February 2018 - vcf-midatlantic

Head align Tape
by Duane Craps 15 Jul '18

15 Jul '18

>>> 7 track or 9 track? The Univacs are pretty old even for "vintage". Head alignment tapes are not track specific. They have one track the width of the tape and are used to adjust time delays to time align the bits coming off the read head when reading the alignment tape. Then a "scratch tape" is used while writing all ones to adjust the write delays while looking at the read amps. We used the same alignment tape for 7 and 9 track units. Duane On 6/17/2017 11:40 AM, Dave McGuire via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > 7 track or 9 track? The Univacs are pretty old even for "vintage". On 6/17/2017 11:40 AM, Dave McGuire via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > On 06/17/2017 11:37 AM, Herb Johnson via vcf-midatlantic wrote: >>> UNIVAC 1540 Magnetic Tape Unit...I wonder if anyone has a 800 BPI, >>> NRZ Master Head Alignment Tape (skew tape) to donate to VCF. >> 7 track or 9 track? The Univacs are pretty old even for "vintage". >> >> Also, as Dave McGuire noted, a lightly-used tape from a known-good drive >> will be useful. In the floppy-disk world, I use several diskettes each >> from a known good drive to validate "alignment". > That wasn't me. But yes, that can be useful for rough validation. > >> Seems to me, there's likely several boxes of mag-tapes in the inventory. > Yes, I brought a few boxes several years ago. > > -Dave > v

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Thinking ahead to VCF East Friday classes
by william degnan 10 Apr '18

10 Apr '18

On Jan 3, 2018 3:07 PM, "Dan Roganti via vcf-midatlantic" < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: > > On Wed, Jan 3, 2018 at 2:17 PM, Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: > > > > > > >> Are any of our VCF-MW brethren confirmed > >>> to sell The 6502 40th Anniversary Computer Badge > >>> at VCF-east 2018? > >>> > >>> I'd love to see > >>> AM: build the badge > >>> PM: assembler programming the badge > >>> > >> > >> There are too few session slots already. We're not going to devote any of > >> them to badges. > >> > > > > This gives me an idea though ... a few years ago we had a single assembly > > session, which wasn't enough. > > > > We could have a whole track of assembly classes for different processors. > > Bring your laptop (and favorite emulator), follow along with the > > instructors. > > > > > just some constructive suggestions > try to allot more than 1hr, maybe 2hr > so the class has time to get situated, practice the example code, and ask > questions > Because this is most likely a beginners class, > because if it's any higher level of instruction, > well, there still won't be enough time alloted for the experienced users > if you expect to squeeze 4 or 5 different assembly classes into a single > track on one day > Als4o the instructor should have some method to make the example code > available, > eg, a wiki page, which they can download prior to the class, or handout a > usb thumbdrive to share the example code [again time needed to get situated] > Dan When I used to run the workshops we had targeted objectives for the assembly class I may still have the worksheet Dan created for the cp/m gen class that involved z80 assembly. That was at least 10 years ago.

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East XIII exhibit registration is open!
by Evan Koblentz 06 Mar '18

06 Mar '18

Aaaaaaaand ..... go! http://vcfed.org/wp/festivals/vintage-computer-festival-east/vcf-east-exhib…

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The important info for the workshop of repair occurring March 3 & 4, 2018
by Jeffrey Brace 02 Mar '18

02 Mar '18

As a reminder the workshop is $10 *per* person, *per* day. Sorry this InfoAge's rule and not our decision. So that means for two days it is $20. Some people didn't realize this last workshop. This has been in effect since June 2017. If you have signed up, then you are guaranteed a table, otherwise you have to beg for forgiveness and bribe me with my favorite snack. DATE: Mar 3 & 4, 2018 LOCATION: InfoAge Building 9032A - (2201 Marconi Road, Wall Township, NJ) TIME: Start about 10 A.M. on Saturday and ends whenever we go to sleep. End about 5 P.M. on Sunday. (Starts around 10 A.M. Sunday morning) SIGNUP: < https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/123vqgOH6iteYwHwLiANXmdSUvZOTEMTArZR… > COST: - $10 per person, PER day. This is required by InfoAge for us to pay for renting the space. - $25 for those wanting to stay overnight. Please pay me when you get there so that I don't forget. Otherwise I will send my attack cat to find you. Seriously, it's a pain to have to chase people around for money. It's not a fun job, but it is necessary because we rent the place from InfoAge and the dorms from the Sandy group. OVERNIGHT: Bring your own pillow, blankets, soap etc. We provide a bed frame and an uncovered mattress. There are showers and a kitchen for your use. - We will have PayPal credit card swipes available. Let me know ahead of time if you want to use this and I will set it up, otherwise it will *not* be available. It takes me time to make sure it located and setup properly. EQUIPMENT: - VCF will provide a table and you can use any available electrical outlet. - Bring your own tools, power strips, power cords, and supplies etc. - Please bring an extra one or two power cords as these are often forgotten by people. DRINKS: You should bring your own. I would recommend bringing a cooler of some type. FOOD: You provide your own. We usually order pizza, subs or go out to a dinner and everyone pays their own way. Usually, we make a decision when everyone gets hungry. GATE: During the hours from 1 pm to 5 pm close the front gate behind you. We want museum visitors to go to the front lobby and not wander through the middle of the campus. Outside of those times, you can feel free to leave the gate open. PARKING: Park across from 9032 or 9010A on any blacktop area. InfoAge doesn't like us parking on the lawn anymore. QUESTIONS? Please ask me (Jeff Brace) or Evan. My cell is 732-759-1783 and Evan’s is 646-546-9999 in case you need to contact us. See everyone there! And have fun! Attachments area

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Can someone donate an SSD?
by Evan Koblentz 28 Feb '18

28 Feb '18

Everyone, Martin is bringing us a server for the under-construction museum intranet (see specs below). I want to replace its HDD with an SSD. That way it'll be faster and quieter. Can somebody who is attending the workshop this Saturday contribute one, please? Please * do * reply on-list to avoid redundancy. Thanks! -Evan -------- Forwarded Message -------- Evan, Here's what I have: Supermicro SuperServer Atom / SYS-5015A-EHF-D525 - it's the same unit i used for the CDL / IXR firewall and the Diana site firewall. Blowing the crud out of it (dusty) Cut & paste from the website: Intel® Atom™ D525 (DMI) Up to 4GB single channel unbuffered, non-ECC DDR3 800/667MHz SO-DIMM memory 2x Intel 82574L Gigabit LAN 1 PCI-E 2.0 x4 (in x16 slot) Onboard Matrox G200eW video, 1x 3.5-Inch or Up to 2x 2.5-Inch Internal Drives, 200W power supply.

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Selling my Atari VCS (light-sixer)
by Evan Koblentz 28 Feb '18

28 Feb '18

No longer need my VCS. I rarely ever play it, but if I get the itch there are plenty at the museum. I know these are common as dirt. Not sure what it's worth ... light sixer, works fine, average cosmetic condition, bunch of common games (only uncommon game is Spy Hunter), cartridge box holder thingamajig, the usual joysticks/paddles. Please send me a private email if you're interested. ________________________________ Evan Koblentz, executive director Vintage Computer Federation a 501(c)(3) educational non-profit evan(a)vcfed.org (646) 546-9999 www.vcfed.org facebook.com/vcfederation twitter.com/vcfederation instagram.com/vcfederation

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Xerox 820-II for sale, Philly area
by Mike Loewen 27 Feb '18

27 Feb '18

This is NOT my system, but would make a good addition to someone's collection: http://www.vcfed.org/forum/showthread.php?62350-FS-Xerox-820-II-16-8-Comput… Appears to have a working hard drive, and also has the 8086 upgrade board. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Moving and the new place is smaller, so paring down my collection... This one is first, the 3B2 is next! XEROX 820-II COMPUTER - w/ Expansion Box (8"HD / 8" FD), Software, and More Click image for larger version. Name: 20180227_205338.jpg Views: 13 Size: 96.8 KB ID: 44027 Just fired it up and it works. Booted CP/M 80 form the HD... It has the 16 bit "upgrade" (8086) and comes with MS-DOS 2 and CP/M-86 on 8" FD (untested). This sucka is HEAVY so probably needs to be picked up - local to Philadelphia, PA (Delaware County Suburbs) Posting here and one other site; wanted to give y'all first crack. MAKE OFFER via P/M.

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Urgent -- workshop, etc.
by Evan Koblentz 27 Feb '18

27 Feb '18

Guys, Jeff B. is taking leave from our group until the end of March so he can focus on a personal matter. He has our full support. (Don't worry, it is not health-related.) Please do NOT bug him with anything related to vintage computing. That includes all of his responsibilities with the group -- workshops, docenting, etc. -- contact me instead. He'll re-join us in April for the pleasures of VCF East XIII. Thanks, Evan

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Micros available to good homes
by Evan Koblentz 27 Feb '18

27 Feb '18

See below. Contact him directly off-list. He lives in Perkasie PA. -------- Forwarded Message -------- Subject: More donations for VCF Date: Mon, 26 Feb 2018 07:45:26 -0500 From: Alfred Poor <apoor(a)verizon.net> To: evan(a)vcfed.org Evan, our home of 30+ years is under contract, and I’m clearing out my office. I’ve got a lot of items that might be of interest to VCF, including a Kaypro II, a Compaq, a TRS-80 Model 100, IBM XT, IBM AT, and Dell 310. I’ve also selected some of my favorite reference books which could be helpful in keeping these things running, including the three-volume technical manuals for the IBM AT. I also have copies of Windows ME, Windows 2000, and other operating systems.

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Needed for museum: locker with shelves
by Evan Koblentz 27 Feb '18

27 Feb '18

We have a locker in the museum workshop. Standard 6 ft. tall, ugly, closes with a padlock. It's about a foot wide. It fits nicely into our available space, but it is relatively useless because it only has one shelf up top and there's no easy way to add more shelves I want to get rid of it and replace it with a similar unit (black or gray) but the kind that has several shelves from top to bottom. Anybody have one? Or can someone look online and find us one cheap that's within a reasonable drive for us to go get?

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