January 2023 - vcf-midatlantic

Ideas for VCF 2023 t-shirts
by Jeffrey Brace 30 Jan '23

30 Jan '23

I'm starting the process for ideas and a design for this year's t-shirt. If anyone has any ideas that they want to throw to us, then please do so by replying to this email either publicly or privately. Keep in mind that we may not use your idea, so don't feel disappointed if we choose another. One t-shirt that was really popular was the "dragon" t-shirt which had the IBM 5150 running Adventure and a dragon on the side. Perhaps a similar iconic creature would be popular with people. 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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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Ideas for VCF 2023 t-shirts
by Chris Fala 28 Jan '23

28 Jan '23

That idea has potential. I like it. On Sat, Jan 28, 2023 at 2:04 PM Sentrytv via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > How about a Rube Goldberg design using a chip and supporting components.? > > Sent from: > My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device. > > > On Jan 28, 2023, at 1:57 PM, Bill Degnan via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > > I could just be a simple Blinky light circuit, just to make comment to > the > > inderlying.technology that supports our hobby. How about that old 6502 > > test circuit?. Very easy to make into a shirt design dors anyone here > > knownwhat Inmean? I could draw it if anyone not sure > > > >> On Sat, Jan 28, 2023, 6:48 AM Jeff S via vcf-midatlantic < > >> vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > >> > >> The 74S181 is a remarkable chip in computing history, but I feel it may > be > >> too esoteric on a t-shirt if we were make it the theme of the t-shirt. > >> > >> If the schematic was used as a generic graphic, along with a VCF slogan > or > >> something, people might easily understand it as "something about > >> computing." If we called it what it is on the shirt, it'll probably > >> generate questions like, "why this?", As opposed to the more common, > "What > >> is this?" > >> > >> Questions from the public are good, but questions from a confused public > >> are not as good. Unless we have exhibits or a show theme about the > >> historical significance of the 74S181, then it's schematic graphic > wouldn't > >> work as a t-shirt graphic focused on the chip itself. It might actually > >> hurt t-shirt sales. If you showed one of our average visitors a labeled > >> picture of the 74S181 and an IBM PC, and asked them which one they would > >> buy as a t-shirt, what do you believe they will choose? > >> > >> Think of it like this... why did we put a Commodore 64 graphic on a > t-shirt > >> before, instead of a schematic or block diagram of its VIC-II chip? The > >> latter is a significant chip in computing history, but people will more > >> readily recognize a computer more than a specific chip. > >> > >> I first wasn't wholly set on suggesting an IBM PC as the t-shirt > graphic, > >> but good points and arguments were made in this thread about doing so. > >> Either way, the t-shirt graphic should be something more readily > recognized > >> by a passing viewer AND be historically significant this year. In lieu > of > >> any other ideas, the IBM PC would be a better choice in my opinion. > >> > >> The 74S181 sure would be a great exhibit of historical significance if > >> someone needed an exhibit idea. 🙂 > >> > >> Jeff Salzman > >> > >> On Sat, Jan 28, 2023, 1:20 AM Douglas Crawford via vcf-midatlantic < > >> vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > >> > >>> > >>> > >>> On 1/27/2023 9:49 PM, Dave McGuire via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > >>>> On 1/27/23 21:20, Douglas Crawford via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > >>>>> One working circuit idea: > >>>>> I just was researching the TI ALU that some mini computers used > >>>>> prior to microprocesses, 74S181. It was pretty influential. > >>>>> The logic diagram could work as a graphic to wear. > >>> > >> > >

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(off topic) - options for smaller than 19" receiver/amp for multiple RCA connections?
by John Heritage 28 Jan '23

28 Jan '23

Hey folks, Just wondering - I have multiple vintage devices sharing an old 19" Onkyo receiver. It works great but takes up a lot of desk space. If I replaced it with a smaller amp (that I could mount under a desk) what are some options for hooking up multiple RCA cables and switching between them? Would appreciate links to example devices. (Fwiw - currently I keep an Amiga, an ST, and a Sega Genesis attached but only use sound on one at a time. May add a 4th device later). If you're linking something with an amp (which is cool) my power requirements aren't huge. 40w RMS would be ideal. Thanks! John

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Help with Advertising VCF East 2023
by Jeffrey Brace 28 Jan '23

28 Jan '23

If you would like to help me advertise VCF East 2023, then please let me know and update this Google Sheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1bTUD823vqyATavVYWGs8k5fdYBQRdk6cIUR… 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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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Updated VCF East exhibitors list
by Jeffrey Brace 28 Jan '23

28 Jan '23

I had some time tonight. I updated the VCF East 2023 Exhibitor List. There are 20 exhibitors so far. We still have plenty of room for exhibits. Deadline is March 24 for exhibits. Keep them coming! Thanks! On Thu, Jan 26, 2023 at 12:43 PM Peter Fletcher via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > I had a friend ask me about attending VCF East this year and wanted a list > of what to expect from the exhibitors. I pointed him to > https://vcfed.org/events/vintage-computer-festival-east/vcf-east-exhibits/ > but there are only two exhibits listed which I assume is not up to date. > > Is there a current list I can show him? > > Thanks! > > -Pete > >

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1986 Matrix Film Recorder
by Jeffrey Brace 28 Jan '23

28 Jan '23

Someone contacted me about help with diagnosing a problem with the electronics of a 1986 Matrix Film Recorder. They live near Montclair, NJ. If anyone is interested in helping out, then please contact me off list. 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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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Updated VCF East exhibitors list
by Jeffrey Brace 28 Jan '23

28 Jan '23

Hello Pete, Sorry for the delay. I've been busy. I will update the list by this weekend. I needed to process the exhibits, approve the exhibits, check the description, etc. Jeff On Thu, Jan 26, 2023 at 12:43 PM Peter Fletcher via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > I had a friend ask me about attending VCF East this year and wanted a list > of what to expect from the exhibitors. I pointed him to > https://vcfed.org/events/vintage-computer-festival-east/vcf-east-exhibits/ > but there are only two exhibits listed which I assume is not up to date. > > Is there a current list I can show him? > > Thanks! > > -Pete > >

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] x86 question (was:Ideas for VCF 2023 t-shirts)
by Bill Degnan 28 Jan '23

28 Jan '23

As everyone knows in the mid 80's companies making home/small business computers fell under huge pressure to produce IBM compatibles or face going out of business. IBM totally dominated the enitre computer market (PC, Mini, Mainframe) then. There were exceptions of course. 8-bit home computers that were cheap survived, early high-end workstations, desktop publishing machines, etc. Look up the marketing info you will see what I mean. Fast forward to 1997 or so, when "vintage computing" as we know it today started, people wanted to focus on the computers that came before the IBM PC. IT was kind of a rebellion against how boring modern computers at the time had become. In particular interest was the homebrew era (73-79) stuff and the computers by companies who went out of business due to IBM market dominance. Add in the home gaming machines and you have "vintage 1997 vintage computing". That's why Commodore, Atari, Sinclair, etc. produced in the 80's were "OK" but the IBM PC was not. If you wanted to do an exhibit at an early VCF, the peer pressure at the time was to exhibit things like the SOL-20, Altair, RCA Cosmac Elf, etc. Stuff from Byte magazines in 1975 were the show stoppers. There was an equal contingent of cool DEC hardware. Basically the culture was "anything but IBM because IBM made computers boring and corporate" IBM mainframe hardware was OK though. Each subsdequent VCF year brought more and more Commodore, Atari, Tandy and Apple stuff. Today these manufacturers make up a majority of the shows. "vintage 2023 vintage computing" is often dominated by 8-bit hardware, Amiga, MAC, SGI, NeXT, stuff like that. DEC and S-100 systems are getting quite rare in VCF's now, but there are the dihard exhibits of these. And of course this is just a generalization, there are always rare and interesting things from foreign lands, mods, etc. The 30th anniversary of the IBM PC was I think the first time there was an IBM PC exhibit, and it only contained the very first models, CP/M, etc. On Fri, Jan 27, 2023 at 11:11 AM Sentrytv via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > There are so many people out there with IBM and compatibles that are from > the early 80s. > They really should be considered vintage as well as “retro” > > Sent from: > My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device. > > > On Jan 27, 2023, at 10:39 AM, Jeff Galinat via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > > I have heard the argument you describe. The x86 PC thing is something I > > never understood at all. The IBM PC was released in 1981 and the XT was > > released in 1983 both predating the Mac. > > I just don’t get it. > > Jeff Galinat > > > >> On Fri, Jan 27, 2023 at 4:39 AM Jeff S via vcf-midatlantic < > >> vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > >> > >> > >> The IBM XT would work, too, but there's still that hanging argument that > >> x86 PC systems will never be considered "vintage" in any way. > >> > >> > >

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Seeking Applesauce FDC testimonials - museum use
by Dave McGuire 28 Jan '23

28 Jan '23

Ok. That's a tough nut to crack. -Dave On 1/27/23 11:59, drummy wrote: > The Univac tapes are 7 track. > > > > Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone > > > -------- Original message -------- > From: Dave McGuire via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> > Date: 1/27/23 11:41 AM (GMT-05:00) > To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> > Cc: Dave McGuire <mcguire(a)neurotica.com> > Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Seeking Applesauce FDC testimonials - > museum use > > On 1/27/23 11:40, Douglas Crawford via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > > I welcome a bit of illumination to help me form > > a vision of the totality of the problems. > > On the tape subject, one practical need I'd like to > > crack this year is archiving the UNIVAC 1219 tapes. > > Lets start a new thread on tapes if anyone has more to > > offer at this time. > > We do a lot of tape archiving at LSSM, and can help with some of this. > > Are the Univac's tapes 7-track, or 9? > > -Dave > > -- > Dave McGuire, AK4HZ > New Kensington, PA > -- Dave McGuire, AK4HZ New Kensington, PA

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Seeking Applesauce FDC testimonials
by Douglas Crawford 28 Jan '23

28 Jan '23

I'm wondering how comprehensive a solution it has become and how well it works on all supported formats. If anyone recommends it from first hand experience for doing all the disk formats that it is supposed do, please contact me off list. (I have done disk image management with all the varied tools but if Applesause does it all well with one package I may go this way for the museum and warehouse use. I need to know before I set up all the old stand-byes to support our disk imaging) - Doug Crawford VCF Museum Mgr

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