November 2022 - vcf-midatlantic

My Candidancy for Steering Commitee
by Adam Michlin 23 Nov '22

23 Nov '22

Hi All, For those who may not know, my experience with the MA Steering Committee (SC) began as a founding member and co-author (with Dean Notarnicola) of the by-laws. When approached to join the newly created committee, my initial answer was no as I believe a healthy non-profit organization needs to have leadership chosen by the membership and checked by the membership. I was convinced to join with the understanding that the initial committee would work to create the necessary infrastructure to allow members to have a say in governance and I am so thrilled to have the chance to run for office. If elected, one of my first priorities will be to work towards all members of VCF, paid or unpaid, having a vote in all leadership positions at all levels of VCF. I left my SC term early as a pandemic related work issue required me to move to South Carolina and felt I would be too far away to do the job I wanted to do. Happily, I was able to move back to NJ and, in fact, live only about 10 miles north (Eatontown, NJ) of the museum and warehouse at InfoAge in Wall, NJ. One of my biggest priorities is to continue my work towards improving the treatment of volunteers. Volunteers should be working on things that they *enjoy* working on and should never feel obligated to do something they do not enjoy working on. It takes more time to connect projects with people's interests, but I am absolutely willing to put in that time and several exhibits in the museum right now show the benefits of that approach. Volunteers should also always have at least their own vote over any people in charge. All this creates an organization which thrives with volunteers. Another priority is getting quality VCF artifacts proper homes, including displayed in other museums. VCF has loaned a wonderful working Canon Cat to Kennett Classic, as one example of a deal I engineered. It just isn't the case that the best place for equipment is always the InfoAge warehouse. To that end, I want to codify a check out process for members to borrow equipment and will be the first person to vote yes if it is determined an artifact is better off with either another museum or member (IRS laws observed, of course, hi Corey!). An artifact given or sold to a caring member is often given a better lease on life than sitting in the warehouse and the more artifacts we put in the world, the more karma we are building should we ever need something for display in the museum. VCF MA should be a part of a larger community of museums and hobbyists, not an island unto itself. Bringing me to my last priority which is to take back local control of the stalled warehouse move and get it done. My experience with VCF MA is as someone with big ideas who is also the first to follow up with the boots on the ground to get them done in practice. No excuses, the buck stops here. My ideas and accomplishments include: General Warehouse Manager, including sorting and making available surplus equipment. If you have gotten a good deal on VCF surplus equipment in the last 5-6 years, I likely had some hand in it. My first volunteer job, way back when, was sorting Atari 2600 cartridges in the warehouse. How far we have come! Co-Runner, with Dean Notarnicola, of possibly the largest VCF East exhibit in the history of the event, The World of IBM. Co-Runner of the "Software Store", with Tony Bogan, a special event at VCF 2019. This not only included coming up with the idea, but weeks spent in the warehouse collecting, sorting, and pricing boxed software. Thousands of dollars were raised at this event alone. Co-Runner of the Apple II Classroom, again with Tony Bogan, a very successful proof of concept to have classes running not just on Friday, but on Saturday and Sunday at VCF East. Word has it the Commodore people are working on keeping this a tradition for East 2023. Atari people, maybe 2024? Or perhaps the Tandy people? My implemented ideas for exhibits in the museum include: The video game systems before Atari 2600 exhibit (on hiatus) The 6502/65816 video games exhibit in honor of the visit by Bill Mensch (on hiatus) The history of modems exhibit (now on display at LSSM) The history of mice exhibit (currently on display) The Atari MegaSTe MIDI exhibit (with particular help from Bill Lange and Pete Fletcher) The 1992 Exhibit (with particular help from Alex Jacocks and Jonathan Sturges - Linux .99 is a head trip!) I hope to continue progress to get a working SGI Indigo 2 to demonstrate early high end graphics and get more examples of larger computers working, whether through emulation or things like a DEC MicroVAX (a worthy exhibit unto to itself, hi Dave!). The key goal is to not just focus only on the hardware, but give people hands-on experience using software like IRIX, VMS and OS/360 etc. I also hope to continue to create exhibits that emphasize more variety of what our beloved computers once did, like our MegaSTE MIDI exhibit. Perhaps a Mac IIsomething or SE/30 running Aldus PageMaker and a LaserWriter, maybe? And, of course, working towards getting everything in the musuem working all (well, most) of the time. Along those lines, as you might guess, I am a believer in changing up the museum on a regular basis, which I feel is an important part of keeping the musuem fresh for vistitors. I am a career computer science teacher with a specialty in the integration of computer history in computer science. I teach at Red Bank Regional High School in Red Bank, NJ and work as an adjunct professor at Drew University in Madison, NJ. Some of you may know me as the teacher who uses 6502 and MIPS assembly to teach computer architecture. Others may know about the vintage computers and video games in my classroom for hands on use and teaches video game program through classic 8 bit games (mainly Atari Adventure and Space Invaders). Even others may know about my BS in Computer Science from the University of California, Santa Cruz, a Masters in Music from California State East Bay, and that I am finishing a Masters in Computer Science with emphasis in Cybersecurity at Monmouth University. I am directly connected to the education scene in Monmouth County and computer science teachers through the Computer Science Teachers Association in NJ (CSTANJ) and even served for a while as the President of the Central Jersey Chapter of CSTANJ. It is my hope to get VCF MA much more involved with the NJ education scene. My father was, among other things, a Bell Labs, Exxon, Zilog, and Amdahl guy, so I can say my first computer access was with a terminal to an IBM 370 (Hunt the Wumpus!). It also means I have a very soft spot for all things big iron including my personal Amdahl paraphernalia collection which just might become an exhibit one day or, maybe just maybe, save someone a million dollars! I grew up in NJ and was very lucky to move to Silicon Valley in 1984, just in time to own one of the first one thousand Mac 128Ks and attend the Stanford Macintosh User Groups (SMUGS) meetings at Stanford with my father to see people like Bill Atkinson and Guy Kawasaki talk. I also ran a x86 PC BBS for years (Remote Access) and served as a FidoNet Net Echo Coordinator in Silicon Valley proper (good old 143). Interestingly enough, my experiences at Silicon Valley computer swap meets (De Anza and Lawrence Livermore Labs) were the inspiration to suggest our current very succesful swap meets. I hope you will consider me for membership in the MA Steering Committee and welcome all questions, public or private, you have. After all, there is little to steer without the wonderful work done by each and every one of you in the mission of spreading vintage computer wonderfulness throughout the world. Thanks for reading! -Adam * *

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Party survey - Three days left
by Jeffrey Brace 23 Nov '22

23 Nov '22

https://bit.ly/vcfEoY2022pre The survey is anonymous. It's only 5 questions. It takes 2 minutes of your time. 53 respondents so far. 3 days left to go. If you haven't already done so. Please fill out the survey: https://bit.ly/vcfEoY2022pre Thank you for your time! ========================================= 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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LATEST UPDATE - Steering Committee Candidate Nominations
by Chris Fala 23 Nov '22

23 Nov '22

We have another addition to the list. Seven candidates! Thanks to everyone for your interest in serving our organization. Today is the last day for nominations! Voting opens on Saturday!!! There are three positions to fill, so remember that eligible voters may cast *three* votes. Doug Crawford - nominated by Chris Fala Adam Michlin - nominated by Dean Notarnicola Jeff Salzman - nominated by Jeff Brace Ethan O'Toole - nominated by Alexander Jacocks Chris Fala - nominated by Tony Bogan Dean Notarnicola - nominated by Doug Crawford Alexander Jacocks - nominated by Jeff Salzman Once a candidate submits a position statement (or "campaign speech" ;-) as I like to call it), it will appear here: https://vcfed.org/steering-committee-nominee-position-statements/ I hope that everyone will get to know the candidates. Cast your votes for the people who you feel will steer VCF-MA to great success. Sincerely, Chris Fala Steering Committee Chairman

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Steering Committee Nomination UPDATE
by Chris Fala 21 Nov '22

21 Nov '22

Since we only have a couple days left, I will continue to send updates at least once per day or when there is a new nominee. See up-to-the-minute update below! Doug Crawford - nominated by Chris Fala Adam Michlin - nominated by Dean Notarnicola Jeff Salzman - nominated by Jeff Brace Ethan O'Toole - nominated by Alexander Jacocks Chris Fala - nominated by Tony Bogan Dean Notarnicola - nominated by Doug Crawford

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One week left to go for the ??? Party - Please fill out survey.
by Jeffrey Brace 20 Nov '22

20 Nov '22

The survey is anonymous. It's only 5 questions. It takes 2 minutes of your time. 36 respondents so far. One week left to go. It determines what we will call our party in December. If you haven't already done so. Please fill out the survey: https://bit.ly/vcfEoY2022pre Thank you for your time! ========================================= 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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*** NOMINATION UPDATE *** - Steering Committee Election
by Chris Fala 20 Nov '22

20 Nov '22

Hello again VCF members! Listed below are the current nominations for Steering Committee candidates. Additional nominations are still being accepted, but please hurry! Nominations will close this Wednesday, November 23. To the nominees: please submit a short "campaign speech" which will be posted on our website and shared on this mailing list. Help the voters learn who you are and what your goals are for the Steering Committee and the Vintage Computer Federation. Doug Crawford - nominated by Chris Fala Adam Michlin - nominated by Dean Notarnicola Jeff Salzman - nominated by Jeff Brace Ethan O'Toole - nominated by Alexander Jacocks Chris Fala - nominated by Tony Bogan - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Dear VCF Membership, It is time once again for the VCF-MA annual Steering Committee member election! There are three seats becoming vacant; Alex Jacocks and myself have reached the end of our terms, and Doug Crawford was a temporary appointment following Tony Bogan's resignation and is automatically up for election as per the by-laws. Nominations are now open. The election will be held according to section 4 and 5 of our published by-laws (copied below, full document available here: https://vcfed.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/VCFMA-Charter-Jul2022.pdf) Anyone who directly received this message is eligible to vote. Current members of this mailing list in good standing are eligible to submit nominations for Committee member candidates. Nominations can be made by simply communicating the nomination via e-mail to a current Committee member: Alexander Jacocks - alex.jacocks(a)vcfed.org, Dave McGuire - dave.mcguire(a)vcfed.org, Douglas Crawford - douglas.crawford(a)vcfed.org, Jason Perkins - jason.perkins(a)vcfed.org, or Chris Fala - chris.fala(a)vcfed.org) Members may also self-nominate. To be eligible for the election, the prospective nominee must then accept the nomination by replying in the affirmative to the nomination email. One nomination per member can be made. Nominations will close on November 23th. An updated list of eligible nominees will be published regularly. Voting will commence on November 26th, and will close at 11:59pm on December 7th. Winners will be announced on December 10th during the Town hall event at our annual VCF Holiday celebration. *This is your chance to help steer the direction of VCF Mid-Atlantic! Nominate someone and vote in the upcoming election!* Sincerely, Chris Fala Chairman of the Mid-Atlantic Steering Committee of the Vintage Computer Federation - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 4. COMMITTEE ELECTIONS Steering committee membership includes representation of VCF membership, as determined by the VCF governing board and VCF-MA sponsored elections. - The committee membership will be determined by elections to be held on a yearly basis (currently November). - Committee membership is ideally comprised of five people but may vary due to changing circumstances. Any committee vote to determine an increase in committee members shall be held within six months after a new election cycle. - A minimum of one seat will be up for election in every cycle, unless additional vacancies create the need for additional seats to be filled, in which case all vacant seats will be up for election in that cycle. - In the event of a tie, a two-week runoff election will be held. - If a tie still exists after the runoff, the non-running committee members will determine a winner. - In the event of a committee tie, the current chairperson or chair delegate will determine the winner. - Nominations for committee members can be made by current members in good standing simply by communicating the nomination to a committee member. One nomination per member can be made. Said members may also self-nominate. - In the case of off-cycle vacancies, the committee may move, without a public election, to appoint by simple majority vote new committee members to fill the seats until the next scheduled election. - A committee chairperson will be appointed by the committee members within 30 days of each completed election cycle. At that time a recording secretary will be selected. - Prospective committee members should be knowledgeable in some aspect of computing, preferably vintage computers, and show a demonstrated interest in vintage computing, computing history, and museum management and governance. - In order to be sufficiently aware and have proper perspective of museum and warehouse issues, prospective committee members should be able to physically attend VCF events at least quarterly and attend meetings regularly. 5. VCF MEMBERSHIP VCF general membership is open and granted to anyone who joins the mailing list. Voting rights will be granted to active list members who join no less than 30 days before an election.

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Photos of David Walden at VCF East 2018
by Jeffrey Brace 19 Nov '22

19 Nov '22

Does anyone have any photos of the late David Walden from VCF East 2018? Here was his talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZMEqTsSnMI&authuser=0 Someone from Computer World is writing an article and is looking for photos of him. Thanks! ========================================= 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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Vintage Computer Center is closing.
by Christian Liendo 18 Nov '22

18 Nov '22

https://www.vintagecomputercenter.com/ Store Closing We are very sorry to announce the closing of the Vintage Computer Center by the end of the year. What started as a hobby and a way to help the vintage computer community has grown into something we can not manage part-time at the level of customer service we demand. This little side business has served customers worldwide for almost five years, and we have loved every moment. We will close the business when sufficient inventory has been sold out. We will not be replenishing anything at this point, so if you have been waiting to get something, we suggest you get it now before it is too late. We want to thank everyone for your support over the last few years, and we genuinely appreciate all of you! Please feel to reach out to us if you have any questions, and again, thank you so much for your years of support!

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Fred Brooks manager for the development of the IBM System/360 and OS/360 has passed
by Christian Liendo 18 Nov '22

18 Nov '22

https://twitter.com/stevebellovin/status/1593414068634734592

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Work at CDL
by Martin Flynn 18 Nov '22

18 Nov '22

CDL is the recipient of three Vidmar parts cabinets. Here’s one in its current greasy glory. The plan for these is twofold: First is to get the makerspace small parts inventory into some semblance of order That’s where VCF comes in - I have a small budget to add consumables and components. Need a shipping list from VCF on what small parts would improve workshops Second is we are setting them up as if it was a radio shack. If VCF has any retail related material (signs and the like, can CDL borrow it? Sent from my iPhone

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