May 2021 - vcf-midatlantic - lists.vcfed.org

Help with reversing some x86 code
by Richard Cini 23 May '21

23 May '21

All – Not sure I sent this to the list previously, but I’ve been working on a project on-and-off (http://cini.classiccmp.org/hal.htm) and could use some help from someone who’s very familiar with x86 code to give me the last push. The project page has the background and a link to the listing file with my detailed comments. This program bridges not only the original development of MS-DOS, but also the use of TOPS-10/TOPS-20. So, if anyone can help with this, I’d appreciate it. Thanks in advance! Rich -- Rich Cini http://cini.classiccmp.org http://altair32.classiccmp.org

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Volunteers need for VCF East 2021! Volunteer Registration
by Jeffrey Brace 21 May '21

21 May '21

Interested in volunteering for VCF East? Volunteers are the backbone of making the show run smoothly. This year, I'm creating a registration form to streamline volunteer support. I'm looking for volunteers for all areas of VCF East. The show doesn't happen without volunteer support, so let me know where and when you can help. Fill out this registration form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd0yru702BssSMu8o_B9OemqYGe20HmXvp… It's much appreciated! Thanks so much! ========================================= 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

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Sussex Hamfest July 18, 2021
by Sentrytv 20 May '21

20 May '21

> From: Sussex County Amateur Radio Club <W2LV(a)scarcnj.org> > Date: May 20, 2021 at 7:46:44 PM EDT > To: Sussex County ARC <hamfest(a)scarcnj.org> > Subject: Sussex Hamfest July 18, 2021 > Reply-To: Hamfest(a)scarcnj.org > > Hello Hamfester > > The Sussex County ARC Hamfest is "ON" for July 18, 2021 at the Sussex County Fair Grounds 37 Plains Rd. Augusta, NJ 07822 > > Fees for 2021 > > Buyer $8 > > Tailgate spot includes one admission $25 > > Indoor Tables $25 each > > Tailgate spots are on First to Arrive gets the spot they like. > > Contact us if you wish at ""Hamfest(a)Scarcnj.Org "" > > Tailgate and indoor setup on July 18th is at 6AM > > 73 from the Sussex Hamfest > > -- > Sussex County Hamfest Committee "Rain or Shine since 1979" >

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Kennett classic news
by Bill Degnan 20 May '21

20 May '21

Pending details announcement about the Kennett Classic event scheduled for September 25th...stand by KC will close early this weekend, special hours 10-2. https://www.kennettclassic.com/freestuff/ Bill

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Bernoulli Drives needed in working condition
by Herb Johnson 20 May '21

20 May '21

Dave responded to my points, with his points. I thought about it, but actually we see the same sorts of things in this discussion, and put some different values to them. That's good by me, discussions work that way. I see his points and I will consider them further. We aren't that far about, just differences in strategy and tactics. The action issue today, is what management will do about the donor's offer of data cartridges, and who might be found to execute if management want to accept conditions on that offer. So far, Dave and I are in neither category. So we are both "chatting" as I put it. He and I shared our views, I see no point in arguing between us, again it's not about either of us. I take his point, that discussion may lead to something and also has its own value. I'll leave it at that. Dave asks, what about the future, other such projects? "If you are going to shy away from a small thing, what happens when you have a big thing?" Yeah, that's a good question. I'd also call that "raising the stakes". It's a good way to consider policy. But that's not in play in this thread, I don't think. But it might be - I didn't know what Jeff would say next, when I wrote this. But I read ahead on the thread. ========================= Since Dave's post, before I posted what I wrote above, Jeff Brace blinds us with science, provides more facts. He explained what was potentially available. Like most "finds", it's an emerging situation. The drives are like the ones on my Web page - thus they are identified. There's 30, 40, 50 cartridges involved. And: two pairs of drives. Terms of providing the carts, are detailed. But my guess is, they are not final terms but done on-the-fly. They could change. That raises the stakes on the carts: at street value of the order of $20 a pop, that's several hundred dollars value minimum. And by the way: you'll also need cleaning carts, and often, to keep operating the drives. Maybe there's cleaning carts among the data carts Jeff saw. I know this much: I have a customer who says HE is still using these drives. So maybe these drives can be recovered and work again. So task one, is to get one drive inspected and working with one computer; maybe then both drives; maybe then on two computers. That's contingent on obtaining one or two controllers - without doubt. Getting something running is also necessary, to execute the deletion commitment. Task two - keep these running for a long activity, which I'll describe by guess. It's separate from running the system. Guessing about operation of the 10 MB Bernoulii drive, again what little I know. A "delete all files" operation must be tens of minutes effort, to load a cart, inspect, perform, inspect, remove. So that means some person-hours of work, to erase tens of carts, by simple math. Is this something the donor *really* wants to commit to, their personal or professional time? Where will they commit to do this? The systems may have to be moved, operated on the donor's site? Will that be practical? Can they be maintained? That's all I've got to say. I'm just guessing at the tasks involved. Maybe my discussion ("chatter") will be informative to whomever makes decisions about this acquisition and project. I can add, I have some IBM ISA controllers, which may be appropriate (I do not know), and which would have to be bought (not donated) and are not tested. Also cables, which may or may not be needed. I'll show them on my Web site when I get to it, in a day or two. It's pure circumstance that 1) I have these and 2) I happened to have a customer for them THIS WEEK. Otherwise they have been dormant for years. 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 comcast DOT net

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Class Instructors for VCF East 2021
by Jeffrey Brace 20 May '21

20 May '21

Are you interested in teaching a class at VCF East? VCF East University Class of 2021 is on October 8 from 9AM to 5PM. Classes are usually about 45 minutes long with 15 minutes of Q&A. We are flexible if your topic has a need to run longer. We are looking for how-to classes ranging from programming to repair to informational. If you are interested, then please fill out this form: < https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeX86RAqQWN8O0b6EA5Qf0dyuq1UbwI0gh… > Keep in mind that this is an application and your submission will be considered for inclusion. We may ask you for clarifying information, so please provide as much information as possible. Deadline for registering a class is September 8, 2021. If you have any questions, then please e-mail the showrunner at vcfeast AT vcfed.org If you want to see examples of our previous classes from past years, then scroll down to classes: https://vcfed.org/wp/festivals/archives-show-summaries/vcf-east-archives/vc… Our virtual show had a lot of variety: https://vcfed.org/wp/festivals/archives-show-summaries/vcf-east-archives/vc… ========================================= 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

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Which Amigas support 1.44MB/1.76MB floppy drives?
by John Heritage 19 May '21

19 May '21

Hey there - I was just curious which Amigas (and KS/WB versions) support 1.44/1.76MB floppy drives? I have an HxC emulator that can support 1.76MB ADF files, and I know some later Amigas can support this format, but it doesn't work on my Amiga 500, at least when booted to KS/WB 2.0 or 3.1. I believe the floppy controller on the Amiga is part of Paula, so what else changed that allowed this format to work? Would a stock 1200? Thanks! John

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OT: ham radio parts need home
by William Dudley 19 May '21

19 May '21

I'm going through my stuff and finding things I'll never ever use. Vacuum tubes and associated components are in that category. I haven't inventoried the (few remaining) vacuum tubes yet. Here are some oil filled high voltage can capacitors. If any of you have interest, you can have them for the cost of shipping (or local pickup in central NJ). One Cornell Dubilier "Dykanol A" Capacitor, 4uF @ 1500 V Two more in the same sized can, but no markings. Two Aerovox .25uF @ 2000 V One Sprague .25uF @ 2000 V Two similar sized cans with no markings (but painted olive drab) I don't really want to schlep this small amount of stuff to a hamfest. Recommendations of a "local to NJ" ham mailing list or antique radio mailing list would be useful. This email is free of malware because I run Linux.

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Photo Archive
by Christian Liendo 19 May '21

19 May '21

Did anyone ever get that going? I have a lot of photos I want to donate of MARCH/VCF events over the years.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Bernoulli Drives needed in working condition
by Gregg Levine 19 May '21

19 May '21

Hello! Same here! And Jeff B, then why did you react to mine when it came time to find the things. ----- Gregg C Levine gregg.drwho8(a)gmail.com "This signature fought the Time Wars, time and again." On Tue, May 18, 2021 at 9:50 PM Sentrytv via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > I can never figure out why people take fuzzy blurry pictures and post them. > > > > Sent from: > My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device. > > > On May 18, 2021, at 9:41 PM, Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > > <jeffrey(a)vcfed.org> > > > >> On Tue, May 18, 2021 at 5:06 PM Herb Johnson via vcf-midatlantic < > >> vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > >> > >> This caught my attention, because I likely have a clue about this tech. > >> > >> http://www.retrotechnology.com/aux/iomega10.html > >> > >> Are these the 'droids you are looking for? > >> > > > > Yes! They are the droids that I'm looking for! And FYI: Jedi mind tricks > > don't work with me ;) > > > >> First: the propositions, as stated by Jeff Brace: > >> > >>> Someone donated two 10x10 Bernoulli drives to VCF. They are in unknown > >>> condition. She gave us the manual, a cable and one cartridge. She wants > >> to > >>> donate the remaining cartridges, but would like to supervise the deletion > >>> of the data they have on them. So we need one in working condition first. > >> > >> and: > >> > >>> It is payroll data that the couple used for their business for many > >> years, > >>> so it is quite sensitive. > >> First: this appears to be a legal contract over property and services. > >> Not that I'm a lawyer. VCFed Incorporated may wish to examine these > >> terms, as Dave McGuire pointed out, and see if the Corporation wishes to > >> engage in such contracts with clients. Hint. Hint. > > > > Yes, Dave gave us some contract and we are looking to use it out of an > > abundance of caution. > > > >> Second: how many carts is this about, anyways? Ebay price - by luck I > >> happened to look recently - some tens of dollars each. Point being: why > >> spin all our wheels, just over a few carts? And: *are there any in the > >> VCFed Inventory already*? Just a thought. > > > > There are about 30 to 40 cartridges, maybe 50. I had them give me one for > > testing purposes because I'm pretty certain that VCF *doesn't* have any of > > these. Tony and the Inventory Committee would know better than me, but I > > have never seen any in the warehouse. > > > > Related: "two 10X10 drives" is ambiguous. Is it one cabinet with two > >> drives, as per my unit? That's my guess, and I show an example. > > > > It is two cabinets with two drives per unit. So two units like the one that > > you have. One is labeled "working", but who knows when it was last working. > > > >> Third: I see no "data recovery" in these terms, as suggested in the > >> chatter. Just data security. So: let the client keep the carts, if they > >> choose to destroy them, that would be sad. But that solves the problem, > >> no. further. fuss. needed. That's my recommendation. > > > > She wanted to destroy the cartridges. I didn't have time to research how > > rare they were, so I asked if we could have them. Then she said that there > > was payroll data that she wanted deleted. She wanted to go through the data > > herself and delete it herself once we got the drives working. > > ========================================= > > 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 > "Be careful with that! It's an heirloom.", said the Doctor, as the guard were using a crude method to try to open his TARDIS.

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