July 2020 - vcf-midatlantic

Request for Information on Teletype LPW 300
by svcatitc＠aol.com 22 Jul '20

22 Jul '20

All; I have been asked by my one of my other volunteer organizations to send out requests for information on the following: Teletype Model LPW 300RA with a Model 1433 paper roll winder. (Escutcheon was very small. Stamping was light & my eyesight is getting dimmer. I am assuming I got the numbers right.) This version of Teletype has no paper tape reader or punch, nor does it have a keyboard. It is a receiving printer only.It has "BELL SYSTEM" logo printed in the front off the slope of where a keyboard usually resides. It was used in conjunction with a melt flow furnace at Bethlehem Steel Corp. It printed out the percentages of content of other elements in the molten iron. Unknown whether it works, ergo the reason for information, schematics, mechanical maintenance etc. This artifact was donated to the National Museum of Industrial History, and the historian would like to get it running.Photographs can be acquired upon my next trip up to Bethlehem, PA. Any info on this item forwarded would be greatly appreciated. Bill Inderrieden

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Older Dell laptop
by ☼ wil lindsay ☼ 22 Jul '20

22 Jul '20

I hate to be negative, but if your friend doesn't have the love for antiquity that we share, a PIII era Dell is not going to serve as a daily driver. The prices are a little high on eBay because they are starting to come into fashion as cheap retro-game machines. The defacto old-machine rescue OS in linux( Lubuntu : https://lubuntu.net/ ) is on the edge of dropping support for the 32-bit processors. It'll work, but page loading simple things like Facebook and Gmail that everyday users need is a bit painful. If money is an issue, I usually recommend 5-8 year old netbooks running Chrome for everyday users on a super-tight budget. They can be had from $80--to-free, depending how important a battery is. If you're at a real loss, I have a 2012 Acer C710 that I was going to flush and clean for ebay. I'd be happy to pass it along. (I'm in Lawrenceville/Trenton) -Wil On Wed, Jul 22, 2020 at 8:18 AM Sentrytv via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > I have an older Dell laptop that belongs to a friend. > He has no money so I’m trying to do this cheap as possible. > > I’m trying to get an older dell laptop updated to get on internet but it > seems a lost cause. > > Laptop works great (XP) and current browser loads some pages but can't > figure what OS will work well with this configuration. > > I’m sure more memory will be needed but I need you find what OS and > browser will work well first. > > It is PIII 1ghz, 10gig hdd, 256k 133mhz ram. > Nvidia mobile video. > > I was thinking Linux, but no experience there. > > Any ideas that can allow me to get this done on the cheap? > > Mike R. > > Sent from: > My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device. >

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Older Dell laptop
by Sentrytv 22 Jul '20

22 Jul '20

I have an older Dell laptop that belongs to a friend. He has no money so I’m trying to do this cheap as possible. I’m trying to get an older dell laptop updated to get on internet but it seems a lost cause. Laptop works great (XP) and current browser loads some pages but can't figure what OS will work well with this configuration. I’m sure more memory will be needed but I need you find what OS and browser will work well first. It is PIII 1ghz, 10gig hdd, 256k 133mhz ram. Nvidia mobile video. I was thinking Linux, but no experience there. Any ideas that can allow me to get this done on the cheap? Mike R. Sent from: My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Next Repair Workshop 8/15 & 8/16, 2020
by Jeffrey Brace 20 Jul '20

20 Jul '20

On Mon, Jul 20, 2020 at 6:27 PM Bill Dromgoole via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > Comcast is providing free access to hotspots during the Covid-19 crises. > https://www.xfinity.com/support/articles/open-xfinity-wifi-hotspots OK. Thanks for the tip! We didn't know. That can be helpful. I will see which buildings it will work. > > > Billdrom > > From: Jonathan Sturges via vcf-midatlantic > Sent: Monday, July 20, 2020 3:35 PM > To: vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org > Cc: Jonathan Sturges > Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Next Repair Workshop 8/15 & 8/16, 2020 > > -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President & Board Member, VCF East Showrunner Vintage Computer Federation http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey(a)vcfed.org cell: 732-759-1783

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Next Repair Workshop 8/15 & 8/16, 2020
by Bill Dromgoole 20 Jul '20

20 Jul '20

Comcast is providing free access to hotspots during the Covid-19 crises. https://www.xfinity.com/support/articles/open-xfinity-wifi-hotspots Billdrom From: Jonathan Sturges via vcf-midatlantic Sent: Monday, July 20, 2020 3:35 PM To: vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org Cc: Jonathan Sturges Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Next Repair Workshop 8/15 & 8/16, 2020

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Next Repair Workshop 8/15 & 8/16, 2020
by Jonathan Sturges 20 Jul '20

20 Jul '20

> Yes. No wired internet in 9032-A, but I believe there is wi-fi from the > dining room 9001 that can reach that area although it isn't the greatest. There is an additional option for Comcast subscribers. There's a Comcast public hotspot on Marconi Rd. outside of 9032-A. I've found that more powerful clients, like laptops, can typically use the hotspot directly if you're in the back half of that room. To improve the experience, I usually bring an Extender and repeat the signal within the room. But you still have to know your Comcast credentials to use it. -Jonathan

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] VCF museum re-opening August 1
by Jeffrey Brace 20 Jul '20

20 Jul '20

On Mon, Jul 20, 2020 at 8:06 AM Peter Fletcher via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > Speaking of reopening, it seems to be that holding a live VCF East in > October is likely a pipe dream. I’m sure that isn’t a popular opinion, but > I think we ought to start considering a virtual VCF back up plan if that > hasn’t already been discussed. > > Virtual exhibits certainly won’t be as interesting, but if the call is > made early enough those of us scheduled to exhibit can put in a good > effort. > We are currently discussing a virtual VCF East as a strong and likely possibility. We will be making a final decision and announcement with details the first week of August after VCF West virtual show is finished. > > -Pete > > > > On Jul 20, 2020, at 8:00 AM, Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > > InfoAge and all their museums including the Vintage Computer Federation > > Museum will be opening August 1 for regular museum hours and days: > > Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday from 1PM to 5PM. > > Keep in mind that you must go through the front desk if you are visiting > > any of the museums because they will take your temperature, make sure > that > > you are wearing a mask and take down your contact information (for > contact > > tracing purposes). > > Everyone must wear a mask and each museum has Covid-19 procedures in > place > > for managing the flow of people, wearing masks, hand sanitizer, social > > distancing, etc. > > The docents and steering committee are preparing the museum for reopening > > over the next two weeks. > > > > > > -- > > ========================================= > > Jeff Brace > > Vice President & Board Member, VCF East Showrunner > > Vintage Computer Federation > > http://www.vcfed.org/ > > jeffrey(a)vcfed.org > > cell: 732-759-1783 > > -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President & Board Member, VCF East Showrunner Vintage Computer Federation http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey(a)vcfed.org cell: 732-759-1783

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Mac G4 Quicksilver -- free to a good home (NJ)
by William Dudley 20 Jul '20

20 Jul '20

Mike, I have no idea what your schedule looks like, but I'm retired, so I can meet anytime. That said, I have a dentist appointment in Red Bank tomorrow at 4PM. Assuming you can get over there during the day, we could meet either before or after my appointment. Another possibility is to meet at the Asian Grocery in Marlboro, at which I will be shopping on Friday. If you're working during the day and can't meet at either of these times, we can meet in Freehold or Marlboro some evening after you get off work. Let me know, Bill Dudley This email is free of malware because I run Linux. On Sun, Jul 19, 2020 at 10:41 PM Sentrytv via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > William > I would be interested in it. > I’m in Edison , I can meet you in which town? > > Mike Rosen > > Sent from: > My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device. > > > On Jul 19, 2020, at 9:01 PM, William Dudley via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > > I have too many computers. > > > > This is a Mac G4 "Quicksilver". I've replaced the (dead) power supply with > > a non-Apple supply (with wiring mods to make it work). It has Ubuntu 16.04 > > installed on it, because I was using the computer in my guest room, and > > guests should have a modern browser. > > > > The case is in good to excellent cosmetic condition. I'll wipe my account off > > the machine and give you the root password, and then you can either use it > > as is, or install MacOS 9 on it (or whatever). > > > > It has a 40GB disk and 640MB of RAM. > > > > Here are the detailed specs about OS and CPU: > > > > VERSION="16.04.6 LTS (Xenial Xerus)" > > > > bogomips : 49.81 > > clock : 500.000000MHz > > cpu : 7400, altivec supported > > detected as : 65 (PowerMac G4 AGP Graphics) > > L2 cache : 1024K unified > > machine : PowerMac3,3 > > Memory : 640 MB > > motherboard : PowerMac3,3 MacRISC Power Macintosh > > platform : PowerMac > > pmac flags : 00000014 > > pmac-generation : NewWorld > > processor : 0 > > processor : 1 > > revision : 2.9 (pvr 000c 0209) > > total bogomips : 99.63 > > > > I don't particularly want to ship this as it's big and heavy. > > I live in the middle of NJ. I can deliver it to the Museum > > for a tech day, or meet you somewhere in Monmouth or > > Ocean county to effect the transfer. > > > > This email is free of malware because I run Linux. >

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VCF museum re-opening August 1
by Jeffrey Brace 20 Jul '20

20 Jul '20

InfoAge and all their museums including the Vintage Computer Federation Museum will be opening August 1 for regular museum hours and days: Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday from 1PM to 5PM. Keep in mind that you must go through the front desk if you are visiting any of the museums because they will take your temperature, make sure that you are wearing a mask and take down your contact information (for contact tracing purposes). Everyone must wear a mask and each museum has Covid-19 procedures in place for managing the flow of people, wearing masks, hand sanitizer, social distancing, etc. The docents and steering committee are preparing the museum for reopening over the next two weeks. -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President & Board Member, VCF East Showrunner Vintage Computer Federation http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey(a)vcfed.org cell: 732-759-1783

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today's surplus finds
by Jeffrey Jonas 20 Jul '20

20 Jul '20

I think the prices are good for authentic parts: https://www.bgmicro.com/9Z1509.aspx limit 10 per order Your Price: $7.99 Quantity in Stock 275 BG Part Number: 9Z1509 RCA COSMAC CDP1802ACE Low power CMOS Microprocessor Introduced by RCA back in 1976 and yet it still continues to have a very loyal following. Used in spacecrafts and in many space science programs. https://www.bgmicro.com/1B1661.aspx Your Price: $1.19 BG Part Number: 1B1661 National Semiconductor MM5486N LED Display Driver. TTL compatible. For individual LEDs, 7 segment displays, or even for relays. 40 Pin Dip. Serial I/O. Very useful and were very popular back in the mid 80's. 33 outputs that will sink 15 ma. Versatile and easy to use. Optimized for common anode. With a brightness control. [it is essentially a 33 bit shift register with current-adjustable outputs via one pin to a resistor. It cascades too!] cheers! Jeff Jonas

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