- vcf-midatlantic - lists.vcfed.org

Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Bob Applegate
by Jeff Galinat 13 Jun '23

13 Jun '23

Thanks for posting this. Bob was a great guy and so knowledgeable. I met Bob several years ago when we were both vendors at VCF East. I had many nice chats with Bob at VCFs & bought many of his kits & boards. I was always impressed with his attention to detail. He will be missed! Sadly, Jeff On Tue, Jun 13, 2023 at 1:45 PM bob jeffway.com via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > Hi, > > I just found out Bob Applegate passed away this morning. > > I knew Bob because of his Corsham KIM-1 replicas. Very nice guy, very sad > to hear of his passing. > > Bob Jeffway >

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Bob Applegate
by Ethan Dicks 13 Jun '23

13 Jun '23

On Tue, Jun 13, 2023 at 4:45 PM bob jeffway.com via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > Hi, > > I just found out Bob Applegate passed away this morning. > > I knew Bob because of his Corsham KIM-1 replicas. Very nice guy, very sad to hear of his passing. Very sad. I just bought a couple of boards from him last month. He made some cool stuff. Sorry to hear he's gone. -ethan

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please ask first
by Jeffrey Jonas 13 Jun '23

13 Jun '23

I was testing a box of digital photo frames in the CDL main room. While I was away, someone pulled one apart and broke the speaker wires. Had I been ASKED FIRST, I would've GLADLY GIVEN AWAY SEVERAL that were broken or needed further investigation. -- jeff jonas

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Swap Meet Success!
by Jeffrey Brace 12 Jun '23

12 Jun '23

Thanks to all who volunteered or participated in the swap meet. >From my point of view it was successful with a good number of sellers and buyers. It was nice to have the fire museum volunteers sell food. The chili was wonderful! Thanks also to the Sea Cadets who managed so many parts of it. Thanks to all the VCF volunteers who helped me setup and breakdown. It was an exhausting weekend for me, but well worth it as I saw many happy people. Next Swap Meet is October 28, same place and same time! Thanks! Jeff Brace VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President Vintage Computer Festival East Showrunner VCF Mid-Atlantic Event Manager Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity https://vcfed.org/ <http://www.vcfed.org/> jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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Successful Repair Workshop
by Jeffrey Brace 12 Jun '23

12 Jun '23

We also had a repair workshop this weekend. Many who got treasures from the swap meet brought them to the repair workshop to fix. Lots of happy people it seems. Very crowded because of new people and those coming after the swap meet. Many also went to the "bonus swap meet" at a member's house where many treasures were bought. We are planning another trip there at the Next Repair Workshop which is July 8 & 9. Signup is her: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1TJJxdL8skd7giR1miP-5AKMHwoBSqU7gse-… Thanks! Jeff Brace VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President Vintage Computer Festival East Showrunner VCF Mid-Atlantic Event Manager Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity https://vcfed.org/ <http://www.vcfed.org/> jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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Anyone want these?
by Neil Cherry 12 Jun '23

12 Jun '23

I have a box of 8" disks wuth various CPM stuff on then (Fortran, Bds C, some other C). An NCR AT but riser (specific to NCR machines) A PC104 AT Riser A Digiport 8 (I think) port card and cable. A CR drive that takes a tray (no tray). Probably SCSI - DM3021 (Texel?) A CR drive that may take a tray (no tray) NEC-CDR-55JD I have a bunch of AT cards and I think a few old PCI (?) cards. I won't be at the swap meet but will be at Sunday's repair workshop from 12-5PM I will have in the CDL tonight in a cardboard box. A donation to the CDL would be nice but I'm not expecting any money for these items. Rather not see them dumped in recycling if someone can use them. I'll see what else I have. I think I have some stuff for Greg. I'll bring those tonight to the CDL also. PS: If anyone is going to the LSSM museum please let me know. As I have a couple of Cisco routers going there. Thanks -- Linux Home Automation Neil Cherry kd2zrq(a)linuxha.com http://www.linuxha.com/ Main site http://linuxha.blogspot.com/ My HA Blog Author of: Linux Smart Homes For Dummies KD2ZRQ

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OT: truck fire closes I95 Phila near Cottman
by Herbert Johnson 11 Jun '23

11 Jun '23

A Sunday morning truck fire below an I-95 overpass of Cottman Ave near Philadelphia, near the Tacony district, caused a northbound section to collapse and compromised the southbound side. I95 is closed in both directions "from Academy Road [exit 32] to Aramingo [exit 26]" for "quite some time" according to news reports. https://www.i95exitguide.com/traffic/philadelphia-traffic/ "cottman avenue" at noon Sunday showed traffic stopped as far south as the Betsy Ross Bridge (adams ave) and north of Academy. Check real-time information for driving details. - Herb -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey in the USA http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net preserve, recover, restore 1970's computing email: hjohnson AT retrotechnology DOT com or try later herbjohnson AT comcast DOT net

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Breakfast tomorrow for repair workshop members
by Jeffrey Brace 11 Jun '23

11 Jun '23

Americana Diner @9:30AM 1160 NJ-35, Shrewsbury, NJ 07702 Followed by a trip to Steve Anderson’s house to see what he has for sale. -- Thanks! Jeff Brace VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President Vintage Computer Festival East Showrunner VCF Mid-Atlantic Event Manager Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity https://vcfed.org/ <http://www.vcfed.org/> jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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Swapmeet spreadsheet!
by Ethan O'Toole 09 Jun '23

09 Jun '23

Is there one yet? Or can someone create!? - Ethan

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] PDP-8/V project
by Christian Liendo 09 Jun '23

09 Jun '23

This would make a great VCF East Exhibit as well as a talk. On Wed, Jun 7, 2023 at 5:38 PM Mike Rieker via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > Hi All, > Some of you might have an interest in my PDP-8/V project. > https://www.outerworldapps.com/pdp8v > Not exactly vintage but definitely retro! > Mike Rieker > Beverly, MA > >

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] PDP-8/V project
by Kyle Owen 09 Jun '23

09 Jun '23

Cool project! Did you consider using logic closer to DEC's R-series logic, where flip-flops require only two transistors, with a heavy use of diode-capacitor gates and pulse amplifiers? It seems like this would perhaps be a more efficient use of vacuum tubes, as I would suspect a single (dual triode) tube could implement one flip-flop. Thanks, Kyle

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Swap Meet is on! (June 10, 2023)
by Jeffrey Brace 09 Jun '23

09 Jun '23

We are going forward with the swap meet as planned. After looking at the forecasts for the air quality, the predictions show that things will clear up to acceptable levels by Saturday. I still recommend that everyone bring a high quality N95 mask as extra protection. If any vendor doesn't feel comfortable and wants to cancel before the swap meet, we will issue a refund. On the bright side the temperature looks like it will be 76 degrees and only a 25% chance of rain. New this year we will have food for sale in the parking lot by a non-profit fire museum. I will be setting up at 6AM. Vendors can setup at 7AM. Buyers come at 8AM. Thanks! Jeff Brace VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President Vintage Computer Festival East Showrunner VCF Mid-Atlantic Event Manager Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity https://vcfed.org/ <http://www.vcfed.org/> jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] PDP-8/V project
by Dave McGuire 09 Jun '23

09 Jun '23

On 6/7/23 12:59, Mike Rieker via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > Some of you might have an interest in my PDP-8/V project. > https://www.outerworldapps.com/pdp8v > Not exactly vintage but definitely retro! I think this is fantastic! -Dave -- Dave McGuire, AK4HZ New Kensington, PA

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Air Quality Index and the swap meet
by Jason k 08 Jun '23

08 Jun '23

Are there any backup plans in the works if the AQI happens to be bad or hazardous on Saturday? We might get lucky, but it looks like it's supposed to be bad on Friday.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Air Quality Index and the swap meet
by Neil Cherry 08 Jun '23

08 Jun '23

Monroe was 369 at 8PM (yikes) and I can recall it being worse. We had a huge fire in the 70's that wiped out our forests in Monroe. This isn't even close to the smoke we had then (fire was 1/2 a mile away). But now I have asthma and this is nasty. From what I've seen is that the remaining smoke will move further south across Delaware. -- Linux Home Automation Neil Cherry kd2zrq(a)linuxha.com http://www.linuxha.com/ Main site http://linuxha.blogspot.com/ My HA Blog Author of: Linux Smart Homes For Dummies KD2ZRQ

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Air Quality Index and the swap meet
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 07 Jun '23

07 Jun '23

William Sudbrink via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> writes: > >Actually, from what I am reading, additional pollution from the >Canadian=20 fires is less than what you would "normally" get in any US >urban area.=C2= =A0=20 So, if you are in downtown NYC, you will get >almost double your "normal"=20 exposure to airborne pollution.=C2=A0 >But, in Wall, adjacent to the ocean= ,=20 you will get less than a trip >to NYC on a "normal" day. > >Think of it as a trip to the city. > >On 6/7/2023 4:40 PM, Jason k via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > Are there any >backup plans in the works if the AQI happens to be bad or= hazardous on >Saturday? We might get lucky, but it looks like it's suppo= sed to be >bad on Friday. FWIW, I live here. The air's very thick and hazy from the smoke. however, I can't imagine this being any worse than spending an evening camping next to a bonfile or next to a beach kegger with a bonfire.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] OT: time to downsize
by Bob Shuster 07 Jun '23

07 Jun '23

Just added: Besides the TRS-80 Model 1 systems, Model 4, Color Computer 2 systems, plus related software and documentation that I added the other day, I’ve also now added all the TRS-80 Model 1/3/4 books that I have. I’ve had a lot of inquiries about the Model 4 - yes, it’s still available until someone commits to coming and getting it! I think I’m going to have to put it back into storage, as I’ve now been using it for days and I don’t want to get drawn back in! ;) I think once I get all the TRS-80 stuff stowed back away I’ll go back and add the assorted items that I found in my closet in the other categories *after* I did the listings. I've been regularly marking the sold and sale pending items, thank you guys so much! And once again - many thanks to those who have adopted some of my babies so far. Please let me know if I can clarify anything or if any more photos are needed. The link: http://www.theshusters.com/bobvintage.html <http://www.theshusters.com/bobvintage.html> Please don't share without asking me. Currently just open to this group - my contact info is intentionally missing from the webpages. If you can read this, you have my email. Email me with questions or offers! Please don't make offers on the list, but if you want to discuss my process and feel the group would benefit, then by all means knock yourself out! :) Bob Shuster (Original message below) ---- Well, folks, I've gotten to the age where I need to seriously downsize my hobbies and collections, not wanting to leave it to my children to have to deal with in later years. (I had to do that recently for a relative.) On the electronics side, I've decided to concentrate on my vintage video game systems - and therefore sell off most of my vintage computer stuff. My collection includes mostly 8-bit stuff: TRS-80 Models I, IV, M100, etc. - Atari 400, 800, Portfolio, ST, etc. - C64/VIC20 - T/S1000 (including an unbuilt kit), Apple II, II+, IIe, IIe Platinum, IIgs - Wang WLTC - Mattel Aquarius - TI-99/4A - many others that I still have to dig out - plus lots of peripherals, disks, manuals, etc. Also have some newer Macs starting with a Mac Plus in an Apple carrying bag. I'm starting with you guys before trying to list elsewhere, although I may hit some of the dedicated FaceBorg pages (such as for Aquarius and Apple II.) I'm willing to ship some of the smaller items, but in general systems or monitors will need to be picked up here (near the Fort Washington exit of the PA Turnpike) or nearby, and cash or PayPal for payment. I may also consider trades for some of the video game stuff I'm looking for. It pains me to do this, but the clutter is getting out of hand, and I haven't touched most of these in years. It's time for someone else to enjoy. Bob Shuster

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Slightly OT: Will coding become an intermediate step that no longer will be required for us to perform?
by Bart Hirst 06 Jun '23

06 Jun '23

Well of course WE'LL still keep performing it :) similar to vintage computer knowledge like peeks & pokes, orientation of "pin 1", jumper settings, storage layouts, I/O Port Addresses, IRQ's, DMA, plus many, many more (please list more if you like.) How has the backgrounding of these vintage things (largely unneeded for today's modern computer) yet still relevant, enriching and mind-provoking affected the space? How would the loss of coding impact it? I'm torn. As a programmer, I love a clean piece of code, and at the same time if maintaining other's code, fixing bugs and refactoring could be done using natural language, then sign me up. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yI4yfYftfM&t=1415s <-- link to the part of the video that triggered this email

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System Source Swap Meet and Workshop - July 22 and 23
by Ryan Burke 05 Jun '23

05 Jun '23

System Source is hosting a swap meet and repair workshop on July 22 and 23. The swap meet will be on Saturday, July 23 with the rain date being Sunday, July 24. The repair workshop will begin after the swap meet, and continue on Sunday. Vendors can arrive at 7:00 AM with everyone else at 8:00 AM. The repair workshop will open at 8:00 AM on Sunday, and end at 7:00 PM. Below is a link for registration and more information. If you have any other questions, contact Ryan Burke at rburke(a)syssrc.com. We are looking forward to seeing everyone there! https://ca.syssrc.com/wp/?page_id=85&civiwp=CiviCRM&q=civicrm%2Fevent%2Finf… WHERE: 338 Clubhouse Rd Hunt Valley, MD 21031 museum(a)syssrc.com 410-952-9140

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Swapmeet spreadsheet! [Sudbrink]
by Herbert Johnson 04 Jun '23

04 Jun '23

>> I've added some things to the For Sale Sheet. Bill, the H88 on your sheet entry. Can you check the CRT to see if the neck is open? Or clean the CRT face? From the photo, it's hard to tell the issue. I don't recommend powering up the H88. The tantalum caps on the +12 /+18V line tend to short out and burn up traces. It's because 120V AC line voltage raises the 18 volts to more like 21V which exceeds the 20V rating of the caps. That, and age. The H88/89/19 expects 110VAC. Regards Herb -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey USA https://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net preserve, recover, restore 1970's computing email: hjohnson AT retrotechnology DOT com or try later herbjohnson AT comcast DOT net

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Swapmeet spreadsheet!
by Gregg Levine 04 Jun '23

04 Jun '23

Hello! Someone is selling a crowd of HP calculators. What numbers are these? I've been interested in finding an HP-41 and its attending accessories for years. (Almost as long as those terminals that I described earlier.) ----- Gregg C Levine gregg.drwho8(a)gmail.com "This signature fought the Time Wars, time and again." On Sun, Jun 4, 2023 at 6:14 AM Sentry TV via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > I could be interested inthe AppleII GSMike Rosen > On Saturday, June 3, 2023 at 09:33:29 PM EDT, William Sudbrink via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > I've added some things to the For Sale Sheet. > > Bill S. > > On 5/29/2023 11:00 PM, Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > > OK. Thanks for the reminder. > > Here is the Want to Buy Google Sheet: > > https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1vFpCgRjniAkEL_Dt7sHtOq3cRtFzgVgzjHp… > > Here is the For Sale Sheet: > > https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10Z-fWeLbW288WghTwAM1J3jgOCvg3ZRsPd7… > > > > Let me know if I'm forgetting anything else. I will review my checklists > > tomorrow for the swap meet. > > > > > > On Mon, May 29, 2023 at 5:07 PM Ethan O'Toole via vcf-midatlantic < > > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > >> Is there one yet? Or can someone create!? > >> > >> - Ethan > >> > >> > > -- > This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. > www.avast.com >

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Thoughts on exhibiting
by Chris Platts 02 Jun '23

02 Jun '23

Hi all, I’ve been sat in my spare room over several years fixing, restoring and tinkering with old machines, usually with the likes of Adrian’s Digital Basement or Usagi Electric on the TV to keep me company. I only really learnt about the VCF recently… but since then, I’ve got the idea in my head of (carefully) throwing a bunch of my British home computers — and maybe an Atari or two — in a suitcase and flying over to the US to exhibit at VCF East 2024. Does that sound like it’d be of interest? I’d bring all that I could — a selection of BBC Micros, Acorn Archimedes, Amstrad CPCs, etc. Whatever I could fit in 23 kilos! I’d happily let anyone have a play around on them and share whatever I know. I suppose I’m asking where the ‘bar’ is for exhibiting. I’m certainly no Adrian or David — just a guy with a soldering iron and an oscilloscope and too much time on his hands. But I do love these old machines and it’d be nice to share. If it’s not quite what the festival needs, I’m still planning on flying over in April to attend even if I don’t exhibit! Any thoughts appreciated! Cheers, Chris

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Warehouse cleanup 05-28-2023
by Jeffrey Brace 29 May '23

29 May '23

Another great day of cleaning out our future warehouse. I met Christian Liendo there and Ken Gober around 9AM, Bill Interriden joined us shortly after that followed by Thomas and Ian Litchfield. We worked for about 2 and half hours before calling it quits for lunch at almost noon. Some had other appointments and had to go. The rest stayed to work on other things and be docent for the museum. We filled up most of the dumpster. We removed almost everything that could be removed. The remaining items belong to other groups or are too large to fit in the remaining space in the dumpster. There are also paints and other items that have to be properly disposed of. We will access what remains and come up with another cleanup day. There is a lot of dust and other particles that need to be vacuumed with a shop vac or swept up. We are getting closer to having it completely emptied out. Some pictures: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-uoBXutpBMMKHLsAqGK2-yiiZGg0Gy-s?us… Thanks! Jeff Brace VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President Vintage Computer Festival East Showrunner VCF Mid-Atlantic Event Manager Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity https://vcfed.org/ <http://www.vcfed.org/> jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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NEC MultiSpeed Laptops New in Box
by Jeff Galinat 29 May '23

29 May '23

A friend of mine has 3 NEC MultiSpeed Laptops for sale. New in the box. If you are interested let me know and I will put you in touch with him. He travels up & down the eastern US for work and works in NJ, DE and TN. I have no idea as far as price but you can negotiate that with him directly if you are interested. I didn’t think the list accepted pictures so the Facebook link below has a advertisement from back in the day. Regards Jeff https://www.facebook.com/groups/2103793056560583/permalink/3668748716731668…

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(Nabu) Livestream talk with Leo Binkowski, DJ Sures and Brian Johnson = Sat, May 27 6:30PM EDT
by Jeffrey Brace 28 May '23

28 May '23

There were lots of technical glitches during VCF East with the Zoom talk by Leo Binkwoski, Nabu developer. So, I am doing a live Q&A session with him this coming Saturday, May 27 at 6:30PM EDT. He has already recorded his talk and I posted that to VCF's channel: https://youtu.be/IhPsNQBCKfM. There was no monitoring of questions during the livestream during VCF East and I'm sure many were frustrated with the network problems. So I now want to give everyone a chance to do Q&A based on his high quality talk that we posted last Saturday 5/20/23. DJ Sures and Brian Johson will be there for support. The plan is that I will start out with some questions until we get some from the public on the YouTube stream and go from there. I will be talking with them via Zoom and streaming to YouTube. Thanks! Jeff Brace VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President Vintage Computer Festival East Showrunner VCF Mid-Atlantic Event Manager Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity https://vcfed.org/ <http://www.vcfed.org/> jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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Burroughs B80
by Mike Loewen 27 May '23

27 May '23

Does VCF at Infoage possess a Burroughs B80? Al Kossow from Bitsavers is asking. Mike Loewen mloewen(a)cpumagic.scol.pa.us Old Technology http://q7.neurotica.com/Oldtech/

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VCF Museum - Microcomputer slots, S-100 to Apple II to IBM PC, Lou Eggebrecht
by Douglas Crawford 26 May '23

26 May '23

This is the first in what I expect to be a series of posts that highlight subject I/We are thinking of at the museum. In the museum, one of our talking points- a "sub tour" in the museum, highlights concepts of interconnects, from back planes to buses. Bus slots are best represented currently in the micro era exhibits on S-100, Apple II, and the PC. One idea that is probably coming is to have a whole slew of labeled add-in boards on the wall to show how significant the ability and the practice of upgrading a microcomputer was. Slots were important to make these machines versatile and created entire sub industries around each machine that had slots. I'm less versed in the slot systems of the minicomputers; I imagine a certain amount of this dynamic occurred there too. I'd like to share a bit of lore on the IBM PC bus, as this, I find, is lesser known in the hobby. The father of the IBM PC ISA bus is Lou Eggebrecht, and its a great story. He wrote the book, literally, on the IBM PC ISA Bus. https://archive.org/details/interfacingtoibm00egge I just bought a copy. We'll have this in the museum. After the PC was launched, a situation happened between him and IBM and they "parted ways". A short interpretation might go along the lines that IBM perceived Mr. Eggebrecht was capitalizing too much personally on the ISA bus. My reference is "Blue Magic - The People, Power and Politics Behind the IBM Personal Computer" by James Chposky and Ted Leonsis. I don't know his whole career after IBM. I do know he went on to be an influential person at Commodore, ICS and Broadcom. Here's a period piece on him at Commodore (https://amr.abime.net/review_51617) He seemed to follow along with moves of Mr. Hock Tan. Hock Tan is the CEO that presided at Commodore at the end of line, selling off the assets I think. Hock Tan then came to ICS (Integrated Circuit Systems), a Valley Forge-based fabless mixed signal semiconductor designer with products revolving around phase-locked loops. Of interest to most of our hobby--- ICS was started by Ex-MOS process engineer Ed Arnold in the late 1970s. ICS had a number of ex-Commodore personnel on staff. Mr. Eggebrecht I believe was on the board of ICS for while, and this is where I had a chance to meet him in the late 1990s. At the time I only knew he had some involvement with the IBM PC. He was very likeable; humble, warm, and gracious. Mr. Eggebrecht was ideal to have on the board at ICS - who's chief products were the timing generators for the Intel processors and chipsets at the time. Hock Tan went on to IDT (as did I) when he sold ICS to IDT and then to Avago (I did not). Hock Tan orchestrated the huge merger of Avago and Broadcom. I mention this, because, not surprisingly, Lou Eggebrecht served on the board of Broadcom for some time too. He would be a great speaker at a VCF! :-O I hope his oral history gets taken too.

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VCF Museum - Microcomputer slots, S-100 to Apple II to IBM PC, Lou Eggebrecht
by Herbert Johnson 26 May '23

26 May '23

I read Doug's post, and subsequent posts, and started to write a response that filled in on a few points. Such as, actual S-100 bus history. Or, why a "slot" isn't quite a bus, and the history of that. And, how IBM's PC bus isn't quite like MITS's Altair Bus - which wasn't quite "S-100". That became a lecture, and it's not useful or polite to post a lecture. So I created a Web page instead, and I'm posting a link to that, for those interested in a little more background. While it's my opinion, it's a technically informed one; some history can be argued of course. It's also on-the-fly and a bit rough. http://www.retrotechnology.com/herbs_stuff/bus_history.html The point relevant to this discussion, is to flesh-out some of the background that Doug references. I hope it informs his intended display. It's certainly a good idea, to display and describe general features of vintage computers. One of them is a bus architecture, or maybe the lack of one, why such things occur, and their consequences. My interest in S-100 architectures is certainly a consequence. Much of my Web site is devoted to S-100 computers. Others who have posted, have sites or interests in specific brands or architectures. I'm informed by their responses in my document. Thanks to all and I hope I have some useful considerations in my offline response. Regards Herb Johnson -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey USA https://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net preserve, recover, restore 1970's computing email: hjohnson AT retrotechnology DOT com or try later herbjohnson AT comcast DOT net

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August Repair Workshop & InfoAge Volunteer Cookout
by Jeffrey Brace 26 May '23

26 May '23

The August repair workshop will be August 26 & 27. Signup is here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fWMqLQ_8wqgUHlUJMqLlH84z3CPpOzc2Tb-… There is a volunteer cookout run by InfoAge for all the volunteers on August 26. So we are invited. I need a count of who is coming, so please sign up on the Repair Workshop list to let me know that you are coming. Likely it will be burgers, hot dogs, soft drinks. There is no cost to volunteers. Volunteers and their families will be coming. Probably it will be around 6PM, but details will be forthcoming. Thanks! Jeff Brace VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President Vintage Computer Festival East Showrunner VCF Mid-Atlantic Event Manager Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity https://vcfed.org/ <http://www.vcfed.org/> jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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Usagi Electric (Dave Lovett) visits Computer Museum @ System Source (20 Minute Video)
by rar 25 May '23

25 May '23

YouTube creator, David Lovett, (Usagi Electric) was here in Baltimore last week and filmed some of the highlights of the museum. He chose a few items that we rarely talk about in addition the items we usually show. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqiFOkJ_Kbg We are shipping him one of our Bendix G-15s for him to restore. Can't Wait! Bob Roswell https://museum@syssrc.com 410-952-9140

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Speaking of youtube videos - my museum vid.
by Dave Shevett 25 May '23

25 May '23

Finally edited this together - a tour of the museum when I was down there for VCF east. https://youtu.be/qCDxU6aJC3U -- Dave Shevett shevett(a)pobox.com

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I tube, you-tube, we all tube for ...
by Jeffrey Jonas 25 May '23

25 May '23

Just making sure everyone knows of 1) Bill Mauchly's videos https://www.youtube.com/@BillMauchly/videos 2) The wonderful followup to "The Secret Life Of Machines" is the 'Secret life of Components' https://www.youtube.com/@timhunkin1/videos This channel is about Tim Hunkin's work. It includes his TV work, arcade machines, public clocks and his recent youtube 'Secret life of Components' videos. 3) for purely mechanical devices, see Brad Litwin https://www.youtube.com/@BLitwin/videos http://www.bradlitwin.com/ These are the works of Bradley N. Litwin, kinetic sculptor, musician, self-made madman. Here, you will find all kinds of mechanical stuff, ranging from the miniscule to pieces that fill a proscenium stage. And, Brad is the inventor and maker of MechaniCards, an affordable collection of "mechanundras," designed to be mailed, presented as unusual gifts, or just zoning out, while playing with them, on your coffee table. and so much more! -- jeff jonas

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First TV Show Home Computer?
by Douglas Crawford 23 May '23

23 May '23

(Computer in the home) Munsters beat out Batman?! Claimed to be a UNIVAC https://youtu.be/aa2nCVke2XY?t=219

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Ohio Scientific 440 Video Board
by Bill Degnan 23 May '23

23 May '23

I almost surely have schematics and specs for all of this. What should I look for to assist? Or stop by at your convenience. I have reorganized the OSI stuff to make it easier to use and I have been planning to explore the 400 series stuff. Bill On Mon, May 22, 2023, 8:02 PM Alexander Pierson via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > Bill & Bill, > Mr. Degnan, I had seen your 400 board photo on vintagecomputer.net, which > I used as a reference during the construction of my replica from > glitchworks (which is now running!), but I had not seen the rest of the > image set including the 440. That will be helpful as a reference, as I've > only found photos of 4 other units out there. Seems yours has the last two > RAM sockets populated for color. > > > The documents for both the 440 and 420c available online from osiweb & > Mark's OSI archive are ones provided by Mr. Dromgoole himself, so thank you > for having uploaded those -- without them, I'd be up a creek. Also, good > to know about Mike's ASCII keyboard adapter. > > > I've also come across what might be an example of an original Challenger > with a 440 and a 420c on DigiBarn's page. They're the cards farthest from > the nameplate. > https://www.digibarn.com/collections/systems/challenger/page_01.htm > > I wish attending a workshop was in the cards for me, but the distance/time > tends to clash with my work schedule. > > > Thank you, > -Alexander 'Z' Pierson > On Monday, May 22, 2023 at 01:41:05 PM EDT, Bill Degnan via > vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > Maybe I will bring my osi 400 stuff to the upcoming vcfed workshop, If I > can go and have coverage at the museum then > B > > On Mon, May 22, 2023, 12:43 PM Bill Dromgoole via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > You just need an ascii keyboard with TTL level outputs for the 440 video > > board. > > The input is enabled for one micro second every five milliseconds by the > > OSI 65V ROM. > > This means you need a keyboard strobe pulse about 10 milliseconds long > for > > it to work. > > You can use M. Willigals PC keyboard to apple 1 adapter board for testing > > purposes if you want. > > The early version only had a pulse width of 125 microseconds though. > > I had to use a 74ls123 with a 15K resistor and a 1.1 microfarad capacitor > > between the adapter and the 440 to get the correct pulse width. > > > > He no longer sells the board but can build your own. > > http://www.willegal.net/appleii/appleii-kb-int.htm > > > > Bill > > From: Alexander Pierson via vcf-midatlantic > > Sent: Monday, May 22, 2023 9:37 AM > > To: vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org > > Cc: Alexander Pierson > > Subject: [vcf-midatlantic] Ohio Scientific 440 Video Board > > > > > >

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Ohio Scientific 440 Video Board
by Bill Dromgoole 23 May '23

23 May '23

You just need an ascii keyboard with TTL level outputs for the 440 video board. The input is enabled for one micro second every five milliseconds by the OSI 65V ROM. This means you need a keyboard strobe pulse about 10 milliseconds long for it to work. You can use M. Willigals PC keyboard to apple 1 adapter board for testing purposes if you want. The early version only had a pulse width of 125 microseconds though. I had to use a 74ls123 with a 15K resistor and a 1.1 microfarad capacitor between the adapter and the 440 to get the correct pulse width. He no longer sells the board but can build your own. http://www.willegal.net/appleii/appleii-kb-int.htm Bill From: Alexander Pierson via vcf-midatlantic Sent: Monday, May 22, 2023 9:37 AM To: vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org Cc: Alexander Pierson Subject: [vcf-midatlantic] Ohio Scientific 440 Video Board

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August Repair Workshop Rescheduled to August 26 & 27
by Jeffrey Brace 22 May '23

22 May '23

Unfortunately a gremlin deleted our reservation for the August repair workshop back in January. Some other group has since reserved for our originally scheduled weekend. So the new date is August 26 & 27. *Signup for August*: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fWMqLQ_8wqgUHlUJMqLlH84z3CPpOzc2Tb-… *Other dates for Repair Workshops:* *Signup for June*: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Y17roR2xP75sq5kjbv8jcVPk-a3vCVjWdmT… *Signup for July:* https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1TJJxdL8skd7giR1miP-5AKMHwoBSqU7gse-… *Signup for October*: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1skx8EEXuJl2fUdNGrDIeJO8eekSQQI-ciyT… *Signup for November*: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1gcb3OQ60zfuZpNcXkqi-rUwvlVeYLZF4t1s… Thanks! Jeff Brace VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President Vintage Computer Festival East Showrunner VCF Mid-Atlantic Event Manager Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity https://vcfed.org/ <http://www.vcfed.org/> jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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Any DEC-ies coming to the June 10th workshop?
by Dave Shevett 22 May '23

22 May '23

Would love to have someone checking over my shoulder and take a look at my /73 that won't boot. I tossed my name and info on the spreadsheet. -d -- Dave Shevett shevett(a)pobox.com

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VCF PDP-8 pictures
by David Gesswein 22 May '23

22 May '23

Finally got pages online about my VCF exhibit. The pictures the PDP-8 took. http://www.pdp8online.com/shows/vcfe23/pics2.shtml And top page for exhibit. http://www.pdp8online.com/shows/vcfe23/index.shtml

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Ohio Scientific 440 Video Board
by Bill Degnan 22 May '23

22 May '23

Doing a quick check I found this pic from vintagecomputer.net, a modded 400 system that has a 440, but I don't have details. https://www.vintagecomputer.net/osi/400_series/OSI_440_B.jpg But it may not help, I'd have to see if I have any documentation too. More photos here: https://www.vintagecomputer.net/osi/400_series/ BIll On Mon, May 22, 2023 at 9:37 AM Alexander Pierson via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > Howdy, > > While at VCF East, I purchased a pair of OSI boards: a 440 video board, > and a 420c 4K RAM expansion. I've seen references in the documentation of > how the 420c can be used to supplement the memory of the 440, enabling > pixel graphics, not just 32x32 text. I've been looking for photos of what > 440 board builds look like with that supplemental 420c. I've yet to find > a photo of the ribbon cables from the 420c connecting to the 3 empty > sockets on a 440 to get an idea of how that might look. > https://www.commodorez.com/OSIC4P/OSI440.jpghttps://www.commodorez.com/OSIC… > I also noted in the manual that 3 kinds of keyboard can be used, including > the Sanders 720 keyboard commonly seen for sale in surplus listings in > places like Byte magazine. I'd like to put my 720 to use on the 440, but I > was also wondering if anyone had seen such a keyboard installed with this > or any other OSI video board before. > https://commodorez.com/OSIC4P/Sanders720.jpg > I've seen Sanders 720 keyboards on TV Typewriters, notably the example in > the LSSM: > https://www.commodorez.com/LSSM/20220913_172443.jpg > I've already asked the OSI forums about it, but figured it wouldn't hurt > to enquire in other places in hope of finding photos and information about > just such a setup, especially since I know I'm not the only OSI fan on the > list. > > Thank you,-Alexander 'Z' Pierson >

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Ohio Scientific 440 Video Board
by Alexander Pierson 22 May '23

22 May '23

Howdy, While at VCF East, I purchased a pair of OSI boards: a 440 video board, and a 420c 4K RAM expansion. I've seen references in the documentation of how the 420c can be used to supplement the memory of the 440, enabling pixel graphics, not just 32x32 text. I've been looking for photos of what 440 board builds look like with that supplemental 420c. I've yet to find a photo of the ribbon cables from the 420c connecting to the 3 empty sockets on a 440 to get an idea of how that might look.https://www.commodorez.com/OSIC4P/OSI440.jpghttps://www.commodorez.com… I also noted in the manual that 3 kinds of keyboard can be used, including the Sanders 720 keyboard commonly seen for sale in surplus listings in places like Byte magazine. I'd like to put my 720 to use on the 440, but I was also wondering if anyone had seen such a keyboard installed with this or any other OSI video board before.https://commodorez.com/OSIC4P/Sanders720.jpg I've seen Sanders 720 keyboards on TV Typewriters, notably the example in the LSSM: https://www.commodorez.com/LSSM/20220913_172443.jpg I've already asked the OSI forums about it, but figured it wouldn't hurt to enquire in other places in hope of finding photos and information about just such a setup, especially since I know I'm not the only OSI fan on the list. Thank you,-Alexander 'Z' Pierson

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Anyone want some Mac boxes?
by CJ Reha 22 May '23

22 May '23

I have boxes for a Mac SE and IIcx that are taking up way too much space, but I don't have the heart to throw them out without finding some possible takers first. It's just the boxes and foam packaging inside, no systems ;). But they're free to a good home, if no interest I'll likely just fold up and toss. Can bring to the VCF June swap meet. Thanks, CJ

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Reminder: Kennett Classic May 20th hack-a-thon and Swap
by Bill Degnan 22 May '23

22 May '23

Thank you Jeff for allowing me to post a notice about our event here. I am hoping my friends from the Vintage Computer Federation will join us at our hack-a-thon swap. Kennett Classic May 20th hack-a-thon and Swap May 20th, 2023 | 9AM – 11PM 115 S. Union St. Kennett Square, PA (Hack-a-thon is in our large workspace "The Garage" across the street from the museum) Plenty of room for everyone, tables, chairs and power supplied. REGISTER NOW TO ENSURE YOUR SPACE Here is the URL for the EVENT REGISTRATION: https://www.kennettclassic.com/spring-hack-a-thon-may-20th-2023/ $5 / person (family) $10 / vendor Kids free. HACK-A-THON Any vintage computers (older than 20 years) you wish to restore, demo or sell during the day Hacking? Bring Your Tools (power strip, soldering irons, volt meters, screw drivers, spare parts) Dolly or cart to bring items in from the parking lot area. VENDORS Spaces for people who want to sell their items or exhibit/demo their projects. EXHIBITORS / DEMOS welcome! GENERAL PUBLIC There will be a pretty steady stream of visitors from the local community too. We have a growing vintage computing community in the South Eastern PA / North Delaware / North MD area. Saturdays are usually the busiest days at the museum, and downtown in Kennett. The museum will be open as usual for a Saturday, 12-5. Visit our event page for more details, contact, directions https://www.kennettclassic.com/spring-hack-a-thon-may-20th-2023/ EVENT MAILING LIST https://www.kennettclassic.com/contact.cfm Bring the Family! Things to do in Kennett Square https://www.kennettclassic.com/while-at-kennett-classic-food/ We're Nearby Longwood Gardens https://www.longwoodgardens.org Thank you. Bill Degnan Kennett Classic 484 732 741 https://www.kennettclassic.com Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/6130337163716721

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Food for sale at the Swap Meet June 10
by Jeffrey Brace 21 May '23

21 May '23

The South Monmouth Fire Museum will be selling food across the road from the swap meet. It is a fundraiser for their non profit museum. So far they have on their menu: hotdogs chili chips drinks Take care, Jeff Brace VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President Vintage Computer Festival East Showrunner Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity https://vcfed.org/ <http://www.vcfed.org/> jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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Help advertise VCF Swap Meet
by Jeffrey Brace 21 May '23

21 May '23

Google Form is here for those who can help spread the word: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1jhYR_K7u-4vUWR1VzH7K85fGZvpiLrtk9m-… Thanks! Jeff Brace VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President Vintage Computer Festival East Showrunner Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity https://vcfed.org/ <http://www.vcfed.org/> jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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Repair Workshop 2023-06-10
by Jeffrey Brace 21 May '23

21 May '23

There is a repair workshop the same weekend of the swap meet. Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Y17roR2xP75sq5kjbv8jcVPk-a3vCVjWdmT… For those that are still around Sunday morning we will be going to breakfast at Americana Diner <https://goo.gl/maps/BvvTN9J4SedqbQwn9?coh=178571&entry=tt> ( in Shrewsbury at 9AM. It is a 14 minute drive from InfoAge. PLUS ... After breakfast we will be going to a private residence to see what someone has for sale. Lots of good stuff from a long time member. It's just getting too hard to haul all these heavy items to a swap meet for him so we are going to his house. Take care, Jeff Brace VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President Vintage Computer Festival East Showrunner Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity https://vcfed.org/ <http://www.vcfed.org/> jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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Swap Meet June 10 volunteers
by Jeffrey Brace 21 May '23

21 May '23

Hello everyone, I need volunteers for the upcoming swap meet on June 10. Please send me a private e-mail if you are available to volunteer. Thanks! Jeff Brace VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President Vintage Computer Festival East Showrunner Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity https://vcfed.org/ <http://www.vcfed.org/> jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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OT: What's old is new again. A new 8088 based DOS laptop
by Christian Liendo 19 May '23

19 May '23

Ok.. I made sure to add the OT label, but reproductions of other computers are here, I thought this would be of interest. https://liliputing.com/past-meets-present-in-this-200-mini-laptop-with-a-in… I am on the fence on getting this. I don't know how much classic 8088 based laptops are as I don't collect them, but this may be fun to play with.

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Using a newer IEEE 696 RAM on an IMSAI front panel system
by Bill Degnan 16 May '23

16 May '23

Hey all, I posted the basics of upgrading an IMSAI 8080 with front panel to use 64K IEEE 696 RAM and thought some here might be interested. The newer s-100 bus standard (IEEE 696) conflicts with the older S-100 systems (PHANTOM disrupts the Altair/IMSAI front panel). BUT if you can resolve the bus conflicts, newer RAM boards are less electrically noisy and they help make for a more stable system. More RAM the better. Worth the effort. So, if you're interested, here is how I got the Morrow MM65K 64K RAM board to work on my IMSAI: https://www.vintagecomputer.net/browse_thread.cfm?id=811 I provide links to sources including Jon Chapman's GWMON-80 ROM and Herb Johnson's info about S-100 bus particulars. For the upcoming workshop this Saturday at Kennett Classic for my project I plan to hack into an ancient hard drive that is password protected by using an Z80 in-circuit emulator to extract the password (hopefully). I also have a NABU computer that I want to map out with the emulator. Maybe I can get a little help with my PDP-8 (straight 8). Hope to see you there. Let me know what you're bringing/wanted. Here is a link to the event page: https://www.kennettclassic.com/spring-hack-a-thon-may-20th-2023/ If you want to get on the event mailing list: https://www.kennettclassic.com/contact.cfm I have not posted much about the swap end, but there will be items for sale, I have a few vendors who plan to attend. I will have a table or two of choice items, spares/donations to Kennett Classic Bill

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Morris Tanenbaum, Inventor of the Silicon Microchip, Dies at 94
by Christian Liendo 13 May '23

13 May '23

https://spectrum.ieee.org/in-memoriam-may-2023 Tanenbaum’s research in the mid-1950s proved that silicon was a better semiconductor material for transistors than germanium, which was commonly used at the time. His discovery paved the way for more efficient transistors critical in technologies that ushered in the Information Age. He began his career in 1952 at Bell Labs, in Murray Hill, N.J., as a researcher in its chemical physics department. Two years later, under the direction of physicist and inventor William Shockley, who at the time worked at Bell Labs, Tanenbaum began investigating whether silicon crystals could be used for transistors. In 1955 he and colleague Ernest Buehler demonstrated the first silicon transistor. Tanenbaum later developed the first gas-diffused silicon transistor, which could amplify and switch signals above 100 megahertz at a switching speed 10 times that of previous silicon transistors. Despite Tanenbaum’s early work on silicon transistors, AT&T did not support further research or advancement of the technology. At the time, Bell Labs was the research arm of AT&T. Although Bell Labs had “a significant technological lead in silicon transistor technology, it stopped doing proper research in the field—partly because it just wasn’t immediately relevant to AT&T’s business—so silicon transistor technology, including the integrated circuit, was done by Intel and Texas Instruments instead,” Tanenbaum said in a 1999 oral history conducted by the IEEE History Center. Tanenbaum instead worked on other new technologies in the decades that followed. In 1962 he was named assistant director of Bell Labs’ metallurgical department. He led the team there that created the first high-field superconducting magnets, which are now used in MRI machines and other medical imaging technologies. Later he helped develop optical fiber and digital telephone switching. Tanenbaum went on to serve as president of AT&T’s New Jersey Bell (now part of Verizon) in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He was appointed president of AT&T Communications in 1984. He retired five years later as AT&T’s vice chairman and chief financial officer. A member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, he also was a Fellow of the American Physical Society and a member of the MIT board of trustees. He received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry in 1949 from Johns Hopkins University, in Baltimore, and earned a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from Princeton.

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What was DESQview like on 80286?
by John Heritage 13 May '23

13 May '23

Hey folks, I used DESQview a lot on 386SX and higher machines 'back in the day', and it was quite useful for running multiple nodes on a BBS, or for 'multitasking' -- running a terminal program in DOS while writing code, etc.. It worked great, and as long as you had 2MB of RAM you could do a lot with it. In my experience, a 486DX became fast enough for 4 BBS nodes at once, etc.. I was curious what DESQview was like on a (faster - 12 MHz or higher) 286? Could you run two 500KB+ DOS programs with enough memory? were there limitations because of the lack of (memory) modes relative to the 386? I remember QEMM386 being essential with Desqview to pull drivers and all sorts of things out of conventional memory.. so I imagine conventional memory in Desqview 'instances' was lower on a 286 than a 386. (A bit of nostalgia here - but late in the time I ran my BBS, I accidentally killed two 286-16 cpu/board combos.. trying to power them on stupidly -- on the outside of a static bag. I was planning to put them through their paces and use them for BBS nodes. From what I remember a 386SX or DX @ 16 MHz wasn't really faster than a 286 @ 16 MHz for 16-bit code). Thanks! John

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