- vcf-midatlantic - lists.vcfed.org

Game programming contest during Friday VCF East classes
by Evan Koblentz 17 Mar '16

17 Mar '16

Everyone, The game programming hackathon is ON thanks to Hackaday sponsoring it. There will be three 8-bit computers set up during the Friday classes. Two shifts -- 10:00am-12:30pm and 2:30pm-5:00pm. Contestants can use ONLY what's built into the computer. Nobody is allowed to bring code or books. (We'll supply a reference guide for each machine.) I'm sure some of you will complain that nothing good can be programmed in just 2.5 hours. This contest isn't for you. :) It's for adventurous people who like the challenge of a hackathon and who want bragging rights from victory! Of course, there will be a prize. Extra points for cleverness, entertainment value, stupidity, funny bugs, etc.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Our new toys :)
by Evan Koblentz 17 Mar '16

17 Mar '16

>> It's an original. >> >> A recycling company, in the same area as where our UNIVAC came from, >> just happened to have all the same parts that ours is missing. That >> makes me very angry, because it probably means someone took the parts >> before we got to it and then flipped them for money. Further, when we >> approached the recycler with our story -- we're a museum, blah blah >> blah >> -- they basically said, "Tough (bleep), you want it, you pay our retail >> price for it." We told them NO and figured we could probably get a >> reproduction. Later, Corey L. took it upon himself to buy the faceplate >> so he could donate it to us. :) Now our Univac won't have an identity >> crisis every time it looks in the mirror. > > Arg. Well, thanks for the story. Is there a list somewhere of > what they have for sale/what "ours" needs? The only thing they had that we were "forced" to buy was the core memory, because we can't get that anywhere else. So we took a deep breath and bought it. They had some other pieces but they no longer do. We're very grateful that Corey L. bought the nameplate and made the donation to us, however, my general opinion of the recycling company that did this is... unfit to print.

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Stupid ebay ad of the day
by Evan Koblentz 17 Mar '16

17 Mar '16

Someone's asking $3,700 for an ordinary Apple //e. http://m.ebay.com/itm/Apple-IIe-computer-GREAT-Condition-/291686705122?nav=…

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Aarrgh! Last email was private
by Evan Koblentz 16 Mar '16

16 Mar '16

Very sorry, everyone -- last email was meant for VCF officers list. Please erase it.

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Our new toys :)
by Evan Koblentz 16 Mar '16

16 Mar '16

Two new toys arrived today. Our banner: http://vcfed.org/evan/banner.jpg Nameplate for the Univac (special thanks to Corey L.): http://vcfed.org/evan/1219face.jpg

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Our new toys :)
by Evan Koblentz 16 Mar '16

16 Mar '16

>> Nameplate for the Univac (special thanks to Corey L.): >> http://vcfed.org/evan/1219face.jpg > > I seem to have missed the beginning of this so sorry if > it was already answered but, is that an original or a > reproduction? Most of the appearance suggests original > but the "1219" looks polished and new. It's an original. A recycling company, in the same area as where our UNIVAC came from, just happened to have all the same parts that ours is missing. That makes me very angry, because it probably means someone took the parts before we got to it and then flipped them for money. Further, when we approached the recycler with our story -- we're a museum, blah blah blah -- they basically said, "Tough (bleep), you want it, you pay our retail price for it." We told them NO and figured we could probably get a reproduction. Later, Corey L. took it upon himself to buy the faceplate so he could donate it to us. :) Now our Univac won't have an identity crisis every time it looks in the mirror.

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(Delayed) pictures from yesterday
by Evan Koblentz 16 Mar '16

16 Mar '16

Here are some pictures of the back half of the new room, in which you can see how the microcomputer exhibit is shaping up: http://vcfed.org/evan/long1.jpg http://vcfed.org/evan/long2.jpg There's a lot more work to do. For example, each station will get a backdrop, so visitors (and their pictures!) are not distracted by artifacts/walls behind the units. We determined that the most affordable way to do this is to use bolts of fabric. A bolt is a yard wide (same as each unit), up to 10 yards long, and can be purchased in almost any color. I called the fabric store and found out they'll even cut an entire bolt into a zillion slices for us. If we get them cut into 6-ft. lengths (same height as each shelving unit, then we can just attach them to the back of each unit, it makes a nice backdrop, and it's completely mobile with the unit itself. The question is, what color should be get? Beige? Off-white? Light gray? Light/medium blue? Note: In the second picture, the iMac + late-90s internet appliances are not part of the micro exhibit; they're part of the modern history exhibit. Will pick up some dark green fabric for its background so it matches the green wall across from it (shown in earlier pictures).

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] (Delayed) pictures from yesterday
by Brian L. Stuart 15 Mar '16

15 Mar '16

> I would advise caution in the selection of material. If you get something > relatively fine-woven it will be a lot less likely to collect dust, though > relative immunity from static buildup helps there too (and is probably a > good idea anyway, considering the nature of the collection, heh!) I'd also suggest getting a sample and doing some test photography with it. There are some fabrics that flashes go through in such a way that the fabric almost becomes transparent. The photograph of me receiving my bachelor's degree has a really bizzare effect from the cheap rental robe where it appears you can see right through my leg. BLS

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VCF East - sponsors sought
by Evan Koblentz 15 Mar '16

15 Mar '16

Guys, We need more business sponsors for VCF East. If anyone has a specific lead (not a hypothetical one), then please contact me privately. - Evan

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This just in -- Ted Nelson @ VCF East, take two
by Evan Koblentz 15 Mar '16

15 Mar '16

Ted Nelson agreed to be our Sunday morning speaker.

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microvax3100.vintagecomputer.net up today
by william degnan 15 Mar '16

15 Mar '16

microvax3100.vintagecomputer.net is up today, contact me privately if you'd like a user account. I ordered more cables to expand the cluster (to two) using DecNet, but right now it's just stand-alone and available by TCP/IP only email is system(a)microvax3100.vintagecomputer.net, you can telnet to access other services. VMS 5.2 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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microvax3100.vintagecomputer.net
by william degnan 14 Mar '16

14 Mar '16

Hi all...I have microvax3100.vintagecomputer.net up and running today if any club members want to ping, telnet, or email to system(a)microvax3100.vintagecomputer.net. contact me privately for telnet credentials. This weekend I installed MULTINET v 4.1. (VMS 5.3) with the help of Peter Coughlan who helped me locate an install file for multinet. Next I need to pick up another ethernet converter box (CentRECOM 210T) so I can cluster two vax machines. fun. 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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ISO: Bytek S-10 EPROM Programmer Manual
by Systems Glitch 14 Mar '16

14 Mar '16

Anyone have the manual for a Bytek S-10 standalone EPROM programmer? I just finished repairing the power supply in one, it appears to be functional now, but I don't have the manual. It requires numerical device codes to select your EPROM type. If anyone has it but only in paper form, I'd be happy to pay shipping both ways and scan it with my ADF scanner. Even a list of device numbers would be super helpful! Thanks, Jonathan

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examples of non-crystal based clocks in digital computing?
by Herb Johnson 14 Mar '16

14 Mar '16

> Ben Greenfield posted: > > I have one simple specific question, without a simple answer > and general call for examples. > > I’m researching timing clocks used in general purpose digital > computing. I’m starting to think that Ace/Pilot Ace by Alan Turing > is the start of clock based general purpose computers. I’m starting > to conclude the earlier computers were all basically clocked > by the media holding the instructions. My apologies, but I'm a degreed electrical engineer, who first studied computers as digital logic devices and circuits in the mid-1970's. My response is to refute the premises. I don't think the question is simple or specific. It's kind-of specific, but "timing clocks" and "general purpose computers" are not well defined terms in very old digital computing (since Turing is mentioned). I don't think general examples covering several decades of computing will provide "simple" examples and answers. I have a tough time, figuring out pre-1970's mincomputers (much less pre-1960's mainframes) from my Intel 8080 point of view. Digital computers of decades before, say, computers built from integrated circuits, were of all kinds of designs. They are different in fundamental ways. In particular, some operate under a common timing or clock signal, some do not BUT they may have features that are repetitive. A common clock may be needed or may not. Terms like "synchronous" and "asynchronous" and "sequential", are part of the world of computing theory. Things happening one after another are sequential, but may not be synchronous. Some drum-based computers to my knowledge, included their computing registers *on the drum*. One transistor model of the 1960's I know from ownership, had several copies of its registers on the same tracks - why? For faster access. Was there also a clock signal which was ultimately tied to the drum rotation rate? Have to check the manuals, but the drum did much of the work anyway. As for "general purpose" digital computers - there were all kinds of computers several decades ago, many were specific-purpose. Maybe Ben means "programmable" computers, I dunno. I have little idea about what Ben is looking for. But that's OK, there's nothing wrong with creating some assumptions and premises about ancient computing (digital or otherwise), and seeing what one can learn based on those premises. You have to start with what you know, or think you know. I stumble over my own assumptions all the time. But in my own opinion about retrospective looks at very old computing, there's a problem when one assumes modern designs and architectures as a "standard" and then looks back to see where that "standard" fails or breaks down or when it started. For example: for some reason the thread is talking about crystal-controlled clocks versus not. The question wasn't *exact* clocking. A timing fork in a UNIVAC at 1024 Hertz, "sounds" fine to me. A tuning fork (wikipedia) varies by under 100 parts per million per degree C. But a microprocessor can use a variable clock signal from an R/C circuit and work fine. I run an 1802 microcomputer which sometimes uses an R/C circuit clocking down to audio rates - programs run just fine, not precise in time, but slow (and at very low power consumption, microwatts and milliwatts). I prefer to examine ancient computers on their own merits, look at their features on their own terms and on terms immediately contemporary to their times. As a digital engineer I can compare-and-contrast circuits and learn about benefits and limitations, but only in the context of intended use can one pass judgements. and of course, engineers (and techies) often disagree about such judgements. So: it's an interesting question, when put in a general way: what kinds of ancient (or recent) computers did not depend on a common and well-controlled clock signal to synchronize their operations? and how did some operate without it? But for all I know, Ben is asking when computers "first" used a synchronous clock signal for all its computing circuits (whatever that means). I'm not a big fan of "firsts", in any ranking something is always "first", so what? Herb Johnson vintage computing scold -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey USA http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] examples of non-crystal based clocks in digital computing?
by Brian L. Stuart 13 Mar '16

13 Mar '16

On Sun, 3/13/16, Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: >> I’m starting to conclude the earlier computers were all >> basically clocked by the media holding the instructions. Is >> this correct? > > I don’t believe so. ENIAC had a master pulse generator. > > Brian Stuart (on this list) is making his own ENIAC simulator. Thus he'll > have a mich deeper understanding than the rest of us about how the > computer really worked. To follow up on this, one of the 40 racks of the ENIAC is the cycling unit. It's heart is a 100KHz crystal oscillator, but it also has an input and selector switch to be driven from an external oscillator. Every 20 cycles of this main oscillator makes up one addition time and generates a set of 10 clocking signals that are routed around the whole machine to clock all the other units. There's a selector switch to select continuous, one pulse, and one addition modes allowing the operator to single-step either by single cycles of the main oscillator or by single sets of pulses making up one addition time. The cycling unit even has a built-in oscilloscope to display the main clock or any of the 10 signals routed around the machine. IIRC, the cycling unit is one of the units that UPenn has on display in the Moore School building. (Though I may be misremembering and it may be the initiating unit they have.) Generally, if the main storage for the machine was a drum, it made a lot of sense to put the clock on a track or two of the drum and let the drum's motor determine the basic cycle time of the machine. That way you don't have to worry about keeping the internal clock and the drum drive motor synced, and you get your main clock more or less for free. The G-15 we have in the museum works like that. For most other designs, it makes more sense to have a separate clock either based on a crystal or an R/C oscillator. Interestingly, the engineer Harry Huskey was involved with three of the machines mentioned in this discussion, the ENIAC, the Pilot ACE, and the G-15. BLS

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Sunday museum setup report
by Evan Koblentz 13 Mar '16

13 Mar '16

Adam M. and Anthony (not to be confused with Tony) helped me at the museum today. We finished putting (most of) the microcomputers onto shelves, put (most of) the leftover stuff from the old museum that made its way to the new space back into the warehouse, and purchased (most of) the stuff needed to build our workbench. In summary, we got tons of stuff done without actually getting anything "done". :) Back at it next Sunday.

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examples of non-crystal based clocks in digital computing?
by Ben Greenfield 13 Mar '16

13 Mar '16

Hey All, I have one simple specific question, without a simple answer and general call for examples. I’m researching timing clocks used in general purpose digital computing. I’m starting to think that Ace/Pilot Ace by Alan Turing is the start of clock based general purpose computers. I’m starting to conclude the earlier computers were all basically clocked by the media holding the instructions. Is this correct? I’m currently looking for examples of general purpose computers that do not use crystal based clocks. Any thoughts appreciated. Ben

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Opinions needed...
by william degnan 13 Mar '16

13 Mar '16

Wait a few weeks. I have found, believe it or not, you have a better chance to get the same selling price if you wait for the person who wins this auction to save a little money so he can buy yours too. I.e. people who pay top dollar for one rare specialized item will buy more than one if given the chance. Bill Degnan twitter: billdeg vintagecomputer.net On Mar 11, 2016 7:37 PM, "Bill Sudbrink via vcf-midatlantic" < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: > I've never sold anything on ebay in my life. I'd rather > not start now but my little "I'M RICH" comment was not > a joke. I have the same AdLib Gold 1000 card in the > original packaging just like the ebay auction. Actually, > not "just like". Mine is the pre-Windows packaging, only > differing by the absence of the "Microsoft Windows" square > in the corner of the package and fewer diskettes in the > box. I've got the user's guide, warrantee registration > card, everything. So, what to do? Should I put mine up > on ebay now and hope to get some benefit from the attention > on the current auction? Should I wait for this one to end > and hope that the "runner up bidders" will still be > interested? Is my example, not being "Microsoft Windowed", > worth more or less than the one on ebay? > > Thanks, > Bill S. > > > >

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] examples of non-crystal based clocks in digital computing?
by Duane 13 Mar '16

13 Mar '16

From: Ben Greenfield via vcf-midatlantic Sent: Sunday, March 13, 2016 5:32 AM To: vcf-midatlantic Cc: Ben Greenfield Subject: [vcf-midatlantic] examples of non-crystal based clocks in digital computing? Ben, The UNIVAC 1219B, which VCF has in its collection used a pulse circulating around a delay line to generate the master clock phases. The real time clock interrupts came from a 1024 hertz Tuning Fork Oscillator. No crystals. Duane

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] examples of non-crystal based clocks in digital computing?
by Evan Koblentz 13 Mar '16

13 Mar '16

>> I’m starting to conclude the earlier computers were all basically clocked by the media holding the instructions. Is this correct? I don’t believe so. ENIAC had a master pulse generator. Brian Stuart (on this list) is making his own ENIAC simulator. Thus he'll have a mich deeper understanding than the rest of us about how the computer really worked.

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Update - tomorrow
by Evan Koblentz 12 Mar '16

12 Mar '16

I'll be at the museum again tomorrow with Amigaphile Anthony B. to continue turning the new room into VCF Mid-Atlantic home.

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museum setup report
by Evan Koblentz 12 Mar '16

12 Mar '16

Tony, his friend Ken, Steve A., and I all worked in the new museum today. Tony and Ken painted the short wall "circuit board green" ... Home Depot says it's "sparkling emerald" or something like that, but I disagree. :) Here's a picture: http://snarc.net/wall.jpg. We removed and painted the outlet faceplates. They need another coat. We'll finish that part next time. On the way home I stopped at Home Depot again and bought black outlets to replace the beige ones. Black outlets will blend in, or least they'll look like something electrical is on the wall. Steve and I spent most of our time setting up shelving and computers in the microcomputer exhibit. Definitely not finished it finally looks like an exhibit vs. being all over the place. Here are some pictures (same side of the aisle from each end): http://snarc.net/aisle1.jpg http://snarc.net/aisle2.jpg Ken moved a set of blinds for us from one window to another, so now four of five windows behind the micro exhibit all match. We will see if InfoAge has any other blinds that also match so we can finish the job. Here's a view from the end of the day, looking into the new double doors from the hallway. Still kind of messy inside, but it's much better than last week.

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OT: Academic Article on Teaching Computers to Children
by Jeffrey Brace 12 Mar '16

12 Mar '16

While searching for academic articles for my Master's in Teaching Class: Typical and Atypical Child Development I thought was interesting because it talks about programming LOGO in the 70's and 80's to children. It goes into some history, then talks about modern walks to teach children programming. http://ase.tufts.edu/devtech/publications/JRTE-robot-hokey-pokey.pdf

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tomorrow?
by Evan Koblentz 12 Mar '16

12 Mar '16

I'd like to go back and do more work on the new museum tomorrow. Having too much fun (and there's too much to do) for me to wait a whole week. Can anyone give me a solid day of work tomorrow? Say, 10-6?

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Opinions needed...
by Bill Sudbrink 11 Mar '16

11 Mar '16

I've never sold anything on ebay in my life. I'd rather not start now but my little "I'M RICH" comment was not a joke. I have the same AdLib Gold 1000 card in the original packaging just like the ebay auction. Actually, not "just like". Mine is the pre-Windows packaging, only differing by the absence of the "Microsoft Windows" square in the corner of the package and fewer diskettes in the box. I've got the user's guide, warrantee registration card, everything. So, what to do? Should I put mine up on ebay now and hope to get some benefit from the attention on the current auction? Should I wait for this one to end and hope that the "runner up bidders" will still be interested? Is my example, not being "Microsoft Windowed", worth more or less than the one on ebay? Thanks, Bill S.

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what no minis this year?
by Herb Johnson 11 Mar '16

11 Mar '16

> Noticed there were no mini computers listed in the vcf Exhibits this year? Last year there were many minicomputers, mostly DEC; previous years had various brands of minis. It would be disappointing to me if no working minicomputers were represented this April. If their owners expected other owners to step up, it apparently hasn't happened yet. For related reasons, I deliberately chose to bring S-100 computers, because apparently they weren't represented LAST year. And for my own interests. So far the other S-100 exhibit is early Cromenco products. I'm working hard to have a Ithaca DPS-1 running; hopefully I'll have two. Running nothing fancy, I'm exhibiting the technology (8" floppy + S-100 + CP/M) and not specific applications or eye/ear attractive products (except I hope a front panel). What do I mean? What does this have to do with minicomputers? S-100 development somewhat parallels minicomputer development; and is similar to a longer period of mainframe development. There were of course dominant brands (IBM and DEC, earlier companies) but other brands had good market share and introduced innovations. Ithaca was a significant S-100 brand, the company contributed to the IEEE-696 standard. There were well over 100 S-100 brands of products, I'll call that out. The sheer size of those minicomputer systems was mentioned. Yes, it's amazing how SMALL minicomputers were, to support computing power comparable to desk and room-sized computers of years and decades prior. Replacing old slow human and mechanical calculators and accounting systems, relay-racks of mechanical control systems in factories, and other applications in business, science and industry. They provided "computing to the people" with wired or dial-up terminals and BASIC; the beginnings of the "personal" computing revolution. And in time, minicomputers and later microcomputers overwhelmed much of the "mainframe" market of use, some becoming like mainframe systems (higher-end DEC product line). And yet, even in 2015, much computing use (beyond networking, no small thing) is about one operating system running one (sometimes a few) processors, with auxiliary processors operating specific devices. Not much change from S-100 and microcomputers, or minicomputers, or mainframes with printer and drive and I/O controllers decades ago. And now? This is largely forgotten history today, in part because computing is like water to fish now, it pervades modern culture and business and science. Few examine critically the history of, say, fresh water - until they lose access to it. Then history matters, or catches up to you. Smart phones have been fee-based and service based - like minicomputer service contracts were. Bill Degnan pointed out, mobile-supporting services are as human-factors limited, as Windows 3.11/WFW was limited by display, bandwidth and processor. Looking backwards can sometimes inform you. Herb -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey USA http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] ISA Sound Card is going for $1500
by Michael Lee 11 Mar '16

11 Mar '16

On 3/11/2016 12:33 PM, Alexander via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > It starts with Windows 3.1, then they're using DOS 5, and the next thing you know, they're figuring out MFM drives on an IBM PC XT. Who knew a Gateway PC can be a gateway drug down a path of 8-bit, until next thing you know, you're looking at flipping switches on a PDP and referring to everything in octal. Yup, I've noticed this too, and honestly to keep the hobby around and maintain interest in it, there needs to be new blood and the helpful community assisting the n00bs with their MFM drives and sharing the years of experience and knowledge the elders of the hobby know. As much as you can read books on this stuff, some of it just comes down to experience. Sidenote: I still think MFM drives can be like voodoo magic. The perfect balance of the right controller, sector/cylinder/head, bad block table, formatting and sometimes a mallet to get them to behave.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] ISA Sound Card is going for $1500
by Alexander 11 Mar '16

11 Mar '16

One thing I have noticed within the younger vintage computer enthusiast crowd is that 486s and Pentium 1s are the entry level machines that capture folks' attention. Sure, some stop there and find that to be vintage enough for them, but still others delve deeper. It starts with Windows 3.1, then they're using DOS 5, and the next thing you know, they're figuring out MFM drives on an IBM PC XT. However, the early beige box is more than just a gateway (no pun intended) to the larger world of old computers that we discuss on a daily basis. It is a stepping stone that is interesting historically. But it's also highly practical in the sense that many machines of that era are repurposed as tweener machines, bridging the gap to still older machines. I'm too young to remember Commodore existing as more than just a brand name to be exchanged by other companies -- and yet my fascination with them came from somewhere. I could go on about all the subtle influences that brought me to the VCF (it's a very long story, I'll tell it to you some time) but what's important is that I got there by way of systems commonly dismissed within our circle for being too new. And I know I'm not the only one. I think it's an untapped vector (again, no pun intended) for us to help a new crowd to discover the larger body of history. -Alexander 'Z' Pierson Sent from my pocket telephone.

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ISA Sound Card is going for $1500
by Herb Johnson 11 Mar '16

11 Mar '16

> The ones who grew up on PCs and not Ataris, Commodores and Early Apples. > They are here now. They are going to want to be represented.... For those who read-by-thread, I have comments in the thread "what no minis this year?" - Herb -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey USA http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net

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ISA Sound Card is going for $1500
by Jeff 11 Mar '16

11 Mar '16

When I first joined into the "MARCH" group...I brought up the topic of the "vintage" term being a moving target as you know...time marches on ;-) A year or two ago when I brought it up it was not embraced well that beige boxen and 286s/386s would ever be considered "retro" to the group, but I'm part of that generation as many others my age are. Nostalgia for me is the little LED readout and the "Turbo" button on your beige box, or the demo scene that was carried forward from the Amiga days. To be honest, that era is just as important to computing history as any other, since it was the decade where an amazing amount of technology got developed VERY quickly - things like computer graphics and audio (demo scene, Creative Labs), video games (Doom, Wolfenstein, Quake and many others), Virtual Reality, CDROMs, BBSes (died off), AOL, Prodigy, Compuserve, and lastly the Internet all either came and went or came and stayed. Using software like Trumpet Winsock to dial your Win 3.1/95 computer into the internet was a thing! Trying to learn to network Doom ended up launching my IT career LOL. I just hope this group does embrace and move forward with the times, because the demographic is there and suddenly realizing the 90s were 20 years ago. I threw a lot of my crap away 10 years ago and kicking myself now. Jeff (aka Bags)

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] OT: LED lights
by Dan Roganti 11 Mar '16

11 Mar '16

From what I've seen only the 'dimmable' LED bulbs have RF pollution, not plain LED bulbs Dimmers in general create this problem too, even with incandescents. So even if you buy plain LED bulbs and your room is wired with a dimmer, You still have a problem - even thought the LED bulbs will not dim. Dan

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Hey look!
by Evan Koblentz 11 Mar '16

11 Mar '16

Oracle public relations came through. http://vcfed.org/evan/9710key.jpg I'll put this on my key ring so we can open the library Saturday.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] OT: LED lights
by tom.hornberger＠verizon.net 10 Mar '16

10 Mar '16

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] OT: LED lights
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 10 Mar '16

10 Mar '16

William Dudley via vcf-midatlantic writes: >My experience with LED lamps for motorcycle use is that the driver >generates RF interference that wipes out fringe FM reception on the >motorcycle. Down here in Ocean County, pretty much everything but WOBM >is fringe :-( There's nothing worthwhile on FM anymore. Go Satellite or Internet Radio!!!

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] OT: LED lights
by Dave McGuire 10 Mar '16

10 Mar '16

On 03/10/2016 01:09 PM, Bill Sudbrink via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > Dave McGuire wrote: >> No, not at all. Weak signals from other continents are often >> completely obliterated by interference from LED, CFL, and standard >> fluorescent lighting. The inverse squares law applies to the desired >> transmissions too, and they're coming from a lot farther away that >> across the street. > > Two words: > > Faraday cage > > Then we could get Tempest certified too ;-) YES!! -- Dave McGuire, AK4HZ New Kensington, PA

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] OT: LED lights
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 10 Mar '16

10 Mar '16

Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic writes: >>>>>> You want the ceiling lights to accentuate the features >>> >>> >Speaking of which: InfoAge took the cheapest/fastest route to getting a >>>> C= ertificate of Occupancy for the building, which meant ugly >>> >fluorescent li= ghts on the ceiling. :( Post-VCF season, when we >>> >(hopefully) will have m= ore money and (definitely) will have time to >>>> spend, we can look into prop= er lighting. >> >> I recently replaced >my garage/workshop fluorescent lights with LED lighting. >> They have a >similar form -- long tubes -- but they give off a much brighter >> and >whiter light. Food for thought. > > I replaced my workshop lights this >past weekend with the LED bulbs also. They weren't cheap and for the >price I don't think it was worth it. They weren't that much brighter or >whiter compared to a good bulb after a few minutes of warmup. They were >In stant on though. > > Which brand lights did you use? I know you get >what you pay for. > > I paid about $25 a bulb with tax at Home Depot. >So 50 bucks a fixture isn't cheap just for bulbs. > > Cheers, > Corey Are you guys living on EBT? $50 isn't bad and they'll last longer than the fluorescents they replace. Besides, if this is for VCFed, wouldn't they be tax deductions for operating expenses?

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] what no minis this year?
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 10 Mar '16

10 Mar '16

Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic writes: >>> I might have signed up but I can only do one day of the weekend. > >Is it Saturday? One person asked for a Sunday exhibit. I told him that's >= possible if someone else requests a Saturday exhibit. I would not lug my kit about for a single day display.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] The traces
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 10 Mar '16

10 Mar '16

Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic writes: >>> You want the ceiling lights to accentuate the features > >Speaking of which: InfoAge took the cheapest/fastest route to getting a >C= ertificate of Occupancy for the building, which meant ugly >fluorescent li= ghts on the ceiling. :( Post-VCF season, when we >(hopefully) will have m= ore money and (definitely) will have time to >spend, we can look into prop= er lighting. I recently replaced my garage/workshop fluorescent lights with LED lighting. They have a similar form -- long tubes -- but they give off a much brighter and whiter light. Food for thought.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] what no minis this year?
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 10 Mar '16

10 Mar '16

Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic writes: >>> Noticed there were no mini computers listed in the vcf Exhibits this >>> year? >> Ian, Dave? Anyone? > > I think we all got tired of >schlepping them around. :-) > >I noticed that too. > >Would be sad indeed if the show is entirely microcomputers. :( > >Ian/Dave, please come through!!!! I might have signed up but I can only do one day of the weekend.

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what no minis this year?
by william degnan 09 Mar '16

09 Mar '16

Noticed there were no mini computers listed in the vcf Exhibits this year? Ian, Dave? Anyone? -- @ 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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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] The traces
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 09 Mar '16

09 Mar '16

william degnan via vcf-midatlantic writes: >On Wed, Mar 9, 2016 at 3:08 PM, Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic < >vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: > >> Vaxman -- thank you for the idea; we might revisit it when there's >more > time post-VCF. > > For now I've gone to A.C. Moore and purchased >gold tape. It's actually a > pretty good watch for bare wire color and >has shiny (ooooh shiny) lines > down the middle. > > >I actually once painted an entire room gold, and then covered with blue >painters tape to make traces. I painted over the traces with green. >When the whole thing dried, I pulled off the tape voila a giant >room-sized circuit board. > >I ended painting over it though, long story. I don't know if I have any >photos. Fun project. > >The trick is to be sure the painter's tape is highest quality and stuck >so the paint does not bleed over the edges. That's why I mentioned 3M #2080 (blue tabe with orange labeled core). It's also got an adhesive that won't mar the paint it covers nor does it leave a residue that must be removed. *IF* a paint has excessive solvent nature, I go with automotive masking tapes but interior latex wall paint is not that type of paint.

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More Heath manuals
by Richard Cini 09 Mar '16

09 Mar '16

All — I was able to obtain a Heathkit H11-2 parallel module and manual, and the H11 system manual. Each contains the diagram booklets, which is pretty key. Both are pretty rare from what I can tell. I’ll start scanning them and will post them to my site this weekend. Rich -- Rich Cini Collector of Classic Computers Build Master and lead engineer, Altair32 Emulator http://www.classiccmp.org/cini http://www.classiccmp.org/altair32

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Modern history exhibit
by Evan Koblentz 09 Mar '16

09 Mar '16

Here's my list of everyday products that are now in your smartphone. Is the list missing anything significant? ------------------------ Camera Calendar Alarm clock Calculator Address book Dictionary Compass Notepad Radio Ipod Maps/gps Newspapers Magazines Books Flashlight Pedometer Gameboy Credit cards Photo album Telephone TV remote control Clock Stopwatch/timer TV listings TV itself Voice recorder

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The traces
by Evan Koblentz 09 Mar '16

09 Mar '16

Vaxman -- thank you for the idea; we might revisit it when there's more time post-VCF. For now I've gone to A.C. Moore and purchased gold tape. It's actually a pretty good watch for bare wire color and has shiny (ooooh shiny) lines down the middle.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Saturday
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 09 Mar '16

09 Mar '16

Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic writes: >>>>>>> Get more creative and paint copper circuit board traces too! >> >>> >> Already planning something like that. >> >> I bought a roll of >white >> duct tape. We could just put painters tape over >> = where the >traces >> should be and then remove the tape to expose the >> white w= >all >> underneath, but we don't yet know where the traces need to >> >be... >> I'll= see about figuring that our during the week. >> >> Just >like the >> terminal in our logo, the wall colors will be meant to * >> >ev= oke * a >> PCB, not be an exact image of one. > > Figure out where >the traces need >> to be, then spray a copper paint in on > the wall in >the approximate >> location (no sense wasting paint... I would > suggest >Krylon metallic >> copper) and then, using *good* painter tape -- > 3M >Painter tape for >> delicate surfaces #2080 -- lay out traces over the > >copper. Press down >> well for good adhesion. Paint over the tape with >> the green paint. >> Pull the tape BEFORE the green is completely dry >to > avoid egde >> chipping. > > #2080 is what I use on all of my rocket >paint jobs. It's >> never failed > me. Do some test runs before you >tackle the big job. ;) >> Corner round > cutter and a hole punch can >make nice and even solder >> pads too. ;) The > 3M tape comes in >various widths too. >> >> Problem is, we won't have time for all that >work. >> >> To keep it simple and still evoke the PCB feeling, maybe I >should return >> the lighter/brighter green tape and get a gold color. > >> Haste makes waste. We've a nice, new, beautiful display area. It'd >be a > shame to half-ass it with quick-n-dirty paint job. What does it >matter if > it takes 2 hours or two months to complete. > >There are only five weeks until VCF East. Realistically, we can only be >there one day per week to work on this stuff. > > >> In the long run, a well done "mural" will add to the whole display's >appeal > >I agree. How much time do you have to help us? How large an area do you wish to cover???

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NSFW
by Evan Koblentz 09 Mar '16

09 Mar '16

Adult Oregon Trail https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtmwI5K2i3E&feature=youtu.be

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Saturday
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 09 Mar '16

09 Mar '16

Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic writes: >>>> In the long run, a well done "mural" will add to the whole display's >>> appeal >> >> I agree. How much time do you have to help us? > > How >large an area do you wish to cover??? > >The wall is approx. 15 ft. wide x 10 ft. tall. I was looking up "circuit board" murals but one that size would cost about $400. >If the specific color you use is too much $$ then I suppose any generic >"gold" would do the trick. Again, the point is to evoke, not necessary >to exactly replicate. Copper would CERTAINLY look better than gold, IMO. >I have a list of about 30 items that are all now in your phone. So >that's how many traces we would need to make from the edges toward the >center. In my phone?

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Saturday
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 09 Mar '16

09 Mar '16

Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic writes: >>>>> Get more creative and paint copper circuit board traces too! >> >> >Already planning something like that. >> >> I bought a roll of white >duct tape. We could just put painters tape over >> = where the traces >should be and then remove the tape to expose the >> white w= all >underneath, but we don't yet know where the traces need to >> be... >I'll= see about figuring that our during the week. >> >> Just like the >terminal in our logo, the wall colors will be meant to * >> ev= oke * a >PCB, not be an exact image of one. > > Figure out where the traces need >to be, then spray a copper paint in on > the wall in the approximate >location (no sense wasting paint... I would > suggest Krylon metallic >copper) and then, using *good* painter tape -- > 3M Painter tape for >delicate surfaces #2080 -- lay out traces over the > copper. Press down >well for good adhesion. Paint over the tape with > the green paint. >Pull the tape BEFORE the green is completely dry to > avoid egde >chipping. > > #2080 is what I use on all of my rocket paint jobs. It's >never failed > me. Do some test runs before you tackle the big job. ;) >Corner round > cutter and a hole punch can make nice and even solder >pads too. ;) The > 3M tape comes in various widths too. > >Problem is, we won't have time for all that work. > >To keep it simple and still evoke the PCB feeling, maybe I should return >the lighter/brighter green tape and get a gold color. Haste makes waste. We've a nice, new, beautiful display area. It'd be a shame to half-ass it with quick-n-dirty paint job. What does it matter if it takes 2 hours or two months to complete. In the long run, a well done "mural" will add to the whole display's appeal, IMNSHO that is.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Saturday
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 09 Mar '16

09 Mar '16

Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic writes: >>> Get more creative and paint copper circuit board traces too! > >Already planning something like that. > >I bought a roll of white duct tape. We could just put painters tape over >= where the traces should be and then remove the tape to expose the >white w= all underneath, but we don't yet know where the traces need to >be... I'll= see about figuring that our during the week. > >Just like the terminal in our logo, the wall colors will be meant to * >ev= oke * a PCB, not be an exact image of one. Figure out where the traces need to be, then spray a copper paint in on the wall in the approximate location (no sense wasting paint... I would suggest Krylon metallic copper) and then, using *good* painter tape -- 3M Painter tape for delicate surfaces #2080 -- lay out traces over the copper. Press down well for good adhesion. Paint over the tape with the green paint. Pull the tape BEFORE the green is completely dry to avoid egde chipping. #2080 is what I use on all of my rocket paint jobs. It's never failed me. Do some test runs before you tackle the big job. ;) Corner round cutter and a hole punch can make nice and even solder pads too. ;) The 3M tape comes in various widths too.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Saturday
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 09 Mar '16

09 Mar '16

Brian Schenkenberger via vcf-midatlantic writes: >Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic writes: > >>>> Get more creative and paint copper circuit board traces too! > >>Already planning something like that. > >I bought a roll of white duct >tape. We could just put painters tape over >= where the traces should be >and then remove the tape to expose the >white w= all underneath, but we >don't yet know where the traces need to >be... I'll= see about figuring >that our during the week. > >Just like the terminal in our logo, the >wall colors will be meant to * >ev= oke * a PCB, not be an exact image >of one. > >Figure out where the traces need to be, then spray a copper paint in on >the wall in the approximate location (no sense wasting paint... I would >suggest Krylon metallic copper) and then, using *good* painter tape -- >3M Painter tape for delicate surfaces #2080 -- lay out traces over the >copper. Press down well for good adhesion. Paint over the tape with >the green paint. Pull the tape BEFORE the green is completely dry to >avoid egde chipping. > >#2080 is what I use on all of my rocket paint jobs. It's never failed >me. Do some test runs before you tackle the big job. ;) Corner round >cutter and a hole punch can make nice and even solder pads too. ;) The >3M tape comes in various widths too. I forgot to mention/suggest that the Krylon metallic that's exposed be lightly sanded to allow the green paint to better adhere.

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