September 2019 - vcf-midatlantic

Tandy Assembly
by Mike Loewen 23 Sep '19

23 Sep '19

http://www.tandyassembly.com/ Who else is going to TA2019 in Springfield, OH next weekend? I'll be there with my 6000HD, running my original BBS code from 1986, plus a greatly improved back-ported version from Linux in 1996. Ian Mavric from Australia is bringing lots of goodies for vintage TRS-80s. Mike Loewen mloewen(a)cpumagic.scol.pa.us Old Technology http://q7.neurotica.com/Oldtech/

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] A November repair workshop?
by Jeffrey Brace 23 Sep '19

23 Sep '19

OK. How many vote for Nov 2 & 3? Nov 9 & 10? On Sun, Sep 22, 2019 at 4:39 PM Tony Bogan via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > >> I'm looking to schedule one more workshop for the calendar year 2019. > >> I was thinking November 2 & 3. > >> What do you guys think? > >> Is there any conflict with any other events? > > Duh, November 3rd is my birthday. That’ll be a huge conflict for thousands > of people...... or one...... actually I’d rather be at the workshop on my > birthday!! Been at drydock with one of the boats every year on my birthday > for the last 25+ years!! > > The 9th and 10th would work better for me. Better chance of me not still > being in drydock through that weekend. > > Tony > -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President Vintage Computer Federation

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Still need more museum docents
by Evan Koblentz 23 Sep '19

23 Sep '19

It's quantum: we are desperate for more museum docents (because Jeff B. and company deserve breaks too), however we're simultaneously selective about who we'll let be a docent (because it's largely a public relations job). The last time we asked, there were mixed results: - A bunch of people said, "I'd love to, but..." - One person sincerely volunteered, but we said "No, thank you" because we couldn't in good conscience let him travel that far (a couple of states away) just for four hours of volunteering. - One or two others also volunteered, but didn't keep their commitment. So if you're interested in being a tour guide and are smart, outgoing, reliable, professional, and know a lot about computer history, then email Jeff B. (jeffrey(a)vcfed.org) to explain your interest. He will talk about it with me, Corey, and Dean for approval.

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Important: I'm taking a break
by Evan Koblentz 22 Sep '19

22 Sep '19

Everyone, I decided to take a break from most VCF stuff, starting now and lasting until Festivus. I am very busy with my new job and way behind on commitments to myself and others in non-VCF aspects of life. I haven't really had a break from MARCH-turned-VCFed since it all began in 2004, not counting a couple of weeks in 2010 for a family emergency. So here's what will happen during the next couple of months: - I will still lead our Bells Labs demo next month and will give my lecture + demo at Brickfair NJ in November. I've been looking forward to both of these events! - Dean will lead the VCF table at Jersey Shore Makerfest next month. - Jeff B. will continue his museum docenting and will arrange to fill the gaps. Corey will take most of the Wednesdays. - I'll be at the workshop this Saturday to finish my rebuilt Lego robot (the old one broke at the end of Maker Faire last fall). - I'm not going dark. I will chime in here sometime, may even stop by the museum once or twice, and will be available to whomever needs my help. But our board of directors will continue their work in my absence, still consulting with me on any major decisions. - I told Jeff B. and Corey and Dean not to let me find the museum/warehouse in shambles when I get back in December. :) Their job is to keep it humming, not to change anything big. - For non-major questions / problems / comments / event planning / etc., contact any of them (Corey / Jeff B. / Dean) ... but as I said, anyone can reach me if needed, I'm sure you will all agree that this is a much-deserved break after 15 years of leading the group. My passion and ambition for what we do remains high, but my availability is much lower and my energy has ups/downs. Right now the latter is kind of in down cycle. Looking forward to seeing some of you next Saturday, and at the Bell Labs event, and then of course at Festivus. I'll answer any questions here or in private, but please don't press me for any specific details about what prompted this, etc. ... I just need some time away from it. Thanks, -Evan K.

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A November repair workshop?
by Jeffrey Brace 22 Sep '19

22 Sep '19

I'm looking to schedule one more workshop for the calendar year 2019. I was thinking November 2 & 3. What do you guys think? Is there any conflict with any other events? -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President Vintage Computer Federation

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Repair workshop 9/28 & 9/29
by Jeffrey Brace 22 Sep '19

22 Sep '19

On Sun, Sep 22, 2019 at 3:22 PM Tony Bogan via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > Trying to get there on Sunday. No way I can go Saturday but ill know in a > day or two if I can be there Sunday. > No problem. I will save a spot for you. > Tony > > Sent from my iPhone > > > On Sep 22, 2019, at 3:00 PM, Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > > We have twelve signed up so far. We have room for more. > > Here is the link: < > > > https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1pLLZqlotJBRhPYNQtIMZ70FoW6Yw2ycCj5I… > >> > > > > Evan won't be there Sunday because he is doing a family thing, but I > will. > > > > For Saturday lunch we will get pizza from a different place, my local > > favorite: Attilio's of Tinton Falls. I don't know why we didn't get pizza > > from here before. It is only 7 minutes away. > > > > For Saturday dinner, we will cook burgers again. > > > > For Sunday breakfast, we will be going to the OB diner and meeting at > 9AM. > > > > -- > > ========================================= > > Jeff Brace > > Vice President > > Vintage Computer Federation > > -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President Vintage Computer Federation

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new acquisition: Intel SBC 80/10+SBC-108
by Herb Johnson 21 Sep '19

21 Sep '19

> It seems to be "industrial strength" - I'm sure these were priced above the affordability threshold for most hobbyists... Glenn, suffice it for me to say, as a digital engineer from the 1970's, that while Multibus systems when new, were not cheap; in the era, early digital computing technology (microprocessor or minicomputer), wasn't cheap either. And in due course, Multibus and other industrial-bus microcomputers, became "hobbyist"; and are hobbyist today, notwithstanding some legacy industrial uses still going on. But just because some 1970's computers were industrial, doesn't mean they didn't have a "hobby" impact or had early hobby activity. Just as college students "hacked" on expensive computers at their colleges, so did engineers and techs do the same at the time - either at work or when these systems became surplus. And today, there's a number of people "hobbying" on Multibus computers; and other such systems too. Certainly so, on the minicomputers preceding the microprocessor-based "boxes". I think to someone born after say 1995, all these "rows of boards in ugly boxes" look the same - S-100, Multibus, VMEbus, STDbus, SS-50, OSI, DEC, etc. So it disappoints me, when I see any of them referenced as "non-hobby" for one reason or another, past or present. It's my era to defend. Regards, Herb Johnson -- 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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Slightly off topic - USAF to retire LCC systems using 8" floppy drives.
by Martin Flynn 20 Sep '19

20 Sep '19

https://www.nonproliferation.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/180409-nc3-is-t… "The LCC Block Upgrade is an overall modification effort that replaces multiple LCC components to include a modern data storage replacement for floppy disks. We expect a contract to be awarded this year with production in 2018 and deployment in 2019"

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] new acquisition: Intel SBC 80/10+SBC-108
by Michael Thompson 20 Sep '19

20 Sep '19

> > Date: Thu, 19 Sep 2019 18:45:16 -0400 > From: "Glenn Roberts" <glenn.f.roberts(a)gmail.com> > Subject: [vcf-midatlantic] new acquisition: Intel SBC 80/10+SBC-108 > > I've acquired an Intel SBC 80/10 and the associated SBC-108 I/O RAM > expansion board plus a card cage. These appear to date to '76 and, as I > understand it, were the beginning of what eventually became branded as the > Intel Multibus (later an IEEE standard). These have ceramic Intel chips. > Look to be in pretty clean shape. I've found manuals/docs on the internet > for the SBC 80/10 but not the expansion board. > * Glenn > The manual for the SBC-108 is here: http://bitsavers.trailing-edge.com/pdf/intel/iSBC/980277B_SBC_104_Memory_IO… Decades ago I ported CP/M 3.0 to that processor board. I had a framebuffer for the console and 128k of RAM. I used the parallel port to control the upper memory address lines for the memory paging. -- Michael Thompson

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Sep Repair Workshop 2019 - 9/28 & 9/29
by Jeffrey Brace 20 Sep '19

20 Sep '19

Signup here for the September 28 & 29 VCF Repair workshop: < https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1pLLZqlotJBRhPYNQtIMZ70FoW6Yw2ycCj5I… > -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President Vintage Computer Federation

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