- vcf-midatlantic - lists.vcfed.org

Docent duty at the workshop (Jan. 13 & 14) 2018
by Jeffrey Brace 07 Jan '18

07 Jan '18

For those attending the workshop next weekend, I created a signup list for docent duty. If you are interested, then let me know and signup here: < https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1nJnUUNX-ub1RDhFDpINcXk0G1ZhCbbLB-39… >

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Museum closed today 1/7/18
by Jeffrey Brace 07 Jan '18

07 Jan '18

Due to extreme cold InfoAge and VCF are closed today.

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Re-post of signup link for Repair Workshop 2018 January
by Jeffrey Brace 06 Jan '18

06 Jan '18

Long URL: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1P_V4ZK7gVPihRXoDL4Ij4o4tNpB4MlwUdjq… Shortened URL: https://goo.gl/C6NBBn Works now?

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Important Jan 13 & 14, 2018 Workshop Info
by Jeffrey Brace 06 Jan '18

06 Jan '18

We are going to have the workshop in 9032-A which is the bigger room near the main building, since we have people working on a decent amount of stuff. As a reminder the workshop is $10 *per* person, *per* day. Sorry this InfoAge's rule and not our decision. 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: Jan 13 & 14, 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/1P_V4ZK7gVPihRXoDL4Ij4o4tNpB4MlwU djqiboLnESc/edit?usp=sharing COST: - $10 per person, PER day. This is required by InfoAge for us to pay them. - $25 for those wanting to stay overnight. Please pay me when you get there so that I don't forget. Otherwise I will send my attack cat to find you. 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. - We will have PayPal credit card swipes available. Let me know ahead of time if you want to use this and I will set it up, otherwise it will *not* be available. It takes me time to make sure it located and setup properly. 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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Lisa 1, how high will it go...?
by Evan Koblentz 06 Jan '18

06 Jan '18

Ebay item #182999855120. Bid is at $45,100 and the reserve is not met.

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OT: Need to borrow digital camcoder
by Jeffrey Brace 05 Jan '18

05 Jan '18

For my student teaching, I need to video record two of my lessons over the next two months or so. Does anyone have a good working digital camcorder that I can borrow? It doesn't have to be top of the line, but audio and video need to be decent for a classroom. e-mail me privately. Thanks!

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March 2018 VCF Repair Workshop
by Jeffrey Brace 05 Jan '18

05 Jan '18

The March workshop will be March 3 & 4. There is no February workshop because the schedule didn't allow availability in February. Signup here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/123vqgOH6iteYwHwLiANXmdSUvZOTEMTArZR…

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Wanted for the museum: DVD/VCR combo
by Evan Koblentz 05 Jan '18

05 Jan '18

Still hunting for a combination DVD/VCR player. Requirements: it must be fully working and it needs it needs to be black.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Needed: gray metal teletype stand/table/desk
by Duane Craps 04 Jan '18

04 Jan '18

Great news! Government offices are still full of those. If you can't fit everything in, you could delete the JHU/APL I/O switching unit. I don't see where it adds much. I was hoping that it used a mini computer to route the signals to the various peripherals but, nope, That sucker is full of T-Bar relays. They were kinda neat. you can have one solenoid and stack a lot of 12PDT modules to switch as many signals as you needed. The early TARTAR Missile Systems used them to switch two 1219 computers to a 1532 Input-Output Console. Later systems used a later console with a duplexer . Duane On 1/3/2018 11:34 PM, Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > Good news everyone! Martin was right (as often happens). The same desk > that we need for the Univac is in one of the satellite dish buildings > at InfoAge. Tony is going to retrieve it for us on Saturday Jan. 13 > (first day of our next workshop). > > Between this desk and the custom pallets Bill Drom is building, we'll > have a nicer and safer exhibit. > > But where will we fit this new desk, you ask? Isn't that part of the > museum already quite full, your mind ponders? We have a secret > workaround for this. :) You'll all find out soon enough. > -- DuaneCraps sdɐɹɔ ǝuɐnp

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New museum artifacts :)
by Evan Koblentz 04 Jan '18

04 Jan '18

We have two new additions to the museum collection, courtesy of VCFed chairman Erik Klein: a Mark-8 and a Byte Shop Byt-8, both unassembled! This is VERY exciting stuff!!! The new-to-us Mark-8 will replace our current one, which was loaned to us from David Larsen.

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Needed: gray metal teletype stand/table/desk
by Evan Koblentz 03 Jan '18

03 Jan '18

Everyone, We're still looking for an appropriate desk, stand, table, etc. to use with the Univac. It needs to be metal, and ideally painted gray but we could always paint it by ourselves. Of course it needs to be strong enough to hold the 1960s teletype, but it shouldn't be too large -- we do not want a big desk there, just something maybe 2-3 ft. wide. We need this relatively soon. It should be in good condition (nothing rusted, in need of repair, etc.) and have a period 1960s look.

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FS: IMSAI MPU-A rev 4 Repaired/Tested/Working
by systems_glitch 03 Jan '18

03 Jan '18

link: https://www.ebay.com/itm/273009951984 This one came in with a dead +12V regulator and a bad CPU socket. Replaced the 78L12 with a standard TO220 7812 which is less likely to have overheating problems (they run hot on an IMSAI with only a few boards installed). CPU socket replaced with a high quality machine pin socket. Fully tested in my IMSAI 8080. As always, offers welcome! Thanks, Jonathan

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semi OT: looking for Compact Flash cards
by Jeffrey Jonas 03 Jan '18

03 Jan '18

I'm looking for Compact Flash Cards. Does anyone have some to spare? I just got a tiny68k board and it uses a Compact Flash card. Are there adapters from Compact Flash to SD card? -- Jeff Jonas

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thinking ahead to VCF-east 2018
by Jeffrey Jonas 03 Jan '18

03 Jan '18

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

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talking to myself
by Jim Scheef 03 Jan '18

03 Jan '18

Nowhere else have I found a facility with the "vintage feel" baked right in here at SDF (Super Dimension Fortress), also know as freeshell.org. SDF/Freeshell provides free UNIX shell accounts. Of course if you send them a little money, you get more privileges. For a mix of vintage feel with modern reliability, I read most of my VCF mail using the command line ssh available in the Bash shell built into Windows 10. Several email clients are available at SDF; I use Pine. Back in December, SDF suffered one of it's occasional hiccups when one of the servers ran out of disk space. Mail to my account from this list started bouncing, so the list stopped sending. I finally realized why mail from the list has not resumed. I believe I set things correctly and now need to see some traffic. Of course I could wait for someone to get bored at work and post a message, or I could send a test in the form of this message. If you read this far, you truly are a nerd worthy of participation in this list. Happy New Year, Jim

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Books on The Calculator Wars
by Jeffrey Brace 01 Jan '18

01 Jan '18

Can anyone recommend any books on The Calculator Wars? I find it a fascinating topic.

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January 2018 Workshop is Jan. 13 & 14
by Jeffrey Brace 01 Jan '18

01 Jan '18

I will send more detailed into soon. The usual place 9032-A. The usual times: 10am to sleep Saturday and 10am to 5pm Sunday. $10 per person per day. (Sorry InfoAge rules) Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1P_V4ZK7gVPihRXoDL4Ij4o4tNpB4MlwUdjq…

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Need VCF volunteer to cover InfoAge front desk January 21
by Jeffrey Brace 01 Jan '18

01 Jan '18

Since we have a limited number of docents, we are asking the general VCF list for someone to volunteer to take the VCF front desk. The hours are 1-5pm, the next day is January 21. The training is minimal. I can tell you what is needed. Either Evan or myself will be at the VCF museum the same day. Basically the job is taking admission fee from visitors, giving them a brochure, and having them sign in. If you are interested, then contact me privately.

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Help with pickup in Hummelstown PA?
by Jack Rubin 01 Jan '18

01 Jan '18

Can anyone help me by picking up a typewriter in Hummelstown PA and providing short term storage? It's in the Harrisburg/Hershey area. The machine is an early electromechanical unit, a precursor to the Friden Flexowriter. I'll be heading East in April and would be able to pick it up then. Thanks, Jack in Chicago

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Don't forget!
by Evan Koblentz 31 Dec '17

31 Dec '17

Today is your last chance to contribute to VCF as a 2017 tax deduction. Please visithttp://vcfed.org/wp/contribute/to help us keep the forum running, continue expanding the Vintage Computer Festival events, improve the VCF museum, and more. Thank you!!!

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Apple 1 emulator
by William Dudley 31 Dec '17

31 Dec '17

I find this somewhat amazing. https://hackaday.com/2017/12/30/espple-a-wireless-apple-1-on-an-esp8266/ Bill Dudley This email is free of malware because I run Linux.

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Catweasel MK4 Plus
by william degnan 31 Dec '17

31 Dec '17

Ebay has a Catweasel MK4 Plus <https://www.ebay.com/itm/Catweasel-MK4-Plus-Multi-Floppy-Controller-for-PC-…> ending in two hours ... going to be pricey per its rarity, but here is your chance! Bill

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Museum report
by Evan Koblentz 31 Dec '17

31 Dec '17

Highlights from the museum today: - Bill Lange and his uncle stopped by - A few families visited. One family had a 10-year-old son who impressed me with his knowledge of Apple II history. He has a GS and knew BASIC. - I finished setting up our two new display cases in the microcomputer aisle. Last time (Wednesday) we selected the initial batch of artifacts: case #1 got our blue box, 6501 kit, early USR modem, Pennywhistle modem, and Popular Electronics Digital Logic Micro Lab (from 1970); case # has an top shelf open for now (to be filled with various early PDAs) while its other shelves have consoles (Tele-Games (Atari) Pong, Fairchild Channel F, Magnavox Odyssey). Today, I installed the black backings that we made for each case because they're glass on all four sides and nobody needs to see behind them. Here is case #1: http://snarc.net/case1.jpg .... I'm going to put another piece of thin black material under the 6501 box so it doesn't reflect onto the shelf below it (looks lousy from above). Here is case #2: http://snarc.net/case2.jpg. Both displays look better in person than up-close with the camera.

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Correction -- Semi-OT: Annual post: what tech did ya get?
by Herb Johnson 30 Dec '17

30 Dec '17

a Pro-Log model 980 EPROM programmer, with multi-PROM adapter. The unit's software is not working. But the value of the 4040 processor, several hex-digit numeric display, keyboard and other parts made the purchase worthwhile. And, I may get it running! Anyone with a Pro-Log 980, please contact me. (no Web page yet on this item.) Also obtained: a pre-microprocessor "micro"controller with core memory. It played a small part in MINIcomputer to microprocessor development. This is what microcomputers looked like, before microprocessors. http://www.retrotechnology.com/restore/varisystem.html Herb Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey in the USA http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net

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IBM 1401 repair article
by Mike Loewen 29 Dec '17

29 Dec '17

Interesting article about repairing core memory and power supplies to get a CHM 1401 back up and running: http://www.righto.com/2017/12/repairing-1960s-mainframe-fixing-ibm.html Mike Loewen mloewen(a)cpumagic.scol.pa.us Old Technology http://q7.neurotica.com/Oldtech/

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Could a Blockchain based file system be the answer!
by Herb Johnson 28 Dec '17

28 Dec '17

This discussion thread, was/is about using some kind of "blockchain technology" to preserve vintage computing data, programs, PDF's, photos - you know, the digital bits - with some kind of distributed file system like "blockchain". I'm afraid that in my stone-age 20th century opinion, this is all besides the point, in any number of ways. 0) I refuse to engage in discussion of "blockchain" as per preservation of vintage computing content. Blockchain is a means to an end. I'll address the "end". 1) The issue of preservation of digitized content, is mostly about physical archives. Either one has physical media (say, CD-ROMs) or one has a physical presence for accessable data (some file server on a Web domain). A number of people and organizations do this; they should be supported. If someone wants to add themselves to the crowd, save and distribute copies, that's up to them. If someone wants to create a new organization, they can do that. Otherwise, show some love to those digital archives that you USE for vintage computing. Every day. For free - except someone is paying someone for your "freedom". 2) The issue of saving CONTENT does not preserve *physical artifacts*. I have worked for decades to support and preserve S-100 physical systems, root out their history, support their restoration. Real cards, real power supplies, real diskettes, real paper documentation. All the emulation in the world is not the same as a "ugly box of boards", sitting on your desk, roaring fans, clunking floppy drives, blinking lights, toggling switches (if any, that stopped in 1979 or so), and so on. The challenges of preserving physical artifacts are enormous. Physical space and collecting them is only the beginning. Putting them *back to use* is challenging squared. There's many "museums" which are stacks of computers on a shelf. They have "don't touch" policies, and few on-staff who know how to plug in an AC power cord. The legacy of use, and the capacity to read old data and programs, depends on *use* of vintage computing devices. Emulators succeed in running recovered data and programs. They are very useful in reverse-engineering programs and data files (even on audio cassettes) which are already (re)digitized. They simulate computing on a screen, on modern computers: this at the very least, encourages interest. But there was a time when personal computing was NOT about images on a TV screen! Preserve *that*! Regards, Herb "Flintstone Computing" 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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Object Photography
by william degnan 28 Dec '17

28 Dec '17

Object photographs of old vintage cards and parts that you might like. http://vintagecomputer.net/browse_thread.cfm?id=711 (link at the bottom of the page to the complete set) I did not identify them. Some I know what they are, some I do not. I am most curious about the tube modules, where they came from. I will eventually figure it out, but tips/speculations are welcome. Bill

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looking for specific S-100 chassis
by Dave McGuire 28 Dec '17

28 Dec '17

Hey folks. I'm looking for an Electronic Control Technology (ECT) model TT-10 S-100 enclosure. I realize this is a long shot, as there aren't many of these around, but would anyone here happen to have one that they might be willing to turn loose of? Thanks, -Dave -- Dave McGuire, AK4HZ New Kensington, PA

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Zurich Vintage Computer Festival?
by Jeffrey Jonas 28 Dec '17

28 Dec '17

I wish I had a way to attend: Vintage Computer Festival Z\xc3\xbcrich, 18-19 Nov. 2017 It's VCF time again in Switzerland! https://vcfe.ch/doku.php https://www.facebook.com/vcfe.ch/

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Still needed: nice office chair, drafting stool
by Evan Koblentz 27 Dec '17

27 Dec '17

Someone's got to have these, or have spares which could be liberated from their job's office manager .... we need a modern desk chair (black/chrome), arms, adjustable height, etc. ...... and we need a drafting stool (for the workbench), also matching black/chrome. Currently our workshop has some beat-up ugly blue desk chairs which match nothing and are not comfortable.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Correction -- Semi-OT: Annual post: what tech did ya get?
by Neil Cherry 27 Dec '17

27 Dec '17

I've gotten several DC-DC supplies, several V/I/P displays, a couple of I2C V/I/P measurement boards (for solar experitments) and an Einstein robot (combination of a RoboSapien and a Google Home). -- 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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Long museum report
by Evan Koblentz 27 Dec '17

27 Dec '17

Very busy day! Jeff B. couldn't make it today, so Adam and I went to tackle as much as possible. We arrived around 11am and focused on cleaning up from yesterday. Then we test-fitted some things in the first of the two new display cases -- blue box, 6501, Pennywhistle modem with a desk phone, early-model USR modem, and the Popular Electronics "Digital Logic Microlab" kit from 1970. We need to get more clear plastic stands (in various sizes/shapes) to hold things at angles on shelves. Jim S. wasn't able to attend Festivus due to snow, but he visited today with his extended family for a full tour. I gave the tour for a solid hour. Tony arrived at the same time to make some repairs on our straight Apple II. We needed some things moved to the warehouse, so Adam and Tony did that (convenient due to Tony's cargo van!) while I gave the tour to Jim & family. There were a few other groups of visitors too. Visitors continued on-and-off until 5ish. Tony successfully revered the II to its default Integer BASIC. It had been set up to load Applesoft BASIC off a card, which is useful but hardly stock. Now it's stock, but we can still load Applesoft when needed.... so basically he reversed the default option. He also cleaned more parts of the computer inside and out. Adam and I test-fitted some things into the second new display case. The top shelf will have some handhelds, but for now it's empty -- we'll get to the handhelds on a warmer day with more sunlight in the warehouse. We decided to put some game consoles on the bottom three shelves -- Atari Pong, Magnavox Odyssey, and Fairchild Channel F. The VCFed collection includes both an Odyssey and F both practically new-in-box! No, they're not playable by the public ... these are in a locking display case. I snuck in a personal project. I wanted us to have a small microwave in case I ever get a craving for popcorn or whatever. :) I brought in a microwave from my former apartment; didn't need it anymore because my new place has one already. But my old microwave is too big to fit in our workshop. So I traded it to Roddy (art guy across the hallway from our museum) for his smaller one. And yes, I put in our rack -- I figure the once every few months we actually use the microwave for a few minutes won't hurt anything. Problem was, the smaller unit is silver which stuck out like a sort thumb through our dark-gray mesh rack door. And it turns out VCFed recently became the owner of a big roll of black duct tape... you all see where this is going, right? Turns out it worked VERY well! I covered all the exposed silver panels in black duct tape. It may look silly from a few inches away with the door open, but it camouflages perfectly from a few feet away with the door closed. Don't laugh until you see it! It worked out pretty well. Now it's a stealth microwave... Adam and I also put a second layer of black paint on the luan (thin wood) backings that Jeff and I made yesterday for the display cases, because we don't want people seeing the ugliness behind each cases (they're glass on all four sides). Yesterday we used cheap spray paint; today we used flat-black regular paint with a brush. Huge improvement! Left it there to dry and I'll attach the backings this Saturday. Bill I. also stopped by around lunchtime and hung out with us for a while. Bill, Adam, Tony, and I engaged in the VCF lunchtime ritual pizza, thus making it a sanctioned gathering (or something like that). About that desk we're seeking: Martin thinks there is one in an Infoage build that we cannot access, so I'm having someone else check for us. Sooooo...... very good and productive day.

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Correction -- Semi-OT: Annual post: what tech did ya get?
by Evan Koblentz 27 Dec '17

27 Dec '17

I hit 'send' too soon. Sorry. Corrected post: ----------------------- It's always fun to hear what tech toys (vintage computing or not) everyone got for the holidays, whatever you celebrate. For me it was just buying a box of NOS floppies from Glitch back at Festivus :) and a pair of running shoes (not technical, but expensive!) However I'm very excited about some new toys which may be museum-bound!!!! I can't announce them until January, sorry. :)

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Needed: gray metal teletype stand/table/desk
by Duane Craps 27 Dec '17

27 Dec '17

The third page of this document shows the original type desk http://bitsavers.trailing-edge.com/pdf/univac/military/1532/OA7984_CHAPTER_… Duane On 12/26/2017 9:03 PM, Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > Everyone, > > We're still looking for an appropriate desk, stand, table, etc. to use > with the Univac. It needs to be metal, and ideally painted gray but we > could always paint it by ourselves. Of course it needs to be strong > enough to hold the 1960s teletype, but it shouldn't be too large -- we > do not want a big desk there, just something maybe 2-3 ft. wide. We > need this relatively soon. It should be in good condition (nothing > rusted, in need of repair, etc.) and have a period 1960s look. > -- Duane Craps sdɐɹɔ ǝuɐnp

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another reason to appreciate vintage computers
by Jeffrey Jonas 27 Dec '17

27 Dec '17

I forgot how good or bad the Apple Lisa was for kybd-to-input response but it was slower than molasses in the winter for printing :-( This was just rediscovered by boingBoing: Latency: why typing on old computers just feels better https://boingboing.net/2017/12/26/latency-why-typing-on-old-com.html

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museum report
by Evan Koblentz 26 Dec '17

26 Dec '17

Jeff B. and I used Tony's van to pick up two new display cases this morning. Same brand/style as the larger UNIVAC display case that we bought last time, except these are each 18x18 (x72 tall) vs. 40x18. Then we spent all afternoon moving some things around in the microcomputer side of the museum. We're not done, but we called it a day around 7pm. When finished we will be able to display certain things that we couldn't safely display before, such as the blue box and 6501 kit. We'll be back at it tomorrow along with Adam. ________________________________ Evan Koblentz, 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] Correction -- Semi-OT: Annual post: what tech did ya get?
by Mike Loewen 26 Dec '17

26 Dec '17

> On Dec 25, 2017, at 9:25 PM, Mike Loewen via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic at lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: > >> On Mon, 25 Dec 2017, Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic wrote: >> >> I hit 'send' too soon. Sorry. >> >> Corrected post: >> >> ----------------------- >> >> It's always fun to hear what tech toys (vintage computing or not) everyone got for the holidays, whatever you celebrate. >> >> For me it was just buying a box of NOS floppies from Glitch back at Festivus :) and a pair of running shoes (not technical, but expensive!) > > I just received a HP 82901M dual-floppy drive to go with my HP 87XM: > > http://www.hpmuseum.net/display_item.php?hw=287 > > Haven't had a chance to try it, yet. > Oh yeah, I also just received one of David Gesswein's MFM hard drive emulators. Looking forward to trying it out on my old Tandy 6000HD, and attempting to image the hard drive in my most recent 6000HD. Mike Loewen mloewen(a)cpumagic.scol.pa.us Old Technology http://q7.neurotica.com/Oldtech/

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Museum inventory database software
by Evan Koblentz 26 Dec '17

26 Dec '17

We're looking for recommendations for an inventory database system. Here are the requirements in no particular order. - Resides online so we can view/update it over the internet (awesome if we could view/make changes via smartphone browser, etc.) - Secure + password-protected from prying outsiders (we're not interested in telling the world what we have at this time) - Evan-usable GUI for when we need to customize the fields/hierarchy (we don't want to have to rely on anyone for this) - Not a kludged-together homebrew thing that only the builder can use (we know you can all make a LAMP stack, that alone isn't the solution) - Commercial "cloud" services are fine, but nothing too expensive (f it works and it's reasonably priced, then I don't care if they use Microsoft...) - Nothing hosted on the accounts/servers of individuals/other groups (VCF is a real organization, we need to keep things under control) - We need something relatively soon. This can't be a slow-moving project that gets 75% implemented in six months. - There are open-source museum applications, but they seem way too big/complicated for us. All constructive recommendations are welcome within these requirements. I saw a company called Airtable which might meet the requirements, but I didn't quite understand how to use it. Granted my only hands-on database experience was Appleworks back in the 7th grade. :)

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OT: need help upgrading Linux gadget firmware
by Evan Koblentz 25 Dec '17

25 Dec '17

This has nothing to do with vintage computing. I wear a Garmin GPW watch when I'm running. The model is Forerunner 15 with version 2.40 of their firmware. The latest firmware is version 2.70. Officially, they require Windows software Garmin Connect to download the firmware and synchronize it to your device. Garmin Connect in turn requires a late-model version of .NET Framework. I couldn't get .NET Framework to install in WINE, so I started Googling for manual upgrade methods. I found a few relevant posts: https://forums.garmin.com/forum/into-sports/running/forerunner-620-aa/70154… https://forums.garmin.com/forum/into-sports/cycling/edge-520-aa/125491- Both posts indicate a method of downloading the firmware file manually (done), changing it from (filename).rgn to gupdate.gcd, attaching the watch via its USB charging gadget to your computer, putting the file in the right directory, dismounting the device from Linux, and rebooting the device. Easy enough ... except nothing happens when I reboot the watch and its settings menu still shows version 2.40. There are posts about editing out part of the file using a hex editor, for example, post #6 in the first link that I put above. I downloaded a hex editor and can see the data but I have no clue how to use it. The file is on my personal site: http://www.snarc.net/forerunner15_270.rgn Lil' help?

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OT: give me your unwanted and unloved printer/scanner, your laser printer yearning to be free
by Jeffrey Jonas 25 Dec '17

25 Dec '17

'tis the season for upgrading your computers. My color printer/scanner is on its last legs. If anyone has a spare, please think of me. Similarly, my laser printer misfeeds despite cleaning the roller and pads. thanks, and see you on Sat at the workshop! -- Jeff Jonas

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museum report - Sat. 12/23
by Evan Koblentz 24 Dec '17

24 Dec '17

I went to the museum yesterday. There were three groups of visitors on campus. One group (a family of nine people spanning three generations) spent about 30 minutes in our section, seemed genuinely interested, asked good questions, etc., so that was good. Then I had some downtime, so I made an improvement to the Lego robot. :) The big front gears driving each tread kept spreading off their axles when the robot turned left/right. I installed a guard on each side to stop that problem. Closed and left at 3:30 because I had a family Chanukah party to attend. InfoAge is closed today and also closed next Sunday for new years. ________________________________ Evan Koblentz, 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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Reproduction IO-2 Prototypes In
by systems_glitch 23 Dec '17

23 Dec '17

pictures: https://imgur.com/a/MbmWO Three days late due to Christmas shipping madness! Assembled one this morning, works fine. I think the blue solder mask effect is decent. Probably put together a run with hard gold plated edge connector on the next paycheck. Thanks, Jonathan

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February workshop vote
by Jeffrey Brace 23 Dec '17

23 Dec '17

Vote for February 17 or March 3.

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ADM-3A repaired
by Paul Rickards 23 Dec '17

23 Dec '17

Hi Folks, I picked up a LSI ADM-3A from the lot that Jonathan brought to Festivus this year. I posted the repair progress as a thread on Twitter for all to see. https://twitter.com/paulrickards/status/941494883247968257 Hope it helps someone else in their repairs. Cheers, Paul

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Philly HP Handheld Club:their archive/library?
by Jeffrey Jonas 23 Dec '17

23 Dec '17

The Philadelphia Area HP Handheld Group were regularly at the TCF (Trenton Computer Fest) in the 80s. I have a few of their newsletters and a videotape about the HP 28C. Does anyone else have any? I found their web site http://www.pahhc.org/pahhc.htm I guess I ought to buy the PPC DVD!

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semi OT: looking for English manual for slide rule: A.W.Faber-Castell 152/81 Novo-Mentor
by Jeffrey Jonas 23 Dec '17

23 Dec '17

My A.W.Faber-Castell 152/81 Novo-Mentor slide rule came with a Swedish manual. (I bought it at a thrift shop) I'd love an English manual. Google keeps pointing me to a pay-site with no preview, so I'm unsure they really have the manual at all. Does anyone have one or know of a better source?

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] D-I-Y slide rule display case
by Jeffrey Jonas 23 Dec '17

23 Dec '17

Todd George noted > Cheap white LED strips in large quantities available via eBay! But there are several variables 1) how many emitters per inch. The more the merrier 2) what color? 2700K cool white is the most popular LED but perhaps a warm-white around 3500K would be better for those with the yellow slide rules. alternate sources: Ikea has clever LED lighting but not as many emitters per inch. Staples sometimes sells locker LED strips. Battery powered!

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Glitchwrks.com is down?
by Henry S. Courbis 23 Dec '17

23 Dec '17

Jonathan! Sites down I believe. http://www.glitchwrks.com PS - I have some proto card for you. :-) Henry S. Courbis Office Toll Free: (800) REACTIVE (732-2848) Office/Mobile Direct: (856) 779-1900 www.ReActiveMicro.com <http://www.ReactiveMicro.com> - Sales, Support, and News, Our Headquarters on the Internet ReActiveMicro.com/wiki - Support, Software, Manuals, and History. Create your own page today! Facebook.com/reactivemicrousa - Our Social Media Outlet and Support

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Need someone for InfoAge front desk
by Jeffrey Brace 22 Dec '17

22 Dec '17

All InfoAge groups are now required to cover the InfoAge front desk each Sunday in a rotation. It is VCF's turn. I need to be docent at VCF. I can't do both at the same time. It's a pretty simple job. I've tried for weeks to get someone to take this, but have been so far fruitless. If you are interested and available, then please e-mail me privately.

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VCF East -- May 18-20
by Evan Koblentz 22 Dec '17

22 Dec '17

VCF East will be May 18-20. Three reasons: Better weather, not too close calendar-wise to VCF SE, more planning time for us after VCF PNW. Off-campus lodging rates will likely be higher because of tourist season which official begins the following weekend, but I'd book now if I were you. Just like last year, on-campus lodging (barracks style) will be available for $25/night/person EXCLUSIVELY for exhibitors, authorized volunteers, speakers, etc. We considered adding a second day of classes (Thursday) but Infoage management said no. No other details available at this time. ________________________________ Evan Koblentz, 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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