- vcf-midatlantic - lists.vcfed.org

Commodore Classroom at VCF East 2023
by Jeffrey Brace 24 Feb '23

24 Feb '23

Hello everyone, We have three instructors now teaching The Commodore Classroom at VCF East 2023. If anyone is interested in volunteering for this classroom, please contact me and I will add you to their planning group. Thanks! ========================================= Jeff Brace VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President Vintage Computer Festival East Showrunner Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity https://vcfed.org/ <http://www.vcfed.org/> jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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East 2023 is coming up!
by Andrew Diller 23 Feb '23

23 Feb '23

VCF East 2023 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vcf-east-2023-vintage-computer-festival-east-2… Who: Are you looking to view and play with retro computing systems? Are you curious about the history of computing and technology? If so, then the Vintage Computer Federation (VCFed) is the perfect place for you. What: VCF is an organization dedicated to preserving, restoring, and celebrating the history of computing. We hold events throughout the year that allow people to come and explore classic computers from the past. Our biggest event of the year is VCF East, our annual festival that takes place in 2023. The themes for this year are: Computers in Education and Keeping Vintage Computing Alive! When: VCF East will take place in the spring of 2023 - April 14th, 15th, and 16th. This is your chance to get up close and personal with vintage computers and learn about their history. You'll also have the opportunity to purchase rare and unique computer parts and accessories. Where: VCF East will be held at the InfoAge Science & History Museums in Wall, NJ. Come join us and explore the world of computing from the past and its relevancy in the present and future. Why: VCF East is the perfect way to experience and appreciate the history of computing. You'll get to see and use vintage computers, learn about their history, and purchase rare parts and accessories. Plus, you'll be able to network with other computer enthusiasts and have a great time. How: You can purchase tickets for VCF East through Eventbrite at the link below. You'll also be able to find more information about the event, such as the schedule of activities and any special offers. Once you've purchased your ticket, you'll be ready to explore the world of vintage computing. Be sure to purchase your tickets soon to ensure you don't miss out on this once-in-a-year opportunity! Tickets are available now to purchase: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vcf-east-2023-vintage-computer-festival-east-2… Event Schedule and latest info: https://vcfed.org/events/vintage-computer-festival-east/vcf-east-schedule/ -andy diller Social Media Manager for VCF

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on-line compendium of "all" vintage computer museums etc.
by William Dudley 23 Feb '23

23 Feb '23

Here is an article summarizing it. LInk in the article body. https://hackaday.com/2023/02/21/travel-the-world-looking-for-retro-tech-vir… VCF in Wall is there but the museum in Kennet Square is not. One can create a free account and add additional places. Bill Dudley This email is free of malware because I run Linux.

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Still looking for handheld devices that a Japanese company had designed
by Gregg Levine 23 Feb '23

23 Feb '23

Hello! Many years ago, I had a chance to spend a month with a gadget that the OEM behind Seiko Watches and Epson printers, and practically everything else. The gadget was designed either by them or for them to provide for the scanning of barcodes, it was unique in that it was an Embedded PC that ran MSDOS 6.22 and used the PCMCIA standard to collect and exchange such, it also expected the programming for reading them would be on a card. The barciode reader would be a wand or probe similar to the ones that Radio Shack sold for the TRS-80 Model 100. It was imported to this country by a company named Cardinale Touch which was based in a Dallas TX suburb. Obviously then at the end of the month I did have it sent back, because I wasn't able to both pay that company's outrageous price and of course didn't have a laptop who probably grokked PC cards. I do now. So based on all of that what I would want is a little help in trying to track them down, including the stuff used to program them. ----- Gregg C Levine gregg.drwho8(a)gmail.com "This signature fought the Time Wars, time and again."

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P&T Surplus in Kingston, NY
by Jonathan Chapman 22 Feb '23

22 Feb '23

All, I went to find a page about P&T Surplus to link to a friend who'd never been there, and this was today's top result: https://www.dailyfreeman.com/2023/02/19/pt-surplus-in-kingston-struggles-as… Apparently Mr. Smythe is having hard times with his business. For those in or near the Hudson Valley, this place is definitely worth checking out! They have a ton of industrial surplus, including a lot of IBM castoffs. Pretty good shop for potential vintage computer stuff. Last time I was there (early February 2023) there was a box of neon lamp IBM front panels off what I'd guess was tabulating equipment. I always find good stuff in their board scrap, though the edge connectors are sometimes sheared off. There seem to always be earlier IBM Thinkpads there, Pentium 3 and earlier are common finds. They also have lots of mechanical hardware, metals raw material, 80/20 extrusion for dirt cheap, etc. Thanks, Jonathan

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] VCF East 2023 Tickets now on sale on EventBrite
by Jeffrey Brace 22 Feb '23

22 Feb '23

On Tue, Feb 21, 2023 at 11:12 PM Ryan Stapleton via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > This is looking good to me. A friend and myself just bought tickets this > evening. Is there any room blocks for hotels? Thought I would ask before > booking a room. Looking at the courtyard Marriott that looks close. > Sorry no block of rooms. We considered it, but couldn't find a volunteer to look into it this year. Maybe next year. > > Thanks > Ryan > > Sent from my iPad > > > On Feb 19, 2023, at 9:16 PM, Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > > Eventbrite: > > > https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vcf-east-2023-vintage-computer-festival-east-2… > > > > ========================================= > > Jeff Brace > > VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President > > Vintage Computer Festival East Showrunner > > Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity > > https://vcfed.org/ <http://www.vcfed.org/> > > jeffrey(a)vcfed.org >

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VCF East 2023 Tickets now on sale on EventBrite
by Jeffrey Brace 22 Feb '23

22 Feb '23

Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vcf-east-2023-vintage-computer-festival-east-2… ========================================= Jeff Brace VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President Vintage Computer Festival East Showrunner Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity https://vcfed.org/ <http://www.vcfed.org/> jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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Commodore 64
by Mike Markowski 22 Feb '23

22 Feb '23

My wife and I have been cleaning her parents' old house, and I found her brother's Commodore 64 in the original old cardboard box and with a holder overfull with 5-1/4" floppies. No sign of a floppy drive yet. Is there a recommended web page for steps forward? I'm an EE, built some ham radios, but no experience reviving a C64 (assuming it needs reviving - don't want to power it up with the 40 yr old old supply!). There are many, many YouTube videos but I wonder if any of them or particular site is considered -the- place to go. Thanks for any recommendations, Mike ab3ap

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Commodore 64
by Bill Degnan 22 Feb '23

22 Feb '23

The most important advise is to buy a new replacement power brick. Dont use the original, too risky. Bill On Tue, Feb 21, 2023, 7:21 PM Sentrytv via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > Personally I would suggest bringing it to one of the workshops. > There are many people interested in commodore 64 that could help. > Including Jeff Brace. > I have a diagnostic cartridge and harness and so do others. > Matter of fact I need help with an > apple 2 plus keyboard issue. > > Mike > > Sent from: > My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device. > > > On Feb 21, 2023, at 5:27 PM, Mike Markowski via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > > My wife and I have been cleaning her parents' old house, and I found > her brother's Commodore 64 in the original old cardboard box and with a > holder overfull with 5-1/4" floppies. No sign of a floppy drive yet. Is > there a recommended web page for steps forward? I'm an EE, built some ham > radios, but no experience reviving a C64 (assuming it needs reviving - > don't want to power it up with the 40 yr old old supply!). There are many, > many YouTube videos but I wonder if any of them or particular site is > considered -the- place to go. > > > > Thanks for any recommendations, > > Mike ab3ap > >

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Amazing 2022 PET demo, + VCF hotel share early inquiry
by Ken 19 Feb '23

19 Feb '23

It always feels mildly topic-edgy to share a demo video link here, but this PET demo is not only amazing, but the video beautifully captures the phosphorus glow and bezel reflections of the real hardware filmed in a dark room. I'd love to see this in person sometime at VCF East. "BACK TO THE PET (Commodore PET 4016 hardware demo made in 2022)" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cznyKsOl3po Speaking of VCF East, I wouldn't dare miss it, even as I have an even harder trip this year (carless from upstate New York), and so here's my early plea for anyone who might want an extra to share their room (splitting costs, paying you extra for letting me hitch rides to InfoAge, etc.), or even any kind of rideshare with anyone travelling from NYC or NY points further north/northwest. Thanks, Ken

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