March 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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Bill Loguidice's Collection Auction Date 5/31 Edison NJ
by Bill Degnan 01 Jun '18

01 Jun '18

Bill Loguidice's Collection Auction Date 5/31 Edison NJ https://www.auctionzip.com/cgi-bin/auctionview.cgi?lid=3023450

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Vintage DEC PDP 11/23 Plus 1/2 Rack w/2 RL02 Drives $350
by Christian Liendo 15 Apr '18

15 Apr '18

This will not fit in my Suzuki, so please don't ask me to get it. https://longisland.craigslist.org/sys/d/computer/6531496701.html

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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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C64 Multiplayer Internet Dungeon crawler (alpha)
by Jeffrey Brace 02 Apr '18

02 Apr '18

Thought this was cool. A new C64 network game by Leif Bloomquist. It’s an alpha, but so much cool! Anyone want to play together? ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Leif Bloomquist <leif(a)schemafactor.com> Date: Thu, Mar 29, 2018 at 6:57 PM Subject: [torontocbm] Multiplayer RogueLike game...now playable! (In browser too!) To: torontocbm(a)freelists.org <torontocbm(a)freelists.org> At World of Commodore 2017 I talked about my latest networked game project, a multiplayer "roguelike" dungeon crawler. I'm pleased to announce that an early alpha version is now playable! It's ready for C64 with RR-Net and (drum roll)...JavaScript! This means that you can play it in any modern web browser, theoretically. To get and set up the C64 version: http://forum.jammingsignal.com/thread/120/connecting-real-c64-rr-net To play it right now in your PC browser: http://rogue.jammingsignal.com/rogue/ I'd like to emphasize that they are connected - you can play head-to-head between multiple PCs and C64s, :-) The game is winnable. How to win? Email me privately the "magic word"... I'm also looking for suggestions for a name for the game!! Enjoy! Feedback and suggestions most welcome. Cheers, -Leif -- Leif Bloomquist | leif(a)schemafactor.com | +1 416-737-2328 | Check out my blog! http://www.jammingsignal.com "Every choice, no matter how small, begins a new story." - xkcd -- ======================================================= Jeff Brace =======================================================

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Museum Report 2018-03-31 March 31, 2018
by Jeffrey Brace 31 Mar '18

31 Mar '18

I was at the museum today giving tours while Evan and Adam worked in the warehouse and in the museum to rearrange an exhibit and to work on the server etc. for the tablets. He can give you details later on what he and Adam worked on. A steady stream of visitors today. They came in two by two. Lots of highly interested people with lots of questions. A funny story with the first pair, a father and son. They son who was about 16 years old seemed to have some knowledge of vintage computers by reputation, but not personal experience. They needed to rush out and the boy was sad that he didn't have time to try some BASIC programming. I told him that the Commodore 64 was my favorite and that he could always buy one at a reasonable price nowadays. Then Evan and Adam came in the door carrying a C64. I told them of his interest and they gave him the C64. This C64 was found in the Camp Evans Base Of Terror area, so it was exposed to the elements and probably not in working condition, but the kid loved it. We told him that he could come to our workshop and get assistance repairing it. I also told him about our VCF East in May. One guy used to work at Fort Monmouth and Camp Evans and loved our new MOBIDIC display. So lots of fun being docent today with visitors excited and interested. I switched out the Star Gemini-10X printer above the C64 with a Commodore 1526 printer, which was common in that time period and matches the color well. I plan on borrowing the Star Gemini 10X for my exhibit at VCF East with Computer which will use Computer Eyes to capture a still image from a video camera and then print it out on the printer for attendees to take home.

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LOGO Turtles, etc.
by Erik Klein 31 Mar '18

31 Mar '18

Hello, I'm on the hunt for some LOGO turtles for a project at the Computer History Museum. Does anyone have any they're willing to part with or a line on some I could beg or buy? I'd also like LOGO for Apple ][ and Atari if anyone is willing. Thank you, -- ----- Erik Klein www.vintage-computer.com - My personal collection www.vcfed.org - The Vintage Computer Federation www.vcfed.org/forum <http://www.vintage-computer.com/vcforum> - The Vintage Computer Forums marketplace.vintage-computer.com - The Vintage Computer and Gaming Marketplace

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OT Warning - Non VCF Project Help
by Martin A Flynn 31 Mar '18

31 Mar '18

OT Warning : The team from the Computer Deconstruction Lab is working on a cost reduction project to assist InfoAge. The project has the potential to save InfoAge more than $1500 a year by consolidating cable modems used for data. Basic project is running aerial fiber optic cable between two areas * Building 9059 (the IXR building) and Building 9010 C/D (the Visitor Center area ) * Building 9059 (the IXR building) and Building 9010 A/B (VCF Museum area ) Where we need help: Before installation, loss testing the donated bulk fiber to be used on the run between Building 9059 (the IXR building) and Building 9010 A/B (VCF Museum) To keep the list clutter down, please reply directly. Martin Flynn

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Interesting article about preserving Apple software (not hardware)
by Herb Johnson 29 Mar '18

29 Mar '18

> "Cracking" software to preserve it is akin to taking a picture of artwork > and letting the original rot away in my opinion. > > Sure, some of the original bit patterns are intact, but it's not close to > an original in any sense of the word. I don't see the need to trash-talk, people who are working hard to recover programs and files from digital media. I"ve worked with a number of people who recover files from diskettes and audio cassettes. I'm doing so today. Some work with the physical media, some work with decoding the "flux changes", some with emulators and some with vintage or modern-replica hardware. Some even resurrect hardware unavailable, or never available. They all, are collectively preserving programs and vintage computers, and making the experience of operating those programs available again. They are getting results. Results matter. I'm in no position to judge the merits of the product and services he's described. He's welcome to be enthusiastic, have particular interests, want to preserve certain things. I just don't care that he calls out other people's good work in the way he has. If we don't defend the good work of others, then maybe they won't work so hard to do more. Or get started at all. There's reasons to keep discussions "of good will". This is a discussion group, not an advertising platform. Perhaps in Mr. Courbis' enthusiasm for a product release, he wasn't clear about that concept. herb johnson retrotechnology.com -- 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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WANTED: Camcorder operators (and camcorders) for VCF East class recording
by Jeffrey Brace 29 Mar '18

29 Mar '18

Future VCF East attendees: Last year we had a team of 5 people recording all the Friday classes at VCF East. This year three of them are unavailable. I was able to get two new operators, but would like to have two more as backup and to give the other operators a break. We need confidant, committed people to record Friday May 18 classes. Saturday and Sunday keynotes are already covered. This is a serious request, so only serious replies desired. Send me a personal e-mail if you are interested in being an operator. We are also looking to borrow the highest quality camcorders. We have camcorders, but desire the highest quality. If you have one which we can borrow, then send me a private reply. Thanks! Jeff Brace

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