August 2024 - vcf-midatlantic

Anyone aware of "Standard ASCII codes for tape device control"
by Neil Cherry 18 Aug '24

18 Aug '24

Sorry for the vague title. Let me give some information up front. I'm looking at a Microware sales brochure (typed pages actually) for the RT68MX OS (for Motorola 6800 boards). The operating system is compatible with Motorola's MIKBUG (1974). The RT68MX claims to use "Standard ASCII codes for tape device control". I'm not 100% sure what the tape device is. A cassette tape deck or a paper tape device. My beginnings in the computer world was just as mini Floppies were being the norm. Here are my asm equates for the ASCII control codes DC1 EQU $11 ;* Device control 1 start Reader DC2 EQU $12 ;* Device control 2 start Writer DC3 EQU $13 ;* Device control 3 stop Reader DC4 EQU $14 ;* Device control 4 stop Writer It appears that DC1/DC3 are for the reader (sends data to the RT68MX) and DC2/DC4 for the writer (receives data from RT68MX). What I'm tying to find out is, what this standard is and what devices it worked with. Thanks -- 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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VCF East 2025 Dates: April 4, 5, 6
by Jeffrey Brace 17 Aug '24

17 Aug '24

I have officially booked the dates of April 4, 5, 6 for VCF East 2025! The theme will be: The Sound of vintage Place: InfoAge. Due to the contributions of all the great volunteers from VCF East 2024, next year will be just as awesome! Thank you volunteers! Areas I'm working on: 1) A larger consignment space 2) A food truck (same one as the swap meet) Soon, I will be sending out sign ups for: Exhibitors Speakers Volunteers I already have a list of some potential speakers for next year. In case you are wondering why the change in date? I was unable to get my preferred dates (April 25, 26, 27) because another event at InfoAge had booked some of the dates. I had literally applied one day after another group had booked those dates. Who would have thought they would be booking all their events 8 months ahead? I do my best not to conflict with any other significant events. Hopefully there are no conflicts with: 1) Other events 2) Solar Eclipse 3) Lunar Eclipse 4) Great Universal alignment 5) Finding the question to The Ultimate Answer to Life, The Universe and Everything! Let me know if you know of anything significant. Take care! 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 <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campai…> Virus-free.www.avast.com <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campai…> <#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>

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The Daydreamer - Lee Felsenstein
by Christian Liendo 16 Aug '24

16 Aug '24

Legacy Technologies - Episode 02 This episode is dedicated to Lee Felsenstein, a trailblazer in the development of early personal computers during the 70s and 80s. Lee engineered the VDM-1 (Video Device Module) in 1976, the precursor to modern graphic cards. Along with figures like Steve Wozniak, he helped establish the Homebrew Computer Club, the first community for PC enthusiasts. Lee was also a co-founder of Osborne, designing the notable Osborne-1. Prior to his contributions to computing, Lee was deeply involved in the Free Speech Movement and developed “Community Memory,” a project considered the earliest form of social media. This episode celebrates Lee’s enduring impact across various communities. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IU7BfeXaeuE

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Vintage Computer Festival West XVIII Walk Around
by Christian Liendo 15 Aug '24

15 Aug '24

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2w3fG0KqFHM I'm pretty sure that's Corey at 1:35 and Jeff at 6:00

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FYI PDP-11/34 available, Frederick, MD - on Facebook
by glenn.f.roberts＠gmail.com 15 Aug '24

15 Aug '24

FYI posted on facebook there's a PDP-11/34 system available in Frederick, MD, $2,600. I've had good experience working with this seller. Here's the text of the post (for those of you who don't have Facebook accounts) and the URL below. Pictures on Facebook so better to go there if you can. I don't know DEC prices but looks like a bargain to me! "DEC PDP-11/34A CPU, cards, and "decdatasystem" rack. RL02 not included at this time but a spare one could be negotiated. Much of the value of this system is in the rare Unibus SCSI card -- which cost me $1000 alone. Comes with extra cards and power supplies. Everything was fully restored and operational 8 years ago, including complete power supplies overhaul with caps reform or replacement as needed. Here's the catch. I got it all working, shut it down, wheeled it away, and in the 8 years since and multiple traumas later, I completely forgot how to do everything. I haven't yet attempted to power it on as I prefer a knowledgeable buyer who would have their own ideas on how to best bring it back up. I will assist, but Buyer responsible for removal from my house (all on ground level)." (20+) Vintage / Retro Computer Swap Meet | DEC PDP-11/34A CPU, cards, and <https://www.facebook.com/groups/vintagecomputerswapmeet/permalink/805307760 1434548/?sale_post_id=8053077601434548&referralSurface=messenger_thread_view &referralCode=marketplace_new_thread_xmat_cta> "decdatasystem" rack | Facebook * Glenn

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Firsts: The History of Computing from the Paul G. Allen Collection
by Christian Liendo 15 Aug '24

15 Aug '24

https://onlineonly.christies.com/s/firsts-history-computing-paul-g-allen-co…

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Boyertown, PA Tony Robot
by Bill Degnan 14 Aug '24

14 Aug '24

Saw on facebook marketplace: "Omnibot Tomy rc robot rx 5402 remote control collector MAKE OFFER OBO" Boyertown, PA Bill

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Re: stargate: Usenet over satellite TV in the Vertical Blanking Interval
by Jonathan Sturges 13 Aug '24

13 Aug '24

> > Date: Mon, 12 Aug 2024 05:20:46 -0400 > From: Jeffrey Jonas <jeffrey.scott.jonas(a)gmail.com> > To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> > Subject: [vcf-midatlantic] stargate: Usenet over satellite TV in the > Vertical Blanking Interval > > replying to Devin Heitmueller: >> There were some interesting competing products around that time >> which used datacasting over Vertical Blanking Interval > > Stargate transmitted USENET that way: > https://stargatemuseum.org/html/stargate_project.html > Thanks for pointing that out Jeff! I think that’s super-cool! Much later there was also TV Guide On Screen (TVGOS) which sent guide data in the NTSC & analog cable days, usually on PBS channels. -Jonathan

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Looking for a CD from the back of a certain IBM Redbook
by Dan FitzGerald 13 Aug '24

13 Aug '24

Hey all, Does anybody here have a physical copy of the IBM Redbook "Open Source Software for z/OS and OS/390 UNIX", specifically a copy of the CD that came with it? (The CD can be an image, I just didn't want anybody replying to me with links to the PDF of the Redbook). Regards, Dan FitzGerald They/Them or She/Her Classical Computing Laboratory at IBM Poughkeepsie http://www.vm.ibm.com/devpages/dfitzger

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stargate: Usenet over satellite TV in the Vertical Blanking Interval
by Jeffrey Jonas 12 Aug '24

12 Aug '24

replying to Devin Heitmueller: > There were some interesting competing products around that time > which used datacasting over Vertical Blanking Interval Stargate transmitted USENET that way: https://stargatemuseum.org/html/stargate_project.html

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