November 2022 - vcf-midatlantic

OT / Equipment pickup
by Martin Flynn 11 Jan '25

11 Jan '25

Anyone on list in proximity to Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania? There's a Winsted equipment rack that's a cosmetic match for what we have deployed already that I am considering purchase of Before arranging shipping / freight, anyone nearby that might be headed to VCF East or the swap meet? Martin

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] OT: time to downsize
by Bob Shuster 07 Jun '23

07 Jun '23

Just added: Besides the TRS-80 Model 1 systems, Model 4, Color Computer 2 systems, plus related software and documentation that I added the other day, I’ve also now added all the TRS-80 Model 1/3/4 books that I have. I’ve had a lot of inquiries about the Model 4 - yes, it’s still available until someone commits to coming and getting it! I think I’m going to have to put it back into storage, as I’ve now been using it for days and I don’t want to get drawn back in! ;) I think once I get all the TRS-80 stuff stowed back away I’ll go back and add the assorted items that I found in my closet in the other categories *after* I did the listings. I've been regularly marking the sold and sale pending items, thank you guys so much! And once again - many thanks to those who have adopted some of my babies so far. Please let me know if I can clarify anything or if any more photos are needed. The link: http://www.theshusters.com/bobvintage.html <http://www.theshusters.com/bobvintage.html> Please don't share without asking me. Currently just open to this group - my contact info is intentionally missing from the webpages. If you can read this, you have my email. Email me with questions or offers! Please don't make offers on the list, but if you want to discuss my process and feel the group would benefit, then by all means knock yourself out! :) Bob Shuster (Original message below) ---- Well, folks, I've gotten to the age where I need to seriously downsize my hobbies and collections, not wanting to leave it to my children to have to deal with in later years. (I had to do that recently for a relative.) On the electronics side, I've decided to concentrate on my vintage video game systems - and therefore sell off most of my vintage computer stuff. My collection includes mostly 8-bit stuff: TRS-80 Models I, IV, M100, etc. - Atari 400, 800, Portfolio, ST, etc. - C64/VIC20 - T/S1000 (including an unbuilt kit), Apple II, II+, IIe, IIe Platinum, IIgs - Wang WLTC - Mattel Aquarius - TI-99/4A - many others that I still have to dig out - plus lots of peripherals, disks, manuals, etc. Also have some newer Macs starting with a Mac Plus in an Apple carrying bag. I'm starting with you guys before trying to list elsewhere, although I may hit some of the dedicated FaceBorg pages (such as for Aquarius and Apple II.) I'm willing to ship some of the smaller items, but in general systems or monitors will need to be picked up here (near the Fort Washington exit of the PA Turnpike) or nearby, and cash or PayPal for payment. I may also consider trades for some of the video game stuff I'm looking for. It pains me to do this, but the clutter is getting out of hand, and I haven't touched most of these in years. It's time for someone else to enjoy. Bob Shuster

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Commodore 1702 door
by svcatitc＠aol.com 20 Apr '23

20 Apr '23

Jeffrey Brace jeffrey at vcfed.org Writes:Wed Sep 2 13:48:24 EDT 2020 Sounds like an Outer Limits episode where the world was taken apart and remade every moment and sometimes they made mistakes which is why when you lose your keys you find time in a place that you already searched. I thought this was a Spielberg "Amazing Stories" episode, obviously not. The episode is: "A Matter of Minutes" is the third segment of the fifteenth episode from the first season (1985–86) of the television series The Twilight Zone. See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Matter_of_Minutes I remember that scene where the couple is in the "Void of White Space" and the "Supervisor of the Maintenance of Time" says: (paraphrasing) "Ya know how you go back to look for something you know is supposed to be there multiple times and then it finally is where you thoughtit should be? That's us. We forgot something. We are now working on moving Christmas!" I personally call them the "Minute-Ahead" men and you may hear me at a workshop cursing at them!!!! I DOOO BELIEVE! Bill Inderrieden

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8-bits and 80 columns
by John Heritage 16 Dec '22

16 Dec '22

Hey all -- Which (popular) 8-bit computers gained "easy" or even "standard" 80 column support? I know there are a ton more 8bits than I'll list below, but my understanding is: Atari 8bit -- XEP80 official accessory but almost no one bought it; used joystick ports.. slow and limited 80 column (black and white?). Atari did have a 60 column graphics/text mode IIRC. there is a software hack that uses narrow characters for '80 columns' but hard to read, and came out after the machine was no longer commerically sold. Apple II - supported via cards. If 80 column support became common, when did it become common? what was normal for color count, etc? C64 - C128 mode natively offered 80 column support; millions of these sold. So maybe common later on? 16 colors. PET - no 80 column? C Plus/4 - software hack? ZX Spectrum -- available via some clones only, not common? BBC Micro - Looks like a native mode for 80 column support? TRS-80 - no native 80 column support? Thanks! John

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NABU teardown
by Duane Craps 08 Dec '22

08 Dec '22

Another tear-down of the NABU: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLYjZoShjy0 In the comments the seller said that he is selling a lot after the video came out, -- DuaneCraps sdɐɹɔ ǝuɐnp

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Festivus Party Info - Dec 10 & 11, 2022
by Jeffrey Brace 30 Nov '22

30 Nov '22

Hello everyone, Sorry for the delay. Job situation has been keeping me busy since early September with less time for VCF stuff. Here is the info: COST: $15 per person. Options to pay: Cash or credit in person Send via PayPal paypal(a)vcfed.org To be added soon: Payments through vcded.org website DAY AND TIME: Saturday, December 10 at 10AM Burger Cooking: 6PM Town Hall: 8PM Sunday, December 11 Starting at 11AM Breakfast at OB diner: 9AM Ending at 6PM POTLUCK: Signup for what food and/or drinks that you will be bringing: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1RYFWZX50h_wcuSWIF8JpwsZRDP8pVtIsHdo… VIDEO GAMES: We will be setting up the game room this year: Signup: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1lb2QObhwbP2rqYFI8TFmN6ANZvJo5eK8sa7… SWAP MEET: Buying/Selling/Trading/Free Signup: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1i23VBX8AwsYA2FRH6eS8UlKvj73PN2gb4Wr… REPAIR WORKSHOP: I’m Sorry. Not this year. Last year there were complaints about the party being fractured. We want to keep everyone in the same building and focus on the social aspect. I didn’t reserve the CDL workshop this time. VCF SWAG: Let me know if you want anything before the party and I will put it aside. I will not be selling VCF swag like last time. I will be busy hosting and enjoying the party. ========================================= Jeff Brace VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President Vintage Computer Festival East Showrunner Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity https://vcfed.org/ <http://www.vcfed.org/> jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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Specific reasons to give to VCF on Giving Tuesday
by Jeffrey Brace 30 Nov '22

30 Nov '22

Donations toward: 1) Warehouse renovations 2) New museum space renovations 3) General museum needs like power supply protectors and other supplies for curation and maintenance 4) General expenses for internal and external events. We have a specific account that is for the warehouse that we have been building up through surplus sales. We plan on using that for … the warehouse move and museum move project This project was created in large part by the negotiations of Tony Bogan with InfoAge and input by the Steering Committee. It is a great project plan. It was created in June 2021. For various reasons it was not started until I became the project manager in June 2022. We have achieved great progress in the first stage of the plan: clearing out the old warehouse. Through the efforts of myself, Dan Jacobs, Lee Duncan, Pat Flanagan and Sea Cadet volunteers most of the garbage was emptied from our new warehouse section and thrown away. In fact two 40 cubic yard dumpsters have been filled and emptied. There are still some items to be thrown away. Anyone who wants to help me throw out or move items, please contact me. We have an empty dumpster to fill. Most of the remaining items are owned by various InfoAge groups. We can’t move them. This is why there is a delay in this first step and is beyond our control. Efforts are being made through InfoAge management to urge these groups to remove their items quickly so that we can move onto the next step. The next step is to renovate the space for security, electrical, climate control, etc. Following that we can start moving our items from the old warehouse section to the new one. The third step involves renovating “Broadway” which is the hallway that connects the H buildings. This will connect to our new museum space. Which leads me to … the fourth step: clearing out our new larger museum space. This will require volunteers to clear out as well as InfoAge groups moving their stuff out. The fifth step is renovating the new museum space. Obviously this will cost big bucks. So we are making plans that will encourage large donors to help with this renovation. We are currently getting estimates from contractors to renovate. We are also consulting with museum design experts on the layout of the new museum space. Thanks for your time, support and donations! ==Jeff Brace -- ========================================= Jeff Brace VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President Vintage Computer Festival East Showrunner Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity https://vcfed.org/ <http://www.vcfed.org/> jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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That strange message of mine from last night
by Gregg Levine 30 Nov '22

30 Nov '22

Hello! Group please do me a great favor and ignore that message. It most certainly was not meant to be delivered to the list-droid for consumption by all of us. It definitely was meant for Jeff B directly, as he has reminded. Last night I was not at my best. That's what I get for trying to send a meaningful email out after being up for two straight days and nights with a sick computer. ----- Gregg C Levine gregg.drwho8(a)gmail.com "This signature fought the Time Wars, time and again."

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World of Commodore 2022
by Jeffrey Brace 30 Nov '22

30 Nov '22

Anyone going to World of Commodore this year? I’m going. It’s my first time. Been wanting to go for years now! I will be driving up there on Friday. Coming back Monday. It’s a two day show December 3 & 4. More info here: https://www.tpug.ca/world-of-commodore/world-of-commodore-2022/ I heard that Bill Degnan is doing a virtual talk for the show. I think Amiga Bill will be doing something too. I was asked to give a talk too. At first, I was like who am I to give a talk at a show? I’m nobody important. What would I talk about? Then they said talk about Vintage Computer Festival East and Vintage Computer Federation history. I said I can do that! Should be a fun event. I look forward to enjoying a show where I don’t have the responsibility of running or volunteering for a show. They will celebrate the C64’s 40th anniversary. I have gotten to know some of the Toronto Pet Users Group over the last three years through their Zoom meetings which started with Covid-19. It will be nice to meet them in person. -- ========================================= Jeff Brace VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President Vintage Computer Festival East Showrunner Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity https://vcfed.org/ <http://www.vcfed.org/> jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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IBM 1130 fundraiser - DONE!
by Jeffrey Brace 30 Nov '22

30 Nov '22

Just wanted to report that the IBM 1130 Fundraiser is officially done! I closed the donation page as of today 11/30/22. We have raised $9080! This is way past our goal of $6000. We had a large donation of $3000 that put us way over the top. We had 41 donors. 32 of these were $150 or less. The next step is to wait for the delivery vehicle to be available. The current estimate is the end of December. ========================================= Jeff Brace VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President Vintage Computer Festival East Showrunner Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity https://vcfed.org/ <http://www.vcfed.org/> jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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