- vcf-midatlantic - lists.vcfed.org

Last Meeting – Bill Atkinson and HyperCard (1987)
by Adam Michlin 03 Oct '20

03 Oct '20

Hi Everyone, So I'm blogging now. Mostly about Computer Science education, but every so often I find something that intersects with my other love. I was lucky to be in Silicon Valley in the 1980s and, since my family purchased one of the earliest Mac 128Ks, my father took me to the Stanford Macintosh User Group (SMUG) every month. I can only remember bits and pieces (including a particularly enjoyable presentation by Guy Kawaski) and SMUG, being a few minutes away from Apple headquarters, was a hot bed of all that was upcoming in the Macintosh world. I've been doing some research as of late and discovered that my father also wrote a column for the SMUG newsletter and he has graciously given me permision to post the text of his "Last Meeting" column describing the meeting where Bill Atkinson introduced HyperCard circa 1987. Interesting to me both for the disucssion of how HyperCard might or might not influence Computer Science education and, of course, Bill freakin' Atkinson! https://blog.ceos.io/2020/10/03/last-meeting-bill-atkinson-and-hypercard/ Best wishes, -Adam

1 0

rare CBM 256-80 "B" series Commodore on Ebay...
by Bill Degnan 03 Oct '20

03 Oct '20

https://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-Commodore-CBM-256-80-Computer-Not-Working-Hig… Note - there is 10x more software for the B series than the PET 8000, I have a lot of good B series software on vintagecomputer.net Bill

2 1

Free stuff followup from previous workshop
by David Riley 02 Oct '20

02 Oct '20

Hey all, Thanks to everyone for taking some of my spare machines so I could move without filling every cubic inch of the new space with gear! In unpacking things after moving, I've found a few things that may be of interest to folks who took some of the items: - Three RL02 packs to go with the RL02 drive, and an RLV12 card to drive it from QBus PDP-11s/VAXen, though I do not have a cable - A 5-pack of LTO1 media, to go with the drive that was in one of the Alphas - A bunch of Apple IIgs original manuals and software - A load of 30-pin SIMMs - The original 604e card for the Power Mac 9600 which has the G4 upgrade card (I have someone who would actually really like the G4 card if you don't want that, but I told them not to hold their breath) There are probably more things that I'm forgetting, but that's it. If anyone is passing near Annapolis on their way to a VCF event soon, I can send it up with them (given pandemic concerns, I don't think I'm going to risk Festivus this year). I'm curious to see what might have been left, as well; if no one nabbed the Quadra 605, I wouldn't mind getting that back because I hadn't really meant to put it on the pile, but I'm not gonna reclaim it if someone has it already. In any case, thanks so much for taking stuff off my hands, and I have more that I'll be sending/bringing up when/if possible once I have things more sorted here. Miss you all, and I wish things were otherwise, but... *gestures vaguely at 2020* - Dave

2 1

trying to reach the Linux internals fellow
by Jeffrey Jonas 02 Oct '20

02 Oct '20

I am trying to contact a fellow from the August workshop. He was in the center of the "classroom" with a dual-concave keyboard (with trackball in the center). He is extremely knowledgeable about Linux internals. Please say "hi" to me, privately. thanks -- jeff jonas

1 0

Rominator back at BMOW (classic mac enthusiasts)
by Andrew Diller 02 Oct '20

02 Oct '20

For members w/ classic Macs (esp the SE/30) - https://www.bigmessowires.com/2020/09/29/mac-rom-inator-ii-the-thickening/ <https://www.bigmessowires.com/2020/09/29/mac-rom-inator-ii-the-thickening/> I had the original that I never got to work right in my se/30, and they've been out of stock for a long time. Now you can get one to make your se/30 32bit clean and have a rom-based bootable system (like the classic) for emergencies... Pretty cool. Also I love their Wombat for using a modern Apple USB keyboard and mouse w/ my Classic Mac. -andy

3 2

Cleaning Franklin cases
by Bob Applegate 02 Oct '20

02 Oct '20

I’m looking to clean up some Franklin ACE-1xxx cases and am wondering if Retrobrite is the best option. They were yellow when manufactured so will retrobrite do much to change the color? Is there a recommended cleaner to get plain old grim off the crinkled finish? That alone might be enough. How about cleaning the key caps? Bob

4 3

Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Cleaning Franklin cases
by Andrew Diller 01 Oct '20

01 Oct '20

I suggest attending the System/Source-VCF Nov workshop. I saw BobR is going to have retro-brighting sessions going on-- just bring a case or two and find out if it lives up to the hype! -andy > On Oct 1, 2020, at 9:53 AM, Bob Aviles via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > From: Bob Aviles <raviles132001(a)yahoo.com> > Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Cleaning Franklin cases > Date: October 1, 2020 at 9:53:17 AM EDT > To: Bob Applegate via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> > > > I have Frankin 1200 system that I need to clean as well. > Bobby > On Wednesday, September 30, 2020, 01:25:26 PM EDT, Bob Applegate via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > I’m looking to clean up some Franklin ACE-1xxx cases and am wondering if Retrobrite is the best option. They were yellow when manufactured so will retrobrite do much to change the color? Is there a recommended cleaner to get plain old grim off the crinkled finish? That alone might be enough. > > How about cleaning the key caps? > > Bob > > >

1 0

November Repair Workshop at System Source
by Jeffrey Brace 01 Oct '20

01 Oct '20

The Vintage Computer Federation and the System Source Computer Museum are hosting a vintage computer workshop on Saturday November 14th and Sunday November 15th 2020 at: System Source Computer Museum 338 Clubhouse Road, Hunt Valley, MD 21031 Plenty of free parking, short walk from Baltimore’s light rail (Gilroy Road Stop) We will open at 9:00 AM on Saturday November 14th, 2020 and will lock up by 7:30 PM. We will go to dinner afterwards. Details to follow soon. We will open at 9:00 AM on Sunday November 15th and lock up at 5:00 PM Accommodations: Try https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g41196-Hunt_Valley_Maryland-Hotels.html Feel free to talk with others about sharing a room. Food: There are plenty of restaurants within a short drive. We will have a catered Indian buffet on Saturday at cost ($12.00?) and catered Barbecue ($12.00?) on Sunday for those who sign up. We will feature tours of the museum throughout both days and several mini- workshops: - Retrobright workshop (bring your yellowed plastics) - Pre-industrial computing class - Learn to use a slide rule, and various types of Abaci - Hot Metal Typesetting (3500 lb word processor) If you need a machine to work on, please let me know. We have lots of computers awaiting restoration! If you have unusual needs, (220 Volts, fork lift, etc please email Bob Roswell at museum(a)syssrc.com Bob Roswell broswell(a)syssrc.com https://museum.syssrc.com 410-771-5544 x 4336 Sign up for the repair workshop is here: < https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Z72yC72x5PmN4jb0Aw8uK3x0sQwMAk-0Opu… > -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President & Board Member, VCF East Showrunner Vintage Computer Federation http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

1 0

help for Sun SPARCstation support
by Herb Johnson 29 Sep '20

29 Sep '20

For some reason, I got a request for help from someone who is running some Sun SPARC stuff on their day job; several systems for legacy purposes. I don't "carry" much Sun stuff but my Web site does attract eyeballs. The person tells me: > Sparc5’s, Ultras, and Sparc Classics I’m trying to get functional. The problem I have with the Sparc5’s and Classics is I can’t get the software to install. The Ultra boxes I have can be upgraded to a Windows VM ... So I looked around the Web as they did, and I didn't see much current discussion about these systems. A decade ago there certainly was hobby interest in the little Sun boxes, I had some myself. Today, not so much - people I guess got them running or not and didn't need to say more about them. Or went the VM route. Or of course lost interest when the hardware died. I don't know - this is not my domain. "too new", he he. I told the person, look around vintage-computing sites and discussions and stir something up. I mentioned this site and said I'd post some inquiries. The request is something between hobby and professional; I'll let those interested sort that out. The person didn't say but I think they are in the Minnesota area. So: either post some response on the subject, show some general interest, and/or contact me. I'll forward results to this person, or they may see results if they read the maillist archive going forward. 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 retrotechnology DOT info

2 1

Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Kennt Vlassic Wrap Up
by Bill Degnan 29 Sep '20

29 Sep '20

LOL...I noticed the subject typo after sending. oh well! CT is only 3 hours away...if you're in the area come visit. I might even take back that Banyan server I snuck into your car all those years ago. b On Tue, Sep 29, 2020 at 12:48 PM Jim Scheef via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > No idea this involved pickles! > > <snip> > > Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Kennt Vlassic Wrap Up > > > >

2 1