- vcf-midatlantic - lists.vcfed.org

help for a HP86b in Italy
by Herb Johnson 08 Apr '16

08 Apr '16

I was contacted by someone in Italy, who is trying to get an HP86b computer and its GP-IB connected floppy drive back into operation. He has limited technical skills, and limited English. But he seems to be finding the right Web sites with information on the computer. The HP seems to be operating but not recognizing the drive; he'd cleaned the drive to get the gunky grease out. What he lacks, is some local help in his native Italy. USA discussion groups speak in colloquial English, hard to read and write. They won't be patient as he learns to describe actions in English. Myself, I've not worked much with these, I'd have to (re)learn them to help, which is not my priority. Who is working with these old HP desktop computers in Europe, these days? Herb Johnson -- Herbert R. Johnson, New Jersey USA http://www.retrotechnology.com OR .net

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Museum security
by Evan Koblentz 08 Apr '16

08 Apr '16

Guys, A member recently contacted another member, who in told informed me of the first member's security concerns (that someone could in theory take something small from our new space). There has NEVER been anything stolen from us. Obviously in a large collection things get misplaced from time to time, and once in a while somebody will move something without permission or without communicating it to someone else, etc., but we've NEVER had anything involving thievery occur. But if anyone is wondering, we DO have security plans: - We're going to set up the usual chains and/or ropes in front of all exhibits ahead of the show next week. We already have the stanchions in place. - The new space has a single entrance/exit (not counting emergency exits), unlike the old space which was four separate rooms each with its own door to the hallway, so it's less likely for someone to take something without us noticing (although that's never happened.) - There will be copious and prominent "Please don't touch" signs all around the new space. - There's going to be a chain and a "Staff only" sign separating the exhibits from the workshop area. - Post-show, I'd like to install sheets of plexi on the fronts of shelving carts that involve any machine with a front panel. - Also for post-show, we (the board) are considering ideas for creating some kind of walkway boundaries, perhaps with carpet runners or paint, which would encourage people to "stay within the lines" so to speak. (We're also considering a very creative way of painting the lines so that each part of the museum has its a unique "zone" with different themes.) - We may install an alarm and/or security cameras when resources allow. - Electric shock collars for all visitors. :)

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Museum security
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 08 Apr '16

08 Apr '16

Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic writes: >>> - Electric shock collars for all visitors. :) > > >http://img4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110424164520/memoryalpha/en/images/d/d… > >Also for certain club members.... Only if it's 208Vac 3-phase!

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Museum security
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 08 Apr '16

08 Apr '16

Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic writes: >Guys, > >A member recently contacted another member, who in told informed me of >the first member's security concerns (that someone could in theory take >something small from our new space). > >There has NEVER been anything stolen from us. > >Obviously in a large collection things get misplaced from time to time, >and once in a while somebody will move something without permission or >without communicating it to someone else, etc., but we've NEVER had >anything involving thievery occur. > >But if anyone is wondering, we DO have security plans: > >- We're going to set up the usual chains and/or ropes in front of all >exhibits ahead of the show next week. We already have the stanchions in >place. > >- The new space has a single entrance/exit (not counting emergency >exits), unlike the old space which was four separate rooms each with its >own door to the hallway, so it's less likely for someone to take >something without us noticing (although that's never happened.) > >- There will be copious and prominent "Please don't touch" signs all >around the new space. > >- There's going to be a chain and a "Staff only" sign separating the >exhibits from the workshop area. > >- Post-show, I'd like to install sheets of plexi on the fronts of >shelving carts that involve any machine with a front panel. > >- Also for post-show, we (the board) are considering ideas for creating >some kind of walkway boundaries, perhaps with carpet runners or paint, >which would encourage people to "stay within the lines" so to speak. >(We're also considering a very creative way of painting the lines so >that each part of the museum has its a unique "zone" with different >themes.) > >- We may install an alarm and/or security cameras when resources allow. > >- Electric shock collars for all visitors. :) http://img4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110424164520/memoryalpha/en/images/d/d…

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] museum report
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 08 Apr '16

08 Apr '16

Jeff Galinat via vcf-midatlantic writes: >On 4/8/2016 6:24 AM, Brian Schenkenberger via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > >What did you notch that with? A tree saw? A holesaw would have made a > >nice rounded corner cut. ;) Brian, We worked with the tools I had. I >had a circular saw & sawsall. Sorry if our work has not met your high >standards. Mock our efforts if you must, but you have not been in >attendance for these work sessions. In my book, that means you don't get >to criticize. There is still a lot of cleaning & setting up to do, >including sweeping & mopping the floors. We will be working Sunday, I >trust you you be stopping by to assist us? Regards, Jeff Galinat Where were you for the huge Jamesburg rescue? The Toms River rescue? And myriad others? Don't sling the shit when you're not there to wade through it (Jamesburg) with the others. Evan's called on me many times to employ my SUV and my trailer as the transport for much of what sits in the storage area. I've gone above and beyond the call of duty several times, despite requests NOT TO MOVE OR LIFT objects when I had my torn elbow ligamants; yet, there I was stuck moving and lifting. I spent 2 years of my life in plaster with 34 broken bones on the mend and another year learning to walk again. I live in constant pain from that -- exaccerbated now by my age -- and I have been there to move and lift a lot of crap about at the museum. So, please don't shower me with your self-indignation because you were there with your sawsall. It's stuff like this that keeps me from participating in the requested efforts.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] museum report
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 08 Apr '16

08 Apr '16

Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic writes: >{...snip...} >Brian: I know you're teasing about the way we trimmed the plywood. >Martin= : Nice of you to offer but our need was immediate. I was kidding. However, my comment WRT aesthetics holds. If there's a tool not available, there's this list -- use it and ask. I'm not far. If I have something needed, I'd offer it. I might not be in a position to rocket over to InfoAge to deliver it but I'd certainly try to get you what you may need.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] museum report
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 08 Apr '16

08 Apr '16

Evan Koblentz via vcf-midatlantic writes: >Jeff G. and I got to the museum at 8am today. JG stayed to about 4pm, >then I worked solo for a while; Jeff B. stopped by around 8:30pm and >helped for a while. Then I helped him with his VCF East exhibit until >10. How late did he stay after I left? You'd have to ask him! > >Jeff G. and I spent the first two hours planning and re-making the the >PDP-8 storage cart. Didn't want to rush this time. :) We cut a thick >piece of plywood for the entire width of the top shelf, lowered the >shelf one inch to the posts stick up at each corner, and notched the >plywood for the posts so the wood can't slide out. It worked quite well. >See this picture: http://vcfed.org/evan/8top.jpg ... one of these days What did you notch that with? A tree saw? A holesaw would have made a nice rounded corner cut. ;) >I'll shop for black rubber or plastic caps to fit into the poles. You >can see the complete bottom shelf, added for stability, in this picture: >http://vcfed.org/evan/8front.jpg. What's thin inside/outside diameter? There's a well stocked hardware store here which has such caps. I just purchased some for the legs of my currnet high power rocketry launch rail project. Let me know the sizes and I get a set for you before VCF. >Oh and we replaced the VT-100 with a DECwriter III aka LA-120. Cleaned >that up and it looks almost new (from a few feet away): >http://vcfed.org/evan/la120.jpg. Where's the tractor and printhead/platten cover?

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] museum report
by VAXman＠tmesis.org 08 Apr '16

08 Apr '16

Jeff Galinat via vcf-midatlantic writes: >On 4/8/2016 6:24 AM, Brian Schenkenberger via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > >What did you notch that with? A tree saw? A holesaw would have made a > >nice rounded corner cut. ;) Brian, We worked with the tools I had. I >had a circular saw & sawsall. Sorry if our work has not met your high >standards. Mock our efforts if you must, but you have not been in >attendance for these work sessions. In my book, that means you don't get >to criticize. There is still a lot of cleaning & setting up to do, >including sweeping & mopping the floors. We will be working Sunday, I >trust you you be stopping by to assist us? Regards, Jeff Galinat When all you possess is a hammer, all your problems look like nails. ;) It's just that, IMNSHO, aesthetics *do* matter.

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Commodore equipment needed for VCF
by Jeffrey Brace 07 Apr '16

07 Apr '16

So I'm quite surprised that no one stepped forward to lend me Commodore equipment. I was able to borrow from VCF and find equipment on my own. I was able to get enough C64 and backups. I was able to get enough monitors with one to spare, but wish all of them are not 1702. I would need 2 more. I have enough power supplies, cables etc. Oh well. Should be good enough, but not perfect! Jeff Brace

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museum report
by Evan Koblentz 07 Apr '16

07 Apr '16

Jeff G. and I got to the museum at 8am today. JG stayed to about 4pm, then I worked solo for a while; Jeff B. stopped by around 8:30pm and helped for a while. Then I helped him with his VCF East exhibit until 10. How late did he stay after I left? You'd have to ask him! Jeff G. and I spent the first two hours planning and re-making the the PDP-8 storage cart. Didn't want to rush this time. :) We cut a thick piece of plywood for the entire width of the top shelf, lowered the shelf one inch to the posts stick up at each corner, and notched the plywood for the posts so the wood can't slide out. It worked quite well. See this picture: http://vcfed.org/evan/8top.jpg ... one of these days I'll shop for black rubber or plastic caps to fit into the poles. You can see the complete bottom shelf, added for stability, in this picture: http://vcfed.org/evan/8front.jpg. We used the rest of the day to go on a computer-cleaning binge. We attacked every system with baby wipes and/or paper towels and/or 409 spray and/or Goo Gone and/or scrubbing sponges. The results are dramatic! I didn't take before/after pictures, but many of the systems were yellowed and dirty... and now they're only yellowed. :) Many others were simply dirty and now they're surprisingly clean. A good example if the Prime 6550. The metal panels were almost gray and nasty before; now they're nearly white. The bottom vents were yellowed and hideously covered in grime; now they're only yellowed and kind of bright. Check it out: http://vcfed.org/evan/prime.jpg. Oh and we replaced the VT-100 with a DECwriter III aka LA-120. Cleaned that up and it looks almost new (from a few feet away): http://vcfed.org/evan/la120.jpg. So what's left? I'm almost done make the files for all the signs; hoping to bring those in and print them on our new printer this weekend. Have to put up ropes and/or chains around the exhibits, put our sign outside the building, hang a bunch of pictures etc. (if there's time), clean up the workshop area, tie back a bunch of cables, and then declare the new museum "good enough" to open in beta mode for VCF East next week. Anyone who thinks we could have done more with the resources/time available should have donated more resources or their time. :)

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