- vcf-midatlantic - lists.vcfed.org

Workshop Jan. 30/31 Report
by Jeffrey Brace 01 Feb '16

01 Feb '16

So the workshop was great for all of us! Lots done, lots of fun! :) 16 showed up Saturday, 8 Sunday. 5 of us worked on Commodore 1541 drives Saturday. Others worked on S100, PDP-8, Terminals, etc. The five working on the 1541s mostly sorted through The Federation's 1541 drives and tested which were good, medium or bad. Some were fixable with just using a q-tip and alcohol to the drive head. Some attempts at re-seating chips and voltage testing was done, but only for a small percentage of the drives. Further repair and diagnostic wasn't possible due to running out of time. I worked on my own personal 1541 drives myself was only able to tell which were working or not without opening up, repairing or running diagnostics. I spent a lot of time helping with The Federation drives and other Federation business (running the workshop etc.) and had little time for my own stuff. I did learn from Bill Degnan basic troubleshooting for 1541 drives. I hope to work on them and apply what I learned next month and be able to actually guarantee most of them 100% working. We had a special visit on Sunday from Rob Clarke. He is a Commodore guru who lives in Switzerland. He was in the Philadelphia area for some other event and hung out with us on Sunday. Since I lost all my Commodore help with the 1541 drives (they went home Saturday night), I decided to get Computer Eyes up and running. After about 3 hours I was able to get it to work! I captured a black and white image of myself and later a group photo. I even printed them out. Can others tell what they worked on and their progress? Our next Workshop is Feb. 27/28. I hope to see many of you there!

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$1.00 check :)
by Evan Koblentz 01 Feb '16

01 Feb '16

Here's a picture of Jeff B., me, and Corey C. with the $1.00 check for our next 12 months of rent at InfoAge.

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Thank you for your interest in Digital ...
by william degnan 01 Feb '16

01 Feb '16

http://www.vintagecomputer.net/browse_thread.cfm?id=627 --

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Workshop this weekend - Thoughts?
by Chris Fala 31 Jan '16

31 Jan '16

I have been really looking forward to an opportunity to get some experienced assistance repairing 1541 drives. I acquired several on eBay and other sources over the last couple years. Some were functional, some worked after the heads were cleaned, and some are still malfunctioning for unknown reasons. I haven't had the time to dig deeper and diagnose the problems on these. I hope that I can learn more about these this weekend and get at least some of this last category working. Practically speaking, how many drives should I bring this weekend? Is 20 too many or is it possible to actually work on that many in a day? Are there common problems that can be addressed quickly, or is it more likely that each drive will require unique troubleshooting?

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Tomorrow's Workshop
by Jeffrey Brace 31 Jan '16

31 Jan '16

I checked out the site, we have enough tables for the16 people who confirmed plus a few extra. The back door area has a 1/2 inch of snow, which won't be problem. Everyone, just be careful at night as it might get slippery as it melts and refreezes. Evan and I will be on site around 9am and in the workshop area by 10am. I dropped off my 1541, books etc. Call me if you have any problems: 732-759-1783. See youze guys tomorrow! :-D Jeff Brace

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] DC Area Head Count
by Ethan 31 Jan '16

31 Jan '16

[NON-Text Body part not included] Strange email, pine can't reply. I am in the greater DC area (Chantilly VA area.) I normally collect smaller systems these days like Atari, Commodore, etc. I do own an IMSAI, some Apple IIs, BeBox, Cray J932SE, and some other oddities. I am involved with a video game music and gaming festival called MAGFest. The next event is on Feb 18th-21st at the Gaylord National Harbor. Last year we brought back the computer museum spread, and this year it's moving to it's own room. It will mostly be plastic micros like Ataris, Commodores, TRS-80s, etc. There might be some rare stuff. Maybe a PC68000 from Japan (that game console that uses the 1.2MB floppies.) Quite a bit of macintosh, and IBM PC including 5150, 8088s, 286s, 386s, 486s, 5x86, etc. Thin net running Doom. It's a game / music fest so most things are certered around that. My role with the org is arcade room, we've got a 30,000 square foot room with 270+ machines expected. 40+ pinballs. Imported music games are getting higher in the numbers, classic arcades are suffering a bit (classic game #s aren't increasing or decreasing, we're just getting more of the 90s and 2000s stuff now.) We do trade badges in return for arcade machines, the games mostly come from collectors (although more of the collectors have started moving to renting maches for events.) Abbbbout 20,000 people expected to show up. People like the classic systems! Al Lowe was there 2 events ago! There are pics on the internet. I'm also a member of NovaLabs, the Northern Virginia makerspace. There is meeting space there, but at my membership level I don't have keys. If there was a desire for a get together that might be a good place. Could also do any restaurant if it's just to talk. - Ethan

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OT: RE: Wives and retro-computers ( was Re: DC Area Head Count )
by Dave G4UGM 31 Jan '16

31 Jan '16

> -----Original Message----- > From: vcf-midatlantic [mailto:vcf-midatlantic- > bounces(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org] On Behalf Of Tony Bogan via > vcf-midatlantic > Sent: 31 January 2016 16:29 > To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> > Cc: Tony Bogan <thebogans(a)mac.com> > Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Wives and retro-computers ( was Re: DC Area > Head Count ) > > > > Mine has her limits too, but they're HER limits, not mine. Likewise, > > mine are not hers. Thus, I offer these additional cases in addition > > to your list above: > > 5) A compatible spouse > > 6) A spouse who doesn't seek to control her spouse's activities > > I'm not sure number 6 exists in nature. > Perhaps only in a laboratory :-) Not so sure. When I got married, which was some years ago, we were required to attend "Wedding Classes" and at these some girls who were also in the class were discussing how they were going to change their husbands to be, so no Pub, no Soccer Matches etc. My wife said, well what is the point in getting married if you are going to try and change them, marry for what someone is.... ... note it was my wife that said that. Of course she does try and change me from time to time.. > Tony Dave G4UGM

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Wanted: Xerox 820-II hard drive
by Mike Loewen 30 Jan '16

30 Jan '16

I realize this is a long shot, but I'm looking for an external hard drive/8" floppy drive unit for a Xerox 820-II, with the interface card. My system has the dual 8" floppy drive unit, as well as the 40cps Diablo daisywheel printer. The optional 8086 processor card would also be a welcome addition. Please reply off-list if you have one you'd be willing to part with. Mike Loewen mloewen(a)cpumagic.scol.pa.us Old Technology http://q7.neurotica.com/Oldtech/

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] DC Area Head Count
by Dave McGuire 30 Jan '16

30 Jan '16

AJ, your original message came through very odd, as Ethan also noted. I haven't dug into it. Well, I *was* in the DC area...Greenbelt, then Silver Spring, then Laurel, MD, for about a decade in total. I moved to FL about fifteen years ago, then to PA 4.5 years ago. I (and several others here) am now in the Pittsburgh area. We have gatherings here, much less formal/organized than the NJ workshops, nearly every weekend. All are welcome. -Dave -- Dave McGuire, AK4HZ New Kensington, PA

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] DC Area Head Count
by Glenn Roberts 30 Jan '16

30 Jan '16

Ashburn VA (west of DC; near Leesburg). Interested in all aspects of Classic Computing but only collect/work on Heathkit. From: vcf-midatlantic [mailto:vcf-midatlantic-bounces@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org] On Behalf Of Alexander Pierson via vcf-midatlantic Sent: Saturday, January 30, 2016 1:07 AM To: Vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> Cc: Alexander Pierson <ajpierson1(a)yahoo.com> Subject: [vcf-midatlantic] DC Area Head Count

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] DC Area Head Count
by J. Alexander Jacocks 30 Jan '16

30 Jan '16

On Sat, Jan 30, 2016 at 1:07 AM, Alexander Pierson via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: > > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: Alexander Pierson <ajpierson1(a)yahoo.com> > To: Vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> > Cc: > Date: Sat, 30 Jan 2016 06:04:17 +0000 (UTC) > Subject: DC Area Head Count > >A lot of our members travel to the workshops from your area.Yes, seems > that there is a decent VCFed presence in the DC area. I can think of at > least 3 of us in Northern VA off the top of my head. Personally, I'm > pretty close to both 66 and 495. > > So that got me thinking, why not do a head count? We might be able to > organize something like a workshop locally. Couldn't hurt to try, right? > I wish I could offer up a place I knew for said workshop, but I have no > such space to offer. > > -Alexander 'Z' Pierson > I'm in the DC area (sorta), on the Eastern Shore of MD. I'd definitely be interested in local meetings, but I don't have space to host, either. If we got enough people, however, there are suitable places near my house that I could rent, easily enough. - Alex

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VCF East XI exhibit reg is OPEN
by Evan Koblentz 30 Jan '16

30 Jan '16

Only 2.5 months 'til the show (AAAAAAAAAACCCCCKKKKKKK!) so please start registering your exhibits PRONTO. Four vital notes: 1. We are trying to get a sponsor for a second tent (I know....) in order to use the main building's lounge room as a third exhibit hall. Until we get that accomplished (the sponsorship we're targeting is purely a "maybe" for now), we are limiting all exhibits to TWO tables (or equivalent spots for floor-standing gear). Last year there were some three-table exhibits, which was awesome, but at our current growth rate, we have to limit these in order to accommodate exhibit requests. If you want a third table, then note that in the 'additional comments' field and we'll contact you if/when we get the big sponsor. 2. This is the first time we're having registration through the new site; it's been tested and SHOULD work fine.... 3. The new site will move from GoDaddy onto a GOOD hoster any day now. Waiting on DNS transfer... the requests are in and it's out of our hands. 4. When the transfer happens, there should NOT be any hiccups, but...

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DC Area Head Count
by Alexander Pierson 30 Jan '16

30 Jan '16

>A lot of our members travel to the workshops from your area.Yes, seems that there is a decent VCFed presence in the DC area. I can think of at least 3 of us in Northern VA off the top of my head. Personally, I'm pretty close to both 66 and 495. So that got me thinking, why not do a head count? We might be able to organize something like a workshop locally. Couldn't hurt to try, right? I wish I could offer up a place I knew for said workshop, but I have no such space to offer. -Alexander 'Z' Pierson

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WTD: Hi-res display for 486 Gaming PC
by william degnan 29 Jan '16

29 Jan '16

I find I have given away all of my hi-res VGA displays from the 486 era. I would be willing to trade something of equal value to anyone going to the workshop this weekend. I will be there all day Saturday, from 11AM until 10/11 PM-ish I need something compatible with this card: http://www.vintagecomputer.net/dell/Dimension_XPS-466V/number-nine_GXE_VL_r… in this computer: http://www.vintagecomputer.net/dell/Dimension_XPS-466V/ I have a Dell SuperVGA display, but I don't know if it's really able to take full advantage of my video card. I put a new Dell display on it, that works like it should but it's not vintage. Suggestions welcome but I prefer something from 1993-94 if possible to keep the system and display within the same time frame. Believe it or not, some new displays are not able to match the hz of this video card, it's not just a simple any old VGA card. Thanks Bill

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Commodore 1541 related stuff I am bringing
by Jeffrey Brace 29 Jan '16

29 Jan '16

A speed controller (I have never used) Blank Floppy disks A laminated paper with diagnostic trouble shooting for 1541 with chip layout A .avi video on repairing 1541 that was copied from VHS anyone want a copy? PDF of 1541 repair books Real 1541 repair books 8 broken 1541 4 good 1541 some c-64 some 1702 monitors cables and stuff

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Jan 30/31 Workshop location update & what's everyone working on?
by Herb Johnson 29 Jan '16

29 Jan '16

> So what's everyone working on? Bringing? PDP 8/A for board level startup, David's advice & direction tools for my use assisting David Gesswein if he wishes http://www.retrotechnology.com/restore/8a_repairs.html herb -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey USA http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net

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Mystery ROM from MITS 88-PMC ROM Board
by Herb Johnson 29 Jan '16

29 Jan '16

> It starts with LXI SP, 0xFF13 -- a ROM location. I've seen > the trick used elsewhere, to reduce code size by using > an in-ROM jump table. Anyone recognize the code? ORG 0FF00H LXI H, 0FF13H LXI D, 2C00H MVI C, 0EBH L1: MOV A,M STAX D INX H INX D DCR C JNZ L1 ;0FF08H JMP 2C00H ;above moves code from ROM to RAM and executes ORG 2C00H; but code follows ROM code above at FF13H DI XRA A OUT 22H CMA OUT 23H MVI A, 2CH OUT 22H MVI A, 03H OUT 19H IN 0FFH ANI 10H RRC RRC ADI 10H OUT 10H LXI SP, 2D79H XRA A ; next byte is at FF30H in ROM ; further disassembly should be instructive -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey USA http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net

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commodore posters $10
by william degnan 29 Jan '16

29 Jan '16

I am offering workshop attendees my "History of Commodore" poster for $10 ea this weekend, no shipping cost as I will hand deliver to the event. Regular price is $19.99 plus $4.80 shipping so if you ever wanted one here is a way to get one cheap. http://www.vintagecomputer.net/poster_detail.cfm Bill --

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Jan 30/31 Workshop location update & what's everyone working on?
by Jeffrey Brace 29 Jan '16

29 Jan '16

I was at the InfoAge meeting tonight and scouted out the area. There is *some* snow at the back entrance to 9032-A. Not significant. I feel like most of it will be gone by Saturday as there will be above freezing temperatures Thursday and Friday. So what's everyone working on? Bringing? Me: Commodore 64 and Commodore 1541 repair. Various broken 1541, at least 2 working 1541, soldering iron, 1541 speed controller, and if I can find a disk cleaner kit. You: ?

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Net Racer - 8 Player Commodore 64 Internet Racing Game
by Jeffrey Brace 29 Jan '16

29 Jan '16

I know that a few us will be at the workshop, but wanted to let everyone know the creator of Net Racer - Leif Bloomquist (A.K.A. schema) will be playing his game on the internet. Here is the link: http://sceneworld.org/twitch It will be Saturday at 2 P.M. Eastern Time Zone The game was created with a hard coded IP address and uses a PC as a server, so it us unusable without major modifications.

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Update for who's coming to Jan 30&31 Workshop
by Jeffrey Brace 29 Jan '16

29 Jan '16

1) Jeff Brace 2) Evan K. 3) Jeff Galinat 4) Dean 5) Drew 6) Jeff Jonas 7) Chris Fala 8) Rob Clarke 9) David Gesswein 10) Steve Toth 11) Bill Degnan 12) Herb Johnson ? 13) Ian? 14) Mouse 15) Bueller? Anyone else? If you don't let me know then I can't guarantee you a table!

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Sleeping over @ workshop
by Evan Koblentz 28 Jan '16

28 Jan '16

We'll open the new museum room (same as where we held Festivus last month) for anyone who wants to sleep over Saturday night. It has much better heating than in the workshop room. As usual, bring your air mattresses, sleeping bags, etc. .... no shower facilities, so bring deodorant too. :)

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OT - Need 60' of ribbon cable
by Kelly Leavitt 28 Jan '16

28 Jan '16

Anyone on list have a spool of ribbon cable (IDC) with 4 or more conductors? I need 60' for a project. Thanks, Kelly

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nice score, HP terminal
by Dave McGuire 28 Jan '16

28 Jan '16

So I did a little road trip out to Cincinnati to pick up a couple dozen IBM Twinax terminals; got home last night. In the pile was a pristine HP 2645 terminal, complete with keyboard. "How'd that get in there?" the guy asked. It's mine now! B-) -Dave -- Dave McGuire, AK4HZ New Kensington, PA

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OT: Anyone familiar with HeathKit Model HM1-122-A Series No. 53338?
by Dean Notarnicola 28 Jan '16

28 Jan '16

Getting this as a bonus item via another purchase. Can't find any info on it.

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Museum move - getting closer...
by Evan Koblentz 28 Jan '16

28 Jan '16

Everyone, Here's an update on the status of moving our museum. - We signed the new lease a couple of weeks ago. We will pay a (symbolic) $1/year for five years, and then we have five one-year renewals at the same price. - InfoAge received an estimate for turning one of the new room's single doors into a double door. A second estimate is forthcoming. Having a double door will allow us to more easily bring in larger stuff including the pallet-ized UNIVAC. - Fred and I are meeting soon to sort out the keys. - IA leadership includes someone who is an architecture and art professor. We've been asked to show him our layout plan for feedback and hopefully will do so this weekend. - We purchased a small amount of a new kind of shelving. We're going to assemble a single unit this weekend (will only take 15 minutes). If it works as expected, then we'll make the large purchase based on our recent fundraiser. - Depending on how busy we all are at the workshop this weekend, I may ask for two or three helpers to start taking apart our old museum. For example we can start by boxing up all the books and putting them into the warehouse. (We recently purchased a bunch of file boxes.) - We are delaying the addition of more electrical circuits into the new room until we see the final costs of the door, furniture, etc.

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FS: OSI 525 Dual Port Static RAM Board
by Systems Glitch 28 Jan '16

28 Jan '16

link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/272118422825 I received this board with another Ohio Scientific board. There are zero components populated, not even the Molex connectors. Sockets are present for the 2114 static RAMs and some of the board logic. Super clean board otherwise. I'm not sure what else it's used for, but the 525 board was used in Ohio Scientific's 14" hard drive subsystem -- I know as I've got one. It can of course be used as standard system RAM, and it's probably cheaper to find a bunch of 2114 static RAMs than a bunch of working SEMI4200s for a OSI 520 board. This one's up as an auction as I have no real idea what it's worth. I don't need it for any of my OSI stuff, but I figured someone else can use it, and with the scarcity of OSI boards, I shouldn't hold on to it. Thanks, Jonathan

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OT: Anyone have LexisNexis access?
by Evan Koblentz 28 Jan '16

28 Jan '16

I need to get an article that I wrote in 2012. It's fairly urgent. Contact me privately. Thanks

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Trenton - Sat., 3/19
by Evan Koblentz 28 Jan '16

28 Jan '16

Everyone, We will have a small presence at Trenton this year. (Last year's big presence was an exception for their 40th anniversary, as was our large display two years ago when we didn't have a VCF East that year.) This year, we'll just have one table, one to-be-determined computer on display, and a bunch of fliers. Nice and simple... I am giving a talk on "The present and future of computer history". Abstract - The field of computer history has seen many exciting changes in the past few years. Collectible prices are rising, new people are bring new ideas into our field, and a non-profit organization is emerging to help with structuring things. Come learn and go back to the future with us! Delorean not required. I'll need one helper that day (to hold down our fort while I'm lecturing and so I can make a round of the other club tables and stuff.)

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OT: Test
by tom.hornberger＠verizon.net 28 Jan '16

28 Jan '16

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FS: MITS 88-PMC 1702A EPROM Board
by Systems Glitch 27 Jan '16

27 Jan '16

link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/272117827487 Tested, working, very clean except for a lifted topside /QB pad between ICs P and T, which doesn't affect operation since the trace connects on the bottom side. I don't know why the original builder chose such a large ceramic capacitor below the -8V regulator...let me know if you'd like it replaced. This is a REV 1 board with solder mask and a DIP switch for address selection, as opposed to the wire jumper address selection on REV 0 boards. I tested this one with several EPROMs on my IMSAI 8080. It generates wait states properly. It is currently addressed for 0xF800 - 0xFFFF. Thanks, Jonathan

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Interesting OP-AMP Boards
by Systems Glitch 27 Jan '16

27 Jan '16

All, These came in a lot of other plugboard/protoboard bits I picked up: http://imgur.com/a/XUFAJ One has two 741 OP-AMPs, the other two have a single LM311. I'm guessing from the array of hollow pins that they're meant to be wired up with some sort of banana-plug-like jumper system. I'm not sure what they're from. Some sort of analog computer or control system, perhaps? Any ideas? They're single-sided, but everything on the back side is gold plated. Thanks, Jonathan

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Mystery ROM from MITS 88-PMC ROM Board
by Systems Glitch 27 Jan '16

27 Jan '16

I've been going through a lot of my S-100 boards, doing cleaning and testing. Tonight I started on a MITS 88-PMC, which had a ROM in the last socket (locations 0xFF00 - 0xFFFF) with no label. It's not the MBL, DBL, or TURMON. Here's a hex dump from the Dajen SCI monitor: http://pastebin.com/24Gjh2kw It starts with LXI SP, 0xFF13 -- a ROM location. I've seen the trick used elsewhere, to reduce code size by using an in-ROM jump table. Anyone recognize the code? Thanks, Jonathan

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test ... this might our DNS change to the new hoster...
by Evan Koblentz 27 Jan '16

27 Jan '16

I had a message bounce just now, so our DNS change may be underway....

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DNS changes
by Evan Koblentz 27 Jan '16

27 Jan '16

Hopefully this message will get through at some point. :) I logged into the domain zone editor for our new hoster and made the necessary A/MX/TXT entries. That should make this list "just work" when the DNS changes over from GoDaddy to the new company. I'm not sure if that is happening right now (Erik told us it would be soon) or if there's just a hiccup of some sort. Regardless, it would be good and worthwhile when it's done!

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OT: snow storm
by Evan Koblentz 27 Jan '16

27 Jan '16

How did everyone handle the storm? I'm in the heart of the deepest stuff -- 30". Shoveled twice yesterday and once today.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] OT: snow storm
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 26 Jan '16

26 Jan '16

Kyle Owen via vcf-midatlantic writes: >I saw a handful of flakes here in mid-Alabama. :) Wow! A state of emergency there. :)

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Important Workshop Jan 30/31 Notes
by Jeffrey Brace 26 Jan '16

26 Jan '16

LOCATION: InfoAge Building 9032A - (2201 Marconi Road, Wall Township, NJ) DATE: Saturday January 30 & Sunday 31 TIME: Start about 10 A.M. on Saturday end whenever. End about 5 P.M. on Sunday. (Starts around 10 A.M. Sunday morning) COST: $10 for all members attending the workshop, which MARCH donates to InfoAge as thanks for providing the space for us. EQUIPMENT: MARCH will provide a table and you can use any available electrical outlet. Bring your own tools, power strips, power cords and supplies etc. DRINKS: You should bring your own. However, I will bring a case of water bottles free for everyone to take. FOOD: You provide your own. We may order pizza or go out to a dinner. Usually we make a decision when everyone gets hungry. PARKING: Park behind the back ramp of 9032A (which is around the building), or in the main parking lot, NOT in the courtyard. Please close the front gate behind you after entering. Not sure of the situation with snow right now near the back ramp. I'm hoping that a lot of it will be melted by Saturday. LOOSE THEME: Commodore 64 and Commodore 1541. Feel free to bring whatever you want, or just watch. There are plenty of people to help and one can learn a lot by watching. HAM RADIO: Martin Flynn said that if anyone is interested he can open N2MO. Let me know if anyone has a desire for it. If you need to contact me, my smart phone is: 732-759-1783. Hope to see lots of you there! :-D Jeff Brace

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FS: MITS 88-VI (RTC) Vector Interrupt and Real Time Clock
by Systems Glitch 26 Jan '16

26 Jan '16

link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/272116893925 This one appears to be pretty early. The silkscreen is black instead of yellow, but it does have a copyright date of 1975, and no solder mask. It includes an early Intel 8214 Priority Interrupt Controller in white ceramic with gold lid and gold leads. I would guess it was assembled in mid-1976 by the IC date codes. You'll need one of these for MITS timesharing BASIC, or if you want to use interrupt-driven I/O devices. I've tested everything on this board except the 60 Hz timebase. That requires modifying your S-100 box to put unfiltered, unregulated 16 VAC on pin 55 of your motherboard, which I didn't want to do. I tested the interrupt controller by writing an initialization routine based off the example in the MITS 88-VI manual, and writing interrupt service routines to display the interrupt level on my IMSAI's programmed output register. Thanks, Jonathan

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Marvin Minsky
by Evan Koblentz 26 Jan '16

26 Jan '16

Father of AI died. http://www.techrepublic.com/article/father-of-ai-marvin-minsky-dies-at-88-l… Coincidence that 1950s project was called "Snarc" which happens to be my domain.

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Girl Scout cookies... vintage computer related!
by Herb Johnson 26 Jan '16

26 Jan '16

About restoring capacitance-keyswitch keyboards, including source materials, and work by several former-MARCH members: http://www.retrotechnology.com/restore/sol_keys.html Metalized Mylar in rolls may be available at "dollar stores" as gift-wrapping. It's just aluminum on Mylar. Snack chip bags, cookie bags as noted, helium balloons, gift wrap - on and on. the challenge is the right "foam" material. Bill Degnan came up with a good material - see my Web site, and his. Herb -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey USA http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net

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New January Workshop Date Jan 30/31
by Chris Fala 26 Jan '16

26 Jan '16

Who's coming? 1) Jeff Brace 2) Evan K. 3) Jeff Galinat 4) Dean 5) Drew 6) Jeff Jonas 7) Chris Fala 8) 9) 10)

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"Snow storm" messages
by Evan Koblentz 26 Jan '16

26 Jan '16

Joe, if you're reading this, I put your account into temporary moderation to see if that stops the zombie message. :) Have to log off now so we'll see tomorrow if that fixed it.

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Apple had a computer for everything...
by william degnan 26 Jan '16

26 Jan '16

...but who wants to compute that? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-II-Pus-Computer-/111879968810 --

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My VCF East class: historical research methods
by Evan Koblentz 26 Jan '16

26 Jan '16

Being a vintage computer hobbyist means doing more than just fixing stuff. I'm planning to give a Friday talk on historical research methods, because I learned a few things in 18 years as a tech journalist and 12 as a computer historian that may help some people.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Girl Scout cookies... vintage computer related!
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 26 Jan '16

26 Jan '16

Corey Cohen via vcf-midatlantic writes: >It's better for your waistline to use a space- emergency blanket from >Walmar= t. Cost a couple of bucks and is nearly a lifetime supply of >Mylar. =20 These? http://www.walmart.com/ip/The-Original-Space-Brand-Emergency-Blanket-Silver… Do you know its thickness? There's no specs listed on Walmart's page.

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Floppy Days #51 - Part 3 on the TI-994/A Tech Specs and Modern Upgrades with Tursi
by Randall Kindig 25 Jan '16

25 Jan '16

The TI-99/4A - Tech Specs, Peripherals, Modern Upgrades with Tursi http://floppydays.libsyn.com/floppy-days-51-ti99-tech-specs-modern-upgrades… <http://floppydays.libsyn.com/floppy-days-51-ti99-tech-specs-modern-upgrades…> This show is a continuation of the on-going series about the TI-99/4A computer. In the last couple of episodes, I had TI-99 fans Jim Fetzner and Mark Wills on the show and interviewed them about their experiences with the TI-99 and then we covered the history of the machine. In this show, I have a new co-host, Mike Brent, better known as Tursi or Harmless Lion, the creator of the Classic 99 emulator and so much more. After a short interview with Tursi, we discuss the technical aspects of the TI-99, including the tech specs, peripherals, modern upgrades, and connectivity to modern computers. It’s an information-filled show, so I hope you enjoy it. Before we get into that, I’ll discuss a few new vintage computer-related acquisitions that have come my way, give you the scoop on upcoming shows, and share with you a few pieces of feedback I’ve received about the show from listeners. Randall Kindig host Floppy Days floppydays.com

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VCF East classes: possibly 24!
by Evan Koblentz 25 Jan '16

25 Jan '16

Good news: We may have space for ** 24 ** Friday classes at VCF East this year. That's a lot of learning!

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] OT: snow storm
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 24 Jan '16

24 Jan '16

Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic writes: >How did everyone handle the storm? > >I'm in the heart of the deepest stuff -- 30". Shoveled twice yesterday >an= d once today. Not according to official records. FWIW, there's about 3.5 ft just outside my back door. Yesterday, I had to take the glass pane out of the storm door and shovel out from inside the house to get out.

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OT - Parts request
by Martin A Flynn 23 Jan '16

23 Jan '16

OT - Anyone have an RS-442 card in PCIe format? I need one for the weather station I am putting together. Needs Linux support. Martin Flynn

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