- vcf-midatlantic - lists.vcfed.org

Workday report
by Evan Koblentz 30 Dec '15

30 Dec '15

Dean, his son Drew, Jeff B., and I had an workday at the museum warehouse today. We were there from about 10:15am until 6:00pm. We got a huge amount of warehouse organizing done! We built and filled six or seven shelving carts. These included units devoted to printers, Epson, Heathkit, and a bunch of other stuff. Now, what we used to call "the messy side" of the warehouse is mostly clean and orderly. We still need another few workdays before the warehouse is fully clutter-free, and then we'll bring up all the stuff neglected in the basement storage room of the main InfoAge "hotel" building. We also stopped at the bank for Brace and I to handle some business stuff, and Tony stopped by to pick up the last of the tables that he loaned to us at Festivus. So it was an extremely productive day. We even took out a big amount of trash. Thanks to those who helped.

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floppy diskette reliability, by brand
by Herb Johnson 30 Dec '15

30 Dec '15

The recent "museum report" discussed in passing, whether to buy brand-new diskettes to avoid deteriorating old floppy diskettes. And a previous thread "Getting Data off old Atari Floppies" in Dec 2015, discussed how some old brands seem better (BASF) and some are outright rotten from age (Wabash). There were suggestions in the thread, about cleaning or baking diskettes. Let's make a list of some brands, see if we can get a consensus. If someone can post links to Web pages which have such lists or brand experiences, please add such links to your post. I'll be glad to host a final list on my Web site at: http://www.retrotechnology.com/herbs_stuff/drive.html Good brands: BASF, 3M, IBM, Verbatum, Dysan Bad brands: Wabash Herb Johnson -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey USA http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] floppy diskette reliability, by brand
by Mike Loewen 30 Dec '15

30 Dec '15

On Wed, Dec 30, 2015 at 16:03, Joesph Oprysko wrote: >> On Wed, Dec 30, 2015 at 2:41 PM, Herb Johnson wrote: >> >> Let's make a list of some brands, see if we can get a consensus. If >> someone can post links to Web pages which have such lists or brand >> experiences, please add such links to your post. I'll be glad to host a >> final list on my Web site at: >> >> http://www.retrotechnology.com/herbs_stuff/drive.html >> >> Good brands: BASF, 3M, IBM, Verbatum, Dysan >> >> Bad brands: Wabash > Well, I have a sealed box of Bonus disks... let's see where they come > out. :) I've had very good luck with the Bonus brand 5-1/4" diskettes. Bad: TRS-80 8" (brown label) Mike Loewen mloewen(a)cpumagic.scol.pa.us Old Technology http://q7.neurotica.com/Oldtech/

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Museum report
by Herb Johnson 30 Dec '15

30 Dec '15

My responses to comments in this thread are below. 1) Evan requests to stay "on topic" and not discuss an analogy to the care of vintage instruments like violins. Evan: have you noted the topic is no longer a "museum report" but issues of Commodore floppy drive and conditions of floppy diskettes? I'd as soon suggest a change of "subject" line. Another reason a change in subject line: there are and will be many "Museum report" messages, I'd as soon suggest they be dated. The maillist Web software will otherwise connect these all as the same "thread". These are issues of use, which are up to Evan of course. 2) Bill Degnan fights a losing battle to insist on "bottom posting". I respect his opinion but circumstances may encourage top-posting. I'd as soon complain about excessive quoting of prior messages. Again, Evan is the moderator over such things. 3) It's mentioned in passing that diskette media is deteriorating. My experience is that (other than mold) that condition depends on brand, and many old disks are still usable. I may start a new thread on this subject (see comment 1 above). 4) The issue of "too old to operate" is certainly a problem. I don't think there's any simple or general strategies. As a practical matter, the question comes down to brands and models of vintage devices which are known to suffer from specific "faults" of age and use. So policies are likely to be specific and not general. I hope the general consideration is to operate original equipment, but there's already prior policy to make use of modern devices to supplement items on continuous display-in-use; where convenience and reliability are more important than "originality". and as Bill Degnan noted, one can always display the original at the same time. Herb Johnson -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey USA http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net

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Ouuuuch!
by Herb Johnson 30 Dec '15

30 Dec '15

I never post links to that auction site, but I came across something so awful to see, I had to share it... Vintage Apple Green Phosphor Monitor Model A2M2010 Parts eBay item number: 272010854926 a current auction And when you think it's already cringe-worthy, more details show it's worse. Unbelievable. It's really bad. And...why auction it? Mysteries of the Web. As a point of instruction: long exposure to high-voltage ozone and heat, will degrade plastics. It dissipates the elastomers. Translation: peanut-brittle. The rest is energy = mass X velocity squared. So, how far did this monitor fall, to bust it up so? any guesses? Was it even packed? The mystery deepens....as I said, it boggles the mind. Herb Johnson -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey USA http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net

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Museum report
by Douglas Crawford 30 Dec '15

30 Dec '15

Good day at the museum today. Four groups of mostly adults came through with good interest in the displays. One guest pointed at the RCA VIP and said he worked on the R&D fabrication for the RCA 1802 and the related memory parts :) I ran the C64, the TRS-80 Model I, Atari, and the PC with some hello world programs to liven up the place, and had the Lisa booted. Showed well and glad those machines are working.

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Let's add value to the club, and have fun doing it!!!
by Joseph Oprysko 29 Dec '15

29 Dec '15

Here is a list of things that I feel the Vintage Computer Federation can do to add value to their name, and to add value for their members. Add Value to their name: Offer grading services to their members for their vintage equipment. As well as grading our own equipment in the library and coming up with standards for grading for vintage systems. Have members in various areas do membership drives at various events (Hamfests/Electronic Shows/Other computer club meetings/Etc.) While as far as I know, we don’t charge a membership fee, maybe we should look into other ways to fund club activities, or to be able to purchase parts we need to repair machines, so they can be kept as close to original as possible. Since we’re doing educational activities, if anyone has experience in applying for grants, that’s one route we could explore. Find additional organizations to solicit donations from either in the form of funds or equipment or services. I would recommend contacting companies that have been in business for many years, from Verizon, ATT, Lockheed, Sperry, IBM, as well as school districts, etc. Have a “portable” museum. Lets be honest, besides a few people who live close to central NJ or the shore, most of our members travel at least an hour. But this isn’t about us, it’s about our NAME and getting it out there. If we took a small trailer/mobile home, either attached to decent generators, or to connect to a couple power lines at the site when we would get where we’re going. No, we likely wouldn’t be hauling big-iron around in it, but if we brought around a trailer of the PC’s of the 80’s to various schools, scout meetings, etc. We would be educating the young, spreading our name, and having a hell of a time doing it. Add Value for their members: Offer FREE (not Ad supported) webpages to members to show off their vintage collections Offer online social network (or member’s only/private group on Facebook) Offer online/web based emulation of many vintage systems with demos and programs to help introduce millennials to vintage computing. Replace/update the mail-list to one with a web-based interface. I feel like we took a HUGE step backwards Have an members only auction/sales site I’m sure other there are plenty of other things that people would come up with, and likely these are things that would come up in more of a board/key-business type meeting. But I felt it’s important to bring up now that we’re a legal NPO as opposed to just a “club” of hobbyists.

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Here's an absolutely newbie/idiotic question.
by Joseph Oprysko 29 Dec '15

29 Dec '15

How do you actually tell Mac OS (Like 6.0.8) to format a disk (one that’s already been formatted Mac OS that is? Anonymous (HEH, I know that’s not gonna work, but worth a shot)

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VCF East 9.1 videos
by Evan Koblentz 29 Dec '15

29 Dec '15

Here's another batch! https://t.co/Q1WXafon7D

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OS X Leopard DVD Needed
by Joseph Oprysko 29 Dec '15

29 Dec '15

I picked up an iMac G4 15” for a song… Err, well for $25, so close enough, I had one years ago that I traded away, but ended up forgetting to give the new owner the discs that go with it, poor new owner… boo hoo… lucky for me, as this G4 I got had a broken linux install that the owner didn’t know the root password to, so, luckily, I had my fully OS X recovery set, and made it a happy mac again.. well, to a point, it’s running Mac OS X 10.1.2…. I’d like to at least get it up to 10.5.8, the last one capable of running the Classic OS apps, as well as being modern enough to run most current type programs. Joe.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Wanted: NEC PC-8001A Mini-Disk Module PC-8031A
by Todd George 28 Dec '15

28 Dec '15

> > Date: Sat, 19 Dec 2015 17:44:33 -0500 > From: william degnan <billdegnan(a)gmail.com> > > I checked as I thought, maybe??...Turns out I have a 8201A and a > 6001A...but no 8001A. I have a NEC cassette model 6082. > Sorry for my delay in reply. I get the digest version of the list, but do most of my reading on a mobile. Replying to the list via digest mode on a mobile device is not at all convenient. Seriously considering re-subscribing under a different e-mail address just to make life easier that way. Back to the NEC... Thanks for looking, I finally decided to snag the one I had been seeing on eBay. Picked it up a week or so ago, Not sure if I have buyers' remorse or not. I'm guessing not, as I don't think I'm likely to see another one of these pop up anytime soon. :) > I am looking for the NEC PC6011A Expansion Unit, which I presume is the > 6000-level version of what you're looking for. I have passively been > looking for the expansion for years. > I have to say, this comment was part of what convinced me to jump on the eBay one. I don't have any of the PC6xxxA series stuff. I did bump into one of the computers themselves recently, but it was quite a bit of a drive and I opted out of picking it up as I was still in "Acquire PC8xxxA stuff" mode. > Do you have software? > Sadly, no. I have found a few things scattered around the internet. Most of the decent sites I've found are in Japanese. Google translate does a respectable job of allowing me to understand what's being communicated. That said, I've not really located a software repository yet. I'm sure I can find more if I dedicate more time to digging. Been obsessing about the hardware first. :) I did find BASIC and the firmware here: https://archive.org/download/NEC_PC_8001_TOSEC_2012_04_23 I will also say, I'm enamored by the keyboard on this thing. It has to be one of the nicest of any keyboard I've typed on. Just sheer perfection in key switch technology. And I've used some crazy mechanical keyboards in my time. I am missing the ribbon cable that goes from the PC to the expansion chassis. I do have the one that goes between the expansion unit and the floppy. I'm planning on investigating this further. I found some references to it being a "straight through" cable, but I have my doubts based on the construction of the cable that I have. A few pictures I found online do seem to use a straight through ribbon cable though. > Here is my NEC stuff just because NEC stuff is seldom mentioned anywhere: > http://vintagecomputer.net/nec/ > (the Spinwriter I donated to FKA MARCH) > That's awesome, thanks for sharing the pictures. :) Thanks again, -Todd

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Joystick Repair Epyx 500XJ
by Todd George 28 Dec '15

28 Dec '15

> > Date: Sun, 20 Dec 2015 23:00:34 -0500 > From: Jeffrey Brace <ark72axow(a)gmail.com> > > Does anyone have experience repairing joysticks? I have an Epyx 500XJ that > doesn't respond well to the left direction. I'm just wondering if this is > something that is repairable. All of the Epyx 500XJ's I've had trouble with (so far) have been plastic casing-related (cracks, stressed supports, etc.). The internal design of this joystick is less than robust considering the weak plastic tabs they use to hold the switch assembly in place. It's also inconvenient to repair as everything is curved, etc. Makes manually manufacturing replacement parts (via Dremel, etc.) more of an artform than I usually prefer. The switches are mounted on a plastic plate that is sort of suspended inside the joystick. That said, have you disassembled it to see if there is something wrong with the plastic switch plate? I'm wondering if the switch is just physically moving out of the way or something? > Date: Mon, 21 Dec 2015 00:35:51 -0500 > From: Ian Primus <ian.primus.ccmp(a)gmail.com> > > Yes, it is repairable, I've fixed a few - you can replace the > individual switches, and you can also clean them. Disassembling the > 500XJ is a bit tricky, because of that red/black sticker that holds it > together. When I've repaired these, I just slice through the sticker > at the seam with a knife, it's not too noticeable once reassembled. > Also, the switches that these use are a relatively "standard" size and type of microswitch. With a few quick measurements of the physical dimensions of the switch, finding a suitable replacement should be pretty easy. If memory serves, I don't think they are quite as large as the ones used in arcade buttons and sticks but you will find similar switches used in pinball machines. > Take the stick apart, and find the faulty switch. Try to get as much > isopropyl alcohol inside the switch as possible (sometimes I even > submerge it in a little cup), and click it repeatedly, and firmly, for > at least a minute. Let it dry thoroughly, and check it with a > multimeter - most of the time, this will fix it. If this doesn't work, I've also had luck rebuilding microswitches. Some are easily serviced and the plastic halves of the switch casing will pull apart held only by friction, some have little plastic tabs that a diagonal cutter makes quick work of. Then you can use a soldering iron to "re-weld" the plastic tabs when you've completed the rebuild. Some are glued, and much harder to repair. I had a particularly stubborn microswitch on a coin counter, it was a truly bizarre size, and it was glued shut. I carefully broke it open with a combination of ginger Dremel use and some elbow grease, once I repaired the contacts, I simply used the original mounting screws to hold it all together. It'll be fine until someone else takes it apart. :) Once you have the switch itself apart, you will see the two contacts that make the whole thing work. Generally, they are set up as a "self-cleaning" style of contact where the switch action causes a wiping motion that scrapes the contacts together generating a small amount of friction that causes dirt and debris to be knocked away. This works well until corrosion sets in. There are a variety of ways to clean the contacts, the most success I've had has been with business cards and light pressure, pinch the card stock between the contacts and rub. Step up to more harsh methods from there. If the contacts are gold in color, stay away from abrasives. You can also use contact cleaners and the like. Sometimes it's just not worth it, and the switch should be replaced. They aren't overly expensive generally speaking. Good luck! -Todd

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Let's add value to the club to the club, and have fun doing it!!!
by Joseph Oprysko 28 Dec '15

28 Dec '15

Evan, Thank you. I was really just trying to start a conversation about ways to improve the the club, bring in more sponsors, both individual and corporate, get our name more widely known, and eventually, have us having a snazzy looking museum like the CHS has on the West Coast.. ;) Have you SEEN that place!! It’s like the kind of place where you’d expect to be able to buy a 3.5” floppy disk converted to a wall clock where the proceeds go to the museum. Maybe we could/should do “cute” little things like that with old/bad pieces of scrap as a fund raiser.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Legacy 1.2 Disk Reformats Dos 4.01 to XP
by Evan Koblentz 28 Dec '15

28 Dec '15

>> For whatever reason, my DOS 4.01 will not reformat 1.2 mb diskettes - 5-1/4" floppies. Hello, Looks like you're new to our group. Please introduce yourself. Thanks!

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Legacy 1.2 Disk Reformats Dos 4.01 to XP
by M 28 Dec '15

28 Dec '15

For whatever reason, my DOS 4.01 will not reformat 1.2 mb diskettes - 5-1/4" floppies. If I pull that drive from my 286 and put a USB adapter on it along with a 4 prong power cable from another system's power source, will XP be able to get the job done? Or won't that recognize 1.2 drives? Also, I don't think this can be done, but can I bulk erase the 1.2 disks with a magnet, then reformat? It seems to have failed on a 360k 5-1/4 disk. Thanks..... PS will 286 clone PC's be worth anything one day? Last time I checked a working B&W television from the late 1940s to 50s, Admiral or Halicrafter for example, were going around $700. Driven by scarcity.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] newbie
by Fred Terry 28 Dec '15

28 Dec '15

Hello All, I have subscribed to VCF/Mid-Atlantic. I own an IMSAI 80/30 with a Persci 277 drive and a Diablo wide traction printer. These were purchased new in 1978 for the purpose of writing survey and civil engineering software. I successfully used this system for a number of years but retired it for one of the newer DOS based computers. After years of storage, I recently dusted the moth balls from my vintage IMSAI only to discover it will no longer boot. I am severely challenged when it comes to trouble shooting problems I am at a loss as to how to revive my computer. I have all the manuals that came with my purchase making a stack almost a foot high but they might just as well be written in a foreign language. I hope to find someone in the VCF/Mid-Atlantic living close to me that could shed some light on what my problem might be. All the computer repair people think a S-100 bus is something you ride to work in the morning and raised an eyebrow at the mention of an 8" floppy disc. I didn't realize so much time has passed. I live just north of Baltimore in Timonium Maryland only a few miles from I-83. Please get in touch if you would want to lend a hand reviving my IMSAI. I look forward to learning about the VCF/Mid-Atlantic and perhaps meeting some of the members. This is all new to me so i'll try not to embarrass myself by making stupid comments or something similar. For many years I restored early Corvettes but have emptied my shop and now only make a few reproduction parts. Please be in touch, Fred Terry

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VCF East 6.0 talks are online
by Evan Koblentz 28 Dec '15

28 Dec '15

The first batch of old videos are online, thanks to the grunt work of Kevin Savetz (and original recording by Dave Sica). Playlist is at https://t.co/yYRr7rP7R4 ... enjoy! There will be much more soon. :)

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Floppy Days #50 - TI-99 History with Jim Fetzner and Mark Wills
by Randall Kindig 27 Dec '15

27 Dec '15

http://floppydays.libsyn.com/floppy-days-50-ti-99-history <http://floppydays.libsyn.com/floppy-days-50-ti-99-history> The TI-99/4A - History, with Jim Fetzner and Mark Wills This is the second in a multi-part series on the TI-99/4A computer. For this history segment, I was lucky enough to find a couple of people who have an incredible history with the TI-99, Jim Fetzner and Mark Wills. Jim has an extensive, multilingual library of all things TI and possesses some very interesting hardware items related to the TI-99. Mark is the author of TurboForth for the TI-99/4A and has been involved in the TI-99/4A scene pretty much since 1983. He’s also English, living in the UK, so he has a rather British take on the home computer wars. I will cover TI-99 history with the help of these two gentlemen. I think you will find this very interesting! Randy Kindig host Floppy Days Podcast, floppydays.com <http://floppydays.com/>

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Fred, welcome to the group!
by Joseph Oprysko 27 Dec '15

27 Dec '15

Unfortunately, I can't tell you what bus to take to work. ;). lol. I never really got the chance to work with S-100 based systems. I live outside of Philly. I'm mostly into 80's PC's and have a plethora of useless knowledge to most people. But people in this hobby well, I tend to have a bit more in common with. ;) it's nice to have people to talk to who know what you're talking about. It's a fun and comfortable place to chat and let your geek out. -- Normal Person: Hey, it seems that you know a lot. Geek: To be honest, it's due to all the surfing I do. Normal Person: So you go surfing? Normal Person: But I don't think that has anything to do with knowing a lot... Geek: I think that's wrong on a fundamental level. Normal Person: Huh? Huh? What?

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Videos! People get ready....
by Evan Koblentz 27 Dec '15

27 Dec '15

The time has come to post a boatload of old VCF East lectures on the Intertubes. (Translated: someone stepped forward to do the grunt work -- our good friend Kevin Savetz of AtariPodcast.com fame.) There will be several batches of uploads during the next few weeks.

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forum vs email, was "Let's add value . . ."
by William Dudley 26 Dec '15

26 Dec '15

I have to visit a forum to see what's new. That means I have to schedule the effort. Email is a "push notification" system, and as Dave McGuire said, "the interrupt-driven nature of a mailing list tends to be a lot more efficient". If this mailing list uses mailman software, then there is a searchable web archive of all posts, such that somebody can treat it like a forum if the are so inclined. Just click on "sort by thread". Bill Dudley This email is probably free of malware because I run Linux.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Mac OS Originals for Mac 128k (Tony Bogan)
by Joseph Oprysko 25 Dec '15

25 Dec '15

Tony, Actually, I don’t. So you know, I don’t have any plans to put together the 128k complete system then turn around and eBay it or anything. That’s certainly not my style. I’m more of the hoarder style.. LOL But, I’m working on inventorying what I have, figuring out what I WANT to collect, then sell the other stuff to support my hobby. There’s no other way. Like honestly… why do I really need TWO Coleco Adam systems??? (Although I’m sure some on this list would venture why I would even WANT one.. LOL) The main question I’ll be faced with will be wether to be generous to other hobbyists, as I was with the S-100 card at Festivus, and let the equipment go for a song. And know it’s going into the hands of people who will genuinely appreciate the hardware. Or go the eBay route, and post it on here, and good luck to the bidders… It’s been years since I’ve done an eBay auction cause I got screwed over by someone who I sold something to, who sent be back a box of rocks. Ebay/Paypal sided with the buyer, and I lost like $300 in equipment and gained a box of rocks. Joe > On Dec 25, 2015, at 6:00 AM, vcf-midatlantic-request(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org wrote: > > Message: 2 > Date: Thu, 24 Dec 2015 18:31:36 -0500 > From: Tony Bogan <thebogans(a)mac.com <mailto:thebogans@mac.com>> > To: vcf-midatlantic > <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org <mailto:vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org>> > Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Mac OS Originals for Mac 128k > Message-ID: <830BA675-B818-4056-BF8C-5F21D2BD4DA0(a)mac.com <mailto:830BA675-B818-4056-BF8C-5F21D2BD4DA0@mac.com>> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii > > I'll touch base with you after Christmas. I have a number of original disks. Do you have the manual and cassette tape too? > Tony > > Sent from my iPhone

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3D CAD help needed for our new museum
by Evan Koblentz 24 Dec '15

24 Dec '15

I'm looking for someone who is talented (and not slow) at 3D CAD drawing. Basically, we have a 2D bird's eye sketch of how the new museum space will look. We need someone to make 3D renderings. Not just going to send anyone the 2D sketch. This will require that we have a phone call so I can explain stuff in detail, and will also require that you turn it around fairly quick. An important aspect is that we do NOT need/want the drawing to be very detailed. It just needs to get our basic point across when we show some renderings to the InfoAge board and/or other VIPs. Email me privately if you can help.

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Mac OS Originals for Mac 128k
by Joseph Oprysko 24 Dec '15

24 Dec '15

I am looking for some original Mac OS floppy disks. I have a very nice mac 120 8K with original keyboard and mouse and an external 400 K floppy drive and the carry bag. It is functional and not very discolored. I'd like to complete my collection by having a set of original disks to go with it. If anyone knows where I can get a set of original Mac OS floppy disks I'd appreciate some feedback. Thank you very much, Joseph Oprysko -- Normal Person: Hey, it seems that you know a lot. Geek: To be honest, it's due to all the surfing I do. Normal Person: So you go surfing? Normal Person: But I don't think that has anything to do with knowing a lot... Geek: I think that's wrong on a fundamental level. Normal Person: Huh? Huh? What?

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Vulcan HDD for GS hints
by Joseph Oprysko 23 Dec '15

23 Dec '15

After playing around with my new floppy drive emulator from BMOW, on my GS which has the dying/dead Vulcan IDE drive, I've learned a few tricks and found a few things I thought I'd share. There are several places online to get the software for the Vulcan controller, including a great deal of Apple II GS software on www.whatisthe2gs.apple2.org.za When resizing partitions, you can only go left, right, up, or down, you cannot enter a number. But to speed up the number, you can hold down the CONTROL key while holding the arrow key. And here is the most valuable piece of information I found. While the partition manager seems to format for DOS 3.3, PRODOS, PASCAL, and C/PM, there is the nice hidden option. When the FORMAT option is highlighted, if you type AE, it will prompt you to do a low level format. And that helped me fix the drive I was having so many issues with. While it still has a couple bad sectors early in the drive, I will just make 2 partitions, one blank one, covering the bad section, and hopefully not have issues afterwards. :-) I'll let you know what happens. The floppy emu is a great device as it also acts as Smartport devices/hard drives, Mac floppies, or Mac HD20 Hard drive devices. :-) -- Normal Person: Hey, it seems that you know a lot. Geek: To be honest, it's due to all the surfing I do. Normal Person: So you go surfing? Normal Person: But I don't think that has anything to do with knowing a lot... Geek: I think that's wrong on a fundamental level. Normal Person: Huh? Huh? What?

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New Device Programmer Suggestions
by J. Alexander Jacocks 22 Dec '15

22 Dec '15

All, I have had, for several years now, an Advin Pilot MVP parallel port device programmer. It has done excellent work, and I had yet to find a device that it couldn't program, until now. I now have a need to program PLCC84-package CPLDs, for boards that I will be building. What does everyone suggest, as far as a <$500 programmer? I really would like to stick with programmers supported by active US companies, to make sure of future support. As much as people seem to recommend them, I'm not inclined to get any of the Chinese knockoff programmers, for the above reason of support, of the lack thereof. Thanks! - Alex

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Apple Lisa for VCF East
by Joseph Oprysko 22 Dec '15

22 Dec '15

Does anyone have an Apple Lisa I can borrow for VCF East? -- Normal Person: Hey, it seems that you know a lot. Geek: To be honest, it's due to all the surfing I do. Normal Person: So you go surfing? Normal Person: But I don't think that has anything to do with knowing a lot... Geek: I think that's wrong on a fundamental level. Normal Person: Huh? Huh? What?

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How many machines in the warehouse are actually functional?
by Joseph Oprysko 22 Dec '15

22 Dec '15

I really would be interested in a workshop to work on some of the machines in the warehouse that's known not to be functioning properly but that the parts are there that they they should be. I have past experience in mechanical terminals/typewriters as well, although I am 20+ years out of practice so I don't know if I'd want to start with anything super rare (like how I worked on the IBM Selectric at Festivus) but would have been nice to have white grease, oil, spring hooks, etc. it's really been way too long since I've worked on them, especially since I used to rebuild them, and no longer have any of the tools or documentation from them. I actually took a college class in repairing them. :) -- Normal Person: Hey, it seems that you know a lot. Geek: To be honest, it's due to all the surfing I do. Normal Person: So you go surfing? Normal Person: But I don't think that has anything to do with knowing a lot... Geek: I think that's wrong on a fundamental level. Normal Person: Huh? Huh? What?

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] vcf-midatlantic Digest, Vol 2, Issue 20
by Joseph Oprysko 22 Dec '15

22 Dec '15

How many geeks does it take to get a computer working?? All I can say is we should have access to enough resources to get them all working. :) On Tuesday, December 22, 2015, < vcf-midatlantic-request(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: > Send vcf-midatlantic mailing list submissions to > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org <javascript:;> > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > > http://lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org/mailman/listinfo/vcf-midatlantic > > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > vcf-midatlantic-request(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org > <javascript:;> > > You can reach the person managing the list at > vcf-midatlantic-owner(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org > <javascript:;> > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of vcf-midatlantic digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. Re: Backward letters (Tony Bogan) > 2. Re: Backward letters (David Riley) > 3. Re: Backward letters (Dan Roganti) > 4. How many machines in the warehouse are actually functional? > (Joseph Oprysko) > 5. Christmas demos/songs for vintage equipment (Joseph Oprysko) > 6. Selectrics (Herb Johnson) > 7. Re: Christmas demos/songs for vintage equipment (william degnan) > 8. modems, was Re: Christmas demos/songs for vintage equipment > (Dave McGuire) > 9. Re: modems, was Re: Christmas demos/songs for vintage > equipment (william degnan) > 10. Re: Christmas demos/songs for vintage equipment (Jeffrey Brace) > 11. Re: Christmas demos/songs for vintage equipment (Mike Loewen) > 12. Re: Christmas demos/songs for vintage equipment (Ray Sills) > 13. Re: Christmas demos/songs for vintage equipment (william degnan) > 14. Re: Christmas demos/songs for vintage equipment (Evan Koblentz) > 15. Re: Christmas demos/songs for vintage equipment (Jeffrey Brace) > 16. Re: Christmas demos/songs for vintage equipment (Ray Sills) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Mon, 21 Dec 2015 06:17:07 -0500 > From: Tony Bogan <thebogans(a)mac.com <javascript:;>> > To: vcf-midatlantic > <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org > <javascript:;>> > Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Backward letters > Message-ID: <FE22171A-49AA-46AB-A763-3B01D5CF691C(a)mac.com <javascript:;>> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii > > You're like the guy who tells how the magicians do their > tricks....spoiler!! > :-) > > Sent from my iPhone > > On Dec 20, 2015, at 9:20 PM, Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org <javascript:;>> wrote: > > >>> What is the secret to the backwards letters? What is your magic? > > > > Google for "reverse ascii text". There are a few online converters. You > type what you want and press convert. Then copy and paste the result. No > magic needed... > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 2 > Date: Mon, 21 Dec 2015 08:19:18 -0500 > From: David Riley <fraveydank(a)gmail.com <javascript:;>> > To: vcf-midatlantic > <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org > <javascript:;>> > Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Backward letters > Message-ID: <95D943D2-47EC-423B-99C7-F17DF483EA4D(a)gmail.com <javascript:;> > > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii > > On Dec 20, 2015, at 21:20, Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org <javascript:;>> wrote: > > >>> What is the secret to the backwards letters? What is your magic? > > > > Google for "reverse ascii text". There are a few online converters. You > type what you want and press convert. Then copy and paste the result. No > magic needed... > > Definitely not ASCII, though. > > > - Dave > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 3 > Date: Mon, 21 Dec 2015 08:27:39 -0500 > From: Dan Roganti <ragooman(a)gmail.com <javascript:;>> > To: vcf-midatlantic > <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org > <javascript:;>> > Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Backward letters > Message-ID: > <CADo=F9Hc3HGxR= > RejSS14FT7bX5HtjDs6SG13tcnm2Wv9MFUpw(a)mail.gmail.com <javascript:;>> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 > > On Mon, Dec 21, 2015 at 8:19 AM, David Riley via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org <javascript:;>> wrote: > > > On Dec 20, 2015, at 21:20, Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic < > > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org <javascript:;>> > wrote: > > > > >>> What is the secret to the backwards letters? What is your magic? > > > > > > Google for "reverse ascii text". There are a few online converters. You > > type what you want and press convert. Then copy and paste the result. No > > magic needed... > > > > Definitely not ASCII, though. > > > > yea, more like blasciiphemy :) > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 4 > Date: Mon, 21 Dec 2015 09:12:22 -0500 > From: Joseph Oprysko <joprysko1(a)gmail.com <javascript:;>> > To: "vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org <javascript:;>" > <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org > <javascript:;>> > Subject: [vcf-midatlantic] How many machines in the warehouse are > actually functional? > Message-ID: > < > CAPXecpAL+Yb1XgJ6Di+v2_WjCXQHd1HuxaAZ+7wg7W_dZhRY+A(a)mail.gmail.com > <javascript:;>> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 > > I really would be interested in a workshop to work on some of the machines > in the warehouse that's known not to be functioning properly but that the > parts are there that they they should be. I have past experience in > mechanical terminals/typewriters as well, although I am 20+ years out of > practice so I don't know if I'd want to start with anything super rare > (like how I worked on the IBM Selectric at Festivus) but would have been > nice to have white grease, oil, spring hooks, etc. it's really been way too > long since I've worked on them, especially since I used to rebuild them, > and no longer have any of the tools or documentation from them. I actually > took a college class in repairing them. :) > > -- > Normal Person: Hey, it seems that you know a lot. > Geek: To be honest, it's due to all the surfing I do. > Normal Person: So you go surfing? > Normal Person: But I don't think that has anything to do with knowing a > lot... > Geek: I think that's wrong on a fundamental level. > Normal Person: Huh? Huh? What? > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 5 > Date: Mon, 21 Dec 2015 10:56:25 -0500 > From: Joseph Oprysko <joprysko1(a)gmail.com <javascript:;>> > To: vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org <javascript:;> > Subject: [vcf-midatlantic] Christmas demos/songs for vintage equipment > Message-ID: > < > CAPXecpAF3WouDwLWN+ecTRovopGWQv-LZ6WDWEYJAfYvqK9crg(a)mail.gmail.com > <javascript:;>> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 > > Does anyone have christmas demos/songs for vintage computers? Macs, PC's, > Commodores, Apples, Atari, Imsai, DEC, CPM Machines, etc. I think it would > be nice to have a holiday software collection setup for members to have > access to. I know right now, it's a bit late for this Christmas, but I > believe it would be a good gesture going forward to have software available > to members for various systems to members available for downloads as well > as on various media types, as well as on a dial-up system for users whose > systems are unable to connect to the web, we are the few, we are the proud, > we are the modem users. > > Remember these types of modem init strings, or even longer?? > ATF&F1E0Q0V1&C1&D2S0=0ATS7=120S19=15L2&M4&K1&H1&R2&I0B0X4 > > I'd like to see a VCF dialup BBS with a software library for various > systems which don't easily have internet access, it can also have telnet > based access for high speed access > > > -- > Normal Person: Hey, it seems that you know a lot. > Geek: To be honest, it's due to all the surfing I do. > Normal Person: So you go surfing? > Normal Person: But I don't think that has anything to do with knowing a > lot... > Geek: I think that's wrong on a fundamental level. > Normal Person: Huh? Huh? What? > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 6 > Date: Mon, 21 Dec 2015 11:28:01 -0500 > From: Herb Johnson <hjohnson(a)retrotechnology.info <javascript:;>> > To: vcf-midatlantic > <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org > <javascript:;>> > Subject: [vcf-midatlantic] Selectrics > Message-ID: <56782891.8030803(a)retrotechnology.info <javascript:;>> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed > > Joseph Oprysko wrote in: How many machines in the warehouse are actually > functional? > > > I have past experience in > > mechanical terminals/typewriters as well, although I am 20+ years out of > > practice so I don't know if I'd want to start with anything super rare > > (like how I worked on the IBM Selectric at Festivus) but would have been > > nice to have white grease, oil, spring hooks, etc. it's really been way > too > > long since I've worked on them, especially since I used to rebuild them, > > and no longer have any of the tools or documentation from them. I > actually > > took a college class in repairing them. :) > > I'll contact you privately, on a lead for some IBM Selectric tools. > > In general I'd say Selectric typewriters aren't rare, but I imagine > there's not lots of Selectric terminals among vintage computer > collectors. But I'm sure there's discussion of them and documents > available in some number of on-line venues. And small tools are > available from flea markets and as surplus - if you want to build up a > set of tools and greases and oils. I'm encouraging you to reestablish > your skills set, if you wish to put time and a budget to work, and if > you have space for at least a Selectric typewriter or two. > > Herb Johnson > > -- > Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey USA > http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 7 > Date: Mon, 21 Dec 2015 11:40:01 -0500 > From: william degnan <billdegnan(a)gmail.com <javascript:;>> > To: vcf-midatlantic > <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org > <javascript:;>> > Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Christmas demos/songs for vintage > equipment > Message-ID: > < > CABGJBuf8+u2F1L2yu4swQk4vXRz7NYwr8YZSgEpEXOhJGUxwPA(a)mail.gmail.com > <javascript:;>> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 > > On Mon, Dec 21, 2015 at 10:56 AM, Joseph Oprysko via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org <javascript:;>> wrote: > > > Does anyone have christmas demos/songs for vintage computers? Macs, > PC's, > > Commodores, Apples, Atari, Imsai, DEC, CPM Machines, etc. I think it > would > > be nice to have a holiday software collection setup for members to have > > access to. I know right now, it's a bit late for this Christmas, but I > > believe it would be a good gesture going forward to have software > available > > to members for various systems to members available for downloads as well > > as on various media types, as well as on a dial-up system for users whose > > systems are unable to connect to the web, we are the few, we are the > proud, > > we are the modem users. > > > > Remember these types of modem init strings, or even longer?? > > ATF&F1E0Q0V1&C1&D2S0=0ATS7=120S19=15L2&M4&K1&H1&R2&I0B0X4 > > > > I'd like to see a VCF dialup BBS with a software library for various > > systems which don't easily have internet access, it can also have telnet > > based access for high speed access > > > > > > Commodore SX64 came with a demo sound pak that included a Christmas or > holiday song set. > -- > Bill > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 8 > Date: Mon, 21 Dec 2015 13:10:51 -0500 > From: Dave McGuire <mcguire(a)neurotica.com <javascript:;>> > To: vcf-midatlantic > <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org > <javascript:;>> > Subject: [vcf-midatlantic] modems, was Re: Christmas demos/songs for > vintage equipment > Message-ID: <567840AB.6000107(a)neurotica.com <javascript:;>> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 > > On 12/21/2015 10:56 AM, Joseph Oprysko via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > > Does anyone have christmas demos/songs for vintage computers? Macs, > PC's, > > Commodores, Apples, Atari, Imsai, DEC, CPM Machines, etc. I think it > would > > be nice to have a holiday software collection setup for members to have > > access to. I know right now, it's a bit late for this Christmas, but I > > believe it would be a good gesture going forward to have software > available > > to members for various systems to members available for downloads as well > > as on various media types, as well as on a dial-up system for users whose > > systems are unable to connect to the web, we are the few, we are the > proud, > > we are the modem users. > > > > Remember these types of modem init strings, or even longer?? > > ATF&F1E0Q0V1&C1&D2S0=0ATS7=120S19=15L2&M4&K1&H1&R2&I0B0X4 > > Heh. This seems to be a little-known fact, but AT command strings are > alive and well. I design telecommunications systems. Cellular modems > use a vastly-extended version of the original AT command set to control > all functions. By "vastly-extended" I mean the AT command set reference > manual for one of the modem modules I've designed into several products > is nearly seven hundred pages long. > > So, frighteningly enough, not only are those long textual init strings > alive and well, there's far more equipment deployed these days that use > it than there ever were back in the BBS era. > > -Dave > > -- > Dave McGuire, AK4HZ > New Kensington, PA > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 9 > Date: Mon, 21 Dec 2015 14:51:00 -0500 > From: william degnan <billdegnan(a)gmail.com <javascript:;>> > To: vcf-midatlantic > <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org > <javascript:;>> > Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] modems, was Re: Christmas demos/songs > for vintage equipment > Message-ID: > <CABGJBuf5= > bpcXjVNcFzVr5oMb4un1UuwoE_PsdaSVPcMX_6Bwg(a)mail.gmail.com <javascript:;>> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 > > > > > > > So, frighteningly enough, not only are those long textual init strings > > alive and well, there's far more equipment deployed these days that use > > it than there ever were back in the BBS era. > > > > -Dave > > > > -- > > Dave McGuire, AK4HZ > > New Kensington, PA > > > > > I agree. This year I used AT commands to hack my car's computer, and to > get into my home router. I use a USB to serial cable to run commands and > interface's built-in internal ROM. Some of the baud rates are out of sight > high compared with old modems though. > -- > Bill > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 10 > Date: Mon, 21 Dec 2015 15:03:10 -0500 > From: Jeffrey Brace <ark72axow(a)gmail.com <javascript:;>> > To: vcf-midatlantic > <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org > <javascript:;>> > Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Christmas demos/songs for vintage > equipment > Message-ID: > < > CAKVfvQynCayQ-5KBXvEiFkDEm6RQtHzmSSEBGnWPDhUuo+dmkw(a)mail.gmail.com > <javascript:;>> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 > > Commodore 64-SX demo disk has a good Christmas Demo with graphics and > music. > > I also have a collection of SID/MUS music for Commodore 64. I would be glad > to share! > > I think also that Commodore 64 has a Christmas demo that was released in > 1982 a few months after its initial release. > > Jeff Brace > > On Monday, December 21, 2015, Joseph Oprysko via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org <javascript:;>> wrote: > > > Does anyone have christmas demos/songs for vintage computers? Macs, > PC's, > > Commodores, Apples, Atari, Imsai, DEC, CPM Machines, etc. I think it > would > > be nice to have a holiday software collection setup for members to have > > access to. I know right now, it's a bit late for this Christmas, but I > > believe it would be a good gesture going forward to have software > available > > to members for various systems to members available for downloads as well > > as on various media types, as well as on a dial-up system for users whose > > systems are unable to connect to the web, we are the few, we are the > proud, > > we are the modem users. > > > > Remember these types of modem init strings, or even longer?? > > ATF&F1E0Q0V1&C1&D2S0=0ATS7=120S19=15L2&M4&K1&H1&R2&I0B0X4 > > > > I'd like to see a VCF dialup BBS with a software library for various > > systems which don't easily have internet access, it can also have telnet > > based access for high speed access > > > > > > -- > > Normal Person: Hey, it seems that you know a lot. > > Geek: To be honest, it's due to all the surfing I do. > > Normal Person: So you go surfing? > > Normal Person: But I don't think that has anything to do with knowing a > > lot... > > Geek: I think that's wrong on a fundamental level. > > Normal Person: Huh? Huh? What? > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 11 > Date: Mon, 21 Dec 2015 15:09:19 -0500 (EST) > From: Mike Loewen <mloewen(a)cpumagic.scol.pa.us <javascript:;>> > To: vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org <javascript:;> > Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Christmas demos/songs for vintage > equipment > Message-ID: > <alpine.LFD.2.20.1512211506390.53515(a)cpumagic.137clearview.org > <javascript:;>> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed > > On Monday, December 21, 2015, Joseph Oprysko via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org <javascript:;>> wrote: > > > Does anyone have christmas demos/songs for vintage computers? Macs, > PC's, > > Commodores, Apples, Atari, Imsai, DEC, CPM Machines, etc. I think it > would > > be nice to have a holiday software collection setup for members to have > > access to. I know right now, it's a bit late for this Christmas, but I > > believe it would be a good gesture going forward to have software > available > > to members for various systems to members available for downloads as well > > as on various media types, as well as on a dial-up system for users whose > > systems are unable to connect to the web, we are the few, we are the > proud, > > we are the modem users. > > I have a CD full of Christmas music as performed by the AN/FSQ-7 (SAGE) > computer but the code is long gone, not to mention the computers. :-) > > > Mike Loewen mloewen(a)cpumagic.scol.pa.us > <javascript:;> > Old Technology http://q7.neurotica.com/Oldtech/ > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 12 > Date: Mon, 21 Dec 2015 15:12:29 -0500 > From: Ray Sills <raysills3(a)verizon.net <javascript:;>> > To: vcf-midatlantic > <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org > <javascript:;>> > Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Christmas demos/songs for vintage > equipment > Message-ID: <BA01E6A5-6A2D-4770-8D31-594FD0058989(a)verizon.net > <javascript:;>> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 > > A bunch of years ago, I donated an SX-64 to MARCH, and I’m sure it > included that holiday demo disk. Whether the machine and/or the disk are > still functional, is another matter. > > It was a neat machine. I was sorry to see it go, but I knew it would > “have a better home” at MARCH. The only vintage machines I have room for > now are a Radio Shack/Tandy MC-10 and an RCA VIP. > > 73 de Ray > > > > On Dec 21, 2015, at 11:40 AM, william degnan via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org <javascript:;>> wrote: > > > > On Mon, Dec 21, 2015 at 10:56 AM, Joseph Oprysko via vcf-midatlantic < > > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org <javascript:;>> > wrote: > > > >> Does anyone have christmas demos/songs for vintage computers? Macs, > PC's, > >> Commodores, Apples, Atari, Imsai, DEC, CPM Machines, etc. I think it > would > >> be nice to have a holiday software collection setup for members to have > >> access to. I know right now, it's a bit late for this Christmas, but I > >> believe it would be a good gesture going forward to have software > available > >> to members for various systems to members available for downloads as > well > >> as on various media types, as well as on a dial-up system for users > whose > >> systems are unable to connect to the web, we are the few, we are the > proud, > >> we are the modem users. > >> > >> Remember these types of modem init strings, or even longer?? > >> ATF&F1E0Q0V1&C1&D2S0=0ATS7=120S19=15L2&M4&K1&H1&R2&I0B0X4 > >> > >> I'd like to see a VCF dialup BBS with a software library for various > >> systems which don't easily have internet access, it can also have telnet > >> based access for high speed access > >> > >> > > > > Commodore SX64 came with a demo sound pak that included a Christmas or > > holiday song set. > > -- > > Bill > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 13 > Date: Mon, 21 Dec 2015 15:15:40 -0500 > From: william degnan <billdegnan(a)gmail.com <javascript:;>> > To: vcf-midatlantic > <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org > <javascript:;>> > Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Christmas demos/songs for vintage > equipment > Message-ID: > < > CABGJBudjx+JmNan4SMPudhdnbQT2hYC7PmZ-dXp0Zyf22+MMaw(a)mail.gmail.com > <javascript:;>> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 > > The SX 64 disk is on my web site. > > On Mon, Dec 21, 2015 at 3:12 PM, Ray Sills via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org <javascript:;>> wrote: > > > A bunch of years ago, I donated an SX-64 to MARCH, and I’m sure it > > included that holiday demo disk. Whether the machine and/or the disk are > > still functional, is another matter. > > > > It was a neat machine. I was sorry to see it go, but I knew it would > > “have a better home” at MARCH. The only vintage machines I have room for > > now are a Radio Shack/Tandy MC-10 and an RCA VIP. > > > > 73 de Ray > > > > > > > On Dec 21, 2015, at 11:40 AM, william degnan via vcf-midatlantic < > > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org <javascript:;>> > wrote: > > > > > > On Mon, Dec 21, 2015 at 10:56 AM, Joseph Oprysko via vcf-midatlantic < > > > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org <javascript:;>> > wrote: > > > > > >> Does anyone have christmas demos/songs for vintage computers? Macs, > > PC's, > > >> Commodores, Apples, Atari, Imsai, DEC, CPM Machines, etc. I think it > > would > > >> be nice to have a holiday software collection setup for members to > have > > >> access to. I know right now, it's a bit late for this Christmas, but > I > > >> believe it would be a good gesture going forward to have software > > available > > >> to members for various systems to members available for downloads as > > well > > >> as on various media types, as well as on a dial-up system for users > > whose > > >> systems are unable to connect to the web, we are the few, we are the > > proud, > > >> we are the modem users. > > >> > > >> Remember these types of modem init strings, or even longer?? > > >> ATF&F1E0Q0V1&C1&D2S0=0ATS7=120S19=15L2&M4&K1&H1&R2&I0B0X4 > > >> > > >> I'd like to see a VCF dialup BBS with a software library for various > > >> systems which don't easily have internet access, it can also have > telnet > > >> based access for high speed access > > >> > > >> > > > > > > Commodore SX64 came with a demo sound pak that included a Christmas or > > > holiday song set. > > > -- > > > Bill > > > > > > > -- > Bill > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 14 > Date: Mon, 21 Dec 2015 15:57:54 -0500 > From: Evan Koblentz <evan(a)snarc.net <javascript:;>> > To: vcf-midatlantic > <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org > <javascript:;>> > Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Christmas demos/songs for vintage > equipment > Message-ID: <c1290e8a-2f66-4af4-bd4e-e6427ebd98e5(a)snarc.net <javascript:;> > > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 > > >> Whether the machine and/or the disk are still functional, is another > matter. > > We have a few; there's a working one on display. We also have multiples of > the holiday music disks. > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 15 > Date: Mon, 21 Dec 2015 20:46:04 -0500 > From: Jeffrey Brace <ark72axow(a)gmail.com <javascript:;>> > To: vcf-midatlantic > <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org > <javascript:;>> > Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Christmas demos/songs for vintage > equipment > Message-ID: > < > CAKVfvQzAmdeV+jdkjtbWVbjBY06ScMY2zRU-NNF-o1OdNcO_aA(a)mail.gmail.com > <javascript:;>> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 > > Ray, > > I was in fact playing your SX-64 and the holiday demo disk this past Sunday > at the museum! > > Jeff Brace > > On Mon, Dec 21, 2015 at 3:12 PM, Ray Sills via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org <javascript:;>> wrote: > > > A bunch of years ago, I donated an SX-64 to MARCH, and I’m sure it > > included that holiday demo disk. Whether the machine and/or the disk are > > still functional, is another matter. > > > > It was a neat machine. I was sorry to see it go, but I knew it would > > “have a better home” at MARCH. The only vintage machines I have room for > > now are a Radio Shack/Tandy MC-10 and an RCA VIP. > > > > 73 de Ray > > > > > > > On Dec 21, 2015, at 11:40 AM, william degnan via vcf-midatlantic < > > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org <javascript:;>> > wrote: > > > > > > On Mon, Dec 21, 2015 at 10:56 AM, Joseph Oprysko via vcf-midatlantic < > > > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org <javascript:;>> > wrote: > > > > > >> Does anyone have christmas demos/songs for vintage computers? Macs, > > PC's, > > >> Commodores, Apples, Atari, Imsai, DEC, CPM Machines, etc. I think it > > would > > >> be nice to have a holiday software collection setup for members to > have > > >> access to. I know right now, it's a bit late for this Christmas, but > I > > >> believe it would be a good gesture going forward to have software > > available > > >> to members for various systems to members available for downloads as > > well > > >> as on various media types, as well as on a dial-up system for users > > whose > > >> systems are unable to connect to the web, we are the few, we are the > > proud, > > >> we are the modem users. > > >> > > >> Remember these types of modem init strings, or even longer?? > > >> ATF&F1E0Q0V1&C1&D2S0=0ATS7=120S19=15L2&M4&K1&H1&R2&I0B0X4 > > >> > > >> I'd like to see a VCF dialup BBS with a software library for various > > >> systems which don't easily have internet access, it can also have > telnet > > >> based access for high speed access > > >> > > >> > > > > > > Commodore SX64 came with a demo sound pak that included a Christmas or > > > holiday song set. > > > -- > > > Bill > > > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Message: 16 > Date: Mon, 21 Dec 2015 21:42:39 -0500 > From: Ray Sills <raysills3(a)verizon.net <javascript:;>> > To: vcf-midatlantic > <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org > <javascript:;>> > Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Christmas demos/songs for vintage > equipment > Message-ID: <A0D21435-38B8-4434-8C68-08888968658C(a)verizon.net > <javascript:;>> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii > > HI Jeff: > > Excellent!!! Glad to hear the machine is working, and playing the timely > holiday demo!! > > 73 de Ray > > > > On Dec 21, 2015, at 8:46 PM, Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org <javascript:;>> wrote: > > > > Ray, > > > > I was in fact playing your SX-64 and the holiday demo disk this past > Sunday > > at the museum! > > > > Jeff Brace > > > > > > End of vcf-midatlantic Digest, Vol 2, Issue 20 > ********************************************** > -- Normal Person: Hey, it seems that you know a lot. Geek: To be honest, it's due to all the surfing I do. Normal Person: So you go surfing? Normal Person: But I don't think that has anything to do with knowing a lot... Geek: I think that's wrong on a fundamental level. Normal Person: Huh? Huh? What?

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Christmas demos/songs for vintage equipment
by Joseph Oprysko 21 Dec '15

21 Dec '15

Does anyone have christmas demos/songs for vintage computers? Macs, PC's, Commodores, Apples, Atari, Imsai, DEC, CPM Machines, etc. I think it would be nice to have a holiday software collection setup for members to have access to. I know right now, it's a bit late for this Christmas, but I believe it would be a good gesture going forward to have software available to members for various systems to members available for downloads as well as on various media types, as well as on a dial-up system for users whose systems are unable to connect to the web, we are the few, we are the proud, we are the modem users. Remember these types of modem init strings, or even longer?? ATF&F1E0Q0V1&C1&D2S0=0ATS7=120S19=15L2&M4&K1&H1&R2&I0B0X4 I'd like to see a VCF dialup BBS with a software library for various systems which don't easily have internet access, it can also have telnet based access for high speed access -- Normal Person: Hey, it seems that you know a lot. Geek: To be honest, it's due to all the surfing I do. Normal Person: So you go surfing? Normal Person: But I don't think that has anything to do with knowing a lot... Geek: I think that's wrong on a fundamental level. Normal Person: Huh? Huh? What?

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Selectrics
by Herb Johnson 21 Dec '15

21 Dec '15

Joseph Oprysko wrote in: How many machines in the warehouse are actually functional? > I have past experience in > mechanical terminals/typewriters as well, although I am 20+ years out of > practice so I don't know if I'd want to start with anything super rare > (like how I worked on the IBM Selectric at Festivus) but would have been > nice to have white grease, oil, spring hooks, etc. it's really been way too > long since I've worked on them, especially since I used to rebuild them, > and no longer have any of the tools or documentation from them. I actually > took a college class in repairing them. :) I'll contact you privately, on a lead for some IBM Selectric tools. In general I'd say Selectric typewriters aren't rare, but I imagine there's not lots of Selectric terminals among vintage computer collectors. But I'm sure there's discussion of them and documents available in some number of on-line venues. And small tools are available from flea markets and as surplus - if you want to build up a set of tools and greases and oils. I'm encouraging you to reestablish your skills set, if you wish to put time and a budget to work, and if you have space for at least a Selectric typewriter or two. Herb Johnson -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey USA http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net

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Museum Report
by Jeffrey Brace 21 Dec '15

21 Dec '15

Total there were lots and lots people because of the train show. Various levels of interest. It's good to have visitors to show off our vintage computers! :) Jeff Brace

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Joystick Repair Epyx 500XJ
by Jeffrey Brace 21 Dec '15

21 Dec '15

Does anyone have experience repairing joysticks? I have an Epyx 500XJ that doesn't respond well to the left direction. I'm just wondering if this is something that is repairable. Jeff Brace

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Philly-area volunteers needed Jan. 2/3
by Evan Koblentz 20 Dec '15

20 Dec '15

This is for anyone in metro Philly: we could use some volunteers for a club booth at the Young Innovators Faire (a mini-Maker Faire wannabe) which is at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center on Jan. 2/3. Usual disclaimer for such events: we need people who can * definitely * be there for at least half a day (not "I'll try to make it") and, of course, you need to be outgoing and enjoy working a booth.

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Wanted: NEC PC-8001A Mini-Disk Module PC-8031A
by Todd George 19 Dec '15

19 Dec '15

Hi there everyone. I'm hunting for an NEC PC-8031A mini-disk module for the NEC PC-8001A computer. I have the computer itself and PC-8012A expansion chassis already. Additionally looking for anything else relating to this computer that you might have kicking around and be willing to part with. Including but not limited to the "Wedge", expansion unit cabling, expansion cards, etc. Note: I have seen the one floating periodically on eBay and am keeping a close eye on eBay in general for this unit so am looking for leads outside of that. If anyone has stuff for this computer, please contact me off-list. I'm near Philadelphia and willing to drive to avoid you having to pack/ship. Not against shipping stuff either. Thanks!! -Todd

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Mac 400k Floppy Drive cleaning/lubrication.
by Todd George 19 Dec '15

19 Dec '15

On Fri, 18 Dec 2015 at 00:44:13 -0500, Ian Primus via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: > I'm really good at rebuilding these drives, and have done many of them > - both 400K and 800K. That would be a good thing to bring to a > workshop, perhaps - I'd be happy to walk people through it. > > -Ian Ian, this would rule. Additionally (although I'm not nominating/obligating you) I would love someone to do an in-person workshop/tutorial of aligning a 5.25" drive. It seems to be one of those things that's oddly missing from YouTube. Thanks guys! -Todd

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I definitely want at least 1 or 2 hoodies
by Joseph Oprysko 18 Dec '15

18 Dec '15

1 XL, 1 2XL Please -- Normal Person: Hey, it seems that you know a lot. Geek: To be honest, it's due to all the surfing I do. Normal Person: So you go surfing? Normal Person: But I don't think that has anything to do with knowing a lot... Geek: I think that's wrong on a fundamental level. Normal Person: Huh? Huh? What?

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Fwd: Another question, repairs?
by RETRO Innovations 18 Dec '15

18 Dec '15

Is there someone local that might be of assistance? -------- Forwarded Message -------- Subject: Another question, repairs? Re: Your order: 5677 Date: Thu, 17 Dec 2015 18:58:59 -0500 From: To: fulfillment(a)go4retro.com Hello again. I purchased a nice unused vic20 1541 drive off ebay that worked when it was shipped, when it arrived at my house it wont stop spinning and red and green lights just stay on (yes seller refunded my money). I checked over the obvious inside but nothing comes up as bad. I see you were in Wall Township NJ at some point? Do you know of anyone in New Jersey that repairs commodore items? Thanks Brian North Brunswick, NJ

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Hoodies, part 2
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 18 Dec '15

18 Dec '15

Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic writes: >> If it didn't have a "hood" I'd get one. ;) > >Cut off the hood, sew the neck back together. :) Isn't that a hardware modification?

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Mac 400k Floppy Drive cleaning/lubrication.
by Mike Willegal 18 Dec '15

18 Dec '15

The 400K drives are extremely well built. I have some notes on getting a few working again in my blog. http://www.willegal.net/blog/?p=6218 <http://www.willegal.net/blog/?p=6218> The most common problem is that the grease dries up and freezes the mechanism. My guess is that the second most common problem is due to people forcing the mechanism after the first problem occurs. Cleaning the mech is something that anyone with a bit of mechanical aptitude should be able to handle. regards, Mike Willegal

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Mac 400k Floppy Drive cleaning/lubrication.
by Joseph Oprysko 18 Dec '15

18 Dec '15

I have like 3 or 4 Mac 400k drives (2 external units, and 2 internal) Is someone here adept at cleaning the old grease and re-greasing these drives? Here's the systems I need them for: Mac 512K - Internal drive & External Drive - Clean and Lube Mac 128K - Swap 800K Internal Drive & Replace with 400K drive from Mac Plus, plus clean and lube External Drive. My Mac 128K has the original mainboard, but has a 1MB RAM Expansion board sitting on top of the main board, and likely updated ROM to support the 800k Floppy drive. I also have 3 or 4 800k drives that also need to be cleaned and lubed. While it is probably something I could do myself, I've never had good luck when trying to refurbish floppy drives, so I'm looking to find someone who could do it for me. Thanks, Joe -- Normal Person: Hey, it seems that you know a lot. Geek: To be honest, it's due to all the surfing I do. Normal Person: So you go surfing? Normal Person: But I don't think that has anything to do with knowing a lot... Geek: I think that's wrong on a fundamental level. Normal Person: Huh? Huh? What?

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TI 99/4a with Expansion System, Loaded/Working for Sale
by william degnan 17 Dec '15

17 Dec '15

I have listed a "super system" on Ebay, starting price is $1. It's tested, working and complete, with manuals and working disk drive. Feel free to ask questions. Shipping worldwide from Landenberg, PA. http://www.ebay.com/itm/-/272080377926 -- Bill

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Apple II GS Vulcan IDE Drive Replacement
by Joseph Oprysko 17 Dec '15

17 Dec '15

I have a II GS I had picked up which has a Vulcan controller and hard drive. The hard drive either needs to be reformatted or replaced. (I don't have a floppy drive for my IIGS to re-install the OS), although I just ordered a Floppy Drive Emulator from Big Mess 'O Wires, it actually looks like a very promising solution for my Mac's and Apple II's. But back to my question, Is there a modern replacement for the hard drive for the one that connects to the Vulcan card (CF->IDE or SD->IDE) that is known to work with this? Thanks, Joe -- Normal Person: Hey, it seems that you know a lot. Geek: To be honest, it's due to all the surfing I do. Normal Person: So you go surfing? Normal Person: But I don't think that has anything to do with knowing a lot... Geek: I think that's wrong on a fundamental level. Normal Person: Huh? Huh? What?

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Update -- year-end donations
by Evan Koblentz 17 Dec '15

17 Dec '15

Everyone, Friendly reminder that if you'd like to get a 2015 tax deduction, then you need to send us a donation by Dec. 31 (two short weeks away). We accept PayPal to donations(a)vintagecomputerfederation.org and checks to VCF, P.O. Box 417, Eatontown, NJ, 07724. Thank you! Evan

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TRSWiki for Model III/4
by Peter Cetinski 15 Dec '15

15 Dec '15

I just released a new version of TRSWiki that runs on the TRS-80 Model III and Model 4. For those of you that don’t know about TRSWiki, it is a Wikipedia browser for the TRS-80. It requires a MISE for the Model I or a M3SE for the Model III/4 for Internet connectivity. The 640x240 hi-resolution options for the Model III/4 are pretty cool. Screenshots and more details on the website. Thanks! http://pski.net/trswiki/ <http://pski.net/trswiki/>

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Intel 8224 Clock Generator on non-8080 Systems
by Systems Glitch 15 Dec '15

15 Dec '15

I mentioned to someone at Festivus that I'd seen an Intel 8224 clock generator used somewhere in a non-8080 system, perhaps with a Z80. Apparently the item I was remembering was the Ithaca Audio Z80 CPU board: http://s100computers.com/Hardware Folder/Intersystems/Z80-I Board/IA Z80-I.htm Thanks, Jonathan

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Need Yamaha C1 EPROM images
by Ethan 15 Dec '15

15 Dec '15

Longshot but looking for the bios and 3rd chip EPROM images from the Yamaha C1 286-10 "music" laptop. I posted the floppy disk dumps that are pack in including some developer dox (including pinout of expansion connector!) in both disk image and zip format online. I also posted the EPROM dumps that I have -- I noticed text from the Copyright notices is corrupted so I'm thinking my issue with the computer is the eproms are going bad. There sems to be a lot of flaky/dead units out there (when I can find them.) I think the machine is strange enough not to be able to use other generic bios copies. Link of floppy files and my (prob bad) bios dumps: https://users.757.org/~ethan/pics/geek/Software/Yamaha_C1_Laptop/

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SOL-20/CUTTER ALS-8 ROM Images Wanted
by william degnan 15 Dec '15

15 Dec '15

Hi - I have a copy of the ALS-8 ROMS, but the last two of 4 are bad. Does anyone have a ROM image of the ALS-8 ROMs (1702, 2708, 2716 preferred) ? Intel or Motorola is OK. The original ROMs are 9216's FYI but I don't have a burner that works with these, nor the ePROMs. I would be equally thankful for a text file containing a log dump from Teraterm or text terminal program running a system using CUTTER/SOLOS to perform a RAM dump of the C000 Cfff page of a system with ALS-8 populated somehow -- Bill

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How do I change list distribution type?
by Joseph Oprysko 15 Dec '15

15 Dec '15

I thought that when I signed up for the list, it would send me the individual messages as well as the daily digest, but apparently it just sends me the daily digest. How can I correct that? -- Normal Person: Hey, it seems that you know a lot. Geek: To be honest, it's due to all the surfing I do. Normal Person: So you go surfing? Normal Person: But I don't think that has anything to do with knowing a lot... Geek: I think that's wrong on a fundamental level. Normal Person: Huh? Huh? What?

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Getting Data off old Atari Floppies
by Herb Johnson 14 Dec '15

14 Dec '15

David Riley: >> Chuck's advice was to do what he did: make a plywood box, >> put a 25W bulb in, and "bake" it in there for a few days >> (sans vinyl jacket). That won't get you above warping >> temperature. Please don't bake any plastic-based media >> at 300F. Did Chuck say why to do this, what this baking would accomplish? The previously referenced Web page which discusses baking audio tapes says: "The purpose of "baking", is to drive out all the moisture that the tape binder has accumulated, which is what caused it to go sticky in the first place." I do not know that this applies to diskettes and the binders used on their surface coatings. another Web page on baking tapes is: http://www.wendycarlos.com/bake%20a%20tape/baketape.html ..and one Google search hit for "guzis bake diskettes" says, Chuck baked *10-inch tape reels", not diskettes; and the thread was about baking TK50 tape cartridges. Read the thread. https://www.mail-archive.com/cctalk@classiccmp.org/msg04318.html [Re: TK50/TK70 Info, Chuck Guzis Fri, 28 Aug 2015] another "hit" is on the mark: here's an exerpt. http://marc.info/?l=classiccmp&m=137627575108631&w=2 [classiccmp list Re: MFM floppy disk write precompensation Chuck Guzis, 2013-08-12 2:18:15] Sure, remove the cookies from the jackets, bake them at 140F for 4 or 5 hours, then apply a good-quality synthetic auto paint sealant--Klassic seems to be pretty good. No abrasive polishes, please..... That seems to provide a slick enough surface to keep the heads from grabbing the oxide--at least for a few reads. The alternative is disaster....Basically, you want to prevent the heads from "grabbing" the oxide. Once that starts, you're looking at a circle that you can see through. Get yourself an old box of Wabash floppies (any size) and play around......[end excerpt] --------------- Kyle Owen, good student he is, did his homework, and corrected my assumption that the Mylar would buckle - it's much more temperature tolerant, which you'd want for a stable magnetic backing. Thanks, Kyle! In any event, I did an uncontrolled experiment. Briefly: several minutes of baking an 8" diskette envelope (probably PVC?) and the diskette media cookie (Mylar coated with oxide) at 110-120 degrees F, did not seem to immediately distort (melt) either cookie or envelope. But minutes into a 180 degree spike, turned the envelope to a waffle, and put noticeable distortion into the cookie. When cooled, the cookie showed some distortion - I could not say it was sufficient to cause read errors. Of course the envelope was trashed. Again - I'm not convinced baking floppy diskettes, will solve any problems with mold or "moisture", which occurs more often than "flaky" diskettes. Chuck Guzis - who has informed me many times through the decades on matters floppy - seems to use this method to re-bind magnetic coatings on diskettes. and that's consistent with the same method, used to re-bind magnetic coatings on a certain class of 1970's audio tapes, some old DEC magnetic tapes, etc. This was informative discussion, thanks! Herb Johnson -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey USA http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net

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