- vcf-midatlantic - lists.vcfed.org

NOVA Computer Meetup - 17 November 2024 @ 1-6pm
by Ryan Stapleton 27 Sep '24

27 Sep '24

Hello All, I now have a date for a late fall Computer meetup in Chantilly, VA. 17 November 2024 @ 1-6pm The Chantilly, VA Public Library. A link to my website that has some information. This will be continued to be updated. http://www.bluewizard.net/pages/vintagecomputermeetup/ Thank you -Ryan

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Donation to VCF?
by Dean Notarnicola 27 Sep '24

27 Sep '24

Thanks, Mike! I’m in as well! On Thu, Sep 26, 2024 at 4:48 PM Mike Rieker via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > I'll chip in $20 > > > > VCF would like to get this Compact Flash card for our museum to make > demos > > easier for our visitors: > > https://www.reactivemicro.com/product/cffa1-apple1-only/ > > > > Would someone be willing to buy and donate this to VCF? > > If so, then please contact me. > > > > Take care! > > > > Jeff Brace > > VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President > > Vintage Computer Festival East Showrunner > > VCF Mid-Atlantic Event Manager > > Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity > > https://vcfed.org/ <http://www.vcfed.org/> > > jeffrey(a)vcfed.org > > > > >

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Looking for an Amiga 500 case and keyboard
by Alexander Jacocks 26 Sep '24

26 Sep '24

Folks, I’m looking for a case and keyboard for an Amiga 500. I have a very nice Amiga 500+ motherboard that needs a home, and I don’t see a lot of good options available. If anyone has spare that they would be willing to part with, please let me know. Thanks! – Alex

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OT: Downsizing my retro collection
by Wil Birkmaier 25 Sep '24

25 Sep '24

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] OT HAM LICENSE
by Jeffrey Brace 22 Sep '24

22 Sep '24

It's hard to find time to learn as I'm doing so much for VCF, my job, etc. as it is. I will put it on my list of things to do which is extensive. I will start with the M.O.R.E. project which is run by Dr. Rebecca Mercuri: https://n2re.org/m-o-r-e-project I can make it happen when there is a lull between events or days where schools are closed and I'm not working. On Thu, Sep 19, 2024 at 2:25 PM Sentrytv via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > ARRL practice test are Notorious for X&Y type answers. > > I have been buying, repairing and selling ham radio equipment for over 20 > years, > and still have not become a “Ham Radio, Amateur radio operator” by choice. > > I even received some door prizes at a Hamfest, so I was able to purchase > ARRL books but still haven’t bothered to get my license. > > But I do listen and learn on the airwaves. > > To those people who already have their license and have some recent spare > material to loan Jeff, I would suggest bringing them to him. > > Just my two pennies worth. > > > > > Sent from: > My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device. > > > On Sep 19, 2024, at 1:18 PM, Neil Cherry via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > > On 9/19/24 12:16, David Riley via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > >> Seriously, the max commitment it took from me was reading the ARRL's > cheap Kindle guidebook on passing the exam (which was useful for the non-EE > parts I wasn't as familiar with, like the traditional frequency offsets for > repeaters, atmospheric effects, licensing technicalities, etc), and one > hour on a weekend at the local radio club to actually take the test. You > can do infinite practice tests online for free to see if you're ready. My > free time is currently deeply in the red and I somehow managed it, so just > about anyone can. :-) > > > > Adding to this, not only use the online test but do try to understand the > > answers. I am dyslexic so I needed to understand the answer otherwise I'd > > get the X & Y type answers (similar but slightly different) mixed up. The > > understanding helped get around that. Some of the tests have very good > > explanations. > > > > -- > > Linux Home Automation Neil Cherry kd2zrq(a)linuxha.com > > http://www.linuxha.com/ Main site > > http://linuxha.blogspot.com/ My HA Blog > > Author of: Linux Smart Homes For Dummies KD2ZRQ > > > >

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Repair workshops for 2024: Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec.
by Jeffrey Brace 22 Sep '24

22 Sep '24

Yes. There are two repair workshops in October. First one is Oct. 5 & 6 <https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1onB9_JVSdS3xCxQSOitBgIXSe6K2dbcCtjq…> Second one Oct. 26 & 27 <https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tnPdmCYFA6-Y3y28tVcdzTXKqHaArx_1VFl…> Normally I space these things out, but I had to move it twice: the second one was originally on Nov. 9, then Nov. 2, now Oct. 26. So since there is interest and there is space in the schedule, I will schedule one for November on Nov. 16. This is 3 weeks after the Oct. 26 one and 4 weeks before Festivus. So it should be space as well as possible. Nov. 22 is an alternative date if anyone feels like that would be better. No repair workshops for December. Any questions? Comments? Ponderings? Take care! Jeff Brace VCF Mid-Atlantic Event Manager

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Next Repair Workshop Oct. 4 & 5
by Jeffrey Brace 22 Sep '24

22 Sep '24

Yes. There will be a repair workshop Oct. 26 & 27. As stated by others the website was updated, but not the Google Sheet. Sorry I missed that and for the confusion. I also was waiting to announce the *that* repair workshop because I didn't want to overload people with information with three different things. I've found some are easily confused. I always do a repair workshop with the swap meet so it makes it more worthwhile for those driving from far. On Sun, Sep 22, 2024 at 10:25 AM Sentrytv via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > So just a quick question > From the dates it seems that there is not going to be any work shop during > the day of the swap meet correct? > > > Sent from: > My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device. > > > On Sep 21, 2024, at 9:06 PM, Bart Hirst via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > > Doug I have it. > > > >> On Sat, Sep 21, 2024 at 5:00 PM Douglas Crawford via vcf-midatlantic < > >> vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > >> > >> I would like to see us use the time to expand our greaseweazle to > >> have an 8" drive hooked up and then give the imaging a try. > >> I'd recommend the whole computer setup arrive so we can test > >> the copies- assuming that all works, if not, do a restoration in > >> parallel with the weazle 8" augmentation. > >> Someone has my 8" drive floppy cable adapter interface... Ian? Thomas? > >> -DC > >> > >>> On 9/17/2024 10:21 PM, Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > >>>> On Tue, Sep 17, 2024 at 7:03 PM Jeff S <jsalzman(a)gmail.com> wrote: > >>> > >>>> I can certainly attempt to. I will probably need an 8" drive, data > >> cable, > >>>> and suitable power supply for the drive. > >>>> > >>>> An 8" external drive from the warehouse might have the power supply > >>>> built-in and an appropriate data cable. > >>>> > >>>> The only caveat is being able to test the disk on real hardware. As > >>>> mentioned before, I was successful with this operation on OSI disks > >> already. > >>>> > >>> > >>> OK. Let's take this offline and see if we can consult with Thomas to > see > >>> what we have in the warehouse. > >>> > >>> > >>>> > >>>> On Tue, Sep 17, 2024, 6:59 PM Jeffrey Brace <jeffrey(a)vcfed.org> > wrote: > >>>> > >>>>> Ah, I see. So should I tell the guy that you will make the floppies > for > >>>>> him and will bring them to the next repair workshop? > >>>>> > >>>>> On Tue, Sep 17, 2024 at 6:52 PM Jeff S <jsalzman(a)gmail.com> wrote: > >>>>> > >>>>>> Wouldn't need to be decoded at all. Greaseweazle accepts the disk > >> image > >>>>>> format, then uses the data in the image file to create the > equivalent > >> flux > >>>>>> on the fly as it writes to a disk. > >>>>>> > >>>>>> On Tue, Sep 17, 2024, 4:56 PM Jeffrey Brace <jeffrey(a)vcfed.org> > >> wrote: > >>>>>> > >>>>>>> On Tue, Sep 17, 2024 at 11:51 AM Jeff S via vcf-midatlantic < > >>>>>>> vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> I looked at the IMD files in HxCFloppy emulator. They are decoded > >> as 77 > >>>>>>>> tracks (probably a forced overread for that 77th track), > >> double-sided, > >>>>>>>> 15 > >>>>>>>> sectors per track. I see a lot of binary data, but there are a few > >>>>>>>> decodable sequences in some sectors that show portions of the > >>>>>>>> alphabet, in > >>>>>>>> sequence, in capital and lowercase letters. This may indicate that > >> the > >>>>>>>> decoded image data is correct. I've always found that if I can > read > >> a > >>>>>>>> disk > >>>>>>>> image cleanly in HxC Floppy Emulator, I can generally use it in > >>>>>>>> Greaseweazle to write out to a disk. But ultimately, it's up the > >> actual > >>>>>>>> machine the disk is made for that will decide in the process > works. > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> So do you think that you can decode the images and copy them to 8" > >>>>>>> floppies? > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> On Tue, Sep 17, 2024 at 11:17 AM djg <djg(a)pdp8online.com> wrote: > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> > >> > https://forum.vcfed.org/index.php?threads/does-anyone-have-a-working-8-inch… > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> I took quick look at zip and files had extension imd so should be > >>>>>>>> pretty > >>>>>>>>> standard. Life got complicated so didn't go any further. > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> -------- Original message -------- > >>>>>>>>> From: Jeff S via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> > >>>>>>>>> Date: 9/17/24 11:05 AM (GMT-05:00) > >>>>>>>>> To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> > >>>>>>>>> Cc: Jeff S <jsalzman(a)gmail.com> > >>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Next Repair Workshop Oct. 4 & 5 > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> I used a Greaseweazle to both successfully image and recreate 8" > >>>>>>>> disks for > >>>>>>>>> an OSI computer a couple years ago. Since it's flux based, as > long > >>>>>>>> at the > >>>>>>>>> track spacing for the 5110 disks are the same as conventional 8" > >>>>>>>> disks, > >>>>>>>>> then it can theoretically be done using a Greaseweazle setup. I > >>>>>>>> always > >>>>>>>>> bring my Greaseweazle kit with me to Workshops, so I expect to > have > >>>>>>>> mine > >>>>>>>>> available at the next one. > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> I would like to see what the image files are. If the images are > >> pure > >>>>>>>> flux, > >>>>>>>>> then I won't need to do much preparation to try and create a disk > >>>>>>>> from > >>>>>>>>> those images. The Greaseweazle software recognizes quite a few > >>>>>>>> popular (and > >>>>>>>>> uncommon) disk formats, and can recreate the flux transitions on > >> the > >>>>>>>> fly as > >>>>>>>>> it writes the data out to the track. The only caveat is, having a > >>>>>>>> 5110 > >>>>>>>>> available to test out the disks. Greaseweazle works with flux > >>>>>>>> resolutions > >>>>>>>>> down to 25ns, so that might not be an issue, but it would be nice > >> to > >>>>>>>> test > >>>>>>>>> them right away. > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> Jeff Salzman > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> On Mon, Sep 16, 2024 at 11:36 PM Jeffrey Brace via > vcf-midatlantic > >> < > >>>>>>>>> vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>> There is someone looking to make 8" disks from images that he > has. > >>>>>>>> He > >>>>>>>>>> recently acquired a fully functional IBM 5110-3 (or 5120) with > >> dual > >>>>>>>>> 8-inch > >>>>>>>>>> disk drives. He found the image files to make 6 disks with > various > >>>>>>>>>> applications for this computer. > >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>> Is there someone that can make the disk images for him and bring > >>>>>>>> to the > >>>>>>>>>> repair workshop? > >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>> Thanks! > >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>> Jeff Brace > >>>>>>>>>> VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President > >>>>>>>>>> Vintage Computer Festival East Showrunner > >>>>>>>>>> VCF Mid-Atlantic Event Manager > >>>>>>>>>> Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity > >>>>>>>>>> https://vcfed.org/ <http://www.vcfed.org/> > >>>>>>>>>> jeffrey(a)vcfed.org > >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>>> > >> > >> -- > >> Douglas Crawford > >> VCF Mid-Atlantic Museum Mgr > >> InfoAge Science & History Museums > >> 2201 Marconi Road > >> Wall, NJ 07719 > >> > > > > > > -- > > Bart Hirst > > "This signature will now be eaten up and spit out by Velociraptors." > >

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Next Repair Workshop Oct. 4 & 5
by David Gesswein 22 Sep '24

22 Sep '24

This page says workshop on 26 & 27th so now have two workshops in October. https://vcfed.org/repair-workshops-at-infoage/ Spreadsheet itself says nov 2-4. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tnPdmCYFA6-Y3y28tVcdzTXKqHaArx_1VFl… My take was the workshop moved with swap meet and no event now in November. Think spreadsheet is wrong but letting someone official correct. On Sun, Sep 22, 2024 at 10:25:13AM -0400, Sentrytv via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > Date: Sun, 22 Sep 2024 10:25:13 -0400 > From: Sentrytv <sentrytv(a)yahoo.com> > To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> > Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Next Repair Workshop Oct. 4 & 5 > X-Mailer: iPhone Mail (21G93) > > So just a quick question > From the dates it seems that there is not going to be any work shop during the day of the swap meet correct? > > > Sent from: > My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device. > > > On Sep 21, 2024, at 9:06 PM, Bart Hirst via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > > Doug I have it. > > > >> On Sat, Sep 21, 2024 at 5:00 PM Douglas Crawford via vcf-midatlantic < > >> vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > >> > >> I would like to see us use the time to expand our greaseweazle to > >> have an 8" drive hooked up and then give the imaging a try. > >> I'd recommend the whole computer setup arrive so we can test > >> the copies- assuming that all works, if not, do a restoration in > >> parallel with the weazle 8" augmentation. > >> Someone has my 8" drive floppy cable adapter interface... Ian? Thomas? > >> -DC > >> > >>> On 9/17/2024 10:21 PM, Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > >>>> On Tue, Sep 17, 2024 at 7:03 PM Jeff S <jsalzman(a)gmail.com> wrote: > >>> > >>>> I can certainly attempt to. I will probably need an 8" drive, data > >> cable, > >>>> and suitable power supply for the drive. > >>>> > >>>> An 8" external drive from the warehouse might have the power supply > >>>> built-in and an appropriate data cable. > >>>> > >>>> The only caveat is being able to test the disk on real hardware. As > >>>> mentioned before, I was successful with this operation on OSI disks > >> already. > >>>> > >>> > >>> OK. Let's take this offline and see if we can consult with Thomas to see > >>> what we have in the warehouse. > >>> > >>> > >>>> > >>>> On Tue, Sep 17, 2024, 6:59 PM Jeffrey Brace <jeffrey(a)vcfed.org> wrote: > >>>> > >>>>> Ah, I see. So should I tell the guy that you will make the floppies for > >>>>> him and will bring them to the next repair workshop? > >>>>> > >>>>> On Tue, Sep 17, 2024 at 6:52 PM Jeff S <jsalzman(a)gmail.com> wrote: > >>>>> > >>>>>> Wouldn't need to be decoded at all. Greaseweazle accepts the disk > >> image > >>>>>> format, then uses the data in the image file to create the equivalent > >> flux > >>>>>> on the fly as it writes to a disk. > >>>>>> > >>>>>> On Tue, Sep 17, 2024, 4:56 PM Jeffrey Brace <jeffrey(a)vcfed.org> > >> wrote: > >>>>>> > >>>>>>> On Tue, Sep 17, 2024 at 11:51 AM Jeff S via vcf-midatlantic < > >>>>>>> vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> I looked at the IMD files in HxCFloppy emulator. They are decoded > >> as 77 > >>>>>>>> tracks (probably a forced overread for that 77th track), > >> double-sided, > >>>>>>>> 15 > >>>>>>>> sectors per track. I see a lot of binary data, but there are a few > >>>>>>>> decodable sequences in some sectors that show portions of the > >>>>>>>> alphabet, in > >>>>>>>> sequence, in capital and lowercase letters. This may indicate that > >> the > >>>>>>>> decoded image data is correct. I've always found that if I can read > >> a > >>>>>>>> disk > >>>>>>>> image cleanly in HxC Floppy Emulator, I can generally use it in > >>>>>>>> Greaseweazle to write out to a disk. But ultimately, it's up the > >> actual > >>>>>>>> machine the disk is made for that will decide in the process works. > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> So do you think that you can decode the images and copy them to 8" > >>>>>>> floppies? > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> On Tue, Sep 17, 2024 at 11:17 AM djg <djg(a)pdp8online.com> wrote: > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> > >> https://forum.vcfed.org/index.php?threads/does-anyone-have-a-working-8-inch… > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> I took quick look at zip and files had extension imd so should be > >>>>>>>> pretty > >>>>>>>>> standard. Life got complicated so didn't go any further. > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> -------- Original message -------- > >>>>>>>>> From: Jeff S via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> > >>>>>>>>> Date: 9/17/24 11:05 AM (GMT-05:00) > >>>>>>>>> To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> > >>>>>>>>> Cc: Jeff S <jsalzman(a)gmail.com> > >>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Next Repair Workshop Oct. 4 & 5 > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> I used a Greaseweazle to both successfully image and recreate 8" > >>>>>>>> disks for > >>>>>>>>> an OSI computer a couple years ago. Since it's flux based, as long > >>>>>>>> at the > >>>>>>>>> track spacing for the 5110 disks are the same as conventional 8" > >>>>>>>> disks, > >>>>>>>>> then it can theoretically be done using a Greaseweazle setup. I > >>>>>>>> always > >>>>>>>>> bring my Greaseweazle kit with me to Workshops, so I expect to have > >>>>>>>> mine > >>>>>>>>> available at the next one. > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> I would like to see what the image files are. If the images are > >> pure > >>>>>>>> flux, > >>>>>>>>> then I won't need to do much preparation to try and create a disk > >>>>>>>> from > >>>>>>>>> those images. The Greaseweazle software recognizes quite a few > >>>>>>>> popular (and > >>>>>>>>> uncommon) disk formats, and can recreate the flux transitions on > >> the > >>>>>>>> fly as > >>>>>>>>> it writes the data out to the track. The only caveat is, having a > >>>>>>>> 5110 > >>>>>>>>> available to test out the disks. Greaseweazle works with flux > >>>>>>>> resolutions > >>>>>>>>> down to 25ns, so that might not be an issue, but it would be nice > >> to > >>>>>>>> test > >>>>>>>>> them right away. > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> Jeff Salzman > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> On Mon, Sep 16, 2024 at 11:36 PM Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic > >> < > >>>>>>>>> vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>> There is someone looking to make 8" disks from images that he has. > >>>>>>>> He > >>>>>>>>>> recently acquired a fully functional IBM 5110-3 (or 5120) with > >> dual > >>>>>>>>> 8-inch > >>>>>>>>>> disk drives. He found the image files to make 6 disks with various > >>>>>>>>>> applications for this computer. > >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>> Is there someone that can make the disk images for him and bring > >>>>>>>> to the > >>>>>>>>>> repair workshop? > >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>> Thanks! > >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>>> Jeff Brace > >>>>>>>>>> VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President > >>>>>>>>>> Vintage Computer Festival East Showrunner > >>>>>>>>>> VCF Mid-Atlantic Event Manager > >>>>>>>>>> Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity > >>>>>>>>>> https://vcfed.org/ <http://www.vcfed.org/> > >>>>>>>>>> jeffrey(a)vcfed.org > >>>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>>> > >> > >> -- > >> Douglas Crawford > >> VCF Mid-Atlantic Museum Mgr > >> InfoAge Science & History Museums > >> 2201 Marconi Road > >> Wall, NJ 07719 > >> > > > > > > -- > > Bart Hirst > > "This signature will now be eaten up and spit out by Velociraptors."

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Next Repair Workshop Oct. 4 & 5
by Jeffrey Brace 22 Sep '24

22 Sep '24

There is someone looking to make 8" disks from images that he has. He recently acquired a fully functional IBM 5110-3 (or 5120) with dual 8-inch disk drives. He found the image files to make 6 disks with various applications for this computer. Is there someone that can make the disk images for him and bring to the repair workshop? Thanks! Jeff Brace VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President Vintage Computer Festival East Showrunner VCF Mid-Atlantic Event Manager Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity https://vcfed.org/ <http://www.vcfed.org/> jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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VCF Tech Swap Meet Nov 2, please let your friends and groups know.
by Herbert Johnson 21 Sep '24

21 Sep '24

Congrats to David Riley upon obtaining a US radio amateur license. The ham community has overlap with technical computing and by legacy with vintage computing. And it's a pleasant community. There are other reasons, other overlaps of course. Amateur radio has its own merits. I concur, the effort needed to obtain the Technician license is as he describes: review all the possible questions and get familiar with the answers. There's study guides that provide additional background. I find them worthwhile because questions are regulatory as well as technical. I got my license a year ago, in the manner David describes. That's why I'm posting. The original topic, was about Jeff Brace trying to resolve ARRL requirements to have the VCF-Mid tech swap listed in the ARRL's hamfest listings. That thread seems to be completed. regards Herb -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey USA https://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net preserve, recover, restore 1970's computing email: hjohnson AT retrotechnology DOT com or try later herbjohnson AT comcast DOT net

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Am I an AI? (was: IBM and 8-inch (was: Next Repair Workshop Oct. 4 & 5))
by Herbert Johnson 20 Sep '24

20 Sep '24

> https://forum.vcfed.org/index.php?threads/does-anyone-have-a-working-8-inch… So, funny thing happened to me, in the VCFed forum, where there was that discussion of IBM 5510 8-inch floppy drive/disk business, also discussed here. I laid out my usual considerations about making old IMD disk images onto floppy disks. Writing in my usual way, pretty much. People here, know what to expect from me. But in that forum, more than one person wondered "is this an AI chatbot response?" When I suggested otherwise (!), the person apologized and explained their reasoning. In another discussion, they wrote, someone recently gave them a somewhat formal and neutral-tone response. Apparently, their respondent used some AI-generated content as part of their post. So I said, in so many words, I'm old and technically trained. Maybe, I sound like the old-school content that was trained into that AI 'bot? Makes some kind of sense. While I was initially annoyed, our exchange made me thoughtful. Is this gonna be a thing now? Is some informed-sort of response, now gonna be judged as maybe being AI-generated, and therefore suspect of what some call "hallucinations" (and others call nonfactual, fantasies, or lies)? If generative AI becomes the standard, and real humans don't meet that standard, will people be held at fault? Or worse, leave correspondence entirely to the 'bots? That's my general fear, for any new technology of convenience. That is, degrading some skill that used to require human activity. Here in vintage computing, we (should) know something about that history. Is this an AI response too? Most sources, would say it is not. If I desire, can you provide me with character references (Spock)? regards, Her"bot" Johnson -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey USA https://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net preserve, recover, restore 1970's computing email: hjohnson AT retrotechnology DOT com or try later herbjohnson AT comcast DOT net

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software-freedom-day
by Jeffrey Jonas 19 Sep '24

19 Sep '24

murph and I are among several folks active with VCF and the North Jersey Linux User Group www.njlinux.org I'm forwarding this message from murph because 1) many of us rely on open software for retro and non-retro activities 2) open source/shareware was invented by clever folks to advance the state of the art and not keep re-inventing the wheel ... forwarded message ... [at the upcoming NJ Linux meeting] I'd like to have a conversation about Software Freedom Day. We haven't done one in quite a while, and I'd like to see what people might be interested in doing next year. There is a virtual event happening in Florida, one of the few in the US. Might be good for some of us to attend, and see if we can add to the conversation, and get ideas for next year: It is before the meeting, so hopefully some of you can stop in virtually. This is of course on September 21st this year, here is a link with the details. https://digitalfreedoms.org/en/software-freedom-day/events/pbsfg-virtual-sf…

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Miniterm 1205 terminal. love it or list it?
by Herbert Johnson 19 Sep '24

19 Sep '24

> Also the deteriorated rubber tractor band feels like a pretty big show stopper unless I can find a source (seems like a long shot). Any other MiniTerm will likely have the same problem, they are all old and all age. So hoping for a "donor" is not likely realistic. It's a common problem of that belting technology. These belts have to be stable and accurate. They aren't "splice"-able really, in most cases. and, they are all custom, no two alike except by pure happenstance. These belts have fibers through them to keep their dimensions stable. Your belt's fibers may be visible. So the idea of making your own is probably not realistic, whatever your skills level. Rubber belts appear on all kinds of vintage equipment. In the past there have been private services that replicate belts to order. People have stock materials, tools and skills to make belts at length and width. The instance I recall, the person charged a tooling fee (to set up tools and make measurements) and then charged per belt to produce them (materials and time). Sometimes the same persons make rubber rollers to dimension. If you are interested, I suggest you measure the dimensions of the belt, teeth per inch, and take good photos. Don't cut it, if you can avoid doing so. Then web-search for forums where people work on these things. Printers, floppy drives, magtape drives, electric typewriters, sewing machines come to mind, your search will find other domains. You'll find a producer that way. Or search for "rubber belts to order" kinds of descriptions. Or you'll find various attempts to make belts. Maybe someone has a scheme that works. Otherwise the unit has value for repair parts, and as a display piece. As printing technology is out-of-favor, most of these will not be saved, or parted out. In another time, that will create rarity and they may gain interest/value accordingly. regards, Herb -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey USA https://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net preserve, recover, restore 1970's computing email: hjohnson AT retrotechnology DOT com or try later herbjohnson AT comcast DOT net

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OT HAM LICENSE
by Sentrytv 19 Sep '24

19 Sep '24

ARRL practice test are Notorious for X&Y type answers. I have been buying, repairing and selling ham radio equipment for over 20 years, and still have not become a “Ham Radio, Amateur radio operator” by choice. I even received some door prizes at a Hamfest, so I was able to purchase ARRL books but still haven’t bothered to get my license. But I do listen and learn on the airwaves. To those people who already have their license and have some recent spare material to loan Jeff, I would suggest bringing them to him. Just my two pennies worth. Sent from: My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device. > On Sep 19, 2024, at 1:18 PM, Neil Cherry via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > On 9/19/24 12:16, David Riley via vcf-midatlantic wrote: >> Seriously, the max commitment it took from me was reading the ARRL's cheap Kindle guidebook on passing the exam (which was useful for the non-EE parts I wasn't as familiar with, like the traditional frequency offsets for repeaters, atmospheric effects, licensing technicalities, etc), and one hour on a weekend at the local radio club to actually take the test. You can do infinite practice tests online for free to see if you're ready. My free time is currently deeply in the red and I somehow managed it, so just about anyone can. :-) > > Adding to this, not only use the online test but do try to understand the > answers. I am dyslexic so I needed to understand the answer otherwise I'd > get the X & Y type answers (similar but slightly different) mixed up. The > understanding helped get around that. Some of the tests have very good > explanations. > > -- > Linux Home Automation Neil Cherry kd2zrq(a)linuxha.com > http://www.linuxha.com/ Main site > http://linuxha.blogspot.com/ My HA Blog > Author of: Linux Smart Homes For Dummies KD2ZRQ >

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] VCF Tech Swap Meet Nov 2, please let your friends and groups know.
by Jeffrey Brace 19 Sep '24

19 Sep '24

On Thu, Jun 27, 2024 at 12:19 Sentrytv via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > Thinking the same way > Please make sure that the ARRL calendar is updated with the event as well! Yes of course, but now they require a someone with a Ham Radio license. I do not have one. Martin did it last time. I will try to get a VCF member to do it this time. > > Sent from: > My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device. > > > On Jun 27, 2024, at 10:51 AM, Christian Liendo via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > > So, I know this happens every time but as we get closer to the next > > swap meet we get told. My group has an event and they conflict. > > > > Can you please let the groups you belong to know about the event. This > > should reduce the chance of a conflict and it will also drum up > > interest. > > > > https://vcfed.org/vcf-swap-meet/ > > > > We would like the next swap meet to be bigger and it would help to > > start getting the word out now. > > > > Thanks > >

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Miniterm 1205 terminal. love it or list it?
by glenn.f.roberts＠gmail.com 18 Sep '24

18 Sep '24

A while back I picked up a Miniterm 1205 but it needs some help. Category:Computer Devices - Terminals (terminals-wiki.org) <https://terminals-wiki.org/wiki/index.php/Category:Computer_Devices> Computer Devices Miniterm 1205 - Terminals (terminals-wiki.org) <https://terminals-wiki.org/wiki/index.php/Computer_Devices_Miniterm_1205> After removing the cover, I see evidence of a pretty massive tantalum failure (and these tants are huge!) and perhaps other concomitant damage to the power supply. Also the rubber tractor band that moves the head back and forth appears to have dry rot on it - not sure that can be cleaned up. And the label on the unit says it's for 230V/50Hz (not sure if there's an option on the power supply board to reconfigure that (?). (hmm. Wondering if someone attempted to power with 120V?) This is an impressively built machine with a beautiful keyboard. It has a NASA property sticker on it. I am nostalgic for the old era of these terminals (I used a TI silent 700 back then) and when I picked it up was hoping to get it in working order some day. So I'm trying to decide what to do with this unit. Are schematics or service manuals likely to be available? If not, how best to repair the power supply? (find someone else who has one?) Am I likely to be able to find a workable replacement for the belt? Or fix it? I guess I'd have to get a power converter to run this. Feels like a lot to take on. Interested in any advice or pointers. If someone in the group would be interested in tackling this project I'd be happy to have a discussion (off list) on that. Thanks * Glenn

4 6

VCF 2022
by Christian Liendo 18 Sep '24

18 Sep '24

I know I shared some photos of VCF 2022 and now my folder is gone. If anyone has any of the ones I shared, if they can please share them back with me it would be appreciated.

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IBM and 8-inch (was: Next Repair Workshop Oct. 4 & 5)
by Herbert Johnson 17 Sep '24

17 Sep '24

> There is someone looking to make 8" disks from images that he has. He > recently acquired a fully functional IBM 5110-3 (or 5120) with dual 8-inch > disk drives. He found the image files to make 6 disks with various > applications for this computer. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_5110 I had to look up "5510 model 3". It predates MS-DOS and ISA-class PC's. I had forgotten that one such model had 8-inch floppy drives. There's a good chance, that what-became-ordinary floppy disk controllers on IBM (ISA) MS-DOS PC's and CP/M-80 class computers, will not be able to process such 5110/5120 disks or their images. (I don't know for sure.) I'm saying, Jeff, that most old computers won't likely be able to work with these *even older IBM* disks. There's a modern class of bit-sampling floppy disk emulators and reader/writers, usually operated as USB devices. (I don't pretend to know them well.) Because they operate at the "bit" (flux change) level, in principle they can handle almost anything a floppy controller every written - IF, if, someone trained up on that particular format to decode the floppy bits. Problem is, the owners and developers of those USB devices, probably never had their hands on an IBM 5510/5520! So, if I read 40 words of description correctly (unlikely), I suggest this person outta get on the Web NOW, and contact these developers of these USB floppy reader/writers NOW, to identify if their models can handle disks from their particular IBM model. They might also contact whomever created those image-files. See how they created those images. It may be, there's a "downloader and format" 5110 program as well. The owner should also clarify/confirm exactly what hardware they have, where these image files came from, and so on. . Oh - and if the computer works *to their knowledge*. I get requests from people all the time, for stuff for their computers, before their seller delivers it to them. If the owners already did this work, they should make that info readily available as they ask for help. The zeroth help I can give someone, is to noodge them to identify their problems. Problems solve themselves faster, if details are resolved first. Details identify the tools and knowledge needed, weed out those who don't have either. Regards Herb Johnson -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey USA https://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net preserve, recover, restore 1970's computing email: hjohnson AT retrotechnology DOT com or try later herbjohnson AT comcast DOT net

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Truckload in Cape Cod
by Bart Hirst 17 Sep '24

17 Sep '24

https://forum.vcfed.org/index.php?threads/truckload-of-computers-and-parts-… -- Bart Hirst "This signature will now be eaten up and spit out by Velociraptors."

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Friden Flexowriter in Trenton
by Joseph Giliberti 14 Sep '24

14 Sep '24

At $700 the price is a bit steep, but they aren't exactly common https://www.facebook.com/share/riPGR4N2g2EbnRcM/?mibextid=kL3p88

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] OT- NTE ELECTRONICS IS NO MORE
by Dave McGuire 11 Sep '24

11 Sep '24

Well they certainly didn't pull any punches about their suit problem. -Dave -- Dave McGuire, AK4HZ New Kensington, PA

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Part #1 of the Paul Allen Collection
by Christian Liendo 11 Sep '24

11 Sep '24

https://www.christies.com/en/auction/pushing-boundaries-ingenuity-from-the-… $945k for the Apple I

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] OT- NTE ELECTRONICS IS NO MORE
by Neil Cherry 11 Sep '24

11 Sep '24

On 9/11/24 14:37, Sentrytv via vcf-midatlantic wrote: Wow, one of the last. :( -- Linux Home Automation Neil Cherry kd2zrq(a)linuxha.com http://www.linuxha.com/ Main site http://linuxha.blogspot.com/ My HA Blog Author of: Linux Smart Homes For Dummies KD2ZRQ

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OT- NTE ELECTRONICS IS NO MORE
by Sentrytv 11 Sep '24

11 Sep '24

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HomeBrew computer club reunion part 1
by Christian Liendo 11 Sep '24

11 Sep '24

>From the description: Welcome to the first part of a three-part series, telling the story of the early days of personal computing. Before the era of personal computers, a club was formed by engineers, hobbyists, students, and anyone interested in computers. This was a time when computers were only available at colleges, universities, or large companies. The club all got started from an ad-hoc gathering of people meeting at a pot luck dinner in the Palo Alto area. It was at these meetings where the idea of starting a club was born. This video, and the following two, highlights reminiscing from the original people involved, including Steve Wozniak, Lee Felsenstein, Dan Soquel, and a host of others who are still alive to tell their story. So sit back, relax and enjoy this unique journey through the history of personal computing. https://youtu.be/j1roYUAQdnQ?si=V3mYt43EMBE_3v8P

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Does anyone want to fly to Texas?
by Christian Liendo 06 Sep '24

06 Sep '24

https://www.margiebeeglesales.com/Sales/2024-08-22%203%20Generations%20Anti…

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TRS-80 Model III for sale in Northern VA
by Dean Notarnicola 06 Sep '24

06 Sep '24

In case anyone is interested, Eric Shor contacted us about the availability of a 48K TRS-80 Model III.. His description: *"It's the original (as purchased, no modifications) Model III, 48K memory.* *I was able to boot it enough to get to BASIC w/ the ESC key depressed.* *The contrast knobs are stuck but you can see the screen enough.* *The boot disk drive lights up and moves but I believe it needs some love on the mechanical side and possibly head cleaning.* *I have 100s of floppy discs. Both TRS-DOS and L-DOS"* Pics here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/sBEA4s6KANSWyYQa6 Please contact him off-list if you are interested: erishor(a)msn.com Regards, Dean

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] slightly OT: Collector vs. Hoarder
by Bill Degnan 05 Sep '24

05 Sep '24

I felt bad after I sent my response. I stand by what I said, but what I really meant to say is *you* should be working now to use and preserve vintage tech that means something to you because the only chance it has living past you is how well you take care of it while you're still around. Does that make sense? I work on some vintage computing project every day. Been doing it since the late 80s with IBM XT boards and servicing them when they started to get phased out and replaced by PS/2's. Shortly after got back into Commodore 128's, then I got my first S-100 system (a Cromemco System One) and a few Tandy III's, and... Bill On Thu, Sep 5, 2024 at 2:31 PM Sentrytv via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > More space junk for us to send up. > > It’s getting a little ridiculous, > as if whoever is on the receiving end is going to know how to use any of > this Tech, > if it all. > > Mike > > Sent from: > My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device. > > > On Sep 5, 2024, at 2:21 PM, Bart Hirst via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > > Haha, yea Bill's comments had me thinking of how to send a time capsule > of > > vintage tech into space. Maybe the space catapult can fling a few Apple > > II's into orbit. Makes me wonder what was in the trunk of Elon's tesla > > before launch, could have hidden a C64, 1541, CRT and maybe a copy of > > karateka. Well the 1541 may be pushing it, unless they threw in a > > fastloader cart. > > > >> On Thu, Sep 5, 2024 at 11:55 AM David L Kuhn via vcf-midatlantic < > >> vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > >> > >> Way to bring down a party Bill. lol > >> > >> -----Original Message----- > >> From: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic-bounces(a)lists.vcfed.org> On > Behalf > >> Of Bill Degnan via vcf-midatlantic > >> Sent: Wednesday, August 28, 2024 5:01 PM > >> To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> > >> Cc: Bill Degnan <billdegnan(a)gmail.com> > >> Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] slightly OT: Collector vs. Hoarder > >> > >> Hello Bart. > >> I bet even among us tech hobbyists and purveyors of antique computers a > >> low percentage has anything really old beyond their personal interest. > >> Uber old tech collectors are out there, but they're much rarer and may > not > >> have the skills to support their items. They become "art" and thus how > >> they look on a display is more important than anything. > >> > >> It comes down to this, you can pass along stuff but you can't pass along > >> passion. To find one passionate person after another over the > generations > >> to keep an unremarkable Atari going (why?) would be quite unusual. An > >> Apple I stuff like that yes, but there is a short list of items that > will > >> be worth preserving over a longer stretch of time. Very very few > vintage > >> computing items will survive 100 years, and of these, very very few will > >> be complete and restorable, not to mention functional. > >> > >> There are always exceptions, maybe a collection large enough will > attract > >> an audience, or get absorbed into a future museum, but only the best > stuff > >> will survive. And with large collections there has to be an > >> institutional/financial commitment, security, protection against looting > >> when times get tough, etc. Anything that's not truly historic that > >> survives will be the exception not the rule. It'll be random stuff, > >> things that hang on the wall like front panels and interesting software > >> packaging that randomly might find themselves into the right hands 200 > >> years from now. > >> > >> To make it into the future an item will have to be meticulously curated, > >> and the item would have to be valuable enough to be worth the expense of > >> maintaining year after year. > >> > >> 500 years from now you'll still be able to see vintage computers in > >> museums, but only the few that were meticulously preserved, and > extremely > >> lucky. > >> > >> SO - just have fun with what you have. Use it or lose it. > >> > >> b > >> > >> On Wed, Aug 28, 2024 at 12:21 PM Bart Hirst via vcf-midatlantic < > >> vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > >> > >>> One bad scenario I can think of is an individual who isn't at all > >>> interested in estate planning, and has no close friends or relatives > >>> with knowledge of their collection at hand when they move on, and thus > >>> things could go off the rails when put in the hands of someone who is > >>> not prepared and/or equipped to do anything other than call 1-800-junk. > >>> > >>> On Wed, Aug 28, 2024 at 12:03 PM Hopkins, Justin via vcf-midatlantic < > >>> vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > >>> > >>>> And I am pretty sure everyone remembers this. > >>>> https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-19665632.amp > >>>> ________________________________ > >>>> From: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic-bounces(a)lists.vcfed.org> on > >>> behalf > >>>> of Dean Notarnicola via vcf-midatlantic > >>>> <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org > >>>> > >>>> Sent: Wednesday, August 28, 2024 3:40:32 PM > >>>> To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> > >>>> Cc: Dean Notarnicola <dnotarnicola(a)gmail.com> > >>>> Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] slightly OT: Collector vs. Hoarder > >>>> > >>>> This discussion has come up several times in the past year. I'm > >>>> wondering if I should expand/update and repeat my VCF talk from a > >>>> few years ago on the lifecycle of collections; establishing, > >>>> maintaining and final disposition. Thoughts? - Dean > >>>> ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerStart This Message Is From an External Sender > >>>> This message came from outside your organization. > >>>> > >>>> ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerEnd > >>>> > >>>> This discussion has come up several times in the past year. I'm > >>>> wondering if I should expand/update and repeat my VCF talk from a > >>>> few years ago on the lifecycle of collections; establishing, > >>>> maintaining and final disposition. Thoughts? > >>>> > >>>> - Dean > >>>> > >>>> On Wed, Aug 28, 2024 at 9:29 AM Chris Fala via vcf-midatlantic < > >>>> vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > >>>> > >>>>> Yes, I do know the distinction between you personally and the > >>>> organization. > >>>>> I thought of that as I was typing, but figured it would still get > >>>>> the > >>>> point > >>>>> across. Sorry if my phrasing distorted the situation. > >>>>> > >>>>> On Wed, Aug 28, 2024 at 9:05 AM Dave McGuire via vcf-midatlantic < > >>>>> vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > >>>>> > >>>>>> > >>>>>> Thanks for the props, but remember that LSSM is not "Dave's > >>> stuff". > >>>>>> I have my own computers at home. Nearly all of my (computer) > >>>>>> stuff > >>>> will > >>>>>> go to LSSM when I kick the bucket. > >>>>>> > >>>>>> -Dave > >>>>>> > >>>>>> On 8/28/24 08:53, Chris Fala via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > >>>>>>> Don't forget about exhibiting/presenting/sharing stuff now so > >>> people > >>>>> can > >>>>>>> enjoy our collections while we are still alive. McGuire is a > >>> perfect > >>>>>>> example of this, and I am not. Someone want to come over and > >>>>>>> help > >>> me > >>>>>>> organize my storage unit(s)? ;-) > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>> On Wed, Aug 28, 2024 at 8:48 AM Bob Shuster via > >>>>>>> vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > >>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> My bad, Dave! It was Mike Rosen (Sentrytv) responding to your > >>>> message > >>>>>> who > >>>>>>>> pointed this out, and I mixed up who said what! - Bob > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> From: Dave McGuire <mcguire(a)neurotica.com> > >>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] slightly OT: Collector vs. > >>>>>>>>> Hoarder On 8/27/24 10:32, Bob Shuster via vcf-midatlantic > >> wrote: > >>>>>>>>>> This is precisely why I started to sell off my collection, > >>>>>>>>>> and > >>> as > >>>>>>>>>> Dave McGuire pointed out it?s the people who come after > >>>>>>>>>> we?re > >>> gone > >>>>>>>>>> that will have to deal with it! As I stated on the front > >>>>>>>>>> page of > >>>> my > >>>>>>>>>> sales page: "There comes a time when one's collection > >>>>>>>>>> overwhelms > >>>> the > >>>>>>>>>> ability to store or maintain it ... I imagine the pain of > >>>>>>>>>> my > >>>> family > >>>>>>>>>> in having to do this after I'm gone!" > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> I certainly wasn't the one who pointed that out. I was > >>>>>>>>> the > >>> one > >>>>>>>>> advocating for finding a compatible spouse to begin with. > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> If fat, funny-looking, high-maintenance "me" can do it, > >>>>>>>>> any > >>> guy > >>>>> can. > >>>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>>> -Dave > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>>>> > >>>>>> > >>>>>> > >>>>>> -- > >>>>>> Dave McGuire, AK4HZ > >>>>>> New Kensington, PA > >>>>>> > >>>>> > >>>> > >>>> > >>>> This message and any attachments are intended only for the use of > >>>> the addressee and may contain information that is privileged and > >>> confidential. > >>>> If the reader of the message is not the intended recipient or an > >>> authorized > >>>> representative of the intended recipient, you are hereby notified > >>>> that > >>> any > >>>> dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you > >>>> have received this communication in error, please notify us > >>>> immediately by e-mail and delete the message and any attachments from > >> your system. > >>>> > >>> > >>> > >>> -- > >>> Bart Hirst > >>> "This signature will now be eaten up and spit out by Velociraptors." > >>> > >> > >> > > > > -- > > Bart Hirst > > "This signature will now be eaten up and spit out by Velociraptors." > >

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] slightly OT: Collector vs. Hoarder
by Jeff S 05 Sep '24

05 Sep '24

Wait... did you just describe the Voyager project? 😉 (Hoping to live another 200 years to see "C'DORE 64" return as a sentient, child-like being.) On Thu, Sep 5, 2024 at 2:31 PM Sentrytv via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > More space junk for us to send up. > > It’s getting a little ridiculous, > as if whoever is on the receiving end is going to know how to use any of > this Tech, > if it all. >

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] slightly OT: Collector vs. Hoarder
by Bart Hirst 05 Sep '24

05 Sep '24

One bad scenario I can think of is an individual who isn't at all interested in estate planning, and has no close friends or relatives with knowledge of their collection at hand when they move on, and thus things could go off the rails when put in the hands of someone who is not prepared and/or equipped to do anything other than call 1-800-junk. On Wed, Aug 28, 2024 at 12:03 PM Hopkins, Justin via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > And I am pretty sure everyone remembers this. > https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-19665632.amp > ________________________________ > From: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic-bounces(a)lists.vcfed.org> on behalf > of Dean Notarnicola via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> > Sent: Wednesday, August 28, 2024 3:40:32 PM > To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> > Cc: Dean Notarnicola <dnotarnicola(a)gmail.com> > Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] slightly OT: Collector vs. Hoarder > > This discussion has come up several times in the past year. I'm wondering > if I should expand/update and repeat my VCF talk from a few years ago on > the lifecycle of collections; establishing, maintaining and final > disposition. Thoughts? - Dean > ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerStart > This Message Is From an External Sender > This message came from outside your organization. > > ZjQcmQRYFpfptBannerEnd > > This discussion has come up several times in the past year. I'm wondering > if I should expand/update and repeat my VCF talk from a few years ago on > the lifecycle of collections; establishing, maintaining and > final disposition. Thoughts? > > - Dean > > On Wed, Aug 28, 2024 at 9:29 AM Chris Fala via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > Yes, I do know the distinction between you personally and the > organization. > > I thought of that as I was typing, but figured it would still get the > point > > across. Sorry if my phrasing distorted the situation. > > > > On Wed, Aug 28, 2024 at 9:05 AM Dave McGuire via vcf-midatlantic < > > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > > > > > > Thanks for the props, but remember that LSSM is not "Dave's stuff". > > > I have my own computers at home. Nearly all of my (computer) stuff > will > > > go to LSSM when I kick the bucket. > > > > > > -Dave > > > > > > On 8/28/24 08:53, Chris Fala via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > > > > Don't forget about exhibiting/presenting/sharing stuff now so people > > can > > > > enjoy our collections while we are still alive. McGuire is a perfect > > > > example of this, and I am not. Someone want to come over and help me > > > > organize my storage unit(s)? ;-) > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > On Wed, Aug 28, 2024 at 8:48 AM Bob Shuster via vcf-midatlantic < > > > > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > > > > > >> My bad, Dave! It was Mike Rosen (Sentrytv) responding to your > message > > > who > > > >> pointed this out, and I mixed up who said what! - Bob > > > >> > > > >>> From: Dave McGuire <mcguire(a)neurotica.com> > > > >>> Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] slightly OT: Collector vs. Hoarder > > > >>> On 8/27/24 10:32, Bob Shuster via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > > > >>>> This is precisely why I started to sell off my collection, and as > > > >>>> Dave McGuire pointed out it?s the people who come after we?re gone > > > >>>> that will have to deal with it! As I stated on the front page of > my > > > >>>> sales page: "There comes a time when one's collection overwhelms > the > > > >>>> ability to store or maintain it ... I imagine the pain of my > family > > > >>>> in having to do this after I'm gone!" > > > >>> > > > >>> I certainly wasn't the one who pointed that out. I was the one > > > >>> advocating for finding a compatible spouse to begin with. > > > >>> > > > >>> If fat, funny-looking, high-maintenance "me" can do it, any guy > > can. > > > >>> > > > >>> -Dave > > > >> > > > >> > > > > > > > > > -- > > > Dave McGuire, AK4HZ > > > New Kensington, PA > > > > > > > > This message and any attachments are intended only for the use of the > addressee and may contain information that is privileged and confidential. > If the reader of the message is not the intended recipient or an authorized > representative of the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any > dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have > received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by > e-mail and delete the message and any attachments from your system. > -- Bart Hirst "This signature will now be eaten up and spit out by Velociraptors."

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WANTED: Morrow Disk Jockey DMA
by William Sudbrink 05 Sep '24

05 Sep '24

Hi, Subject pretty much says it all. Working or non-working. I _think_ I will be exhibiting at VCF East next year and I have an idea that requires it. Plus, I've played with one in the past and would like to again. Bill S. -- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. www.avast.com

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New acquisition at CDL
by Martin A. Flynn 02 Sep '24

02 Sep '24

New acquisition at CDL! We just picked up a 3 kVA transformer to convert the Camp Evans 120/208 volt three phase service to single phase 120/240 volt. Part number is Square D 3S1F Will be available for workshops, fitting with twist-lock and straight-blade receptacles on the output side. Martin Flynn

2 1

Re: [vcf-midatlantic] restoring PDP-8/L
by David Gesswein 02 Sep '24

02 Sep '24

On Mon, Sep 02, 2024 at 01:45:22PM -0400, Mike Rieker via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > > I'm restoring a PDP-8/L. I got it mostly working, had to replace a couple > chips. > Not bad for what people have reported for restoring other 8/L's. > I have checked the supply voltages and there is a timing diagram in the > PDP-8/L maint volume 1 book that seems ok. This one seems a little slow > (like 600nS instead of 500nS), but the stuff seems to be in place, > relative to each other. The manual shows some current waveforms to check > but I don't have a current probe (one is on order). Anyone have > experience getting this stuff to work? > Haven't had much problems with my 8/I or 8/L memory but have spent time with straight 8 memory. For 8/L people have reported bad diodes on the core modules. If bad people normally cut the body out and solder a new one to the leads. I think the diodes can be tested with meter diode check function. On these core modules when they broke a wire making them they would twist the wire together then put some coating over it. Some people have reported those connections going high resistance. If suspect you can check that with ohm meter comparing to other wires. There is a strobe alignment to make sure you are sampling the core in the middle of the pulse and adjustment for memory voltage/current. If you think failures change with temperature check the thermistor. What current probe did you order? I have an old Tektronix one since that was the only reasonable cost option to have the 10 MHz bandwidth needed when I was looking. I was having issues where I would adjust the straight 8 memory to pass diags but would stop working later. With the current probe I could see that the current varied with address. I found bad steering diodes and high resistance backplane contacts. After fixing that the memory has been pretty stable. Would also be good to see what memory locations are good and bad and see if you can find a pattern in address or data bit. That may point to particular areas to check. If you figure out suspect addresses you can try swapping driver cards and see if problem moves.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] restoring PDP-8/L
by Bill Degnan 02 Sep '24

02 Sep '24

If possible, bring to a workshop? BIll On Mon, Sep 2, 2024 at 1:45 PM Mike Rieker via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > Hi All, > > I'm restoring a PDP-8/L. I got it mostly working, had to replace a couple > chips. > > Anyway so of course, the memory isn't reliable. I can deposit to some > locations and they read back ok, but other locations do not. And which > locations are good seems change from day to day though I'm not sure about > that yet. > > It is able to run a small loop (IAC / JMP .-1) seemingly for hours on end > after hunting for some good memory locations, so the memory isn't a > complete basket case. After all it is doing read/write cycles just to > fetch instructions. > > I have checked the supply voltages and there is a timing diagram in the > PDP-8/L maint volume 1 book that seems ok. This one seems a little slow > (like 600nS instead of 500nS), but the stuff seems to be in place, > relative to each other. The manual shows some current waveforms to check > but I don't have a current probe (one is on order). Anyone have > experience getting this stuff to work? > > Thanks, > Mike Rieker > > >

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restoring PDP-8/L
by wmrieker＠nii.net 02 Sep '24

02 Sep '24

Hi All, I'm restoring a PDP-8/L. I got it mostly working, had to replace a couple chips. Anyway so of course, the memory isn't reliable. I can deposit to some locations and they read back ok, but other locations do not. And which locations are good seems change from day to day though I'm not sure about that yet. It is able to run a small loop (IAC / JMP .-1) seemingly for hours on end after hunting for some good memory locations, so the memory isn't a complete basket case. After all it is doing read/write cycles just to fetch instructions. I have checked the supply voltages and there is a timing diagram in the PDP-8/L maint volume 1 book that seems ok. This one seems a little slow (like 600nS instead of 500nS), but the stuff seems to be in place, relative to each other. The manual shows some current waveforms to check but I don't have a current probe (one is on order). Anyone have experience getting this stuff to work? Thanks, Mike Rieker

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Receive only Teletype 33 in Marlboro NJ for $75
by Joseph Giliberti 01 Sep '24

01 Sep '24

Not exactly common to see https://www.facebook.com/share/EG9y1gDnxQDQPAKY/?mibextid=kL3p88

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] slightly OT: Collector vs. Hoarder
by Michael Thompson 29 Aug '24

29 Aug '24

We have an executor and an alternate executor. I made a list of the major parts of my hoard collection and where the items should go. My wife, executor, and an alternate executor know my wishes. Hopefully everything won't go for gold scrap. -- Michael Thompson

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Corvus Omninet , curious 'fact'
by Herbert Johnson 28 Aug '24

28 Aug '24

> I have no idea what qualifies as the first commercially successful network. Well, telegraph lines? that's electrical transmission along wires among many-to-many nodes. The trouble with chasing "firsts" is defining the "first what?". Because, there's always a prior case, that's almost but not quite like the "first-of". It's a judgement call. I gave up the practice of calling out firsts. Early personal-computer networking has many origins. Generally, it's about sharing a precious at-the-time resource (say, a database, a hard drive, a cable or transciever to a remote location, and so on). Current loop allowed sharing of Teletypes and use over distance. Where to start? But most of your post, was about Corvus technology, and then about ThickNet Ethernet falling down and hurting people. I can't speak to Corvus stuff, Web search will work that for you, library research if you need period pre-Internet magazines. Even with ThickNet, thick coax had/has prior use in high frequency radio communications. The point about properly mounting heavy cables and taps, is that later networking used *lighter* cabling and taps, so installation safety wasn't an issue. Thus it *seems* to be an issue in uninformed retrospect - who uses big cables today? At the time, mounting heavy cables and associated equipment was part of normal practices, unremarkable. In 1980 or so I ran a network of a hundred plus terminals to a DecSystem-20. Directly at first, later via a terminal server. The terminals were wired on wired-telephone twisted pairs, 50-pair cables of size, between punch-down terminal blocks. We had also ThickNet orange coax cable among several PDP-11 computers between various buildings and the DEC-20 system. Buildings of the era has all kinds of cabling runs, for AC power and phone-lines, pipes for plumbing, etc. Cables were installed following best-practices, other than the fact we ran RS-232 / EIA voltage levels for over 100 feet on twisted pair telephone cables. That's when I learned that bandwidth was related to signal/noise. Baud rates at 9600 baud worked, except for the very longest runs, failing due to distributed capacitance. Local lightning strikes, tended to take out our DEC terminal interface boards when they were directly connected. The later intervening terminal server resolved that. Regards, Herb -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey USA https://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net preserve, recover, restore 1970's computing email: hjohnson AT retrotechnology DOT com or try later herbjohnson AT comcast DOT net

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Corvus Omninet , curious 'fact'
by Neil Cherry 28 Aug '24

28 Aug '24

Came across this while poking around ebay: Corvus Concept Systems Computer Didn't know anything about to off to the wiki and: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corvus_Systems In 1980 Corvus came out with the first commercially successful local area network (LAN), called Omninet.[17] Most Ethernet deployments of the time ran at 3 Mbit/s and cost one or two thousand dollars per computer. Ethernet also used a thick and heavy cable that felt like a lead pipe when bent,[citation needed] which was run in proximity to each computer, often in the ceiling plenum. The weight of the cable was such that injury to workers from ceiling failure and falling cables was a real danger. A transceiver unit was spliced or tapped into the cable for each computer, with an additional AUI cable running from the transceiver to the computer itself. I had actually heard about the Corvus network stuff in the 80 but as a noob wasn't going to dig into it with the cost. I do like the injury claim. I don't recall ever hearing about that but I do recall the bends like a lead pipe part. I have no idea what qualifies as the first commercially successful network. -- Linux Home Automation Neil Cherry kd2zrq(a)linuxha.com http://www.linuxha.com/ Main site http://linuxha.blogspot.com/ My HA Blog Author of: Linux Smart Homes For Dummies KD2ZRQ

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Next Volunteer Day October 4, 2024 at InfoAge
by Jeffrey Brace 28 Aug '24

28 Aug '24

Hello everyone, We need volunteers from 1PM to 5PM in the warehouse to help Thomas and crew. Please let me know if you can make it! Take care! Jeff Brace VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President Vintage Computer Festival East Showrunner VCF Mid-Atlantic Event Manager Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity https://vcfed.org/ <http://www.vcfed.org/> jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] slightly OT: Collector vs. Hoarder
by Bob Shuster 28 Aug '24

28 Aug '24

My bad, Dave! It was Mike Rosen (Sentrytv) responding to your message who pointed this out, and I mixed up who said what! - Bob > From: Dave McGuire <mcguire(a)neurotica.com> > Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] slightly OT: Collector vs. Hoarder > On 8/27/24 10:32, Bob Shuster via vcf-midatlantic wrote: >> This is precisely why I started to sell off my collection, and as >> Dave McGuire pointed out it?s the people who come after we?re gone >> that will have to deal with it! As I stated on the front page of my >> sales page: "There comes a time when one's collection overwhelms the >> ability to store or maintain it ... I imagine the pain of my family >> in having to do this after I'm gone!" > > I certainly wasn't the one who pointed that out. I was the one > advocating for finding a compatible spouse to begin with. > > If fat, funny-looking, high-maintenance "me" can do it, any guy can. > > -Dave

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] slightly OT: Collector vs. Hoarder
by Dave McGuire 27 Aug '24

27 Aug '24

On 8/27/24 10:32, Bob Shuster via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > This is precisely why I started to sell off my collection, and as > Dave McGuire pointed out it’s the people who come after we’re gone > that will have to deal with it! As I stated on the front page of my > sales page: "There comes a time when one's collection overwhelms the > ability to store or maintain it ... I imagine the pain of my family > in having to do this after I'm gone!" I certainly wasn't the one who pointed that out. I was the one advocating for finding a compatible spouse to begin with. If fat, funny-looking, high-maintenance "me" can do it, any guy can. -Dave -- Dave McGuire, AK4HZ New Kensington, PA

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slightly OT: Collector vs. Hoarder
by Bart Hirst 27 Aug '24

27 Aug '24

This part of the last post caught my eye: *>Clearly, this was a collector, not just a hoarder.* This is worrying! Is there some test that can be taken to determine ‘collectorness’ vs ‘hoarderness’?? p.s. for myself I may need professional help and/or medication to understand why I keep "collecting" floppy drives :( -- Bart Hirst "This signature will now be eaten up and spit out by Velociraptors."

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Re: slightly OT: Collector vs. Hoarder
by Bob Shuster 27 Aug '24

27 Aug '24

This is precisely why I started to sell off my collection, and as Dave McGuire pointed out it’s the people who come after we’re gone that will have to deal with it! As I stated on the front page of my sales page: "There comes a time when one's collection overwhelms the ability to store or maintain it ... I imagine the pain of my family in having to do this after I'm gone!" Bob Shuster - And I would be remiss to not add a link!: http://theshusters.com/bobvintage.html ;) > Message: 6 > From: Bart Hirst <bart.hirst(a)vcfed.org> > > This part of the last post caught my eye: > > *>Clearly, this was a collector, not just a hoarder.* > > This is worrying! Is there some test that can be taken to determine > ?collectorness? vs ?hoarderness??? > > p.s. for myself I may need professional help and/or medication to > understand why I keep "collecting" floppy drives :( > > -- > Bart Hirst > "This signature will now be eaten up and spit out by Velociraptors."

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] slightly OT: Collector vs. Hoarder
by Gregg Levine 26 Aug '24

26 Aug '24

Hello! I collect certain series books, Doctor Who and the Tom Swift Junior series, Star Trek and some Star Wars novels. Also certain magazines...... Oh and a small zoo of cats here, stuffed animals. Now please ask me off list about Dino. ----- Gregg C Levine gregg.drwho8(a)gmail.com "This signature fought the Time Wars, time and again." On Mon, Aug 26, 2024 at 6:42 PM Sentrytv via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > George Carlin > > Sent from: > My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device. > > > On Aug 26, 2024, at 4:13 PM, Dave McGuire <mcguire(a)neurotica.com> wrote: > > > > > > Further, perhaps it could be summed up as: Don't stop living before you die. > > > > -Dave > > > >> On 8/26/24 14:49, Sentrytv wrote: > >> Actually, it does matter. > >> If you have a significant other, they will be responsible for the stuff once you die. (Storage, payments, rent, moving fees ….) > >> Consider what it would be like for them! > >> Even if it’s in your will. > >> Sent from > >> My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device. > >>>> On Aug 26, 2024, at 2:15 PM, Dave McGuire via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > >>> > >>> On August 26, 2024 2:09:35 PM Bart Hirst via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > >>>> This part of the last post caught my eye: > >>>> > >>>> *>Clearly, this was a collector, not just a hoarder.* > >>>> > >>>> This is worrying! Is there some test that can be taken to determine > >>>> ‘collectorness’ vs ‘hoarderness’?? > >>>> > >>>> p.s. for myself I may need professional help and/or medication to > >>>> understand why I keep "collecting" floppy drives :( > >>> > >>> If it makes you happy, does it matter? If anyone criticizes you for it, that's a great litmus test to write them out of your life. > >>> > >>> -Dave > >>> > >>> -- > >>> Dave McGuire, AK4HZ > >>> New Kensington, PA > >>> > >>> > > > > > > -- > > Dave McGuire, AK4HZ > > New Kensington, PA >

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Does anyone want to fly to Texas?
by Gregg Levine 26 Aug '24

26 Aug '24

Hello! Just who are you comparing to a Dark Lord? There can only be two of the most dangerous individuals in the Galaxy. Ask me off list about Dino. ----- Gregg C Levine gregg.drwho8(a)gmail.com "This signature fought the Time Wars, time and again." On Mon, Aug 26, 2024 at 6:44 PM m simons via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > I didn't see the wooden Apple case.. which photo was it? where in the photo? > > And I stand corrected... looks like the guy had FIVE darth vaders... I saw one photo with one and some matching disk drives etc. and another photo with FOUR of them lined up! > > :O > --MS > > On Monday, August 26, 2024 at 04:00:12 PM EDT, Hopkins, Justin <justin.hopkins(a)broadridge.com> wrote: > >

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Wow PDP-8 Clone, ebay $2.2K
by Neil Cherry 26 Aug '24

26 Aug '24

I think I trimmed it appropriately https://www.ebay.com/itm/285983005314?mkevt=1&plmtId=1110100101&mesgId=4001… Fabritek MP12 1970's PDP-8 Clone Computer With Core Memory, Front-Panel tangent-delta (206) 100% positiveSeller's other itemsSeller's other itemsContact seller US $2,247.00 15 bids Ended -- Linux Home Automation Neil Cherry kd2zrq(a)linuxha.com http://www.linuxha.com/ Main site http://linuxha.blogspot.com/ My HA Blog Author of: Linux Smart Homes For Dummies KD2ZRQ

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Xyplex CD (Maxserver 5000)
by Neil Cherry 26 Aug '24

26 Aug '24

I haven't found the CD (I don't think I sent that to Dave McQuire when I sent off the Xyplex terminal servers. But I did find these: https://linuxha.com//common/xyplex-advanced-config.pdf https://linuxha.com//common/xyplex-command-ref-guide.pdf https://linuxha.com//common/xyplex.pdf https://linuxha.com//common/xyplex.txt The txt file was a telnet session to one of my terminal servers. As I said early the Xyplex terminal servers appear to be based on the configuration commands used in a DEC Terminal Server. I'll try to find my old xls that had the information on configuring the Maxserver I had. I also had TL1 info in there for my DSLAM. :-D -- Linux Home Automation Neil Cherry kd2zrq(a)linuxha.com http://www.linuxha.com/ Main site http://linuxha.blogspot.com/ My HA Blog Author of: Linux Smart Homes For Dummies KD2ZRQ

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Volunteers needed this weekend! 8/24 & 8/25
by Jeffrey Brace 24 Aug '24

24 Aug '24

Thomas and Jeff Salzman will be leading the effort to organize and improve our warehouse space. If you are available, the hours are as follows: Saturday, 1PM - 5PM Sunday, 10AM - 3PM, 1 hour lunch break. If interested, then show up. If questions, then send me a message

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The Daydreamer - Lee Felsenstein
by Herbert Johnson 24 Aug '24

24 Aug '24

>>> Ah yes, good old Herb has photos... Yup, that must be my IMSAI he was >>> cracking on! - William Sudbrink >> > On Fri, 16 Aug 2024, Herbert Johnson via vcf-midatlantic wrote: >> Thank you. I don't show photos of the IMSAI. That was end-of-June 2012 so I >> can't immediately check that photo archive. > Mike Loewen: > Here are some photos I took at the 07/01/2012 workshop: > > http://q7.neurotica.com/Felsenstein/IMG_20120701_101910.jpg Thank you. I'll add these photos to my Web page on the event, attributed to you (Loewen). - regards Herb -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey USA https://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net preserve, recover, restore 1970's computing email: hjohnson AT retrotechnology DOT com or try later herbjohnson AT comcast DOT net

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