- vcf-midatlantic - lists.vcfed.org

It Takes a Federation or The Tale of the Atari Mega STe
by Adam Michlin 27 Jun '22

27 Jun '22

Hi Everyone, We have a new exhibit in the Mid Atlantic Museum at InfoAge. Here's the back story. A few years ago, Bill Lange was kind enough to reorganize the Atari collection in the warehouse. He also provided plastic bins for most of the equipment, inspiring the ongoing project to protect as many artifacts as possible in plastic bins. During his work, he found a lonely and dirty Atari Mega STe that needed some love and care. Bill repaired the machine and we put it on display in the museum, but something was missing... You see, we are always looking for ways to demo machines and especially ways that involve something other than productivity software and games. We were reminded that the Atari ST was well known for its MIDI prowess, having MIDI built into the core of its architecture. A music demo, now that would be cool... Lessons were learned along the way. The Atari ST can use a color monitor or a higher resolution B&W monitor. Some programs work properly only with the higher resolution B&W monitor, particularly Cubase, which was to be the highlight of the demo. Luckily, we have both monitors, so that problem was solved. It was fun trying to figure out which USB floppy drives played nice with the 720K FAT (MS-DOS but old school MS-DOS) file system. Oh, and Cubase is *really* picky about what directory it is installed in. Thus the quest was on to get the machine doing MIDI. An external Yamaha MIDI box was donated. A period correct Tandy speaker system (thanks to Dean Notarnicola!) was borrowed. And a live music demo was all but ready. We just needed music, or so we thought. Frustratingly, this was not to be as the hard drive decided it didn't want to play nice anymore. Ugh! In swoops Pete Fletcher, though, who took the machine home, repaired it, and moved heaven and earth to get a solid state solution (good luck getting an Ultrasatan from Europe these days, but a different solid state solution was acquired). Just this morning, Pete delivered the Mega STe in perfect condition full of all sorts of goodies for demonstration and we have the first external MIDI demo in the history of the VCF MA Museum. Stop by to see and hear it yourself. Send us your favorite MIDI file and we can put it on the playlist. Thanks to Bill, Pete, and Dean. All three of you helped create something none of us could have done alone. It truly takes a Federation. -Adam

3 2

Mega STe disk solutions
by John Heritage 26 Jun '22

26 Jun '22

Hey Peter! Thanks for preserving that mega STe ! I also have one and was curious what you ended up with for a storage solution? I have an ultrasatan but was thinking of getting or doing something else for my mste because I'd like to repurpose that ultrasatan to another ST in my collection. Is there anything you recommend or recommend avoiding ? Thanks! John On Wed, Mar 16, 2022, 10:18 AM Peter Fletcher via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > I was bored on Sunday and made a short video of the sounds of inserting > various computing media into mainly old machines. I’ve been told it is ASMR > for geeks. I hope you enjoy it. > > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_y20Bgui6ds&t=18s

5 7

Re: [vcf-midatlantic] OT: time to downsize
by Bob Shuster 25 Jun '22

25 Jun '22

I just added the Timex Sinclair items, and marked the sold and sale pending items. Mattel Aquarius next! The link: http://www.theshusters.com/bobvintage.html <http://www.theshusters.com/bobvintage.html> Please don't share for now without asking me. Right now it’s just open to this group - my contact info is intentionally missing from the webpages. If you can read this, you have my email. Email me with questions or offers! Please don't make offers on the list, but if you want to discuss my process and feel the group would benefit, then by all means knock yourself out! :) Bob Shuster (Slightly edited original message below) ---- Well, folks, I’ve gotten to the age where I need to seriously downsize my hobbies and collections, not wanting to leave it to my children to have to deal with in later years. (I had to do that recently for a relative.) On the electronics side, I’ve decided to concentrate on my vintage video game systems - and therefore sell off most of my vintage computer stuff. My collection includes mostly 8-bit stuff: TRS-80 Models I, IV, M100, etc. - Atari 400, 800, Stacy, Portfolio, ST, etc. - C64/VIC20 - T/S1000 (including an unbuilt kit), Apple II, II+, IIe, IIe Platinum, IIgs - Wang WLTC - Mattel Aquarius - TI-99/4A - many others that I still have to dig out - plus lots of peripherals, disks, manuals, etc. Also have some newer Macs starting with a Mac Plus in an Apple carrying bag. I’m starting with you guys before trying to list elsewhere, although I may hit some of the dedicated FaceBorg pages (such as for Aquarius and Apple II.) I'm willing to ship some of the smaller items, but in general systems or monitors will need to be picked up here (near the Fort Washington exit of the PA Turnpike) or nearby, and cash or PayPal for payment. I may also consider trades for some of the video game stuff I’m looking for. It pains me to do this, but the clutter is getting out of hand, and I haven’t touched most of these in years. It’s time for someone else to enjoy. Bob Shuster

1 2

Apple II systems for sale
by Mike Loewen 24 Jun '22

24 Jun '22

I have two Apple II systems left for sale, after the swap meet: Apple IIe (A2S2064) w/128KB RAM, 80-column, Super Serial II card, Kensington System Saver. Duodisk A9M0108 w/cable. Working, slightly yellowed. $150. Apple IIGS (A2S6000) w/512KB RAM, ROM 0, mouse, Woz signature edition. 5-1/4" drive. Working. $100. Also, an Apple 5-1/4" drive, A9M0107, working. $25. Items are located in State College, PA. I would prefer not to have to ship the two systems. Please contact me off-list. Mike Loewen mloewen(a)cpumagic.scol.pa.us Old Technology http://q7.neurotica.com/Oldtech/

1 0

Next Repair Workshop July 30 & 31, 2022
by Jeffrey Brace 24 Jun '22

24 Jun '22

Hello everyone, Just reminding everyone about the next repair workshop on July 30 & 31, 2022 at InfoAge Signup is here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1oUoYSVelMEb8IvR3X2xn4sXlKscOfxI9mhU… ========================================= 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

1 0

WTB: Teletype Model 33 ASR Chad Bucket
by Jonathan Chapman 23 Jun '22

23 Jun '22

All, Looking for a chad bucket for my Model 33 ASR. I finally have it set up where it can be used regularly again! Thanks, Jonathan

5 6

Museum and Warehouse report
by Adam Michlin 23 Jun '22

23 Jun '22

Hi Everyone, As discussed and approved, I took the PowerPC OS/2 machine and will get that to Connor. Either he'll fix it at the workshop or he will take it home, fix it, and bring it back to the July workshop. I'll communicate here either way. I'm bringing three recently donated 486 class machines to the System Source Workshop. One is for my project of building a DesqView machine (which may never become an exhibit - just a fun project for me). Hopefully either Dean or Alex (or both) can take one or both of the other machines on for the Linux 1992 exhibit. I'm a bit confused by the changes in the museum, I initially thought the Pong machine was missing, but realized it is now hidden. I'm concerned that this might upset one of our most important volunteers and one of the owners of the machine, Bill Lange, and I don't quite understand why it was done without discussion. Can someone enlighten me? Hopefully before Bill sees it. At the very least, I hope we can communicate with him before he visits again. The Zenith machine is pinch hitting for the Mega STe for now (as I found it) and I dropped off a period correct speaker box for the Mega STe on loan from Dean so when the Mega STe returns (any day now, I understand) we will have sound for the MIDI demo. I trust we won't need a vote to put the Mega STe back in, but let me know if we need to do so. The former Zenith table is empty, which is a perfect opportunity to put in the Micro VAX (Hi Dave!). VMS lives! As I found things, the Data General was moved over near the Wang, which makes sense to me, but just so everyone knows. The 1992 exhibit was moved under the Atari (regular) ST and VIC-20, which confuses me. The mouse exhibit was moved where the Pong machine used to be, which I'm ambivalent about. The featured exhibit quite possibly will become the Franklin Red Lightning prototype Tony is going to donate. I suggest we hold off until next week on any motions so we can see if the OS/2 PowerPC box is going to be resurrected this weekend. The warehouse is basically as it was after East although I did grab a piece of the UNIVAC that was accidentally left by System Source. Dave and I are on the look out for a PDP-11 clone in a nondescript carrying case, so if anyone sees such a thing, let us know. Best wishes, -Adam

7 14

Binary Hyperdrive
by Kelly Leavitt 23 Jun '22

23 Jun '22

Caltrans has entered the vintage computer universe... https://dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-4/d4-projects/d4-san-mateo-101… 101 Express Lanes FAQ - Caltrans<https://dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-4/d4-projects/d4-san-mateo-101…> Project Design/General Questions . 1. What is the San Mateo 101 Express Lanes Project? 2. How will express lanes help address congestion? 3. Why is the Project being built in San Mateo County? dot.ca.gov I'm not impressed, but then again, who am I? Kelly

1 0

[OT] Anyone Else Going to Midwest Reprap Festival This Weekend?
by Alexander Jacocks 22 Jun '22

22 Jun '22

I’m planning to drive out to Midwest Reprap Festival this weekend: http://midwestreprapfest.org/ Anyone else going? Anyone want to go? It’s in Goshen, Indiana, and I’ll be driving from western Maryland. - Alex

2 2

Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Teletype on ebay
by Duane Craps 22 Jun '22

22 Jun '22

On 6/22/2022 12:58 PM, Duane Craps wrote: > Thank you Dave. > > I had the answer on my phone all the time. A video of the KSR-35in the > museum running Hunt the Wumpas from The UNIVAC. > > I was thinking of asking my Son in Law, below Detroit, if he could > pick it up if I bought it. > > On 6/22/2022 12:29 PM, dave.g4ugm(a)gmail.com wrote: >> Duane, >> You can't tell from the tape reader as they used the same plate and >> just moved the guide pins. >> Three row keyboard implies model 28. ASCII models had 4-row keyboards. >> Dave >> G4UGM >> >> >>> -----Original Message----- >>> From: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic-bounces(a)lists.vcfed.org> On >>> Behalf Of >>> Duane Craps via vcf-midatlantic >>> Sent: 22 June 2022 16:50 >>> To: VCF <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> >>> Cc: Duane Craps <DBC1964(a)cox.net> >>> Subject: [vcf-midatlantic] Teletype on ebay >>> >>> https://www.ebay.com/itm/225037349724 >>> >>> looks to be a ASR-35 (Heavy duty ASCII) >>> >>> The outside is so dirty that I can't read the keyboard markings, to >>> eliminate it >>> being a model 28 , but it looks good on the inside. The reader seems >>> to be 8 bits >>> wide which would make it an ASR-35. >>> >>> only 2 days left with no bid , I would hate to see it be junked. >>> >>> >>> -- >>> DuaneCraps >>> sdɐɹɔ ǝuɐnp >> -- DuaneCraps sdɐɹɔ ǝuɐnp

2 1