- vcf-midatlantic - lists.vcfed.org

Off topic computer animation tape rescue
by Ben Greenfield 27 Apr '18

27 Apr '18

Hey All, I just had Jeff Kleiser of Kleiser walzak stop by and ask to through out his companies archive of tapes video, exabyte, dlts,.... They are an early cgi firm think dancing gas pumps and listerine bottles. They also did spider man toby maguire era. I don’t know if anyone cares or wants to help migrate data, let me know if you are interested. Ben

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York Hamfest
by Mike Loewen 27 Apr '18

27 Apr '18

Is anyone else headed to the York Hamfest tomorrow? Mike Loewen mloewen(a)cpumagic.scol.pa.us Old Technology http://q7.neurotica.com/Oldtech/

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Overnight housing @ VCF East
by Evan Koblentz 26 Apr '18

26 Apr '18

I emailed the overnight housing info to all exhibitors, speakers, vendors, and official volunteers just now. Chances are good that I missed a few people. If you think you were supposed to be on the list and didn't get the email, then send me a private message (evan(a)vcfed.org) ________________________________ 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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NiCad coin cells?
by Neil Cherry 26 Apr '18

26 Apr '18

I'm busy resurrecting a Toshiba T100SE. Unfortunately I've found the Ni-Cads to all be dead, The main battery pack is a 7.2v 1700mHA pack (6x1.2v) and then there's a RTC backup battery which is made up of Ni-Cad coin cells (2.4v, 4x1.2v but made up of 4 cells). Anyway I can fudge it with a couple of AA Ni-Cads I have. This is just to make sure it starts up the Intelligent power supply is very picky about the batteries. I currently have a kludge battery pack of AA Ni-Cads (with twice the mAH - hehe) and I'll build a temporary RTC battery out of 2 AA Ni-Cads. So my questions are: - Does anyone have any recommendations for building (or rebuilding) the battery pack? - Any recommendations on the coin cell part? -- Linux Home Automation Neil Cherry ncherry(a)linuxha.com http://www.linuxha.com/ Main site http://linuxha.blogspot.com/ My HA Blog Author of: Linux Smart Homes For Dummies

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BYT-8 MPU
by Mike Loewen 25 Apr '18

25 Apr '18

I have what appears to be the CPU board for a Byte Shop BYT-8: http://q7.neurotica.com/Oldtech/S100/ByteMPU-2.jpg BYTE 4-76 MPU C1000-1001 ASSY REV A It appears to be missing a ROM chip, and has definitely been hacked on (weird voltage regulator or transistor in lower left). Is it worth putting this up for auction on the site-whose-name-shall-not-be-mentioned? I also have an unbuilt PCB. Mike Loewen mloewen(a)cpumagic.scol.pa.us Old Technology http://q7.neurotica.com/Oldtech/

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MOS MCS 1004, Does anyone know anything about this chip?
by Christian Liendo 25 Apr '18

25 Apr '18

I saw this, I never seen a older MOS MCS chip https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/a7AAAOSwWwVa2UdT/s-l1600.jpg

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ONE MORE speaker needed for Friday @ VCF East
by Evan Koblentz 24 Apr '18

24 Apr '18

We need one last speaker for Friday @ VCF East since Dan R. can't be there. Come on guys .... somebody step up!! :)

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NeXT Cube for VCF museum
by Evan Koblentz 24 Apr '18

24 Apr '18

Everyone, We're still searching for a NeXT Cube to put in the museum as a permanent exhibit (currently we have a slab/station.) I would like to get this accomplished in time for VCF East. Normally we only accept donations, however once in a blue moon we accept loans for "very special" artifacts. Does anyone have a working-and-clean Cube they'd consider donating or at least putting on long-term loan for the museum? If so, then please contact me off-list (evan(a)vcfed.org) Thanks!!

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Last call for this weekend's workshop April 28/29
by Jason Perkins 24 Apr '18

24 Apr '18

If I came up, could someone help me diag a problem with one of my Lisa's 3.5 drives? There's something goofy with the spindle speed regulation, and I know it's not the drive. Probably a fault with a logic chip on the io card. Might need to break out the scope. Jason Perkins 313 355.0085 Sent from my Kindle On April 24, 2018, at 12:11 AM, Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: Signup here: < https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/15skPd9SrZ2WsHMoTBTrrvBNwG1nbixVNfey… >

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forum posting problem
by W2HX 23 Apr '18

23 Apr '18

Hi guys. I just spent an hour working on a post on my PDP-11 project. I was reviewing it when I clicked on one of the inline images (as attachment) to see how it looked. It brought up the framed hop-up with the image. I clicked the image within the hop up and the browser now showed the url for the image directly. No hop up, no forum in the background. I then went to click "back" to continue editing the post and I got a blank white page. I went back several times just to arrive back at the original "REPLY TO POST" when I began with no sign of the hour of work I did. Nothing I could do would get it back. Anyone know if the draft is stored somewhere? Is there some place I can go to view my drafts and continue on? Otherwise, very sad! Eugene

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Last call for this weekend's workshop April 28/29
by Jeffrey Brace 23 Apr '18

23 Apr '18

Signup here: < https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/15skPd9SrZ2WsHMoTBTrrvBNwG1nbixVNfey… >

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] VCF East XIII - NEEDED = Camcorder operator, camcorder
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 23 Apr '18

23 Apr '18

Ethan O'Toole via vcf-midatlantic writes: >> We are down one camcorder operator and camera for video recording our >> Friday classes. > We have exactly enough. > That means I have to step >in to give others breaks. > I'm looking for another operator to be in >the rotation of filming the > classes. > We also need another camcorder >to record the classes. > >I have 3 Canon Vixia series HD cameras. They can use high class SD cards >for direct recording to card. I won't be available to run the camera(s), >but can supply them (will be doing a table). > >I also have a full Blackmagic ATEM HD switcher rig with HDMI to HD-SDI >converters, coax, and a rack with two 7" preview monitors + laptop. It >can do direct to disk H264 encoding and what not, and has multiview >support where you can see all the cameras and switch between them. >Possible to do multicamera switched recording with it -- but someone >else would have to take on the recording and mixing part. But hardware >is available for use if desired. > >Here is my AV/Laser show/Lighting inventory if anything from it would be >useful for VCF let me know. I am kind of a music / AV hardware geek as >well as retro computers and arcades/pinballs: > >https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1rGwXOI-DjikYgY9UBDTl4cLfb_Oo6Aovmeh… > > > - Ethan I have a Canon VIXIA HF-G40. I was planning on attending the VMS talk, so I will video that session.

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gold fing-ers
by Herb Johnson 23 Apr '18

23 Apr '18

So, I'm obtaining a recently-made PC board, which was produced by some PC board house from Gerber files, the usual sort of small-run hobby project. This particular board, was with ENIG plating on board and fingers. This means, a micron-thick plating of gold over 150-200 microns of nickel, mostly for better soldering and copper protection. But that also "covers" the edge-connector fingers, they are not heavier gold. What's out there, for adding gold to those fingers? There's a good number of them, not just a dozen or two. I"m bothering to ask the question here, because it's a "vintage repair" problem also. A solution for one or two fingers, is a solution for many. Or, tell me "nickel isn't so bad, don't insert and remove it every day, you'll be fine". No, I won't spend $300, $600 for a gold-plating electro-pen system. If someone has that and wants to give me a quote, I'm all ears, tell me how many microns you'll plate. No, I won't mix up cyanide solutions, not likely to use nitric acid; it's outside my experiences and one "oops" could really ruin my day. I don't expect to rub gold-leaf on fingers and glue them down, that won't last. I may well go to some PC board shop and ask them for a quote, maybe someone has done that. So - what do people here know-of, from repair experiences or their own experiences? I have looked around the Web, there's means of doing these things, but it's hard to judge them "cold". And of course, it's hard to search on "hobbyist covering PCB edge connector with gold", there's many people selling products or showing how they mess with aqua regia or coat quarters with microns of gold. Herb "Goldfinger" Johnson retrotechnology.com -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey in the USA http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net

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VCF East XIII - NEEDED = Camcorder operator, camcorder
by Jeffrey Brace 22 Apr '18

22 Apr '18

We are down one camcorder operator and camera for video recording our Friday classes. We have exactly enough. That means I have to step in to give others breaks. I'm looking for another operator to be in the rotation of filming the classes. We also need another camcorder to record the classes. e-mail me privately if you can help.

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Couple of more Friday speakers needed (for real this time)
by Evan Koblentz 22 Apr '18

22 Apr '18

Some unfortunate news -- Dan R. can't make it to VCF East after all. He was going to give two of the Friday talks, but he's having a rough patch in his cancer treatment. They changed his chemo dosage and it's made him too tired to travel anytime soon. Let's come up with a couple of more AWESOME tech classes to make Dan proud!!

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VCF East XIII - Saturday Dinner - May 19, 2018 at 7:30 pm
by Jeffrey Brace 22 Apr '18

22 Apr '18

WHAT: VCF East XIII Saturday Buffet Dinner DATE: May 19 TIME: 7:30 PM LOCATION: Clancy's Tavern (West Grove Plaza) CITY: Neptune Township This is this same place that we had it the last two years. The VCF East XIII organizers reviewed the feedback from the survey that I sent out a few weeks ago for our Saturday dinner. We started this dinner so that the whole large group of us could chat in a casual place and have a decent meal after a weekend of fast food. I did my best to find a reasonable price, high quality of food, good parking, short distance from VCF East, able to accomodate dozens of people, etc. The cost of the dinner will be $29. 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. 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 make sure to include a note that it is for VCF East XIII Saturday Dinner. 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 Parmesean Penne Vodka DESSERT Carvel Ice Cream Cake 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. Maybe 9:30 or 10pm.

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Museum report
by Evan Koblentz 22 Apr '18

22 Apr '18

Sorry everyone for the late report. I had to rush to a personal commitment after museum hours and just got home. Moderate amount of visitors today. About a dozen total, all adults. I installed kick-down doorstops on the double-door entrance to our museum. Before we were using a wedge-style doorstop and only had one of those. New ones are a nice improvement. I tested our new Compaq Portable III because I need a working one for Lego robot demos. It boots to a memory error, so I'll see about fixing it at the next workshop -- something about "error 21" but I forget the exact message. We have another one for parts if needed. Should I start with the usual reseating, etc.? (Worse problem: the prior owner inserted a 5.25" disk ** sideways ** .... it's stuck in there. I will take it apart at the workshop to undo their action.) Laura was there today to paint the trim pieces that will attach to the front of the new UNIVAC pallets. Tony stopped by to work on the last of our untested Apple IIs.

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Workshop pictures?
by Evan Koblentz 20 Apr '18

20 Apr '18

Anyone got a good picture of yourself or other group members doing something interesting at one of our repair workshops, or a picture of you and your children in our museum? We need some high-quality photos for a new VCF banner (the vertical kind) that we'll use at various demos, conferences, etc. .... but they have to be pictures of people we know due to copyrights. Also, we need them really soon .... now would be great. ________________________________ 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: Morrow Multi-IO S-100 Interface AS-IS/Not Working
by systems_glitch 20 Apr '18

20 Apr '18

pictures: https://imgur.com/a/r5AN8wu I've had this board in my box of S-100 boards for a long time and haven't gotten around to fixing it, so I'm going to sell it as-is for what I paid for it ($50). This board is basically a follow-on to the Morrow SwitchBoard, it uses newer devices and is IEEE-696 compatible. Unfortunately, someone pulled the PLD/decode ROM, so it doesn't currently work. I've powered it up on my test backplane, regulators and capacitors are good. The manual is available online and documents which pins on the PLD/decode ROM do what, but IIRC it doesn't include the equations for it. I believe one could replace it with a sufficiently high speed ROM, or build an adapter and use a GAL. In any case, it's sold AS-IS, and definitely won't work if you just plug it in and expect to use it! Contact me off-list if you're interested. Price is $50, shipping in the US is $12, overseas is probably going to be $25-30. Thanks, Jonathan

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Four more Friday instructors needed
by Evan Koblentz 19 Apr '18

19 Apr '18

We have 11 of 15 slots filled for the Friday tech classes at VCF East: 1. Vintage Computing With FPGAs 2. Atari 8-Bit Repair 3. Collection disbursement (make sure your family knows what to do when you're in the bit bucket....) 4. Transistor Logic 5. Microprocessor Design 6. DEC VAX 101 7. 1980s Lego Robotics (because I like it and we need to fill slots!) 8. CRT Repair (aka Ian's Lair) 9. 6502 Assembly 10. Reverse Engineering 11. Vintage Computing With Raspberry Pi Emulators Need four more people to step up.

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FINAL CALL for VCF East exhibits
by Evan Koblentz 18 Apr '18

18 Apr '18

Register by this Friday at noon. Then it's closed. http://www.vcfed.org/registration/exhibitor_register-online.php?event_id=2

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CTTY in Freedos
by Jeff G 18 Apr '18

18 Apr '18

Hi all - I'm in the process of building a mega disk-imaging box, er really a "vintage computing support center" box to help with creating disks, imaging disks, etc. It even has a Needhams ISA rom burner (and get this, its a P4!). The computer runs Freedos as its main OS. Getting data to/from the computer isn't a problem as I have a couple 2gb USB sticks that the BIOS supports as a dos-compatible hard drive, as long as I boot with one in it. That said, I was hoping that on occasion to be able to control it from my main computer, and figured a serial cable and CTTY would work, but despite having the serial port working via Telix (can talk to my main computer running Putty), CTTY gives me a write error (and the usual abort/retry/fail). Anyone know why that is and how to fix it? I'm thinking CTTY is looking at control lines, but I have a serial breakout box on it now and cts/rts criss-crossed as they should. Thanks in advance! Jeff G #3 - aka "Bags"

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Docent duty during workshop April 28 & 29, 2018
by Jeffrey Brace 17 Apr '18

17 Apr '18

Anyone interested in taking an hour as being docent during the workshop, then please sign up here to be doncent for an hour: < https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1LAXRUERwVX_yQOpglW__AsymmpawS3lv2nq… > Signup for the workshop is here: < https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/15skPd9SrZ2WsHMoTBTrrvBNwG1nbixVNfey… >

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April 28 & 29, 2018 Workshop Reminder Info
by Jeffrey Brace 17 Apr '18

17 Apr '18

There's still time to sign up for the workshop. We have a number of people signed up, but still have a bit of room left. As a reminder the workshop is $10 *per* person, *per* day. Sorry this InfoAge's rule and not our decision. So that means for two days it is $20. Some people didn't realize this last workshop. This has been in effect since June 2017. If you have signed up, then you are guaranteed a table, otherwise you have to beg for forgiveness and bribe me with my favorite snack. DATE: April 28 & 29, 2018 LOCATION: InfoAge Building 9032A - (2201 Marconi Road, Wall Township, NJ) TIME: Start about 10 A.M. on Saturday and ends whenever we go to sleep. End about 5 P.M. on Sunday. (Starts around 10 A.M. Sunday morning) SIGNUP: < https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/15skPd9SrZ2WsHMoTBTrrvBNwG1nbixVNfey… > COST: - $10 per person, PER day. This is required by InfoAge for us to pay for renting the space. - $25 for those wanting to stay overnight. Please pay me when you get there so that I don't forget. Otherwise I will send Taekwon Joe to find you and kick you with his puppet legs. Seriously, it's a pain to have to chase people around for money. It's not a fun job, but it is necessary because we rent the place from InfoAge and the dorms from the Sandy group. OVERNIGHT: Bring your own pillow, blankets, soap etc. We provide a bed frame and an uncovered mattress. There are showers and a kitchen for your use. - You can pay via PayPal. Ask me for the info at the workshop. EQUIPMENT: - VCF will provide a table and you can use any available electrical outlet. - Bring your own tools, power strips, power cords, and supplies etc. - Please bring an extra one or two power cords as these are often forgotten by people. DRINKS: You should bring your own. I would recommend bringing a cooler of some type. FOOD: You provide your own. We usually order pizza, subs or go out to a dinner and everyone pays their own way. Usually, we make a decision when everyone gets hungry. GATE: During the hours from 1 pm to 5 pm close the front gate behind you. We want museum visitors to go to the front lobby and not wander through the middle of the campus. Outside of those times, you can feel free to leave the gate open. PARKING: Park across from 9032 or 9010A on any blacktop area. InfoAge doesn't like us parking on the lawn anymore. QUESTIONS? Please ask me (Jeff Brace) or Evan. My cell is 732-759-1783 and Evan’s is 646-546-9999 in case you need to contact us. See everyone there! And have fun!

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Online ticketing is open for VCF East
by Evan Koblentz 17 Apr '18

17 Apr '18

http://vcfed.org/wp/festivals/vintage-computer-festival-east/tickets/ *Note for exhibitors, volunteers, Friday instructors:* You receive free admission only for the day(s) that you participate. Examples: exhibitors get in free Saturday/Sunday, Friday instructors get in free Friday, official volunteers get in free on the days they volunteer. ________________________________ 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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VCF docents this weekend
by Jeffrey Brace 17 Apr '18

17 Apr '18

Evan will be docent this Saturday 4/21 at VCF museum. I will be at the InfoAge front desk taking VCF turn there. I will be docent 4/22 at VCF museum.

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semi OT: free CD burners, get at workshop
by Jeffrey Jonas 17 Apr '18

17 Apr '18

I have heaps of ATAPI/IDE interfaced CD and DVD readers, CD burners. Gotta go! Free if you reply to me that you're interested, or I won't bring 'em. -- jeff jonas

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the Geico Gecko plays the Oregon Trail
by Jeffrey Jonas 17 Apr '18

17 Apr '18

Geico targets retro computing? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHnpp_GhINI The Gecko Plays Oregon Trail - GEICO GEICO Insurance Published on Mar 9, 2018 The Gecko jumps into the Oregon Trail game to see if he can successfully settle out west.

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I be going to VCF East 2018!
by Bryan Pope 16 Apr '18

16 Apr '18

Good afternoon all!, My room is booked and I so look forward to seeing everybody at this VCF East 2018! :-D I will be arriving Friday evening, enjoying a day of the show Saturday, then leaving Sunday. I can't wait! Cheers, Bryan

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Pointers towards cleaning a floppy drive
by Neil Cherry 15 Apr '18

15 Apr '18

After successful restarting one of my older computer (Sardis ST-2900, dang 9600 7N1 - weird). I now need working drives to boot OS9. So ... I'm about to venture on cleaning up a bunch of drives. And in the past I've used a cotton swab and Isopropyl alcohol to clean the heads and a wipe down of the rails. Then carefully 'lube' the rails and other parts with silicon spray in a cup and different cotton swab. Any recommendations or is this good enough? Anyone have any alignments disks for various drives? Also what is the best way to clean off mouse urine? -- Linux Home Automation Neil Cherry ncherry(a)linuxha.com http://www.linuxha.com/ Main site http://linuxha.blogspot.com/ My HA Blog Author of: Linux Smart Homes For Dummies

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Vintage DEC PDP 11/23 Plus 1/2 Rack w/2 RL02 Drives $350
by Brian L. Stuart 15 Apr '18

15 Apr '18

On Sun, 4/15/18, W2HX via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: > We picked up one PDP-11/23, one PDP-11/73, each > of those in a short rack, one MicroPDP-11, a > PDP-8a, four RL02 dirves, fourteen RL02 packs, etc. It was a > big haul. Pictures can be seen here for those interested: Nice haul! Color me envious. I've really got to break down an get a serious 11 one of these days. BLS

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Vintage DEC PDP 11/23 Plus 1/2 Rack w/2 RL02 Drives $350
by Christian Liendo 15 Apr '18

15 Apr '18

This will not fit in my Suzuki, so please don't ask me to get it. https://longisland.craigslist.org/sys/d/computer/6531496701.html

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Museum report
by Evan Koblentz 14 Apr '18

14 Apr '18

Lots of visitors today! I was busy all day giving tours. Tony was there for about an hour and also gave tours. Adam continued working on surplus things for VCFed to sell at East. Jeff S. came by with his extended family. Steve A. is our docent tomorrow.

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Moved the UNIVAC!
by Evan Koblentz 13 Apr '18

13 Apr '18

Me, Tony, Bill Drom., Bill I., and Dan J. all moved the UNIVAC onto its new pallets today. Here is the "after" picture: https://tinyurl.com/ycjp28yw. You can see how the new pallets are all plywood on top (not spaced-apart boards like a warehouse pallet), painted to match (thanks to Laura), and designed to perfectly fit the width of each component (thanks to Drom). The pallet left of the desk is wider to hold the Signal Data Converter and the paper tape I/O console together, because those are small components. At an upcoming work day (probably the April workshop) we'll move the components about one foot farther back on the pallets. That way we can bolt down the CPU and tape drive, which makes it safe to open upper cabinets without risk of anything tipping forward. We'll probably touch up the paint on some of the pallets and maybe also touch up parts of the wall this weekend. Another thing we might do is add a trim piece across the front of all three pallets for better looks. We moved the switcher rack (basically a giant A/B switch!) back into the warehouse. In addition to making the exhibit look nicer, this project also gives us several more feet of empty space where the center aisle begins near the museum front door. We're planning to move the "featured artifact"* exhibit to that spot. -Evan * Formerly "Artifact of the Month"; changed the name because we never got around to changing it every month! ________________________________ 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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Landenberg Workshop This Weekend APRIL 14th 9am -??
by Bill Degnan 12 Apr '18

12 Apr '18

Landenberg Workshop This Weekend APRIL 14th 9am -?? Please RSVP if you have not already done so. Advise when you'll be arriving....Note times and locations below. There is no fixed theme, bring what you want to work on. Generally-speaking I picked VAXen as a theme but it does not matter. And it looks like I will possibly work on my Altair exhibit for VCF East too. BRING A SMALL TABLE, TOOLS, and a POWER STRIP if you want to ensure you have a place to work. I will furnish what I can but I can't promise everyone will have workspace. I live in Landenberg, PA contact me privately via http://www.degnanco.net for my contact info. SCHEDULE 1. 9AM Set up / work until 1PM 2. 1PM - 4PM We will caravan over to the new Computer Church computer museum (a 501c,etc org) to review the extensive collection and maybe help out there. 3. 4-530?PM Dinner at Victory Brew Pub 4. 600 PM - ??? Return to my house to work. A few pedestal VAXen 3800's and 4000's in addition to the workstations may be available for cash reimbursement to cover expenses acquiring them. Landenberg, PA Inquiries: http://www.vintagecomputer.net/contact.cfm http://vintagecomputer.net/pictures/2018/thecomputerchurch/ (photos from a few months ago, a lot done since.) Bill

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UNIVAC updates
by Evan Koblentz 11 Apr '18

11 Apr '18

Bill Drom. and Duane were at the museum Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday to do more UNIVAC restoration. Bill sent me a report today: ---------------------------- We spent most of our time running down intermittent faults in the 1219B computer. Mainly using the oscilloscope and logic prints in addition to the diagnostic program used by the navy we were able to find several bad cards in the computer. We finally got it to run full un-jumpered diagnostics for over an hour before we stopped it. We also tried to get the paper tape punch in the 1532 console to operate properly. Duane even ran the computer in slow op step mode so we could observe the reader in slow motion. We had less success with that. We switched to the mylar tape donated by, I think it was Alex at the last workshop. It looks like it works about 95% but haven’t been able to get perfect tape copies yet. Duane brought a full new box of magnetic tape and two original master head alignment tapes with him for the museum. We looked at the 1540 tape handler but it looks like we need to do some pinch roller adjustments. We only have a copy of the schematics from NASA which is slightly different from our unit. We are still trying to get the correct books on that but our hope is getting low. We left for home on Tuesday with the computer still working but with one intermittent problem in channel 17 I/O section. ---------------------------- Bill also sent two videos and two pictures: https://tinyurl.com/y9dwqe8t. -Evan

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Thinking ahead to VCF East Friday classes
by william degnan 10 Apr '18

10 Apr '18

On Jan 3, 2018 3:07 PM, "Dan Roganti via vcf-midatlantic" < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: > > On Wed, Jan 3, 2018 at 2:17 PM, Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: > > > > > > >> Are any of our VCF-MW brethren confirmed > >>> to sell The 6502 40th Anniversary Computer Badge > >>> at VCF-east 2018? > >>> > >>> I'd love to see > >>> AM: build the badge > >>> PM: assembler programming the badge > >>> > >> > >> There are too few session slots already. We're not going to devote any of > >> them to badges. > >> > > > > This gives me an idea though ... a few years ago we had a single assembly > > session, which wasn't enough. > > > > We could have a whole track of assembly classes for different processors. > > Bring your laptop (and favorite emulator), follow along with the > > instructors. > > > > > just some constructive suggestions > try to allot more than 1hr, maybe 2hr > so the class has time to get situated, practice the example code, and ask > questions > Because this is most likely a beginners class, > because if it's any higher level of instruction, > well, there still won't be enough time alloted for the experienced users > if you expect to squeeze 4 or 5 different assembly classes into a single > track on one day > Als4o the instructor should have some method to make the example code > available, > eg, a wiki page, which they can download prior to the class, or handout a > usb thumbdrive to share the example code [again time needed to get situated] > Dan When I used to run the workshops we had targeted objectives for the assembly class I may still have the worksheet Dan created for the cp/m gen class that involved z80 assembly. That was at least 10 years ago.

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Floppy emulators, any experience?
by Neil Cherry 10 Apr '18

10 Apr '18

I'm currently planning on various restorations of my older systems. Unfortunately I've got a limited number of working drives. I'd like to know your experiences with the floppy emulators that are available. I've seen the HxC, the Gotek and the clones, though I think the Gotek is also a clone. I haven't purchased anything and I'm trying to understand these things better before I start buying anything. -- Linux Home Automation Neil Cherry ncherry(a)linuxha.com http://www.linuxha.com/ Main site http://linuxha.blogspot.com/ My HA Blog Author of: Linux Smart Homes For Dummies

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headcount for Landenberg. PA workshop
by Bill Degnan 10 Apr '18

10 Apr '18

Hi - Please RSVP if you're planning to attend Saturday. We'll meet at my house any time after 9AM. Around 1PM well caravan to the Computer Church computer museum (under construction) for a visit that afternoon. We can go to the nearby Victory Brew Pub afterwards. If your arrival is after 1PM, meet us at the museum, no hassles. There is an Amtrak train station kind of nearby the museum if you need public transportation, close but someone would have to pick you up..Parkesville, PA. Come by any time before 1PM if you want to set up a workspace for the morning and/or after we get back for those who want to return to continue working that evening. Feel free to reply to this thread with questions, I will send my address and contact info privately. The loose theme is DEC Vaxen, but it's wide open. I can change gears easily. See vintagecomputer.net for the computers I have here, should one need inspiration. I have computers, peripherals and parts available for sale/trade/donation depending on what they are. I have held a number of workshops at my house and nearby for this group, it has been a while! Bill

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Museum report
by Evan Koblentz 08 Apr '18

08 Apr '18

Adam and I got to the museum at 11 today and stayed to 7. We took delivery of an IBM System/36 and its printer from member John H. and his father. We also took delivery of a few micros, most notably a Compaq Portable III with the add-on "backpack" for installing expansion cards. I'm happy about that so we don't have to keep bugging Mouse to loan us his for various demos. :) I was docent today; steady flow of families all day. About 25 people total. Adam was in the warehouse sorting more Commodore items (software this time) ... and in the process found 10 more Commodore-branded cassette drives and several nice modems. Bill Drom. and Duane were there all day working on the UNIVAC. Laura came over to paint more of the new UNIVAC backdrop and the third pallet. Tony stopped by to do more Apple II/Apple III evaluation/repair. It's fun when there is so much activity! ________________________________ 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] Museum report
by Duane Craps 07 Apr '18

07 Apr '18

Except ours still has all the original guts. The one on the Midway was smashed to demilitarize the unit before turning the ship over as a museum. I contacted them when we were looking for technical manuals. The dosent is a ex navy tech and adapred some comercial motors for the reels and built a simulator to drive the reels and the indicators. Every national stock numbered item has a DEMIL code assoicated with it and determines how it is to be desposed of. Most of the computer equipment calls for it to be made unusable. I think ours were savved because they were bought directly from UNIVAC and belonged to Johns Hopkins rather than the NAVY. When they get the USS Adams (DDG 2) Museum in Jacksonville it will be inteeresting to see how the 1219s in missile plot survived. They might be the only others left. On 4/7/2018 3:34 PM, Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > That's the exact same tape drive as with our system! -- DuaneCraps sdɐɹɔ ǝuɐnp

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Museum report
by Evan Koblentz 07 Apr '18

07 Apr '18

Jeff Galinat and I were at the museum from 9am to midnight today. Adam was there from about 11 to 6. Adam worked most of the day in the warehouse. He tackled our Amiga collection -- now it's vastly better organized and uses less space! Jeff and I built a freestanding L-shaped wall behind the UNIVAC I/O console / desk / motor generator. The long side of the L is a backdrop for all of those items, while the short side (to the right of the desk/MG set) separates the exhibit from the minicomputers. I have to say: I briefly considered building this wall by myself, which would have been a huge mistake. :) Lost track of how many tips/tricks/tools that JG knew about and I didn't! The wall looks great and is even stronger and sturdier than I planned. It is 95% finished. I have to paint a couple of the edges and also paint the rear support braces. I also have to finish installing the bookshelf. That'll take 30 minutes, tops. Here are some pictures: Cool gadget for drilling screw holes at a sharp angle: https://tinyurl.com/yayknq4f Starting to see a back wall shape form: https://tinyurl.com/yc8co3w8 Look ma! We can frame! https://tinyurl.com/ycgyk2zu Almost finished: https://tinyurl.com/y7k8jsf2 In that last picture you can see I have to finish the bookshelf, painting the edge of the "L", etc. You'll also see a large gap between the end of the wall/console and the next component (to the left out of camera view). That gap is going away late next week when we re-pallet the whole UNIVAC system. Jeff B. is docent tomorrow. Adam and I will be back there Sunday.

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Museum Report 2018-04-07 April 7, 2018
by Jeffrey Brace 07 Apr '18

07 Apr '18

Today we had a few mild interest people and a few highly interested. The highly interested asked as soon as he came in, "Do you have any analog computers?". Showed him and his two friends. He seemed to know how many of the machines operated. Some were familiar, some not as much. They really enjoyed it. Took a longer tour. I spent the rest of my time looking for various programs that could be used to demo on the Commodore 64. One of them I may do is Little Computer People. The other is a simple guess the number game. I added some color to it, and maybe some sound later. == Jeff Brace

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Comcast
by Mike Loewen 06 Apr '18

06 Apr '18

My ISP is Comcast, and I'm unable to reach Ian Mavrick's TRS-80 site in Australia (http://members.iinet.net.au/~ianmav/) Traceroute hangs up as follows: traceroute to members.iinet.net.au (203.0.178.90), 30 hops max, 60 byte packets 1 gateway (192.168.202.38) 0.434 ms 0.721 ms 0.913 ms 2 96.120.x.xxx (96.120.x.xxx) 10.537 ms 16.796 ms 18.177 ms 3 68.85.46.1 (68.85.46.1) 17.772 ms 18.027 ms 17.762 ms 4 be-45-ar01.lancaster.pa.pitt.comcast.net (96.108.4.89) 24.188 ms 23.207 ms 24.317 ms 5 * * * Can any other Comcast users reach his site? This has been going on for at least a week. Mike Loewen mloewen(a)cpumagic.scol.pa.us Old Technology http://q7.neurotica.com/Oldtech/

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does anyone have the media for iomega clik!
by Jeffrey Jonas 06 Apr '18

06 Apr '18

I have a lovely new sealed iomega clik! pc-card drive in the carrying case. but the disk is missing :-( Does anyone have the Iomega Clik! / PocketZip disk? -- jeff jonas

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OT: Printing an e-mail to a wireless printer via Android
by Jeffrey Brace 06 Apr '18

06 Apr '18

iPhone is much easier to use than Android. Here is what I found when trying to figure out for a friend how to print an e-mail to her wireless printer: https://www.techrepublic.com/blog/google-in-the-enterprise/quick-tip-print-… on iPhone it is much simpler. Anyone know an easier way? There is no "send to" icon on Android like the iPhone. I figured it out on the iPhone in like 10 seconds. I have spent two hours trying figure it out on Android and hope to try it tomorrow and get it to work.

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Comcast
by Herb Johnson 06 Apr '18

06 Apr '18

https://iihelp.iinet.net.au/categories/email-and-hosting I can reach the iinet.net.au site, from Comcast home services. Apparently it's a problem with user Web pages. The link above is to "Web hosting help". In any event, this is some problem between USA Comcast and this offshore hosting/email service and their private Web pages. Hard to know how hard this Australian company will work, to help one of their home customers get through a USA service provider. Herb Johnson -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey in the USA http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net

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Museum Report 2018-04-04 April 4, 2018
by Jeffrey Brace 04 Apr '18

04 Apr '18

Another super busy day at the museum. Very similar to yesterday where I got no visitors until 3 or 3:30pm, then literally dozens of people at a time. One group was like 40 people at a time filling up half the room. So a total of about 150 visitors today. I was giving tours non-stop until 5pm. Lots of polite and very interested visitors. I love the museum being so busy. I've gotten to be an expert at giving the 10 to 15 minute tour.

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Museum Report 2018-04-03 March 3, 2018
by Jeffrey Brace 03 Apr '18

03 Apr '18

Whew! So InfoAge advertised a "special Chol Hamoed opening Tuesday & Wednesday 1 - 5". So I get here around 1 and it's 3:30 and Ino visitors. I'm wondering if anyone is coming to VCF. I saw a large number of people around the Hotel building when I had arrived around 1. In the meantime, I checked the condition of various exhibits and noted things that have to be repaired, improved or put back in place. Suddenly a big group of 15 comes in around 3:35 and then another, and then another. It's hard to know exactly how many, but I estimate between 150 to 200 people visited the museum today. I continuously did one tour after another with 15 to 30 people at a time. It's nice to have such large groups of people come to visit the museum. Visitors were here until 5:15, which is past the official closing time. Most of the museums were open including the model train guys. The visitors were all very interested and polite. It's nice to teach all kinds of visitors both young and old who don't know computer history. Tomorrow there may be many more coming. It's hard to say. I will be here. == Jeff Brace

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OT: free Linux-friendly routers, pick up at workshop
by Jeffrey Jonas 03 Apr '18

03 Apr '18

I have 8 Linksys Linux-friendly routers, free for the taking. Just ask or I won't bring them. WRT54G 4 MB flash, 16 MB RAM 1: v1.1 1: v2 3: v3.0 2: v3.1 1: v4 see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linksys_WRT54G_series#WRT54G -- Jeff Jonas

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