- vcf-midatlantic - lists.vcfed.org

Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Exhibit ideas - help needed to choose
by Andrew Diller 21 Feb '19

21 Feb '19

> On Feb 21, 2019, at 3:26 PM, W. Bryan Caudle via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > From: "W. Bryan Caudle" <bcaudle(a)ctsi.net> > Subject: Exhibit ideas - help needed to choose > Date: February 21, 2019 at 3:26:25 PM EST > To: "vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org" <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> > > > Another idea was a separate display highlighting some games running on business machines. Imagine 2 or 3 terminals (maybe even a Decwriter) connected to VAX, PDP11, Xenix, etc running some text adventures and such. > I am also working on this- getting a MUD working on my SGI Personal Iris with a few terminals connected to it so people can login and play in the mud together. If you have a cool terminal to bring put it on the list if you can bring it. I'm also planning on having some early unixs running via SIMH emulation on a mac and try connecting them to as many serial terminals as I can- having a display on the evoltion of unix will be of interest I think this year. -andy

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Last call for Group Unix Exhibit
by Ethan O'Toole 21 Feb '19

21 Feb '19

> > > [NON-Text Body part not included] Hmp for some reason your message doesn't quote. Okay, so that board seems cool but not willing to spend $165+ on it. I just found this one: https://shop.inventronik.de/index.php?id_product=28&controller=product&id_l… That is about $50 USD shipped from Germany. That should do the same? If so I will order that and probably buy a SCSI2SD for the TT030 as well. - Ethan

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Last call for Group Unix Exhibit
by David Gesswein 21 Feb '19

21 Feb '19

> > Having said that, I could pull out a 3b1, but I'm pretty sure > someone else is already doing that, and the early research > UNIX is a lot more interesting to me than the commercial. > It was one of the machines I offered to bring but I've brought it before. Since I will also have a PDP-8 exhibit this year so if anybody else wants to bring something I have offered they can bring it instead. > The truth is the part that I would find most interesting is > a deep dive into Lions' commentary on the 6th ed kernel, > but I don't know how to make an exhibit of that where > it wouldn't just be a poster session. > But could go along with the emulation where you go over the implementation choices and how it differs from later Unix's and people can see the differences. Its hard to be both educational and a crowd pleaser. I sort of alternate those types of exhibits.

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Exhibit ideas - help needed to choose
by W. Bryan Caudle 21 Feb '19

21 Feb '19

Good afternoon! I had recently joined this list and was interested in making some contribution to the exhibits at the upcoming VCF-East event. I had a few ideas, and was hoping to get some feedback before applying. One thought was that I could contribute to the group Unix exhibit. It looks like there are a large variety of systems already on the list, but I could contribute my Tandy 12/6000 running Xenix and an SGI O2 running Irix. I could also contribute a Wyse 60 and VT-220 terminal, some software, and publications (I have some of those giant SCO boxes full of books and stuff). Another idea was a separate display highlighting some games running on business machines. Imagine 2 or 3 terminals (maybe even a Decwriter) connected to VAX, PDP11, Xenix, etc running some text adventures and such. Finally, I was thinking about a display centered around the 68000 CPU (40 years since introduction). It would include many classic systems, and I have a whole library of 68000 family data books and developer materials. Suggestions welcome, and if none of these ideas sound good I'm ok with that too :-)

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Last call for Group Unix Exhibit
by Evan Koblentz 21 Feb '19

21 Feb '19

>> Hence my question whether there would be interest in early UNIX on a simulated 11. Yes. Also as I told others, you're welcome to come up here and see if any of the VCF collection hardware suits you. On Thu, Feb 21, 2019, 1:56 PM Brian L. Stuart via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > On Thu, 2/21/19, Ethan Dicks <ethan.dicks(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > >... That said, I think an early UNIX > > is a good idea but I'm less sold on > > doing it by means of simulation. > > > > If I had a known-good Unibus > > PDP-11, I'd seriously consider putting > > ... > > So, yes, I think > > it would be great to have early UNIX but I'm in it > > for the hardware. > > This has in fact been my biggest hesitation about this as > an exhibit for this year. However, I don't actually have > any Unibus gear at all. Between that and the fact that > I usually have the same exhibit at East and Southeast > and as you point out transportation of the real thing is > challenging if not prohibitive, simulation is my best option. > > Having said that, I could pull out a 3b1, but I'm pretty sure > someone else is already doing that, and the early research > UNIX is a lot more interesting to me than the commercial. > > The truth is the part that I would find most interesting is > a deep dive into Lions' commentary on the 6th ed kernel, > but I don't know how to make an exhibit of that where > it wouldn't just be a poster session. > > The other option is that I could do another ENIAC > exhibit. It just seems a shame to miss the opportunity > to revisit my early UNIX experience in the 50th > anniversary year. Hence my question whether there > would be interest in early UNIX on a simulated 11. > > BLS >

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Last call for Group Unix Exhibit
by Brian L. Stuart 21 Feb '19

21 Feb '19

On Thu, 2/21/19, Ethan Dicks <ethan.dicks(a)gmail.com> wrote: >... That said, I think an early UNIX > is a good idea but I'm less sold on > doing it by means of simulation. > > If I had a known-good Unibus > PDP-11, I'd seriously consider putting > ... > So, yes, I think > it would be great to have early UNIX but I'm in it > for the hardware. This has in fact been my biggest hesitation about this as an exhibit for this year. However, I don't actually have any Unibus gear at all. Between that and the fact that I usually have the same exhibit at East and Southeast and as you point out transportation of the real thing is challenging if not prohibitive, simulation is my best option. Having said that, I could pull out a 3b1, but I'm pretty sure someone else is already doing that, and the early research UNIX is a lot more interesting to me than the commercial. The truth is the part that I would find most interesting is a deep dive into Lions' commentary on the 6th ed kernel, but I don't know how to make an exhibit of that where it wouldn't just be a poster session. The other option is that I could do another ENIAC exhibit. It just seems a shame to miss the opportunity to revisit my early UNIX experience in the 50th anniversary year. Hence my question whether there would be interest in early UNIX on a simulated 11. BLS

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Last call for Group Unix Exhibit
by Brian L. Stuart 21 Feb '19

21 Feb '19

On Wed, 2/20/19, andy diller via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > Hello - if you are interested in being part > of a group Unix Exhibit with linked tables please put some > info in this sheet: I haven't really decided for sure about what I want to exhibit this year. One option I've been considering is to set up one of Oscar's PiDP-11 model PDP-11/70s running 6ed UNIX to show some about early UNIX. Would there be interest in such an exhibit and would it be welcome in the group UNIX Exhibit? BLS

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Need to Borrow IBM VGA CRTs for VCF East (8512, 8513, or 8514)
by J. Alexander Jacocks 21 Feb '19

21 Feb '19

All, Does anyone have 2 IBM PS/2 VGA CRTs (8512, 8513, or 8514) that I could borrow to use with my exhibit for VCF East? I could also use 1 Model M, as I only have two, and 3 IBM two-button early PS/2 mice (like this: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:IBM_PS2_hiiri.jpg) Not looking to buy, as I’m only keeping one machine, afterwards, so that my collection doesn’t grow beyond bounds. Thanks! - Alex

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Fwd: PC Collection
by Evan Koblentz 20 Feb '19

20 Feb '19

Mid-Atlantic folks: have at this! (We're declining for the VCFed collection.) CC:ing Alan H. so he can bring this to AHCS attention too. Maybe it's the kind of collection that people can do as a group haul. THE OWNER IS NOT ON THIS LIST, so don't be the person who replies on-list and makes me roll my eyes. :) On 2/19/19 6:26 PM, Erik Klein wrote: > ---------- Forwarded message --------- > From: *Gene D. Robinson* <robinsgd(a)wctel.net <mailto:robinsgd@wctel.net>> > Date: Mon, Feb 18, 2019 at 10:45 AM > Subject: PC Collection > To: <webmaster(a)vintage-computer.com > <mailto:webmaster@vintage-computer.com>> > > > Erik, > > The purpose of this letter is to see if you might have any interest in > acquiring my collection of approximately 100 old PC computer systems. > There are also approximately 20 early laptops going back to the early > 1980s > > I am nearly 76 years old and can no longer adequately curate my > collection gathered over the past 25 years. Although some are quite > valuable, such as a very low serial number original IBM PC and the > Columbia PC (the first PC clone) and an early Eagle PC, I would like > to keep the collection together rather than sell them individually on > eBay. I hope you might be interest in acquiring the collection, or if > not, you might offer advice as to how I should proceed. > > The heart of my collection is perhaps unique and is based on a > realization that hit me when in the late 90s while pricing out that > the original IBM PC would have cost about $3,500, adequately equipped > to be useful and productive in 1981-’82. I realized that was still > what a high end, well equipped PC would cost. As I investigated, I > soon saw that $3,000-$3,600 had remained constant down through the > years as the cost of a high-end PC. Thus, the idea for my collection > was born: > > A high-end PC each year, priced in mid-year, with software installed > appropriate to the year. > > Below is a list: > > *YEAR* > > > > *SYSTEM NAME* > > > > *PRICE $* > > > > *CPU & SPEED* > > ** > > > > ** > > > > ** > > > > ** > > *1981* > > > > *IBM PC Model 5150* > > > > 3,480** > > > > *80088-4.77 Mhz* > > *1982* > > > > *Columbia MPC* > > > > 3,195** > > > > *80088-4.77 Mhz* > > *1983* > > > > *Eagle PC-2* > > > > 3,613** > > > > *8088-4.77 Mhz* > > *1984* > > > > *XPC-XT* > > > > 3,515 > > > > *8088-4.77 Mhz* > > *1985* > > > > *Conquest PC Turbo* > > > > 2,900 > > > > *8088-8 mhz* > > *1986* > > > > *PC's Limited AT* > > > > 3,122 > > > > *80286-8 Mhz* > > *1987* > > > > *PC Limited 286-12* > > > > 3,499 > > > > *80286-12 Mhz* > > *1988* > > > > *DMP 386* > > > > 2,907 > > > > *80386-20 Mhz* > > *1989* > > > > *Home Smart 386* > > > > 3,117 > > > > *80386-25 Mhz* > > *1990* > > > > *Comtrade* > > > > 3,370 > > > > *80386-33 Mhz* > > *1991* > > > > *Computer World 486-33* > > > > 3,520 > > > > *80486-33 Mhz* > > *1992* > > > > *Strobe MPC* > > > > 3,416 > > > > *80486-50 Mhz* > > *1993* > > > > *Gateway 2000 4DX2-66V* > > > > 3,345 > > > > *80486-66 Mhz* > > *1994* > > > > *Gateway 2000* > > > > 3,446 > > > > *Pentium-90 Mhz* > > *1995* > > > > *MidWest Micro P5-133 PCI* > > > > 3,494 > > > > *Pent-133 Mhz* > > *1996* > > > > *Dell Dimension XPS P200S * > > > > 3,287 > > > > *Pent-200 Mhz* > > *1997* > > > > *Unicent Titana II266XLA* > > > > 3,263 > > > > *Pent II-266 Mhz* > > *1998* > > > > *Quantex QP6/400 SM-4x* > > > > 2,899 > > > > *Pent II-400 Mhz* > > *1999* > > > > *Compaq Presario 5700t * > > > > 2,828 > > > > *Pent III-550 Mhz* > > *2000* > > > > *Tiger TM71A* > > > > 3,149 > > > > *Athlon 1 Ghz* > > *2001* > > > > *Gateway 1800* > > > > 3,160 > > > > *Pent IV 1.8 Ghz* > > *2002* > > > > *ABS Digital 8* > > > > 3,100 > > > > *Pent IV 2.53 Ghz* > > *2003* > > > > *Gateway 710XL* > > > > 3,090 > > > > *Pent IV 3.2 Ghz* > > *2004* > > > > *Cyberpower * > > > > 3,411 > > > > *Pent IV 3.6 Ghz* > > *2005* > > > > *Cyberpower* > > > > 3,389 > > > > *Athlon 64 FX 57* > > *2006* > > > > ** > > > > > > ** > > *2007* > > > > ** > > > > > > ** > > *2008* > > > > ** > > > > > > ** > > The only non-PCs in the collection are the three original home > computers that came on the market in 1977 within a few months of each > other: Apple II, Commodore PET 8k, and Tandy TRS-80. There is also an > original Mac from the fifth week of production in February 1984 that > comes with all the original disks, manuals and accessories. At last > check these all worked properly including the cassette tape drives on > the Tandy and PET. There is also a large selection of original > software cassettes for the PET, extremely rare. > > I also have a hundred feet of shelf space filled with old software > going back to VisCalc, Lotus 123, and DOS 1.1 and numerous games going > back to the early 80s. The first of these computers to have a hard > disk drive (Zenith Z-100 in 1984) plus each subsequent computer has > the correct software installed on it for its year including Windows > 1.0. Some of the computers are the actual brands shown in the table, > and some are generic versions patterned after brand name machines. > > In addition, I got interested in how a high-end machine would compare > to a low-priced PC ($400-$500 including monitor) and started > accumulating those machines (or building generic versions). I found > that generally these low-cost machines had the performance of the > hig-end PCs from about three years earlier. > > I have some other machines of particular interest such as the a new, > never removed from the box, IBM PCAT, an IBM PCXT with the original 10 > MB hard drive that boots and runs programs just fine. There’a a Tandy > 2000 (80186 cpu and its own unique operating system), and the first > 386 PC (Compaq Deskpro). There’s also a complete collection of /PC > Magazines/ from Vol 1-No.1 up to fairly recent plus many old /Byte/ > magazines and /PC World/. > > I’m hoping you might have some interest in this collection or, if not, > that you can advise me what to do. Perhaps you might know of an > auction company that could sell the collection. I can send images if > you want to have a better idea of the scope. > > Gene D. Robinson > > Abbeville, SC > -- Evan Koblentz, executive director Vintage Computer Federation www.vcfed.org evan(a)vcfed.org (646) 546-9999 VCF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

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Warehouse work tomorrow or Friday?
by Evan Koblentz 20 Feb '19

20 Feb '19

Can I get one person to help me all day in the warehouse, either tomorrow or Friday? There are 206 people on this list ... let's hear from somebody new for a change. :)

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InfoAge is closed today
by Evan Koblentz 20 Feb '19

20 Feb '19

InfoAge is closed today due to the weather. Evan Koblentz Executive Director, Vintage Computer Federation evan(a)vcfed.org / (646) 546-9999 www.vcfed.org @vcfederation

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Atari exhibit(s) at VCF East
by Peter Cetinski 20 Feb '19

20 Feb '19

> On Feb 20, 2019, at 10:37 AM, Peter Fletcher via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > Just wanted to let people know that the Atari Exhibit is a group effort. Dean Notarnicola, Bill Lange, Anthony Becker, Bill Winters and I will all be participating. We will be covering the 400/800 through to the Falcon030. We will also have a tribute to Jay Miner as he was instrumental in the creation of the 2600,400/800, as well as the Amiga 1000. > Nice! A Jay Miner tribute is classy.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Atari exhibit(s) at VCF East
by Evan Koblentz 20 Feb '19

20 Feb '19

>> Just wanted to let people know that the Atari Exhibit is a group effort. Dean Notarnicola, Bill Lange, Anthony Becker, Bill Winters and I will all be participating. My fault for not fully reading your exhibit registration. Dean told me last night. I need to update the webpage. Was going to reply to my own comment here but you beat me to it. On Wed, Feb 20, 2019, 10:38 AM Peter Fletcher via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > Just wanted to let people know that the Atari Exhibit is a group effort. > Dean Notarnicola, Bill Lange, Anthony Becker, Bill Winters and I will all > be participating. We will be covering the 400/800 through to the > Falcon030. We will also have a tribute to Jay Miner as he was instrumental > in the creation of the 2600,400/800, as well as the Amiga 1000. > >

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Atari exhibit(s) at VCF East
by Peter Fletcher 20 Feb '19

20 Feb '19

Just wanted to let people know that the Atari Exhibit is a group effort. Dean Notarnicola, Bill Lange, Anthony Becker, Bill Winters and I will all be participating. We will be covering the 400/800 through to the Falcon030. We will also have a tribute to Jay Miner as he was instrumental in the creation of the 2600,400/800, as well as the Amiga 1000.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] [OT] Early Kodak Photographic Copying Device?
by Jeffrey Jonas 20 Feb '19

20 Feb '19

Before photocopiers & laser printers were ubiquitious, there were many curious methods of duplication. See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_duplicating_processes 1) if you have a paper copy that's a B&W negative, it is probably a Photostat. I found several photostats in my dad's papers. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photostat_machine Description Both Rectigraph and Photostat machines consisted of a large camera ... After a 10-second exposure, the paper was directed to developing and fixing baths, then either air- or machine-dried. Since the print was directly exposed, without the use of an intermediate film, the result was a negative print. 2) I once salvaged a Thermofax machine. It was a box of BRIGHT lamps and a heated roller. No chemicals required. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermofax 3) I once had a little darkroom kit with a contact printer which was a tin box with a light bulb inside, a glass top with hinged top. The paper was developed by inserting it into a plastic gadget where a crank turned rollers (via gears) dunking the paper into 3 consecutive chemical trays. 4) The way these relate to computers & electronics: several of these processes were used for chart recorders and "oscillographs" (oscilloscope where a light beam was bounced by moving mirrors onto a screen, or film). High resolution charter recorders avoided pen lag & overshoot by using a galvanometer and light beam onto light sensitive paper. I think HP used IR onto heat-sensitive paper similar to today's receipt paper. -- jeff jonas

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Someone needs an empty PDP-11 rack
by Evan Koblentz 20 Feb '19

20 Feb '19

Someone here in central NJ (who gave us an interesting homemade portable VAXstation) is looking for an empty PDP-11 rack. If anybody has one for sale then please contact him directly at joe.dempster(a)gmail.com.

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Atari exhibit(s) at VCF East
by Evan Koblentz 19 Feb '19

19 Feb '19

Since there will be a huge UNIX exhibit anniversary exhibit, there should also be a huge Atari computer anniversary exhibit. Pete opened the door by registering his Atari exhibit just now: http://vcfed.org/wp/festivals/vintage-computer-festival-east/vcf-east-exhib… I encourage all Atari exhibitors to work with Pete and to perhaps make your own off-list discussion method for coordination. It would be fun if, in one of the exhibit rooms, we have a whole long row of Atari facing a whole long row of UNIX systems.

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VCF East exhibit registration
by Evan Koblentz 18 Feb '19

18 Feb '19

It's open and there are already three exhibits including someone from the Netherlands: http://vcfed.org/wp/festivals/vintage-computer-festival-east/vcf-east-exhib… Sign up now. Don't make me chase you down. :) -- Evan Koblentz, executive director Vintage Computer Federation www.vcfed.org evan(a)vcfed.org (646) 546-9999 VCF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

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Upcoming Repair workshops VCF
by Jeffrey Brace 18 Feb '19

18 Feb '19

Besides *March 30 & 31*: < https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1qisU7Goz7_QQVOtuCEg8PsDfh7-adv0zNXI… > There is: *April 13 & 14*: < https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1XTEGeYkzqrmGL_X5OdyFbjoy4QtLMBDoX5r… > *June 1 & 2*: < https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1cdRaUOarYmLe0c7Veddzl4HhOqB1BXTgTCQ… > *August 24 & 25*: < https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13Gmvr2ZEtEXouN0oB7Y_UtCRabbwhLTi4E_… > -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President Vintage Computer Federation

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CNN story about Apple IIe found in attic
by Christopher Gioconda 17 Feb '19

17 Feb '19

Touching, nostalgic story about a man finding his (working) Apple IIe in his parents' attic after 30 years, along with a letter that his deceased father wrote him: https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/17/tech/30-year-old-apple-computer-work-trnd/in… Some great comments in the twitter feed, too. Chris Gioconda

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[OT] Early Kodak Photographic Copying Device?
by J. Alexander Jacocks 17 Feb '19

17 Feb '19

All, Do any of y’all have any idea what this is? https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2F… It looks like a direct contact plate exposer, to me, but I’m not sure. Very pretty. - Alex

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Parts available / FS
by David Hoelzer 15 Feb '19

15 Feb '19

Hello there- I'm continuing my ambitious cleaning out project and have the following available for reasonable offers, if anyone is interested: SGI O2 plastic body. If you've owned an SGI, you know the plastic is notoriously fragile. This is the complete greenish/bluish body that fits over the chassis. Pile of about 100 SSDD, DSDD, DSHD 5.25 floppies. Could be a few more, could be a few less. I'm just guestimating. Box full of 3.5 DSDD and DSHD floppies.. Looks to be approximately 60+ disks. 8" soft sectored double density floppy. I put Pickles & Trout CPM on this in 2015 for a TRS-80 Model II that has since found a new home. Fully functional (at last powerup, which is about 2 years now) Apple IIc with internal 5.25 and a very rare external high density 3.5 drive. There are many, many 3.5 drives out there that work with most IIc computers, but this one took me years to find and sells for 100+ when you can find it. The power supply for the IIc is not original and, in fact, is sort of a frankenstein's monster, so you'll want to replace that. I'm pretty sure there are a variety of IIc programmer books in the box with it, but it's tucked away at the moment, so I'm working from memory. I don't think they have value, they're just a couple of nice additional pieces that come with it. Commodore Pet 8032. This is in complete but not currently functional condition. I did a great deal of work on this a few years ago, got it up and running and then found some shorts, which turned out to be from acid core solder that someone used previously to work on it. I didn't have the energy to work on it again, which will require desoldering the SRAM and ROM chips, cleaning the board, repairing one trace, and putting everything back in. There is also a 1001 floppy drive (I might have that number wrong.. .It's the IEEE bus high density 5.25 drive that was pretty rare back in the day, though there were enough that a few survived.. definitely less common than the 4040 and the 8050 drives). That drive was fully functioning when I packed it up about 3 years ago. No reasonable offers refused. I've sold/given stuff to a few of you in the past, so they can vouch for me always wanting to be fair about the value of stuff. I'm on the very far eastern end of Long Island (Shelter Island, in fact), though I am willing to drive a (reasonable) distance to meet anyone who is interested. The distance I will travel is commensurate with the number of things you want to obtain. :) -- ---- David Hoelzer Chief of Operations Enclave Forensics, Inc.

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VCF East 2019 Saturday Dinner
by Jeffrey Brace 14 Feb '19

14 Feb '19

WHAT: VCF East XIII Saturday Buffet Dinner DATE: May 4 TIME: 7:30 PM LOCATION: Clancy's Tavern (West Grove Plaza) ADDRESS: 25 South Main Street, Neptune, NJ 07753 COST: $35 This is this same place that we had it the last few years. We organize this dinner so that the whole large group of us could chat in a casual place and have a quality meal after a weekend of fast food. This is the best available option to balance price, quality of food, parking, distance from VCF East, large group, etc. This is the best that we can do for such a large group. The menu is more flexible than other places for a large group of people. My research of places in the areas shows that this is the best option to balance all of our needs. We reserved the place for 40 people. So if you want to go, then make sure you pay ahead of time to secure your spot. You can prepay to paypal(a)vcfed.org and include a note that it is for VCF East 2019 Saturday Dinner and how many people. The VCF East organizers decided together along with feedback from my survey that the following will be the new unlimited buffet menu: COLD Caesar Salad Cold Cut Platter Fresh Fruit WARM Nachos Beef Stroganoff with egg noodles Chicken Parmesan Penne Vodka DESSERT Carvel Ice Cream Cake BAR Cash Bar After dinner some of us are going to visit the nearby SilverBall Arcade in Asbury Park. Anyone is free to meet us there. I'm not sure of the exact time. Probably 9:30pm. -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President Vintage Computer Federation

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Next Repair Workshop March 30 & 31, 2019
by Jeffrey Brace 14 Feb '19

14 Feb '19

The next VCF Repair workshop will be March 30 & 31, 2019. Signup here: < https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1qisU7Goz7_QQVOtuCEg8PsDfh7-adv0zNXI… > -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President Vintage Computer Federation

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Funny
by Evan Koblentz 11 Feb '19

11 Feb '19

Geek vs. nerd: https://youtu.be/LYE3GtXqDV0 -- Evan Koblentz, executive director Vintage Computer Federation www.vcfed.org evan(a)vcfed.org (646) 546-9999 VCF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

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Workshop Wrap-up - 2/9/19 & 2/10/19
by Jeffrey Brace 11 Feb '19

11 Feb '19

I counted about 15 to 20 people at the workshop this past weekend at the VCF repair workshop. A very successful workshop. We tried a new diner for the Sunday breakfast: The Americana Diner in Shrewsbury. Even though it is 20 minutes from the museum, everyone loved it and felt it was worth the trip. Next time we will try Mariner's Cove in Brielle. Tony Bogan recommended this one. For the Saturday dinner, we weren't able to go Asbury Biergarten and Festhalle because of reservation restrictions, so I will try again next time now that I know the restrictions. The backup place will be Main Street Grill. We went to Brick House Tap and Tavern in Neptune City instead. Ian won the first to smoke award for a blown capacitor in a monitor. I was very happy that I found the time to work on repairing my C64. Over the years, I have had little time to work on them because of running the workshop, grad school etc. It was nice to be able to finally work on them for a decent amount of time. Thanks to Doug and Chris for helping me diagnose the first one and great thanks to Jeff Salzman for troubleshooting, soldering and desoldering two other boards. He spent a lot of time with me to get two of them working. I tagged all of them as to their condition and will continue working on them next workshop. I have made a list of things that need like thermal paste, heat sinks, ram chips, PLA chips. Everyone else please share what you worked on and did at the workshop and a link to any photos that you took. The next workshop is: March 30 & 31. -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President Vintage Computer Federation

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Museum/workshop report
by Evan Koblentz 11 Feb '19

11 Feb '19

I was tour guide in the museum for two or three hours today. There was only two sets of two visitors each, but they were GOOD visitors! First a man and woman in their 20s who wanted a full tour, and then two guys in their 40s/50s who said they work in IT and also wanted a full tour + stuck around for a discussion with Drom about the UNIVAC. Best part: all four of them said they visited IA specifically to see our part. The 20-somethings said they're from Philly and found us by Googling for where to see old computers. Brace and I spent about 30 minutes practicing PDP-8 front panel entry. We each got chase-the-lights working on our own (no tech support calls to Gesswein or anyone else this time) ... first time for that! Felt good to reach that milestone. Next time we'll try to load a program from paper tape, per DG's instructions. Personal comment: if you'd told me a year ago that I would ever feel totally comfortable using the front panel on HP and DEC minicomputers, demoing memory diagnostics on the UNIVAC, and (as of yesterday) starting to feel some kind of comprehension in 6502 assembly ... I might not have believed you. Thank you Mike L, DG, Drom, Adam, etc. for encouraging this former English major that I too could learn such things. Thinking in octal and understanding about opcodes!? What's happening to me??

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Hackfest Tomorrow
by Bob Aviles 11 Feb '19

11 Feb '19

Hi, I got the message but not in time, maybe next time. ThanksBobby On Saturday, February 9, 2019, 9:43:48 PM EST, Sentrytv via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: Andy Before I left I forgot to get from you the USB to ethernet adapter. is there anyway you could possibly get it to me at all tomorrow? Do you live in north jersey? Maybe you could give it to someone who lives near me I'm in Edison . Mike Rosen Sent from: My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device. > On Feb 8, 2019, at 10:19 PM, Sentrytv <sentrytv(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > > Could use an apple > And c64 > > Sent from: > My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device. > >> On Feb 8, 2019, at 8:37 PM, andy diller via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: >> >> I'll see everyone there early tomorrow. >> >> I'll have with me: >> >> - Mac w/ Booterizer project to install various flavors of IRIX on any SGIs loitering around without an OS >> - Amiga 2000 to copy some disks >> - Some repairs- A pismo trying to get to boot, busted SGI PSU >> >> Some stuff for sale or trade: working C64, 1702 monitor, Atari 600xl, Atari 800, Apple IIe, Mac SE analog boards, plus any other junk I can gather up and sell for super cheap or trade - i"m looking for some oldish (non-digital) Small 13" sized color TVs. >> >>

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WTB: Looking for several Intel manuals
by systems_glitch 11 Feb '19

11 Feb '19

All, I'm looking for hardcopy of: * Intel MCS-80 System Design Kit User's Guide * Intel MCS-8 Manual (8008) * Intel PROMPT-48 Microcomputer User's Manual I've got PDFs of these, but I like original dead tree format when I can find it. Thanks, Jonathan

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286 troubleshooting BIOS?
by Ethan O'Toole 10 Feb '19

10 Feb '19

For the Amiga, there is a troubleshooting Kickstart replacement that uses the serial port to spit out diagnostic information. RAM tests and other functions. Does anyone know if something like that exists for PC 286 era computers? Still troubleshooting a Yamaha C1 and there are issues and it's kicking my butt. Seems like the CPU might not be reading the keyboard controller properly or something. The amiga chip will do ram tests and other things and just spit it out serial. - Ethan

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Turbo Pascal 1.5 for windows
by Bob Flanders 10 Feb '19

10 Feb '19

Is anyone interested in this. About to be trashed. Bob

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Sunday breakfast Americana Diner 9AM
by Jeffrey Brace 09 Feb '19

09 Feb '19

We, the VCF Repair workshop gatherers will be eating breakfast at 9AM Sunday Morning at The Americana Diner. Let me know if if thou shalt be coming. -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President Vintage Computer Federation

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Hackfest Tomorrow
by dillera＠gmail.com 09 Feb '19

09 Feb '19

I'll see everyone there early tomorrow. I'll have with me: - Mac w/ Booterizer project to install various flavors of IRIX on any SGIs loitering around without an OS - Amiga 2000 to copy some disks - Some repairs- A pismo trying to get to boot, busted SGI PSU Some stuff for sale or trade: working C64, 1702 monitor, Atari 600xl, Atari 800, Apple IIe, Mac SE analog boards, plus any other junk I can gather up and sell for super cheap or trade - i"m looking for some oldish (non-digital) Small 13" sized color TVs.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Hackfest Tomorrow
by Jeffrey Brace 09 Feb '19

09 Feb '19

I believe he is referring to the VCF Repair Workshop happening this weekend Feb 9 & 10 at Infoage in Wall Township. On Sat, Feb 9, 2019 at 12:04 PM Bob Aviles via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > Hi Tony, > I have a Sony 13" TV working, interest in the C64 or Atari 800.Where is > the Hackfest locate at? > Bobby > > On Friday, February 8, 2019, 10:20:10 PM EST, Sentrytv via > vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > Could use an apple > And c64 > > Sent from: > My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device. > > > On Feb 8, 2019, at 8:37 PM, andy diller via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > > I'll see everyone there early tomorrow. > > > > I'll have with me: > > > > - Mac w/ Booterizer project to install various flavors of IRIX on any > SGIs loitering around without an OS > > - Amiga 2000 to copy some disks > > - Some repairs- A pismo trying to get to boot, busted SGI PSU > > > > Some stuff for sale or trade: working C64, 1702 monitor, Atari 600xl, > Atari 800, Apple IIe, Mac SE analog boards, plus any other junk I can > gather up and sell for super cheap or trade - i"m looking for some oldish > (non-digital) Small 13" sized color TVs. > > > > > > > -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President Vintage Computer Federation

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Hackfest Tomorrow
by Bob Aviles 09 Feb '19

09 Feb '19

Hi Tony, I have a Sony 13" TV working, interest in the C64 or Atari 800.Where is the Hackfest locate at? Bobby On Friday, February 8, 2019, 10:20:10 PM EST, Sentrytv via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: Could use an apple And c64 Sent from: My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device. > On Feb 8, 2019, at 8:37 PM, andy diller via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > I'll see everyone there early tomorrow. > > I'll have with me: > > - Mac w/ Booterizer project to install various flavors of IRIX on any SGIs loitering around without an OS > - Amiga 2000 to copy some disks > - Some repairs- A pismo trying to get to boot, busted SGI PSU > > Some stuff for sale or trade: working C64, 1702 monitor, Atari 600xl, Atari 800, Apple IIe, Mac SE analog boards, plus any other junk I can gather up and sell for super cheap or trade - i"m looking for some oldish (non-digital) Small 13" sized color TVs. > >

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oldest spreadsheet
by Herb Johnson 06 Feb '19

06 Feb '19

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-3692283/The-diary-pyramid-b… Long link, but it amounts to the Cairo Museum's July 2016 display of papyrus found in 2013 which are associated with building the Great Pyramid, during the 4th Dynasty of King Khufu. Look hard, and you'll find an image of what's clearly a table of entries inscribed in rectangular blocks. This came to my attention on a recent cable TV history show on the Great Pyramid, where the narrator/archeologist referred to these as a "Excel spreadsheet" of the supplies logistics at the port of entry for pyramid goods and supplies. Hieroglyphics for numeric values are not overly complicated, so with patience one may be able to read off some of the notations. In the cited description, it even says "Revenue was written in red, while what was paid to workers would be written in black." It's not quite a computer spreadsheet. But to see credit/debt paper ledgers from 45 centuries ago is informative, and exciting. And among the first business use of computers was for bookkeeping of this class. so it has some meaning to vintage computing. I don't know if the Babylonians used clay tablets in this fashion. Herb -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey in the USA http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net preserve, recover, restore 1970's computing email: hjohnson AT retrotechnology DOT com or try later herbjohnson AT retrotechnology DOT info

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NE-PA - SGI Indy for sale
by Evan Koblentz 06 Feb '19

06 Feb '19

https://www.facebook.com/groups/VintageComputersForSale/permalink/277060219… DO NOT REPLY TO ME OR THE LIST about this. Merely "seen on Facebook".

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More facets of hard disk recovery (SA1000, RD53) and emulation
by Herb Johnson 06 Feb '19

06 Feb '19

David Gesswein: Dealing with stuck head problem with Quantum Q2040 drives http://www.pdp8online.com/q2040/q2040.shtml ---------------- I've heard a suggestion to replace or overlay a gooey rubber-bumper in a drive, with a dab of DAP or similar silicon sealant. Replacing the bumper is ideal, but presumably overlaying the bumper with new material may restore some hardners and firm-up the residue. I'd worry about fumes from the fresh sealant contaminating the platters or heads, perhaps some airflow would reduce that problem. But this is all about recovery so there's already risks, some risks are less than others. Herb -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey in the USA http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net

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Signup Repair Workshop February 2019 VCF
by Jeffrey Brace 06 Feb '19

06 Feb '19

You can still sign-up for the February 9 & 10 workshop here: < https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/11Iy1jqPJqVzY1gnGRrHfLfIcx5IQ82QkkaB… > Also I added two columns for InfoAge purposes: e-mail address and zip code. InfoAge now requires an after event form with a list of attendees and uses the e-mail addresses and zip codes for grant purposes. - IA thrives on grants and grassroots marketing - Granters want such demographic info from grantees - IA knows it must do better at marketing - Compliance is optional - As far as VCF knows, the info won't be used for any other purposes, but this is out of our control - However what's good for IA is generally good for VCF If you have any questions about this, please let me know. -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President Vintage Computer Federation

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Possible visits to the area in February
by Ethan Dicks 06 Feb '19

06 Feb '19

Hi, All, I'm still waiting for the GO to book travel, but as of today, it appears I might be on an assignment in Jersey City from 18-21 Feb and 25-28 Feb. This would be an "in on Monday AM, out Thursday PM" sort of cycle so any adventures would have to be on Monday through Wednesday evenings. I do not have word that I'll get a rental covered, so I might be limited to the area around the hotel and/or out-of-pocket Ubers or public transportation. Also, it seems likely to expect our team will have one or more evenings planned together. Checking maps, the "recommended" (read: mandatory per customer instructions) hotel is right by the Newport PATH station, making it easy to catch trains. Given those narrow time constraints, I could be up for going out to dinner at some point across those two weeks. It's probably best to nail down exact evenings after I arrive and find out when the team is going out, but I wanted to mention my likely arrival with enough lead-time to plan. There may be further trips down the line, but we are only scheduling out to the end of March for now. Cheers, -ethan

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Feb Repair Workshop - 2019
by Jeffrey Brace 05 Feb '19

05 Feb '19

It seems that the permissions on the signup spreadsheet weren't set correctly. I kept getting requests to get access. The permissions should be fixed now. Please signup for the February 2019 VCF Repair Workshop which will be February 9 & 10. < https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/11Iy1jqPJqVzY1gnGRrHfLfIcx5IQ82QkkaB… > -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President Vintage Computer Federation

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OT: Coloring the Universe: NASA Visualization Lead at InfoAge Mar 9, 2019
by Jeffrey Brace 03 Feb '19

03 Feb '19

As I came into be docent today I saw a flyer for an InfoAge event that I thought others in this group might be interested in. Kimberly Kowal Arcand will be a guest speaker at InfoAge on Mar. 9, 2019. Ms. Arcand is the Visualization Lead for NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory in Cambridge Massachusetts. Cost is $15 per person. Seating limited. For more information and to signup: http://infoage.org/arcand/ -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President Vintage Computer Federation

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Museum report (for yesterday)
by Evan Koblentz 03 Feb '19

03 Feb '19

Two groups of visitors yesterday. An older couple who used minicomputers in the 1970s, and then another couple who visited last month but came back with their 20-something son who's a software developer. Bill I. also visited and we talked about plans for the EAI TR-20 analog computer. His goal is to get it running by VCF East.

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Apple III
by Randall Kindig 03 Feb '19

03 Feb '19

If anyone is interested in hearing from David Fradin, who was one of the product managers at Apple for the Apple III and other hardware, I’ve just published Floppy Days episode 89 at: http://floppydays.libsyn.com/floppy-days-89-the-apple-iii-part-3-with-david… <http://floppydays.libsyn.com/floppy-days-89-the-apple-iii-part-3-with-david…> This is the third and last in the series on Floppy Days about the Apple III. Randy Kindig

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one less $JOB (JCL joke)
by Jeffrey Jonas 03 Feb '19

03 Feb '19

My dad's funeral is on Sunday Feb 3, in Boca Raton Florida. I brought ipods to record conversations with him about all the hacks, insights and details of the vintage hardware and systems he used, but the stage 4 lung cancer and chemo stole his voice only a week after I arrived :-( At 90, dad could not tolerate the chemo required to fight the lung cancer. James T Kirk might not believe in the "no win scenario" but I could not cheat like he did with the Kobayashi Maru :-( Carl Claunch summarized it best: He was a great person, someone I was fortunate to have known and worked with. A master of the mainframe who just quietly did his job.

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Minor little East keynote ;)
by Evan Koblentz 02 Feb '19

02 Feb '19

KEN THOMPSON!!! Who shall be interviewed on stage by another dude some of you may know, a Mister Brian Kernighan. Aaaaaaaand, I am working on arranging a couple of other minor little surprises. But they're not yet ready to be announced.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Friday classes @ VCF East
by Evan Koblentz 02 Feb '19

02 Feb '19

"Ask the expert" panel is a great idea! Definitely will do that. Having people bring in their own systems is a no-go. Insurance liability. On Sat, Jan 19, 2019, 4:23 PM Jeffrey Golas via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org wrote: > Rather than a restoration class on a particular model or brand, how about > an “ask the expert” panel with a panel of peeps who specialize in a > particular brand/era of machine? Perhaps even two, one for 8-biters and > another for different era machines or big iron. > > My other idea is along the same line, but almost like a mini workshop with > tables set up with experts on various machines, people can bring in their > machines to ask questions, etc. Not a full blown soldering/repair thing, > but perhaps basic troubleshooting and cosmetic stuff. > > Jeff (aka Bags)

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More facets of hard disk recovery (SA1000, RD53) and emulation
by David Gesswein 01 Feb '19

01 Feb '19

I have made a SA1000 adapter board for my MFM reader emulator. I did a small run which seems to work so if you are interested email me to get in on the next order. Prices may get a little better if I get enough orders. http://www.pdp8online.com/mfm/ http://www.pdp8online.com/mfm/sa1000/sa1000_usage.shtml I have used it for reading Shugart SA1004 and Quantum Q2040 drives. Another has used it to replace drive in a TRS-80 Model II 8 Meg drive unit. Some other items that may be of interest: Dealing with stuck head problem with Quantum Q2040 drives http://www.pdp8online.com/q2040/q2040.shtml Using a DAC to pull the head servo to recover otherwise unreadable data from DEC RD53 drive. Also procedure tried for Q2040 but data had been erased so not successful. http://www.pdp8online.com/mfm/head_servo/

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Broken PET free to good home
by Evan Koblentz 01 Feb '19

01 Feb '19

Says our friend BernieS of 2600 fame: >> Hi Evan, Does VCF or anyone you know want a reportedly unused Commodore CBM 8032? It was dropped and the CRT broke (see photo) and it reportedly sat unused for 38 years. Someone just gave it to my friend Bob who designed those Apple II I/O cards I brought to Festivus and gave to Dimitry and Ian. Let me know if you really want it. I can pick it up next time I visit my mother 200 miles north of Philly, and bring it to VCF East. Or not, if you don't want it. << I declined: we have enough. Anyone who wants it should contact him directly at bernies(a)panix.com.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Broken PET free to good home
by Evan Koblentz 31 Jan '19

31 Jan '19

All I know is what's in the message. Bernie is not on this list. Email him directly. On Thu, Jan 31, 2019, 9:29 PM Brian Marstella via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org wrote: > I'd be interested, depending on location... Brian > > On Thu, Jan 31, 2019 at 9:27 PM Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > Says our friend BernieS of 2600 fame: > > > > >> Hi Evan, Does VCF or anyone you know want a reportedly unused > Commodore > > CBM 8032? It was dropped and the CRT broke (see photo) and it reportedly > > sat unused for 38 years. Someone just gave it to my friend Bob who > > designed those Apple II I/O cards I brought to Festivus and gave to > Dimitry > > and Ian. Let me know if you really want it. I can pick it up next time > I > > visit my mother 200 miles north of Philly, and bring it to VCF East. Or > > not, if you don't want it. << > > > > I declined: we have enough. Anyone who wants it should contact him > directly > > at bernies(a)panix.com. > > >

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