April 2025 - vcf-midatlantic

Re: [vcf-midatlantic] VCF Class Idea...
by Jameel akari 17 Apr '25

17 Apr '25

If it looks like I can make VCF East next year, I’d be happy to teach a class on this - and other more-vintage cabling. It’s not quite too-soon, IMO, when we have machines going on 30-35 years old that have Ethernet. -- Jameel Akari > On Apr 14, 2025, at 2:35 PM, Hopkins, Justin via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > <mime-attachment>

6 6

Re: [vcf-midatlantic] VCF Class Idea ...
by Jeffrey Jonas 16 Apr '25

16 Apr '25

I had a job crimping lotsa RJ45 "ice cubes". 1) use GOOD TOOLS. I prefer the Tyco/Amp RJ45 Die Crimp Tool for Cat5. It punches down all the connectors equally, unlike a hinged tool. The cutter would be perfect if it had a depth/length gauge. Cut too short and the wires don't go all the way into the connector. Too long and the strain relief won't work. I find a clothes-pin style jacket stripper is just fine. 2) Put on the rubber boot FIRST! What color? That's up to you! If you get the pretty pink ones, that means I really like you :-) 3) My way of handling EIA/TIA-T568B - spread out the 4 pairs like a star - untwist each pair using the removed jacket like a straw around one wire - flatten the wires using something smooth like needle nose pliers or a metal bar - work with pairs, not individual wires - due to the center pairs being intertwined, I start from the center and work outwards: + start with the BLUE pair, solid to the LEFT + put the GREEN pair AROUND it, solid to the RIGHT + ORANGE pair to the LEFT + BROWN pair to the RIGHT - check the wires: SOLID colors always ALTERNATE with striped wires - insert into the "ice cube" connector - check the colors. again. - check all wires touch the end - check the jacket is inserted as far as possible, so the strain relief works - THEN crimp - test the cable with a cable tester. Really nice cable testers have multiple remote ends to identify up to 4 cables, and have a TDR (time domain reflectometer) to measure the cable length. > Include 10-base-2 for those who want to recreate that style of networking. Including wire-splinters from the braid? No thank you :-0 And that opens up the can-of-worms: twist-on connector vs. crimp everything. > You could also include building serial cables (9 and 25 pin) > both straight through and null-modem. Too many variations: - ribbon cable, crimp pins vs. solder cup - there are several null modem variations, as well as cheating (only 3 wires) fondly, Jeff Jonas

1 0

Wang PC-S1-3 workstations and PM-004 displays
by Dean Notarnicola 14 Apr '25

14 Apr '25

Anyone want to rescue these for the museum? https://www.facebook.com/share/1C18pvAXKL/?mibextid=wwXIfr

7 9

Re: [vcf-midatlantic] VCF Class Idea...
by Jeffrey Brace 14 Apr '25

14 Apr '25

On Mon, Apr 14, 2025 at 2:35 PM Hopkins, Justin via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > I know this probably will have zero interest besides me... But is there > any interest in doing a class on how to create/repair Cat-5 cables? > I think yes. The current idea for next year's classroom is: not just one computer, but one computer and multiple other topics that are all hands-on. We have been heading in this direction for a while now and it makes sense. I just wish that we had multiple classrooms so that we could do more. > I have a repair kit, but it came with non-pass through cable endings, and > it took me literally an hour to make one) > > (the glitchwrks email just triggered my brain because they were next to > the soldering classroom at VCF east) > Also, one thing about the VCF East program that I missed when reviewing it > and only realized it after I got to VCF East. It had a start time but not > an ending time for breakfast... > > > > 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. >

1 0

Re: [vcf-midatlantic] VCF Class Idea...
by Chris Fala 14 Apr '25

14 Apr '25

This is one skill that I happen to possess :-), and I would be happy to give a lesson. Not sure when I will be at infoAge next, though. Chris On Mon, Apr 14, 2025 at 2:35 PM Hopkins, Justin via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > I know this probably will have zero interest besides me... But is there > any interest in doing a class on how to create/repair Cat-5 cables? > I have a repair kit, but it came with non-pass through cable endings, and > it took me literally an hour to make one) > > (the glitchwrks email just triggered my brain because they were next to > the soldering classroom at VCF east) > Also, one thing about the VCF East program that I missed when reviewing it > and only realized it after I got to VCF East. It had a start time but not > an ending time for breakfast... > > > > 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. >

2 1

VCF Class Idea...
by Hopkins, Justin 14 Apr '25

14 Apr '25

I know this probably will have zero interest besides me... But is there any interest in doing a class on how to create/repair Cat-5 cables? I have a repair kit, but it came with non-pass through cable endings, and it took me literally an hour to make one) (the glitchwrks email just triggered my brain because they were next to the soldering classroom at VCF east) Also, one thing about the VCF East program that I missed when reviewing it and only realized it after I got to VCF East. It had a start time but not an ending time for breakfast... 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.

2 1

Ping Glitch
by Neil Cherry 14 Apr '25

14 Apr '25

Sorry folks but I can't seem to send anything to Jonathan (Glitch). I've tried his direct email, his web site and used my gmail account with no luck. So trying this method. -- 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

2 2

Re: [vcf-midatlantic] VCF Class Idea...
by Bill Degnan 14 Apr '25

14 Apr '25

That’s not a terrible idea. It may be a few years premature, but only a few years. Bill On Mon, Apr 14, 2025 at 2:36 PM Hopkins, Justin via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > I know this probably will have zero interest besides me... But is there > any interest in doing a class on how to create/repair Cat-5 cables? > I have a repair kit, but it came with non-pass through cable endings, and > it took me literally an hour to make one) > > (the glitchwrks email just triggered my brain because they were next to > the soldering classroom at VCF east) > Also, one thing about the VCF East program that I missed when reviewing it > and only realized it after I got to VCF East. It had a start time but not > an ending time for breakfast... > > > > 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. >

1 0

Re: [vcf-midatlantic] But...Windows 95...
by Dean Notarnicola 13 Apr '25

13 Apr '25

I think part of the resistance is the fact that Windows as it was is largely still with us, at least in spirit, and that the first exposure people around my age had to it was in a work environment. So we don’t exactly have fond memories of playing with it. I know I didn’t have fun loading it from diskette for hours and trying to get real mode drivers to play nice. For us, early 8 and 16-bit micros were fun, PCs were (mostly) work. For us who like to tinker with hardware in the 90s, PCs started becoming more and more black boxes. That being said, thirty is indeed retro. And I believe many are nostalgic for it and would be interested, especially if introduced with a short history of computer GUI’s, Windows evolution and the challenges we faced configuring and running it in the days of ‘Plug and pray’ which would still involve a short side trip Into memory and IRQ conflicts. Care to volunteer? On Wed, Apr 2, 2025 at 1:14 PM Jeffrey Golas via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > Anyone else that would have been mildly interested in the Win95 talk? Its > turning 30 this year in August, is that retro yet? > > I know some have serious Winderz hate and thats ok, but I have fond > memories waiting for it to boot on a 486 dx2 I got used and admiring the > new graphics. > > Jeff

6 5

?End of an era?: The last RadioShack in Maryland is closing its doors
by Herbert Johnson 13 Apr '25

13 Apr '25

I'm not satisfied with the "suits killed Radio Shack" suggestions. Web search about the 21st century history of Radio Shack - or searching one's memory of the last 30 years - is that it was competing with direct online sales of components and consumer electronics at lower prices and more selection. Retail companies had all kinds of issues in the period. "Amazon"? "WalMart"? They still do. Details are business history matters that are usually outside the general discussions here. The question implied by the subject thread, is about the future of the Radio Shack name as a storefront (presumably in the USA where most of us are). Web search takes some time but finds a general answer soon enough. I'll be brief and provide actual references. Wikipedia says the "RadioShack" brand is owned since 2023 by Unicomer, bought from another corporation that bought up Radio Shack several years prior. Wikipedia says Unicomer Caribbean Holding Co. Ltd is a multinational retailing and consumer finance group headquartered in San Salvador, El Salvador with regional offices in Miami, Trinidad, Jamaica, and Costa Rica. It operates several chains of retail brands in the consumer durables sector, specializing in furniture, audio & video, appliances, and electronics in Central America, the Caribbean, South America, and United States. ... But the radioshack.com Web site, shows NO stores today, anywhere, in their "find a store" maps. It mentions plans to come back in the US and something about stores through Central America. The site sells branded electrical products online, a limited selection. https://www.soundandvision.com/content/yes-radioshack-stores-still-exist https://recommendedstations.com/2025/02/01/the-shack-is-back/ https://www.twice.com/industry/radioshack-returns-to-u-s-as-product-brand These articles suggest, previous Radio Shack stores had some license agreement to use the Radio Shack brand for some time; and may in the future get relicensed with Unicomer. Some stores may have simply left the expensive signage up. The twice.com article references a CES 2025 show appearance by Unicomer to promote Radio Shack and its storefront future as RadioShack USA and as a product brand. Unicomer seems to have a modest storefront presence, a few hundred stores in South and Central America and Caribbean. As vintage computerists of age, we've seen old electronic and computer brand-names, sold and reused to tag modern consumer products, occasionally computing products, sometimes services. Not too many vintage retailers come back as actual stores. The concept of brick-store franchises itself is endangered. But either as old signage or as possible franchises, it appears that "Radio Shack" is not at its very end. Regards Herb Johnson doin' the homework -- 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