac Scrolls ( http://www.amazon.com/Dead-Mac-Scrolls-MacIntosh-Thousands/dp/0940235250) and Mac Classic & Se: Repair and Upgrade Secrets ( http://www.amazon.com/Mac-Classic-Se-Upgrade-Secrets/dp/1566090229) Are extremely useful books for this type of repair. I use them both a lot on all of the unibody Macs that I'm fixing. Details on what parts drive what in ways that are fairly simple to understand (I just need the guidance as to what part to replace as well... not an EE... I can solder well enough for any sort of repair on these :-) ) I've also got some things for stuck drives (and sources for the gear that can go as well). Earl

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August workshop date?
by Jeffrey Brace 29 Apr '16

29 Apr '16

How about August 20/21? This spaces it out from the last event. August 27/28 are not available.

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July Workshop Date will be July 16/17
by Jeffrey Brace 29 Apr '16

29 Apr '16

The July workshop will be July 16/17. I realize this is one week before HOPE, but I want one more weekend to work on the Commodore 64 robot in case I don't get it working at the June workshop. July 9/10, 23/24, 30/31 were unavailable. I don't think anyone would want to do July 2/3 because it is a holiday weekend.

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not just another Apple II....
by Evan Koblentz 29 Apr '16

29 Apr '16

Took 11 years but someone is finally giving us a black BH Apple. That's all I know for now.

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Running Windows 1.04 in emulation
by Richard Cini 29 Apr '16

29 Apr '16

All — I’m progressing well with the Windows 1.04 SDK -- I’ve gotten all of the binders and books scanned. The software is fully captured and I’m trying to create a “build environment” for this as a demo. I’ve tried to get Windows to work properly in various combinations of virtual environments with limited success. I’ve used Parallels on the Mac, VirtualBox on the Mac and PC, Bochs on the PC and Microsoft Virtual PC on the PC. I have a complete log of my findings if anyone’s interested. Only Parallels on the Mac worked completely. On Microsoft VirtualPC under Windows 7, it almost worked, but button clicks didn’t register. Bochs was the worst performer. Most of the issues have to do with capturing the mouse — Windows 1 predated PS/2 mice so a mouse has to be mapped to the virtual COM port or the InPort bus interface, which the virtualizations seemingly do with limited success and not at all, respectively. Some had problems with MSDOS 3.31 diskette images or 32MB virtual hard drives (the limit for DOS 3.31). Others had issues booting Windows under DOS 5. Has anyone successfully gotten Windows 1 to work within any virtual environment with working mouse support? If so, what was the exact software configuration so that I can replicate it here? Thanks! Rich -- Rich Cini http://www.classiccmp.org/cini http://www.classiccmp.org/altair32

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Big rescue!
by Evan Koblentz 28 Apr '16

28 Apr '16

We haven't had any huge awesome big-iron rescues for the museum lately. There's nothing in the hopper, honest! Just that whenever I say it out loud, something tends to come up. :) So here's hoping...

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Decserver 300 PSU schematic?
by David Hoelzer 28 Apr '16

28 Apr '16

Does anyone have any thoughts on where I could find a schematic for a Decserver 300 power supply? I just picked up a 300 but there’s something wrong in the PSU. The capacitors look ok, though they are quite old. Normally I’d just replace them, but there’s pretty much zero output even though I see no fried components anywhere and there are 120 volts coming in. Thanks!

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MAC with squashed screen
by william degnan 28 Apr '16

28 Apr '16

I am thinking about working to repair the display on my '84 MAC, occasionally the horizontal is "squashed" although for now it recovers. Was this covered in any VCF E classes this or last year? http://vintagecomputer.net/browse_thread.cfm?id=95 I assume there are a few places on the web that describe MAC repairs like these, but any comments as to what to target are welcome and will save me some time. b -- @ 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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updated teletype slideshow pdf format
by william degnan 28 Apr '16

28 Apr '16

For those of you who did not notice in the link to event pictures, also uploaded was the slideshow from Friday's VCF East Teletype class. This is an updated version to last year's class, edited and with more slides. 2Mb PDF http://vintagecomputer.net/vcf11/teletype/ 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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FYI, update website - getting old
by Dan Roganti 27 Apr '16

27 Apr '16

FYI, its a few weeks behind already :) http://vcfed.org

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VCF's HOPE exhibit
by Herb Johnson 27 Apr '16

27 Apr '16

> Evan wrote: > > For the [HOPE] exhibit, I would like to show vintage computer robotics.... > fix up our HERO....a Minimover arm can beg/borrow/steal ...We > also have a robot kit for the Commodore 64.. Are > there any other products we should consider for this exhibit? It should > be limited to 70s/80s (assuming there's nothing for the PDP-8!) > > PS - I found a lot of * computerized * robots -- those with CPUs inside > -- but for this exhibit I'd like to focus on robots * connected * to > computers, so we can show the computation side of things. > > end quote. Well, a quick comment is: show a PDP-8 with a Calcomp plotter. It's robotic, and computational, and "has the additional advantage of being true". Minicomputers ran robots in the 70's - that's all they had! for some time at least. But you're not gonna haul a minicomputer to HOPE. And certainly the HERO and Minimover and items are fine. But I object to your notion linking 1970's micros & "robots connected to computers.. for computation". I'm lecturing deliberately, so you have something to say to Hope attendees who would mock what seems like an Arduino on wheels. I'll remind you - I mean them - there were many more computers in private and small-company hands in the 80's than in the 70's - in the 70's there wasn't so much to connect a robot TO. And a micro board kit that ran motors STILL cost a few hundred dollars in the 1970's (when that would buy a decent used car). But buying a micro board that actually DID something physical, not just "blink lights", was a good excuse (to your boss, your spouse) to buy a microcomputer board, to learn the technology. Also, people in the 70's used such micros to run stuff - I don't know if you'd call a sprinkler system a "robot", but it's the same sort of "computations" and hardware as to move an arm or drive a motor. And many small manufacturers (most WERE small, then) bought single-board microcomputers, to run production equipment - a KIM could run a printing press for instance. here's such a card, from the late 1970's, a small-company product by Lee Hart. http://www.retrotechnology.com/memship/mem_basys.html this could run on solar power! Lee Hart attached motors and switches to it, put it in a box, and called it "ITSABOT". I don't have a photo of that product. Lee sells the 21st century equivalent board today, as a $89 kit. In other words: the 70's was a different world of microprocessors, as the 1980's would be a world where microcomputers became accepted. If someone at Hope is disappointed that a cigar-box robot on wheels "just" follows a white line and can avoid obstacles; explain that microprocessors were new technology, not cheap, and these devices taught the people who made the smarter/cheaper/faster stuff a decade or two later. "People don't mock babies for being toddlers", if you want a quicker reply. But if Hope is not a venue for such things and such lectures, that's your decision, show the Hero, it's pretty impressive for the era. Herb -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey USA http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net

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More VCF East 2016 photos
by Jameel Akari 27 Apr '16

27 Apr '16

Quick and dirty, haven't sorted them all yet, and they're not all winners: http://www.bithose.com/VCF_E_2016/ This will get updated, hopefully showing descriptions & tags. I decided now was a good time to switch to Adobe Lightroom, and, uh, it takes a while to really grok. ;) -- Jameel Akari

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Floppy Days Podcast #58 - Ralph Rees, Editor, VAST TI-99 Newsletter Interview
by Randall Kindig 27 Apr '16

27 Apr '16

http://floppydays.libsyn.com/floppy-days-58-ralph-rees-editor-vast-ti-99-ne… <http://floppydays.libsyn.com/floppy-days-58-ralph-rees-editor-vast-ti-99-ne…> Ralph Rees, Editor, VAST TI-99 Newsletter Hi, everyone and welcome to episode 58 of the Floppy Days Podcast. I’m Randy Kindig. To sort of finish off the TI-99 series of episodes I’ve been running, I have an interview-only show for you this month. This interview is with Ralph Rees, president and newsletter editor of the VAlley of the Sun TI-99ers (VAST) back in the 1990’s. He produced his high quality newsletter directly on a TI-99 system and received quite a few compliments about it while it was still being published. Ralph still has an extensive TI-99 collection today. This interview was conducted on June 7, 2015. Randall Kindig host Floppy Days Podcast floppydays.com

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] HERO batteries
by Corey Little 26 Apr '16

26 Apr '16

>Those 6V 5Ah sealed lead-acid cells look like the correct size. Two in the head on either side of the sonar system, two between the wheels? And what kind of operation time have you been able to get from your Hero 1 as a result? I think we might have a winner. Actually 3 down low between the wheels, for center of gravity, and one up higher to counterbalance the weight of the arm. The original batteries were about 6v lantern size, 2.5"x2.5"x4", 4Ah. The batteries I have are that size but 5Ah. The ones I referenced earlier on Amazon are rectangular, very slightly wider at 2.8"x1.9"x4". I'm not in front of the Hero now, but if recollection serves that should be well within the available space in all locations. As far as performance, we haven't gotten far enough with our restorations yet to push the battery capacity. Coming soon... ;-) -Corey L. Curator, cpmuseum

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] HERO batteries
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 26 Apr '16

26 Apr '16

Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic writes: >> I've already polled the Hero robot owners group about what modern >batteries a Hero 1 can use > >My inclination is to remove the HERO battery, open it up (nearly >Dremeling is necessary), and have it rebuilt by Batteries Plus using >comparable NiCads with modern amperage. That's what I did for an IBM >Simon phone last year and it worked fantastically well. Rebuilt the two >halves of the pack with epoxy and then sanded it flat. > >Alex, let's talk (off-list) about when you can make another trip up >here. http://www.mogixaccessories.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/battery-super-ma…

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HOPE -- who's going?
by Evan Koblentz 26 Apr '16

26 Apr '16

Who already purchased or plans to purchase HOPE tickets? We anticipate being there Saturday/Sunday. It would be helpful if we can make scheduled shifts and actually stick to that plan :) so that we don't have to get expensive hotel rooms or leave our stuff unguarded overnight.

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SpaceCommand test, Multi-Screen, Multi-Player network game[video]
by Dan Roganti 26 Apr '16

26 Apr '16

SpaceCommand test [video] I promised some of you that I would let you know this This is the first test of Multi-Screen feature on this Multi-Player network game After a few months of glitches and brain-farts, this is working This is basically one step above Multi-Player This allows you to interact with any player in this virtual world The virtual world is 8x screen wide on the C64 = 2560 pixels One of the biggest glitches I came across was using Broadcast packets. The problem slowed me down for a couple months. that's why it was only 90% done All of the network communication is done with UDP. I found out eventually, that you can't use a consumer grade network switch Because they don't let you provision the server to prevent loopbacks So the server was getting inundated with it's own broadcast packets. Almost as if there was a DDoS on the server. So much so, the network lag in the game from the Server to the Players, was as long as 2min - we had to time to believe it :) I still have another glitch with Players 6,7,8 The missile can only fly on 5 screens at the moment There's an issue with receiving packets on those players And there's some anomaly on the Y axis when the missile flies in each screen There's some jitter as if it's dropping the LSB bit somewhere. The player screens are small cause the screenshot extend over 2 monitors I'll have to make another video later with my tablet so I can zoom in closer I turned off the soundfx for now https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mr1F8PMQd9I Dan

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VCF's HOPE exhibit
by Evan Koblentz 25 Apr '16

25 Apr '16

HOPE is July 22-24 at its usual spot -- the Hotel Pennsylvania, in New York City. VCF will have an exhibit there. For the exhibit, I would like to show vintage computer robotics. Alex P. pledged to help us fix up our HERO. I remember Bill S. said he's got a Minimover arm, so hopefully we can beg/borrow/steal one of those. :) We also have a robot kit for the Commodore 64. Have to see if it works. Are there any other products we should consider for this exhibit? It should be limited to 70s/80s (assuming there's nothing for the PDP-8!)

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Commodore Pet in pop music video? Or proptronics
by Ethan 25 Apr '16

25 Apr '16

Popular music video has what I think is a Commodore Pet that has been rebadged, or is it one of those plastic proptronics things that the furniture stores used? I see a classic mac in the video as well. Pet Keyboard looks real but I don't think they did ANSI graphics right? Capital Cities / I sold my bed but not my stereo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXqqWbnboJ0

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