- vcf-midatlantic - lists.vcfed.org

Game programming contest during Friday VCF East classes
by Evan Koblentz 17 Mar '16

17 Mar '16

Everyone, The game programming hackathon is ON thanks to Hackaday sponsoring it. There will be three 8-bit computers set up during the Friday classes. Two shifts -- 10:00am-12:30pm and 2:30pm-5:00pm. Contestants can use ONLY what's built into the computer. Nobody is allowed to bring code or books. (We'll supply a reference guide for each machine.) I'm sure some of you will complain that nothing good can be programmed in just 2.5 hours. This contest isn't for you. :) It's for adventurous people who like the challenge of a hackathon and who want bragging rights from victory! Of course, there will be a prize. Extra points for cleverness, entertainment value, stupidity, funny bugs, etc.

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Our new toys :)
by Evan Koblentz 17 Mar '16

17 Mar '16

>> It's an original. >> >> A recycling company, in the same area as where our UNIVAC came from, >> just happened to have all the same parts that ours is missing. That >> makes me very angry, because it probably means someone took the parts >> before we got to it and then flipped them for money. Further, when we >> approached the recycler with our story -- we're a museum, blah blah >> blah >> -- they basically said, "Tough (bleep), you want it, you pay our retail >> price for it." We told them NO and figured we could probably get a >> reproduction. Later, Corey L. took it upon himself to buy the faceplate >> so he could donate it to us. :) Now our Univac won't have an identity >> crisis every time it looks in the mirror. > > Arg. Well, thanks for the story. Is there a list somewhere of > what they have for sale/what "ours" needs? The only thing they had that we were "forced" to buy was the core memory, because we can't get that anywhere else. So we took a deep breath and bought it. They had some other pieces but they no longer do. We're very grateful that Corey L. bought the nameplate and made the donation to us, however, my general opinion of the recycling company that did this is... unfit to print.

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Stupid ebay ad of the day
by Evan Koblentz 17 Mar '16

17 Mar '16

Someone's asking $3,700 for an ordinary Apple //e. http://m.ebay.com/itm/Apple-IIe-computer-GREAT-Condition-/291686705122?nav=…

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Aarrgh! Last email was private
by Evan Koblentz 17 Mar '16

17 Mar '16

Very sorry, everyone -- last email was meant for VCF officers list. Please erase it.

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Our new toys :)
by Evan Koblentz 16 Mar '16

16 Mar '16

Two new toys arrived today. Our banner: http://vcfed.org/evan/banner.jpg Nameplate for the Univac (special thanks to Corey L.): http://vcfed.org/evan/1219face.jpg

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] Our new toys :)
by Evan Koblentz 16 Mar '16

16 Mar '16

>> Nameplate for the Univac (special thanks to Corey L.): >> http://vcfed.org/evan/1219face.jpg > > I seem to have missed the beginning of this so sorry if > it was already answered but, is that an original or a > reproduction? Most of the appearance suggests original > but the "1219" looks polished and new. It's an original. A recycling company, in the same area as where our UNIVAC came from, just happened to have all the same parts that ours is missing. That makes me very angry, because it probably means someone took the parts before we got to it and then flipped them for money. Further, when we approached the recycler with our story -- we're a museum, blah blah blah -- they basically said, "Tough (bleep), you want it, you pay our retail price for it." We told them NO and figured we could probably get a reproduction. Later, Corey L. took it upon himself to buy the faceplate so he could donate it to us. :) Now our Univac won't have an identity crisis every time it looks in the mirror.

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(Delayed) pictures from yesterday
by Evan Koblentz 16 Mar '16

16 Mar '16

Here are some pictures of the back half of the new room, in which you can see how the microcomputer exhibit is shaping up: http://vcfed.org/evan/long1.jpg http://vcfed.org/evan/long2.jpg There's a lot more work to do. For example, each station will get a backdrop, so visitors (and their pictures!) are not distracted by artifacts/walls behind the units. We determined that the most affordable way to do this is to use bolts of fabric. A bolt is a yard wide (same as each unit), up to 10 yards long, and can be purchased in almost any color. I called the fabric store and found out they'll even cut an entire bolt into a zillion slices for us. If we get them cut into 6-ft. lengths (same height as each shelving unit, then we can just attach them to the back of each unit, it makes a nice backdrop, and it's completely mobile with the unit itself. The question is, what color should be get? Beige? Off-white? Light gray? Light/medium blue? Note: In the second picture, the iMac + late-90s internet appliances are not part of the micro exhibit; they're part of the modern history exhibit. Will pick up some dark green fabric for its background so it matches the green wall across from it (shown in earlier pictures).

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Re: [vcf-midatlantic] (Delayed) pictures from yesterday
by Brian L. Stuart 15 Mar '16

15 Mar '16

> I would advise caution in the selection of material. If you get something > relatively fine-woven it will be a lot less likely to collect dust, though > relative immunity from static buildup helps there too (and is probably a > good idea anyway, considering the nature of the collection, heh!) I'd also suggest getting a sample and doing some test photography with it. There are some fabrics that flashes go through in such a way that the fabric almost becomes transparent. The photograph of me receiving my bachelor's degree has a really bizzare effect from the cheap rental robe where it appears you can see right through my leg. BLS

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VCF East - sponsors sought
by Evan Koblentz 15 Mar '16

15 Mar '16

Guys, We need more business sponsors for VCF East. If anyone has a specific lead (not a hypothetical one), then please contact me privately. - Evan

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This just in -- Ted Nelson @ VCF East, take two
by Evan Koblentz 15 Mar '16

15 Mar '16

Ted Nelson agreed to be our Sunday morning speaker.

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