March 2016 - vcf-midatlantic

FS: Another Tanner/Digital Research 64K Static RAM for S-100 Bus Tested/Working
by Systems Glitch 26 Mar '16

26 Mar '16

link: http://www.ebay.com/itm//272188605675 >From my last listing: These are, in my opinion, exactly the kind of boards you want for old 8-bit S-100 boxes. Fully static, you can swap 2716 EPROMs in if you need to, and very low power draw. Pretty much the only kind of RAM board you can use if you want a full 64K (or close to it) in an original Altair with the original low-wattage power supply. This one has sockets for the last four RAM chips. The last two are not populated, as it came from a heavily modified Altair 8800 with a Turnkey card -- RAM from 0xF800 - 0xFFFF was disabled to allow the Turnkey card to co-exist. I can provide/install a socket and 6116 static RAM if desired. All four tantalum capacitors have been replaced. Fully tested on my IMSAI 8080, including phantom. Memory was tested with the Vector Graphic ROM monitor's memory test routine ('T' command). You'll find the manual listed under Digital Research (not sure if they bought Tanner, or what). The manual states the board is IEEE-696 compatible; however, that just means it follows IEEE-696 signal designations -- it is not 16-bit compatible. Thanks, Jonathan

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Rescue needed in NC or DC area
by Evan Koblentz 26 Mar '16

26 Mar '16

We have an SUV-sized rescue of some nice microcomputers for the museum. It is located about two hours east of Raleigh, N.C. (I don't know the specific town) but the person said he can drive up to DC or Baltimore to meet someone. We'd like to get this done soon (lest the person think we are not taking it seriously), but there is no urgency to bring it all up to InfoAge -- that could happen in the summer.

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OT: any Palm PDA repositories still online, or archived?
by Jeffrey Jonas 26 Mar '16

26 Mar '16

I'm still using Palm PDAs for my calendar and such. Many of the app repositories are gone. Have any been mirrored/archived, or still online? Did anyone archive them? I used CodeWarrior for programming them, but it was the business' license. How is one to write Palm OS apps now? -- jeff jonas

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VCF East t-shirts
by Evan Koblentz 25 Mar '16

25 Mar '16

We increased the VCF East t-shirt order from 115 last year to 150 this year. The breakdown: 10 small, 40 medium, 40 large, 40 extra large, 20 double extra large. The shirts are blue with white ink. The design is a surprise. :)

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Semi OT: TI Silent 700 Cable
by Dean Notarnicola 25 Mar '16

25 Mar '16

Does anyone happen to have in their dusty vaults, a TI Silent 700 Auxiliary EIA Cable (TI 983847)? This is essentially a 15 pin to 25 pin RS-232 cable. I am hoping to use the Silent 700 745 in my VCF exhibit (I could make a cable, but I'm being lazy) Thanks in advance.

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OT: 10/100 ethernet switches & routers
by Jeffrey Jonas 24 Mar '16

24 Mar '16

Semi on-topic since even Commodore 64s are ethernet/Internet capable: I have a bunch of home routers for free. Linksys, Dlink and other home-router brands. The usual 4 port 10/100-base-T switch, 802.11G WiFi and router. The flash is too small for Linux. -- jeff jonas

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] How was TCF2016 ...
by Jeffrey Jonas 24 Mar '16

24 Mar '16

I had a fine time chatting with Galinat, Herb, Chris (dealer in front with nixies) and other folks I meet only at the Trenton Computer Fest. I always come home with great project ideas. I attended only one talk about new IoT (Internet of things). There's a $2 single chip solution with a 32 bit core (probably ARM), built in radio, crypto acceleration and other goodies. Quite the enabling technology to DO THINGS RIGHT *if properly implemented*. No Arduino needed! It might be right up there with the FTDI USB-serial chip for drop-in ease of use. I'd say many of the talks were timely and useful, with more scholarly topics and speakers with impressive bio/CV. I lament the loss of the flea market. I remember when it was so huge that 2 days was not enough to cover it all. Many regulars are gone, like the vendor with the camper selling laser tubes with brick power supply, solder spools and such. Gurrr, I can't remember the dealer who I always counted on for connectors and small parts. The only dealer who sold adapters like machine cord to 2 plain outlets. Not there this year :-(

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tracking volunteer hours
by Jeffrey Jonas 24 Mar '16

24 Mar '16

Evan> Our group has had an INSANE amount of volunteer support in the past few months ALL volunteer work at Infoage is tracked by https://www.trackitforward.com/ Just create a free account for yourself and log the hours for "MARCH" (until it's re-named)

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log & track volunteering at Infoage
by Jeffrey Jonas 24 Mar '16

24 Mar '16

Evan> Our group has had an INSANE amount of volunteer support in the past few months Any and all volunteer work should be logged with the InfoAge volunteer tracking system: https://www.trackitforward.com/ Just create a free account for yourself and enter the hours volunteered and what you did. It helps Infoage document all the effort. https://www.trackitforward.com/site/infoage-science-learning-center The computer museum is still listed as "MARCH"

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VCF East daily schedule -- updated
by Evan Koblentz 24 Mar '16

24 Mar '16

Everyone, Please see the updated schedule and class schedule posted at http://vcfed.org/wp/festivals/vintage-computer-festival-east/. - Evan

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