February 2017 - vcf-midatlantic

Xenix and micnet networking
by Kelly Leavitt 14 Feb '17

14 Feb '17

There were some questions about Xenix and Micnet. I've found some online documentation from the Intel Xenix 286 Communication manual that duplicates the Tandy Xenix functionality. See chapter 3 (PDF Page 45) of http://tenox.net/docs/xenix/Intel_XENIX_286_Communications_Guide.pdf In general, there's a lot of Xenix stuff on Tenox's site. Kelly

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Trenton Computer Festival 2017
by Jeffrey Brace 14 Feb '17

14 Feb '17

The annual Trenton Computer Festival will be March 18 from 9AM to 5PM. Evan and myself will be there to demonstrate our vintage computer robotics as well as give a lecture explaining them. Who else plans on being there this year? This is the website with more information: http://tcf.pages.tcnj.edu/ -- Jeff Brace - ark72axow(a)gmail.com

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stuff to donate
by William Dudley 14 Feb '17

14 Feb '17

I found some more stuff that may be of interest to the museum or to the members of this list. I would like Evan to weigh in on the museum's interest. Should Evan pass on something, the rest of you can figure out who ends up with an item. 1. US Robotics USR330 modem. This is a very early 300 baud consumer/hobbyist modem. It's in a vacuum-formed case, along with a comically large "data access arrangement" (DAA) as required by telecom rules back in the day. 2. An AT&T Dataphone II 2224B modem, with power supply. This was hot-shit in it's day. It would do 2400 bits/second. 3. A Digital Equipment Corp h312a null modem. It is also comically large, considering what it is. 4. New, in the shrink-wrap, manuals for AT&T 6386 computer: "Service Manual" and "Hardware Reference Manual" 5. IBM "APL/1130 Primer - Student Text" copyright 1968. This was one of my texts in high school. I have TWO pristine copies of this. 6. SPITBOL Version 2.0 manual, Feb 12 1971. This is stapled together, not a bound book, but is never the less early documentation for the language. 7. A full, four volume set of manuals AND 5 1/4" disks for STSC APL PLUS/PC, copyright 1987. Hardcover binders in slip cases. 8. AT&T 6300 Plus Service Manual and Hardware Reference Manual. Two hard cover binders in slip cases, including several different diagnostic diskettes (5 1/4"). I plan on bringing this stuff to the VCF workshop this weekend, unless we're snowed/cancelled due to weather. Pictures of items 1,2, 3, and 4 are here: http://www.dudley.nu/vcf-donations/ Bill Dudley whose house looks like an episode of "Hoarders". This email is free of malware because I run Linux.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Workshop February 11&12, 2017 Wrap-up
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 13 Feb '17

13 Feb '17

Douglas Crawford via vcf-midatlantic writes: {deleted much HTML shite} >Where do u get them!? The DS1287A was fairly common TOY clock back then. You can replace it with the newer DS12887A. Goggle it, there are ample sources.

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Volunteer hours
by Jeffrey Brace 13 Feb '17

13 Feb '17

For anyone that volunteers hours for VCF or InfoAge or any of its member groups, it would be helpful to track these hours on this website: http://www.trackitforward.com/. Look for InfoAge Learning Center and then from the dropdown choose VCF. This benefits InfoAge to show that they have volunteers doing work there. You can use it for being docent, working in the warehouse, repairing VCF machines etc. It used to be called OurVolts. -- Jeff Brace - ark72axow(a)gmail.com

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Workshop February 11&12, 2017 Wrap-up
by Evan Koblentz 13 Feb '17

13 Feb '17

>> The other place is a memory address that Dan R. determined and >> explained to me a few weeks ago. There's a very simple equation to >> change it for different slots, which I completely forgot to do until >> another hour went by. It dawned on me while I took a bathroom break. :) > > Is that what's called a "memory dump"? :-) Something like that. :) The equation is reeeeeeeeeal simple: (provided 5-digit number) + S * 16. Dan previously reminded me to do the multiplication first. I ran back from the bathroom to the workshop area CERTAIN that it would work. Made the change and it still didn't work ... then I realized that when I'd stepped away from the table to go pee, I'd accidentally knocked the power cord loose for the Lego interface box. Re-attached that and NOW it worked.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Workshop February 11&12, 2017 Wrap-up
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 13 Feb '17

13 Feb '17

"J. Alexander Jacocks via vcf-midatlantic" writes: >Alex J. worked on the Commodore PC-III, and the Emerson 286, from the >storage area. Both need batteries, and I took the Emerson with me, for >modding of the Dallas chip. Which Dallaas chip? Are you aware that there are new replacements?

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Workshop February 11&12, 2017 Wrap-up
by Jeffrey Brace 13 Feb '17

13 Feb '17

So we had a good turnout for this workshop. Some highlights: Evan worked on his Lego/Apple BASIC robot as he prepares for TCF. I worked on my Capsella C64 robot for TCF as well. Ian helped to repair the original Mac and the Commodore PET that are displayed in the museum. Bill Degnan also spent a great deal of time repairing the Commodore PET that is displayed in the museum. Todd George worked on his Commodore 4032 PET and diagnosed the problem to two ROMS. He used a diagnostic chip to test it. Bill Inderriden worked on getting the TR-20 up and running. I forget what others were working on exactly, so please chime in to explain to others what you were working on. -- Jeff Brace - ark72axow(a)gmail.com

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SX64 for sale in New Rochelle
by Blatboy 13 Feb '17

13 Feb '17

Saw this... thought I'd post in case anyone might be interested... in box... looks like decent shape... https://newyork.craigslist.org/wch/sys/5994058569.html http://www.jwalterhawkes.com http://www.blatboy.com like to know where/when I'm playing? Click here <http://www.blatomaster.com/mlist.php> to sign up for my list, and let the babble begin.

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stuff to donate
by Herb Johnson 13 Feb '17

13 Feb '17

4. New, in the shrink-wrap, manuals for AT&T 6386 computer: "Service Manual" and "Hardware Reference Manual" I did not attend the workshop, read the posted list today. If anyone obtains these manuals, and is willing to ship/sell, contact me. Thank you. herb johnson in Ewing NJ Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey in the USA http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net

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