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World of Commodore 2024 Report (Nov. 30-Dec. 1, 2024)
by Jeffrey Brace 28 Dec '24

28 Dec '24

Sorry, this report is a few weeks late. I've been busy! I went up by myself to World of Commodore which takes place in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. I went there representing VCF and promoting our shows and museum. I showed off TheC64 Mini, TheC64 (Maxi) and a real C64 with SuperCPU attached. I was assisted by Steve Lowry from time to time when I needed a break and once by Josh Bensadon. I seem to have gotten some of the Candadians interested in crossing the border to visit our show! It was a nice and easy trip up there. It's a small show compared to ours, but it was fun and everyone there is really nice. I wasn't able to see any of the talks as I was at the VCF tables most of the time. It was fun going out to dinner with them after the show on Saturday night. It was a nice and easy trip back as well. I recommend this show to any Commodore Computer fan! I would also like to mention something to those that knew Bryan Pope. Someone approached me who was with him at the end of his life. In his final days Bryan watched VCF East walkthroughs which brought him great joy as he spent his final hours in the hospital. He really loved our group. I also received his MARCH t-shirt that he had bought many years ago. For those that didn't know him Bryan was there during the founding of MARCH back in 2005. He had lived in New Jersey for years before returning back to Canada. He will be greatly missed as he passed away from cancer months ago. Here are my pictures: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1FmKRV-u4E6TYEGVD2BGxORNHtl_iW8QP?us… Someone on Facebook did a video walk through: https://www.facebook.com/vince.giannini/videos/890614656465401/?idorvanity=… Enjoy! Jeff Brace VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity https://vcfed.org/ <http://www.vcfed.org/> jeffrey(a)vcfed.org

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Holiday gifts 2024
by Hopkins, Justin 27 Dec '24

27 Dec '24

See Dave Plummer’s recent video on how getting his PDP to recognize all the new hardware probably shortened his life by a few years…. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IBFeM-sa2YY ________________________________ From: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic-bounces(a)lists.vcfed.org> on behalf of Derrik Walker via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> Sent: Friday, December 27, 2024 9:12:59 AM To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> Cc: Derrik Walker <dwalker(a)doomd.net> Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Holiday gifts 2024 This message and any attachments are intended only for the use of the addressee and may contain information that is privileged and confidential. If the reader of the message is not the intended recipient or an authorized representative of the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by e-mail and delete the message and any attachments from your system.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Holiday gifts 2024
by Andrew Diller 27 Dec '24

27 Dec '24

Don't forget some sweet Atari emulation on that Mac, I got a Mini and finally got the Windows Altirra Emulator working with Wine on OSX: https://www.atariorbit.org/2024/12/26/altirra-arm-and-sequoia/ Then you can run the fujiNet posix app on your mac and go do all the FujiNet fun - without leaving your MacBookPro. -andy > On Dec 27, 2024, at 11:12 AM, Derrik Walker via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > > > From: Derrik Walker <dwalker(a)doomd.net> > Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Holiday gifts 2024 > Date: December 27, 2024 at 11:12:59 AM EST > To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> > > > I got The Spectrum. Programming on that thing is pretty crazy. > > Not retro-related, but I got a MacBook M4 Pro. Very fast. Runs the Amiga and C64 emulation great. Now I just have to get the C64 and Amiga cross-compiler tools built for it. I build them from source as I like to understand how they work, and I like the old school UNIX feel of building stuff myself. > > Not for the holidays, but I also recently obtained the C64 Reloaded MK2 for a custom C64 I’m bulling that I intend to mostly use as a Synthesizer. > > BTW. The C64Maxi is awesome. I just wish there was an easy way to plug a MIDI interface into it. But if you just want to experience using a C64, that’s about as good as you'll get without the real deal. I am looking forward to the Amiga Maxi ( or whatever they are going to call it ). > > - Derrik > >> On Dec 27, 2024, at 00:20, Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: >> >> Did anyone else besides Dave Shevett and Ben Krein receive any vintage >> computer related gifts this month? >> >> I got The400 Mini, which is a modern reproduction of The Atari 400. I >> already have TheC64 Mini and TheC64 Maxi. I'm hoping to get TheA500 Mini >> someday! >> >> I use these when traveling long distances to vintage computer shows when >> I'm flying. >> >> Jeff Brace > > >

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Holiday gifts 2024
by Jeffrey Brace 27 Dec '24

27 Dec '24

Did anyone else besides Dave Shevett and Ben Krein receive any vintage computer related gifts this month? I got The400 Mini, which is a modern reproduction of The Atari 400. I already have TheC64 Mini and TheC64 Maxi. I'm hoping to get TheA500 Mini someday! I use these when traveling long distances to vintage computer shows when I'm flying. Jeff Brace

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] PDP-8/L restoration
by Chris Fandt 27 Dec '24

27 Dec '24

Hi Mike, You wrote below: "I don't know if any of you have interest in this sort of thing." Wow ... Are you kidding!! :-) I'm sure I speak for at least a few others on this list who love to hack (in the old, more correct usage of the term) hardware and/or software in order to non-maliciously learn stuff, restore something important, and/or at least bring something back to life. Reverse Engineering and creation of solutions at its best and most fun :-) I retired back in March (finally, at age 70) from the major USA-based independent diesel engine maker and plan to work thru a bunch of DEC PDP-11 gear, my DG Nova 1200, IBM 9370 w/9375-60 Processor, several ASR-33 TTYs, plus a flock of other radio & TV restoration and ham radio projects which have been in 'idle storage' for 10-to-50 years. This email subject matter will definitely apply -depending, of course, upon how my wife and I stretch our SS checks, a modest pension and random restoration and consulting work. I need to catch-up on what that 'Zyng thing' is you mention and other recent hardware/software items like this which have appeared in the last decade or so. I personally encourage keeping activity like this going, folks! Thanks much and best regards, -Chris F. On 12/26/2024 9:02 PM, Mike Rieker via vcf-midatlantic wrote: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hey All, If anyone is interested, I finished a Zynq thing that plugs into the back of my PDP-8/L to provide disk, tape, tty functionality. The thing actually boots and runs OS/8! Anyway I made an Hackaday page https://hackaday.io/project/202048-pdp-8x2fl-enhancements There is also a simple RasPI based board that plugs in the front panel slot to do automated testing. About all I had to do to get the PDP running was replace a few (half dozen or so) 7400 series chips, some corroded diodes on the core stack and a power resistor. Hasn't missed a beat since. I don't know if any of you have interest in this sort of thing. I don't have a PDP-8/I but it might not be too difficult to adapt it to one of those or other PDP-8s and maybe 11s. Mike ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -- ================================================================ Christian R Fandt Jamestown, NY 14701 > Electrical/Electronic Collector & Historian: Radios, Early Computers, Test Equipment > Radio restorations: Pre-1970s Automotive & Home radios > Retired engineer/consultant on electrical/electronic contact physics -- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. www.avast.com

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PDP-8/L restoration
by wmrieker＠nii.net 27 Dec '24

27 Dec '24

Hey All, If anyone is interested, I finished a Zynq thing that plugs into the back of my PDP-8/L to provide disk, tape, tty functionality. The thing actually boots and runs OS/8! Anyway I made an Hackaday page https://hackaday.io/project/202048-pdp-8x2fl-enhancements There is also a simple RasPI based board that plugs in the front panel slot to do automated testing. About all I had to do to get the PDP running was replace a few (half dozen or so) 7400 series chips, some corroded diodes on the core stack and a power resistor. Hasn't missed a beat since. I don't know if any of you have interest in this sort of thing. I don't have a PDP-8/I but it might not be too difficult to adapt it to one of those or other PDP-8s and maybe 11s. Mike

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Mechanical Calculator Using Wooden Gears
by Chris Fala 27 Dec '24

27 Dec '24

This guy did a lot of work to build this. vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org

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A 4004 Based Microcomputer the Comstar System 4
by Christian Liendo 26 Dec '24

26 Dec '24

A number of years ago I got my hands on a Comstar Programmer, it programmed roms for a computer called the Comstar System 4. I was told both the programmer and the System 4 were intel 4004 based. I asked around and kept getting told no computer was 4004 based. I really didn't do much due diligence just some searching here and there but I found enough to show that the computer did exist and was 4004 based. The website "Internet Scripophily Museum of Computing" has a page on the history of The Warner & Swasey Company. It's a decent timeline of the company http://ismoc.blogspot.com/2017/06/the-warner-swasey-company.html In "Auerbach Guide to Minicomputers" April 1976, the computer is mentioned on page 54 and page 70. On page 70 are the specifications and they show it being 4004 based. http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/auerbach/Auerbach_Guide_to_Minicomputers_Apr76… In the IEEE Spectum May 1975 on page 26 the compiler and the System 4 are talked about having a 4004 https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/stamp/stamp.jsp?arnumber=6368812 In the ACM's archives "Development of a portable compiler for industrial microcomputer systems" by LEROY H. ANDERSON The Warner & Swasey Company, it discusses the system and has images on the unit. https://www.computer.org/csdl/pds/api/csdl/proceedings/download-article/12O… And finally the Computer History Museum put the manual up for download. https://www.computerhistory.org/collections/catalog/102686568 I'm still trying to get more info, but I think this is some decent evidence to show there was a 4004 based computer in 1972

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] When your family really loves you - they give you Unix nerdery for christmas.
by Dave Shevett 26 Dec '24

26 Dec '24

I dont own the original images. You can find them out on the internet - tbh, the ownership of this artwork is a little murky. I'd love to get a clear answer about is it okay to distribute the raw images - anyone know? Best I've found is that Gary passed away a while ago, and his wife has held the position that people are welcome to use the images, just don't profit by them. On Thu, Dec 26, 2024 at 2:16 PM Joan Touzet via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vcfed.org> wrote: > Very nice! Are the PDFs available so others can repeat this gift of joy? > > -Joan > > On 2024-12-26 13:01, Dave Shevett via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > > I have to share this - > > https://bsky.app/profile/vintageapparatus.com/post/3lea24xs3bk2h > > > > My family took super-high resolution scans of the original Gary Overacre > > 'unix feuds' 'unix magic' and 'unix views' posters, and had them > > professional printed on high quality stock. Add in full size frames and > > proper sizing, and I have artwork I can put in my nerd cave and be mighty > > proud of it. > > > > Here's a thumbnail - see the link on bsky for the full glory. > > [image: image.png] > > > -- Dave Shevett shevett(a)pobox.com

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When your family really loves you - they give you Unix nerdery for christmas.
by Dave Shevett 26 Dec '24

26 Dec '24

I have to share this - https://bsky.app/profile/vintageapparatus.com/post/3lea24xs3bk2h My family took super-high resolution scans of the original Gary Overacre 'unix feuds' 'unix magic' and 'unix views' posters, and had them professional printed on high quality stock. Add in full size frames and proper sizing, and I have artwork I can put in my nerd cave and be mighty proud of it. Here's a thumbnail - see the link on bsky for the full glory. [image: image.png] -- Dave Shevett shevett(a)pobox.com

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