- vcf-midatlantic - lists.vcfed.org

At&t Dataphone - Modem or "Service"?
by Jeff G 06 Aug '19

06 Aug '19

Long story short, back in my youth I hung out at a recycling center that was processing a lot of scrap from At&t and Western Electric in the 80s and 90s. A lot of what they got at one point was "dataphone" stuff. I was under the impression that "dataphone" was a service, since the equipment I remember seeing were server racks completely full of smaller black and silver boxes that had a DB25 on them and power. Knowing what I know now, I realize those were likely modems and may have even been a bridge to some other platform or system. So does anyone know - was "dataphone" the name for the modems and just a normal leased line, or was there a specific service or type of line called dataphone? I've seen references to both, but I think in regards to service they just used the same brand name for both the hardware as well as their leased lines. On the same front - if it was just a normal leased-line system, is it possible to use a crossover cable to have 2 different 4-wire leased line modems talk to each other? These are the things that keep me awake at 3am. ;-) Jeff (aka Bags)

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Repair Workshop
by Douglas Perry 05 Aug '19

05 Aug '19

Everyone, Thank you for all the suggestions. Over the weekend I was able to hunt down a PDF version of the original service manual. I'm still looking for other schematics. I'm happy for the review of Texelec I had found others recommending them as well and that's who I used. I'm just not crafty enough to make my own. Although a scope has been on my wish list for quiet some time I've never had the pleasure of owning one or even using one before. Maybe I'll get a chance to see one in use. Thanks again, Doug P.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Free stuff in Medford, NJ, mostly Apple
by Tony Bogan 05 Aug '19

05 Aug '19

Now back to reality..... I will go through everything I picked up from Bob, make a list, give VCF whatever It wants, pick the few things I would like to keep, then offer everything else to the list here. The special Ace 100 automatically goes to the museum, and the Red Lightning prototype will be in mine (and on display at VCF when I do my “Return of the Clones” display next year or the year after) Be a few days before I can go through everything since Monday is my only day off from work. Stay tuned (I’ll upload pics shortly and provide a link to the list) Tony Sent from my iPhone > On Aug 5, 2019, at 1:05 PM, Tony Bogan via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > <mime-attachment>

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Free stuff in Medford, NJ, mostly Apple
by Bob Applegate 05 Aug '19

05 Aug '19

As some of you know, I’m fighting Leukemia and have promised my wife to clean out some of the stuff in my collection that I’ll probably never use again, so I’m offering it to the group for free. As some of you also know, I was an early emplyee at Franklin Computer Corporation and maintained a friendship with one of the founders. A few years ago he asked if I could take some of his software collection and find a home for it. Joel worked a lot of deals and got some early releases of code for possible inclusion in Franklin products. Some of these items might never have been released, others might be very common. I started pulling boxes to attemp an inventory, but there’s just too much stuff. Let’s just say there are at least four boxes of Apple II era software. One of the cooler finds was original documentation (in padded binders) and disks for the Microsoft Softcard. I did not see the Z80 card but it might be in one of the boxes. One unique item is a Lazer 128 with a history. Joel had met with the President of Lazer at one point and they exchanged their current products. Ie, a Franklin was given to Lazer, and a Lazer 128 was given to Franklin. I have that Lazer and it’s part of the package. If you’re into collecting Apple clones, this machine is unique. I also have a Commodore 1541. Supposedly worked when I got it, never used it myself. There is some sort of Apple compatible plotter on a shelf here. If that looks interesting, it’s yours too. Constraints: * The Lazer was given tto me, so I’d really prefer a collector take it, NOT see if on eBay, but I obviously can;t control this. * I have not driven since May so I can not meet you someplace. Pickup is in Medford NJ. I will not ship this; very heavy. * The good part is I’m home all day so can work around your schedule for pick-up. * I’d prefer one person take all, but am open to breaking things up. If you’re interested, email me off-list. Anything not gone in a few weeks will just get thrown away. Bob

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Xerox 16/8 M92 computer
by Herb Johnson 05 Aug '19

05 Aug '19

> On Sat, Aug 03, 2019 at 11:13:28PM -0400, Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic wrote: >> >> Does the museum have or need this? >> >> We have a couple of 820s, but we don't have this. Do we need it? I don't >> know... anyone have thoughts about that? >> > > If you have other good examples of the dual processor PC with CP/M showing the > attempt to bridge the generations another may not be that significant. The > page says it may had a little better implementation than some with the > concurrent processing. There were a number of microcomputers in the early 1980's, which incorporated both an 8085 and an 8088, or a Z80 and an 8088. The Heath/Zenith Z-100 (Z-121) switched between an 8085 or an 8088. The Compupro 8/16 used an 8085/8088 S-100 CPU card, similar circuits. I believe NorthStar had an 8088 board option for their Z80 based Advantage (non-S-100 computer). There are other examples. Likewise, some MS-DOS computers ran an ISA bus Z80 card (Baby Blue, etc.). Why do this? Because of the rise of MS-DOS during the age of CP/M-80. Keep in mind that through the late 1970s and into the 1980's, CP/M-80 was the leading Intel-compatible operating system. These 8088 options were ways to provide some kind of compatibility and future-support, for MS-DOS products and for "Big Blue" IBM. The Z80 cards for IBM PC's, was a way to run legacy software - until PCs were fast enough to emulate CP/M-80. It's a period of time that's becoming harder to appreciate; it's not in the experience of persons now under 40 or so. It doesn't fall nicely into one "IBM-PC, CP/M, Mac, videogame" category. Life is messy that way. Regards, Herb Johnson -- 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

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Seen on Craigslist (NeXT Cube in DC)
by Evan Koblentz 05 Aug '19

05 Aug '19

I don't normally post CL ads, but this should appeal to some of you. https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/sys/d/washington-vintage-nextcube-c…

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Museum report
by Evan Koblentz 04 Aug '19

04 Aug '19

I was at the museum again today because I have no life :), Jeff B. is out at West, and our other docents were all unavailable (we need more!)... Couple of dozen visitors today, all families, lots of good demos provided and questions answered.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Xerox 16/8 M92 computer
by Mike Loewen 04 Aug '19

04 Aug '19

On Sat, 3 Aug 2019, Sentrytv via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > I recently acquired one of these in very good shape including: > > Display > CPU (main unit dual floppy) > Printer > Keyboard > > Display and main unit power up, floppy tries to load program. > I haven't hooked up printer yet. > Currently I have no software to test but I may have IBM DOS somewhere. > >Questions are: > >Does the museum have or need this ? > >I may need software to test in the near future, any ideas? Is this the 820-II with the 8086 coprocessor board option? Does it look like this? http://q7.neurotica.com/Oldtech/Xerox/820_System2.jpg I have a couple of MSDOS diskette images (I believe they're 5-1/4") and a pile of CP/M images in IMD format. Let me know if you want them. Mike Loewen mloewen(a)cpumagic.scol.pa.us Old Technology http://q7.neurotica.com/Oldtech/

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Xerox 16/8 M92 computer
by Sentrytv 04 Aug '19

04 Aug '19

I recently acquired one of these in very good shape including: Display CPU (main unit dual floppy) Printer Keyboard Display and main unit power up, floppy tries to load program. I haven't hooked up printer yet. Currently I have no software to test but I may have IBM DOS somewhere. Questions are: Does the museum have or need this ? I may need software to test in the near future, any ideas? Mike R. Sent from: My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device.

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Semi-OT: Tonight
by Evan Koblentz 04 Aug '19

04 Aug '19

I'm staying over at the museum tonight, but I don't have much to do. Not really interested in solo warehouse work. :) Anybody want to come over later and work with me, or do something social?

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