December 2024 - vcf-midatlantic

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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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] When your family really loves you - they give you Unix nerdery for christmas.
by Dave Shevett 26 Dec '24

26 Dec '24

I dont own the original images. You can find them out on the internet - tbh, the ownership of this artwork is a little murky. I'd love to get a clear answer about is it okay to distribute the raw images - anyone know? Best I've found is that Gary passed away a while ago, and his wife has held the position that people are welcome to use the images, just don't profit by them. On Thu, Dec 26, 2024 at 2:16 PM Joan Touzet via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > Very nice! Are the PDFs available so others can repeat this gift of joy? > > -Joan > > On 2024-12-26 13:01, Dave Shevett via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > > I have to share this - > > https://bsky.app/profile/vintageapparatus.com/post/3lea24xs3bk2h > > > > My family took super-high resolution scans of the original Gary Overacre > > 'unix feuds' 'unix magic' and 'unix views' posters, and had them > > professional printed on high quality stock. Add in full size frames and > > proper sizing, and I have artwork I can put in my nerd cave and be mighty > > proud of it. > > > > Here's a thumbnail - see the link on bsky for the full glory. > > [image: image.png] > > > -- Dave Shevett shevett(a)pobox.com

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When your family really loves you - they give you Unix nerdery for christmas.
by Dave Shevett 26 Dec '24

26 Dec '24

I have to share this - https://bsky.app/profile/vintageapparatus.com/post/3lea24xs3bk2h My family took super-high resolution scans of the original Gary Overacre 'unix feuds' 'unix magic' and 'unix views' posters, and had them professional printed on high quality stock. Add in full size frames and proper sizing, and I have artwork I can put in my nerd cave and be mighty proud of it. Here's a thumbnail - see the link on bsky for the full glory. [image: image.png] -- Dave Shevett shevett(a)pobox.com

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Merry Christmas And Happy Hanukkah
by Christian Liendo 25 Dec '24

25 Dec '24

Wishing all of you who celebrate a Merry Christmas And Happy Hanukkah. Sorry I didn't see you at Festivus and hope to see you guys at other events. Also A Happy New Year and hopeful for a good 2025 and a great VCFE. Warm Wishes Christian

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Happy Festivus to all those who celebrate ;)
by Jeffrey Brace 23 Dec '24

23 Dec '24

I wanted to wish everyone a Happy Festivus on this the official day of Festivus (December 23). We had observed our Festivus party on December 14. I counted 43 in attendance. Some couldn't make it due to illness or obligations. It was a fun time with food, friends and drink. The game room was filled with fun games. Thanks to Ian Primus, Jonathan Sturges, Thomas Gilinsky and others who brought games. The swap meet room was fun with interesting stuff in the free pile. It looked like a lot of people made some great sales. We ate all the food that was there and left nothing. Thanks to Bernie S for grilling the burgers. Thanks to Emilio for helping in many ways. Thanks to those who helped me set up early on Friday and breakdown and cleanup on Sunday. I saw faces from those from the early days of MARCH, the middle days as well as fresh faces that recently joined. It was a fun time for all! I wish everyone a fantastic 2025 and look forward to seeing everyone again at VCF East 2025 on April 4-6! Take care! Jeff Brace VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President VCF East Showrunner MARCH Fundraising Manager Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity https://vcfed.org/ <http://www.vcfed.org/> jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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PDP 11/23 in Grand Rapids, Michigan needs help selling
by Jeffrey Brace 21 Dec '24

21 Dec '24

Someone contacted me to see if I could help them sell their PDP 11/23. I have yet to respond as I really don't know how to tell them that I don't have time. But, I can at least post to this list and see if someone here can help them. Let me know and I will send you their email address. Take care! Jeff Brace VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President VCF East Showrunner MARCH Fundraising Manager Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity https://vcfed.org/ <http://www.vcfed.org/> jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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Any Photos?
by Christian Liendo 21 Dec '24

21 Dec '24

I didn't get to go. I wondered if anyone had photos for those of us who missed

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Vendor Registration VCF East 2025
by Jeffrey Brace 21 Dec '24

21 Dec '24

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe6N-8KLx1IxfdwtNxymvCwgH1vOD86I5e… Take care! Jeff Brace VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President VCF East Showrunner MARCH Fundraising Manager Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity https://vcfed.org/ <http://www.vcfed.org/> jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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DG Nova on Facebook Marketplace
by Joseph Giliberti 20 Dec '24

20 Dec '24

This just popped up and the price isn't astronomical. Screenshots attached for those not on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/15WMnUTeWY/

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More VCF West 2024 videos coming on YouTube!
by Jeffrey Brace 20 Dec '24

20 Dec '24

After some delay, I'm working on getting the remaining talks from VCF West 2024 out the door. Just posted an interview of Ron Wayne by Dan Kottke (both of Apple Computer). Enjoy! https://youtu.be/w8GU3JelIlk Jeff Brace VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President VCF East Showrunner MARCH Fundraising Manager Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity https://vcfed.org/ <http://www.vcfed.org/> jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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