- vcf-midatlantic - lists.vcfed.org

VCF East 2020 - Call for Classroom Instructors and Presenters
by Jeffrey Brace 17 Aug '20

17 Aug '20

This e-mail is for those interested in doing: 1) A class (maximum of 30 minutes) or 2) A presentation (maximum of 40 minutes). We are going to be doing a virtual hybrid show on October 10 & 11. *CLASSES* Classroom instructors will teach something like "How to repair a CRT", or "Commodore 64 assembly programming". Here is an example class for "Advanced 6502 Assembly Programming for the Apple II": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXElw_3t-rM&t=21s If you are interested in being a classroom instructor, then please fill out this form: < https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfaLdF8TOlIicNw9Qwi7Bkfz8OjCZm4YWl… > Availability is limited. You have the choice of: 1) A prerecorded video with a maximum 30 minutes. Submitted video of your class by September 19. This will be shown via YouTube live and then there will be live Q & A for 10 minutes. 2) An in-person presentation of 30 minutes on site at InfoAge with 10 minutes live Q & A. I will send more details if you are interested. *PRESENTERS* Presenters will talk about some topic and is usually historical like "The Genesis of the 6502 Microprocessor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEhvfJaPTlI&t=34s or "Whirlwind Computer": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OljoexCEgiY If you are interested in being a presenter, then please fill out this form: < https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf8WQOwn_skfJcnc6hzg55LZK30kDqHk2u… > Please keep in mind that there is limited availability for presenters. You have the choice of: 1) A prerecorded video that is a maximum of 40 minutes. Submitted by September 19. This will be shown via YouTube live and followed by live Q & A for 10 to 15 minutes. 2) An in-person presentation of 40 minutes on site at InfoAge with 20 minutes live Q & A. I will send more details if you are interested. -- ========================================= 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 cell: 732-759-1783

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FTGH: Sun Ultra 5 complete & Sun E250
by Ethan O'Toole 17 Aug '20

17 Aug '20

I'm in Northern Virginia and looking for a geek that collects and dabbles with Sun Microsystems hardware. I have a Ultra 5 workstation w/ Type 6 keyboard, mouse and CRT (VGA connector.) Also I have a Sun E250 server (lots of ram dual CPU, 6 scsi disks) that belonged to a friend that passed away years ago. Looking to give them to someone who likes to mess with them. Figure maybe there are younger collectors that can't afford whatever the market price would be or whatever. Anyone know anyone that would want them? - Ethan O'Toole

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VCF East 2020 Call for exhibitors
by Jeffrey Brace 17 Aug '20

17 Aug '20

We are looking for exhibitors for our virtual hybrid show. The format that we propose is that exhibitors create a short video about 5 to 10 minutes showing off your exhibit and send to us a month before the show. Details to follow if you are interested. During the event we would show your video which will stream to YouTube followed by 5 to 10 minutes of questions and answers live. The other option would be for you to show off your exhibit on InfoAge’s campus live on site and in person followed by live questions and answers. We would also like to give exhibitors the opportunity to show off their exhibit live, in-person and on site to InfoAge. Please fill out this Google Form if you are interested: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfSyp3A7yzPJw77Sc_gl0erV4a7QTN8x7W… -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President & Board Member, VCF East Showrunner Vintage Computer Federation http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey(a)vcfed.org cell: 732-759-1783

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Museum Report 2020-08-16
by Jeffrey Brace 16 Aug '20

16 Aug '20

Slow day today with only 2 visitors, but extremely high interested visitors who had been here before and wanted more hands on use of the computers. They spent 2 and 1/2 hours using various working machines in the museum. Covid-19 procedures are working well with controlling the number of people in the museum and disinfectant procedures, etc. -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President & Board Member, VCF East Showrunner Vintage Computer Federation http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey(a)vcfed.org cell: 732-759-1783

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Museum Report 2020-08-09
by Jeffrey Brace 16 Aug '20

16 Aug '20

Better late than never. About a 15 people that day (last Sunday). A group of 2 about 3PM and a dozen about 4:40PM. Moderate interest level, but it shows that there are people interested in visiting InfoAge as a whole and VCF in particular. It's good to have the museum back up and running. -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President & Board Member, VCF East Showrunner Vintage Computer Federation http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey(a)vcfed.org cell: 732-759-1783

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"base 2" dot matrix printer available
by William Dudley 16 Aug '20

16 Aug '20

This is a dot matrix printer that I've owned for decades. It's in its original packing material, with the manual. It's apparently rare, as a google search turns up *nothing*. Pictures here: https://www.dudley.nu/forsale/#base2 Free to a good home, probably. Printer is in NJ. I might be convinced to ship as it's already in a good box. Bill Dudley Jackson, NJ This email is free of malware because I run Linux.

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Qume "daisy wheel" printer available
by William Dudley 16 Aug '20

16 Aug '20

I just found another cache of stuff that I have been storing forever, and I'd like to find homes for it. First item that I've photographed is a Qume "daisy wheel" printer. It's pristine. Last used in the early 90's, when I managed to get my CPM system to talk to it. Photos here. https://www.dudley.nu/forsale/#qume Free to a good home, unless this thing is stupidly valuable. Bill Dudley This email is free of malware because I run Linux.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Needed 5-1/4” Cleaning Floppy
by Herb Johnson 16 Aug '20

16 Aug '20

> Alexander Jacocks said: > Unfortunately, I have a bunch of drives that came to me dirty. So, cleaning disks is good, but doesn't directly address the need. The discussion has branched between "cleaning floppy diskettes" and "cleaning floppy drives". And "cleaning disks" is ambiguous; what's to be cleaned?. I myself, do not care for minimalist posts. Here's a primer on floppy drive issues of "dirt". A floppy drive is a mechanical mechanism. They get dirty because they are exposed to desktop environments but rarely cleaned. Drive mech's oils produce sticky surfaces. To clean a drive one has to remove dirt and debris. Age causes greases to turn hard; greases must be removed and replaced. Age damages flexible plastics and turns them to goo or hardens them: they must be removed and if necessary for function they must be replaced. Some things wear out from abrasion - head pads, rotating mechs. And: the drive heads are little electromagnets with a coating of epoxy. In time the epoxy wears off, the magnetic gap starts to open. Magnetic particles in that gap "short out" the magnetic signal, increasing read and write errors. Drives have other problems: read the fine ancient drive manuals if the manual for your drive doesn't discuss diagnosis and details of function. In any event, material can gather on the read-write head - that's bad. Very bad. It will scour magnetic coatings off the diskette. And the debris will "infect" other diskettes. So #1 priority is to keep the heads CLEAN and to clean them as soon as you observe diskette scouring or hear a "screeeeeeech" (not to be confused with noises from the disk head hub as it rotates, a similar sound). As has been discussed, one Q-tips the heads or uses a cleaning diskette (noun), either with an alcohol solution. regards, Herb Johnson -- 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 retrotechnology DOT info

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Apple IIgs “safe mode”
by Richard Cini 16 Aug '20

16 Aug '20

I’m trying to prep my old //gs for possibly getting rid of it. It’s been sitting for a while but it passes internal diagnostics. It seems to be barfing on loading GSOS from the external SCSI so I was wondering if there’s a way to force it to boot from the floppy disk so I can reformat the drive. Thanks! Rich Get Outlook for iOS<https://aka.ms/o0ukef>

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Needed 5-1/4? Cleaning Floppy
by Herb Johnson 16 Aug '20

16 Aug '20

http://www.retrotechnology.com/herbs_stuff/clean_disks.html There's any number of Web pages about dirt and cleaning dirt on magnetic media. My site has collected what I think are reasonable practices. I've not discussed 3D printed "disk cleaning frames" as they did not exist until recent years; I'll add that information. Regards, Herb Johnson -- 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 retrotechnology DOT info

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Sunday Breakfast Order @ Repair Workshop
by Jeffrey Brace 15 Aug '20

15 Aug '20

Anyone interested in getting a bagel Sunday morning for 10AM delivery should look at this website: https://www.deliciousbagelspointpleasant.com/ And then fill out this Google Sheet with your order: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_aDSVj1BSJG1W_ynn-F2eHWx2CgqtxqymtG… Bill Inderrieden will pick up the bagels. VCF will buy a Dunkin Donuts Box-o-Joe and a dozen donuts. -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President & Board Member, VCF East Showrunner Vintage Computer Federation http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey(a)vcfed.org cell: 732-759-1783

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Museum Report: 12 August 2020
by svcatitc＠aol.com 15 Aug '20

15 Aug '20

Opened museum 1p. It is a bit ironic considering the deluge of "carwash" rain we got today that we had as many visitors as we did. Busy day. Four (4) groups of 3-4 people came in, (2 groupswere families) starting around 2p. Just a mild interest in the technology, however it was theparents that listened with intent. The last visitor was a repeat customer, an older gent withexperience on electronic cash register and associated equipment, working forNCR. Closed at 5p Bill Inderrieden

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Repair Workshop Info 8/15 & 8/16, 2020
by Jeffrey Brace 15 Aug '20

15 Aug '20

Remember the spaces are first come first serve to the CDL space. We have a limit of how many we can fit in there. Otherwise members will have to go to the 9032-A where we used to have our workshops. The workshop is $10 *per* person, *per* day. This is InfoAge's rule and not our decision. So that means for two days it is $20. Sign up to guarantee a table. DATE: August 15 & 16, 2020 LOCATION (two locations): InfoAge: 2201 Marconi Road, Wall Township, NJ 1) Building 9059 (CDL Hackerspace - Formerly IXR) AND 2) Building 9032-A (Old workshop area in main building) TIME: Saturday START time == 10 A.M. END time == 11PM. Sunday START time == 10 A.M. and END == 5 P.M. SIGNUP: < https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1L3Jc_RIHiBG08kZOOAgzvqjf8G0ox9ZRa6B… > Workshop area is limited to 10 people per building and facemasks are required. Hand sanitizer is available. COST: - $10 per person, PER day. This is required by InfoAge for us to pay for renting the space. - $25 for those wanting to stay overnight (Money goes to InfoAge). Please pay ME (Jeff Brace) upon arrival. Cash or PayPal is acceptable as payment. Ask ahead of time if you need to use a credit card. OVERNIGHT: Bring your own pillow, blankets, soap etc. We provide a bed frame and an uncovered mattress. There are showers and a kitchen for your use. - You can pay via PayPal to paypal(a)vcfed.org. or to me via cash or credit card in person. EQUIPMENT: - VCF will provide a table and you can use any available electrical outlet. - Bring your own tools, power strips, power cords, and supplies etc. - If you need particular tools that you don't know or particular parts, please post to the list for those going. They may have what you need. Let them know ahead of time. - Please bring an extra power strip to lend to someone that forgot. DRINKS: You should bring your own. I would recommend bringing a cooler of some type. FOOD: Saturday afternoon: Pizza from Attilios (Tinton Falls) Saturday Night: Brick House Tavern and Tap OR MJs (Le me know if you are interested) Sunday Morning: Bagel order from Delicious Bagels ( https://www.deliciousbagelspointpleasant.com/) Fill out Order here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_aDSVj1BSJG1W_ynn-F2eHWx2CgqtxqymtG… Sunday Afternoon: Wawa order GATE: Please close the gate behind you at all times. We want to discourage random strangers from wandering the campus. We have had this happen numerous times. PARKING: Park in the main parking lot, unless you are unloading. Don't park on the lawn. QUESTIONS? Contact Jeff: 732-759-1783 jeffrey(a)vcfed.org Have fun everyone! -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President & Board Member, VCF East Showrunner Vintage Computer Federation http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey(a)vcfed.org Attachments area

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Free stuff at repair day (tomorrow)
by Jeffrey Brace 15 Aug '20

15 Aug '20

On Fri, Aug 14, 2020 at 11:15 PM laurakid via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > One of these days I would like to come to workshop with my 9600 and ibook > G4... I can give them away once i get data off > Sure sign up for the repair workshop and someone would be glad to help you out. > > Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone > > > On Friday, August 14, 2020, 9:18 PM, Andrew Diller via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > Thanks to the generosity of Dave Riley, who is super busy packing and > moving his household down to MD, i'll be bringing a van load of freebie > hardware to the repair day. > > Yes, it's really a uHaul van load of stuff that we packed in there this > afternoon. He wants it to go to good homes. > > in the haul (first come can take some stuff): > > - PowerMacintosh 8600s > - 3x PowerBooks (one has a PPC upgrade he said) > - iMac G4 that works, needs a HD (may boot os9?) > - Apple IIg3 > - Apple external floppy drives > - Apple 13" color RGB monitor > - Quadra 605 Mac (2 maybe) > - SunFire Server (rails) > - Sun memory boards > - FC boards > - box full of random cards > - box of 64 stuff > - UPS 1000 personal UPS > - imagewriter II > - box of fan-fed paper > - Opteron Desktop server/workstation > - some random stuff I may have forgotten. > > > Find me at the repair day to see and acquire some of this cool gear... for > free! > > > -andy > > > -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President & Board Member, VCF East Showrunner Vintage Computer Federation http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey(a)vcfed.org cell: 732-759-1783

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Free stuff at repair day (tomorrow)
by Andrew Diller 15 Aug '20

15 Aug '20

Thanks to the generosity of Dave Riley, who is super busy packing and moving his household down to MD, i'll be bringing a van load of freebie hardware to the repair day. Yes, it's really a uHaul van load of stuff that we packed in there this afternoon. He wants it to go to good homes. in the haul (first come can take some stuff): - PowerMacintosh 8600s - 3x PowerBooks (one has a PPC upgrade he said) - iMac G4 that works, needs a HD (may boot os9?) - Apple IIg3 - Apple external floppy drives - Apple 13" color RGB monitor - Quadra 605 Mac (2 maybe) - SunFire Server (rails) - Sun memory boards - FC boards - box full of random cards - box of 64 stuff - UPS 1000 personal UPS - imagewriter II - box of fan-fed paper - Opteron Desktop server/workstation - some random stuff I may have forgotten. Find me at the repair day to see and acquire some of this cool gear... for free! -andy

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Needed 5-1/4? Cleaning Floppy
by David K 14 Aug '20

14 Aug '20

I recently bought a 5 1/4 version of Witness from infocom. I bought it for the contents as the listing said the disk was bad. Visually looking at the disk it looked dirty. I used a sharp hobby knife to open the disk "envelope" at the top edge (the edge you hold when you put the disk in the drive). This allowed me to totally remove the magnetic disc itself - being careful not to touch the magnetic parts. I used 90% rubbing alcohol and a cotton ball. I cleaned the bottom side of this disk because that was the side actually read by the head. I used moderate pressure and cleaned the disc in a circular pattern from outside to inside. I could see some dirt on the cotton ball. I let it dry completely and then put it back in the "envelope" and tried it in the drive. Initially it did not work but after repeating the same process two more times the disk has been working. I have used this same process with other "dirty" disks and been successful maybe 30% of the time. David K

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Zip 100 drive cartridges
by Sentrytv 14 Aug '20

14 Aug '20

I just found an old 486 computer and it has an IDE zip 100 drive. If anyone who going to the workshop (or museum) and can bring a couple of those cartridges I would appreciate it. I want to back up the hard drive and the only way I can think of to do it right now is on that zip drive if it works. I won’t be at the workshop, but I could stop by if anybody has them, just let me know. I’m going to see Alex J. sometime late afternoon. Thanks Mike R. Sent from: My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device.

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Repair Workshop Saturday Dinner at 7:30 Brick House Tavern and Tap
by Jeffrey Brace 14 Aug '20

14 Aug '20

If you are interested in going out to dinner Saturday night around 7:30, please let me know ahead of time so that I can go to Brick House Tavern and Tap and put our names on the list. An alternate location would be MJs, which is down the road. A third alternate location would be Kelly's in Neptune on Route 35. -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President & Board Member, VCF East Showrunner Vintage Computer Federation http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey(a)vcfed.org cell: 732-759-1783

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Keyboard encoder chips?
by Richard Cini 14 Aug '20

14 Aug '20

All – I was recovering an ASCII keyboard from a video titling machine (no documents) and in it is a Clare/Pendar keyboard that’s in nice condition (#700223-K1-1). The gold-pinned ceramic encoder chip on it looks like a General Instruments “S0778”. The only other numbers/markings are “GI 3-24-70”. I have seen references to a “S077D” used in the Apple keyboard, but I have no data sheet on that. The other reference I thought might be “AY-3-2470” but no luck there either. Of course, either could be a date code, too. I have several GI data books (1977, 1980 and 1982, which would be the right timeframe for this keyboard) and the GI keyboard encoders were AY-5-2376 and AY-5-3600. Any clues would be appreciated. Thanks! Rich -- Rich Cini http://www.classiccmp.org/cini http://www.classiccmp.org/altair32

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Water and Soda for repair workshop 8/15 & 8/16
by Jeffrey Brace 14 Aug '20

14 Aug '20

VCF bought bottled water as well as Coke, Diet Coke, Coke Zero and Mountain Dew for the workshop. I put all of it into the full sized fridge in CDL. So anyone at the repair workshop please feel free to take any water or soda. Whatever is left I will donate to CDL. If anyone wants to bring their own beverage then feel free to do so. -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President & Board Member, VCF East Showrunner Vintage Computer Federation http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey(a)vcfed.org cell: 732-759-1783

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World War 2 Weekend At InfoAge Aug 15 & 16, 2020
by Jeffrey Brace 13 Aug '20

13 Aug '20

FYI to everyone that InfoAge will have a World War 2 weekend. I don't know all the details, but here is the flyer: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WYbkNlYF32SixOsHJ-zzypRw8IhQJOH8/view?usp=… It is this weekend August 15 & 16 during regular museum hours : 1PM to 5PM. -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President & Board Member, VCF East Showrunner Vintage Computer Federation http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey(a)vcfed.org cell: 732-759-1783

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Stuff for Sale/Trade at the Workshop
by Alexander Jacocks 13 Aug '20

13 Aug '20

All, I have a bunch of PC-related stuff for sale or trade, at the workshop, this weekend. I haven't made an inventory, yet, but the load includes: 1) several 486 and Pentium laptops 2) at least one P3 laptop (12" ultraportable) 3) several large case 486 and Pentium desktops Does anyone have a specific want, or want to see pictures of what I have? Thanks! - Alex

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Needed 5-1/4” Cleaning Floppy
by Alexander Jacocks 13 Aug '20

13 Aug '20

All, I need to get a cleaning floppy (or more than one) for 5-1/4” floppy drives. I have a number of drives that are a pain to get to the heads on, without disassembly. Thanks! - Alex

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Repair Workshop 8/15 & 8/16, 2020
by Jeffrey Brace 13 Aug '20

13 Aug '20

Here is where you signup: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1L3Jc_RIHiBG08kZOOAgzvqjf8G0ox9ZRa6B… To provide more social distancing, we will have two locations CDL (Hackerspace near the entrance) and 9032-A. -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President & Board Member, VCF East Showrunner Vintage Computer Federation http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey(a)vcfed.org cell: 732-759-1783

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Volunteer needed to record YouTube time codes for VCF West 2020 stream.
by Jeffrey Brace 12 Aug '20

12 Aug '20

We need a volunteer to go through the 9 hour VCF West video and write down the time stamp for each segment of the video. Also the name of the segment. If you are interested, then please let me know. This is the video that it will be needed for: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YoolSAHR5w&t=11652s This is an example of someone who created a time stamp for an audio YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyaTChd-7BY -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President & Board Member, VCF East Showrunner Vintage Computer Federation http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey(a)vcfed.org cell: 732-759-1783

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Fwd: The ZX Spectrum Next Issue 2 is fully funded (already!)
by Andrew Diller 12 Aug '20

12 Aug '20

FYI- if you are into Spectrums..... > Begin forwarded message: > > From: ZX Spectrum Next <info(a)specnext.com> > > View this email in your browser > > ZX Spectrum Next Kickstarter 2 is funded! > > Hi andy, > > > The past 24 hours have been a rollercoaster. The crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter was successfully funded in less than five minutes after going live (some sort of record, for sure) and it’s already larger than the original ZX Spectrum Next Kickstarter. > > This means we’ve now unlocked three stretch goals already, doubling the Next’s memory to 2Mb, turning its manual into full colour, and ensuring every backer gets a copy of a new version of Baggers in Space. And this is just the beginning. > > If you have already backed it, thank you so much for your help in making this happen. If you are yet to back, go over to Kickstarter and join us! ;) > > https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/spectrumnext/zx-spectrum-next-issue-2 > > We’ll leave your inbox alone for a few weeks now, so see you on the other side. > > > Cheers, > > Henrique & the Next Team > > Copyright © 2020 SpecNext Limited, All rights reserved. > You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website. >

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Upcoming Repair Workshop 8/15 & 8/16
by Jeffrey Brace 10 Aug '20

10 Aug '20

Signup is here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1L3Jc_RIHiBG08kZOOAgzvqjf8G0ox9ZRa6B… Thursday I will send out more detailed info. Also plan on doing the same thing as last time: Saturday afternoon: Pizza from Attilios (Tinton Falls) Saturday Night: Brick House Tavern and Tap Sunday Morning: Bagel order from Delicious Bagels (send order to me and I will give to Bill Inderrieden) Sunday Afternoon: Wawa order -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President & Board Member, VCF East Showrunner Vintage Computer Federation http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey(a)vcfed.org cell: 732-759-1783

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Looking for LSI11 file from Circuit Cellar
by Richard Cini 09 Aug '20

09 Aug '20

All – I was cleaning up the shop today and I came across an article written in 1996 by Bob Meister about emulating the LSI-11 on a PC. Upon some searching, I found that CCI did host article files at one point, but the site (ftp://ftp.circuitcellar.com) is either permanently down or otherwise not available. Would anyone have a copy of the ZIP file? Issue #72 (7/96), page 50, “LSI-11 Simulator on a Personal Computer” and the associated file is “LSI11.ZIP”. Thanks! Rich -- Rich Cini http://www.classiccmp.org/cini http://www.classiccmp.org/altair32

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AS400 / Might be a rescue candidate
by Martin Flynn 08 Aug '20

08 Aug '20

AS400 / Might be a rescue candidate https://old.reddit.com/r/sysadmin/comments/i5nuh1/im_recycling_an_as400_on_…

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] das blinkenlights
by Bill Degnan 07 Aug '20

07 Aug '20

I look forward to seeing the finished product, this kind of thing is on my list, too. Bill On Thu, Aug 6, 2020, 6:15 PM Bill Dromgoole via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > On the Battleship New Jersey, some of the digital displays appear to have > a random pattern of lights. > I was told that they used the seven segment display driver outputs from a > digital clock randomly connected to the register lamps to get that > appearance. So that’s 42 semi random looking bits available, especially if > the clock is still running. > > Bill > From: Jeffrey Jonas via vcf-midatlantic > Sent: Wednesday, August 5, 2020 7:47 PM > To: vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org > Cc: Jeffrey Jonas > Subject: [vcf-midatlantic] das blinkenlights > > I have some front panels that I'd like to blink like in the movies. > Since the human brain likes to find patterns, I suspect that > pure random numbers are nowhere as satisfying as some patterns. > Has anyone done research on that? > > Of course, I'll have multiple modes such as Conway's Life, > counting in various ways, ring counters, etc. > > -- jeff jonas > >

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when a dollar bin ain't a bargain
by Jeffrey Jonas 07 Aug '20

07 Aug '20

Silly me, I got a spool of chips that aren't what I need. If you want any, let me know to bring to the Aug 15-16 workshop. https://www.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/lm2596.pdf LM2596 SIMPLE SWITCHER Power Converter 150-kHz 3-A Step-Down Voltage Regulator -- Jeffrey Jonas

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VCF East 2020 Virtual Hybrid Show Annoucement
by Jeffrey Brace 06 Aug '20

06 Aug '20

I won't bury the lead. I'm sorry to report that due to the uncertainty of current pandemic conditions and to promote safety of our attendees, VCF East 2020 will not be a live show this year. I know that this will be a great disappointment to many. I had hoped that after 4 months conditions would have improved to the point that the show could be live. The expected limitations of being able to have only 25% capacity indoors makes the effort to organize a live show prohibitive. We considered the time, effort, money and safety to make a live show. But don't despair, we have plans for a virtual hybrid show. We can still make the show great despite being a virtual hybrid. VCF West, K-Fest and HOPE have shown that a fun show can still be created. What do I mean "virtual hybrid"? Our plan is to have a two day event where there will be a mixture of pre-recorded videos as well as live demonstrations of exhibits. Live attendance at InfoAge will be limited to exhibitors and show administrators. I see this event as an opportunity to show off exhibitors who normally wouldn't be able to make the show due to distance or circumstances . I will be sending out more details about our plans as we develop them. In the meantime, I will be contacting exhibitors, class instructors and speakers to start making videos to send to me. I'm hoping to make this show most excellent! -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President & Board Member, VCF East Showrunner Vintage Computer Federation http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey(a)vcfed.org cell: 732-759-1783

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Museum Report: 5 Aug 2020
by Jeffrey Brace 06 Aug '20

06 Aug '20

On Thu, Aug 6, 2020 at 10:09 AM Bill Inderrieden via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > Opened museum at 1pm. Quiet day. > No visitors until Al Klase from NJARC stopped by to take a look-see. Gave > him the 2 bit tour. > He had not seen the museum for awhile, and was impressed at what we had > accomplished.We talked about doing other future collaborations between > museums. > > > Photographer for Mike Ruane came in to photo the museum artifacts. She > was impressed withthe layout and the "walk down memory lane". She is > doing an overall video shoot for Mike of the campus. > She has done many video productions for Mike for Info Age. > > > Other maintenance notes: > 1. Replaced the bib door on the EAI TR-20 using the one off the Texas > collage donation from the warehouse. > 2. Added the VCF logo to the Windows 3.1 desktop "wallpaper" on the IBM > PS2 machine. > > Bill Inderrieden > Thanks Bill! It's nice to have the museum reopen and to have someone there on Wednesdays on a regular basis. -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President & Board Member, VCF East Showrunner Vintage Computer Federation http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey(a)vcfed.org cell: 732-759-1783

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das blinkenlights
by Jeffrey Jonas 06 Aug '20

06 Aug '20

I have some front panels that I'd like to blink like in the movies. Since the human brain likes to find patterns, I suspect that pure random numbers are nowhere as satisfying as some patterns. Has anyone done research on that? Of course, I'll have multiple modes such as Conway's Life, counting in various ways, ring counters, etc. -- jeff jonas

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Museum Report: 5 Aug 2020
by svcatitc＠aol.com 06 Aug '20

06 Aug '20

Opened museum at 1pm. Quiet day. No visitors until Al Klase from NJARC stopped by to take a look-see. Gave him the 2 bit tour. He had not seen the museum for awhile, and was impressed at what we had accomplished.We talked about doing other future collaborations between museums. Photographer for Mike Ruane came in to photo the museum artifacts. She was impressed withthe layout and the "walk down memory lane". She is doing an overall video shoot for Mike of the campus. She has done many video productions for Mike for Info Age. Other maintenance notes: 1. Replaced the bib door on the EAI TR-20 using the one off the Texas collage donation from the warehouse. 2. Added the VCF logo to the Windows 3.1 desktop "wallpaper" on the IBM PS2 machine. Bill Inderrieden

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Museum Report 2020-08-02
by Jeffrey Brace 05 Aug '20

05 Aug '20

A little late, but better late than never. About 6 visitors this past Sunday to the museum. Our procedures and precautions for Covid-19 worked very well. Continuing to add small improvements to the museum when I am there. Kids really love The Printshop printout of a picture from the dot matrix printer that I give them to take home. This is part of the Star Gemini NX-1000 on the Commodore 64 in the 80's bedroom exhibit. One visitor originally from Britain loved the ZX-81, BBC Micro and C128. -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President & Board Member, VCF East Showrunner Vintage Computer Federation http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey(a)vcfed.org cell: 732-759-1783

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VCF West 2020 Videos on YouTube
by Jeffrey Brace 04 Aug '20

04 Aug '20

Some people were asking about the individual videos from VCF West 2020 Virtual show. You can go to https://www.youtube.com/user/MidAtlanticRetroComp Which is The Vintage Computer Federation's channel on YouTube. You will see the one large stream from August 1 as well the individual videos that were shown that day. -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President & Board Member, VCF East Showrunner Vintage Computer Federation http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey(a)vcfed.org cell: 732-759-1783

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Re: Inquiry
by Sentrytv 04 Aug '20

04 Aug '20

I was looking to see if there was a Corey Crawford in our group because I know Corey Crawford, I used to work with. I thought it sounded familiar within the group I’m getting it mixed up no problem thanks Since the governor changed the rules for indoor totals of people, is this going to change anything with the next workshop? Mike R. Sent from: My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device. > On Aug 4, 2020, at 5:15 PM, Jeffrey Brace <jeffrey(a)vcfed.org> wrote: > > > I don't know of any Cory Crawford in the group. > There is a Doug Crawford, and there is a Cory Sickles. > Are you looking for this person? > >> On Tue, Aug 4, 2020 at 2:29 PM Sentrytv <sentrytv(a)yahoo.com> wrote: >> Jeff >> Is there a Cory Crawford in the VCF group? >> >> Sent from: >> My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device. > > > -- > ========================================= > Jeff Brace > Vice President & Board Member, VCF East Showrunner > Vintage Computer Federation > http://www.vcfed.org/ > jeffrey(a)vcfed.org > cell: 732-759-1783 >

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VAX/RD54 recovery
by David Gesswein 02 Aug '20

02 Aug '20

I had gotten a RD54 and worked out how to pull the head servo for data recovery. http://www.pdp8online.com/mfm/head_servo/pics/rd54_wires.shtml?small At a previous workday a VAX was being worked on for the Museum. The drive in it had head position errors so I wasn't able to get a good read at the time. With the above method I probably can read it now. If the drive is still around and not reformatted I can try at the next work day. I think their was another drive that wasn't read from a PDP-11 also. Did the VAX get a new OS install on it?

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Museum Report 2020-08-01
by Jeffrey Brace 02 Aug '20

02 Aug '20

VCF West Watch Party was a small group, but we had fun and enjoyed the show on the big screen all day. I supported the VCF West guys, as well as monitored our museum reopening. InfoAge had 11 visitors on this first day of re-opening. 7 of the 11 made their way to VCF. I gave the tour to the group of 1 And Bill Inderrieden gave the tour to the group of 6. Dennis and Dylan the new docents were there as well, so it was a good showing of the re-opening of InfoAge and the VCF museum as well. Corey, Ian and Bill worked on repairing various stuff. Next repair workshop is August 15 & 16. -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President & Board Member, VCF East Showrunner Vintage Computer Federation http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey(a)vcfed.org cell: 732-759-1783

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] VAX/RD54 recovery
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 02 Aug '20

02 Aug '20

Connor Krukosky via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> writes: > >David, Those drives are safe at my house, the museum seemed to have no >interest in them since if they planned to get any machines going they >planned to run some of your boards and not original drives even if they >did work. Glad to see you were able to get the head amp board hooked up >to one of these. We should be-able to recover what was on the original >drives. > >I have not attempted anything with them myself but I have one of your >boards I plan to build up with a future digikey order. I have been >working on some new boards I designed I need to get up and going not >related to vintage computing. The next time I am at the museum I can >drop them off somewhere so you can look at them if you'd like. > >I believe I was not able to get MOP booting working on the Vax... I >believe it was an issue with it being a Microvax II. I really ought to >drag my Microvax II up and see if I can attempt to get it net booting. I >have only gotten later Vaxen going with my MOP boot setup. Specifically >a 3900 and some 3100s. Satellite booting work(s/ed) just fine with MicroVAX-II and onward. In the DoD labs I once worked as well as GE Astrospace/NASA Mars Observer, nearly all VMS workstations were diskless. They booted from the network and the storage for them was server from the central cluster.

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Stupid CP/M question
by Richard Cini 01 Aug '20

01 Aug '20

All — I just built myself a CompuPro Z80 system out some of my spare boards. It boots CP/M from one of the Maslin 8” disk images. To facilitate getting other programs onto the disk, I want to use XMODEM from Marty Eberhard. It compiles with CP/M ASM which is good, but what’s the best way of getting the source file onto the disk? It’s not clear if the CBIOS has code for a separate PUN/RDR port. I was thinking of using ED and then, using HyperTerminal, paste the source into the ED screen and save it. I looked at the manual for ED and it’s not clear to me if I can actually do that, so I wanted to ask the group if that’s a good way or if there’s something better. Thanks! Rich Get Outlook for iOS<https://aka.ms/o0ukef>

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] keyboard cable for Kaypro
by RETRO Innovations 01 Aug '20

01 Aug '20

On 8/1/2020 7:06 PM, Sentrytv via vcf-midatlantic wrote: A number of years back, I sourced the specific jack for the KB port. If you can't find it, I can see if I can dig up the link/name/sku/etc. JIm -- RETRO Innovations, Contemporary Gear for Classic Systems www.go4retro.com store.go4retro.com

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] keyboard cable for Kaypro
by Mike Loewen 01 Aug '20

01 Aug '20

On Sat, 1 Aug 2020, Sentrytv via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > Funny thing about the coiled cord for the keyboard is Is that it?s reversed > on one end. > > I have yet to determine whether it works or not since the jack on the > keyboard is broken. > Mike R. Don't try to use a cable from an older Mac. I've read that they're wired differently, and could cause damage. Mike Loewen mloewen(a)cpumagic.scol.pa.us Old Technology http://q7.neurotica.com/Oldtech/

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] keyboard cable for Kaypro
by Dave McGuire 01 Aug '20

01 Aug '20

On 8/1/20 8:06 PM, Sentrytv via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > Funny thing about the coiled cord for the keyboard is Is that it’s > reversed on one end. > I have yet to determine whether it works or not since the jack on the > keyboard is broken. I can crimp those for you if you get stuck, but you'd have to ship it here. -Dave -- Dave McGuire, AK4HZ New Kensington, PA

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keyboard cable for Kaypro
by Herb Johnson 01 Aug '20

01 Aug '20

regarding: "Trip to Brooklyn to the Gowanus eReycling warehouse + questions" Someone posted that they obtained a Kaypro 2x but not the keyboard cable for it. Jim Hart posted "I believe you can use a regular handset cable from a corded telephone". I suggest caution. Someone with a Kaypro and experience with these telephone cords, that one can do as Jim suggests. Or Jim may wish to confirm the practice he cites, in his post of June 3. A counterexample I know of, is the Apple Mac 128K 512K and Plus. Use of a telephone coiled cord on THOSE systems, will *destroy* either the keyboard, or damage the Mac motherboard. Apple reversed the wiring on their keyboard cables; reversed DC voltage to the Mac keyboard is bad, very bad. Thus my caution. Regards, Herb Johnson -- 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 retrotechnology DOT info

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VCF West Live Q&A Google Meet
by Jeffrey Brace 01 Aug '20

01 Aug '20

If you want ask questions live for VCF West 2020 Virtual show, you can joining the Google Meet: meet.google.com/pxh-dtgt-xoh -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President & Board Member, VCF East Showrunner Vintage Computer Federation http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey(a)vcfed.org cell: 732-759-1783 <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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VCF West goes live tomorrow at 12 PM Eastern Time
by Jeffrey Brace 31 Jul '20

31 Jul '20

You can see our show live via YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YoolSAHR5w Show starts at 12PM Eastern and runs to 6PM Schedule for VCF West 2020 Virtual: [image: image.png] -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President & Board Member, VCF East Showrunner Vintage Computer Federation http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey(a)vcfed.org cell: 732-759-1783

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Coast Star Article on InfoAge and VCF re-opening Aug. 1
by Jonathan Gevaryahu 31 Jul '20

31 Jul '20

On 7/31/2020 5:29 PM, Sentrytv via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > > After all the emails went back-and-forth about that there’s no attachments!! I rest my case. -- Jonathan Gevaryahu jgevaryahu(a)gmail.com jgevaryahu(a)hotmail.com

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Coast Star Article on InfoAge and VCF re-opening Aug. 1
by Jeffrey Brace 31 Jul '20

31 Jul '20

The Coast Star newspaper had an article about InfoAge reopening. See attached. -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President & Board Member, VCF East Showrunner Vintage Computer Federation http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey(a)vcfed.org cell: 732-759-1783

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