December 2022 - vcf-midatlantic

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

14 18

Free to the first caller:
by Martin Flynn 16 Dec '22

16 Dec '22

Qty 2 SKU: FC1020042-01G Description: EMULEX FC1020042-01G 2GB 64BIT 133MHZ PCI-X FIBRE CHANNEL HOST BUS ADAPTER If there any takers, will leave in the top of the toolbox in the Makerspace

1 0

Re: [vcf-midatlantic] What we can learn from vintage computing
by Jeffrey Brace 16 Dec '22

16 Dec '22

On Thu, Dec 15, 2022 at 5:26 PM bob jeffway.com via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > I agree 100%!! > I co-teach a class at University Of Massachusetts in Amherst using Bob > Applegate's KIM-1 replicas. > We start with machine language programming, then move to an assembler, and > teach all the low-level stuff; address bus, data bus, controls, clock, etc. > and how to interface hardware. > > Bob Jeffway > > This is my first post, hopefully I did it right? Is a Reply All correct? > Hi Bob! Good to see you on the list and post. Yes your post worked and you are cleared to post in the future. I always do reply all to be safe. The Google app defaults to reply to sender and not all, so one has to go out of their way to reply all. Jeff Brace > On 12/14/2022 8:51 AM EST Jonathan Chapman via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > > This is from a programmer's point of view but still interesting reading > > https://github.com/readme/featured/vintage-computing > > Decent article! There's absolutely value in learning this old stuff. I > still maintain that hacking on old computers at the architecture/machine > code/asm level gave me a distinct advantage over "academically stronger" > (better at memorizing, mostly) folks in college. > > I don't know if they're still doing it, but at some point in talking with > folks at the MIT Flea, someone had related that MIT was still offering > either a comp arch or comp org type of course using the PDP-11. This was > some time between 2010 and 2015. Like the article says, before a point it's > possible to understand all parts of a whole system. > > Thanks, > Jonathan > > -- ========================================= 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

1 0

What we can learn from vintage computing
by Christian Liendo 14 Dec '22

14 Dec '22

This is from a programmer's point of view but still interesting reading https://github.com/readme/featured/vintage-computing

7 6

Festivus 2022 Wrap-up
by Jeffrey Brace 13 Dec '22

13 Dec '22

It was really nice to see everyone and felt really festivus this weekend. It's a labor of love to spend hours planning, setting up and breaking down this event. I'm sorry that some couldn't make it. I'm sending out a note now before I forget and life takes off again and I'm too busy. So please excuse the rough and quick nature of this email. I know that if I don't send it now, then I may never remember. I felt like everyone really enjoyed Festivus and all that went on. First I want to thank David Riley for cooking all the burgers, hotdogs and bratwurst Saturday night. I want to thank Bernie S for cooking the Perogies on Sunday. Thanks to Ian for bringing lots of video games as well as CJ, Jeff Salzman and others who I'm forgetting. Thanks to Bill Inderrieden and others who helped me setup on Friday night. Thanks to Ian Litchefield who helped put the tables, chairs, couches, and beds back last night. Thanks to Doug for keeping the museum running smoothly with all the extra visitors from the Holiday Train Show and Bill, Ian, and Rick for supporting. I'm sure I'm forgetting some people. Please let me know what things that you liked and if you have any constructive criticism, please send that to me privately. I'm always looking to improve the event. Now I'm off to VCF East planning! ========================================= 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

7 7

Steering Committee Results
by Chris Fala 12 Dec '22

12 Dec '22

I was just reminded that only the people attending the Town Hall on Saturday evening know this information. Regarding the Steering Committee election, Doug Crawford and Alex Jacocks were reelected, and Jeff Salzman won the other seat. Congratulations to all three!!! I will be departing my position on the SC in January. It has been a pleasure serving VCF-MA. Chris

2 1

8 mm data tapes new in box
by Sentrytv 11 Dec '22

11 Dec '22

Good morning to everybody who attended the non-Festivus event. On my table in the mini swapmeet area I had 8mm Data tapes Brand New in the box. They were not purchased by anybody but someone took them off my table last night. So I’m putting it out there for that person to come forward and pay me for them please. Or return them now please. Thank you Mike Rosen Sent from: My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device.

1 0

Re: [vcf-midatlantic] What's the code for the door?
by RETRO Innovations 09 Dec '22

09 Dec '22

/me discovers new (to me) Weird Al song I now need to listen to... Thanks for the Friday pick-me-up. Jim

2 1

Name Tags at Festivus
by Jeffrey Brace 09 Dec '22

09 Dec '22

I will be giving everyone a name tag at Festivus to know people's names. There will be some new people, so it will help everyone, not just the forgetful like me ;) ========================================= 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

4 7

Festivus Overnight Signup
by Jeffrey Brace 09 Dec '22

09 Dec '22

I created a separate signup for those staying overnight in the bunk rooms at Festivus to make it clearer and easier: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1KGQvZ9SlQ3zZ_ySviHIdfBcoeClwmW45RWJ… ========================================= 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

1 0