January 2024 - vcf-midatlantic

Re: [vcf-midatlantic] OT: time to downsize
by Bob Shuster 03 Sep '25

03 Sep '25

I’ve finally gone through all the old Apple “i“-devices I’ve accumulated, but I haven’t listed them on the website as they definitely don’t fit the “vintage” moniker. That being said, perhaps some of you might also collect these or want them for parts/nostalgia? There are a couple of 1st gen iPads, a 1st gen iPad mini, various iPods, and a handful of iPhone 5 and 6 phones. Drop me an email if you want any more details. And still plenty of other stuff left - although I’ve been slowly selling off bits and pieces on eBay. - Bob Shuster > 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 > > 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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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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A 4004 Based Microcomputer the Comstar System 4
by Christian Liendo 26 Dec '24

26 Dec '24

A number of years ago I got my hands on a Comstar Programmer, it programmed roms for a computer called the Comstar System 4. I was told both the programmer and the System 4 were intel 4004 based. I asked around and kept getting told no computer was 4004 based. I really didn't do much due diligence just some searching here and there but I found enough to show that the computer did exist and was 4004 based. The website "Internet Scripophily Museum of Computing" has a page on the history of The Warner & Swasey Company. It's a decent timeline of the company http://ismoc.blogspot.com/2017/06/the-warner-swasey-company.html In "Auerbach Guide to Minicomputers" April 1976, the computer is mentioned on page 54 and page 70. On page 70 are the specifications and they show it being 4004 based. http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/auerbach/Auerbach_Guide_to_Minicomputers_Apr76… In the IEEE Spectum May 1975 on page 26 the compiler and the System 4 are talked about having a 4004 https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?arnumber=6368812 In the ACM's archives "Development of a portable compiler for industrial microcomputer systems" by LEROY H. ANDERSON The Warner & Swasey Company, it discusses the system and has images on the unit. https://www.computer.org/csdl/pds/api/csdl/proceedings/download-article/12O… And finally the Computer History Museum put the manual up for download. https://www.computerhistory.org/collections/catalog/102686568 I'm still trying to get more info, but I think this is some decent evidence to show there was a 4004 based computer in 1972

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2 PAL TVs needed for VCF East 2024
by Jeffrey Brace 23 Mar '24

23 Mar '24

Bart van den Akker will be traveling from the Netherlands to VCF East. To lighten the load of traveling he needs for his exhibit 2 PAL TVs. Preferable one RF and one with SCART or Composite in. Is there anyone that can lend them to him for the show? Thanks! Jeff Brace VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President Vintage Computer Festival East Showrunner VCF Mid-Atlantic Event Manager 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] VCF East 2023 YouTube videos and articles
by Bob Flanders 18 Mar '24

18 Mar '24

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Signup for February 17th Workshop
by Bill Degnan 12 Feb '24

12 Feb '24

February Workshop February 17th 2024 9AM - 8PM+ Signup, directions, and details: https://www.kennettclassic.com/hack-a-thon-workshop-february-17th/ Thanks Bill Degnan Kennett Classic

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OT: Zip Drive USB 250 Meg
by Jeffrey Brace 04 Feb '24

04 Feb '24

Someone local to InfoAge: Diver Dan needs to borrow a Zip Drive 250 for a few days. Does anyone have a working one? Let me know off list. Thanks! Jeff Brace VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President Vintage Computer Festival East Showrunner VCF Mid-Atlantic Event Manager Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity https://vcfed.org/ <http://www.vcfed.org/> jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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Workshop ... how'd it go?
by Bill Degnan 31 Jan '24

31 Jan '24

Checking in, how was the workshop at system source? I couldn't go, I had commitments. Bill

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] How did the System Source workshop go?
by Crawford Griffith 30 Jan '24

30 Jan '24

Folks, Reporting from my end of the tables (AKA the OSI corner) at the System Source workshop last weekend… Jonathan Chapman (Glitch) and Bill Dromgoole were working on the rare 14”Ohio Scientific hard drive that Glitch brought. They got the OSI CD23 hard disk to give up data. They captured 2 MB of data before the system reset but the presence of some FORTH code showed they were getting real data. The magic combination was the original OSI 590 disk interface card Glitch had restored plus Bill Dromgoole's 525 dual port RAM card. This combo started providing believable data at 15 minutes before the 9pm closing time on Saturday. Earlier Lou Ernst provided the LM311 comparator that eliminated the Track zero sensor from the gremlin list. Lou split his time between the main work table room and the DEC room. Bill D and Glitch helped me (Crawford) get my OSI Challenger 1P to boot. I got the extension RAM and disk board attached, after I got the RAM on the mainboard sorted. No boot from floppy disk yet, but we played with disk lines and found some step/load functions were working. I also got my MicroCoreLabs MCL65+ emulator to run on an Apple II+ loaned by Alex Jacocks. Dmitry was working at the same table as me. He was working on Sun 3 stuff getting some advice from Maki and others. Dmitry was showing a California Systems Star dual 8” floppy system he had found also. Sunday, Maki got the power supply fixed and got monitor boot out of his Techtronix 88k! And also got to the monitor ROM and console via serial port. Alex J and Jonathan Sturges can chime in on their progress if they want. Glitch (as usual) was helping basically *everybody*. David Gesswein also checked in occasionally from the DEC room and answered questions and gave advice. I met Justin who was working on Commodore 64 stuff, he was a first time attendee of a VCF workshop. Katheryn/Kat (sp?) was there with her Apple plotter and Apple II, trying to get it all working correctly. (Also a first time attendee). The System Source folks, Bob Roswell, Ryan Burke, Ryan Schiff, and others did their usual great job hosting. It was much appreciated! Sorry if I got any names wrong, and was not able to meet anyone. -Crawford

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Expect to see a bunch of DPS1s hit the market
by Christian Liendo 30 Jan '24

30 Jan '24

Looks like someone bought a house in PA and he has a bunch of old computer stuff and has eight DPS 1s. https://www.reddit.com/r/VintageComputers/comments/1adizzs/what_should_i_do…

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