August 2025 - 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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Jerryco/American Science and Surplus is closing
by Jeffrey Jonas 29 Aug '25

29 Aug '25

Their catalogues were always a fun read with such silly writeups. https://sciplus.com/important-information/ It is with a very heavy heart that we are writing to tell you that it's time to say goodbye. The next two weeks, up until September 7th

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OT: Software Freedom Day.
by murph 27 Aug '25

27 Aug '25

We're having an event for Software Freedom Day. It is a world-wide educational event, and we are having one right here at Montclair State University. We'll have talks about what free software is, and why it's important for everyone. What kind of software is available for your existing computer, and how you can use Free Software to use your computer past the date that the manufacturer wants to keep updating it. There will be a talk on self hosting, so that you can run services that reduce or replace your reliance on outside big tech companies, and keep better control of your data. There will also be a talk on Social Networking with free software called "Mastodon and the Fediverse" that will show how you can network with people without giving your data to big tech, and without the algorithms that don't work in your best interest. --- For a general computer user -- You might be thinking. "I get software for free all the time, it come with my computer, and there are lots of free services that I can get over the internet. We're talking about software that is free as in Freedom. Free to use, improve and share, and software that does not require a subscription or ads from an outside source. --- For an aspiring developer --- What is the point of worrying about licensing my software, does it matter? If you choose a Free Software license for your software can get community help in developing it, you can get wider acceptance in community projects without losing control of it, and contribute to the community of computer users. There is a huge variety of software out there, and we'd like to take some time to tell people about it. This is a community event, and we'd love to see people from all over come out! Here are some links for more information: https://softwarefreedom.neocities.org/ also, the foundation site https://digitalfreedoms.org/en/software-freedom-day/events/software-freedom… If you have any questions, please email myself at: sfd(a)murph.info Or my colleague Mars at: mxu(a)uribe.cc We'll be happy to discuss any details.

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VCF on the Road: Game Con Live
by Jeffrey Brace 27 Aug '25

27 Aug '25

The next event VCF will have an "on the road" exhibit will be Oct. 11 & 12 in Oaks, PA. Four of us are going to do vintage computer game exhibits. Here is more info: https://gameconlive.com/ Has anyone been to this event? Take care! Jeff Brace VCF Evangelist

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OT: Maker Faire Sussex County
by Jeffrey Brace 27 Aug '25

27 Aug '25

Has anyone been to or know anything about how big an event this is? https://sussexcounty.makerfaire.com/ Jeff Brace

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My Apple I reproduction is working!
by Neil Cherry 20 Aug '25

20 Aug '25

Manage to get myself somehow dragged into building Apple Is because I wanted a 6800 version. That was the start of trouble! So I bought 2 bare PCBs and planned to build a 6502 and 6800 version. Had I done some research before hand I would have found I could have bought many vintage computers for the price of the various parts of the Apple I and we're not talking date correct parts just the necessary parts. But at the same time I happened on an unloved more than complet Apple I reproduction that wasn't running. So I bid and won at a more than reasonable price, half as much as a working complete reproduction and less than buying the parts. Well I diagnosed the bad chip, a 2519 ($70+). I used a replacement board with parts that are available and I now can program like it was 1976. :-) I threw some quick photos up on: https://ushomeautomation.com/Projects/Vintage/Apple1/index.html Yes, the Commodore monitor needs a bit of TLC. I'll get to it ... eventually. ;-) -- Linux Home Automation Neil Cherry ncherry(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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HOPE_16 (2025)
by Jeffrey Brace 19 Aug '25

19 Aug '25

Hope took place this past weekend. There were four volunteers: Doug Crawford Jeff Brace Jeff Jonas Joe Giliberti We had spent many weeks preparing for this event. We were there all three days (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) and felt that we were successful in connecting with our existing fans as well as letting many others learn about our organization and events. The trainers that we had set up were a hit with this audience. There were some that sat down and spent the 10 to 15 minutes to code the program into the HeathKit. We shared one of our tables with Lee Felsenstein. He was promoting his book, t-shirts and posters. He spent a lot of time talking to fans who stopped by our table. There were people of all shapes, sizes, ages and genders. It was a diverse audience of hackers. I was able to catch one or two talks as well as participate in the "Hackers Got Talent" competition. (I got 2nd place). I will share pictures later after I've decompressed a bit. It was a good weekend, but very exhausting. Take care! Jeff Brace VCF Evangelist

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Wanted: FD1791
by Mike Loewen 18 Aug '25

18 Aug '25

Does anyone have a spare FD1791 FDC for sale? Please reply off-list. Mike Loewen mloewen(a)cpumagic.scol.pa.us Old Technology http://q7.neurotica.com/Oldtech/

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VCF/MARCH At HOPE this weekend Aug 15-17
by Jeffrey Brace 15 Aug '25

15 Aug '25

VCF/MARCH will have 5 tables this weekend at HOPE (hope.net) in Jamaica, Queens at St. John's University. Please stop by if you are in the area! *Volunteers*: Doug Crawford, Jeff Jonas, Joe Giliberti, Jeff Brace. *List of artifacts on display:* Lawrence Livermore (in a briefcase), 8080 processor. Heathkit trainer ET 3400. TTL Trainer Devry Trainer 555 Timer HP 5036-A TRS-80 Model III or IV Commodore PET IBM P-70 - Luggage IBM Portable - 5140 Pong! Atari 5200 Bally Astrocade Fairchild Channel F We will be promoting our events and local group. Jeff Brace

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Fox In WinSocks
by Jeffrey Jonas 10 Aug '25

10 Aug '25

I found a printout of this. Most is online: http://holyjoe.org/poetry/anonE.htm by Gene Ziegler What If Dr. Seuss Wrote Technical Manuals? (original title: A Grandchild's Guide to Using Grandpa's Computer) Fox In WinSocks Here's an easy game to play. Here's an easy thing to say: If a packet hits a pocket on a socket on a port, And the bus is interrupted as a very last resort, And the address of the memory makes your floppy disk abort, Then the socket packet pocket has an error to report! If your cursor finds a menu item followed by a dash, And the double-clicking icons put your window in the trash, And your data is corrupted 'cause the index doesn't hash, Then your situation's hopeless, and your system's gonna crash! You can't say this? What a shame, sir! We'll find you another game, sir. If the label on your cable on the table at your house, Says the network is connected to the button on your mouse, But your packets want to tunnel by another protocol That's repeatedly rejected by the printer down the hall, And your screen is all distorted by the side effects of gauss, So your icons in the window are as wavy as a souse, Then you may as well reboot and go out with a bang, 'Cause as sure as I'm a poet, the sucker's gonna hang! When the copy of your floppy's getting sloppy on the disk, And the microcode instructions cause unnecessary RISC, Then you have to flash your memory and you'll want to RAM your ROM: Quickly turn off your computer and be sure to tell your mom!

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