September 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] PDP-8/L restoration
by Ethan Dicks 01 Oct '24

01 Oct '24

On Sat, Sep 28, 2024 at 7:32 PM Mike Rieker via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > ... I made a test board that plugs in place of the front panel that > has a RasPI and 5 MCP23017s on it to test memory. > https://www.outerworldapps.com/pdp8l-with-pipanel.jpg That's amazing. I'd like to know more! -ethan

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Donation to VCF?
by Jeffrey Brace 01 Oct '24

01 Oct '24

VCF would like to get this Compact Flash card for our museum to make demos easier for our visitors: https://www.reactivemicro.com/product/cffa1-apple1-only/ Would someone be willing to buy and donate this to VCF? If so, then please contact me. 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

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REPAIR WORKSHOP OCT. 5 & 6 (GOT THE DATE RIGHT THIS TIME)
by Jeffrey Brace 30 Sep '24

30 Sep '24

Repair workshop is October 5 & 6. Sign up now: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1onB9_JVSdS3xCxQSOitBgIXSe6K2dbcCtjq… *WHERE:* 1) Building 9059 (CDL side and Classroom side) 2) Building 9032-A (overflow room connected to main building - Ask Jeff Brace for access) *TIME:*Saturday START time == 10 A.M. END time == 11PM. Sunday START time == 10 A.M. and END == 5 P.M. *COST:* $15 per person, per day. $25 per night for those wanting to stay overnight in the visitor center's bunk beds When you arrive, find me (Jeff Brace) to get a blue wristband. *OVERNIGHT*: Bring your own pillow, blankets, soap etc. We provide a bed frame and an uncovered mattress. There are showers and a kitchen for your use. - *Payments* - PayPal: @vintagecomputerfed (or paypal(a)vcfed.org) - Venmo: @VintageComputerFederation - Cash (in person) - Credit card (in person). *EQUIPMENT:* - VCF will provide a table and you can use any available electrical outlet. - Bring your own tools, power strips, power cords, and supplies etc. - If you need particular tools that you don't own or particular parts, please let others know that you need something. They may have what you need. Let them know ahead of time. - Let everyone know what project you are working on ahead of time to inspire collaboration. *DRINKS*: You should bring your own. We have a refrigerator in CDL to keep them cold. VCF will buy some water and soft drinks for member use. *FOOD*: *Saturday afternoon*: Everyone is on their own. *Saturday Night Dinner at 7PM?*: We often go out to dinner together. I can't organize anything this time. I will be at the Wall of Honor Dinner. *Sunday Morning*: We usually meet at a diner around 9AM. Ask about this if you are interested. *Sunday Afternoon*: Everyone is on their own. *Address:* InfoAge Science and History Museums 2201 Marconi Road Wall, NJ 07719 *PARKING:* Park in the main parking lot, unless you are unloading. Don't park on the lawn. Also park on one side of the road for fire safety. *PHONE:* (732) 722 - 5015 *EMAIL: *repairworkshops(a)vcfed.org Have fun everyone! :-D Repair workshops are events which are open to the general public where members of all levels technical abilities and experience get together to help each other repair vintage computer hardware. Repair workshops are a chance to work with other VCF members to help repair your vintage artifact. *We are not there to do repairs for you*, *only to allow you the facilities and partnership to help you figure out how to repair it*. Repair workshops are held about 9 times per year at the InfoAge location in Wall. 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

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] PDP-8/L restoration
by Gregg Levine 29 Sep '24

29 Sep '24

Hello! That's good news. For the group, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PDP-8 that's the Wikipedia entry for the family. How much of it is accurate? ----- Gregg C Levine gregg.drwho8(a)gmail.com "This signature was present when the impossible happened 23 years ago, twice." On Sat, Sep 28, 2024 at 7:32 PM Mike Rieker via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > Hi All, > Got the PDP-8/L memory working today! 4 bad diodes and a bad power > resistor. I made a test board that plugs in place of the front panel that > has a RasPI and 5 MCP23017s on it to test memory. > https://www.outerworldapps.com/pdp8l-with-pipanel.jpg > Anyway next will be getting the TTY port working so I can connect it to > the RasPI and have it download and run diagnostics. > Mike > >

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System Source Workshop in Maryland - Nov 23 and 24
by Ryan Burke 29 Sep '24

29 Sep '24

System Source is hosting another repair workshop in Hunt Valley, Maryland on November 23rd and 24th, please check out the link below for more information and to register. https://ca.syssrc.com/wp/?page_id=85&civiwp=CiviCRM&q=civicrm%2Fevent%2Finf… We are also looking for volunteers! Either for the event, or in general to help out the museum. If you'd like to help out, please send an email to rburke(a)sysssrc.com

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NEW SWAP MEET DATE: OCT. 26!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
by Jeffrey Brace 29 Sep '24

29 Sep '24

Due to a significant number of volunteers and the general public not being able to make it on Nov. 2, the swap meet has been moved to Oct. 26. Same time, same place! Swap Meet Webpage <https://vcfed.org/vcf-swap-meet/> Problems? Email me. 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

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VCF SWAP MEET OCT. 26 advertising
by Jeffrey Brace 28 Sep '24

28 Sep '24

So I started advertising our event through VCF's social media channels: VCF Home Page Blog Post VCF's Discord Server VCF Forum Facebook Instagram X Meetup CC-Talk Bluesky Threads Craigslist InfoAge Constant Contact List Local Newspaper Reddit forums Next Door "What to do in NJ websites" Can anyone think of other places to advertise? Take care! Jeff Brace VCF Mid-Atlantic Event Manager Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity https://vcfed.org/ <http://www.vcfed.org/>

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