December 2022 - vcf-midatlantic

Docent Slots during festivus
by Douglas Crawford 05 Dec '22

05 Dec '22

Hi- If you would like to spend some time with museum visitors during festivus, sign up on this page or message me privately. I'll have a simple a tour guide for anyone who might like to try this but haven't done it before. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-opnfD8oB5ybmjl7-14e19RfCLnOVO8YfU-… Thanks! Doug Crawford

1 0

Reminder about Festivus party on Dec 10 & 11, 2022
by Jeffrey Brace 05 Dec '22

05 Dec '22

In case anyone missed my previous email, here is the info again: 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 End Time? Whenever ;) Sunday, December 11 Starting at 11AM Breakfast at OB diner: 9AM Perogies: 1PM? Ending at 6PM POTLUCK (recommended, but not required): 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: No. Not this year. I’m Sorry. Last year there were complaints about the party members being split between buildings. We want to keep everyone in the same building and focus on the social aspect. I didn’t reserve the CDL workshop this time, so please don't setup anything there. 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. There are t-shirts, hoodies, mousepads, stickers, etc. available. ========================================= 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

SC Elections
by Tony Bogan 05 Dec '22

05 Dec '22

All, I just saw Chris’ email about two days left for VCF Steering Committee Elections and then realized I had not seen my email on the list I (thought) I had sent the other day! So, here it is :-) For those who are undecided as to which people they are voting for I wanted to give my thoughts and share perspective for several of the nominees. Adam Michlin, Chris Fala and Doug Crawford have all my confidence as well as my support. This year was tough for me because there are other candidates I would like to see on the SC, but right now three seats are up, so three choices must be made. What a great spot to be in with so many great people to choose from! Adam Michlin and i have worked closely on more projects than I have time to mention, including being on the steering committee together at its inception. He has worked tirelessly to promote VCF and improve our museum, warehouse and events. Despite some of the roadblocks thrown in his way he continues to do those things and more. For those that don’t know, when there is a miscommunication, misunderstanding, missed opportunity or just plain screwup, Adam is inevitably the one who smooths things over, corrects the mistake and bears the brunt of the ire of the aggrieved party when there is one!! This man literally greases the wheels of so many things that few if any of you ever hear about. There is, in my humble opinion, no one more qualified to help steer our organization into the future, period. Chris Fala and I have also worked on many projects together, been on the SC together and share a love of Apple computers while eschewing any desire to have a commodore (sorry, couldn’t resist an Apple vs commodore dig at Chris) Chris took the foundation and framework of the SC Chairman seat built by Dean Notarnicola and truly made them his own. After Dean worked tirelessly to help create the SC and then became its first Chairman, Chris has taken the position to the next level and shown just how much he is truly interested in seeing VCF thrive and grow. While no guarantee that if elected he would still be the Chair, the point is in any capacity he is someone we DO NOT want to lose as one of the drivers of this organization. I was so happy he decided to accept the nomination I submitted for him, he is needed in more ways than I can count. Doug Crawford and I have also known each other for quite awhile now and our relationship was solidified by the fact that Chris Fala is the one who introduced me to Doug!! I know this email is long, so the best way for me to show the level of support I have for Doug is to mention that he is the person I immediately reached out to when I had to step down from the SC to deal with my wife’s health issues and see if he was willing to step in if the SC approved him as my replacement. Knowing Doug as I do, I was confident he would jump in head first and immediately start to come up with ideas to improve VCF and then turn those ideas into reality. In quick fashion he exceeded my expectations and proved I had grossly underestimated his impact on the organization and literally took things to the next level. My seat became his for a brief time, now it’s time for it to be his seat for the next few years!! Difficult to not go on about the other nominees that are deserving of your support, but as mentioned only three seats are currently available and choices have to be made. Was difficult not going on about their qualities, but knowing who the nominees are this year, we cannot go wrong no matter which ones are elected! I hope those who have not voted yet will do so and cast their votes for those nominees they’d like to see sit on the Steering Committee. Perhaps my comments here have helped make your decision a little easier. Tony Bogan Sent from my iPhone

1 0

Museum and Warehouse Short Term Plans
by Douglas Crawford 05 Dec '22

05 Dec '22

A fairly comprehensive list is offered for a glimpse into the future. Most of this has begun discussion in the steering committee. A few are only proposal level that have been submitted in writing. ENJOY! MUSEUM: PROCESS / PROCEDURE / METHODS: (Working the ideas of the Mission Statement) - Beginning to consider initiatives to get more people to visit us and InfoAge. InfoAge needs the revenue and we need them to get revenue to insure that they are around to have a place for the museum and warehouse. Better notoriety would do VCF good, and our docents deserve to be heard by more people. Preparing for and pitching for more of a learning experience is a concept that might open the museum to interest beyond just those interested in seeing vintage computers. We are entertaining producing more video features from the museum to try to engage the main stream youtube viewership and create demand to visit us and the campus. - new docent recruiting initiative with new training materials and guides to make it easy to get involved in the museum. - Overhaul of our demonstration program content, methods, stories, and documentation to raise our ability to support hands-on use of the equipment, our ability to show what made the equipment special, and enhance learning. Some machines we have good demos, some so-so demos, some a wealth of demos. None had any guidance on what demos to run and why. - Overhaul of our BASIC programming experience to add a level of BASIC experience that give more inspiration about programming. - Rework of the current IC exhibit into an overview of the hardware innovations contributing to the progression of computer tech from the 1940s through the 1990s. ie: the innovations that contributed to decrease size, increase in capacity, increase compute power. Specifically, it will show the parallel development of CPU and Memory: On the "cpu" side: from relays to single IC CPUs and on the "memory" side from delay lines to solid state. - Working some ideas for more hands-on learning exhibits such as binary numbers, logic & machine coding. - Instituting visitor feedback collection to know what they like, what don't what they might like us like us to add. Process improvement. A form is being trialed now. EXHIBIT ENHANCEMENTS - Scelby and S100 demos are being set up soon with Corey's help. - Enhancing the ENIAC "exhibit" is being pursued with Brian Stuart. He is preparing his 1/10 scale model and a computer simulation for our use. The ENIAC is the beginning of the museum tour now, espousing its size, 18,000 vacuum tubes and what it was designed to do and what it accomplished. This is starting point for discussing why computers were huge to be begin with, how hard they were to make, and sets the stage for discussing the innovations that caused continual shrinking and cost reduction through the tour. I hope to procure a piece of the ENIAC, as currently our "artifact" is a period photograph of it installed at the proving ground, and a commemorative poster of the ENIAC patent. - Considering trying to get pieces of other foundational computers of the ENIAC timeframe, ie, SAGE etc, so that we have exhibits that elaborate on the early days of the digital computer revolution. - IBM 1130 is scheduled for restoration and will likely be operable in 2023, Jeff B is handling. - Wang 4000 restoration is being planned. We have a rough idea on the steps we will take, and have help offered by Rick Bensene at oldcalculatormuseum.com - EIA Analog: I plan to free up Bill I. to work on his concepts for demoing this machine developed some time back. - George: we have interest from the folks from Philbrick Archive.org regarding restoration options. - Interest expressed in restoring the TI Minicomputer, have begun some inventorying. - TRS-80 exhibit will be overhauled. Its part done- we have a working "as released" Model I Level I in place for real tape load demos in the "trilogy" exhibit. Later, a Model III will be added to the complement to reliably run (compared to an expanded Model I) disk based demos. WAREHOUSE - Discussion has been broached with Bob at System Source for adopting their data base system. We will probably be given an overview demonstration of using the data base soon. - The warehouse physically is being held in a "steady as she goes" state in anticipation of the renovation of the new space being handled by Jeff B. Fortunately we squeaked through hurricane season without a disaster. - No new leaks after last storm system came through. - Some artifacts will be chosen soon for transfer to the museum and stored under the exhibit racks for safer keeping until the the new space is ready receive the warehouse contents. -- Best Regards, Douglas Crawford VCF Museum and Warehouse Manager

1 0

Time Is Almost Up! Steering Committee Voting Ends on Wednesday
by Chris Fala 05 Dec '22

05 Dec '22

With just two full days left, it seems that many of our members have not voted in the Steering Committee election. Voting closes at 11:59pm on Wednesday, December 7. Please vote, and remind your friends. See links below. Sincere thanks to those who already participated. Chris Fala VCF-MA Steering Committee Chairman Get to know your candidates here: https://vcfed.org/steering-committee-nominee-position-statements/ Vote at the link below. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdqnOZddYcoHTc59HLVn4QxWaEAdNehGL3…

1 0

TRS-80 Model 4P in MD
by Mike Loewen 05 Dec '22

05 Dec '22

Here's a good deal for someone (not my listing). TRS-80 Model 4P in Cumberland, MD: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/872185900607075/ Mike Loewen mloewen(a)cpumagic.scol.pa.us Old Technology http://q7.neurotica.com/Oldtech/

1 0

Gerry Lawson's 82nd birthday - Today's Google Doodle
by Jeffrey Brace 03 Dec '22

03 Dec '22

Today's Google Doodle is about Gerry Lawson who helped design the Fairchild F and on the team that pioneered the video game cartridge. Gerry has been deceased for 11 years. He is one of the few African Americans who have been inventors in the early vintage computer and vintage video game industries. Related to this: I have been presented an opportunity to have another African American with similar experience come talk at VCF East: Ed Smith. Ed Smith started out working for APF Electronics, Inc. which released The Imagination Machine, a hybrid video game. Would any of you be interested in hearing his story? So here's the catch. Ed Smith wants a speaker fee of $5000 and travel expenses. As far as I know the Vintage Computer Festival has never paid a speaker fee. We honestly can't afford such a large fee. It is beyond our budget. We have paid travel expenses for a select few speakers who can't afford it and/or are very important speakers. I'm contemplating doing a fundraiser for this. Just a straw poll. How many would donate towards this? I would love to hear his story. Thanks for your input! ========================================= 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

13 17

Identifying head protector
by Bob Shuster 02 Dec '22

02 Dec '22

I found an old 3.5” floppy drive head protector, but there’s no manufacturer or product number ID whatsoever on it. Does it look familiar to anyone? Normally these are cardboard, so this was probably from a specific manufacturer. Really I’m just curious! https://drive.google.com/file/d/15W5_lGoYILF1RwrkIFdKp0fdrc3Ybiat/view?usp=… headvibprotector.jpg drive.google.com - Bob Shuster

1 0

Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Gerry Lawson's 82nd birthday - Today's Google Doodle
by Dave McGuire 01 Dec '22

01 Dec '22

Yes. I said exactly that (though in a very slightly less politically-correct way) on the steering committee mailing list. -Dave On December 1, 2022 12:31:43 PM Peter Cetinski via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > ---------- > Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Gerry Lawson's 82nd birthday - Today's Google Doodle > From: Peter Cetinski pete(a)pski.net > Date: Dec 1, 12:31 PM > To: vcf-midatlantic vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org > > I’d love to hear his story as well. But, not sure a non-profit should pay over and above travel expenses. Doesn’t feel right. My $0.02. > >> On Dec 1, 2022, at 10:42 AM, Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: >> >> Today's Google Doodle is about Gerry Lawson who helped design the Fairchild >> F and on the team that pioneered the video game cartridge. Gerry has been >> deceased for 11 years. He is one of the few African Americans who have been >> inventors in the early vintage computer and vintage video game industries. >> >> Related to this: I have been presented an opportunity to have another >> African American with similar experience come talk at VCF East: Ed Smith. >> Ed Smith started out working for APF Electronics, Inc. which released The >> Imagination Machine, a hybrid video game. >> >> Would any of you be interested in hearing his story? >> >> So here's the catch. Ed Smith wants a speaker fee of $5000 and travel >> expenses. As far as I know the Vintage Computer Festival has never paid a >> speaker fee. We honestly can't afford such a large fee. It is beyond our >> budget. We have paid travel expenses for a select few speakers who can't >> afford it and/or are very important speakers. I'm contemplating doing a >> fundraiser for this. Just a straw poll. How many would donate towards this? >> >> I would love to hear his story. >> >> Thanks for your input! >> >> ========================================= >> 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 -- Dave McGuire, AK4HZ New Kensington, PA

1 0

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

4 8