Hi all, I’ve been sat in my spare room over several years fixing, restoring and tinkering with old machines, usually with the likes of Adrian’s Digital Basement or Usagi Electric on the TV to keep me company. I only really learnt about the VCF recently… but since then, I’ve got the idea in my head of (carefully) throwing a bunch of my British home computers — and maybe an Atari or two — in a suitcase and flying over to the US to exhibit at VCF East 2024. Does that sound like it’d be of interest? I’d bring all that I could — a selection of BBC Micros, Acorn Archimedes, Amstrad CPCs, etc. Whatever I could fit in 23 kilos! I’d happily let anyone have a play around on them and share whatever I know. I suppose I’m asking where the ‘bar’ is for exhibiting. I’m certainly no Adrian or David — just a guy with a soldering iron and an oscilloscope and too much time on his hands. But I do love these old machines and it’d be nice to share. If it’s not quite what the festival needs, I’m still planning on flying over in April to attend even if I don’t exhibit! Any thoughts appreciated! Cheers, Chris
This sounds like a wonderful exhibit! Focusing on british systems would be welcome, as there'll be plenty of interest! On Thu, Jun 1, 2023 at 9:02 PM Chris Platts via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
Hi all,
I’ve been sat in my spare room over several years fixing, restoring and tinkering with old machines, usually with the likes of Adrian’s Digital Basement or Usagi Electric on the TV to keep me company.
I only really learnt about the VCF recently… but since then, I’ve got the idea in my head of (carefully) throwing a bunch of my British home computers — and maybe an Atari or two — in a suitcase and flying over to the US to exhibit at VCF East 2024.
Does that sound like it’d be of interest? I’d bring all that I could — a selection of BBC Micros, Acorn Archimedes, Amstrad CPCs, etc. Whatever I could fit in 23 kilos! I’d happily let anyone have a play around on them and share whatever I know.
I suppose I’m asking where the ‘bar’ is for exhibiting. I’m certainly no Adrian or David — just a guy with a soldering iron and an oscilloscope and too much time on his hands. But I do love these old machines and it’d be nice to share.
If it’s not quite what the festival needs, I’m still planning on flying over in April to attend even if I don’t exhibit!
Any thoughts appreciated!
Cheers, Chris
-- Dave Shevett shevett@pobox.com
I agree. You'd meet a lot of people who would be interested in British computers. If you're around for a little while you can also visit Kennett Classic (which is about 2 hours south west) and System Source's computer museum (which is an additional 1.5 hours south). Bill Degnan On Thu, Jun 1, 2023 at 9:05 PM Dave Shevett via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
This sounds like a wonderful exhibit! Focusing on british systems would be welcome, as there'll be plenty of interest!
On Thu, Jun 1, 2023 at 9:02 PM Chris Platts via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
Hi all,
I’ve been sat in my spare room over several years fixing, restoring and tinkering with old machines, usually with the likes of Adrian’s Digital Basement or Usagi Electric on the TV to keep me company.
I only really learnt about the VCF recently… but since then, I’ve got the idea in my head of (carefully) throwing a bunch of my British home computers — and maybe an Atari or two — in a suitcase and flying over to the US to exhibit at VCF East 2024.
Does that sound like it’d be of interest? I’d bring all that I could — a selection of BBC Micros, Acorn Archimedes, Amstrad CPCs, etc. Whatever I could fit in 23 kilos! I’d happily let anyone have a play around on them and share whatever I know.
I suppose I’m asking where the ‘bar’ is for exhibiting. I’m certainly no Adrian or David — just a guy with a soldering iron and an oscilloscope and too much time on his hands. But I do love these old machines and it’d be nice to share.
If it’s not quite what the festival needs, I’m still planning on flying over in April to attend even if I don’t exhibit!
Any thoughts appreciated!
Cheers, Chris
-- Dave Shevett shevett@pobox.com
British computers have been underrepresented at VCFe, so your exhibit would be more than welcome! I look forward to seeing it! On Thu, Jun 1, 2023 at 9:13 PM Bill Degnan via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
I agree. You'd meet a lot of people who would be interested in British computers. If you're around for a little while you can also visit Kennett Classic (which is about 2 hours south west) and System Source's computer museum (which is an additional 1.5 hours south). Bill Degnan
On Thu, Jun 1, 2023 at 9:05 PM Dave Shevett via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
This sounds like a wonderful exhibit! Focusing on british systems would be welcome, as there'll be plenty of interest!
On Thu, Jun 1, 2023 at 9:02 PM Chris Platts via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
Hi all,
I’ve been sat in my spare room over several years fixing, restoring and tinkering with old machines, usually with the likes of Adrian’s Digital Basement or Usagi Electric on the TV to keep me company.
I only really learnt about the VCF recently… but since then, I’ve got the idea in my head of (carefully) throwing a bunch of my British home computers — and maybe an Atari or two — in a suitcase and flying over to the US to exhibit at VCF East 2024.
Does that sound like it’d be of interest? I’d bring all that I could — a selection of BBC Micros, Acorn Archimedes, Amstrad CPCs, etc. Whatever I could fit in 23 kilos! I’d happily let anyone have a play around on them and share whatever I know.
I suppose I’m asking where the ‘bar’ is for exhibiting. I’m certainly no Adrian or David — just a guy with a soldering iron and an oscilloscope and too much time on his hands. But I do love these old machines and it’d be nice to share.
If it’s not quite what the festival needs, I’m still planning on flying over in April to attend even if I don’t exhibit!
Any thoughts appreciated!
Cheers, Chris
-- Dave Shevett shevett@pobox.com
Hello Chris, I'm the showrunner for VCF East. Glad to hear that you are interested in exhibiting! Even better, you are willing to fly across the pond to do it! British computers would be a welcome exhibit for our show. Rules for exhibiting can be found on this page: https://vcfed.org/events/vintage-computer-festival-east/vcf-east-exhibits/vc... Jeff Brace On Thu, Jun 1, 2023 at 9:02 PM Chris Platts via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
Hi all,
I’ve been sat in my spare room over several years fixing, restoring and tinkering with old machines, usually with the likes of Adrian’s Digital Basement or Usagi Electric on the TV to keep me company.
I only really learnt about the VCF recently… but since then, I’ve got the idea in my head of (carefully) throwing a bunch of my British home computers — and maybe an Atari or two — in a suitcase and flying over to the US to exhibit at VCF East 2024.
Does that sound like it’d be of interest? I’d bring all that I could — a selection of BBC Micros, Acorn Archimedes, Amstrad CPCs, etc. Whatever I could fit in 23 kilos! I’d happily let anyone have a play around on them and share whatever I know.
I suppose I’m asking where the ‘bar’ is for exhibiting. I’m certainly no Adrian or David — just a guy with a soldering iron and an oscilloscope and too much time on his hands. But I do love these old machines and it’d be nice to share.
If it’s not quite what the festival needs, I’m still planning on flying over in April to attend even if I don’t exhibit!
Any thoughts appreciated!
Cheers, Chris
On Thu, Jun 1, 2023 at 9:02 PM Chris Platts via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
I’ve got the idea in my head of (carefully) throwing a bunch of my British home computers — and maybe an Atari or two — in a suitcase and flying over to the US to exhibit at VCF East 2024.
I think it's a fantastic plan. As already mentioned, British computers are underrepresented. At the second job I had, back in 1984, we supported the Apple II, the Commodore 64, and the BBC Micro. I have only seen a few since then. It will be fun to see one again. -ethan
That's a great idea! It is definitely what the festival needs, We don't get to see too many of those systems. Plus it would be great to just meet and say "Hi!". On Thu, Jun 1, 2023 at 9:02 PM Chris Platts via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
Hi all,
I’ve been sat in my spare room over several years fixing, restoring and tinkering with old machines, usually with the likes of Adrian’s Digital Basement or Usagi Electric on the TV to keep me company.
I only really learnt about the VCF recently… but since then, I’ve got the idea in my head of (carefully) throwing a bunch of my British home computers — and maybe an Atari or two — in a suitcase and flying over to the US to exhibit at VCF East 2024.
Does that sound like it’d be of interest? I’d bring all that I could — a selection of BBC Micros, Acorn Archimedes, Amstrad CPCs, etc. Whatever I could fit in 23 kilos! I’d happily let anyone have a play around on them and share whatever I know.
I suppose I’m asking where the ‘bar’ is for exhibiting. I’m certainly no Adrian or David — just a guy with a soldering iron and an oscilloscope and too much time on his hands. But I do love these old machines and it’d be nice to share.
If it’s not quite what the festival needs, I’m still planning on flying over in April to attend even if I don’t exhibit!
Any thoughts appreciated!
Cheers, Chris
That sounds great! Would love to see those computers! I probably won’t be able to go (I’m busy around that time of year) but at least I can see them in the YouTube videos and livestreams. -Charlie :) On Fri, Jun 2, 2023 at 6:32 AM Christian Liendo via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
That's a great idea! It is definitely what the festival needs, We don't get to see too many of those systems.
Plus it would be great to just meet and say "Hi!".
On Thu, Jun 1, 2023 at 9:02 PM Chris Platts via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
Hi all,
I’ve been sat in my spare room over several years fixing, restoring and
tinkering with old machines, usually with the likes of Adrian’s Digital Basement or Usagi Electric on the TV to keep me company.
I only really learnt about the VCF recently… but since then, I’ve got
the idea in my head of (carefully) throwing a bunch of my British home computers — and maybe an Atari or two — in a suitcase and flying over to the US to exhibit at VCF East 2024.
Does that sound like it’d be of interest? I’d bring all that I could —
a selection of BBC Micros, Acorn Archimedes, Amstrad CPCs, etc. Whatever I could fit in 23 kilos! I’d happily let anyone have a play around on them and share whatever I know.
I suppose I’m asking where the ‘bar’ is for exhibiting. I’m certainly
no Adrian or David — just a guy with a soldering iron and an oscilloscope and too much time on his hands. But I do love these old machines and it’d be nice to share.
If it’s not quite what the festival needs, I’m still planning on flying
over in April to attend even if I don’t exhibit!
Any thoughts appreciated!
Cheers, Chris
It would be a great exhibit! We have had a few places in Europe represented at VCF East. We have a team that frequently brings a whole table of French offerings and occasionally we see eastern block offerings mixed in to an exhibit. More BBC and the like would be very welcome. Heck it wasn't until about 5 years ago that began even becoming aware of what happened in home computing across the pond while we were producing Apple IIs, PETs & C64s, TRS-80s and CP/M machines. I dare say you will have a blast doing it too. Its a great excuse to plan a big USA trip too! -Doug Crawford On 6/1/2023 9:00 PM, Chris Platts via vcf-midatlantic wrote:
Hi all,
I’ve been sat in my spare room over several years fixing, restoring and tinkering with old machines, usually with the likes of Adrian’s Digital Basement or Usagi Electric on the TV to keep me company.
I only really learnt about the VCF recently… but since then, I’ve got the idea in my head of (carefully) throwing a bunch of my British home computers — and maybe an Atari or two — in a suitcase and flying over to the US to exhibit at VCF East 2024.
Does that sound like it’d be of interest? I’d bring all that I could — a selection of BBC Micros, Acorn Archimedes, Amstrad CPCs, etc. Whatever I could fit in 23 kilos! I’d happily let anyone have a play around on them and share whatever I know.
I suppose I’m asking where the ‘bar’ is for exhibiting. I’m certainly no Adrian or David — just a guy with a soldering iron and an oscilloscope and too much time on his hands. But I do love these old machines and it’d be nice to share.
If it’s not quite what the festival needs, I’m still planning on flying over in April to attend even if I don’t exhibit!
Any thoughts appreciated!
Cheers, Chris
Does that sound like it’d be of interest? I’d bring all that I could — a selection of BBC Micros, Acorn Archimedes, Amstrad CPCs, etc. Whatever I could fit in 23 kilos! I’d happily let anyone have a play around on them and share whatever I know.
Hello Chris! I usually am working at VCF East in other capacities so I can't exhibit but I fairly recently bought a Sinclair Spectrum +2 (Curry's outfit) boxed and a +3. I have rebuilt the +3 PSU for 100-250vac use and replaced drive belts on both. I could let you use both of those for your exhibit to help reduce the amount of stuff you need to bring by plane! - Ethan
Great idea, we would be glad to have you, and as you can see from the number of responses there seems to be significant interest in seeing British computing on display! As Ethan mentioned, there are likely others here who would be happy to collaborate with you and fill in some gaps if needed. I'm happy to offer my Acorn Electron and boxed set of Sinclair's US stepchildren :-) Collaborations are also helpful during the festival itself as others can look after your display from time to time so you have the opportunity to walk around and experience more of what VCF East has to offer. -----Original Message----- From: vcf-midatlantic [mailto:vcf-midatlantic-bounces@lists.vcfed.org] On Behalf Of Chris Platts via vcf-midatlantic Sent: Thursday, June 1, 2023 9:00 PM To: vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org Cc: Chris Platts <chris.platts@gmail.com> Subject: [vcf-midatlantic] Thoughts on exhibiting Hi all, I’ve been sat in my spare room over several years fixing, restoring and tinkering with old machines, usually with the likes of Adrian’s Digital Basement or Usagi Electric on the TV to keep me company. I only really learnt about the VCF recently… but since then, I’ve got the idea in my head of (carefully) throwing a bunch of my British home computers — and maybe an Atari or two — in a suitcase and flying over to the US to exhibit at VCF East 2024. Does that sound like it’d be of interest? I’d bring all that I could — a selection of BBC Micros, Acorn Archimedes, Amstrad CPCs, etc. Whatever I could fit in 23 kilos! I’d happily let anyone have a play around on them and share whatever I know. I suppose I’m asking where the ‘bar’ is for exhibiting. I’m certainly no Adrian or David — just a guy with a soldering iron and an oscilloscope and too much time on his hands. But I do love these old machines and it’d be nice to share. If it’s not quite what the festival needs, I’m still planning on flying over in April to attend even if I don’t exhibit! Any thoughts appreciated! Cheers, Chris
participants (11)
-
Bill Degnan -
Charlie's Computers -
Chris Platts -
Christian Liendo -
Dave Shevett -
Dean Notarnicola -
Douglas Crawford -
Ethan Dicks -
Ethan O'Toole -
Jeffrey Brace -
W. Bryan Caudle