- vcf-midatlantic - lists.vcfed.org

University of Akron contact?
by Herb Johnson 04 Oct '21

04 Oct '21

> Marcus Mera is looking to borrow the [U of A] VersaWriter, contact wanted. The Web page says: "Contact Information: Send reference and licensing requests to ahap(a)uakron.edu" My experience with museums, and universities, is that they are reluctant to have just anyone obtain or mess with their artifacts. Don't blame me for reporting this circumstance. The versawriter itself, has some history I believe, that can be found on the Web. I stumbled over it not long ago, which is why I've responded at all. So it's a known thing. My engineering spider-sense suggests to me, it's two adjustable resistors - potentiometers - on sticks. If so, someone somewhere has reverse engineered it. I think someone reasonably handy, could build a duplicate, if my guess is correct. And odds are, someone has. Additional Web research should be informative, to find the details and/or a willing owner and/or how-to-make. Atari is not my tech, but I'm curious now. Regards, Herb -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey in the USA http://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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Just slightly OT / The BBS at Camp Evans
by Martin Flynn 03 Oct '21

03 Oct '21

Hi Folks, With the delivery of the FiOS circuit to Camp Evans, CDL will be spinning up the Citadel BBS in the next 30 days or so. As a retro BBS on legacy hardware is not up to exposure to the modern Internet, CDL will be running Citadel on current HPE hardware, behind the Camp Evans firewall. Here's what you need to know: * FQDN: citadel.compdecon.org * Dial-up: +1 732-526-2600. The dial up hunt group has two modems, can scale to 8. If you are interested in participating as a Sysop and representing VCF in this endeavor, please reach out to the VCF steering committee. Martin Flynn

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University of Akro contact?
by Jeffrey Brace 03 Oct '21

03 Oct '21

Does anyone have any contacts at the University of Akron? Marcus Mera is looking to borrow their VersaWriter: http://collections.uakron.edu/digital/collection/p15960coll7/id/921/ ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President & Board Member Vintage Computer Festival East Show-runner Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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Workshops, demos and moon bounce, oh my! at VCF East 2021
by Jeffrey Brace 02 Oct '21

02 Oct '21

There will be more than just the exhibits, classes, talks and consignment at VCF East 2021. There will also be the following: GLITCHWORKS Glitch will be selling and helping people to build various kits at his workshop Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 1PM to 5PM during VCF East. * XT-IDE rev 4A kits * R6501Q SBC kits * RAM expansion for R6501Q kits * 8085 SBC rev 3 kits * CF adapter boards (works with both R6501Q and 8085 SBC rev 3, but really for the 8085 SBC) * 8255 parallel I/O and prototyping interfaces * Blank prototyping cards UNIVAC 1219B Bill Dromgoole will demo this machine from 1 to 3PM Saturday and Sunday in the VCF museum. LEARN TO SOLDER Neil Cherry will be teaching beginners how to solder in the CDL workshop area Saturday and Sunday from 8AM to 5PM BOUNCE YOUR VOICE OFF THE MOON Saturday and Sunday from 1PM to 5PM at the Diana site 2 tenths of a mile walk down the road from the InfoAge main building. ISEC has many exhibits to see and learn about: https://isec.space/exhibits/ ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President & Board Member Vintage Computer Festival East Show-runner Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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Looking to carpool to VCF East
by Vincent B 02 Oct '21

02 Oct '21

Hey all, I'm hoping to be able to hitch a ride to VCF East this year, unfortunately my usual ride (Todd George) is unable to go and I can't get there myself. I'll gladly chip in for fuel and such, so if anyone anywhere near Quakertown, PA is willing to put up with me for a few hours of driving, it would be much appreciated! Vince B.

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Quad boxes galore! New electrical in 9032-A.
by Jeffrey Brace 01 Oct '21

01 Oct '21

VCF East has had our show for many years in the 9032-A section which is the wide open room, concrete floor room. We also have had our repair workshops in that room. However the electrical power has always been unreliable due to aging wire and painted over outlets. I decided that we needed to do something about this for VCF East. This week VCF paid to have a new sub-panel and 8 new quad boxes installed around the perimeter of the wall. So the power will be vastly more reliable and plentiful for exhibits and anyone using that room. Thanks to Tony for recommending the contractor and the great and quick work that he did. I think all of the exhibitors will welcome the new electrical work in that room. ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President & Board Member Vintage Computer Festival East Show-runner Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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Questions about the line-up for each day
by Gregg Levine 01 Oct '21

01 Oct '21

Hello! I am looking at the calendar of events for the three days. I note that Day One, which is next Friday is the University Day, complete with class activities. And that Day Two is the Keynote plus the exhibit spaces, along with Day Three which is another Keynote and the exhibit spaces. Also the obvious enlarged consignment area that was being planned the last time I was there for the Repair Weekend. I bring this up because I'm definitely going to be there for the Day One events, sadly not with an actual companion, but will be arriving with two friends from my NYLUG activities. And all-in-all I'll probably turn up for the Sunday entry which is Day Two. Turns out I bought tickets for Belmar today, and completely forgot to check the calendar of things for the show. ----- Gregg C Levine gregg.drwho8(a)gmail.com "This signature fought the Time Wars, time and again."

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LGR VCF-MW Vid
by Chris Fala 01 Oct '21

01 Oct '21

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bqcze2Azn28 I recognized a few people but hard to tell with the masks. It's a shame he didn't mention VCF-East.

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VCFE Wanted: Mac IIci mainboard, Black Cauldron game, A1200 floppy/keyboard
by Ethan O'Toole 30 Sep '21

30 Sep '21

Short things I am slowly on the hunt for.... Mac IIci motherboard. Have one I tried to fix, white screen. Guess I need to try to fix another one (this seems to be a common issue though) Wouldn't mind finding Black Cauldron by Sierra, complete in box. It was my first game, played it on Tandy 1000SX. Also looking for Amiga 1200 keyboard & floppy & shields

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Looks like someone is giving away vintage floppy disks near Kingston, NY)
by Christian Liendo 30 Sep '21

30 Sep '21

Not my thing but I figured someone would be interested https://hudsonvalley.craigslist.org/zip/d/kingston-free-ancient-computer-ge…

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VCFE Consignment? Preparation?
by Ethan O'Toole 28 Sep '21

28 Sep '21

I have some stuff for consignment. Is there anything I could do in advance to make it easier at event? Spreadsheet with descriptions or something? - Ethan

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Glitchworks workshop at VCF East 2021
by Jeffrey Brace 27 Sep '21

27 Sep '21

The following will be what Glitch will be bringing to his workshop during VCF East: * XT-IDE rev 4A kits * R6501Q SBC kits * RAM expansion for R6501Q kits * 8085 SBC rev 3 kits * CF adapter boards (works with both R6501Q and 8085 SBC rev 3, but really for the 8085 SBC) * 8255 parallel I/O and prototyping interfaces * Blank prototyping cards The workshop will be running 9AM to 5PM Friday, Saturday and Sunday. ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President & Board Member Vintage Computer Festival East Show-runner Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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OT: How can I get the CDL Makerspace and Podcast studio better noticed?
by Neil Cherry 27 Sep '21

27 Sep '21

I spoke with Jeff and he suggested posting here as others have museums and what-not and may have good suggestions. The other day I visited Fubar Labs in New Brunswick. They had more people attending there meetup but otherwise CDL is not that much different than Fubar. Now my intention is to get more people involved so we have members. I think this will also get Infoage noticed and VCF (which is more noticed than CDL). I'm looking for all sorts of ideas. Jeff has shared several and Noted that I might really also need help from younger minds. :-) I'll give all suggestions attention but at the moment I may be a one man band for a while. -- Linux Home Automation Neil Cherry ncherry(a)linuxha.com http://www.linuxha.com/ Main site http://linuxha.blogspot.com/ My HA Blog Author of: Linux Smart Homes For Dummies

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OT - RCA VHS+9" CRT looking for a new home
by John Heritage 27 Sep '21

27 Sep '21

Hey folks, I have a RCA 9" CRT TV/VHS combo that needs a new home. The TV powers on (shows white static on screen), and the speaker makes noise. I don't have an antenna so I can't tell if the TV portion works, though I *think* I had this hooked up to an Atari 2600 at one point. I also don't have any media to verify the VHS condition. I do *not* have the remote but I do have the power cord (custom cable). I can email pics separately - but here's the info: (back label) Thomson Consumer Electronics Model 509082 55 Watts Mfg November 1999 Series V15B If you want pics, send me a separate email and i'll send a couple. Thanks! John

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VCF East 2021 Covid-19 Protocols and Policies
by Jeffrey Brace 24 Sep '21

24 Sep '21

Hello Everyone, I’ve been asked about the Covid-19 protocols at VCF East 2021. Please forgive the delay. We waited to see how things would be as we got closer to the show. We have decided that the following policies and protocols will be followed: *InfoAge policy is that vaccinated people are not required to wear a mask, but unvaccinated people *must* wear a mask while indoors and maintain social distancing outdoors. * *However as per CDC guidelines we strongly recommend that everyone wear a mask indoors and socially distance outdoors.* *New Jersey does not have a requirement for proof of vaccination for indoor events. * *We expect to keep open where practical every available door and window to provide increased ventilation in indoor spaces. * *The State of New Jersey does not have occupancy limitations at this time.* For those that don’t feel comfortable coming in person, we are working on a streaming option as well as Discord channels for those wanting to participate from a distance. Please check on our virtual show page ( https://vcfed.org/wp/vcf-east-virtual-show/) for updates as they are created. If you have any other questions or comments, then please e-mail: vcfeast AT vcfed.org Thank you and hope to see you at the show! ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President & Board Member Vintage Computer Festival East Show-runner Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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Cisco 6500
by Martin Flynn 22 Sep '21

22 Sep '21

CDL is disposing of our spare 6500 blades and fan trays. Will stage them by the studio door ( by the circuit breaker box) Will go to e-waste if not rescued by Sunday night. Martin Sent from my iPhone

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Cisco 6500
by Dave McGuire 22 Sep '21

22 Sep '21

On 9/22/21 4:00 PM, Mike Willegal via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > Still useful c6500s may be, but Cisco has published an EOL plan > for this product that pretty much gives you no options for HW > support or SW support, so in you would be pretty much dependent > upon resale market for spares and such. Not the type of thing > most businesses want to deal with as a critical part of their > operations. Well, with apologies Mike, you'd be wrong there. Some businesses, sure, but by no means all, and I would say not even close to "most" or even "many". I see them everywhere. A comparatively small percentage of Cisco-based networks have, can afford, or even care about, Cisco service contracts. Spares are readily available everywhere, from authorized Cisco dealers with warranties, or even on the surplus market for people with more brains than money. And, software support? That's a bit of a joke on systems like this. Heck, there's a first-gen 6513 moving data in the main datacenter at the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center, I wasn't terribly surprised to see it there two months ago, loaded with 10 gigabit Ethernet interfaces, right between two of the latest and most powerful computers on the planet. I don't often wear my "network engineer" hat anymore, but it still fits, and I do manage quite a bit of this type of hardware for our networks as well as corporate clients. -Dave -- Dave McGuire, AK4HZ New Kensington, PA

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Cisco 6500
by Ethan O'Toole 22 Sep '21

22 Sep '21

> Still useful c6500s may be, but Cisco has published an EOL plan for this product that pretty much gives you no > options for HW support or SW support, so in you would be pretty much dependent upon resale market for spares > and such. Not the type of thing most businesses want to deal with as a critical part of their operations. I don't think anyone playing around with the stuff in our circles is going to want to take out Cisco support on it and put it at the core of their production environment :-) In the retail datacenters I see less Cisco than ever. Arista is the new hotness. They use vendor silicon and have their own Fedora based OS they throw on them. But boxes do pretty well from my experience and the ones I've supported seem to be reliable. Arista support is pretty decent as well, so far. Lots of 100 gigabit and 25 gigabit these days. Still see some Juniper and Cisco for switching, Juniper for routing still a good bit. Arista has routers too, and Cisco has some newer ones. - Ethan

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Cisco 6500
by Mike Willegal 22 Sep '21

22 Sep '21

Still useful c6500s may be, but Cisco has published an EOL plan for this product that pretty much gives you no options for HW support or SW support, so in you would be pretty much dependent upon resale market for spares and such. Not the type of thing most businesses want to deal with as a critical part of their operations. https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/switches/catalyst-6500-se… Reminds me a bit of the businesses that have approached me in the past because their Apple IIs were starting to act up and they didn’t have a migration plan. Mike Willegal

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YouTube Tip Jar Re: VCF East 2021 Pay Per View Recommendations
by Christian Liendo 22 Sep '21

22 Sep '21

I follow a YouTube channel that uses what is called Tip Jar I don't know how good or bad it is, I just know it exists. It is explained in this article: https://www.vox.com/the-goods/22301751/digital-tipping-creators-platforms >From what I read viewers can tip $2, $5, $10 and $50 and YouTube will take a 30% cut of the revenue generated from tips. This is Regular Car Reviews, they use YouTube's TipJar. Here is an example here of their live events and you will see in the comments people sending money. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1A864hAtFWw For more info I found this on "How to enable Fan Funding" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Nrs8X82o9w This may or may not be the solution for the group, but it is an option I hope this helps.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] VCF East 2021 Pay Per View Recommendations - Take 2
by Andrew Diller 22 Sep '21

22 Sep '21

Here is my ask to membership: 1. First, have you held your own Live PPV/Streaming event and do you have a strong recommendation for a service that worked well? 2. Given that VCF East will have a Live Stream of the event Speakers (-not- exhibits like in 2020) Sat. and Sun. - would you pay any amount to view it live? 3. If you would pay some amount to view it live, what amount would be low enough? $5, $10, $20, more? This will help set the cost. Note that post-show the speaker presentations will be edited and posted for free on the VCF YouTube channel as they always have been. The cost is only for viewing the live stream on the Sat and Sun show days. -andy

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VCF East 2021 Pay Per View Recommendations
by Jeffrey Brace 22 Sep '21

22 Sep '21

I'm thinking about making a pay-per-view option for VCF East 2021 which would stream the speakers live. There are many people who are overseas who can't come and others who can't attend in person in the US. I have two recommendations so far, but does any one have any recommendations? Thanks! ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President & Board Member Vintage Computer Festival East Show-runner Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Fwd: Kennett Classic Sept 25th - Only 5 days to go!
by Bill Degnan 21 Sep '21

21 Sep '21

Just posted - Where to Eat while in Kennett Square: https://www.kennettclassic.com/while-at-kennett-classic-food/ Michael Tomczyk, Commodore Marketing Guru, Visits on Sept 25th https://www.kennettclassic.com/michael-tomczyk-commodore-marketing-guru-vis… Bill On Tue, Sep 21, 2021 at 9:36 AM Sentrytv via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > Not going > > Sent from: > My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device. > > > On Sep 21, 2021, at 9:33 AM, Andrew Diller via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > > Don't forget - Kennett classic is coming up this Saturday. > > > > > >> Begin forwarded message: > >> > >> From: Bill Degnan via cctalk > >> Subject: Kennett Classic Sept 25th - Only 5 days to go! > >> Date: September 20, 2021 at 10:27:57 PM EDT > >> > >> Reminder - The Kennett Classic Vintage Computing event is only 5 days > away! > >> > >> Many have already pre-registered for the all day vintage computing > workshop > >> and there are still spaces for exhibitors available. After we break for > >> dinner there will be a chip tunes show from 7PM - 11PM > >> > >> 115 S. Union St. > >> Kennett Square, PA > >> (across the street from the museum shop) > >> 484 732 7041 > >> > >> What to do in Kennett Square? Here is a sampling of restaurants within > >> walking distance of the event space - bring the family! > >> https://www.kennettclassic.com/while-at-kennett-classic-food/ > >> > >> Hope to see you there! > >> > >> Bill > >> kennettclassic.com <----directions and registration here > > > >

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Michael Tomczyk, Commodore Marketing Guru, Visits on Sept 25th
by Bill Degnan 21 Sep '21

21 Sep '21

Michael Tomczyk will be manning a table at the 2nd-annual Kennett Classic. https://www.kennettclassic.com/michael-tomczyk-commodore-marketing-guru-vis… Hope to see you there! Bill

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Fwd: Kennett Classic Sept 25th - Only 5 days to go!
by Andrew Diller 21 Sep '21

21 Sep '21

Don't forget - Kennett classic is coming up this Saturday. > Begin forwarded message: > > From: Bill Degnan via cctalk > Subject: Kennett Classic Sept 25th - Only 5 days to go! > Date: September 20, 2021 at 10:27:57 PM EDT > > Reminder - The Kennett Classic Vintage Computing event is only 5 days away! > > Many have already pre-registered for the all day vintage computing workshop > and there are still spaces for exhibitors available. After we break for > dinner there will be a chip tunes show from 7PM - 11PM > > 115 S. Union St. > Kennett Square, PA > (across the street from the museum shop) > 484 732 7041 > > What to do in Kennett Square? Here is a sampling of restaurants within > walking distance of the event space - bring the family! > https://www.kennettclassic.com/while-at-kennett-classic-food/ > > Hope to see you there! > > Bill > kennettclassic.com <----directions and registration here

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Adam Rosen’s Macintoshes on display at The American Computer and Robotics Museum
by Jeffrey Brace 20 Sep '21

20 Sep '21

Adam Rosen who passed away in 2019 was a Macintosh enthusiast and had hosted the vintagemacmuseum website. His father Robert Rosen sent me this press release about his collection being on display in Montana: https://vcfed.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/ACRM-Opens-Vintage-Mac-Muse… He wanted me to share it with our members and the vintage computer community. ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President & Board Member Vintage Computer Festival East Show-runner Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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OT: pair of FRS radios free to good home.
by William Dudley 19 Sep '21

19 Sep '21

Apologies for non-VCF content, but don't have another group of electronics users like this one. I have been given a pair of Kenwood UBZ-LF14 FRS (467MHz) radios. They are missing their belt clips but look otherwise in good nick. I have not tested them. The manual is downloadable online. I will ship if you pay shipping. Bill Dudley Jackson, NJ This email is free of malware because I run Linux.

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VCF Hoodies reorder!
by Jeffrey Brace 17 Sep '21

17 Sep '21

Hello everyone, It's been years since we have made an order for hoodies. I'm doing my best to have some available before VCF East, so I will be putting in an order over the next week or so. There are different types of hoodies. Does anyone have any preferences? For example: Zipper No-zipper Sport-tek Heavy Blend Dry Blend Super Sweats It will have the VCF logo on it like last time. ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President & Board Member Vintage Computer Festival East Show-runner Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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Home computing pioneer Sir Clive Sinclair dies aged 81
by Christian Liendo 17 Sep '21

17 Sep '21

I don't know how accurate this is but it came across my feed https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/sep/16/home-computing-pioneer-s…

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Workshop related....
by Martin Flynn 17 Sep '21

17 Sep '21

While Verizon deployed the new fiber for our FiOS internet, I spend a bit of time working on the previously donated Hexacon Therm-O-Trac 1002 soldering stations. We have 6 working units, cosmetic cleanup pending. http://compdecon.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/IMG_1525-scaled.jpg CAGE 3439, NSN 01-178-4678.

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OT / Extra hands needed for site work
by Martin Flynn 17 Sep '21

17 Sep '21

CDL and VCF will have a team on site tackling project and site work on 09/25/2021. If you are available, and wish to assist, please email me directly as to keep the clutter off the list. Work includes: * Assembling and placing the network rack in building 9032A (adjacent to the big room used for VCF East) * Installing the balance of the hangers for the fiber to 9032A * Testing the network drop in the bunk room for VCF * Installing a network cables for 9010B (access points for VCF East) * Assembling and mounting the network rack in the hotel attic. * Installing a pair of network cables in 9010A for Garden State Martin Flynn

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Warpstock 2021 - The Annual North American OS/2 User Event
by madodel 14 Sep '21

14 Sep '21

The Annual North American OS/2 User Event - Warpstock will be free and virtual. It will be held Saturday, September 18, 2021. From 9 AM to 2 PM PDT (12 PM to 5 PM EDT | 4PM to 9PM GMT). It will be live at YouTube on: https://www.youtube.com/c/warpevents More information at http://www.warpstock.org/ Mark Dodel

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Bil Herd & Margaret Moribito on TPUG Zoom Meeting
by Jeffrey Brace 14 Sep '21

14 Sep '21

For you Commodore fans out there Bil Herd will be on the monthly TPUG (Toronto Pet Users Group) Zoom meeting this Thursday. Info is here: https://www.tpug.ca/ ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President & Board Member Vintage Computer Festival East Show-runner Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey(a)vcfed.org <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campai…> Virus-free. www.avast.com <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campai…> <#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>

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testing
by Bill Degnan 13 Sep '21

13 Sep '21

test, ignore.

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Compaq portable III tips
by Sentrytv 10 Sep '21

10 Sep '21

I’m sending a note to people on the list here that know anything about the Compaq model III Model 2660? I actually just picked one up and before I do anything I would like to get a few tips for this specific model before turning it on or plugging it in. Thanks Mike Rosen Sent from: My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device.

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Need a volunteer to help with Learn to Solder table @ VCF East
by Neil Cherry 10 Sep '21

10 Sep '21

I'll be running the table both days but wouldn't mind some help at the Learn to Solder table. Anyone? :-) I've also asked on the CDL list. -- Linux Home Automation Neil Cherry ncherry(a)linuxha.com http://www.linuxha.com/ Main site http://linuxha.blogspot.com/ My HA Blog Author of: Linux Smart Homes For Dummies

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Compaq portable III tips
by Bill Degnan 10 Sep '21

10 Sep '21

Not sure if anyone said you'll need the reference disk(s) to set up the BIOS. b On Fri, Sep 10, 2021 at 8:43 AM Sentrytv via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > I’m sending a note to people on the list here that know anything about the > Compaq model III Model 2660? > I actually just picked one up and before I do anything I would like to get > a few tips for this specific model before turning it on or plugging it in. > Thanks > > Mike Rosen > > Sent from: > My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device. >

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Marketing and Advertising for VCF East 2021!
by Jeffrey Brace 08 Sep '21

08 Sep '21

Hello everyone! So I need your help with marketing and advertising for VCF East 2021. Adam handles the Facebook groups, Twitter and Instagram, but we need help in other areas. We want members who are "part of the community" in different mailing lists and other online groups to help us spread the word. That means groups that you post to frequently and the members of that group are familiar with you as a member of that group. If you are interested in helping, then please let me know where you can post so that I can see if we already have that area covered. I created a Google Sheet to keep track of where I have been posting the newest ads: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1EzZFryhrGyb4BSc8IR6-4zyq_Da3s1cq4-O… For example, I have already covered: Lemon64.com LemonAmiga.com Bil Herd's The Coriolis Effect Weekly Live YouTube Stream. Here is our 8 1/2 x 11 flyer: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GsmXLA2vIsBFWTcmMJLZfq1OQlxmShBU/view?usp=… ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President & Board Member Vintage Computer Festival East Show-runner Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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Build your ultimate Apple2 Class Room for VCFEast
by Andrew Diller 06 Sep '21

06 Sep '21

You'll want this to start: https://www.ebay.com/itm/114973090205 "Digicard Classroom Network Shared Resource Controller - Apple II Network" then add some Apple2s. Shipping is tough pill to swallow to US, but these are rare and very cool. -andy

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I hope everyone is ok after Ida
by Christian Liendo 04 Sep '21

04 Sep '21

Just checking to see is people are good.

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Lemmings / 1991
by Bruce 04 Sep '21

04 Sep '21

FWIW: https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinteresting/comments/phm731/found_my_first_g… Bruce NJ

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East Information!
by Adam Michlin 02 Sep '21

02 Sep '21

Twitter - Please retweet: https://twitter.com/vcfederation/status/1433560242684522504 Facebook - Please share: https://www.facebook.com/vcfederation/posts/6463819000302815 All leading to: https://vcfed.org/wp/2021/08/31/vcf-east-2021-will-be-the-biggest-show-yet/

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Glitch Works Kit Workshop @ VCF East 2021
by Jeffrey Brace 31 Aug '21

31 Aug '21

Glitch will have XT-IDE rev 4A kits (for the IBM PC theme), the R6501Q SBC kits from last year, and the new high speed capable WDC 65C02S CPU board with RAM, ROM, and serial I/O. ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President & Board Member Vintage Computer Festival East Show-runner Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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Bring your copy of "Back into the Storm" by Bil Herd to VCF East 2021!
by Jeffrey Brace 31 Aug '21

31 Aug '21

Bil Herd has agreed to sign books at VCF East 2021! Anyone that brings their own copy of Bil Herd's new book can get it signed by him at the end of the day on Saturday, October 9. After Bill Mensch's talk he will sign books at approximately 6PM. ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President & Board Member Vintage Computer Festival East Show-runner Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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Mac IIfx to borrow for the museum?
by Adam Michlin 31 Aug '21

31 Aug '21

Hi Everyone, Does anyone have a Mac IIfx we could borrow for the museum? Either just for the weekend of VCF East or longer. The World of IBM is borrowing the OS/2 machine (the OS/2 exhibit portion of The World of IBM is going to be *epic*) that is currently on display in the business section of the museum and need something to fill the empty space. Please email me privately. Thanks! -Adam

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VCF East 2021: The World of IBM
by Herb Johnson 31 Aug '21

31 Aug '21

> 1. IBM branded products > 2. x86 clones > 3. Products that run x86 code, but aren't natively x86 I worked in computing, in the era before and during the IBM PC of 1981. Your history is missing a segment that some called "PC near compatibles" after the fact. Calling less-compatibles "Weird" or "Never Heard Of", is just another way of calling them as forgettable, as "losers". Frankly, that's a misread of history. I guess I have to explain this, because most people can't imagine that a "clone" may not be an exact copy after all. I can recite all this, from my old memory. The "clones" were otherwise known as "100% IBM PC compatibles", designs almost literally copied from the IBM PC. They were produced inexpensively from the Far East in the 1990's, so they were called "Tiawan clones". Why that word clones? The Star Wars films in 1977 and later referenced "the Clone Wars", so it was a popular term of use. (shrug) Remembering only the "clones" makes it hard to imagine something that's not a total copy. But before those clones, or before and during the 1981 IBM PC (!) there were two other kinds of 8086/8088 based computers. Computers which weren't intended to be IBM PC compatible; and computers sold as "PC compatible" but had different physical hardware, particularly different graphics. Compupro made an 8085 8088 dual processor S-100 CPU board and offered "8/16" systems. Heath/Zenith offered the Z-100, a 8085 8088 dual CPU motherboard with S-100 bus. They were before or at the time of the IBM PC - so nothing IBM to "copy". They were early 8088 systems because it's easy to replace a CPU board in an entirely bussed system. It's also easy to redesign an 8085 computer to include an 8088. But there were non-bussed 8088 8086 only computers too, before and after the 1981 IBM PC. Other non-8088 computer makers before the IBM PC, were waiting for Digital Research to offer a "CP/M-86". If they could not wait, they provided their own 8088 operating systems. "Seattle Computer Products" ring a bell? After the IBM PC was produced, with MS-DOS, DRI produced a CP/M 86. So there were two OS's for the 8088/8086. So more 8088/86 desktop (and industrial) computers were produced: encouraged by the IBM PC. As IBM and history reminds us, it was the IBM PC that opened big businesses to buying desktop computers. That opened the door for new computer companies, to make some cheaper or better version of an *business* MS-DOS computer than the expensive IBM PC with expensive IBM services. Computer stores became viable and successful in the 1980's. (IMSAI became ComputerLand for instance.) But: people who wrote new MS-DOS programs (or reassembled old CP/M programs) for the new IBM PC, wrote "past" the MS-DOS and programmed for actual PC hardware. Why? Performance. To operate the screen at the fastest possibly speed, and to operate other hardware to gain any advantage. The 4.77MHz 8088 was just. too. slow, even in the era of 4Mhz Z80's. Performance became a driver for hardware and software. Result? An MS-DOS computer that didn't have enough "PC compatible" hardware, could not run all IBM-PC software. Software makers came up with versions for these other MS-DOS computers. But of course, there were too many non-IBM-PC 8088 computers to keep up with. Producers had to pay licenses or development costs for those variant versions. And: some of these ran software slower (a few faster) than on the IBM PC. That started the "compatibility wars", where various personal computer brands were evaluated as "60% 80% 90% PC compatible" or as to what software packages they could support. Models were graded on how they performed various software packages. Some companies offered additional "PC compatible" hardware upgrades or new models. This is simply a matter of history, read the "PC" magazines of the era for details. (This also explains the "products that ran X86 code without 8086 hardware". Some companies added a 8086 or 8088 co-processor or subsystem to their products - Apple for their Macs for instance - to compete with IBM in the business and education markets. That Zenith Z-100 I mentioned, sold tens of thousands to universities and military schools in the USA.) Eventually there was a rush of programmers, designers, and companies to the emerging dominance of "the IBM PC standard", down to totally-compatible hardware with IBM's. Many of the near-PC-compatible computer brands, didn't survive. What emerged were pure-PC plays like Compaq and others which were very compatible, sometimes ahead in performance and often on price. So with that competition, IBM's share of the market they rose to dominate, started to shrink in the late 1980's. (It's ironic, because of course, IBM "took the market" from CP/M and Z80's in the first place.) Then, in the 1990's, the Far East and particularly Tiawan, emerged as producers of cheap computer boards. Companies emerged to copy various IBM PC compatible designs, eventually put them into cheaper larger-scale IC's, and produce them cheaply. No fees to IBM; oddly they paid Microsoft *per board* for MS-DOS and Windows licenses. IBM in the 90's was a company "on the ropes" for some years as a result. Microsoft did just fine, by the way. So I'm explaining all this out, because history matters. There was an evolution of 8088/8086 computers. IBM provided one of them that became dominant, but other 8088/86 products existed for some time. Eventually the PC market became dominated by the explosion of cheap PC pure copies: clones. IBM became another PC "player", barely surviving the transition. But ignoring the PC near-compatibles before "the clones", ignores part of that evolution. Regards, Herb Johnson old person -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey in the USA http://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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3000 square feet of consignment space at VCF East 2021 !!!
by Jeffrey Brace 30 Aug '21

30 Aug '21

This year we have about 3000 square feet of space for consignment! This is a welcome improvement over the past when consignment rooms were cramped. Alex Jacocks is leading the consignment room and is making a plan for rotating volunteers and a more pleasant experience. If anyone is interested in consignment please review the instructions for consignment here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Efyq6zebSnAFl2mswb-8zDuAZcTewsrz/view?usp=… And then fill out the consignment sheet head of time : https://drive.google.com/file/d/15PFvFJsVvz7FmYsQVgMAtZ_MOBIsbPvu/view?usp=… Here is an example sheet for everyone to see: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TPLfDC-vNtFJIoLSGoFFSa2UIT-lEwSB/view?usp=… ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President & Board Member Vintage Computer Festival East Show-runner Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] 3000 square feet of consignment space at VCF East 2021 !!!
by Ethan O'Toole 30 Aug '21

30 Aug '21

[NON-Text Body part not included] The consignment is the swapmeet! Bonus is the sellers don't have to sit with their stuff all weekend. On top of supporting VCF - Ethan

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VCF East 2021: The World of IBM
by Adam Michlin 27 Aug '21

27 Aug '21

Hi Everyone, As you know, Dean, I and a few other people are working on what we hope to be the largest exhibit in the history of VCF: The World of IBM. This is in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the IBM PC. There are three components: 1. IBM branded products 2. x86 clones 3. Products that run x86 code, but aren't natively x86 - either through hardware or software (so, for example, an '030 Mac IIcx running SoftPC - which we don't currently have). We call this x86 on !x86 (read as x86 on not x86) Dean, Dean's son Drew, and I are spearheading the IBM branded section. We have most of the PC/XT/AT era covered, but could use more variety in the PS/2 area. You can offer to loan a computer to us (I'll link you in on our internal spreadsheet so you know what we've already covered) or you can do an entire table yourself. We're especially looking for someone to run an OS/2 exhibit (we have a massive OS/2 collection in the warehouse that we've been itching to put on display since we acquired it). Bill Inderrieden is spearheading the clone exhibit to honor the legacy of the PC clone. This topic alone could fill two rooms, so we're not going for any kind of completion here. Ideas that we'd love people to consider in terms of exhibits: Early Dell Compaq The Boring Grey Boxes (Not So Boring) The Luggables Tandy The Weird Ones The Ones You've Never Heard Of MS-DOS Throughout the Ages Windowing Systems that Aren't Windows Windows (pre 95) Unix on x86 (Xenix et. al) Early Linux Your Idea Here! The weirder the better and we're even going to have an informal contest for the most incompatible PC compatible (Tandy need not apply... that's just not fair!). x86 on !x86, is being handled by Jason Perkins. This is my personal favorite category where anything goes as long as it ultimately runs x86 somehow some way. We'll have an informal competition for the most gratuitously obnoxious execution of x86 code (the slower the better) and maybe even compete to see who can come up with the silliest, craziest, slowest way to run original x86 Doom. So how can you help? We still have limited space for a full exhibit - contact me if you want a full table and are willing to staff it throughout the event. You can also help by loaning computers, for example we'd love to borrow an Atari PC1 to add to our "Major companies you may not have known made x86 PCs" - DEC and Commodore already being represented - exhibit. You can offer to staff the exhibit, either full time (required only if you have a table) or part time to relieve the full time staff (which we can pre schedule so you have plenty of time to explore the event otherwise - volunteer for only a few hours or more!). If you'd like to help in any way, just send me a private email and we will get you to the right person. -Adam

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] VCF East 2021: The World of IBM
by Jeffrey Brace 27 Aug '21

27 Aug '21

On Fri, Aug 27, 2021 at 11:22 AM Brian L. Stuart via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > On Friday, August 27, 2021, 10:36:32 AM EDT, Ethan O'Toole via > vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > That could also include the Commodore Amiga running PC-Task. I did a > lot of > > > my WordPerfect for DOS activity on that emulation platform. > > > > There was also the crazy Amiga Bridgeboards! > > > > I have some Amigas kicking around but don't own a bridgeboard. > > > > And the Sun PCI PC thing. > > And the DOS-73 board for the UNIX PC. > We have this installed on the museum PC! > > BLS >

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