- vcf-midatlantic - lists.vcfed.org

OT: Anyone familiar with HeathKit Model HM1-122-A Series No. 53338?
by Dean Notarnicola 28 Jan '16

28 Jan '16

Getting this as a bonus item via another purchase. Can't find any info on it.

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Museum move - getting closer...
by Evan Koblentz 28 Jan '16

28 Jan '16

Everyone, Here's an update on the status of moving our museum. - We signed the new lease a couple of weeks ago. We will pay a (symbolic) $1/year for five years, and then we have five one-year renewals at the same price. - InfoAge received an estimate for turning one of the new room's single doors into a double door. A second estimate is forthcoming. Having a double door will allow us to more easily bring in larger stuff including the pallet-ized UNIVAC. - Fred and I are meeting soon to sort out the keys. - IA leadership includes someone who is an architecture and art professor. We've been asked to show him our layout plan for feedback and hopefully will do so this weekend. - We purchased a small amount of a new kind of shelving. We're going to assemble a single unit this weekend (will only take 15 minutes). If it works as expected, then we'll make the large purchase based on our recent fundraiser. - Depending on how busy we all are at the workshop this weekend, I may ask for two or three helpers to start taking apart our old museum. For example we can start by boxing up all the books and putting them into the warehouse. (We recently purchased a bunch of file boxes.) - We are delaying the addition of more electrical circuits into the new room until we see the final costs of the door, furniture, etc.

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FS: OSI 525 Dual Port Static RAM Board
by Systems Glitch 28 Jan '16

28 Jan '16

link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/272118422825 I received this board with another Ohio Scientific board. There are zero components populated, not even the Molex connectors. Sockets are present for the 2114 static RAMs and some of the board logic. Super clean board otherwise. I'm not sure what else it's used for, but the 525 board was used in Ohio Scientific's 14" hard drive subsystem -- I know as I've got one. It can of course be used as standard system RAM, and it's probably cheaper to find a bunch of 2114 static RAMs than a bunch of working SEMI4200s for a OSI 520 board. This one's up as an auction as I have no real idea what it's worth. I don't need it for any of my OSI stuff, but I figured someone else can use it, and with the scarcity of OSI boards, I shouldn't hold on to it. Thanks, Jonathan

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OT: Anyone have LexisNexis access?
by Evan Koblentz 28 Jan '16

28 Jan '16

I need to get an article that I wrote in 2012. It's fairly urgent. Contact me privately. Thanks

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Trenton - Sat., 3/19
by Evan Koblentz 28 Jan '16

28 Jan '16

Everyone, We will have a small presence at Trenton this year. (Last year's big presence was an exception for their 40th anniversary, as was our large display two years ago when we didn't have a VCF East that year.) This year, we'll just have one table, one to-be-determined computer on display, and a bunch of fliers. Nice and simple... I am giving a talk on "The present and future of computer history". Abstract - The field of computer history has seen many exciting changes in the past few years. Collectible prices are rising, new people are bring new ideas into our field, and a non-profit organization is emerging to help with structuring things. Come learn and go back to the future with us! Delorean not required. I'll need one helper that day (to hold down our fort while I'm lecturing and so I can make a round of the other club tables and stuff.)

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OT: Test
by tom.hornberger＠verizon.net 28 Jan '16

28 Jan '16

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FS: MITS 88-PMC 1702A EPROM Board
by Systems Glitch 28 Jan '16

28 Jan '16

link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/272117827487 Tested, working, very clean except for a lifted topside /QB pad between ICs P and T, which doesn't affect operation since the trace connects on the bottom side. I don't know why the original builder chose such a large ceramic capacitor below the -8V regulator...let me know if you'd like it replaced. This is a REV 1 board with solder mask and a DIP switch for address selection, as opposed to the wire jumper address selection on REV 0 boards. I tested this one with several EPROMs on my IMSAI 8080. It generates wait states properly. It is currently addressed for 0xF800 - 0xFFFF. Thanks, Jonathan

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Interesting OP-AMP Boards
by Systems Glitch 28 Jan '16

28 Jan '16

All, These came in a lot of other plugboard/protoboard bits I picked up: http://imgur.com/a/XUFAJ One has two 741 OP-AMPs, the other two have a single LM311. I'm guessing from the array of hollow pins that they're meant to be wired up with some sort of banana-plug-like jumper system. I'm not sure what they're from. Some sort of analog computer or control system, perhaps? Any ideas? They're single-sided, but everything on the back side is gold plated. Thanks, Jonathan

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Mystery ROM from MITS 88-PMC ROM Board
by Systems Glitch 28 Jan '16

28 Jan '16

I've been going through a lot of my S-100 boards, doing cleaning and testing. Tonight I started on a MITS 88-PMC, which had a ROM in the last socket (locations 0xFF00 - 0xFFFF) with no label. It's not the MBL, DBL, or TURMON. Here's a hex dump from the Dajen SCI monitor: http://pastebin.com/24Gjh2kw It starts with LXI SP, 0xFF13 -- a ROM location. I've seen the trick used elsewhere, to reduce code size by using an in-ROM jump table. Anyone recognize the code? Thanks, Jonathan

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test ... this might our DNS change to the new hoster...
by Evan Koblentz 27 Jan '16

27 Jan '16

I had a message bounce just now, so our DNS change may be underway....

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DNS changes
by Evan Koblentz 27 Jan '16

27 Jan '16

Hopefully this message will get through at some point. :) I logged into the domain zone editor for our new hoster and made the necessary A/MX/TXT entries. That should make this list "just work" when the DNS changes over from GoDaddy to the new company. I'm not sure if that is happening right now (Erik told us it would be soon) or if there's just a hiccup of some sort. Regardless, it would be good and worthwhile when it's done!

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OT: snow storm
by Evan Koblentz 27 Jan '16

27 Jan '16

How did everyone handle the storm? I'm in the heart of the deepest stuff -- 30". Shoveled twice yesterday and once today.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] OT: snow storm
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 27 Jan '16

27 Jan '16

Kyle Owen via vcf-midatlantic writes: >I saw a handful of flakes here in mid-Alabama. :) Wow! A state of emergency there. :)

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Important Workshop Jan 30/31 Notes
by Jeffrey Brace 27 Jan '16

27 Jan '16

LOCATION: InfoAge Building 9032A - (2201 Marconi Road, Wall Township, NJ) DATE: Saturday January 30 & Sunday 31 TIME: Start about 10 A.M. on Saturday end whenever. End about 5 P.M. on Sunday. (Starts around 10 A.M. Sunday morning) COST: $10 for all members attending the workshop, which MARCH donates to InfoAge as thanks for providing the space for us. EQUIPMENT: MARCH 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. However, I will bring a case of water bottles free for everyone to take. FOOD: You provide your own. We may order pizza or go out to a dinner. Usually we make a decision when everyone gets hungry. PARKING: Park behind the back ramp of 9032A (which is around the building), or in the main parking lot, NOT in the courtyard. Please close the front gate behind you after entering. Not sure of the situation with snow right now near the back ramp. I'm hoping that a lot of it will be melted by Saturday. LOOSE THEME: Commodore 64 and Commodore 1541. Feel free to bring whatever you want, or just watch. There are plenty of people to help and one can learn a lot by watching. HAM RADIO: Martin Flynn said that if anyone is interested he can open N2MO. Let me know if anyone has a desire for it. If you need to contact me, my smart phone is: 732-759-1783. Hope to see lots of you there! :-D Jeff Brace

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FS: MITS 88-VI (RTC) Vector Interrupt and Real Time Clock
by Systems Glitch 27 Jan '16

27 Jan '16

link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/272116893925 This one appears to be pretty early. The silkscreen is black instead of yellow, but it does have a copyright date of 1975, and no solder mask. It includes an early Intel 8214 Priority Interrupt Controller in white ceramic with gold lid and gold leads. I would guess it was assembled in mid-1976 by the IC date codes. You'll need one of these for MITS timesharing BASIC, or if you want to use interrupt-driven I/O devices. I've tested everything on this board except the 60 Hz timebase. That requires modifying your S-100 box to put unfiltered, unregulated 16 VAC on pin 55 of your motherboard, which I didn't want to do. I tested the interrupt controller by writing an initialization routine based off the example in the MITS 88-VI manual, and writing interrupt service routines to display the interrupt level on my IMSAI's programmed output register. Thanks, Jonathan

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Marvin Minsky
by Evan Koblentz 26 Jan '16

26 Jan '16

Father of AI died. http://www.techrepublic.com/article/father-of-ai-marvin-minsky-dies-at-88-l… Coincidence that 1950s project was called "Snarc" which happens to be my domain.

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Girl Scout cookies... vintage computer related!
by Herb Johnson 26 Jan '16

26 Jan '16

About restoring capacitance-keyswitch keyboards, including source materials, and work by several former-MARCH members: http://www.retrotechnology.com/restore/sol_keys.html Metalized Mylar in rolls may be available at "dollar stores" as gift-wrapping. It's just aluminum on Mylar. Snack chip bags, cookie bags as noted, helium balloons, gift wrap - on and on. the challenge is the right "foam" material. Bill Degnan came up with a good material - see my Web site, and his. Herb -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey USA http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net

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New January Workshop Date Jan 30/31
by Chris Fala 26 Jan '16

26 Jan '16

Who's coming? 1) Jeff Brace 2) Evan K. 3) Jeff Galinat 4) Dean 5) Drew 6) Jeff Jonas 7) Chris Fala 8) 9) 10)

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"Snow storm" messages
by Evan Koblentz 26 Jan '16

26 Jan '16

Joe, if you're reading this, I put your account into temporary moderation to see if that stops the zombie message. :) Have to log off now so we'll see tomorrow if that fixed it.

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Apple had a computer for everything...
by william degnan 26 Jan '16

26 Jan '16

...but who wants to compute that? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-II-Pus-Computer-/111879968810 --

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My VCF East class: historical research methods
by Evan Koblentz 26 Jan '16

26 Jan '16

Being a vintage computer hobbyist means doing more than just fixing stuff. I'm planning to give a Friday talk on historical research methods, because I learned a few things in 18 years as a tech journalist and 12 as a computer historian that may help some people.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Girl Scout cookies... vintage computer related!
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 26 Jan '16

26 Jan '16

Corey Cohen via vcf-midatlantic writes: >It's better for your waistline to use a space- emergency blanket from >Walmar= t. Cost a couple of bucks and is nearly a lifetime supply of >Mylar. =20 These? http://www.walmart.com/ip/The-Original-Space-Brand-Emergency-Blanket-Silver… Do you know its thickness? There's no specs listed on Walmart's page.

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Floppy Days #51 - Part 3 on the TI-994/A Tech Specs and Modern Upgrades with Tursi
by Randall Kindig 26 Jan '16

26 Jan '16

The TI-99/4A - Tech Specs, Peripherals, Modern Upgrades with Tursi http://floppydays.libsyn.com/floppy-days-51-ti99-tech-specs-modern-upgrades… <http://floppydays.libsyn.com/floppy-days-51-ti99-tech-specs-modern-upgrades…> This show is a continuation of the on-going series about the TI-99/4A computer. In the last couple of episodes, I had TI-99 fans Jim Fetzner and Mark Wills on the show and interviewed them about their experiences with the TI-99 and then we covered the history of the machine. In this show, I have a new co-host, Mike Brent, better known as Tursi or Harmless Lion, the creator of the Classic 99 emulator and so much more. After a short interview with Tursi, we discuss the technical aspects of the TI-99, including the tech specs, peripherals, modern upgrades, and connectivity to modern computers. It’s an information-filled show, so I hope you enjoy it. Before we get into that, I’ll discuss a few new vintage computer-related acquisitions that have come my way, give you the scoop on upcoming shows, and share with you a few pieces of feedback I’ve received about the show from listeners. Randall Kindig host Floppy Days floppydays.com

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VCF East classes: possibly 24!
by Evan Koblentz 25 Jan '16

25 Jan '16

Good news: We may have space for ** 24 ** Friday classes at VCF East this year. That's a lot of learning!

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] OT: snow storm
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 25 Jan '16

25 Jan '16

Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic writes: >How did everyone handle the storm? > >I'm in the heart of the deepest stuff -- 30". Shoveled twice yesterday >an= d once today. Not according to official records. FWIW, there's about 3.5 ft just outside my back door. Yesterday, I had to take the glass pane out of the storm door and shovel out from inside the house to get out.

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OT - Parts request
by Martin A Flynn 23 Jan '16

23 Jan '16

OT - Anyone have an RS-442 card in PCIe format? I need one for the weather station I am putting together. Needs Linux support. Martin Flynn

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] New January Workshop Date Jan 30/31
by Todd George 23 Jan '16

23 Jan '16

On Fri, Jan 22, 2016 at 6:00 AM < vcf-midatlantic-request(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: > Date: Thu, 21 Jan 2016 18:17:11 -0500 > From: Jeffrey Brace <ark72axow(a)gmail.com> > To: vcf-midatlantic > <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> > Subject: [vcf-midatlantic] New January Workshop Date Jan 30/31 > Message-ID: > <CAKVfvQw6yBZk7OCrobUURK= > owOLaPYG_0zMnU5RkYpV8Ub6Sog(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 > > The January workshop has been rescheduled to Jan 30 & 31. Let's hope for > good weather! > > Who's coming? > Can't make it next weekend. I have a work obligation that will have me slightly out of town on Saturday night through Sunday morning sadly making it just inconvenient enough to get there on both Saturday and Sunday. Have fun guys, really bummed that I'm missing another workshop. :( I'll see you guys in February. Thanks! -Todd

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New January Workshop Date Jan 30/31
by Jeffrey Brace 22 Jan '16

22 Jan '16

The January workshop has been rescheduled to Jan 30 & 31. Let's hope for good weather! Who's coming? 1) Jeff Brace 2) Evan K. 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8)

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OT: Soldering Station, Your Opinion Please
by Chris Fala 22 Jan '16

22 Jan '16

Has anyone seen this model before? http://www.ebay.com/itm/371505966012 Is it worth the price for a cheap spare or for soldering classes, or is it junk and not worth the trouble? (I already have a good Weller and Hakko, so this would just be a backup.) Thanks, Chris

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IBM FSU Static RAM Board...for S-100?!
by Systems Glitch 22 Jan '16

22 Jan '16

This has to be one of the most unexpected S-100 boards I've acquired. The seller says this was created due to the need for denser RAM boards for IMSAI 8080's at IBM's Advanced Systems Development Lab in Los Gatos, California. Apparently FSU RAM was the densest static RAM available at the time, and of course they had access to it, being IBMers. Extra boards were produced for engineers with S-100 machines at home. I wrote up what I know about the boards here: http://www.glitchwrks.com/2016/01/20/fsu-ram Fortunately they came with a copy of the 3-page manual and a (very faded) blueprint copy of the schematic. I've digitized both and made them available. I've tested one of the boards so far, which works fine with my IMSAI 8080 and a 2 MHz 8080 CPU board. I'd be interested to hear if anyone else knows anything about these, or has one, or has spare FSU RAM modules they'd be interested in parting with. Thanks, Jonathan

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JAN 23/24 WORKSHOP CANCELLED!
by Jeffrey Brace 21 Jan '16

21 Jan '16

Due to the coming snowstorm we are cancelling the workshop scheduled for Jan. 23/24 is cancelled!!!! We are waiting to see if Jan 30/31 is available. We will let you know. Also Feb. 27/28 and Mar. 12/13 are the next confirmed workshops. Stay safe everyone!

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OT: Dell Dimension XPS 466V
by Herb Johnson 21 Jan '16

21 Jan '16

> Working on a Dell 486 computer. I need a RTClock battery, but otherwise > it's running quite nicely Windows for Workgroups 3.11 The question of batteries is on-topic IMHO. Batteries in the long term, cause corrosion of parts that have constant current on them. This is true all the way back to 128K Macs. also, many batteries leak (not coin cells), that's not good either. If you add a battery pack, make sure you can readily pull it out when the computer is in long-term storage. Windows for Workgroups (Win 3.1 + networking) is worth preserving. It's a legacy OS now. It ran for many years in embedded applications (back ATMs) and Microsoft support only ended several years ago. Many consider Win 3.1 the first really "successful" M/S Windows OS product. If I had time and interest, I'd see about migrating Win 3.1 to the Heath-Zenith Z-100. That's a S-100 system that is somewhat IBM PC compatible. I don't recall if Windows was offered for that platform, later Zenith PC's ran even earlier Windows (I have those distributions). Herb -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey USA http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] OT: Dell Dimension XPS 466V
by tom.hornberger＠verizon.net 20 Jan '16

20 Jan '16

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Vintage Computing Items For Sale or Trade - can bring to workshop
by Jeff Galinat 20 Jan '16

20 Jan '16

On 1/20/2016 10:12 AM, Bob Aviles via vcf-midatlantic wrote:

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Important January Workshop Info
by Jeffrey Brace 20 Jan '16

20 Jan '16

LOCATION: InfoAge Building 9032A - (2201 Marconi Road, Wall Township, NJ) TIME: Start about 10 A.M. on Saturday end whenever. 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. If anyone has a need to refrigerate their own drinks let me know and we can store it for the weekend in the InfoAge fridge. FOOD: You provide your own. We may order pizza or something where everyone chips in. Usually there is no exact time. We make a decision when everyone gets hungry. PARKING: Park behind the back ramp of 9032A (which is around the building), or in the main parking lot, NOT in the courtyard. Hope to see lots of you there! :-D Jeff Brace

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Vintage Computing Items For Sale or Trade - can bring to workshop
by Jeff Galinat 19 Jan '16

19 Jan '16

Hi, I have the following vintage computing items, test equipment and tools available for sale or trade which I can bring to the workshop over the weekend. I have listed my asking prices which I feel are pretty reasonable but you can be the judge. I would also entertain trades for S-100 boards and 8" DS floppy drives. Please contact me if you would like additional info or to make an offer on any item. I wont bring this stuff unless someone wants it. I would prefer not to ship these items if I can avoid it so the workshop attendees are going to get the 1st shot. Anyhow, here is the list: Vector S-100 Protoboards w tinned edge connector $12 S-100 Cromemco ZPU Z-80 CPU - tested with my IMSAI - $90 S-100 Cromemco TU-ART 2 port serial TMS 5501 based -$60 KSR33 Teletype (complete, case has cracks) $200 ASR33 Print Mechanism with paper tape punch $100 $250 for the above pair Franklin ACE 1000 (needs KB rebuild) $50 Franklin ACE 1200 (needs KB rebuild) with ACE-80 Z-80 card & 1 operational drive $80 Atari 400 with 15 cartridges, power supply & joystick tested working $50 Atari 1050 Floppy Disk Drive w/power supply tested - working $30 $70 for the above pair Okidata 120 Printer for Commodore systems (VIC-20,C-64,etc) with power cord, manual & interface cable $5 Apple Color StyleWriter Printer with power supply $5 Apple CD300 external SCSI CD-ROM Drive with 25 to 50 pin cable, terminator & 3 caddies $ 30 CD-Rom caddies 3 for $5 HP ScanJet 6100Cse 8.5 x 14 flatbed SCSI Scanner - New in box $50 HP LaserJet 4Plus tested working $30 HP 54201D 300mhz Digitizing Oscilloscope w/ manual on CD & 3 10271A state probes/triggering pods $100 Tenma Model 21-7935 Temp. Controlled Solder Station - New in Box! $40 Regards, Jeff Galinat

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FS: Cromemco PRI S100 Printer Interface NIB + Manual
by Systems Glitch 19 Jan '16

19 Jan '16

Link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/272110179325 Untested as I didn't want to unwrap it. This looks like it has never been used at all, still in its styrofoam sheet with plastic overwrap. The original manual and a 25-pin breakout cable were in the box with it, so I suspect it's the original box. Thanks, Jonathan

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Snow and January 23/24 workshop
by Jeffrey Brace 19 Jan '16

19 Jan '16

Currently the 5 day forecast for this area says 1-3 inches of snow for Friday night for the InfoAge area. Not a lot and plenty of time for salting/cleaning of major highways. When we get within 48 hours, that is when we get the most accurate forecast. Anyway, I will be keeping a close watch at the weather and be making a decision by Friday morning as to whether or not to postpone the start of the workshop.

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Friday classes @ VCF East
by Evan Koblentz 19 Jan '16

19 Jan '16

Very few people responded to last week's call for subjects/teachers, so we're taking a straightforward path instead of creative new things. Most classes will be two hours. Some may be double sessions; TBD. We don't yet know if there will be three or four classrooms available. Hoping to find out soon. There will be morning and afternoon sessions, meaning 12 or 16 classes. Tentative topic list follows. These are all tech repair classes, not historical lectures. 1. Apple 1 + Replicas 2. Apple II 3. Apple Classic Mac 4. ASR-33 Teletype 5. Commodore PET 6. Commodore 64 7. DEC PDP-11 8. IBM PC 5150 9. MITS Altair 8800 10. Radio Shack TRS-80 11. Cassette Tape - Willegal 12. PCB Design for Vintage Computing - Willegal If we have a fourth room available: 13. Power Supplies 14. CRT 15. Paper Tape (should immediately follow Teleype on the schedule) 16. Disk Imaging + Drives Topics can change based on who's available to teach, demand for other subjects/systems, etc.; meanwhile I'll contact several list members individually to get the necessary teachers (or feel free to volunteer). Some subjects are repeats from past years.

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OT: Dell Dimension XPS 466V
by william degnan 18 Jan '16

18 Jan '16

Working on a Dell 486 computer. I need a RTClock battery, but otherwise it's running quite nicely Windows for Workgroups 3.11 http://vintagecomputer.net/browse_thread.cfm?id=626 -- @ BillDeg: Web: <a href="http://www.vintagecomputer.net/">vintagecomputer.net</a> Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/billdeg">@billdeg</a> Youtube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/billdeg">@billdeg</a> <a href="http://www.vintagecomputer.net/readme.cfm">Unauthorized Bio</a>

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Infoage outside ramp doors
by Herb Johnson 18 Jan '16

18 Jan '16

>> Why not fix the doors, so they can be opened from >> the outside without prop-ing them? > I assumed the ramp doors are being propped due to laziness, >, not because they can't be opened from outside. > I'll have to check that....Either way we can't change InfoAge > things without permission. We don't even know if they are broken. > There is nothing wrong with propping open a door while actually > moving stuff through it. What prompted my message is we often > see doors LEFT propped open when people are taking their > leisurely time moving stuff or just forgotten about. OK, this conversation is taking a sour turn. I don't like descriptions like "lazy" or "leisurely" about the difficult efforts to move stuff in, out and around InfoAge. I've moved stuff there myself, it's not easy - others have moved much MUCH harder stuff. I think there's a confusion, between two sorts of access. One is, moving stuff in and out, and propping doors wide open to do so. Certainly, for fire-code and energy reasons, they should not be left that way. This seems to be what Evan has in mind. But the other, is propping doors open for (re)entrance, enough to keep them from jamming closed, or from locking from outside. For example - during the Festivus, I recall the outside doors to the grill, HAD to be kept from closing with a "prop". Otherwise, I could not get back in! Did they lock, jam or both? Sorry, I wasn't paying close attention and don't remember now. And I already mentioned the iMac "prop" in common use for years at InfoAge. So my point was/is - if the doors can't be opened from the outside, that might explain why they are left "wide open". It's not merely about convenience or interpreted as "laziness". It's about getting back in. I agree with Evan, this is not only a VCFed issue, InfoAge is responsible for maintenance of doors. Maybe VCFed can contribute to the InfoAge repair with Evan's attention and funds. Dollars spent on the doors, might save InfoAge heating costs which Evan pointed out were "huge". As for "out of VCF's scope": I dunno, we use the doors, right? VCFed properties (and mine as an exhibitor) are under InfoAge locks and keys, right? And Evan brought it up, before our next event. And April's VCF-East is coming up too, even more movement then. The problem seems to be, then, some combination of InfoAge door maintenance and repair; and some rules-of-access for moving items in and out of InfoAge. A block of wood on a chain, as a handy prop, may immediately solve the "wide open" problem. It won't fix a broken door, but it may help some people change their behavior, while the door is under improvement. I'm sure the VCFed people who have moved items, can describe their experiences upon request. And the doors, they either work or they don't, and can be examined by Evan and staff. I think further discussion should be private, as Evan works the issues, and as he's has now put the word out about a now-specific behavior. A discussion about a specific person's behavior, or their complaints about doors, should be private. And it's an InfoAge maintenance issue (which impacts VCFed). I have nothing further to add, in any event. Herb Johnson -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey USA http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net

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FS: Solid State Music VB1B S100 Video Interface Tested/Working
by Systems Glitch 17 Jan '16

17 Jan '16

Link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/272108256416 This one came in a project Altair, I've already got one and don't need a second. Fully tested in my IMSAI 8080 with an Apple Monitor II composite monochrome monitor. Works with the IMSAI front panel, too! Very low serial number -- B66. There might be a custom character generator ROM in this one, it doesn't have the standard Motorola part number. Could be a house number for all I know. It does generate ASCII properly, as shown. Includes a pigtail for the composite video connector. Thanks, Jonathan

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CF, SD, or other modern media replacements used for vintage systems
by Joseph Oprysko 17 Jan '16

17 Jan '16

For my VCF East display this year I'm planning on presenting various modern media replacements used on vintage systems, I have access to a couple different methods for various systems, but would like to hear what you have and use, and for what systems. I'd like to have a variety of different types shown, so it doesn't look like I'm favoring one specific type (otherwise I would just have the ones for the Mac/Apple II systems) and a multicart for a video game system (Sega Genesis) I know on eBay I saw a device for the Commodore called the SDrive 1564. I'd like to have a variety of the different floppy drive "replacements" that people have come up with and marketed to be able to show people ease of use with traditional hardware, speed, compatibility, etc. If anyone has any such devices that I would be able to borrow for the festival, it would be greatly appreciated. Message me privately if you do, as it would likely lead to off topic conversations. Thank you, Joseph Oprysko -- 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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Infoage outside ramp doors
by Herb Johnson 17 Jan '16

17 Jan '16

> Guys, please be conscientious about closing BOTH sets of the outside > ramp doors while at the workshop next weekend. .... > Whatever happens, DO NOT prop open the doors (unless you want > InfoAge to send you the heating bill) ... thanks in advance. In my years of visiting InfoAge, "props" on doors seems to be the method of choice. It was mentioned recently, that an old bubble iMac has been used for years to prop open a door. (InfoAge is a large site with many connected buildings.) A simple response. Why not fix the doors, so they can be opened from the outside without prop-ing them? Either better locks, or fix the jamming, or better "props" which still seal the door, or add a doorbell to fetch help. And post a sign inside the doors to enforce your rule. Such rules are reasonable - fire code for instance - but it's also reasonable to accommodate your guests. If this is a serious enough issue to post a public request about it; it was worth my attention to respond thoughtfully, to suggest the problem be solved. Herb Johnson -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey USA http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net

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Canon T1i
by Joseph Oprysko 17 Jan '16

17 Jan '16

Does anyone here know how to do camera repair? I have a Canon T1i, I need the SD module replaced, too many tiny parts and small screws for my shaky hands. LOL Plus I just don't have the skillset to do it. -- 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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Fundraiser accomplished :)
by Evan Koblentz 16 Jan '16

16 Jan '16

And just like that, the final $20 arrived. Thank you to everyone who contributed and who helped by sharing our announcement on social media. Corey C. will send formal thank-you notices. The IRS requires us to send acknowledges for all gifts of $75 and up; we'll try to send them for all gifts of any amount. The new display furniture is going to be very nice. Basically we're using wire shelving, as in the warehouse, but in a whole other design not intended by the manufacturers. Kind of how you'd get Legos as a kid, ignore the instructions, and build whatever you want. :) We ordered some individual components in order to make one demo unit. I will share a picture when the demo unit is built. Then we'll place the big order and have a build-a-thon in the new museum space.

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Heating @ workshop next weekend
by Evan Koblentz 16 Jan '16

16 Jan '16

Guys, please be conscientious about closing BOTH sets of the outside ramp doors while at the workshop next weekend. We all have a bad habit of leaving one/both sets of those doors ajar, which is a bad idea in winter. Please close the doors even if you're just going to your car and back. Whatever happens, DO NOT prop open the doors (unless you want InfoAge to send you the heating bill) ... thanks in advance.

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WTB: Altair Dress Panel, Any Version
by Systems Glitch 15 Jan '16

15 Jan '16

All, I'm looking for a dress panel for an Altair 8800B. Ideally, I'd like to put an 8800B dress panel on it. Turns out that the 8800 dress panel fits fine, though, so that would be acceptable too. Original, reproduction, a little beat up, doesn't matter. If it's an 8800 style dress panel, I'd like the metal strip that goes along the bottom, but it's not critical. I'm also looking for the metal strip for the 8800 -- I've got one that didn't come with the strip. Thanks, Jonathan

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Nixie tubes
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 15 Jan '16

15 Jan '16

Joseph Oprysko via vcf-midatlantic writes: >Would anyone happen to have a supply of Nixie tubes? I'd like to build >either a clock or maybe an 8 digit calculator if I have enough tubes. >Although not sure if I would use a microcontroller like arduino or if >I'd build the logic from the ground up. I have a nice 1974 Panasonic >830 4 function calculator (add/subtract/multiply/divide) and that's it, >not a nixie based calc though. > >If you have some tubes, message me off list and we will chat. Are 74(1)41s still made or available?

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Nixie tubes
by Joseph Oprysko 15 Jan '16

15 Jan '16

Would anyone happen to have a supply of Nixie tubes? I'd like to build either a clock or maybe an 8 digit calculator if I have enough tubes. Although not sure if I would use a microcontroller like arduino or if I'd build the logic from the ground up. I have a nice 1974 Panasonic 830 4 function calculator (add/subtract/multiply/divide) and that's it, not a nixie based calc though. If you have some tubes, message me off list and we will chat. Joe -- 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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