- vcf-midatlantic - lists.vcfed.org

Compaq portable 1
by David Gesswein 23 Aug '19

23 Aug '19

It was discussed on the list earlier that Doug P was bringing a Compaq portable 1 to work on and I and someone else had offered to bring a working machine for comparison. (Mine is a plus). Probable don't need two so checking if that was still desired and if I should bring mine or someone else was bringing a working one. Mine still has covers off.

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stop motion ascii art!
by Jeffrey Jonas 22 Aug '19

22 Aug '19

Of possible interest: https://youtu.be/so_HQKv-Bmk Kitty: a wonderful early computer animation from Russia (1968) http://feeds.boingboing.net/~r/boingboing/iBag/~3/Mk1xd9lzQ4w/kitty-a-wonde… https://boingboing.net/?p=733328 >From Etudes.ru (Google translation): More than 40 years ago in 1968 ... A team led by Nikolai Nikolaevich Konstantinov creates a mathematical model of the motion of the animal (cat). The BESM-4 machine, executing a written program for solving ordinary (in the mathematical sense of the word) differential equations, draws a cartoon "Kitty" containing even by modern standards an amazing animation of cat movements created by a computer.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] InFo RePaIr WoRkShOp Aug 2019
by Evan Koblentz 21 Aug '19

21 Aug '19

9032A. We used 9059 last time because the bigger room wasn't available and we had fewer people attending anyhow. Evan Koblentz Executive Director, Vintage Computer Federation evan(a)vcfed.org / (646) 546-9999 www.vcfed.org @vcfederation On Wed, Aug 21, 2019, 4:04 PM Sentry TV via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > 9059 or 9032A which building is the workshop? > > On Tuesday, August 20, 2019, 06:34:49 PM EDT, Jeffrey Brace via > vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > As a reminder the workshop is $10 *per* person, *per* day. Sorry this is > InfoAge's rule and not our decision. So that means for two days it is $20. > > Sign up quickly to guarantee a table. > > DATE: August 24 & 25 > > LOCATION: > > InfoAge Building 9032A (usual workshop room) - (2201 Marconi Road, Wall > Township, NJ) > > TIME: > Start about 10 A.M. on Saturday and ends whenever we go to sleep. > End about 5 P.M. on Sunday. (Starts around 10 A.M. Sunday morning) > > SIGNUP: < > > https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13Gmvr2ZEtEXouN0oB7Y_UtCRabbwhLTi4E_… > > > > COST: > - $10 per person, PER day. This is required by InfoAge for us to pay for > renting the space. > > - $25 for those wanting to stay overnight (Money goes to InfoAge). > > Please pay Evan or myself when you get there so that we don't forget. I > will be late to the workshop and because I am leading Taekwondo test. > > Credit cards accepted. I will be using VCF's PayPal Here tablet with > bluetooth credit card machine. > > 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 pay via PayPal to paypal(a)vcfed.org. or to Evan or myself via > cash > or credit card in person. > > 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 know or particular parts, > please post to the list for those going. They may have what you need. Let > them know ahead of time. > > - Please bring an extra one or two power cords as these are often forgotten > by people. > > DRINKS: > You should bring your own. I would recommend bringing a cooler of some > type. > > FOOD: > > Bring your own, but we will usually order pizza or go out to eat for > dinner. If the weather is nice, then we might cook burgers out back. > GATE: > > During the hours from 1 pm to 5 pm close the front gate behind you. We want > museum visitors to go to the front lobby and not wander through the middle > of the campus. Outside of those times, you can feel free to leave the gate > open. > > PARKING: > Park in the main parking lot, unless you are unloading in front of 9059. > InfoAge doesn't like us parking on the lawn anymore. > > QUESTIONS? > > Contact Evan : 646-546-9999 or evan(a)vcfed.org > > or Jeff: 732-759-1783 jeffrey(a)vcfed.org > > Have fun everyone! > > -- > ========================================= > Jeff Brace > Vice President > Vintage Computer Federation > >

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InFo RePaIr WoRkShOp Aug 2019
by Jeffrey Brace 21 Aug '19

21 Aug '19

As a reminder the workshop is $10 *per* person, *per* day. Sorry this is InfoAge's rule and not our decision. So that means for two days it is $20. Sign up quickly to guarantee a table. DATE: August 24 & 25 LOCATION: InfoAge Building 9032A (usual workshop room) - (2201 Marconi Road, Wall Township, NJ) TIME: Start about 10 A.M. on Saturday and ends whenever we go to sleep. End about 5 P.M. on Sunday. (Starts around 10 A.M. Sunday morning) SIGNUP: < https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13Gmvr2ZEtEXouN0oB7Y_UtCRabbwhLTi4E_… > COST: - $10 per person, PER day. This is required by InfoAge for us to pay for renting the space. - $25 for those wanting to stay overnight (Money goes to InfoAge). Please pay Evan or myself when you get there so that we don't forget. I will be late to the workshop and because I am leading Taekwondo test. Credit cards accepted. I will be using VCF's PayPal Here tablet with bluetooth credit card machine. 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 pay via PayPal to paypal(a)vcfed.org. or to Evan or myself via cash or credit card in person. 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 know or particular parts, please post to the list for those going. They may have what you need. Let them know ahead of time. - Please bring an extra one or two power cords as these are often forgotten by people. DRINKS: You should bring your own. I would recommend bringing a cooler of some type. FOOD: Bring your own, but we will usually order pizza or go out to eat for dinner. If the weather is nice, then we might cook burgers out back. GATE: During the hours from 1 pm to 5 pm close the front gate behind you. We want museum visitors to go to the front lobby and not wander through the middle of the campus. Outside of those times, you can feel free to leave the gate open. PARKING: Park in the main parking lot, unless you are unloading in front of 9059. InfoAge doesn't like us parking on the lawn anymore. QUESTIONS? Contact Evan : 646-546-9999 or evan(a)vcfed.org or Jeff: 732-759-1783 jeffrey(a)vcfed.org Have fun everyone! -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President Vintage Computer Federation

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FS Micromint SB-180
by Michael Kato 21 Aug '19

21 Aug '19

I'd like to sell my Micromint SB-180. This is a single board computer with a Z-180 compatible(Hitachi HD64180) running at 6MHz. http://www.miredespa.com/sb180/ I'm asking $250 and that includes documentation and 4 original Micromint ZCPR3 floppies as well as two 3.5" floppy drives. I'll be bringing it to the workshop this weekend. It was tested working with the drives and floppies earlier this year. Here's a pic of what I'm selling: https://photos.app.goo.gl/22zraL58MhhYvXXe7 Contact me privately if you have interest or questions. Thanks, ....maki....

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Repair Workshops Jul, Aug, Sep?
by Jeffrey Brace 21 Aug '19

21 Aug '19

The next workshop is July 20 & 21. July 20 & 21 workshop signup: link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1WC20hnriY5alKGteeWoWq5jXT3ZOjzA6h-u… August 24 & 25 workshop signup: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13Gmvr2ZEtEXouN0oB7Y_UtCRabbwhLTi4E_… We were thinking about doing another workshop in September. What do you think about September 28? -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President Vintage Computer Federation

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[Off Topic] - Vintage computers and UPSes
by John Heritage 20 Aug '19

20 Aug '19

Hey folks, just curious For longevity of vintage computers that are hooked up and powered on semi-frequently; I assume any kind of UPS is better than none to try to reduce power spikes, or reduce PSU fatigue from brownouts. I was curious what folks recommendations or thoughts are here? I have a couple of old (~ 15+ year) UPSes that i'm debating replacing the batteries on, and one of them would be for plugging in some vintage hardware. Is there anything I should watch out for? Should I assume these are too old to effectively monitor/protect - or doesnt' that really matter? etc. Thanks! John

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[Off Topic] - Vintage computers and UPSes
by Herb Johnson 20 Aug '19

20 Aug '19

I think this subject is on-topic, because vintage computers suffer damage over time due to line-voltage and over-voltage. UPSs can't solve all those problems. But paying attention to the AC power line is important to collectors and users. Shorted tantalum capacitors on DC circuits are a known failure due to both time and over voltage. For example, Heath/Zenith H-89s and H-19s (computer and terminal) expect to operate at 110V AC.T he unregulated side of their 5V DC regulators have capacitors rated at a voltage just below the DC voltage produced - at 110V. When run at 120V or higher, the rated voltage is exceeded and the tantalums "blow". The fix is to replace the caps with higher-voltage devices, and/or reduce AC voltage. That solution won't be found with most UPS. A short-term solution is to use a Variac to reduce AC voltage. Long term, there's step-up/down transformers one can buy for the purpose. Technically-experienced people can make such devices. also: Thank you to Jason Perkins, for his post-link to an article on adjusting a UPS charging voltage. I was aware of this problem but not informed in detail. The article is informative, so thanks! http://www.jjoseph.org/notes/apc_smartups_battery_float_voltage Regards, Herb Johnson -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey in the USA http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Pet with 9" screen
by mwillega 20 Aug '19

20 Aug '19

Other people's experience may be different, but in my experience, it is rare for a 1970’s era micro-computer schematic to completely match a board, as it was actually manufactured. Component differences and wiring differences are often found, even when comparing schematics that were drawn for a specific version board, to that same version board. You may want to determine how it came from the factory, in order to determine the best course of action for you. Regards, Mike W.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] AT&T Dataphone - Modem or "Service"?
by Jeffrey Jonas 20 Aug '19

20 Aug '19

Jeff (aka Bags): > ... There was a monitoring service offered as well > (wonders just how much you can monitor a line at 2400 baud) > under the same brand name. My guess: pre-divestiture phone lines were "voice grade": not guaranteed for FAX or data, thus requiring conditioning upon install and monitoring afterwards lest you get crosstalk, static and other interference. Neil Cherry: > I used to use Paradyne 740 muxes to break those out. Ah yes, modem sharing units. A strange kludge: some were "statistically multiplexed" to allow for different speeds, others were round-robin multiplexed, and others merely or-ed all the signals (I used those with software collision detection with per-packet ack-protocol!) > I also recall the Baby Bells delivering a special current loop line > for AP News service (I think it was dry). Those were fun, 28.8 baud. My local library had one of those teletypes clattering out the news. AT&T used to be "American Telephone and TELEGRAPH", thus the data lines! I'm unsure how they competed with Postal Telegraph and Western Union (my grandpa was a telegrapher). It was a sad day when AT&T decommissioned the last telegraph line. I remember the AT&T president saying that they'd remain "American Telephone and Telegraph" in honor of their heritage, but the following president undid that, making the name just "AT&T". Related to that: telegraph lines used to follow the railroad tracks, mostly for the railroad's internal use. Customer telegrams were sent when the lines were otherwise idle. Years later, right of way was a key part for competing phone companies: citing https://www.npr.org/2012/10/15/162963607/sprint-born-from-railroad-telephon… Sprint Born From Railroad, Telephone Businesses Melissa Block explores the long family history of the companies that comprise what became Sprint. It all began in Kansas in the late 19th century and came to include a long distance system created by the Southern Pacific Railroad Internal Network Telecommunications, or SPRINT. -- jeff jonas

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