March 2025 - vcf-midatlantic

... IBM MT/ST magnetic tapes
by Herbert Johnson 04 Mar '25

04 Mar '25

> Spotted on the "code4lib" mailing list, forwarding here because,I'm hoping someone can/will help this grad student out. ---rsk ] The forwarded message, was from a grad-student, attempting to read/recover/preserve some IBM MT/ST magnetic tapes, from an academic business museum. Their message included a Web link to the RICM, the Rhode Island Computer Museum. The link the student found, shows recent work on restoring an IBM MT/ST with its Selectric typewriter and magtape console. The physical format of the tape makes it unlikely that any other apparatus could recover the tape's content. I suggested privately to the person, that they follow up on RICM and make good contacts there. That's a great group which has preserved vintage computers for decades. They provide public access to their works. I think there would be mutual benefit from that contact. I also provided contact links to a data recovery service, and to a Selectric repair service. They may have leads to some recovery services. Regards Herb Johnson -- 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

1 0

Only a few days left! First ever MARCH Hack-a-Thon
by Jeff Salzman 03 Mar '25

03 Mar '25

⏳ *Only ONE WEEK left to sign up—don’t miss your chance to be part of the first ever MARCH Hack-a-Thon!* The number of days left to sign up can be counted in four-bits, or one nybble. 🙂 🎉 *Join Us for the MARCH Hack-a-Thon!* 🎉 Step into the golden age of computing and unleash your creativity as you tackle unique programming challenges designed for 8-bit systems. This event is all about exploring the incredible possibilities of retro hardware, celebrating ingenuity, and connecting with a vibrant community of enthusiasts. 📅 *Event Date:* March 8–9, 2025 📍 *Location:* The InfoAge Science Center, 2201 Marconi Rd., Wall, New Jersey, 07719 ⏳ *Only ONE WEEK left to sign up—don’t miss your chance to be part of the MARCH Hack-a-Thon!* 💡 *Think you’re not up for the challenge? Think again!* This event is for everyone, whether you're a retro programming pro or just starting out. Bring along your own vintage computer system and show off what it can do—your creativity, effort, and resourcefulness will absolutely be celebrated. You might just surprise yourself with what you’re capable of! 🌟 *Our judges are eager to see how contestants push the boundaries of vintage hardware and create something truly unique.* Your contributions could spark inspiration across the entire retro computing community. 🎁 *Admission is free, and there are prizes to be won!* Come for the fun, stay for the rewards, and let’s make programming history together. 🖋 *Sign Up Here:* [Registration Form]( https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfM4GE40lGEfo2t_6FVLL_xJc2ojJ1T_aK…) ℹ️ *More Details:* [Event Web Page]( https://vcfed.org/2025/02/13/march-hack-a-thon/) Act fast, secure your spot, and let’s make programming history together at the MARCH Hack-a-Thon. The countdown is on! 🚀

3 4

Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Only a few days left! First ever MARCH Hack-a-Thon
by Jeffrey Brace 03 Mar '25

03 Mar '25

Mike, The Interim Computer Festival is in the Seattle area. I don't know why their link isn't working. It has been held for the past 2 or 3 years I think. I have never gone, but Jason Perkins has. Jeff Brace On Mon, Mar 3, 2025 at 12:50 PM Sentrytv via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > Jeff, I guess my confusion with the workshop dates was because the > Hackathon was the same day weekend! > > Now I’m trying to figure out what the > “interim Computer festival” is? > > The link seems to be broken > “service unavailable”. > > Mike Rosen > > > Sent from: > My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device. > > > On Mar 3, 2025, at 12:09 PM, Jeff Salzman via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > > ⏳ *Only ONE WEEK left to sign up—don’t miss your chance to be part of > the > > first ever MARCH Hack-a-Thon!* The number of days left to sign up can be > > counted in four-bits, or one nybble. 🙂 > > > > 🎉 *Join Us for the MARCH Hack-a-Thon!* 🎉 > > > > Step into the golden age of computing and unleash your creativity as you > > tackle unique programming challenges designed for 8-bit systems. This > event > > is all about exploring the incredible possibilities of retro hardware, > > celebrating ingenuity, and connecting with a vibrant community of > > enthusiasts. > > > > 📅 *Event Date:* March 8–9, 2025 > > 📍 *Location:* The InfoAge Science Center, 2201 Marconi Rd., Wall, New > > Jersey, 07719 > > > > ⏳ *Only ONE WEEK left to sign up—don’t miss your chance to be part of the > > MARCH Hack-a-Thon!* > > > > 💡 *Think you’re not up for the challenge? Think again!* This event is > for > > everyone, whether you're a retro programming pro or just starting out. > > Bring along your own vintage computer system and show off what it can > > do—your creativity, effort, and resourcefulness will absolutely be > > celebrated. You might just surprise yourself with what you’re capable of! > > > > 🌟 *Our judges are eager to see how contestants push the boundaries of > > vintage hardware and create something truly unique.* Your contributions > > could spark inspiration across the entire retro computing community. > > > > 🎁 *Admission is free, and there are prizes to be won!* Come for the fun, > > stay for the rewards, and let’s make programming history together. > > > > 🖋 *Sign Up Here:* [Registration Form]( > > > https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfM4GE40lGEfo2t_6FVLL_xJc2ojJ1T_aK… > ) > > > > ℹ️ *More Details:* [Event Web Page]( > > https://vcfed.org/2025/02/13/march-hack-a-thon/) > > > > Act fast, secure your spot, and let’s make programming history together > at > > the MARCH Hack-a-Thon. The countdown is on! 🚀 > >

1 0

Fwd: [onadebanjo@UALR.EDU: [CODE4LIB] Seeking advice on preserving and processing IBM MT/ST magnetic tapes (first first word processor)]
by Rich Kulawiec 03 Mar '25

03 Mar '25

[ Spotted on the "code4lib" mailing list, forwarding here because I'm hoping someone can/will help this grad student out. ---rsk ] ----- Forwarded message from Noah Adebanjo <onadebanjo(a)UALR.EDU> ----- > From: Noah Adebanjo <onadebanjo(a)UALR.EDU> > Date: Mon, 3 Mar 2025 09:21:41 -0600 > Subject: [CODE4LIB] Seeking advice on preserving and processing IBM MT/ST > magnetic tapes (first first word processor) > Reply-To: Code for Libraries <CODE4LIB(a)LISTS.CLIR.ORG> > > Dear Code4Lib Community, > > I'm a graduate assistant working at the Center for Arkansas History and > Culture archives, currently processing the born-digital materials from the > Winthrop Rockefeller Institute collection. Among these materials, I've > discovered several IBM MT/ST (Magnetic Tape/Selectric Typewriter) tapes > that date from the late 1960s/early 1970s. > > As these are relatively uncommon media formats now, I'm reaching out for > advice on a couple of things; > > 1. Best practices for preserving these magnetic tapes > 2. Recommendations for recovering/accessing the data they contain > 3. Whether any institutions have experience with similar materials and > would be willing to share their workflows > 4. References to vendors or specialists who might be able to assist with > data recovery > 5. or any documentation about the IBM MT/ST file formats and technical > specifications > > Although, when I did my research I found the following resources ( here > <https://archive.org/details/IBM-MTST-OneTapeStation-OperatingInstructions/p…>, > here > <https://www.ricomputermuseum.org/collections-gallery/small-systems-at-ricm/…>and > here <https://blog.bruchez.name/posts/ibm-mt-sc-1/>) written by some > computer gurus, but it doesn't necessarily answer how to get the content on > the tapes - it only talks about the complete machine so I still don't know > the best practice for the archival field. My goal is to properly document > and potentially recover the content if possible from these tapes as part of > my processing work. > > Any insights, suggestions, or resources the community could share would be > greatly appreciated. > > Thank you so much y'all. > -- > > Noah Adebanjo | Graduate Assistant > Center for Arkansas History and Culture > University of Arkansas at Little Rock > > *onadebanjo(a)ualr.edu <onadebanjo(a)ualr.edu>* > > He/His/Him ----- End forwarded message -----

1 0

Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Signup Sheet for MARCH Repair Workshop - March 8-9, 2025
by Jeff Salzman 02 Mar '25

02 Mar '25

Yes it is. Local events that were under the name VCF for many years, and are/were regularly scheduled at InfoAge, are now being referenced by the former name of MARCH (Mid-Atlantic Retro Computing Hobbyists). One of the reasons for this is that VCF is a global organization. MARCH is local to InfoAge as its headquarters. So the more frequent local vintage computing events, other than VCF-East, like the Workshops and the new Hack-a-Thons, will carry the MARCH name. Jeff Salzman On Sun, Mar 2, 2025 at 7:55 PM Sentry TV via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > This workshop is at VCF InfoAge? > Mike Rosen > On Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 06:33:12 PM EST, Jeff Salzman via > vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > Very late on this. I apologize. > > Here is the signup sheet for the upcoming MARCH Repair Workshop for next > Saturday and Sunday, March 8-9, 2025 > > > https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1jvaA37o4wLwCxzC-jvn0umQDYXsdJ_27YQN… > >

1 0

Signup Sheet for MARCH Repair Workshop - March 8-9, 2025
by Jeff Salzman 02 Mar '25

02 Mar '25

Very late on this. I apologize. Here is the signup sheet for the upcoming MARCH Repair Workshop for next Saturday and Sunday, March 8-9, 2025 https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1jvaA37o4wLwCxzC-jvn0umQDYXsdJ_27YQN…

2 1