December 2021 - vcf-midatlantic

Palm Pilot PDA: 25 years old!
by Jeffrey Jonas 11 Dec '21

11 Dec '21

According to Wikipedia, The Pilot 1000 and Pilot 5000 were the first generations of PDAs <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_digital_assistant> produced by Palm Computing <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_(PDA)> (then a subsidiary of U.S. Robotics <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Robotics>). It was introduced in March 1996. Is anyone still into them? Are there any surviving archives or repositories? I reluctantly retired my Palm PDA as my electronic calendar because my Android phone's Google calendar is always with me and auto-syncs to other devices :-/ But I have heaps of accessories worthy of keeping them running for other uses. I remember when the trains were full of business people "beaming" each other contact info and notes using the Palm Pilot, Casio BOSS or Sharp Wizard. Now it's just a cellphone app :-/ Citing Sharp Wizard - Wikipedia <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharp_Wizard> The *Sharp Wizard* is a series of electronic organizers <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_organizer> released by Sharp Corporation <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharp_Corporation>. The first model was the *OZ-7000* released in 1989, making it one of the first electronic organizers to be sold. Citing Throwback Thursday: The "personal organizer" we had before the Newton : Apple World Today <https://www.appleworld.today/2015/05/28/throwback-thursday-the-personal-org…> Back before the Newton MessagePad made a splash in 1993 as the first “Personal Digital Assistant”, several consumer electronics companies were making handheld devices designed to do all of the things that we take for granted now on our iPhones and Apple Watches — take short notes, check our calendar, make appointments, and look up phone numbers. One of these devices was the Casio B.O.S.S. SF-8000 ... B.O.S.S. stood for “Business Organizer Scheduling System.” This device came out in 1990 And there's the first smartphone: IBM Simon - Wikipedia <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_Simon> IBM debuted a prototype <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prototype> device, code named "Sweetspot" in November 1992 at COMDEX <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COMDEX> Telxon made handheld barcode scanners that were essentially PDAs, as early as 1983 but I cannot find any references. Does anyone have any pointers? -- jeff jonas

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Wanted - Dead or Alive - P70 Floppy Drive!
by Benjamin Dressler 11 Dec '21

11 Dec '21

I have a P70 floppy drive that seems to still be functional, albeit with the "minor" caveat that its entire head assembly had been ripped to shreds by its previous owner, presumably in an attempt to remove a stuck floppy disk (the metal cover I found inside the drive seems to be a pretty decent indicator of that). Seeks and does floppy things, but kind of like a chicken running around with its head cut off at this point I suppose. Wanted to see if anyone had a dead P70 drive with an intact head assembly so I could attempt my luck at surgery since those drives are kind of hard to come by these days. It would be for an ALPS drive, FRU 38F5936. Will be at Festivus :) Best Regards, Benjamin

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Make your own C64 Guides
by Christian Liendo 11 Dec '21

11 Dec '21

I thought this was great. He gives you the PDF and instructions on how to order. https://pickledlight.blogspot.com/p/commodore-64-guides.html

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IMPORTANT: FESTIVUS Covid-19 protocols
by Jeffrey Brace 10 Dec '21

10 Dec '21

Hello Everyone, I’ve been asked about the Covid-19 protocols at Festivus. Please forgive the delay. We waited to see how things would be as we got closer to the Festivus. We have decided that the following policies and protocols will be followed: *InfoAge policy is that vaccinated people are not required to wear a mask, but unvaccinated people *must* wear a mask while indoors and maintain social distancing outdoors. * *However as per CDC guidelines we strongly recommend that everyone wear a mask indoors and socially distance outdoors.* *New Jersey does not have a requirement for proof of vaccination for indoor events. * *The State of New Jersey does not have occupancy limitations at this time.* *If you are not feeling well, then please stay home. If you have been around others that have been sick, them please stay home. Let’s be sensible and take any precautions that you feel are necessary.* We all want to be safe and have a fun party. If you have any other questions or comments, then please e-mail me privately. Thank you and hope to see you at the party! ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President & Board Member Vintage Computer Festival East Show-runner Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey(a)vcfed.org -- ========================================= Jeff Brace VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President Vintage Computer Festival East Show-runner Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Palm Pilot PDA: 25 years old!
by Andrew Diller 10 Dec '21

10 Dec '21

If you are into the PDA thing check out a nice documentary on YT about Handspring: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8-LmyroJKw Springboard: The Secret History of the First Real Smartphone (2021) I still take my T|C out and play with it every few years. Amazing device when you add wifi. -andy > On Dec 7, 2021, at 11:10 PM, madodel via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > From: madodel <madodel(a)mac.com> > Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Palm Pilot PDA: 25 years old! > Date: December 7, 2021 at 11:10:47 PM EST > To: vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org > > > I have a Garman iQue that had Palm OS with an integrated GPS. Using the GPS feature without it being plugged in I got maybe 30 minutes of use if I was lucky. It was the first and last PDA I ever had. It's been in a box in my closet for over a decade. I don't remember when it came out. It was sort of like the first iPhone without the phone calling. But the handwriting transcription was fascinating. > > Mark > > On 12/7/21 13:30, Jeffrey Jonas via vcf-midatlantic wrote: >> According to Wikipedia, The Pilot 1000 and Pilot 5000 were the first >> generations of PDAs >> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_digital_assistant> produced by Palm >> Computing <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_(PDA)> (then a subsidiary of U.S. >> Robotics <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Robotics>). It was introduced >> in March 1996. >>

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Museum Update December 9
by Jeffrey Brace 10 Dec '21

10 Dec '21

I haven't made an update in a while. We have been getting visitors since my last report somewhere in the 10-15 per day range. Last weekend 12/4 & 12/5 started the model train show and we had a surge in attendance to about 50 to 75 per day. Lots of kids, lots of interest. It's nice to have great attendance. Also we had a tour of students on Wednesday, Dec. 9 from Bayonne High School Computer Class. Bill, Dean and Jonas were there for the tour. The group was very well mannered and engaged in the tour. On Dec. 4 there was a tour for some boy scouts. We also have a working Pong machine in the museum. We have a new computer mouse exhibit that is interesting. The business office exhibit now has a Dec terminal. That's all for now! ========================================= Jeff Brace VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President Vintage Computer Festival East Show-runner Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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VCF East 2021 videos are up on YouTube
by Jeffrey Brace 10 Dec '21

10 Dec '21

Well almost all of the videos from VCF East are up on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/VintageComputerFederation501c3 The last four videos should be up within a few days. Thanks to all the A/V crew for recording the videos and to Kay Savetz who edited and processed all the videos. Enjoy! ========================================= Jeff Brace VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President Vintage Computer Festival East Show-runner Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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Festivus - Wanted: ISA Floppy/IDE Controller Card
by jsalzman＠gmail.com 10 Dec '21

10 Dec '21

Trying to revive a 386 PC and having issues with my current controller card. Looking to replace it. Feel free to let me know what you got and how much you're asking for it... or hit me up for a trade for it and see if I have a suitable trade for you. Thanks, Jeff Salzman

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VCF T-shirts for sale
by Jeffrey Brace 10 Dec '21

10 Dec '21

I made one last order to replenish stock on the 2021 t-shirts (one with the dragon). Price is $20 per t-shirt. Get them while they last! Also the 2020 t-shirts (digital landscape) have been reduced to $10 each. Limited sizes available. ========================================= Jeff Brace VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President Vintage Computer Festival East Show-runner Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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Still need docents for Festivus
by Jeffrey Brace 10 Dec '21

10 Dec '21

Please sign up here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Vj6qlDt09JI47_4g7m9lzMR0Vb2BlFU43n3… ========================================= Jeff Brace VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President Vintage Computer Festival East Show-runner Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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