- vcf-midatlantic - lists.vcfed.org

Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Steve Dompier's coding...
by Dan Roganti 05 May '16

05 May '16

On Thu, May 5, 2016 at 4:50 PM, Bill Sudbrink via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic(a)lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote: > Herb Johnson wrote: > > > [Cromemco Dazzler Dazzlemation...] > > > .... Mr. Dompier hand wrote that program > > > LITERALLY (hand, pencil, paper), no editor, no assembler. > > > He then toggled it in (or maybe raw keyed it in with a > > > primitive ROM monitor) and [used paper tape to save/restore it] > > > > I agree, it's informative to look at such code, to see methods of > > coding. But that's normal activity, given the era. > > And I agree with you. I did some myself. I was trying to interest > some of the people who might not be aware. I've exhibited my IMSAIs > and Altairs a number of times. On numerous occasions, I've heard > comments like "those front panels are pretty but you couldn't really > do anything with them". I'm pretty sure now that Mr. Dompier > toggled Dazzlemation into the machine. The recollection is that he > didn't get a 4FDC until later, so he probably didn't have a monitor > in ROM. > > Bill S. > > > yes, I still kept most of my programming code and notes here in my Altair and Imsai manuals using the obligatory yellow legal pads from the 70s. It was not just common practice, but *required* Dan

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Steve Dompier's coding...
by Dave McGuire 05 May '16

05 May '16

On 05/05/2016 04:50 PM, Bill Sudbrink via vcf-midatlantic wrote: >>> .... Mr. Dompier hand wrote that program >>> LITERALLY (hand, pencil, paper), no editor, no assembler. >>> He then toggled it in (or maybe raw keyed it in with a >>> primitive ROM monitor) and [used paper tape to save/restore it] >> >> I agree, it's informative to look at such code, to see methods of >> coding. But that's normal activity, given the era. > > And I agree with you. I did some myself. I was trying to interest > some of the people who might not be aware. I've exhibited my IMSAIs > and Altairs a number of times. On numerous occasions, I've heard > comments like "those front panels are pretty but you couldn't really > do anything with them". I'm pretty sure now that Mr. Dompier > toggled Dazzlemation into the machine. The recollection is that he > didn't get a 4FDC until later, so he probably didn't have a monitor > in ROM. Many years ago, in the mid-1970s, there was a construction article in, I think, Popular Electronics magazine, for basically a blinking light panel. It had a field of LEDs that blinked randomly, nothing more. The article stated that the blinking lights on large computers of the day were simply there to impress their owners, and that "a painted metal panel would convey the same amount of useful information". Since such machines were prohibitively expensive for the hobbyist, there should be a way for the average hobbyist to "get a decent set of blinking lights", hence that construction project. The article's author was clearly completely (and dismissively!) clueless about what computer front panels are really all about. -Dave -- Dave McGuire, AK4HZ New Kensington, PA

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black Apple arrived
by Evan Koblentz 05 May '16

05 May '16

Needs a cleaning, but otherwise it looks good. Have not done any functional testing: http://vcfed.org/evan/darth.jpg Also came with this stand/port consolidator thingamajig: http://vcfed.org/evan/ports.jpg We have one floppy drive as well.

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Lo-Tech Z-80 Test Board
by Al Hartman 04 May '16

04 May '16

Thought people on the list might find this useful... https://www.lo-tech.co.uk/wiki/Lo-tech_Z80_CPU_Test_Adapter -[ Al ]-

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Steve Dompier's coding...
by Bill Sudbrink 04 May '16

04 May '16

I took a peek at the access logs for the Cromemco Dazzler files that I recently put up on my web server. I'm gratified to see that a lot of people are taking advantage of the availability of these documents, that have not recently (if ever) been easily available on the web. I also see that a lot of people took the Dazzlemation HEX file and the Magenta Martini paper tape image, presumably to run on Udo Monk's great Windows Cromemco Z1 simulator. Also, thanks to everyone that generated pdf files for me! One thing I noticed is that not many people looked at the disassembly of Dazzlemation. If you are an 8080 or Z80 programmer (or any 8-bitter for that matter) I really recommend that you take a look, it's a real treat. I'm reliably informed that Mr. Dompier hand wrote that program LITERALLY (hand, pencil, paper), no editor, no assembler. He then toggled it in (or maybe raw keyed it in with a primitive ROM monitor) and went through a few iterations of: 1) store to paper tape 2) modify in memory 3) test 4) go to 1 It's neat to see some of the "tricks" he used and also the level of sophistication of the code. It does a lot of stuff in not a lot of bytes. Also, here and there, in "dead" areas, you can also see the debris of ideas that he started and then abandoned. Bill S.

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Anyone live in/near Center City Philadelphia?
by Evan Koblentz 04 May '16

04 May '16

If so, then email me privately.

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XT-IDE rev 3 Preorder
by Systems Glitch 03 May '16

03 May '16

All, As discussed on the forums ( http://www.vcfed.org/forum/showthread.php?52343-Anyone-Selling-XT-IDE-Cards ) I'm doing a revision 3 of the XT-IDE board. The design is simplified and the routing is completely redone, and much cleaner! To gauge interest and try and guess at what size of initial order I need to do, I've put together a preorder form: http://www.glitchwrks.com/xt-ide/preorder This allows you to specify how many bare boards, kits, and/or assembled+tested units you're interested in. You'll get a confirmation email with a link to validate your preorder. If you don't validate within 48 hours, the preorder will be dropped. Thanks, Jonathan

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VT320 CRT replacement?
by David Riley 03 May '16

03 May '16

I have a VT320 with a pretty bad case of Being Old. The screen is so dim that even with all the lights off in the basement, it's difficult to read (and if it gets switched to 132-character mode, next to impossible). I know surplus caches of these CRTs pop up every once in a while, and I know other mono CRTs of the same size are often mechanically and electrically compatible, but I'm a bit at sea. Does anyone have pointers for acquiring such things? The current tube is amber, but I really don't care what color it is as long as it's legible. Failing that, how well do rejuvenators really work on these? My understanding is that it's usually a pretty temporary fix at best (like Retr0Brite). - Dave

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Lego LOGO: My childhood dream came true today!
by Evan Koblentz 02 May '16

02 May '16

This is awesome. In response to last week's call for vintage computer robotics help, Ben G. sent us his new-in-box Lego LOGO kit from 1986. I was 13 in 1987. My two favorite things were Legos and my Apple //e. I distinctly remember wishing for a way to combine them. We were learning BASIC in school, we'd already learned LOGO turtle graphics, and nobody ever told us that Lego ** DID ** have a kit for this. In adulthood I learned about Mindstorms but never bought any. My childhood dream had already been squashed. Today the package arrived from Ben. I opened it and turned 13 again. Thank you, Ben!!!!! This is an incredible setup and I can't wait to start playing wi... errr "testing" :) it ahead of HOPE. Check out these pictures: http://vcfed.org/evan/lego_logo/logo_manuals.jpg http://vcfed.org/evan/lego_logo/technic.jpg http://vcfed.org/evan/lego_logo/technic_inside.jpg http://vcfed.org/evan/lego_logo/technic_manual.jpg http://vcfed.org/evan/lego_logo/logo_disks.jpg It also has an IBM PC card (with printed instructions for interfacing to it), all the sensors/cables, and even the warranty card.... truly new-in-box. The actual Lego parts are in their original sealed plastic bags. I almost hate to open it! Obviously going to be extremely careful, unlike when I was child and ripped it all open. :)

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Cromemco Dazzler 40th birthday presents...
by Bill Sudbrink 02 May '16

02 May '16

Check it out: http://wsudbrink.dyndns.org:8080/dazzler.html More to come. Bill S.

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