December 2017 - vcf-midatlantic

IBM 1401 repair article
by Mike Loewen 29 Dec '17

29 Dec '17

Interesting article about repairing core memory and power supplies to get a CHM 1401 back up and running: http://www.righto.com/2017/12/repairing-1960s-mainframe-fixing-ibm.html Mike Loewen mloewen(a)cpumagic.scol.pa.us Old Technology http://q7.neurotica.com/Oldtech/

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Could a Blockchain based file system be the answer!
by Herb Johnson 28 Dec '17

28 Dec '17

This discussion thread, was/is about using some kind of "blockchain technology" to preserve vintage computing data, programs, PDF's, photos - you know, the digital bits - with some kind of distributed file system like "blockchain". I'm afraid that in my stone-age 20th century opinion, this is all besides the point, in any number of ways. 0) I refuse to engage in discussion of "blockchain" as per preservation of vintage computing content. Blockchain is a means to an end. I'll address the "end". 1) The issue of preservation of digitized content, is mostly about physical archives. Either one has physical media (say, CD-ROMs) or one has a physical presence for accessable data (some file server on a Web domain). A number of people and organizations do this; they should be supported. If someone wants to add themselves to the crowd, save and distribute copies, that's up to them. If someone wants to create a new organization, they can do that. Otherwise, show some love to those digital archives that you USE for vintage computing. Every day. For free - except someone is paying someone for your "freedom". 2) The issue of saving CONTENT does not preserve *physical artifacts*. I have worked for decades to support and preserve S-100 physical systems, root out their history, support their restoration. Real cards, real power supplies, real diskettes, real paper documentation. All the emulation in the world is not the same as a "ugly box of boards", sitting on your desk, roaring fans, clunking floppy drives, blinking lights, toggling switches (if any, that stopped in 1979 or so), and so on. The challenges of preserving physical artifacts are enormous. Physical space and collecting them is only the beginning. Putting them *back to use* is challenging squared. There's many "museums" which are stacks of computers on a shelf. They have "don't touch" policies, and few on-staff who know how to plug in an AC power cord. The legacy of use, and the capacity to read old data and programs, depends on *use* of vintage computing devices. Emulators succeed in running recovered data and programs. They are very useful in reverse-engineering programs and data files (even on audio cassettes) which are already (re)digitized. They simulate computing on a screen, on modern computers: this at the very least, encourages interest. But there was a time when personal computing was NOT about images on a TV screen! Preserve *that*! Regards, Herb "Flintstone Computing" Johnson -- 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 retrotechnology DOT info

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Object Photography
by william degnan 28 Dec '17

28 Dec '17

Object photographs of old vintage cards and parts that you might like. http://vintagecomputer.net/browse_thread.cfm?id=711 (link at the bottom of the page to the complete set) I did not identify them. Some I know what they are, some I do not. I am most curious about the tube modules, where they came from. I will eventually figure it out, but tips/speculations are welcome. Bill

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looking for specific S-100 chassis
by Dave McGuire 28 Dec '17

28 Dec '17

Hey folks. I'm looking for an Electronic Control Technology (ECT) model TT-10 S-100 enclosure. I realize this is a long shot, as there aren't many of these around, but would anyone here happen to have one that they might be willing to turn loose of? Thanks, -Dave -- Dave McGuire, AK4HZ New Kensington, PA

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Zurich Vintage Computer Festival?
by Jeffrey Jonas 28 Dec '17

28 Dec '17

I wish I had a way to attend: Vintage Computer Festival Z\xc3\xbcrich, 18-19 Nov. 2017 It's VCF time again in Switzerland! https://vcfe.ch/doku.php https://www.facebook.com/vcfe.ch/

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Still needed: nice office chair, drafting stool
by Evan Koblentz 27 Dec '17

27 Dec '17

Someone's got to have these, or have spares which could be liberated from their job's office manager .... we need a modern desk chair (black/chrome), arms, adjustable height, etc. ...... and we need a drafting stool (for the workbench), also matching black/chrome. Currently our workshop has some beat-up ugly blue desk chairs which match nothing and are not comfortable.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Correction -- Semi-OT: Annual post: what tech did ya get?
by Neil Cherry 27 Dec '17

27 Dec '17

I've gotten several DC-DC supplies, several V/I/P displays, a couple of I2C V/I/P measurement boards (for solar experitments) and an Einstein robot (combination of a RoboSapien and a Google Home). -- Linux Home Automation Neil Cherry ncherry(a)linuxha.com http://www.linuxha.com/ Main site http://linuxha.blogspot.com/ My HA Blog Author of: Linux Smart Homes For Dummies

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Long museum report
by Evan Koblentz 27 Dec '17

27 Dec '17

Very busy day! Jeff B. couldn't make it today, so Adam and I went to tackle as much as possible. We arrived around 11am and focused on cleaning up from yesterday. Then we test-fitted some things in the first of the two new display cases -- blue box, 6501, Pennywhistle modem with a desk phone, early-model USR modem, and the Popular Electronics "Digital Logic Microlab" kit from 1970. We need to get more clear plastic stands (in various sizes/shapes) to hold things at angles on shelves. Jim S. wasn't able to attend Festivus due to snow, but he visited today with his extended family for a full tour. I gave the tour for a solid hour. Tony arrived at the same time to make some repairs on our straight Apple II. We needed some things moved to the warehouse, so Adam and Tony did that (convenient due to Tony's cargo van!) while I gave the tour to Jim & family. There were a few other groups of visitors too. Visitors continued on-and-off until 5ish. Tony successfully revered the II to its default Integer BASIC. It had been set up to load Applesoft BASIC off a card, which is useful but hardly stock. Now it's stock, but we can still load Applesoft when needed.... so basically he reversed the default option. He also cleaned more parts of the computer inside and out. Adam and I test-fitted some things into the second new display case. The top shelf will have some handhelds, but for now it's empty -- we'll get to the handhelds on a warmer day with more sunlight in the warehouse. We decided to put some game consoles on the bottom three shelves -- Atari Pong, Magnavox Odyssey, and Fairchild Channel F. The VCFed collection includes both an Odyssey and F both practically new-in-box! No, they're not playable by the public ... these are in a locking display case. I snuck in a personal project. I wanted us to have a small microwave in case I ever get a craving for popcorn or whatever. :) I brought in a microwave from my former apartment; didn't need it anymore because my new place has one already. But my old microwave is too big to fit in our workshop. So I traded it to Roddy (art guy across the hallway from our museum) for his smaller one. And yes, I put in our rack -- I figure the once every few months we actually use the microwave for a few minutes won't hurt anything. Problem was, the smaller unit is silver which stuck out like a sort thumb through our dark-gray mesh rack door. And it turns out VCFed recently became the owner of a big roll of black duct tape... you all see where this is going, right? Turns out it worked VERY well! I covered all the exposed silver panels in black duct tape. It may look silly from a few inches away with the door open, but it camouflages perfectly from a few feet away with the door closed. Don't laugh until you see it! It worked out pretty well. Now it's a stealth microwave... Adam and I also put a second layer of black paint on the luan (thin wood) backings that Jeff and I made yesterday for the display cases, because we don't want people seeing the ugliness behind each cases (they're glass on all four sides). Yesterday we used cheap spray paint; today we used flat-black regular paint with a brush. Huge improvement! Left it there to dry and I'll attach the backings this Saturday. Bill I. also stopped by around lunchtime and hung out with us for a while. Bill, Adam, Tony, and I engaged in the VCF lunchtime ritual pizza, thus making it a sanctioned gathering (or something like that). About that desk we're seeking: Martin thinks there is one in an Infoage build that we cannot access, so I'm having someone else check for us. Sooooo...... very good and productive day.

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Correction -- Semi-OT: Annual post: what tech did ya get?
by Evan Koblentz 27 Dec '17

27 Dec '17

I hit 'send' too soon. Sorry. Corrected post: ----------------------- It's always fun to hear what tech toys (vintage computing or not) everyone got for the holidays, whatever you celebrate. For me it was just buying a box of NOS floppies from Glitch back at Festivus :) and a pair of running shoes (not technical, but expensive!) However I'm very excited about some new toys which may be museum-bound!!!! I can't announce them until January, sorry. :)

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Needed: gray metal teletype stand/table/desk
by Duane Craps 27 Dec '17

27 Dec '17

The third page of this document shows the original type desk http://bitsavers.trailing-edge.com/pdf/univac/military/1532/OA7984_CHAPTER_… Duane On 12/26/2017 9:03 PM, Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > Everyone, > > We're still looking for an appropriate desk, stand, table, etc. to use > with the Univac. It needs to be metal, and ideally painted gray but we > could always paint it by ourselves. Of course it needs to be strong > enough to hold the 1960s teletype, but it shouldn't be too large -- we > do not want a big desk there, just something maybe 2-3 ft. wide. We > need this relatively soon. It should be in good condition (nothing > rusted, in need of repair, etc.) and have a period 1960s look. > -- Duane Craps sdɐɹɔ ǝuɐnp

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