- vcf-midatlantic - lists.vcfed.org

... IBM MT/ST magnetic tapes
by Herbert Johnson 04 Mar '25

04 Mar '25

> Spotted on the "code4lib" mailing list, forwarding here because,I'm hoping someone can/will help this grad student out. ---rsk ] The forwarded message, was from a grad-student, attempting to read/recover/preserve some IBM MT/ST magnetic tapes, from an academic business museum. Their message included a Web link to the RICM, the Rhode Island Computer Museum. The link the student found, shows recent work on restoring an IBM MT/ST with its Selectric typewriter and magtape console. The physical format of the tape makes it unlikely that any other apparatus could recover the tape's content. I suggested privately to the person, that they follow up on RICM and make good contacts there. That's a great group which has preserved vintage computers for decades. They provide public access to their works. I think there would be mutual benefit from that contact. I also provided contact links to a data recovery service, and to a Selectric repair service. They may have leads to some recovery services. 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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Only a few days left! First ever MARCH Hack-a-Thon
by Jeff Salzman 03 Mar '25

03 Mar '25

⏳ *Only ONE WEEK left to sign up—don’t miss your chance to be part of the first ever MARCH Hack-a-Thon!* The number of days left to sign up can be counted in four-bits, or one nybble. 🙂 🎉 *Join Us for the MARCH Hack-a-Thon!* 🎉 Step into the golden age of computing and unleash your creativity as you tackle unique programming challenges designed for 8-bit systems. This event is all about exploring the incredible possibilities of retro hardware, celebrating ingenuity, and connecting with a vibrant community of enthusiasts. 📅 *Event Date:* March 8–9, 2025 📍 *Location:* The InfoAge Science Center, 2201 Marconi Rd., Wall, New Jersey, 07719 ⏳ *Only ONE WEEK left to sign up—don’t miss your chance to be part of the MARCH Hack-a-Thon!* 💡 *Think you’re not up for the challenge? Think again!* This event is for everyone, whether you're a retro programming pro or just starting out. Bring along your own vintage computer system and show off what it can do—your creativity, effort, and resourcefulness will absolutely be celebrated. You might just surprise yourself with what you’re capable of! 🌟 *Our judges are eager to see how contestants push the boundaries of vintage hardware and create something truly unique.* Your contributions could spark inspiration across the entire retro computing community. 🎁 *Admission is free, and there are prizes to be won!* Come for the fun, stay for the rewards, and let’s make programming history together. 🖋 *Sign Up Here:* [Registration Form]( https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfM4GE40lGEfo2t_6FVLL_xJc2ojJ1T_aK…) ℹ️ *More Details:* [Event Web Page]( https://vcfed.org/2025/02/13/march-hack-a-thon/) Act fast, secure your spot, and let’s make programming history together at the MARCH Hack-a-Thon. The countdown is on! 🚀

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Only a few days left! First ever MARCH Hack-a-Thon
by Jeffrey Brace 03 Mar '25

03 Mar '25

Mike, The Interim Computer Festival is in the Seattle area. I don't know why their link isn't working. It has been held for the past 2 or 3 years I think. I have never gone, but Jason Perkins has. Jeff Brace On Mon, Mar 3, 2025 at 12:50 PM Sentrytv via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > Jeff, I guess my confusion with the workshop dates was because the > Hackathon was the same day weekend! > > Now I’m trying to figure out what the > “interim Computer festival” is? > > The link seems to be broken > “service unavailable”. > > Mike Rosen > > > Sent from: > My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device. > > > On Mar 3, 2025, at 12:09 PM, Jeff Salzman via vcf-midatlantic < > vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > > ⏳ *Only ONE WEEK left to sign up—don’t miss your chance to be part of > the > > first ever MARCH Hack-a-Thon!* The number of days left to sign up can be > > counted in four-bits, or one nybble. 🙂 > > > > 🎉 *Join Us for the MARCH Hack-a-Thon!* 🎉 > > > > Step into the golden age of computing and unleash your creativity as you > > tackle unique programming challenges designed for 8-bit systems. This > event > > is all about exploring the incredible possibilities of retro hardware, > > celebrating ingenuity, and connecting with a vibrant community of > > enthusiasts. > > > > 📅 *Event Date:* March 8–9, 2025 > > 📍 *Location:* The InfoAge Science Center, 2201 Marconi Rd., Wall, New > > Jersey, 07719 > > > > ⏳ *Only ONE WEEK left to sign up—don’t miss your chance to be part of the > > MARCH Hack-a-Thon!* > > > > 💡 *Think you’re not up for the challenge? Think again!* This event is > for > > everyone, whether you're a retro programming pro or just starting out. > > Bring along your own vintage computer system and show off what it can > > do—your creativity, effort, and resourcefulness will absolutely be > > celebrated. You might just surprise yourself with what you’re capable of! > > > > 🌟 *Our judges are eager to see how contestants push the boundaries of > > vintage hardware and create something truly unique.* Your contributions > > could spark inspiration across the entire retro computing community. > > > > 🎁 *Admission is free, and there are prizes to be won!* Come for the fun, > > stay for the rewards, and let’s make programming history together. > > > > 🖋 *Sign Up Here:* [Registration Form]( > > > https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfM4GE40lGEfo2t_6FVLL_xJc2ojJ1T_aK… > ) > > > > ℹ️ *More Details:* [Event Web Page]( > > https://vcfed.org/2025/02/13/march-hack-a-thon/) > > > > Act fast, secure your spot, and let’s make programming history together > at > > the MARCH Hack-a-Thon. The countdown is on! 🚀 > >

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Fwd: [onadebanjo@UALR.EDU: [CODE4LIB] Seeking advice on preserving and processing IBM MT/ST magnetic tapes (first first word processor)]
by Rich Kulawiec 03 Mar '25

03 Mar '25

[ Spotted on the "code4lib" mailing list, forwarding here because I'm hoping someone can/will help this grad student out. ---rsk ] ----- Forwarded message from Noah Adebanjo <onadebanjo(a)UALR.EDU> ----- > From: Noah Adebanjo <onadebanjo(a)UALR.EDU> > Date: Mon, 3 Mar 2025 09:21:41 -0600 > Subject: [CODE4LIB] Seeking advice on preserving and processing IBM MT/ST > magnetic tapes (first first word processor) > Reply-To: Code for Libraries <CODE4LIB(a)LISTS.CLIR.ORG> > > Dear Code4Lib Community, > > I'm a graduate assistant working at the Center for Arkansas History and > Culture archives, currently processing the born-digital materials from the > Winthrop Rockefeller Institute collection. Among these materials, I've > discovered several IBM MT/ST (Magnetic Tape/Selectric Typewriter) tapes > that date from the late 1960s/early 1970s. > > As these are relatively uncommon media formats now, I'm reaching out for > advice on a couple of things; > > 1. Best practices for preserving these magnetic tapes > 2. Recommendations for recovering/accessing the data they contain > 3. Whether any institutions have experience with similar materials and > would be willing to share their workflows > 4. References to vendors or specialists who might be able to assist with > data recovery > 5. or any documentation about the IBM MT/ST file formats and technical > specifications > > Although, when I did my research I found the following resources ( here > <https://archive.org/details/IBM-MTST-OneTapeStation-OperatingInstructions/p…>, > here > <https://www.ricomputermuseum.org/collections-gallery/small-systems-at-ricm/…>and > here <https://blog.bruchez.name/posts/ibm-mt-sc-1/>) written by some > computer gurus, but it doesn't necessarily answer how to get the content on > the tapes - it only talks about the complete machine so I still don't know > the best practice for the archival field. My goal is to properly document > and potentially recover the content if possible from these tapes as part of > my processing work. > > Any insights, suggestions, or resources the community could share would be > greatly appreciated. > > Thank you so much y'all. > -- > > Noah Adebanjo | Graduate Assistant > Center for Arkansas History and Culture > University of Arkansas at Little Rock > > *onadebanjo(a)ualr.edu <onadebanjo(a)ualr.edu>* > > He/His/Him ----- End forwarded message -----

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Signup Sheet for MARCH Repair Workshop - March 8-9, 2025
by Jeff Salzman 02 Mar '25

02 Mar '25

Yes it is. Local events that were under the name VCF for many years, and are/were regularly scheduled at InfoAge, are now being referenced by the former name of MARCH (Mid-Atlantic Retro Computing Hobbyists). One of the reasons for this is that VCF is a global organization. MARCH is local to InfoAge as its headquarters. So the more frequent local vintage computing events, other than VCF-East, like the Workshops and the new Hack-a-Thons, will carry the MARCH name. Jeff Salzman On Sun, Mar 2, 2025 at 7:55 PM Sentry TV via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > This workshop is at VCF InfoAge? > Mike Rosen > On Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 06:33:12 PM EST, Jeff Salzman via > vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > Very late on this. I apologize. > > Here is the signup sheet for the upcoming MARCH Repair Workshop for next > Saturday and Sunday, March 8-9, 2025 > > > https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1jvaA37o4wLwCxzC-jvn0umQDYXsdJ_27YQN… > >

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Signup Sheet for MARCH Repair Workshop - March 8-9, 2025
by Jeff Salzman 02 Mar '25

02 Mar '25

Very late on this. I apologize. Here is the signup sheet for the upcoming MARCH Repair Workshop for next Saturday and Sunday, March 8-9, 2025 https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1jvaA37o4wLwCxzC-jvn0umQDYXsdJ_27YQN…

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VCF-East 2025 Consignment Vendor Access Ready to Go
by Jeff Salzman 28 Feb '25

28 Feb '25

Vendor access to Consignment is now open for VCF-East 2025. Who are the vendors? YOU are the vendors! If you plan on attending VCF-East this year April 4-6, 2025 at InfoAge in Wall Township, NJ, and you have vintage computer-related goods stuff you want to sell, you can do so by registering your "inventory" on the VCF-East Consignment system. Many attendees in the past have used the Consignment option to sell their goods, and even earn enough to pay for their trip. Consignment at VCF-East has been a very popular feature of the event for almost an entire decade. VCF will keep 18% of the sale price of items sold on your behalf in the Consignment room. The remaining amount of your net sales will be paid to you at the end of the VCF-East event on Sunday, March 6. If you were a vendor last year, your account is still accessible, along with your previous inventory. For new vendors this year, you will need to set up a free account on our POS system. The POS system is available here: POS — VCF Consignment <https://nexopos.vcfed.org/> Use the Sign-in button if you are a former vendor. Use the Register button if you're new to the VCF Consignment system. When you're logged in, you can click on Consignment Home, then My Items. Use the "+" button to add your items one at a time. You should fill in a short name for the item, the price you want to sell it for, the quantity you have, then fill out a small description. Click Save to save the item into inventory. If it doesn't save for you, check your item Name. There's a limit of 25 characters for the Name. For former Vendors who want to sell items that you entered into the Consignment system that didn't sell last year, find your item in your inventory list and change the quantity. No need to re-enter the item. All quantities of last year's event have been zeroed out. You just need to change the quantity to make it available again for sale. Also for former vendors, any items that are still in the system with a zero quantity when VCF-East 2025 starts will be purged from the Consignment system. Thank you, Jeff Salzman

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Painting of 2x4 section of plywood
by Martin A. Flynn 27 Feb '25

27 Feb '25

Can someone paint the 2x4 section of plywood in the 9059 furnace room black? It's leaning on the chimney behind the door. Both sides and edges need to be painted so it does not warp in the attic of 9036 Martin

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fufu - I think I caught a Ghost! :-D, <fufu.flexusergroup.com>
by Neil Cherry 27 Feb '25

27 Feb '25

Yes Dave you are seeing this again, different list. ;-) Bid and won on a Gimix Ghost. Not sure what's in it but at least now I have a Ghost. Might have a hard drive interface and a video card in addition to other cards. I was spoiled rotten with a fully loaded Gimix that we used for development work (1984?). We ran 5 users on it until we got 3 new developers and then the C compiling kinda slowed things down a bit. 😉 I have no drive in it but do a few boards. Lets see what condition this thing is in. I do have some of Bob's Corsham boards and Fredrics Peripheral Technologies boards (he still makes them). Thomas, I'll spend some time later this year putting something together for the Ghost and the SWTPC we spoke about yesterday. -- 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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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Looking for a DOS-era laptop for VCF East
by Benjamin Krein 26 Feb '25

26 Feb '25

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