- vcf-midatlantic - lists.vcfed.org

Repair Workshop Breakfast tomorrow
by Jeffrey Brace 02 Mar '24

02 Mar '24

9:30AM at Blue Swan 2116 NJ-35, Oakhurst, NJ 07755 See you there! Jeff Brace

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Trenton Computer Festival March 16, 2024
by Jeffrey Brace 02 Mar '24

02 Mar '24

VCF will have a table at the Trenton Computer Festival. Dean will be organizing it. I can't make it because I will be running the NJ Maker's Day exhibit @InfoAge on that same day. Here is the information about Trenton Computer Festival: *48th Annual Trenton Computer Festival (TCF) at TCNJ* *Saturday, 16 March 2024, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm* *FOR MORE INFO: **<**https://TCF-NJ.org* <https://tcf-nj.org/>*>* *The Theme is Generative AI (Artificial Intelligence). The Keynote Speaker is Brown U. Prof. Michael Littman, speaking on "Conveying Tasks to Computers: How Machine Learning Can Help".* *Advance Admission $15, At Door $20, Children (12 & under) Free* *Hosted by The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) <*https://tcnj.edu/> *and TCNJ School of Engineering <*https://engineering.tcnj.edu*/**> in Ewing, NJ* TCF is back with in-person activities & talks with one-way streaming – see < https://TCF-NJ.org <https://tcf-nj.org/>> For a day of digital/software/technology-related talks, workshops/tutorials, demos & exhibits and vendor sales - 11 separate topic tracks. *The EV Car Show and Ride & Drive *(10:00 am to 2:00 pm). ● Featured Speaker: Joti Balani, "Generative AI: The Evolution of Human-Machine Relationships" ● Featured Speaker: Sarah Nagy "Unlocking ROI on Data" ● Featured Speaker: Alianna Maren and Lee Goldberg (mod.), How to Make Artificial General Intelligence Work for You ● Trading Using Neural Networks – Donn Fishbein ● Machine Learning for Object Identification – Joe Jesson ● A full track on GAI in Music and the Arts, organized by Rebecca Mercuri ● Workshop Putting Gen. AI to Work Creating Art & Literature, Lou Judice ● Quantum Computing for Everyone – Barry Burd ● Hands-on Arduino Workshop for Beginners – Katalin Frolio ● One-day Updated Hands-on OOP University on Object-Oriented Programming. *# Vendor/Exhibitor Faire from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.* *# Historic Sarnoff Collection Open/Tours from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm.* *# **A full day of presentations on IT professional topics (ITPC on Friday). * *# **HamCram (Get an amateur radio license in a day) starts 9:00 am.* *# TCF Banquet ($45 fee) at 6:30 pm – **<**https://TCF-NJ.org* <https://tcf-nj.org/>*>**.* *Smash Robot Battle Competition in the TCNJ Brower Student Center* Sponsored by the IEEE Princeton Central Jersey Section (PCJS); the Joint PCJS IEEE Computer Society and ACM Chapters; the Amateur Computer Group of NJ (ACGNJ); the New York Amateur Computer Club (NYACC); and the Garden State Java User Group (GSJUG). TCF Corporate Sponsors include PSE&G, Linear Modules and Systems MACOM, and the Round Mountain Group. Questions? Contact Al Katz, TCF2024 Chair at <alkatz(a)tcnj.edu> ADVANCED REGISTRATION *Save 25% by registering online, in advanced via Paypal.* Advanced Tickets are only $15 each. Use the QR Code below to pay in advanced or log into paypal.com <http://www.paypal.com/> and send payment to “TCF2024.ai(a)gmail.xn--com-9o0a Paypal will show payment went to the “The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers” Take care! Jeff Brace VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President Vintage Computer Festival East Showrunner VCF Mid-Atlantic Event Manager Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity https://vcfed.org/ <http://www.vcfed.org/> jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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Fwd: VCF in 9059 this weekend
by Jeffrey Brace 01 Mar '24

01 Mar '24

---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Marc Natanagara Good morning, VCFers! I got into the 9059 classroom this morning to put soldering mats in the silver cabinet for you and to do a final cleanup. I also swept the floor and emptied both waste cans. I posted the room use "rules" on the wall in bright yellow. Please go over these with your people and address everything on the list before you leave on Sunday. As the scouts say, "Leave no trace." Let me know if you need anything. I may pop in on Sunday. Have a great event! *Marc A. Natanagara, Ed.D.* Volunteer | Trustee | Education Chair | Learning Consultant *InfoAge Science & History Museums* <http://www.infoage.org/> A clean start! [image: IMG_0018.jpg][image: IMG_0019.jpg]

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Repair Day - Free Stuff
by Andrew Diller 01 Mar '24

01 Mar '24

I'll be bringing a couple bins of free stuff i'm cleaning out- make sure you stop by the classroom (main repair room in 9059) and check out the pile. Switches (classic 3Com fast, one managed switch- non gig), Firewall gear (FortiGate 101c, ZyXell ZyWall USG50, odds and ends... I syquest drive I finally found (needs recap). -andy

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Repair Workshop Info for 3/2 & 3/3
by Jeffrey Brace 29 Feb '24

29 Feb '24

Click here for signup link <https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/14wa6znBIKV3gqUCMb8FQKArDpEbfriAvH2O…> *WHERE:* 1) CDL's Hackerspace and classroom in building 9059 (Most people use this one) 2) 9032-A is only available after 5PM on Saturday. Another group is using it earlier that day. *TIME:*Saturday START time == 10 A.M. END time == 11PM. Sunday START time == 10 A.M. and END == 5 P.M. *COST:* $15 per person, per day. $25 per night for those wanting to stay overnight in the visitor center's bunk beds *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 send: * Via PayPal to paypal(a)vcfed.org. * Venmo: @VintageComputerFederation * Cash, credit card, Apple Pay, etc. in person. We have a Square Device. *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 own or particular parts, please let others know that you need something. They may have what you need. Let them know ahead of time. - Let everyone know what project you are working on ahead of time to inspire collaboration. *DRINKS*: You should bring your own. We have a refrigerator in CDL to keep them cold. VCF will buy some water and soft drinks for member use. *FOOD*: *Saturday afternoon*: Everyone is on their own. *Saturday Night Dinner at around 7PM*: We often go out to dinner together. MJ's in Tinton Falls seems the new prefered spot. *Sunday Morning*: We usually meet at a diner around 9AM *Sunday Afternoon*: Everyone is on their own. *PARKING:* Park in the main parking lot, unless you are unloading. Don't park on the lawn. Also park on where are "no parking signs" There is now a dedicated fire lane. *PHONE:* (732) 722 - 5015 *EMAIL: *repairworkshops(a)vcfed.org Have fun everyone! :-D Jeff Brace VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President Vintage Computer Festival East Showrunner VCF Mid-Atlantic Event Manager Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity https://vcfed.org/ <http://www.vcfed.org/> jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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Repair Workshop CAUTION!
by Jeffrey Brace 29 Feb '24

29 Feb '24

There are new tables in the classroom space in 9059 (not the hackerspace side). We want to be careful not to damage them. Especially when soldering, but many other activities. I was asked by Marc Natanagara who is the Education Chair at InfoAge and has been renovating the classroom space to caution everyone. The repair workshop space has new tables because it is going to be a classroom that will be used by many groups including school groups. It's important to be careful with the new tables so that they are not permanently damaged. Use caution by using mats or cardboard when soldering and working with your items. Thanks so much! Jeff Brace VCF Mid-Atlantic Event Manager

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Silicone Soldering Mat (alternative)
by Herbert Johnson 29 Feb '24

29 Feb '24

Table and bench protective mats? Remember the goal, to protect a surfaces in quantity. Also: if the new tables are plastic, they might generate a static charge. You don't need anti-static technology, if you use non-static products like most papers and all woods. Plus a yielding surface may save a dropped item from breakage. Heat and chemicals were mentioned, also ordinary drinks and food. Suggestions: Hardboard Tempered Panel (Common: 1/8 in. 4 ft. x 8 ft.) StoreSKU# 832777 $13.98 Home Depot PATRIOT TIMBER PRODUCTS 1/8 in. x 4 ft. x 8 ft. Sanded Plywood StoreSKU# 1008039110 $18.98 Home Depot These would be cut on-site to fit. But I don't know the price of the recently purchased tables, or their size. Guessing they are 24 X 48, you'd get 4 table covers per panel. At $3.50 or $4.50 per table for a long term cover, that's plausible. They need not be finished, or some clear coating applied to make them water/stain proof. and you can flip them over when one surface fails. HOw to attach? Their weight will hold them down. Or simple clamps, perhaps 3D printed to size if one wants to make a project of it. But sticky tape will do. Possibly rubber cement? Other choices would include construction paper products, from office supply or art supply stores. Also a roll of brown-paper as used as packing and wrapping. This class of products is for short-term and disposable (recyclable) use. Attach with simple tape products, most tape residues can be cleaned off. Of course in public uses, paper products have often been used to cover tables. Plastic is less recycable. I think cloth is probably not a practical option on cost and performance and fuss, other than decorative purposes. This is a working situation. In a pinch? Have a big chassis with sharp corners to fix? Go to the dumpster and grab a cardboard box. Cut it open and spread it on the table, cut off the excess. Done. Who pays for these? Ask for contributions from attendees who use the tables. Taking care of tools and facilities should be a consideration by those who benefit from these resources. Regards Herb Johnson -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey USA https://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net preserve, recover, restore 1970's computing email: hjohnson AT retrotechnology DOT com or try later herbjohnson AT comcast DOT net

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Repair Workshop CAUTION!
by Bart Hirst 29 Feb '24

29 Feb '24

What be next, ESD wrist strap required?? ;) On Thu, Feb 29, 2024 at 10:16 AM Sentrytv via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > Double sided “carpet” tape > > Sent from: > My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device. > > > On Feb 29, 2024, at 9:49 AM, Dan FitzGerald via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > > And the nice thing is that you can use carpenter's staples, Gorilla > > glue, and some light welding to keep it in place on the table! > > > > Anyone? Anyone? > > > > I'm here all week folks, try the veal! > > > > Regards, > > Dan FitzGerald > > They/Them or She/Her > > http://www.vm.ibm.com/devpages/dfitzger > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: Chris Fala via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> > > Reply-To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> > > To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> > > Cc: Chris Fala <chrisjpf33(a)gmail.com> > > Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Repair Workshop CAUTION! > > Date: 02/29/2024 09:26:21 AM > > > > Yes! This is an easy and convenient solution. I have something similar > > to > > this: > > > https://www.amazon.com/Kaisi-Insulation-Soldering-Maintenance-Electronics/d… > > (just an example, there are many of these available). > > > > I use it all the time to save my dining room table! LOL > > > > > > > >> On Wed, Feb 28, 2024 at 9:22 PM William Dudley via vcf-midatlantic < > >> vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > >> > >> This is an inexpensive ($6) and portable silicone mat: > >> > >> > >> > https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mainstays-Reusable-Silicone-24-x-16-Pastry-Mat-w… > >> > >> Bill Dudley > >> This email is free of malware because I run Linux. > >> > >> > >> On Wed, Feb 28, 2024 at 7:20 PM Martin A. Flynn via vcf-midatlantic < > >> vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > >> > >>> On 2/28/2024 6:21 PM, Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > >>>> There are new tables in the classroom space in 9059 (not the > >> hackerspace > >>>> side). We want to be careful not to damage them. Especially when > >>> soldering, > >>>> but many other activities. > >>> > >>> Going to ask VCF to extend the same courtesy to the benches in the > >>> Makerspace!! > >>> > >>> Martin Flynn > >>> > >>> CDL > >>> > >>> > >> > >

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Silicone Soldering Mat
by Chris Fala 29 Feb '24

29 Feb '24

Of course while poking around Amazon, I was compelled to buy a larger one for myself! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08V51BPYV?smid=A1H12SUFSKPN2D

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Different Repair Workshop CAUTION!
by Neil Cherry 29 Feb '24

29 Feb '24

There is one damaged bench top (split from left to right) in the first row. Bench is usable but needs to be covered to avoid splinters. I've notified Marc. there is another desk where the laminated boards are starting to separate. I haven't checked all the benches. I'll show Marc on Saturday. BTW we need help with getting the new projector wired up. This may occur on Saturday also. I will be in the CDL working on Atari's for the VCF Atari Class. I'll be taking up 2 CDL benches to work. I'll have 4 Atari's, scope, monitor and lots of junk. -- Linux Home Automation Neil Cherry kd2zrq(a)linuxha.com http://www.linuxha.com/ Main site http://linuxha.blogspot.com/ My HA Blog Author of: Linux Smart Homes For Dummies KD2ZRQ

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