- vcf-midatlantic - lists.vcfed.org

Festivus Keurig Pods
by Jeffrey Brace 30 Nov '18

30 Nov '18

If you want to use the Keurig, please bring pods. I have hot chocolate, but no coffee ones. -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President Vintage Computer Federation

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Update: Festivus Eve!
by Evan Koblentz 29 Nov '18

29 Nov '18

I'm going to the museum tomorrow around lunchtime-ish. Will be doing a bunch of prep and more warehouse work too. Steve A. is coming after 4pm to help for a couple of hours. The more helper, the better. I am staying overnight rather than going home and coming back in the morning. Originally I wasn't goind to do that this year, but I am thoroughly enjoying the real-life Tetris game of warehouse projects.

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Modern Computers available at Festivus
by Jason Perkins 29 Nov '18

29 Nov '18

Fellow Festivites, It's a Festivus Miracle! I've got a number of retired systems from work that are 3-5 year old Core i5 and i7 w/ 4-8gb of ram. Rather than send them to the recycler, I'd like to get them in the hands of someone who can use them. I've got at least 10 systems. Is there any interest? Evan suggested taking auction style offers for the systems, which sounded good to me. 100% of the offer will go to VCF. Thanks! -- Jason Perkins 313 355 0085

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Festivus Movies
by Jeffrey Brace 29 Nov '18

29 Nov '18

I will be bringing the Viva Amiga DVD to show. Does anyone else have any specific requests? Feel free to bring any DVDs that you would like. If desired, I have access to Netflix, Amazon Video, YouTube Premium. As per Festivus tradition the Feats of Strength will determine the order of what we watch ;) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dS7-jcsB_WQ -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President Vintage Computer Federation

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Snipe-It
by Andrew Diller 29 Nov '18

29 Nov '18

Snipe-IT itself requires not much at all- it's minimum requirement is PHP 5.6 or later and MySQL. Apache HTTPD is the easiest to setup for PHP execution. I'm running mine on a little Dell Optiplex 160 which is a core-solo cpu with 2G of ram, and it's also doing a few other things (like a jvm for a Confluence wiki I use), all running on ubuntu 14.04. Snipe-it has a fully hosted SAAS at: https://snipit.io/ (which I'm sure you've seen). I'm sure it could also run nicely on a DigitalOcean $10 a month droplet if you don't want a server sitting on the floor of the Infoage space. As for modifications, it's PHP which is one of the reasons I'm going to use it for my things- that it probally the most modifiable of the options I had looked at when I was researching it. -andy > On Nov 29, 2018, at 2:18 PM, Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > From: Evan Koblentz <evan(a)snarc.net> > Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Snipe-It > Date: November 29, 2018 at 2:18:17 PM EST > To: martin.flynn(a)compdecon.org, Eric Rangell via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> > > >> Eric, >> Quick question - how well does the current version of Snipe-It run on Ubuntu Server 18.04.1 LTS on top of ESXi? >> Might be usable to track stuff in the Makerspace (also at Infoage in Building 9059) > > I don't know if they have a server version. We were shopping for a cloud-based product. > >

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Orig Mac disk drive does not stop/bangs head
by Bill Degnan 29 Nov '18

29 Nov '18

Hard to explain but when I power on my orig MAC the drive races to the front and attempts to keep going, causing the drive head pad arm to virbrate and the drive motor to keep spinning. The drive was working earlier. Is there a fix? Bill

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Snipe-It
by Evan Koblentz 29 Nov '18

29 Nov '18

> Eric, > > Quick question - how well does the current version of Snipe-It run on > Ubuntu Server 18.04.1 LTS on top of ESXi? > > Might be usable to track stuff in the Makerspace (also at Infoage in > Building 9059) I don't know if they have a server version. We were shopping for a cloud-based product.

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One volunteer needed, special mission
by Evan Koblentz 29 Nov '18

29 Nov '18

I'd like one person to come tomorrow afternoon, help me finish Festivus setup, and then we'll sort books the rest of the night. VCF will cover your overnight fee and you'd get first dibs at the massive surplus pile.

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Orig Mac disk drive does not stop/bangs head
by Herb Johnson 29 Nov '18

29 Nov '18

> when I power on my orig MAC the drive races to the > front and attempts to keep going... is there a fix? My guess is, this is a Macintosh 128K and "the drive" is the 400K floppy drive. "the fix" is to diagnose the problem. Try another 400K floppy drive externally, or a 800K external floppy drive - see if they work the same way. If so, you may have some kind of 68000 processor motherboard problem. Or a loose internal floppy cable. If external drives work, then see what's going on with that internal drive. Maybe the track 00 sensor is bad or its little cable isn't connected well. Or the head stepper has lost a phase and is running backwards (desperately seeking track 00 while running to track 99). "The Dead Mac Scrolls" suggests if the screen is dark and you have odd behavior, you may need to fix/replace the analog card, specifically the flyback transformer. But you'd likely report a dark screen, so that's not likely the problem. The book doesn't seem to list your floppy drive problem. Herb -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey in the USA http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net

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Festivus setup
by Evan Koblentz 29 Nov '18

29 Nov '18

I was at the museum from 1pm to 5pm today mostly doing warehouse stuff. Dan J. helped set up for Festivus at 8pm after the InfoAge staff meeting. We moved some furniture out of the room that we use for videogames. Dan left, and then Jeff B. came over at 9pm. We set up most of the tables and moved a bunch of party supplies into place. We were there until 11:30pm. I'm going to be there early Saturday to finish. Tony said he'll be over around 9:30am, but I am hoping to get one or two helpers earlier than that (8:30am). Any volunteers?

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Intro
by dillera＠gmail.com 28 Nov '18

28 Nov '18

Hello- I've been asked for an intro, so here we are. I live in Philly and work for a very large local MSO in the city. I run a medium sized engineering team and we handle large scale messaging (SMS and Email) for the MSO. I've been to a number of VCF East Festivals and have loved them (the Ted Nelson festival and the recent Apollo 11). I have been aware of the forums and site for many years, but just decided to join the list. Like many here I have a decent collection of computers - enough that I have to pay for a storage at a local provider (climate controlled of course, I'm not a monster...). I've been lately interested in 1990s era workstations and have been working on refining my collection. I both love and hate eBay. My collection ranges from Cannon Cats to Atari 800XLs to SGI Indigos and much in-between. Looking forward to meeting some of you as time and life permits, meanwhile we can do it virtually. -andy diller PS - To give you a better idea, here is my basement space with my 'in-progress' work right here as I type this: Currently working on: netbooting my SGI and Ultra10, setting up an open-source asset-management app with tags so I can track things better (that's the hand-held scanner there in front of the Sun) and installing Netatalk service on a linux machine to host a AppleTalk/Ethertalk file server for some older Mac's I'm trying to get back in shape... I have a personal blog at http://dillernet.com/apple where I've posted things over the years.

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Jeff vs Steve
by dillera＠gmail.com 28 Nov '18

28 Nov '18

Here was my prototype - back in 2014 http://dillernet.com/apple/2014/09/04/jeff-vs-steve/ I just need to get the Canon Cat to print and I can make this happen- maybe in time for 2019 VCF East. -andy

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Postal scale?
by M 28 Nov '18

28 Nov '18

I was planning to get there early, I can bring one as added insurance. On Wed, Nov 28, 2018 at 9:13 AM Tony Bogan via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > I have an AWS PS-25 that I use for weighing rocket for launch. It has a > > 55lbs max. I was not planning on attending too early because I'd planned > > to make ribs for all but the weather forecast does not look conducive for > > firing up the grill to make them -- heavy rain for the weekend, again. :( > > So, I may drop in circa mid-afternoon. I'll bring my scale. > > > > https://americanweigh.com/pdf/manuals/PS-25_manual_v2.3.pdf > > That’s way more betterer than me lugging my scale, you win!! :-) > > Tony

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New museum artifact: Symbolics 3620
by Herb Johnson 28 Nov '18

28 Nov '18

> We got a Symbolics 3620 today, no monitor or keyboard. I recall that Claude Kagan had a Symbolics machine in the Barn, which was damaged even before the fire claimed the barn. I believe the keyboard is unique; Web search shows it's certainly specialized for use. Apparently the keyboards have the Symbolics name on them, so they may be easy to spot. Evan, I suggest you determine the exact keyboard needed, so you and others can keep an eye out for it. Apropos our "keyboards" thread this month, people apparently will buy the keyboard as a collectable. 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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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] OT: Modern keyboard question
by Evan Koblentz 28 Nov '18

28 Nov '18

>> I think I have a Cherry MX sampler somewhere, I'll see if I can find it before this weekend. Chris F. is already bringing one this weekend. On Wed, Nov 28, 2018, 5:15 AM Alexander Pierson via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org wrote: > I'm in the Unicomp crowd for my daily driver at work, and I've even given > a few to family members who seem to enjoy them. However, after owning a > few of the 104 Classic USB variations, I've discovered that the tolerances > of the tooling aren't nearly what they should be. Compared to an authentic > IBM, it's just not as well made. They still make a fine keyboard, but it > isn't for everyone. > > I think I have a Cherry MX sampler somewhere, I'll see if I can find it > before this weekend. > > -Alexander 'Z' Pierson > > > On Tuesday, November 27, 2018, 11:33:59 PM EST, Mark Whittington via > vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > There is at least a modern manufacturer of buckling spring keyboards a la > IBM Model M. The Unicomp Ultra Classic Model M comes in a full size 104 key > USB package for ~$100. Someone in my office has one. > > On Tue, Nov 27, 2018, 9:51 AM Jameel Akari via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org wrote: > > > On 2018-11-27 09:19, Thomas Fuchs via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > > > Wombat works great for me, using AEK II on a modern Mac. > > > > > > > Good to know, looking forward to it! > > > > > > And yeah, I might get a second one later, to hook up USB keyboards and > > mice to older Macs. Both directions are useful. > > > > I've enjoyed at least the concept of using vintage keyboards on new > > machines, in part because of the original topic here -- it's exhausting > > reading through all the reviews around various keyswitches and keycaps > > and LEDs and whatever. > > > > Might be time to bring my Type M to work again... > > > > > > -- > > Jameel Akari > > > > > > >> On Nov 27, 2018, at 12:34 AM, jakari via vcf-midatlantic > > >> <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > >> > > >> On 2018-11-26 22:59, David Riley via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > > >>> Interesting feedback. It’s been many years since I looked up the > > >>> price > > >>> of iMates... when I got mine, they were out of production but still > > >>> only $20 on eBay. Sorry to see they’re so expensive now. > > >> > > >> Yeah, I was shocked to see that as well. At $oldjob^4 we threw out > > >> probably a dozen of them. :( > > >> > > >>> On Nov 26, 2018, at 13:44, Herb Johnson via vcf-midatlantic > > >>> <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > >>>> "ADB to USB Connector Adapter" on that auction site, shows Griffin > > >>>> imate, AlphaSmart as apparently old brands, resale price $70-$100+; > > >>>> and maybe "Wombat" as some hobby class product at $59-$79. > > >> > > >> Inspired by this thread, I just ordered one of the Wombats. Made by > > >> the same guy who does the Floppy Emu. I'm ok with gambling $49+S&H on > > >> something that'll probably work just fine. I do want to "daily drive" > > >> some of my old Apple keyboards like the AEK II and see what I really > > >> think of them. Assuming it'll fit on my keyboard tray side by side > > >> with the modern Magic Trackpad. > > >> > > > > >

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Postal scale?
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 28 Nov '18

28 Nov '18

Tony Bogan via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> writes: >Ive got a butcher scale that goes up to 200lbs. I can bring. That should >suffice ;-) > >Tony > >Sent from my iPhone > >> On Nov 27, 2018, at 10:46 PM, Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic ><vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > Ack! We're planning to sell surplus books for our usual $1/lb. rate, but > I just remembered that we need a scale for that purpose. Can somebody >(who is planning to arrive early-ish Saturday) please bring one? I have an AWS PS-25 that I use for weighing rocket for launch. It has a 55lbs max. I was not planning on attending too early because I'd planned to make ribs for all but the weather forecast does not look conducive for firing up the grill to make them -- heavy rain for the weekend, again. :( So, I may drop in circa mid-afternoon. I'll bring my scale. https://americanweigh.com/pdf/manuals/PS-25_manual_v2.3.pdf

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OT: Modern keyboard question
by Herb Johnson 28 Nov '18

28 Nov '18

> I'm also more of an Alps fan; my daily [desktop keybord] is an Apple Extended Keyboard II through an iMate ADB->USB adaptor. Since I sell ADB keyboards, this phrase caught my eye. Let's see what such adapters are about, these days. I presume 1) none are in current commercial production but 2) there's some hobby projects old and new about it. And I found I was likely right. "ADB to USB Connector Adapter" on that auction site, shows Griffin imate, AlphaSmart as apparently old brands, resale price $70-$100+; and maybe "Wombat" as some hobby class product at $59-$79. A Web search seems to zero in on a hobby project apparently called "tmk". Further searching and hopping about the Web, reveals some person calling themself "tmk", in Japan. There's some kind of code to run on microcontroller chips like Atmel AVR and Cortex-M; on some kind of hardware design (not physically complicated, interfaces and a MPU chip I imagine). The trail I was able to find amounts to: https://github.com/tmk/ https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=14290.0 http://www.tmk-kbd.com/tmk_keyboard/editor/ Without a lecture from an old-guy; it's mostly a club around someone's microcontroller board for specific purposes. You have to join the conversation to figure out what you get, how to make it useful, see what's available now. All code is on github. The "sales" page seems to be an updated post in a keyboard discussion group (geekhack). More information is in various discussions. I don't think much of this kind of hobby-product-support, to be honest. I understand, this is how such things are done today. And of course - I may be wrong about "tmk" being a particularly popular old keyboard to USB solution. All I did was search the web cold, and see what Google came up with first. I'm not "in the club", so I know nothing. Maybe someone in that club, or another club, can reference other work. This is marginally within vintage-computing: this is about reuse of vintage tech. That's a fact: I sell ADB keyboards for current use, or disassembly, all the time. Otherwise I posted here what I found, to save my other know-nothing friends some of the time I spent on this subject this afternoon. Hope this is informative. Herb "click-clack" Johnson -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey in the USA http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net

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Postal scale?
by Evan Koblentz 28 Nov '18

28 Nov '18

Ack! We're planning to sell surplus books for our usual $1/lb. rate, but I just remembered that we need a scale for that purpose. Can somebody (who is planning to arrive early-ish Saturday) please bring one?

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IMPORTANT Festivus Info
by Jeffrey Brace 27 Nov '18

27 Nov '18

Looks like we have all those interested signed up. About 45 this time, which is the most we have ever had. Please make sure to let me know if you are staying overnight. I need a good estimate of head count. Make note of where you need to park. THIS IS IMPORTANT! <https://drive.google.com/open?id=1i_2cgAqnjub4rYE922Cwki38Nsdt8cp_> Also make sure to let me know what you are bringing. Here is all the info that you need: Here is the FESTIVUS signup: < https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1CYLtFeyBlKwX7h2ohfXz421hFQjZTPPAkdV… > DATE:* December 1 & 2, 2018 *TIME:* Start about 10 A.M. on Saturday and goes late into the night until everyone sleeps. End about 5 P.M. on Sunday. (Re-starts around 10 A.M. Sunday morning) *LOCATION:* InfoAge Building 9010-D - (2201 Marconi Road, Wall Township, NJ) - It will be straight ahead once you enter through the gate. The door is marked Sandy Recovery and is up the steps. *PARKING:* InfoAge management wants us to park inside the campus, in a neat orderly row, between the Festivus building and the hackerspace building (9059). The main parking lot remains available for guests of the model train show. Do not cost IA money by leaving it open to confuse paying guests. Always close it behind you when you enter/exit, EVEN IF IT WAS ALREADY OPEN! *COST:* $10 for all members attending Festivus, which VCF pays to InfoAge to rent the space and buy burgers, hot dogs and some supplies. $25 if you are staying overnight. See below for details. *EQUIPMENT:* VCF will have tables setup for food and games. We will have full sized refrigerators to temporarily store food and drinks. VCF had a grill donated and will buy a propane tank to cook hamburgers and hot dogs outside. *DRINKS:* Everyone is encouraged to bring their own drinks and enough to share with others. Bring your favorite and put what you are bringing on the list: *FOOD:* VCF will be supplying burgers, hot dogs, condiments, plates, forks, napkins, cups. You are encouraged to bring your own favorite good and put what you are bringing on the list. If you are not sure what to bring, then ask me. I will have some suggestions. *IMPORTANT TO KEEP FOOD AND DRINKS IN THE CAFETERIA! THIS IS THE RULE OF THE FACILITY OWNERS.* *ENTERTAINMENT?* Movies this year in the woman's bunk room. Ian: Vintage video games Jeff Brace: Commodore 64 games: 1) Bear, 2) 4 Player game, 3) PAL C64 to play European games/demos Cards Against Humanity! Vectrex Alex Jaccocks: C128 Games *STAYING OVERNIGHT?* Let me know if you want to stay overnight. The cost is $25. You provide your own mattress cover, blankets, pillows. There is a shower area, lounge, bunk beds, hot water for tea, microwave oven, toaster oven, keurig, coffee pot, ice machine, sink, cable TV, wi-fi. To get an accurate headcount, let me know as soon as possible that you are staying overnight and how many nights. There will be coffee, milk, cream, sugar and tea bags available as well. * SIGN-UP LINK:* < https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1CYLtFeyBlKwX7h2ohfXz421hFQjZTPPAkdV… > *MAP WHERE TO PARK:* <https://drive.google.com/open?id=1i_2cgAqnjub4rYE922Cwki38Nsdt8cp_> -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President Vintage Computer Federation

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New museum artifact: Symbolics 3620
by Evan Koblentz 27 Nov '18

27 Nov '18

We got a Symblics 3620 today, courtesy of Emmanuel Goldstein/2600. I drove out to central Long Island today to pick it up. It came with a tape drive, some tapes, and some Xerox LISP software on 8" disks. Unfortunately no monitor or keyboard.

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Bill Godbout
by Bill Degnan 27 Nov '18

27 Nov '18

Rumors circulating that Bill was caught up in the Northern CA fires and may have been injured or lost his life. Maybe if we run a few electrons through some of his cards and computers we'll generate some positive vibes his way. I bet many of you here like me have and use his RAM cards or have a CompuPro system. Bill

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] VMS Manuals (v 4 I believe)
by Bill Degnan 27 Nov '18

27 Nov '18

Message: 5 Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2018 19:11:24 -0400 (EDT) From: VAXman(a)tmesis.org To: vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] VMS Manuals (v 4 I believe) Message-ID: <18112620112414_223C1054(a)tmesis.com> Bill Degnan via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> writes: > >>Anyone from Baltimore going to Festivus want to pick up some VMS >>manuals, they're going to be trashed if not taken. Contact me for >>details. Downtown Baltimore location. Not mine, they're Fran's (lady >>linux's) manuals. Bill > Orange tomes? I believe so, yes. B On Tue, Nov 27, 2018, 12:09 PM <vcf-midatlantic-request(a)lists.vcfed.org wrote: > Send vcf-midatlantic mailing list submissions to > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > https://lists.vcfed.org/mailman/listinfo/vcf-midatlantic > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > vcf-midatlantic-request(a)lists.vcfed.org > > You can reach the person managing the list at > vcf-midatlantic-owner(a)lists.vcfed.org > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of vcf-midatlantic digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. OT: Modern keyboard question (Herb Johnson) > 2. Re: OT: Modern keyboard question (Herb Johnson) > 3. VMS Manuals (v 4 I believe) (Bill Degnan) > 4. Anyone going to Festivus want a bunch of C++ and Microsoft > TCPIP books (corey cohen) > 5. Re: VMS Manuals (v 4 I believe) (VAXman(a)tmesis.org) > 6. OT: Festivus Apple Wants (Tony Bogan) > 7. Re: OT: Modern keyboard question (David Riley) > 8. Re: OT: Modern keyboard question (jakari) > 9. Re: OT: Modern keyboard question (Andy Diller) > 10. Re: OT: Modern keyboard question (Thomas Fuchs) > 11. Re: OT: Modern keyboard question (Evan Koblentz) > 12. Re: OT: Modern keyboard question (Tony Bogan) > 13. Re: OT: Modern keyboard question (Jameel Akari) > 14. Re: OT: Modern keyboard question (Jason Perkins) > 15. Items to bring at Festivus (Herb Johnson) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2018 13:44:30 -0500 > From: Herb Johnson <hjohnson(a)retrotechnology.info> > To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> > Subject: [vcf-midatlantic] OT: Modern keyboard question > Message-ID: > <d1cfca70-ee6f-e4e9-934c-9d2557693970(a)retrotechnology.info> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed > > > I'm also more of an Alps fan; my daily [desktop keybord] is an Apple > Extended Keyboard II through an iMate ADB->USB adaptor. > > Since I sell ADB keyboards, this phrase caught my eye. Let's see what > such adapters are about, these days. I presume 1) none are in current > commercial production but 2) there's some hobby projects old and new > about it. And I found I was likely right. > > "ADB to USB Connector Adapter" on that auction site, shows Griffin > imate, AlphaSmart as apparently old brands, resale price $70-$100+; and > maybe "Wombat" as some hobby class product at $59-$79. > > A Web search seems to zero in on a hobby project apparently called > "tmk". Further searching and hopping about the Web, reveals some person > calling themself "tmk", in Japan. There's some kind of code to run on > microcontroller chips like Atmel AVR and Cortex-M; on some kind of > hardware design (not physically complicated, interfaces and a MPU chip I > imagine). The trail I was able to find amounts to: > > https://github.com/tmk/ > https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=14290.0 > http://www.tmk-kbd.com/tmk_keyboard/editor/ > > Without a lecture from an old-guy; it's mostly a club around someone's > microcontroller board for specific purposes. You have to join the > conversation to figure out what you get, how to make it useful, see > what's available now. All code is on github. The "sales" page seems to > be an updated post in a keyboard discussion group (geekhack). More > information is in various discussions. > > I don't think much of this kind of hobby-product-support, to be honest. > I understand, this is how such things are done today. > > And of course - I may be wrong about "tmk" being a particularly popular > old keyboard to USB solution. All I did was search the web cold, and see > what Google came up with first. I'm not "in the club", so I know > nothing. Maybe someone in that club, or another club, can reference > other work. > > This is marginally within vintage-computing: this is about reuse of > vintage tech. That's a fact: I sell ADB keyboards for current use, or > disassembly, all the time. > > Otherwise I posted here what I found, to save my other know-nothing > friends some of the time I spent on this subject this afternoon. Hope > this is informative. > > Herb "click-clack" Johnson > > -- > Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey in the USA > http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 2 > Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2018 14:22:57 -0500 > From: Herb Johnson <hjohnson(a)retrotechnology.info> > To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> > Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] OT: Modern keyboard question > Message-ID: > <63e1dcef-9976-59e0-20ff-73ece5720dd4(a)retrotechnology.info> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed > > > so never buy a AEK II that looks too used (if it?s yellowed, it was > > probably used a lot, if it?s still white someone stored it away.) > > If some Mac item is yellowed, that's merely evidence it was exposed to > light, and possibly heat. UV light (sunlight, old fluorescent) would > accelerate yellowing. And of course in this case, the keyboard case may > not be original to the keyboard PC board; or have been "retrobrited" > which I never do. > > Other visual evidence may support use or other conditions, like "dirt" > as described. I leave that evidence for discussion by more serious > students of keyboards. > > So: is there a test whereby I can tap on some AEK II keyboard and tell > someone "for X reasons I conclude this decades-old white keyboard was > lightly used?" Or the converse, "for X reasons I conclude this keyboard > is too worn for daily use)? I doubt impressions can be factualized; so I > would not likely make such statements myself. > > I think this is still near-topic; still old keyboards in play. It's a > thing! Google says so! ;) > > Herb > > > -- > Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey in the USA > http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 3 > Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2018 15:08:20 -0500 > From: Bill Degnan <billdegnan(a)gmail.com> > To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> > Subject: [vcf-midatlantic] VMS Manuals (v 4 I believe) > Message-ID: > < > CABGJBudktYJrAT-e8xBGmLdvqc1bQAy5CScD5vY+MA0N_QYa3g(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" > > Anyone from Baltimore going to Festivus want to pick up some VMS manuals, > they're going to be trashed if not taken. Contact me for details. > Downtown Baltimore location. Not mine, they're Fran's (lady linux's) > manuals. > Bill > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 4 > Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2018 16:45:42 -0500 > From: corey cohen <coreyvcf(a)gmail.com> > To: vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org > Subject: [vcf-midatlantic] Anyone going to Festivus want a bunch of > C++ and Microsoft TCPIP books > Message-ID: <C092AF31-51D9-4A21-966E-5F15A1713F8E(a)gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 > > I am cleaning out my shelfs to make more room for projects and don?t want > these vintage 1990?s C++ books to go to waste. I even have the full Visual > C++ manual books. > > I also have a bunch of PC assembly language books from the late 80?s if > anyone is interested, I?m keeping my pink shirt Norton ?do the nasty? book, > every hacker should have one. > > Thanks, > Cheers, > Corey > > corey cohen > u??o? ???o? > Sent from my iPhone > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 5 > Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2018 19:11:24 -0400 (EDT) > From: VAXman(a)tmesis.org > To: vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org > Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] VMS Manuals (v 4 I believe) > Message-ID: <18112620112414_223C1054(a)tmesis.com> > > Bill Degnan via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> > writes: > > > >Anyone from Baltimore going to Festivus want to pick up some VMS > >manuals, they're going to be trashed if not taken. Contact me for > >details. Downtown Baltimore location. Not mine, they're Fran's (lady > >linux's) manuals. Bill > > Orange tomes? > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 6 > Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2018 19:42:05 -0500 > From: Tony Bogan <thebogans(a)mac.com> > To: vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org > Subject: OT: Festivus Apple Wants > Message-ID: <3E6A45A5-C3E8-497F-8D20-4A2029FA22D8(a)mac.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 > > Spent the past month having to move into multiple new storage units (a > blessing in disguise as I was far more disorganized than I thought I was!!) > > I?m already bringing a couple Macintosh IIci?s for Herb and the iic I was > working on for Eric Rangell, so I figured I?d see if anyone has any > specific Apple II/compact Mac requests. I?ve got quite a few books and > manuals in triples and quadruples, many unworking machines (both apple ii+ > & Apple iie as well as Mac Plus & SE) that I just haven?t had the time to > work on yet. Plus I?ve got quite a few accessories and literally hundreds > of cards for the II series. If anyone is looking for a project machine > (unworking) or a working one, plus any accessories let me know. If I have > it I?ll bring it and we can figure out a price if any. Some things are for > the taking to give me room to move!! :-) > > Books and manuals I?ve got in spades so ask away! (Off list might be less > cumbersome!) > > Tony > > Sent from my iPhone > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 7 > Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2018 22:59:53 -0500 > From: David Riley <fraveydank(a)gmail.com> > To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> > Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] OT: Modern keyboard question > Message-ID: <1A8D2699-ACE8-4718-B5A1-F53A5221C2AD(a)gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 > > Interesting feedback. It?s been many years since I looked up the price of > iMates... when I got mine, they were out of production but still only $20 > on eBay. Sorry to see they?re so expensive now. > > In any case, the ADB protocol isn?t overly difficult to implement with a > microcontroller; after all, it was designed to be implemented on a > 6800-series micro at 1 MHz (granted, that one wasn?t doing much else). > There are a load of app notes from Microchip detailing some implementation > specifics, many of which are portable. I?d be happy to point anyone > interested at the various resources available. > > - Dave > > > On Nov 26, 2018, at 13:44, Herb Johnson via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > >> I'm also more of an Alps fan; my daily [desktop keybord] is an Apple > Extended Keyboard II through an iMate ADB->USB adaptor. > > > > Since I sell ADB keyboards, this phrase caught my eye. Let's see what > such adapters are about, these days. I presume 1) none are in current > commercial production but 2) there's some hobby projects old and new about > it. And I found I was likely right. > > > > "ADB to USB Connector Adapter" on that auction site, shows Griffin > imate, AlphaSmart as apparently old brands, resale price $70-$100+; and > maybe "Wombat" as some hobby class product at $59-$79. > > > > A Web search seems to zero in on a hobby project apparently called > "tmk". Further searching and hopping about the Web, reveals some person > calling themself "tmk", in Japan. There's some kind of code to run on > microcontroller chips like Atmel AVR and Cortex-M; on some kind of hardware > design (not physically complicated, interfaces and a MPU chip I imagine). > The trail I was able to find amounts to: > > > > https://github.com/tmk/ > > https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=14290.0 > > http://www.tmk-kbd.com/tmk_keyboard/editor/ > > > > Without a lecture from an old-guy; it's mostly a club around someone's > microcontroller board for specific purposes. You have to join the > conversation to figure out what you get, how to make it useful, see what's > available now. All code is on github. The "sales" page seems to be an > updated post in a keyboard discussion group (geekhack). More information is > in various discussions. > > > > I don't think much of this kind of hobby-product-support, to be honest. > I understand, this is how such things are done today. > > > > And of course - I may be wrong about "tmk" being a particularly popular > old keyboard to USB solution. All I did was search the web cold, and see > what Google came up with first. I'm not "in the club", so I know nothing. > Maybe someone in that club, or another club, can reference other work. > > > > This is marginally within vintage-computing: this is about reuse of > vintage tech. That's a fact: I sell ADB keyboards for current use, or > disassembly, all the time. > > > > Otherwise I posted here what I found, to save my other know-nothing > friends some of the time I spent on this subject this afternoon. Hope this > is informative. > > > > Herb "click-clack" Johnson > > > > -- > > Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey in the USA > > http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 8 > Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2018 00:34:50 -0500 > From: jakari <jakari(a)bithose.com> > To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> > Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] OT: Modern keyboard question > Message-ID: <8e18a30077eae649f26069e91d61848b(a)zed.bithose.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed > > On 2018-11-26 22:59, David Riley via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > > Interesting feedback. It?s been many years since I looked up the price > > of iMates... when I got mine, they were out of production but still > > only $20 on eBay. Sorry to see they?re so expensive now. > > Yeah, I was shocked to see that as well. At $oldjob^4 we threw out > probably a dozen of them. :( > > > > > > > On Nov 26, 2018, at 13:44, Herb Johnson via vcf-midatlantic > > <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > >> "ADB to USB Connector Adapter" on that auction site, shows Griffin > >> imate, AlphaSmart as apparently old brands, resale price $70-$100+; > >> and maybe "Wombat" as some hobby class product at $59-$79. > > Inspired by this thread, I just ordered one of the Wombats. Made by the > same guy who does the Floppy Emu. I'm ok with gambling $49+S&H on > something that'll probably work just fine. I do want to "daily drive" > some of my old Apple keyboards like the AEK II and see what I really > think of them. Assuming it'll fit on my keyboard tray side by side with > the modern Magic Trackpad. > > -- > Jameel Akari > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 9 > Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2018 09:06:23 -0500 > From: Andy Diller <dillera(a)gmail.com> > To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> > Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] OT: Modern keyboard question > Message-ID: <BBD91DBB-1F48-4B7C-9E73-60E33DB12842(a)gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 > > I use the wombat on my se/30 for the opposite- I like the laptop style usb > white keyboards from Apple. The wombat works great. I have a modern usb > keyboard and mouse and don't have to deal with expensive and flaky adb > devices anymore. > > http://dillernet.com/apple/2017/10/04/usb-for-adb-macintosh/ > > > > > - andy diller > > > > On Nov 27, 2018, at 12:34 AM, jakari via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > >> On 2018-11-26 22:59, David Riley via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > >> Interesting feedback. It?s been many years since I looked up the price > >> of iMates... when I got mine, they were out of production but still > >> only $20 on eBay. Sorry to see they?re so expensive now. > > > > Yeah, I was shocked to see that as well. At $oldjob^4 we threw out > probably a dozen of them. :( > > > >> On Nov 26, 2018, at 13:44, Herb Johnson via vcf-midatlantic > >> <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > >>> "ADB to USB Connector Adapter" on that auction site, shows Griffin > imate, AlphaSmart as apparently old brands, resale price $70-$100+; and > maybe "Wombat" as some hobby class product at $59-$79. > > > > Inspired by this thread, I just ordered one of the Wombats. Made by the > same guy who does the Floppy Emu. I'm ok with gambling $49+S&H on > something that'll probably work just fine. I do want to "daily drive" some > of my old Apple keyboards like the AEK II and see what I really think of > them. Assuming it'll fit on my keyboard tray side by side with the modern > Magic Trackpad. > > > > -- > > Jameel Akari > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 10 > Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2018 09:19:43 -0500 > From: Thomas Fuchs <thomas(a)slash7.com> > To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> > Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] OT: Modern keyboard question > Message-ID: <6CEF96F5-DD4E-4E99-9E55-BE821BF103BD(a)slash7.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 > > Wombat works great for me, using AEK II on a modern Mac. > > > On Nov 27, 2018, at 12:34 AM, jakari via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > > On 2018-11-26 22:59, David Riley via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > >> Interesting feedback. It?s been many years since I looked up the price > >> of iMates... when I got mine, they were out of production but still > >> only $20 on eBay. Sorry to see they?re so expensive now. > > > > Yeah, I was shocked to see that as well. At $oldjob^4 we threw out > probably a dozen of them. :( > > > >> On Nov 26, 2018, at 13:44, Herb Johnson via vcf-midatlantic > >> <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > >>> "ADB to USB Connector Adapter" on that auction site, shows Griffin > imate, AlphaSmart as apparently old brands, resale price $70-$100+; and > maybe "Wombat" as some hobby class product at $59-$79. > > > > Inspired by this thread, I just ordered one of the Wombats. Made by the > same guy who does the Floppy Emu. I'm ok with gambling $49+S&H on > something that'll probably work just fine. I do want to "daily drive" some > of my old Apple keyboards like the AEK II and see what I really think of > them. Assuming it'll fit on my keyboard tray side by side with the modern > Magic Trackpad. > > > > -- > > Jameel Akari > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 11 > Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2018 09:20:57 -0500 > From: Evan Koblentz <evan(a)vcfed.org> > To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> > Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] OT: Modern keyboard question > Message-ID: > < > CADAdoY75wYT_bhQ2nq3jhxLjUX2B6+_Eo8swgKB4jHovPp+ewQ(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" > > >> I use the wombat on my se/30 ... - andy diller > > Welcome to the list. > > Please introduce yourself, per our tradition: how did you find us, what's > your background/interest in vintage computing, where do you live, etc. > > We already have to other Andy(s) here, so please keep using yiur surname in > email signatures or at least out Andy D. so we don't confuse you with Andy > Meyer or Andy Molloy. > > Thanks, > - Evan K. (List Dad) > > On Tue, Nov 27, 2018, 9:16 AM Andy Diller via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org wrote: > > > I use the wombat on my se/30 for the opposite- I like the laptop style > usb > > white keyboards from Apple. The wombat works great. I have a modern usb > > keyboard and mouse and don't have to deal with expensive and flaky adb > > devices anymore. > > > > http://dillernet.com/apple/2017/10/04/usb-for-adb-macintosh/ > > > > > > > > > > - andy diller > > > > > > > On Nov 27, 2018, at 12:34 AM, jakari via vcf-midatlantic < > > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > > > >> On 2018-11-26 22:59, David Riley via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > > >> Interesting feedback. It?s been many years since I looked up the price > > >> of iMates... when I got mine, they were out of production but still > > >> only $20 on eBay. Sorry to see they?re so expensive now. > > > > > > Yeah, I was shocked to see that as well. At $oldjob^4 we threw out > > probably a dozen of them. :( > > > > > >> On Nov 26, 2018, at 13:44, Herb Johnson via vcf-midatlantic > > >> <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > >>> "ADB to USB Connector Adapter" on that auction site, shows Griffin > > imate, AlphaSmart as apparently old brands, resale price $70-$100+; and > > maybe "Wombat" as some hobby class product at $59-$79. > > > > > > Inspired by this thread, I just ordered one of the Wombats. Made by > the > > same guy who does the Floppy Emu. I'm ok with gambling $49+S&H on > > something that'll probably work just fine. I do want to "daily drive" > some > > of my old Apple keyboards like the AEK II and see what I really think of > > them. Assuming it'll fit on my keyboard tray side by side with the > modern > > Magic Trackpad. > > > > > > -- > > > Jameel Akari > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 12 > Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2018 09:35:39 -0500 > From: Tony Bogan <thebogans(a)mac.com> > To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> > Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] OT: Modern keyboard question > Message-ID: <C00EA364-463E-4977-82FE-474E98FC133A(a)mac.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 > > I too use the wombat, in both directions. However, I primarily use it with > a usb rollup keyboard I bring with me when testing systems I?m picking up > (many are sold sans keyboard and mouse, many others the keyboards don?t > work!) or when troubleshooting systems on my workbench when the machines > are in pieces and I?m cobbling together a working one from multiple > machines. I can roll the keyboard out of my way easier than finding a spot > for the big AEKII each time I disconnect it! > > But I too am a fan of the magic keyboard, both the extended and standard. > (Mainly the extended) > > I love the iigs keyboard and the early AEKII as well, so those are the > primary adb ones I > Use on most all machines when using ADB. > > Tony > > Sent from my iPhone > > > On Nov 27, 2018, at 9:06 AM, Andy Diller via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > > I use the wombat on my se/30 for the opposite- I like the laptop style > usb white keyboards from Apple. The wombat works great. I have a modern usb > keyboard and mouse and don't have to deal with expensive and flaky adb > devices anymore. > > > > http://dillernet.com/apple/2017/10/04/usb-for-adb-macintosh/ > > > > > > > > > > - andy diller > > > > > >>> On Nov 27, 2018, at 12:34 AM, jakari via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > >>> > >>> On 2018-11-26 22:59, David Riley via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > >>> Interesting feedback. It?s been many years since I looked up the price > >>> of iMates... when I got mine, they were out of production but still > >>> only $20 on eBay. Sorry to see they?re so expensive now. > >> > >> Yeah, I was shocked to see that as well. At $oldjob^4 we threw out > probably a dozen of them. :( > >> > >>> On Nov 26, 2018, at 13:44, Herb Johnson via vcf-midatlantic > >>> <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > >>>> "ADB to USB Connector Adapter" on that auction site, shows Griffin > imate, AlphaSmart as apparently old brands, resale price $70-$100+; and > maybe "Wombat" as some hobby class product at $59-$79. > >> > >> Inspired by this thread, I just ordered one of the Wombats. Made by > the same guy who does the Floppy Emu. I'm ok with gambling $49+S&H on > something that'll probably work just fine. I do want to "daily drive" some > of my old Apple keyboards like the AEK II and see what I really think of > them. Assuming it'll fit on my keyboard tray side by side with the modern > Magic Trackpad. > >> > >> -- > >> Jameel Akari > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 13 > Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2018 09:45:11 -0500 > From: Jameel Akari <jakari(a)bithose.com> > To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> > Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] OT: Modern keyboard question > Message-ID: <570361d53e3322d62d97dcf48324346f(a)zed.bithose.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed > > On 2018-11-27 09:19, Thomas Fuchs via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > > Wombat works great for me, using AEK II on a modern Mac. > > > > Good to know, looking forward to it! > > > And yeah, I might get a second one later, to hook up USB keyboards and > mice to older Macs. Both directions are useful. > > I've enjoyed at least the concept of using vintage keyboards on new > machines, in part because of the original topic here -- it's exhausting > reading through all the reviews around various keyswitches and keycaps > and LEDs and whatever. > > Might be time to bring my Type M to work again... > > > -- > Jameel Akari > > > >> On Nov 27, 2018, at 12:34 AM, jakari via vcf-midatlantic > >> <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > >> > >> On 2018-11-26 22:59, David Riley via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > >>> Interesting feedback. It?s been many years since I looked up the > >>> price > >>> of iMates... when I got mine, they were out of production but still > >>> only $20 on eBay. Sorry to see they?re so expensive now. > >> > >> Yeah, I was shocked to see that as well. At $oldjob^4 we threw out > >> probably a dozen of them. :( > >> > >>> On Nov 26, 2018, at 13:44, Herb Johnson via vcf-midatlantic > >>> <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > >>>> "ADB to USB Connector Adapter" on that auction site, shows Griffin > >>>> imate, AlphaSmart as apparently old brands, resale price $70-$100+; > >>>> and maybe "Wombat" as some hobby class product at $59-$79. > >> > >> Inspired by this thread, I just ordered one of the Wombats. Made by > >> the same guy who does the Floppy Emu. I'm ok with gambling $49+S&H on > >> something that'll probably work just fine. I do want to "daily drive" > >> some of my old Apple keyboards like the AEK II and see what I really > >> think of them. Assuming it'll fit on my keyboard tray side by side > >> with the modern Magic Trackpad. > >> > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 14 > Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2018 09:54:59 -0500 > From: Jason Perkins <perkins.jason(a)gmail.com> > To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> > Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] OT: Modern keyboard question > Message-ID: > <CA+8Y7qK-_= > Za3dVak0ECGWHQVsf4xA6JWro6mvaLbMOenWzkUA(a)mail.gmail.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" > > I always used the Griffen adapter. I have 2, both work well. Though they > do, occasionally, drop a keystroke. > > On Tue, Nov 27, 2018 at 9:51 AM Jameel Akari via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > On 2018-11-27 09:19, Thomas Fuchs via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > > > Wombat works great for me, using AEK II on a modern Mac. > > > > > > > Good to know, looking forward to it! > > > > > > And yeah, I might get a second one later, to hook up USB keyboards and > > mice to older Macs. Both directions are useful. > > > > I've enjoyed at least the concept of using vintage keyboards on new > > machines, in part because of the original topic here -- it's exhausting > > reading through all the reviews around various keyswitches and keycaps > > and LEDs and whatever. > > > > Might be time to bring my Type M to work again... > > > > > > -- > > Jameel Akari > > > > > > >> On Nov 27, 2018, at 12:34 AM, jakari via vcf-midatlantic > > >> <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > >> > > >> On 2018-11-26 22:59, David Riley via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > > >>> Interesting feedback. It?s been many years since I looked up the > > >>> price > > >>> of iMates... when I got mine, they were out of production but still > > >>> only $20 on eBay. Sorry to see they?re so expensive now. > > >> > > >> Yeah, I was shocked to see that as well. At $oldjob^4 we threw out > > >> probably a dozen of them. :( > > >> > > >>> On Nov 26, 2018, at 13:44, Herb Johnson via vcf-midatlantic > > >>> <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > >>>> "ADB to USB Connector Adapter" on that auction site, shows Griffin > > >>>> imate, AlphaSmart as apparently old brands, resale price $70-$100+; > > >>>> and maybe "Wombat" as some hobby class product at $59-$79. > > >> > > >> Inspired by this thread, I just ordered one of the Wombats. Made by > > >> the same guy who does the Floppy Emu. I'm ok with gambling $49+S&H on > > >> something that'll probably work just fine. I do want to "daily drive" > > >> some of my old Apple keyboards like the AEK II and see what I really > > >> think of them. Assuming it'll fit on my keyboard tray side by side > > >> with the modern Magic Trackpad. > > >> > > > > > > -- > Jason Perkins > 313 355 0085 > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 15 > Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2018 11:24:01 -0500 > From: Herb Johnson <hjohnson(a)retrotechnology.info> > To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> > Subject: [vcf-midatlantic] Items to bring at Festivus > Message-ID: > <fca5c508-687f-b67c-79a4-221a1c4238a6(a)retrotechnology.info> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed > > Another thread talked about "modern" Mac keyboards (ADB) and converters > to USB. That reminds me: I have several each of some relatively-old USB > keyboards for the 90's Macs. M7803 Pro keyboard (mostly aqua some black) > and M2452 Translucent models. Also the MacAlly ikey equivalent model, > the same but more brick-like. > > I can bring a few boxes of these and ask $5 a pop your choice; then see > what's left. But if no one says they are interested, I won't bother (or > just bring a few better keyboards instead). No mice for $5 but I have a > few. I do sell this stuff otherwise, check my Web site. > > I have some Byte, Kilobaud and Dr Dobbs magazines too. Early years (but > not the first year in mint condition, OK?) Not sure about bringing these > at a "dollar each maybe" level, give me more incentive please, privately > so we don't clutter the list. > > But a lot of people are bringing stuff; FCFed will have stuff too. I'm > reluctant to bring low-value items into a crowded room. Let me know > privately. > > Herb Johnson > -- > Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey in the USA > http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net > > > > End of vcf-midatlantic Digest, Vol 6, Issue 27 > ********************************************** >

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Items to bring at Festivus
by Herb Johnson 27 Nov '18

27 Nov '18

Another thread talked about "modern" Mac keyboards (ADB) and converters to USB. That reminds me: I have several each of some relatively-old USB keyboards for the 90's Macs. M7803 Pro keyboard (mostly aqua some black) and M2452 Translucent models. Also the MacAlly ikey equivalent model, the same but more brick-like. I can bring a few boxes of these and ask $5 a pop your choice; then see what's left. But if no one says they are interested, I won't bother (or just bring a few better keyboards instead). No mice for $5 but I have a few. I do sell this stuff otherwise, check my Web site. I have some Byte, Kilobaud and Dr Dobbs magazines too. Early years (but not the first year in mint condition, OK?) Not sure about bringing these at a "dollar each maybe" level, give me more incentive please, privately so we don't clutter the list. But a lot of people are bringing stuff; FCFed will have stuff too. I'm reluctant to bring low-value items into a crowded room. Let me know privately. Herb Johnson -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey in the USA http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net

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OT: Festivus Apple Wants
by Tony Bogan 26 Nov '18

26 Nov '18

Spent the past month having to move into multiple new storage units (a blessing in disguise as I was far more disorganized than I thought I was!!) I’m already bringing a couple Macintosh IIci’s for Herb and the iic I was working on for Eric Rangell, so I figured I’d see if anyone has any specific Apple II/compact Mac requests. I’ve got quite a few books and manuals in triples and quadruples, many unworking machines (both apple ii+ & Apple iie as well as Mac Plus & SE) that I just haven’t had the time to work on yet. Plus I’ve got quite a few accessories and literally hundreds of cards for the II series. If anyone is looking for a project machine (unworking) or a working one, plus any accessories let me know. If I have it I’ll bring it and we can figure out a price if any. Some things are for the taking to give me room to move!! :-) Books and manuals I’ve got in spades so ask away! (Off list might be less cumbersome!) Tony Sent from my iPhone

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] VMS Manuals (v 4 I believe)
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 26 Nov '18

26 Nov '18

Bill Degnan via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> writes: > >Anyone from Baltimore going to Festivus want to pick up some VMS >manuals, they're going to be trashed if not taken. Contact me for >details. Downtown Baltimore location. Not mine, they're Fran's (lady >linux's) manuals. Bill Orange tomes?

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Anyone going to Festivus want a bunch of C++ and Microsoft TCPIP books
by corey cohen 26 Nov '18

26 Nov '18

I am cleaning out my shelfs to make more room for projects and don’t want these vintage 1990’s C++ books to go to waste. I even have the full Visual C++ manual books. I also have a bunch of PC assembly language books from the late 80’s if anyone is interested, I’m keeping my pink shirt Norton “do the nasty” book, every hacker should have one. Thanks, Cheers, Corey corey cohen uǝɥoɔ ʎǝɹoɔ Sent from my iPhone

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VMS Manuals (v 4 I believe)
by Bill Degnan 26 Nov '18

26 Nov '18

Anyone from Baltimore going to Festivus want to pick up some VMS manuals, they're going to be trashed if not taken. Contact me for details. Downtown Baltimore location. Not mine, they're Fran's (lady linux's) manuals. Bill

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] OT: Radio Shack retro T-shirts
by Dave McGuire 26 Nov '18

26 Nov '18

On 11/25/18 1:02 PM, Jonathan Sturges via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > In case some list members don't get Radio Shack daily spam, I thought > I'd share that they have some retro T-shirts that are cool. They > start at $15. > https://www.radioshack.com/collections/t-shirts Wow, the ARE cool! Very seriously cool! There's a battery club card shirt! This is fantastic!! -Dave -- Dave McGuire, AK4HZ New Kensington, PA

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OT: Modern keyboard question
by Evan Koblentz 26 Nov '18

26 Nov '18

I'm thinking about getting a new keyboard for my modern PC. I want to use squishy keycaps such as these: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/silica-gel-keycap-set It says they're Cherry MX compatible. Does that mean they only work with official Cherry-branded keyboards? Or is there some other search term to use (etc.) for keyboards that are Cherry-compatible? ________________________________ Evan Koblentz, executive director Vintage Computer Federation a 501(c)(3) educational non-profit evan(a)vcfed.org (646) 546-9999 www.vcfed.org facebook.com/vcfederation twitter.com/vcfederation instagram.com/vcfederation

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Does info age have a microwave oven
by Christian Liendo 25 Nov '18

25 Nov '18

If so I have some popcorn that I can bring for movies and stuff.

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Museum Report 2018-11-25 November 25, 2018
by Jeffrey Brace 25 Nov '18

25 Nov '18

Not too many visitors today as it was a holiday weekend and everyone was shopping. I spent the time getting ready for Festivus, the supplies and the C64s which I will be setting up with games.. Evan and I will be setting up tables on Wednesday and getting the general space ready. I will be doing the necessary shopping Saturday morning. I also made a list of those who were naughty and those who were nice. The naughty ones get their favorite vintage computer's motherboard with battery acid leaking all over it, mouse nest inside and all kinds of resistors, chips and capacitors rusty and dirty. The nice ones get one new in box. Looking forward to Festivus and seeing you all there! -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President Vintage Computer Federation

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] OT: Radio Shack retro T-shirts
by Ethan O'Toole 25 Nov '18

25 Nov '18

[NON-Text Body part not included] Very cool! Will have to order the Radio Shack one. Shame there isn't a Tandy one! - Ethan

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OT: Radio Shack retro T-shirts
by Jonathan Sturges 25 Nov '18

25 Nov '18

In case some list members don't get Radio Shack daily spam, I thought I'd share that they have some retro T-shirts that are cool. They start at $15. https://www.radioshack.com/collections/t-shirts -Jonathan S.

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Warehouse help this Wednesday?
by Evan Koblentz 24 Nov '18

24 Nov '18

I'd like to do a bunch more warehouse projects this Wednesday, from about noonish to 6pm-ish. Is anyone available?

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Museum report
by Evan Koblentz 24 Nov '18

24 Nov '18

I was at the museum from about 10am to 6pm today. Spent the first few hours helping IXR/CDL clean up their lab spaces. Bill L. + Lucy, Pete C. + spouse (Heather?), and Bill W. (aka Amiga Bill) + friend all visited today. I gave them the whooooooole tour, and Bill W. delivered an IBM PC Jr. to us -- not just any PC Jr. (we have a few), but rather a never-opened, sealed-in-boxes unit! It also has two of the rare carrying case. He delivered it on behalf of someone who contacted us a while ago. After the museum closed, I spent another hour in the warehouse doing, well, warehouse-y things. ________________________________ Evan Koblentz, executive director Vintage Computer Federation a 501(c)(3) educational non-profit evan(a)vcfed.org (646) 546-9999 www.vcfed.org facebook.com/vcfederation twitter.com/vcfederation instagram.com/vcfederation

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FS: Lots of Various Vintage Computing Goodies @ Festivus
by Todd George 24 Nov '18

24 Nov '18

Hi all, Trying to thin the herd a bit, here's a quick and dirty list of things I'm willing to part-with. Delivery to Festivus or other local (Eastern PA) location, cash or trade only. Let me know if any of it interests you and we can talk details. I have listed information I have on each unit, depending if I've spent any effort on them. Your interest in an item will motivate me to get pictures or whatnot. Contact me *off-list*, I rarely check the list itself due to lack of time. Apple Stuff --------------- - Apple //c with monochrome Monitor //c and stand - Apple ImageWriter II (Not working, bad limit switch on carriage) - Macintosh Compacts/Toasters (tons available, let me know your interests) - Apple Color Stylewriter 2500 in-box - Blue iMac G3 (All-in-one) - Needs HDD - Mac iBook G4 (white) - Not working, for parts - Various iMac G4 units ("Flower Pot") - Newer iMac Units (LCD-Based), likely Intel Processors Commodore Stuff ------------------------ - C64 Units - 1541 Floppy Drives - Cassette Tape Drives Tandy/Radio Shack Stuff --------------------------------- - TRS-80 Model III (? I think) - Not working, fires up to improper display, barely tested - TRS-80 Model 4P without "lid", complete otherwise - Tandy CoCo 2 (a few available), also have a ton of accessories, software, manuals, books, disk drives, etc. Miscellaneous Stuff -------------------------- - Atari 800XL - Bad memory, worked 100%, failed while in operation - Atari 2600 Game Console - Intellivision Game Console - Colecovision Game Console - Epson QX-10 - No keyboard, no monitor, truly untested - SGI Personal Iris - No side panel - Panasonic Senior Partner - Panasonic Executive Partner - KayPro II - Working last tested, one floppy is bad - KayPro 2X - NEC PC-8001A with 2 I/O Expansion Boxes and 1 dual floppy - Tons (maybe literally?) of DOS/Windows Laptops of various vintages - CRT Monitors (Mostly VGA, 17" and up, most not working, also have older vintages) - LCD Televisions/Monitors (Mostly 15-ish", have composite, possibly SVideo, and other inputs) - Parts and software for a lot of the above (and beyond), send me a note if there's something you are looking for I personally hate "make offer" posts myself, so this isn't one. You'll note there are no prices above because I haven't really gone through any of these items yet, let me know your interest, I'll send you pictures and details and we can go from there including me quoting an asking price. Pricing will be fair as I want to move inventory, and will also be considering trades for things I'm more interested in. As mentioned above, this isn't "make offer" as much as it is "motivate me to get you details on something". Things I'm looking for in-trade --------------------------------------- - Sun CRT Monitor with 13W3 Connector - Next Monitor (No idea exactly WHAT I really need here, I have a NextStation I want to use it with) - Apple Lisa 2 (I don't need a keyboard, doesn't have to be working) - Apple Profile Drive (Need not be working) - Toshiba Libretto Stuff (Specifically the PCMCIA Floppy) - HP 200LX (Or similar in that series) Parts - Vintage Laptops of all varieties - Commodore Stuff (Especially diagnostic tools, aside from the standard dead-test carts and whatnot) Thanks for looking, see you at the airing of grievances. -Todd

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Gobble, gobble!
by Dean Notarnicola 23 Nov '18

23 Nov '18

I'm grateful to everyone reading this, who make this group and VCF a great organization. On Fri, Nov 23, 2018 at 3:28 PM Al Hartman via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > I'm thankful for all the fun I've had with computers, the great friends > I've made in this hobby, the people I was able to help as a consultant and > on-site technician, and the history I witnessed first-hand. > > I became a computer aficionado not to get approval from others, but > because when I first played with a TRS-80 Model I in 1978, I loved it! > > -[ Al Hartman ]- >

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Gobble, gobble!
by Al Hartman 23 Nov '18

23 Nov '18

I'm thankful for all the fun I've had with computers, the great friends I've made in this hobby, the people I was able to help as a consultant and on-site technician, and the history I witnessed first-hand. I became a computer aficionado not to get approval from others, but because when I first played with a TRS-80 Model I in 1978, I loved it! -[ Al Hartman ]-

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PC and Byte magazines available
by Kelly Leavitt 23 Nov '18

23 Nov '18

I'm bringing a collection of Byte and PC Magazines to Festivus. 4/1977 to 1986. Evan, are there any issues needed for the museum? I'll look for them beforehand. Anything left is up for grabs. If you're feeling generous, then a buck or two to the donor would be appreciated. What's not taken I'm recycling. Kelly

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Fifty!
by Evan Koblentz 23 Nov '18

23 Nov '18

It's a Festivus miracle! There are 50 people signed up for the big party next week. On Fri, Nov 2, 2018, 11:24 AM Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org wrote: > nOW tHAT i gOT yOUR aTTENTION. > > It was recommended that I get a more catch subject line so that those with > a short attention span will pay attention to my announcement. > > Squirrel! > > Please sign up for Festivus so that we know how many are coming and what > you are bringing. > > This is the signup link for Festivus: > < > > https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1CYLtFeyBlKwX7h2ohfXz421hFQjZTPPAkdV… > > > > A more extensive e-mail was sent out on 11/1. > > Don't miss your opportunity to air your grievances to Evan! > > Speaking about Evan look for another announcement from Evan about > remembering Dan Roganti. > > -- > ========================================= > Jeff Brace > Vice President > Vintage Computer Federation >

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Gobble, gobble!
by Evan Koblentz 23 Nov '18

23 Nov '18

This year, especially with Dan gone, I'm thankful for good friends. Mostly we are all here because as kids we didn't fit in anywhere else. :) You folks rock! Looking forward to Festivus. Evan Koblentz Executive Director, Vintage Computer Federation evan(a)vcfed.org / (646) 546-9999 www.vcfed.org @vcfederation

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Museum report
by Evan Koblentz 21 Nov '18

21 Nov '18

I was at the museum from about 10am - 4pm today (had to leave early). Someone came at 10:30 to give us a couple of Tandy 1000 systems. That was our only visitor, so I gave him the extra-thorough tour. I spent most of the afternoon sorting books in the warehouse. Cleared one entire shelving unit. I'll send a separate email with a books subject line. ________________________________ Evan Koblentz, executive director Vintage Computer Federation a 501(c)(3) educational non-profit evan(a)vcfed.org (646) 546-9999 www.vcfed.org facebook.com/vcfederation twitter.com/vcfederation instagram.com/vcfederation

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] birthday
by Jeffrey Brace 21 Nov '18

21 Nov '18

Yeah, I got alerts too reminding me. I too was glad that I got to see him before he passed and was able to give him some happiness. I gotta dig up some photos of Dan for the ceremony at Festivus that Evan is preparing. On Wed, Nov 21, 2018 at 9:21 AM Tony Bogan via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > Got a Facebook alert while driving just now that today is Dan’s birthday > as yet another reminder. > > So glad I got to see him before he passed. > Tony -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President Vintage Computer Federation

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OT: Modern keyboard question
by Herb Johnson 21 Nov '18

21 Nov '18

>> I'm thinking about getting a new keyboard for my modern PC. > >> I want to use squishy keycaps such as these: > >> https://www.massdrop.com/buy/silica-gel-keycap-set > >> It says they're Cherry MX compatible. > >> Oddly enough, I know something about this subject. Turns out a lot of old keyboards used now-prized keyswitches from ALPS. People buy old Apple or SGI keyboards for the feel of the keyswitches, and strip them out to make USB keyboards. For touch typists and certain personality types - or for gamers who want quick and sure action - these things matter. I sell keyswitches, all the time. But I bought a couple of used Razer BlackWidow Ultimate keyboards, for modern use. I'm using one now, 2014 year. Depending on year, they either use Cherry keyswitches (various flavors) or a Chinese knockoff. Some models are backlit, some in variable colors. Razer is/was a big name in gaming keyboards; there's copies of their keyboards too, they even copy themselves. Now keycaps, that's another matter. There's interest in those too. Evan, you might have to get keycaps separate from the keyboard, I dunno about that gel-cap stuff. Seems to be a thing. I can't "log in" into "massdrop", I guess their "not-kewl detector" figured out I was over 60 and blocked me. So Mark Whittington's response seems plausible to me. Reading the razer Web site may be informative, or sites that describe their variations. I contribute content over at: https://deskthority.net/wiki/Main_Page They work hard on this stuff. - Herb "click-clack" Johnson -- 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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birthday
by Dave McGuire 21 Nov '18

21 Nov '18

Today would've been Dan Roganti's 56th birthday, FYI. -Dave -- Dave McGuire, AK4HZ New Kensington, PA

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Tomorrow
by Evan Koblentz 20 Nov '18

20 Nov '18

Is anyone off tomorrow? I'd like to put in a full day of warehouse work.

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Sales/giveaways at Festivus
by Evan Koblentz 20 Nov '18

20 Nov '18

Everyone, Several people asked Jeff B. and I about the policy for selling/giving away stuff at Festivus. It's pretty simple. - Make sure you ask/tell Jeff B. ahead of time. We will endeavor to have as many tables as possible, but it's not fair if you show up with a carload of stuff and complain about lack of space. :) - Unlike at VCF East, the "on topic" rules at Festivus is VERY loose. Bring whatever you want if it's cool and/or nerdy. - One strict rule: come get any items of yours that aren't taken by Sunday afternoon. VCF and InfoAge do NOT want your crap :) nor do we want to be responsible for throwing it away. Thanks for understanding. - Your friendly Festivus management

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Kids / guests @ Festivus
by Evan Koblentz 20 Nov '18

20 Nov '18

Everyone, A few people inquired privately about guests/kids at Festivus, so we (Jeff B. and I) decided to send a list-wide message with the answer. Bring anyone who fits in: your kids, spouse, significant other, and retro/tech-minded friends. (Keep in mind that everyone will be charged the same $10/person event fee. I pay it too.) Also PLEASE put everyone's name on the sign-up form at least a few days ahead of time. Please don't surprise us with three extra people, even if they're people we already know: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1CYLtFeyBlKwX7h2ohfXz421hFQjZTPPAkdV… With kids, use your judgment, ex.: kids who need supervising probably should not be there late Saturday night when we are all drinking and such. It's cool to bring your good friend who works in an IT department (etc.) or anyone who is into vintage computers. We don't recommend bringing people who do not share such interests. Thanks for understanding. Direct any questions to Jeff B. or yours truly.

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Curious about production environment
by m simons 20 Nov '18

20 Nov '18

Greetings, I'm back after a while away. I was reading the VCF site and saw the stuff about the production environment (the rack with modern computing equipment which I assume is hosting the website, etc.). I'm curious about this. Was it discussed on-list, or anywhere else publicly accessible? I'd like to read about it. I tried searching the archive but didn't see it. --MS

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] how about a lovely vintage printer for that computer :-)
by systems_glitch 19 Nov '18

19 Nov '18

I've got two of these, one in case the other breaks (hah! yeah, right). Excellent printers. As Dave said, you can still get ribbons for most of these things. I bought two 6-pack boxes of Nu-Kote ribbons for my old TTX daisy wheel printer a year or so ago, probably a lifetime supply unless I start running some sort of business form on them. Along those lines, I'm still running an old HP LaserJet 4 as my main printer here, I've tried to replace it 3 or 4 times, and all of its would-be replacements have died. I finally had Ian go through it, apparently all of the roller assemblies and everything are not only available, but pretty cheap! > I bought 100 new MMJ connectors Surprisingly, a bunch of telecom providers still have these in stock. Until recently, Vnetek (the folks that, eventually, ended up with DEC's small networks stuff) still carried the 100-pack under the original DEC part number. I threw some in on the last order from Vnetek, apparently that was the last of their MMJ connectors. Thanks, Jonathan On Mon, Nov 19, 2018 at 12:15 PM Sentrytv via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > I sent a reply I'm interested > > Mike Rosen > > Sent from: > My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device. > > > On Nov 19, 2018, at 8:22 AM, Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > > If no one else wants it, then I will take it! I’m sure there is support > for > > it for Commodore 64 ;) At the very least GEOS should support. > > > > On Sun, Nov 18, 2018 at 7:14 PM Jeffrey Jonas via vcf-midatlantic < > > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > >> I have some things that need adoption, > >> starting with a lovely Panasonic KX-P1124 > >> > >> 24 pin dot matrix printer. > >> Come on, upgrade from that 9 pin printer already! > >> > > -- > > ========================================= > > Jeff Brace > > Vice President > > Vintage Computer Federation > >

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