August 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 12 Jan '25

12 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 27 Dec '24

27 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] VCF Tech Swap Meet Nov 2, please let your friends and groups know.
by Jeffrey Brace 20 Sep '24

20 Sep '24

On Thu, Jun 27, 2024 at 12:19 Sentrytv via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > Thinking the same way > Please make sure that the ARRL calendar is updated with the event as well! Yes of course, but now they require a someone with a Ham Radio license. I do not have one. Martin did it last time. I will try to get a VCF member to do it this time. > > Sent from: > My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device. > > > On Jun 27, 2024, at 10:51 AM, Christian Liendo via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > > So, I know this happens every time but as we get closer to the next > > swap meet we get told. My group has an event and they conflict. > > > > Can you please let the groups you belong to know about the event. This > > should reduce the chance of a conflict and it will also drum up > > interest. > > > > https://vcfed.org/vcf-swap-meet/ > > > > We would like the next swap meet to be bigger and it would help to > > start getting the word out now. > > > > Thanks > >

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Does anyone want to fly to Texas?
by Christian Liendo 07 Sep '24

07 Sep '24

https://www.margiebeeglesales.com/Sales/2024-08-22%203%20Generations%20Anti…

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] slightly OT: Collector vs. Hoarder
by Bart Hirst 06 Sep '24

06 Sep '24

One bad scenario I can think of is an individual who isn't at all interested in estate planning, and has no close friends or relatives with knowledge of their collection at hand when they move on, and thus things could go off the rails when put in the hands of someone who is not prepared and/or equipped to do anything other than call 1-800-junk. On Wed, Aug 28, 2024 at 12:03 PM Hopkins, Justin via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > And I am pretty sure everyone remembers this. > https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-19665632.amp > ________________________________ > From: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic-bounces(a)lists.vcfed.org> on behalf > of Dean Notarnicola via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> > Sent: Wednesday, August 28, 2024 3:40:32 PM > To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> > Cc: Dean Notarnicola <dnotarnicola(a)gmail.com> > Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] slightly OT: Collector vs. Hoarder > > This discussion has come up several times in the past year. I'm wondering > if I should expand/update and repeat my VCF talk from a few years ago on > the lifecycle of collections; establishing, maintaining and final > disposition. Thoughts? - Dean > ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerStart > This Message Is From an External Sender > This message came from outside your organization. > > ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerEnd > > This discussion has come up several times in the past year. I'm wondering > if I should expand/update and repeat my VCF talk from a few years ago on > the lifecycle of collections; establishing, maintaining and > final disposition. Thoughts? > > - Dean > > On Wed, Aug 28, 2024 at 9:29 AM Chris Fala via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > Yes, I do know the distinction between you personally and the > organization. > > I thought of that as I was typing, but figured it would still get the > point > > across. Sorry if my phrasing distorted the situation. > > > > On Wed, Aug 28, 2024 at 9:05 AM Dave McGuire via vcf-midatlantic < > > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > > > > > > Thanks for the props, but remember that LSSM is not "Dave's stuff". > > > I have my own computers at home. Nearly all of my (computer) stuff > will > > > go to LSSM when I kick the bucket. > > > > > > -Dave > > > > > > On 8/28/24 08:53, Chris Fala via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > > > > Don't forget about exhibiting/presenting/sharing stuff now so people > > can > > > > enjoy our collections while we are still alive. McGuire is a perfect > > > > example of this, and I am not. Someone want to come over and help me > > > > organize my storage unit(s)? ;-) > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Wed, Aug 28, 2024 at 8:48 AM Bob Shuster via vcf-midatlantic < > > > > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > > > > > >> My bad, Dave! It was Mike Rosen (Sentrytv) responding to your > message > > > who > > > >> pointed this out, and I mixed up who said what! - Bob > > > >> > > > >>> From: Dave McGuire <mcguire(a)neurotica.com> > > > >>> Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] slightly OT: Collector vs. Hoarder > > > >>> On 8/27/24 10:32, Bob Shuster via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > > > >>>> This is precisely why I started to sell off my collection, and as > > > >>>> Dave McGuire pointed out it?s the people who come after we?re gone > > > >>>> that will have to deal with it! As I stated on the front page of > my > > > >>>> sales page: "There comes a time when one's collection overwhelms > the > > > >>>> ability to store or maintain it ... I imagine the pain of my > family > > > >>>> in having to do this after I'm gone!" > > > >>> > > > >>> I certainly wasn't the one who pointed that out. I was the one > > > >>> advocating for finding a compatible spouse to begin with. > > > >>> > > > >>> If fat, funny-looking, high-maintenance "me" can do it, any guy > > can. > > > >>> > > > >>> -Dave > > > >> > > > >> > > > > > > > > > -- > > > Dave McGuire, AK4HZ > > > New Kensington, PA > > > > > > > > This message and any attachments are intended only for the use of the > addressee and may contain information that is privileged and confidential. > If the reader of the message is not the intended recipient or an authorized > representative of the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any > dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have > received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by > e-mail and delete the message and any attachments from your system. > -- Bart Hirst "This signature will now be eaten up and spit out by Velociraptors."

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Receive only Teletype 33 in Marlboro NJ for $75
by Joseph Giliberti 01 Sep '24

01 Sep '24

Not exactly common to see https://www.facebook.com/share/EG9y1gDnxQDQPAKY/?mibextid=kL3p88

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] slightly OT: Collector vs. Hoarder
by Michael Thompson 30 Aug '24

30 Aug '24

We have an executor and an alternate executor. I made a list of the major parts of my hoard collection and where the items should go. My wife, executor, and an alternate executor know my wishes. Hopefully everything won't go for gold scrap. -- Michael Thompson

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Corvus Omninet , curious 'fact'
by Herbert Johnson 29 Aug '24

29 Aug '24

> I have no idea what qualifies as the first commercially successful network. Well, telegraph lines? that's electrical transmission along wires among many-to-many nodes. The trouble with chasing "firsts" is defining the "first what?". Because, there's always a prior case, that's almost but not quite like the "first-of". It's a judgement call. I gave up the practice of calling out firsts. Early personal-computer networking has many origins. Generally, it's about sharing a precious at-the-time resource (say, a database, a hard drive, a cable or transciever to a remote location, and so on). Current loop allowed sharing of Teletypes and use over distance. Where to start? But most of your post, was about Corvus technology, and then about ThickNet Ethernet falling down and hurting people. I can't speak to Corvus stuff, Web search will work that for you, library research if you need period pre-Internet magazines. Even with ThickNet, thick coax had/has prior use in high frequency radio communications. The point about properly mounting heavy cables and taps, is that later networking used *lighter* cabling and taps, so installation safety wasn't an issue. Thus it *seems* to be an issue in uninformed retrospect - who uses big cables today? At the time, mounting heavy cables and associated equipment was part of normal practices, unremarkable. In 1980 or so I ran a network of a hundred plus terminals to a DecSystem-20. Directly at first, later via a terminal server. The terminals were wired on wired-telephone twisted pairs, 50-pair cables of size, between punch-down terminal blocks. We had also ThickNet orange coax cable among several PDP-11 computers between various buildings and the DEC-20 system. Buildings of the era has all kinds of cabling runs, for AC power and phone-lines, pipes for plumbing, etc. Cables were installed following best-practices, other than the fact we ran RS-232 / EIA voltage levels for over 100 feet on twisted pair telephone cables. That's when I learned that bandwidth was related to signal/noise. Baud rates at 9600 baud worked, except for the very longest runs, failing due to distributed capacitance. Local lightning strikes, tended to take out our DEC terminal interface boards when they were directly connected. The later intervening terminal server resolved that. Regards, Herb -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey USA https://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net preserve, recover, restore 1970's computing email: hjohnson AT retrotechnology DOT com or try later herbjohnson AT comcast DOT net

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Corvus Omninet , curious 'fact'
by Neil Cherry 29 Aug '24

29 Aug '24

Came across this while poking around ebay: Corvus Concept Systems Computer Didn't know anything about to off to the wiki and: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corvus_Systems In 1980 Corvus came out with the first commercially successful local area network (LAN), called Omninet.[17] Most Ethernet deployments of the time ran at 3 Mbit/s and cost one or two thousand dollars per computer. Ethernet also used a thick and heavy cable that felt like a lead pipe when bent,[citation needed] which was run in proximity to each computer, often in the ceiling plenum. The weight of the cable was such that injury to workers from ceiling failure and falling cables was a real danger. A transceiver unit was spliced or tapped into the cable for each computer, with an additional AUI cable running from the transceiver to the computer itself. I had actually heard about the Corvus network stuff in the 80 but as a noob wasn't going to dig into it with the cost. I do like the injury claim. I don't recall ever hearing about that but I do recall the bends like a lead pipe part. I have no idea what qualifies as the first commercially successful network. -- Linux Home Automation Neil Cherry kd2zrq(a)linuxha.com http://www.linuxha.com/ Main site http://linuxha.blogspot.com/ My HA Blog Author of: Linux Smart Homes For Dummies KD2ZRQ

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