February 2017 - vcf-midatlantic

Ideas needed: attaching our tablets to shelf poles
by Herb Johnson 12 Feb '17

12 Feb '17

I read today this thread, about attaching tablets near the exhibits. My impressions of Evan's requirements are: ASAP, keep tablet secure from theft, "look slick", zero to a few tens of dollars to mount, provide visitor access to screen/touch. I also suggest: tablet access to people of varying height or physical access. Vision limited people may need to hold it close. Youngsters are often short. Persons in wheelchairs. I have a plan B for these. The simplest ASAP means to secure the tablets, is a plastic-covered metal rope, looped or locked at the tablet, bolted at the display shelf. Most tablets have a loop for this purpose, or one could be epoxied on. This is not "slick" but can at least look professional. I own institutional Macs from the 90's which were secured in this way. it's relatively cheap. And, if a better solution is found, these can be removed and discarded. Wire rope is at Home Depot, Lowes, etc. by the foot, in various colors and clear. Plan B for more a accessible solution: a loaner tablet, with all the exhibit apps, and a means of navigating them. Not "secure"? Ask to hold a driver's license, a standard request for loaned items. Need I explain this? Herb -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey in the USA http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net

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FS: RCA DR2010 Numitron NOS in Box
by Systems Glitch 12 Feb '17

12 Feb '17

link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/272553929278 Numitrons are a 7-segment incandescent display technology, from the same era as Nixie tubes. This one is in a box labeled KD2126, which was a RCA kit that included the Numitron and a driver IC. Going through some of my old displays and clearing out stuff I know I won't use! Thanks, Jonathan

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Didn't someone need a computer to show off a terminal at VCF?
by Corey Cohen 12 Feb '17

12 Feb '17

I can't seem to find the thread they asked it on or am I mistaken. If yes, please chime back as I have something. Cheers, Corey corey cohen uǝɥoɔ ʎǝɹoɔ

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Workshop Breakfast tomorrow at diner 2/12 9am
by Jeffrey Brace 11 Feb '17

11 Feb '17

We are meeting at the Princess Maria Diner tomorrow at 9am. Let me know that you are coming, if you haven't told me already. -- Jeff Brace - ark72axow(a)gmail.com

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VAX console cable for workshop?
by Jonathan Sturges 11 Feb '17

11 Feb '17

> I have managed to leave behind the console cable for my VS2k. If anyone headed to the workshop might have such a beast, i'd love to borrow it this weekend. > > TIA, > Jonathan

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Advice on Xenix VCF exhibit
by Jason Perkins 11 Feb '17

11 Feb '17

VCFers, I'm working on planning my exhibit for this year. To keep things not identical to last year I was thinking of showing Xenix on my Lisa. However I'm worried the exhibit won't be interesting enough to the general public (Oh look, it runs. Oh look, it's Unix. Oh look, there's a clunky menu interface you can bring up.) Of course games are always interesting... however as far as I know none were made. The system does have a Pascal compiler, so perhaps that's an option to get something new into the system? Failing that, perhaps showing off Michael Brutman's MTCP suite would be better? I'm open to suggestions. Thanks! -- Jason Perkins

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Non-urgent thing for workshop tomorrow
by Evan Koblentz 11 Feb '17

11 Feb '17

I could use a travel-size 5.25 disk case (the kind that only holds 5-10 disks).

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Urgent - Needed for workshop tomorrow
by Evan Koblentz 11 Feb '17

11 Feb '17

Can someone bring a USB-serial adapter that I can borrow? I may need one to move files between my laptop and the Laser 128.

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Rock Salt for workshop
by Jeffrey Brace 11 Feb '17

11 Feb '17

If anyone has a chance, please pick up some rock salt to the workshop. There are some areas that need attention. Thanks! -- Jeff Brace - ark72axow(a)gmail.com

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Small microwave
by Evan Koblentz 10 Feb '17

10 Feb '17

I figured we already have a mini-fridge in the bottom of our rack, so why not put a microwave on top of it .... hey we might want popcorn or something! But my extra microwave is an inch or two too wide to fit inside and open its door. Anybody have a spare nuker that's narrow enough to fit into a standard 19" rack?

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