November 2017 - vcf-midatlantic

Norm Snead & Lou Kohn - please contact me
by Jeffrey Brace 16 Nov '17

16 Nov '17

Regarding your Festivus signup.

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FS: Cut Down 11-Slot S-100 Backplane
by systems_glitch 15 Nov '17

15 Nov '17

link: https://www.ebay.com/itm/272935251503 This appears to be a Quick and Timely "Silence Plus" 22-slot backplane that has been cut down for use as a small test rig. Whoever cut it did a decent job, the edge is dressed with gaffer's tape, and the ground traces (which provide coax-like shielding) have been jumpered across at the cut edge. One slot has two bent pins. I can desolder and/or replace the socket if desired. The backplane is mounted on plastic runners, presumably to allow it to be laid on a tabletop or metallic surface without shorting anything out. Thanks, Jonathan

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IBM Series/1
by william degnan 14 Nov '17

14 Nov '17

Check out the price of this little bitty IBM Series/1 on Ebay https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-IBM-Series-1-4952-4962-4978-with-monitor-r… Makes you think maybe the much beefier two full rack system I donated to MARCH now VCFed should be put on display someday, it IPLed when I donated it, should not be too hard to get running if someone knows how to boot a Series/1 (which is not easy) and has an IBM terminal...I followed the manuals to the best I could but I am no expert. I documented where I left off before I gave it up someone might want to take this on. Bill

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Semi-OT: Free at Festivus: Not Quite Vintage Mac Stuff
by systems_glitch 14 Nov '17

14 Nov '17

All, I've got some older Macs to get rid of: * 2x iMac G3, both working last time they were powered up (within the last year) * 1x Intel iMac, white plastic case, typical screen issues but functional * 1x PowerMac G3 in the blue side-folds-down case I have some keyboards and mice that go with them, which I'll bring. I don't think there's enough for each machine, so first come, first serve. 100% free. Do not want to bring them home! Additionally, I have a pair of older Intel Mac Minis if anyone is interested. I believe I've only got one power adapter between the two. Asking $150 OBO for the pair. Won't run the newest OS X (I forget where they stop). I won't bring them unless someone expresses interest. Thanks, Jonathan

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FS: Unassembled Processor Tech VDM-1 Kit
by systems_glitch 13 Nov '17

13 Nov '17

link: https://www.ebay.com/itm/272930805335 This kit looks complete, though I haven't gone through the individual parts packs. The hard bit to find -- the character generator -- is present. Starting the listing at $1. Unfortunately the kit was not in its original box, and the box it was in was pretty mangled. Includes video driver on paper tape for BASIC! If you're going to Festivus, I'm happy to drop it off in person. Thanks, Jonathan

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Old Remington Typewriter
by Kelly Leavitt 13 Nov '17

13 Nov '17

Friend's father's from college. 60+ years old. That's all I know right now. If any interest, contact me off list. Kelly

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HOPE 12
by william degnan 12 Nov '17

12 Nov '17

Got my ticket for HOPE 12.....see you there. B

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Cyclon RX Playstation controller for C64
by Jeffrey Brace 12 Nov '17

12 Nov '17

Has anyone bought and used this? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-Cyclone-RX-Playstation-Joystick-Gamepad-Adap…

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Museum Report 2017-11-12 November 12, 2017
by Jeffrey Brace 12 Nov '17

12 Nov '17

I started the day by preparing my C64 for running Metal Dust. It is a game that requires the SuperCPU. I got it to run from uIEC SD card. I need to find my power supply for the PSX controller, so that I can use a Playstation controller instead of the Epyx XJ 500. I get some bad pain in my index finger from hitting the fire button constantly (must be repetitive stress injury). Maybe I will try an Atari Joystick instead, since my thumb is fine. If there are some C64 games that you want for Festivus, then feel free to bring then on floppy or SD card. I will have 3 C64s setup with 1541 drives and uIEC. Also connected with all-in-one joystick games in the front end of the Commodore 1702. I have the Mamouth Games C64 game joystick working, I also noticed that a number of museum machines are not working properly. Maybe during the next workshop we can have some members look at them. Alex Bodnar dropped of a Micro Professor for the museum. I move it as well as the Vax fan that he donated to the warehouse. Anyway, had about 1 dozen visitors today with moderate interest.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Museum Report 2017-11-11 November 11, 2017
by Eric Rangell 12 Nov '17

12 Nov '17

Hello all, I made my first trip to the InfoAge Science Center and VCF museum in Wall, NJ on Saturday Nov. 11, 2017. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience, mainly because I saw artifacts that I had only seen in magazines and never in real life. Before going into the VCF building I was drawn to the radio exhibits and appreciated the quality and dedication that went into producing electronics of the early 20th century. These objects and the people who built them were talking to me. I like the way highly technical content is just displayed along with the artifacts to remind us of the deep knowledge base we inherited. I then met Jeff and slowly walked through every machine on display. I can imagine the people working with them when they were state of the art. They had the time to learn, dream, think, and carefully operate the switches and controls, acting as scientists using the scientific method to observe, hypothesize, log, diagnose, and catch bugs flying inside the equipment. It will be amazing to see some of the old machines restored and running in the future. Then the computers of the 70s and 80s brought me back to childhood and helped me understand the wonder that kids today need to feel and appreciate as they stand on our shoulders. I mostly appreciated the machines of the 60s-70s like the PDP11, IMSAI, Altair, PET, Apple 1,2,3,Lisa and the luggables. The tiny but sharp green screen display on one of the luggables was impressive, along with the help file describing the capabilities of the machine. It sparked an interest in learning about a few of them and their capabilities. It was great to see Ted Nelson’s book “Computer Lib” on display, and the lego interface for the Apple 2. I’d love to spend time looking at the old manuals and learning from people who worked with the machines at future VCF events. Afterwards I visited the other exhibits in the building - I spent a lot of time in the Veteran Wireless Operators exhibit appreciating the communication challenges of early radio and telegraphy. I then saw the fascinating exhibit of military vehicles and equipment and was humbled by the sacrifices people made to preserve freedom. It put everything in perspective and was a very meaningful Veterans day for me. Thank you, Eric Rangell

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