September 2016 - vcf-midatlantic

Can Anyone Take IC Die Micrographs?
by Systems Glitch 14 Oct '16

14 Oct '16

I've decapped a house-numbered IC and taken a look with my 40x loupe, it appears to be some sort of memory device, but I don't have enough magnification to see any die text or anything. Can anyone on this list take a micrograph at > 40x for me? I won't need the IC back unless it's convenient to get it to me at the next get-together I'm able to attend or something. Figured I've got a tube of them and it might be nice to know what they are :) They're in side-brazed ceramic carriers, so it was easy to decap with a bastard file. Thanks, Jonathan

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C64 workhorse survivor
by Douglas Crawford 06 Oct '16

06 Oct '16

http://hothardware.com/news/battered-but-not-beaten-commodore-c64-survives-…

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Museum Closed this weekend
by Jeffrey Brace 30 Sep '16

30 Sep '16

We will all be at Maker Faire 10/1 and 10/2. -- Jeff Brace - ark72axow(a)gmail.com

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Help! LOGO programming
by Evan Koblentz 30 Sep '16

30 Sep '16

I'm stumped on a few things in LOGO for the Apple II. Can anyone help me by phone now?

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Looking for Bruce from Future Dimensions, Compuware
by Microtech Dart 29 Sep '16

29 Sep '16

Interesting story (well maybe for some). For any of you who have followed my projects, here is some context: It is one and the same company who used both the Point 4 IRIS systems and the Convergent Technologies MightyFrame systems that I have spent the last 3 years reconstructing and restoring. Some of the guys from that company distinctly remember one single programmer, who was responsible for programming (and possibly sourcing the hardware) for both of these systems for them. The programmer's name was Bruce, who's initials were BAM, and who worked for a company in the Los Angeles California area called Future Dimensions, back in the 1982-1985 area. It is also possible that he later had some connection with Compuware around the same timeframe.. Anyway, I thought I would just put this "out there", to see if anyone reading this might be this very Bruce, or someone who might know who he is. He once wrote this program to run on login of their Point 4 IRIS system. He also often commented his programs as the author as BAM. #BASIC 2/CALLME LIST 10 DIM A$[10],B$[50] 20 IF ERR 0 GOTO 40 30 INPUT ""A$ 40 PRINT "\207\\233\*\215\\215\\215\\215\\215\\215\\215\\21 5\\215"; 41 PRINT "CHUCK, THE LOCATION REPORT IS READY." 42 PRINT "ALSO, THE MODEL REPORT IS READY" 50 PRINT "\215\PLEASE CALL ME. BRUCE. TYPE '0' TO GET OUT OF THIS "; 60 INPUT A$ 70 IF A$="0" CHAIN "VM." 80 GOTO 40 RUN \←* It's my hope that someone finds this at least humorous, maybe even silly, if nothing else. Thanks always, -AJ http://point4iris.com http://MightyFrame.com http://QICreader.com

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VCFed @ World Maker Faire this weekend
by Evan Koblentz 29 Sep '16

29 Sep '16

Jeff B., Corey, Mouse, and yours truly are staffing the VCFed booth at World Maker Faire this weekend. They said we're in a tent this year. That is all I know for now, location-wise. Our theme is the same as at HOPE -- vintage computer robots. Jeff is showing an improved version of his Capsella robot controlled by a BASIC program on a Commodore 64. He has many more parts available now than he did for HOPE. I'm showing a Lego robot powered by a LOGO program on an Apple //e, vs. at HOPE my Lego demonstration used BASIC on a Compaq 386 luggable (in the form of a Network General Sniffer). By coincidence, Jeff's robot and mine are both car-like and they're both around the same size. So let me just say: MY LEGOBOT CAN KICK BRACE'S CAPSELLABOT'S BUTT. :) Here's mine: http://vcfed.org/evan/legobot.jpg I figured a black frame, red racing stripe, and huge rear spoiler all give it maker-cred. One motor controls forward/backward, another motor (via the exposed chain drive up front on the left side of your screen) controls steering, there is a touch/bump sensor on front, a light sensor in back, and working head/tail lights. I need to put a little Lego dude and steering wheel in the cockpit! Of course, the point of this is to show people (mostly children) that Lego computerized robotics are not a modern invention, but in fact existed 30 years ago. LOGO works like BASIC -- you can type a program and run it instantly (no compiling) or type commands directly. But in most ways it's even more basic than BASIC. Instead of FOR-NEXT loops you have REPEAT; instead of GOSUB you have LIST-TO-RUN; there aren't line numbers; and I'm trying to understand their oddly formatted IF-THEN method (which is also called something else; I forget what right now). Maybe I'll disable the front bump sensor and program the 'bot to go full speed into BraceBot. :) All in good fun, of course. Hope to see many of you this weekend.

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Polo shirt ordering info
by Evan Koblentz 29 Sep '16

29 Sep '16

The new shirts will be black polos with our logo on the left breast pocket. All sizes S-3XL will be $15. To order, send PayPal to polos(a)vcfed.org. **** BE SURE TO INCLUDE A NOTE WITH YOUR SIZE, QUANTITIES, ETC!!!!! **** You can also send a check to Vintage Computer Federation, PO Box 417, Eatontown, NJ, 07724, but in that case send a follow-up email to polos(a)vcfed.org so we know about it immediately vs. having to wait for your check. I'll place the order next Friday night.

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Museum Report
by Jeffrey Brace 28 Sep '16

28 Sep '16

We had a visit from about 15 children from Veteran's Middle School in Brick. They enjoyed it, but as always there wasn't enough time to show them all of the museum. It's always interesting to see what "kids" know or don't know about the history of computers. -- Jeff Brace - ark72axow(a)gmail.com

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Mad science experiment
by Evan Koblentz 27 Sep '16

27 Sep '16

Tonight's insanity: Lego drone programmed in Logo. Someone (presently) sell an expensive Lego drone kit, controlled by a phone app, using a mixture of Legos and custom parts. Why not do the same on an Apple //e using only 1980s Lego parts and Logo? This will be incredible if I can get it working for World Maker Faire next weekend. I am focusing hard on a lightweight and efficient design.

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Museum Report
by Jeffrey Brace 25 Sep '16

25 Sep '16

Slow day the museum. Only 1 regular visitor. But I got two VCFins visit who had been to InfoAge's OMARC Hamfest, Jeff Galinet and Herb Johnson. The got to see the updates to the new museum and catch up on things. It was nice to have them visit. -- Jeff Brace - ark72axow(a)gmail.com

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