July 2018 - vcf-midatlantic

Museum report
by Evan Koblentz 08 Jul '18

08 Jul '18

I was there again today. Not that much to report: a few visitors (LOL the nice weather is killing us!); Herb came over to catalog all of our terminals (Steve A. assisted); and I wrote some more robot code (Doug assisted by phone). Regarding the terminals: now that we pretty know * what * we have, the next step is to organize it all. Right now it's all in one aisle, but only a little organized by cart/shelf. There are some obscure terminals that we probably don't need, and not enough of what we probably do need. This job will be hard work due to the weight of TTYs and stuff. As usual, first dibs at most of the surplus will go to local members who assist with the work. I suppose the work can happen later this summer or fall. Me, Jeff B., etc. are swamped with HOPE, VCF West, and Maker Faire planning until then.

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Museum report
by Evan Koblentz 08 Jul '18

08 Jul '18

Modest amount of visitors today, but mostly good ones -- families with lots of smart questions. The main thing I did between visitors was install our new Cyberpower 2u UPS. :) The rack now has almost all of its components. I just a 2u blanking panel. Oh, and the small matter of cabling ... I have to get/install a bunch of patch cords and wire up the A/V components. But the major stuff is all there now. Have a look: https://tinyurl.com/yacseqyo. Top to bottom: combo DVD/VCR, laserdisc, stereo, BBS server, UPS, console, tablet server, patch panel, Cisco switch #2 (for thicknet-to-ethernet), Cisco switch #1 (for main network + PoE to power our access point and security cameras), microwave, fridge. :) A few people didn't like the idea of a microwave. THIS IS NOT A DATA CENTER ... I just might want popcorn or something now and then. There's also some storage space behind the A/V components. We're using it to hold a couple of containers of rack screws, cage news, various cables, the KVM switch (remote control button is hidden to the left of the BBS server), and miscellaneous small parts. A small PBX and a couple of modems will hide behind the BBS server. There is a good-sized shelf. Both servers have an SSD installed, so they're quiet and fast. The only noise you hear are fans. Overall it is surprisingly quiet. We have space for another 1u server if it's ever needed. Thank you to everyone who contributed parts!!!

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Museum report
by Evan Koblentz 07 Jul '18

07 Jul '18

> The period at the end of the link stops it from working here. Hmm ... I use Thunderbird and it parsed it fine.

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Saturday help?
by Evan Koblentz 06 Jul '18

06 Jul '18

Last-minute appeal: I need help moving a bunch of terminals in the warehouse tomorrow (Saturday). Can anyone come help? Late afternoon / evening would be ideal because I'm docenting from 1-5.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] HOPE -- Urgent -- please read
by jsalzman＠gmail.com 06 Jul '18

06 Jul '18

What is HOPE? On Fri, Jul 6, 2018, 10:58 AM Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > Hi -- both days is strongly preferred. I'll send you a private message. > Thanks! > > > On 07/06/2018 10:22 AM, Bob Aviles wrote: > > Hi, > > I am interested in working in the booth, but do I have to stay more > than one day? If so I can work for two days. > > Bobby > > On Friday, July 6, 2018, 12:41:23 AM EDT, Evan Koblentz via > vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > > VCF is in a bind for HOPE. > > > > Our plan was to demonstrate hacks for vintage computers. I'm planning to > > do an Apple II section, Jeff B. planned for the C-64 side, and Dean was > > considering Atari/Tandy portions. > > > > Tonight I found out that Jeff decided not to go and Dean has a schedule > > conflict. > > > > That means we have two problems. > > > > 1. It would be lame if our entire demo is just me (and possibly Mouse). > > > > 2. VCF bought a couple of tickets already. If they don't get used, then > > they go to waste. They are expensive! > > > > So, bottom line, there are a couple of tickets available FOR FREE in > > exchange for contributing to / working our booth. We also have a hotel > > room there with two beds, so you have a free place to stay overnight. > > > > The catch? I urgently need FIRM COMMITMENTS. (As I've said with other > > requests through the years, put yourself in my shoes -- it's incredibly > > frustrating when there are a bunch of replies saying, "Wish I could, > > sorry" -- that doesn't help anyone -- or when people take advantage of > > the offer for a free ticket and then don't wind up helping much at our > > table. It's happened a couple of times.) > > > > > >

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HOPE -- Urgent -- please read
by Evan Koblentz 06 Jul '18

06 Jul '18

VCF is in a bind for HOPE. Our plan was to demonstrate hacks for vintage computers. I'm planning to do an Apple II section, Jeff B. planned for the C-64 side, and Dean was considering Atari/Tandy portions. Tonight I found out that Jeff decided not to go and Dean has a schedule conflict. That means we have two problems. 1. It would be lame if our entire demo is just me (and possibly Mouse). 2. VCF bought a couple of tickets already. If they don't get used, then they go to waste. They are expensive! So, bottom line, there are a couple of tickets available FOR FREE in exchange for contributing to / working our booth. We also have a hotel room there with two beds, so you have a free place to stay overnight. The catch? I urgently need FIRM COMMITMENTS. (As I've said with other requests through the years, put yourself in my shoes -- it's incredibly frustrating when there are a bunch of replies saying, "Wish I could, sorry" -- that doesn't help anyone -- or when people take advantage of the offer for a free ticket and then don't wind up helping much at our table. It's happened a couple of times.)

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MOBIDIC model
by Herb Johnson 05 Jul '18

05 Jul '18

I'm looking from afar: It seems to me, the MOBIDIC model in discussion, has some value as a historical object to various collectors. So such models will command a price of hundreds of dollars. That's the apparent opinion of the recent eBay seller of such a historic model. However, for purposes of display at the VCFed Museum at Infoage, any constructed physical model of some version of the MOBIDIC will I presume be acceptable. It's a matter of desired size and quality. There's already a model on display; another seems to be desired. I do not construct models, but the MOBIDIC models I've seen here and there, seem to be of simple construction, commercial applied labels stock, etc. It also seems to me, there's a model railroad organization at Infoage. Their members build models of industrial settings at many scales; they know other builders of such models. Their models, by my eye, look as good or better than the MOBIDIC models I've seen. Therefore: why doesn't VCFed approach the InfoAge model railroad organization, and inquire about construction of a model, provide desired size, and show them images of the various models and images of actual MOBDIC computers? If the answer is "we don't wanna spend money", then the response might be "someone may donate the funds" in the usual ways. You won't know the price if you don't ask. Beyond this, "I have no horse in this race", these are simply my observations as noted, for consideration by those interested. Herb Johnson -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey in the USA http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net

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Laserjet, Laserwriter scanning module, AC supply
by Herb Johnson 05 Jul '18

05 Jul '18

The LaserJet II II and Laserwriter II III were discussed with interest, here in this list, last month. My LJ III has a failed "laser scanner" module; does anyone have a likely working unit available? Also the AC power controller, that's useful if you don't need one yourself. I'm not talking about the HP LaserJet IIP or IIIP or 4P or other HP printer models. I'm not sure if the original Apple Laserwriter uses these parts; if you have one of those, good luck, want some more parts? ;) The scanner is the big black thing under the lid of the printer. It has a laser and a motorized scanner mirror, that mechanically sweeps the laser across the toner-cartridge drum. When the printer is about to print, you hear that scanner-motor wind up to speed before the paper is fed (whir-r-rr-R-RR-RRR!) when it works. These rarely fail, so I haven't kept spares around. Don't disassemble the unit for the motor, just offer the whole thing. I'd not mind getting an AC power supply/controller. That's the cubical thing in the back that the AC power cord plugs into. Don't need the air filter (those tend to be fragile with age), they have a small fan (you can supply that or not). These things fail pretty often, I don't need a nonworking unit, have plenty of those. Shipping to NJ 08618. Contact me privately. Thank you. Herb Johnson -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey in the USA http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] MOBIDIC model
by Douglas Crawford 05 Jul '18

05 Jul '18

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Does VCF or anyone need lots of serial cables?
by Ethan O'Toole 05 Jul '18

05 Jul '18

Have a lot of serial cables and such, does VCF need any or anyone else on the list? I think most are marked X for crossover or || for straight through. DB25 various genders and others. Cleaning out storage unit in Norfolk. I live in Northern VA now.

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