- vcf-midatlantic - lists.vcfed.org

Thursday
by Evan Koblentz 05 Apr '16

05 Apr '16

Everyone, Jeff G. and I are meeting at the museum at 8am this Thursday. A ton of checklist items have been done in the past few weeks but there is still much more. Can anyone help? Jeff G. has to leave around 3-4 but I can stay into the evening.

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VCF-E exhibit of Ithaca Intersystems DPS-1
by Herb Johnson 05 Apr '16

05 Apr '16

http://www.retrotechnology.com/restore/ith_feb16_repairs.html I've completed hardware repairs of two S-100 DPS-1 systems from Ithaca Intersystems; and substantially completed what I might call software repairs. These are operational, running CP/M, and their repairs will be the substance of my exhibit at VCF-East. Evan, if it's reasonable, please insert the above paragraph and (at least) the Web link into my VCF-East exhibit description. Thank you. herb -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey USA http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net

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VCF-E setup schedule
by Herb Johnson 05 Apr '16

05 Apr '16

What is the schedule for exhibitors, and for vendors, to set up their spaces, before public hours? What can be set up on Friday? Also: Exhibits won't be open Friday, but will vendors (and consignment) be open for sales that day? Herb Johnson -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey USA http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net

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Univac name plate
by Evan Koblentz 04 Apr '16

04 Apr '16

Dean and I went to install the Univac CPU name plate that Corey L. rescued. As we hoped, the air vent (in which the name plates mount) from the tape drive has screw holes in the same locations as on the CPU, so I removed the vent from our spare tape drive in the warehouse. The next challenge is the remove the name plate from the vent: it's riveted on there. Jimmy J. from the train group explained to me how to grind down the rivet doughnut thingamajig using a Dremel and the right attachment. He even put some rivets in a piece of scrap wood so I have something on which to practice before doing the real one. The proper name plate has nuts on the back, so it will attach without needed to re-rivet anything. I brought home the spare vent and the correct name plate and will work on that during the week.

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museum report
by Evan Koblentz 04 Apr '16

04 Apr '16

Dean and I worked in the museum from about 10am to 5pm. A few of the microcomputer cart backdrops came down overnight. We addressed this by putting superglue between the adhesive side of the velcro and the backdrop material. Hopefully they'll still be up the next time we go there! If that still doesn't work then we will try a mechanical fix (maybe put hose clamps and/or hooks around the cart poles, or something along those lines.) You can see the wall side of the micro exhibit and its new backdrops here: http://vcfed.org/evan/backs_wall.jpg and the center aisle side here: http://vcfed.org/evan/backs_center.jpg. Remember, there are going to be signs on each unit where the rear poles extend beyond the top shelves. Per the recent discussion about terminals, we put the Televideo 750 with the Prime 6500 and a VT100 with the VAX-11/785. There wasn't room for separate tables in that area so we put the terminals on top of the computers. I'm leaning toward the idea of moving the Prime's tape drive rack and the VT100 back into storage to make room for a DECwriter next to the /785 (theory being we already have a few other tape drives and terminals in the exhibit, but nothing else like the teleprinter.) This would let us show more kinds of artifacts, which is a good thing. We reinstalled the bottom vent on another of the Prime racks. It was bent and the plastic part was badly separated from the metal frame. Tony fixed it for us a while ago. The plastic part is yellowed, but so is the one on other Prime rack next to it, so it looks like they match. :) Dean and I also did an unplanned project with the PDP-8. I was lamenting that the brown+blue table for that computer is hard to move because its legs are of questionable integrity and that it doesn't match any other furniture in the next space. Started thinking if we could replace it with a small stand made from our usual metal shelf parts. Problem was, the 8's wooden platform is way too deep for that. We called David G. to ask what's involved in separating the computer from the platform; he explained how easy it is, so we did that. We cut a piece of plywood to fit neatly between the chassis and the cart shelf because the usual shelf liner kept bubbling under the 8's adjustable feet. Now, anytime David (or whomever) needs to work on that computer, all we have to do is wheel over the cart. Of course, the 8's wooden platform is historic! We decided to mount it on the wall above the ASR-'33 next to the 8 itself. The platform is light, so we drilled a small hole in the center (it'll be covered) and hung it with a lag bolt and washer into a stud. We will put a sign explaining the RESISTORS in the center of the platform (covering the bolt head) and leaving all the RESISTORS alumni signatures visible around the edges. This was a fun project. See the picture here: http://vcfed.org/evan/kagan_close.jpg and see how it greets visitors in the transition from mainframes to minis here: http://vcfed.org/evan/kagan_far.jpg. At first we were reluctant to drill a hole in the platform; in retrospect we could have put a hook on the back and hung it like a picture. But this worked out fine, didn't hurt anything, and the platform is very secure. Another thing we did today, but there's a lot more of it to do, is clean computers using a variety of baby wipes, goo gone, and that sort of thing. Dean attended Corey C.'s computer cleaning lesson at the VCF East last year and put those skills to good use! I started zip-tying loose cords to the back of the micro carts but ran out of time.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] museum report
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 04 Apr '16

04 Apr '16

Jonathan Gevaryahu via vcf-midatlantic writes: >On 4/4/2016 8:42 AM, Brian Schenkenberger via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > A >DECwriter LA-120 would have been the more appropriate 'console' for > >a/any VAX-11/78x with wide paper. I have a fine speciment of an LA-120 > >if you're interested for VCF. What rom revision does your LA120 have in >it? (i.e. what 23-xxxxx numbers on the chips?) I'm hunting for the >'older' LA120 ROM set, which was on 5 chips (all 2316 mask roms). I have >a good copy of the 'newer' ROM set on 2 chips (one 24-pin 2364, and one >2316). I have one logic board out at the moment. It has 23007E2 and 23038E4 on its chips. I need to run out to ship out an RMA. If I get a chance to, I'll check the chips on the board of the LA-120 I use most of the time.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] museum report
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 04 Apr '16

04 Apr '16

Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic writes: >Dean and I worked in the museum from about 10am to 5pm. > >A few of the microcomputer cart backdrops came down overnight. We >addressed this by putting superglue between the adhesive side of the >velcro and the backdrop material. Hopefully they'll still be up the next >time we go there! If that still doesn't work then we will try a >mechanical fix (maybe put hose clamps and/or hooks around the cart >poles, or something along those lines.) You can see the wall side of the >micro exhibit and its new backdrops here: >http://vcfed.org/evan/backs_wall.jpg and the center aisle side here: >http://vcfed.org/evan/backs_center.jpg. Remember, there are going to be >signs on each unit where the rear poles extend beyond the top shelves. > >Per the recent discussion about terminals, we put the Televideo 750 with >the Prime 6500 and a VT100 with the VAX-11/785. There wasn't room for >separate tables in that area so we put the terminals on top of the >computers. A DECwriter LA-120 would have been the more appropriate 'console' for a/any VAX-11/78x with wide paper. I have a fine speciment of an LA-120 ir you're interested for VCF.

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Next up: more cleaning!!!
by Evan Koblentz 04 Apr '16

04 Apr '16

I know we won't get ** everything ** done by VCF East, but we can try! I'd like take another museum day this week (maybe Wednesday or Thursday) and of course this weekend again. The weekday edition should be 100% for cleaning: use those baby wipes (etc.) on ALL computers, dust all the window frames/sills, dust all the blinds, mop the floor .... none of this will be any fun, but the results will be great!

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Museum report
by Evan Koblentz 03 Apr '16

03 Apr '16

Sorry for the late and picture-less report. Mouse and I got to the museum around 11am today. Jeff J. came over in the afternoon and we all worked until early evening. Today's major accomplishment was installing decorative backings on all the microcomputer shelving carts. We also painted over some ugly spots on both of the black wooden display cases, added an industrial power strip to the workbench, did more cleaning (that never ends!), and so on.... Tomorrow it'll be Dean and I. Lots of detail tasks are on the list, such as (still more) cleaning, bringing the much-discussed terminals into the minicomputer display, doing some re-cabling, sprucing up the UNIVAC exhibit, etc......

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Which terminal for Prime 6550?
by Evan Koblentz 02 Apr '16

02 Apr '16

As discussed the other day: we'll use a Tektronix terminal with the DG Eclipse and an ADM-3A with the hobby systems. PDP-8 gets an ASR-33. That leaves the Prime 6550 (and also the PDP-11/785, but that one is easy because we have a selection of DEC terminals). So... which terminal (that we might have) is the best choice for the Prime?

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Prime 6550
by Ian Primus 02 Apr '16

02 Apr '16

With all this talk of a terminal for the Prime, does this mean you think you'll get it to the point where we can *run* the 6550? I've been offering to fix it up and get it in running condition for years, but that's never been an option due to lack of power for it. I mean, I know these machines very well, and I have all the service manuals, the operating system tapes and the spare parts. Getting it running is very doable. Problem is, that thing needs three phase in it's factory configuration. I can rewire it to run on anything (240 or 110), but you still need a *lot* of current, and that's historically been a problem for InfoAge, especially considering the problems I had just powering my little Prime 4450 when I've brought it to VCF. -Ian

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Which terminal for Prime 6550?
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 02 Apr '16

02 Apr '16

Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic writes: >As discussed the other day: we'll use a Tektronix terminal with the DG >Ec= lipse and an ADM-3A with the hobby systems. PDP-8 gets an ASR-33. >That le= aves the Prime 6550 (and also the PDP-11/785, but that one is >easy becaus= e we have a selection of DEC terminals). So... which >terminal (that we mi= ght have) is the best choice for the Prime? More April Fools?

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Which terminal for Prime 6550?
by Mike Loewen 02 Apr '16

02 Apr '16

>> the last thing that you would use on a 6550 would be a genuine DEC >> terminal > > What DO we use? Try a PT250: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Terminal-prime-pt250.jpg Mike Loewen mloewen(a)cpumagic.scol.pa.us Old Technology http://q7.neurotica.com/Oldtech/

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] More museum reconfiguration
by Christian Liendo 02 Apr '16

02 Apr '16

Personally I think we should find all the episodes from the TV show "Wiz Kids" and do a 24hr Wiz Kid marathon. Granted there are only eighteen 60min episodes.

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Press / social media for VCF East
by Evan Koblentz 01 Apr '16

01 Apr '16

Our friends at Hackaday are sponsoring the eight-bit game programming hackathon. They wrote the first of several articles yesterday: http://hackaday.com/2016/03/31/hackaday-teams-with-vintage-computer-festiva… IEEE Spectrum is sending a reporter and photographer to the show. We've already been publicized on the Facebook/Twitter accounts of the ACM and of the IEEE History Center. Next week we'll be on the CSTA blog + social media (Computer Science Teachers Association). InfoAge sent out an announcement on their Constant Contact account recently. We have our own Constant Contact account and sent an announcement about two weeks ago. That was before Ted Nelson signed up, and there are other new details to share (more exhibits, class schedule, sponsors, etc.) so we'll send another blast soon... maybe tonight. I'm going to contact the Press of Atlantic City (daily paper there) and tell them the story of how, 40 years ago this summer, Apple made its public debut in their town... and that anyone can drive one hour north to see Apple history at our show/museum.

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Teletype Class Friday
by william degnan 01 Apr '16

01 Apr '16

Anyone planning on attending the Teletype session on Friday? If so, perhaps one or two of you would like to bring in your Teletype (ASR 33), working or no, so that we can use it as a hands-on demo of restoration and use techniques. At a minimum we can restore the print hammer head and/or lube the machine parts. If you bring a TTY, please clean it of debris/vacuum Bill -- @ BillDeg: Web: vintagecomputer.net Twitter: @billdeg <https://twitter.com/billdeg> Youtube: @billdeg <https://www.youtube.com/user/billdeg> Unauthorized Bio <http://www.vintagecomputer.net/readme.cfm>

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museum opening
by Herb Johnson 01 Apr '16

01 Apr '16

Degnan posted, and others agreed: >> Thought - might not be good to have a formal workshop, but it does >> make sense that our club show up in force to help out, >> show our colors regardless of what we do, and if >> that means some make on the spot repairs...be prepared.. This is what I posted previously - attend the event, demonstrate some repair work - so I agree too. I also suggested showing items that day, relevant to the other museums in the building. herb -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey USA http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Ding ding ding! :)
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 01 Apr '16

01 Apr '16

Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic writes: >>> Count me out. I thought the idea was to educate and..... > >Every year someone takes the bait. :) > >Happy April 1st everyone. I didn't realize it was April 1. It's just another day of slavin' for the gv't to me.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] More museum reconfiguration
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 01 Apr '16

01 Apr '16

Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic writes: >Been thinking about what the public museum visitors really care about. >Ma= ybe instead of showing so much obscure stuff, we should just have >substan= tial exhibits about videogames, Windows, iPhone, and stuff like >that. Count me out. I thought the idea was to educate and, perhaps, enlighten the public about the history and roots of computing. If it's video games they're wanting, send them to the boardwalk arcades. If it's iPHone, send them up to the Apple Store at the Freehold Raceway Mall. If it's WEENDOZE, why? That's just my not to humble opinion!

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Ode to Microsoft
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 01 Apr '16

01 Apr '16

Tony Bogan via vcf-midatlantic writes: >> On Apr 1, 2016, at 10:31 AM, Neil Cherry via vcf-midatlantic ><vcf-midatlan= tic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: >=20 > In >the spirit of our new direction I thought a poem in order: >=20 > Ode to >Microsoft >=20 > Oh, $#!7, need to reboot. >=20 > >I think a Windows shrine is a great idea! Use the big screen monitor you Like this one is perfect! http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/27/OuthousePutnamCottageGre…

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] More museum reconfiguration
by Matt Mikolay 01 Apr '16

01 Apr '16

> The museum should focus on amassing a complete > collection of AOL CDs. Cover a wall with them. That's already Jason Scott's job, let's not step on his toes here. http://ascii.textfiles.com/archives/4624

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Ode to Microsoft
by Neil Cherry 01 Apr '16

01 Apr '16

In the spirit of our new direction I thought a poem in order: Ode to Microsoft Oh, $#!7, need to reboot. -- 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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More museum reconfiguration
by Evan Koblentz 01 Apr '16

01 Apr '16

Been thinking about what the public museum visitors really care about. Maybe instead of showing so much obscure stuff, we should just have substantial exhibits about videogames, Windows, iPhone, and stuff like that.

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OT - Cool New Arduino Compatible Kickstarter
by Chris Fala 01 Apr '16

01 Apr '16

A little bit expensive but very interesting. I just backed it. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/795510755/apollo-arduino-compatible-tr…

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] train service to VCF-East
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 01 Apr '16

01 Apr '16

Ray Sills via vcf-midatlantic writes: > >> On Mar 30, 2016, at 7:18 PM, David Riley via vcf-midatlantic = ><vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: >=20 > On >Mar 30, 2016, at 14:25, Brian Schenkenberger via vcf-midatlantic = ><vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: >> The >added benefit, no forced donation to >> Uncle Sam via tolls! >=20 > >Well, again, most routes into Philly from 295 involve a bridge, and = >those usually have tolls in the westbound direction. For example, the = >only toll I pay is when coming back home over the Whitman bridge. Is = >there a way to avoid that of which I am unaware? >=20 > Another nice >bonus of that route is that 295 and 195 are both usually = very >pleasant, sparsely populated drives. >=20 >=20 > - Dave > >Hi Dave: > >If you drive from Wall Twp. westward on I-195, you can connect with NJ = >route 29. Route 29 connects to I-95 (the =E2=80=9Creal=E2=80=9D I-95, = >not the NJTP) near Yardley, PA. You can cross the Delaware River at the >= Scudder Falls Bridge, which has no toll=E2=80=A6 (at least for now). >= You can also get on to I-295 (north.. west..) which becomes I-95 after >= it crosses over US-1 near Lawrenceville. Since, the later route is on >= an interstate road, the traffic might move a little more quickly, but >it = would be longer. Consult your GPS, and choose a no-toll route. Didn't I say that yesterday? I-95/I-195. No tolls! I-95 goes direct to PHL too for those that might be flying in/out. It's fast too save for during the rush hour but then, what route isn't? Typically, there's some conjestion due to perpertual I-95 construction circa the Vine Street Expressway up to around Girard Ave. interchanges. So, go have a cheesesteak and a beer, and wait out the end of rush hour. Gino's, Pat's and Jimmy's aren't far off I-95, and the Reading Terminal Market is also an interesting experience not far off I-95 as well.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] train service to VCF-East
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 01 Apr '16

01 Apr '16

Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic writes: >No William! Not all the way to NYC! From Philly I have taken the train >when I attended Drexel University in Philadelphia and took this route >for years. You have to take three trains. The SEPTA - R6 from 30th >street station to Trenton, then switch trains to the NJ Transit - >Northeast Corridor line to Rahway. Then take the NJ Transit - North >Jersey Coast Line to Belmar. The whole trip is about 3 to 3 and 1/2 >hours. Maybe more depending on schedule. The problem is that there isn't >good east to west trains as seen by this map: >https://www.njtransit.com/sf/sf_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=TrainSchedulesMap…. >From PHL, best bet is to hire a car. Then take I-95 north and pick up I-195 east to Rt-18. There NO TOLL on any of that route. It's, essentially, how I go to and from Philly and PHL, and Jackson. Why spent countless hours riding a train to nowhere and standing on sidings awaiting another? Trains are fine in the UK and .EU -- I have ridden them often when on the eastern side of the Atlantic swamp -- but there's just no comparable equivalent when here in the states. I-95 to I-195 is about as direct as one can get and it'll keep folks from getting lost on the roadways. The added benefit, no forced donation to Uncle Sam via tolls!

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Ooooooh lookie
by Evan Koblentz 31 Mar '16

31 Mar '16

Rumor has it there will be some very exotic microcomputer stuff on display in our group's official booth during VCF East April 15-17. As in, early/mid-1970s uber-rare coveted stuff. Yes I am being cryptic. :)

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May 14 -- New museum open house
by Herb Johnson 31 Mar '16

31 Mar '16

> InfoAge is hosting an open house / grand opening event on Saturday, May > 14 from 1pm-5pm. that houses our museum....I hear there's going > to be a party atmosphere -- food, drink, etc. > > ... I propose that we have > our next repair workshop coinciding with this event. It > would be very good of us InfoAge-citizen-wise if lots > of us show up that Saturday... You put this as a proposal, so it's a request for comments. I recommend against this proposal, to link a repair workshop with the grand opening event. The point of a repair workshop is to work, on repair. This Saturday event would eat up almost all of Saturday, in preparation and the event itself. But I may attend the grand opening, as you said that's supportive of InfoAge. You might consider some other specific VCFed museum activity that would coincide with and support the opening event. A demonstration of repair for instance - like straightforward repair of common vintage computers, that's something you'd not demonstrate during regular museum operation. As it's a month after the VCF-E re-opening of the museum, it's not reasonable to make a special exhibit. But it's possible there's some "crossover" items you could show, related to other InfoAge groups. For instance, radio amateur's early use of microcomputers for networking, repeaters, Morse code. I have some artifacts of that sort I could lend. Also you might make a poster showing "before" and "after" to make the point about VCFed use of the new building. So I've made positive counter-proposals, about your proposal to support the InfoAge open house. Herb Johnson -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey USA http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net

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museum opening
by william degnan 31 Mar '16

31 Mar '16

Thought - might not be good to have a formal workshop, but it does make sense that our club show up in force to help out, show our colors regardless of what we do, and if that means some make on the spot repairs in response to a specific issue that comes up, it's good that we come prepared just in case. Bill -- @ BillDeg: Web: vintagecomputer.net Twitter: @billdeg <https://twitter.com/billdeg> Youtube: @billdeg <https://www.youtube.com/user/billdeg> Unauthorized Bio <http://www.vintagecomputer.net/readme.cfm>

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Needed: Amstrad PPC 640 system disk
by Evan Koblentz 31 Mar '16

31 Mar '16

Can someone find the disk image online and make us a 3.5 floppy version?

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] train service to VCF-East
by Devin Heitmueller 31 Mar '16

31 Mar '16

On Thu, Mar 31, 2016 at 11:40 AM, Ken via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: > At 3/30/2016 02:21 PM, William Dudley via vcf-midatlantic wrote: >>> In theory, one could take one's bicycle on the train, and bicycle the 3 or 4 >>> miles from the station to VCF. > At 3/30/2016 02:22 PM, Christian Liendo via vcf-midatlantic wrote: >>I walked it once, seriously take a cab.. > > I've walked it two or three times, after the NJ Transit train from NYC, and it was a really nice walk, along the water and then through nice neighborhoods. Walked it back from InfoAge at night once, too. Rolling a suitcase behind me the whole time. If you're used to walking, it's great. Just look up the distance ahead of time so you know what you're getting into. > > I always wanted to try taking a bike on the train, but never made it happen. I remember it being a "bike allowed" route, but can't speak from experience on that. Regarding bringing bikes onto NJ transit: It's technically only allowed if you are stopping at a station that has a dedicated platform level with the train. For Belmar you are expected to go down steps, and hence you're not allowed to exit with a bike at that stop. The closest station that exits at a platform is Asbury Park. I would have assumed this would be the sort of thing conductors would turn a blind eye to (after all, what's the real harm of bringing a bike down three steps?), but I actually witnessed a physical altercation between the conductor and a rider trying to get off at Belmar with a bike, so at least in some cases they take it *very* seriously. Devin -- Devin J. Heitmueller http://www.devinheitmueller.com

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] train service to VCF-East
by Ken 31 Mar '16

31 Mar '16

At 3/30/2016 02:21 PM, William Dudley via vcf-midatlantic wrote: >> In theory, one could take one's bicycle on the train, and bicycle the 3 or 4 >> miles from the station to VCF. At 3/30/2016 02:22 PM, Christian Liendo via vcf-midatlantic wrote: >I walked it once, seriously take a cab.. I've walked it two or three times, after the NJ Transit train from NYC, and it was a really nice walk, along the water and then through nice neighborhoods. Walked it back from InfoAge at night once, too. Rolling a suitcase behind me the whole time. If you're used to walking, it's great. Just look up the distance ahead of time so you know what you're getting into. I always wanted to try taking a bike on the train, but never made it happen. I remember it being a "bike allowed" route, but can't speak from experience on that. - Ken

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museum report
by Evan Koblentz 31 Mar '16

31 Mar '16

Jeff G. and I worked in the museum today from 8am-3pm. Jeff B. joined me for more work from 5pm-9pm. In the daytime slot, we installed the large monitor donated by David G. last year. It is 50" (horizontally) and works great. We put a shelf under it (great place for a videogame console to keep us entertained between museum visitors!) along with two shelves on the opposite side of the bench (with room for more shelves later if needed). We also did some set-up with the Prime 6550, added a handle (kind of silly-looking, but it works!) to the PDP-11/785, set up most of the office PC, and finished cabling the microcomputers. We also did some clean-up work. In the evening, we did a bunch more cleanup, rebuilt some of the outdoor signs for VCF East, and tested the Amstrad PPC 640 (it works but we need a system disk). Also, we got two more industrial-strength long power strips from Steve A., so now there are two on each side of the microcomputer aisle. That means nothing is daisy-chained, unlike in our old rooms. We just need one more for the workbench. Corey's picking that up in the next few days. Here are some pictures: http://vcfed.org/evan/screen.jpg (pipe on the right side is in front of a speaker, not the screen itself) http://vcfed.org/evan/powerpole.jpg (this is the new power pole on its own own 20A circuit for the center aisle of microcomputers, it has four outlets on the side, and next time we'll paint the wooden block underneath it to match the floor) http://vcfed.org/evan/handle.jpg (new handle -- also a new lock) http://vcfed.org/evan/galinat.jpg (kudos to Jeff G. for making a lot of long trips to the museum and doing tons of manual labor for us lately) http://vcfed.org/evan/protect.jpg (step away from the blue box...) http://vcfed.org/evan/allbench.jpg (new shelves on left, new shelf under TV too) http://vcfed.org/evan/twoshelves.jpg (room for expansion) http://vcfed.org/evan/oneshelf.jpg (let the Pong commence) Back at it this weekend! Need to set up another computer or two, put the decorative backings on all the microcomputer shelving units, start making the signs, do more cleaning, and who knows what else.

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May 14 -- New museum open house
by Evan Koblentz 31 Mar '16

31 Mar '16

InfoAge is hosting an open house / grand opening event on Saturday, May 14 from 1pm-5pm. This is for building 9010-A which houses our museum, the model trains group, an event room, the surfer group, some radio club stuff, and possibly a wireless operators' group of some kind. From what I hear there's going to be a party atmosphere -- food, drink, etc. Depending on other stuff in the InfoAge calendar, I propose that we have our next repair workshop coinciding with this event. It would be very good of us InfoAge-citizen-wise if lots of us show up that Saturday, so let's stay that night and Sunday to work on stuff.

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train service to VCF-East
by Herb Johnson 30 Mar '16

30 Mar '16

A European colleague of mine, wants to attend VCF-East from New York City. Their obvious question is, "what trains do I catch?" as trains are normal means for European travel. Also, frankly, the cost of car rental and tolls makes train travel a better deal for travelers. I'm aware the nearest train station is several miles from InfoAge. I don't expect VCF to provide pickup/dropoff. But this is an old question and should have a stock answer now. Please describe the nearest train station to the event, and what likely trains from NYC (optional Phila) would be reasonable to take, and a Web link to schedules. Again, I assume this is old information and not that hard to verify; and would be useful to other VCF-East attendees. I don't use the trains, so I don't know. Herb Johnson -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey USA http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] train service to VCF-East
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 30 Mar '16

30 Mar '16

Christian Liendo via vcf-midatlantic writes: >> In theory, one could take one's bicycle on the train, and bicycle the >3 or 4 > miles from the station to VCF. > >I walked it once, seriously take a cab.. That'll save us all from having to smell them after that bike trek. ;)

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Which terminal for DG Eclipse?
by Evan Koblentz 30 Mar '16

30 Mar '16

Looking to put a terminal next to our DG Eclipse. Which one?

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Wanted: TRS-80 Model 4P Lid/Cover
by Todd George 30 Mar '16

30 Mar '16

So I found a 4P. It met almost all of my criteria. Sadly it is missing the cover/lid. There are two styles of lid, I need the plastic latch version, not the metal Frankenstein's neck bolt style. I know it's a long shot, but if anyone has one in any condition (yellowed, broken, cracked would be OK!) please contact me off-list. I would also consider purchasing a "for parts" machine. I don't think the lids are marked as to what they belong to. If they are, it's not overly apparent. So if you have one kicking around I would think it's possible to not even know what it goes with. Thanks! -Todd

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Project: Core Memory for S-100 -- Ferroelectric RAM
by Systems Glitch 29 Mar '16

29 Mar '16

VC Forums thread: http://www.vcfed.org/forum/showthread.php?51961-Project-Core-Memory-for-S-1… Full writeup: http://www.glitchwrks.com/2016/03/29/ferroelectric-ram-part-1 Finally finished my prototype, and it works! Basically it's core on silicon, for S-100. Load BASIC from paper tape, power cycle, and jump right back into BASIC. I'm probably going to do some more testing on it (I still have to implement PROT/UNPROT functionality) and then I'll probably lay out a production PC board. Thanks, Jonathan

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tomorrow afternoon @ museum
by Evan Koblentz 29 Mar '16

29 Mar '16

Is anyone available to help me at the museum tomorrow afternoon from about 1pm-early evening?

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Tech art show during VCF East
by Evan Koblentz 29 Mar '16

29 Mar '16

There is an art group based at InfoAge. They often put on exhibits and help during IA events and other group's events. They're having a digital art show in the room next to the hackerspace (same room aka "Telecom Building" where we'll have some Friday classes). Details are on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1734354370185145/

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VCF Southeast
by Evan Koblentz 29 Mar '16

29 Mar '16

I know Brian Stuart is going to VCF Southeast this weekend. Anyone else?

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VCF East flyer
by Evan Koblentz 29 Mar '16

29 Mar '16

A few people asked for a traditional flyer for VCF East. 'Tis here: http://vcfed.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/eastxiflyer.pdf

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8 bit ethernet card for thinnet and AUI
by Joe Herdler 29 Mar '16

29 Mar '16

Hi, I lurk on this list every day, but seldom post. Today I will. I am looking for a few things. Of course there is E-pay, but I thought I would try here first. I need an 8 bit Ethernet card with an AUI connector to connect it to a transmitter. Also will need a driver for it. Believe it or not, this old machine still has a legitimate use as a data collector. Next, I am looking for an inexpensive 8086 machine. I would love a Leading Edge Model D86, but those are rare as hen's teeth. Any brand will do, just want it to work. Finally, a green or amber RS-232 monitor. I am running a Nuclear Data (now Canberra) gamma spectroscopy NIM BIN system, and need a monitor to control the unit's internals. Thank you so much! If anyone has some or all of this for sale, please let me know. Best, Joe Consciousness affects the medium. Think happy, be happy, and happiness will follow you.

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WANTED FOR BORROWING: 1702 Monitors, C64s
by Jeffrey Brace 29 Mar '16

29 Mar '16

As of now I am looking to borrow 3 1702 monitors. I'm still researching if I can get 1084s work with C64. I also need (as of now) 6 C64s. I'm looking to fix some of my C64 as well as use the C64C models instead. Anyone have any that I can borrow for VCF?

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Video - Connor's SHARE speech
by Evan Koblentz 28 Mar '16

28 Mar '16

Video of Connor's talk from SHARE is now available. Connor: fantastic job!! Very informative, funny, and you'll probably get some leads about equipment and/or summer jobs. https://youtu.be/45X4VP8CGtk

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Wanted to borrow: CRT TVs for VCF exhibit...
by Ian Primus 28 Mar '16

28 Mar '16

Hey, Bill, just saw this message - I should be able to help you out. I have... many several TVs - I bring them to video gaming events - http://imgur.com/a/J7Td8 - so I should have whatever you need. When you say a "couple" how many are you looking for? 2? 3? 23? Similarly, if anyone has any TVs they're looking to be rid of, I'm always on the hunt for any I can get my hands on - or composite video monitors. -Ian On Fri, Mar 18, 2016 at 10:59 AM, Bill Sudbrink via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: > Hi all, > > Dazzler output looks much nicer on a CRT than on an > LCD display. Does anyone have a couple of mid size > (18-20 inches) TVs with composite input that I could > borrow for VCF? If worse comes to worse, I'll probably > do what I did last time and grab a couple off of > Freecycle and then recycle them after the show. It > does really cramp my Mini-Cooper, resulting in a few > new scratches in my IMSAI lid the last time. > > Thanks, > Bill S. > > >

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Help needed: PS/2 or a clone
by Evan Koblentz 28 Mar '16

28 Mar '16

Adam and I attempted to set up a computer for the Win 3.1 museum exhibit. It didn't go so well... We tested a clone 386 (one that was in our warehouse expressly for this purpose) but its HDD was DOA. Then we tested half a dozen variants of IBM PS/2. Only one of them had a working HDD, but it's an 8086 which is below the 3.1 minimum specifications. We could not put that drive into the clone 386 because the drive uses an ESDI connecter. We probably have a suitable drive in the warehouse, but it was taking too much time -- we cant stop to restore a machine with the big show looming. There is no time between now and then (museum beta opening) for us to spend time gathering the right parts and all. Can someone loan us a ready-to-go 286 or 386 with 3.1 already installed and tested? We'll put it in the museum for the show weekend and then we will determine a museum-owned solution later.

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FS: B&K 3010 Function Generator TESTED/WORKING
by Systems Glitch 28 Mar '16

28 Mar '16

link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/272190902628 Tested/working, went through all three functions and all frequency ranges. This one uses the old pre-IEC 3-conductor round pin power cable (common on adding machines and some early computers), which IS included. The oscilloscope shown in some of the pictures is not included :) I can bring it to VCF East free-of-charge if you'd like to save on shipping. Thanks, Jonathan

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apple //e for sale (not mine)
by Evan Koblentz 28 Mar '16

28 Mar '16

Steve L. in Long Island (said he frequently travels to NJ and NYC) is looking to sell a //e (possibly several). Contact him at ludsin(a)gmail.com.

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