What projects are you working on?
During this time of year many of us are off work or inside for one reason or another. I'm curious what projects everyone is working on. -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President & Board Member Vintage Computer Festival East Show-runner Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey@vcfed.org cell: 732-759-1783
Fixing up VCRs and computers mostly...if the parts to do so ever arrive, that is. On Mon, Dec 28, 2020, 1:00 PM Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
During this time of year many of us are off work or inside for one reason or another. I'm curious what projects everyone is working on.
-- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President & Board Member Vintage Computer Festival East Show-runner Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey@vcfed.org cell: 732-759-1783
If you are waiting for parts to be delivered by USPS good luck because I had to wait weeks for something to come. Sent from: My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device.
On Dec 28, 2020, at 1:04 PM, Vincent B via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
Fixing up VCRs and computers mostly...if the parts to do so ever arrive, that is.
On Mon, Dec 28, 2020, 1:00 PM Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
During this time of year many of us are off work or inside for one reason or another. I'm curious what projects everyone is working on.
-- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President & Board Member Vintage Computer Festival East Show-runner Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey@vcfed.org cell: 732-759-1783
- 3D printed case(s) for Coco SDC devices. - Installing aftermarket LCD displays for Radio Shack PC-3 pocket computers. -Zorba boot disks. ... to name a few. On Mon, Dec 28, 2020, 1:00 PM Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
During this time of year many of us are off work or inside for one reason or another. I'm curious what projects everyone is working on.
-- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President & Board Member Vintage Computer Festival East Show-runner Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey@vcfed.org cell: 732-759-1783
During this time of year many of us are off work or inside for one reason or another. I'm curious what projects everyone is working on.
When I get back home: - Getting CP/M running on S100 IMSAI along with NorthStar DOS - Repairing an Atari 800XL that has been KICKING MY BUTT. I can't figure it out, I've swapped most ICs and re-socketed a lot. - Working with a friend on a multi-card for the Korg Wavestation EX synthesizers (Flash card that replaces old SRAM cards like the Atari Portfolio uses.) - Replacing all the batteries in my Mac/IIGS/NeXT 3 of my pinball machines need work as well. Minor things, but the CPUs reboot when both flippers are smacked. Common issue on mid 90s Williams machines. Tried to disable the lockout chip on a Nintendo console and now it doesn't work (uh oh.) Need to crack it back open.
Ha, too many projects: * New S100 plastic case for my “test” system. * VIC-20 recreation on an S100 card sized board. * SCSI expansion card for the Retrobrew SBC series. There are some other random things too, but that’s the bulk of it. Rich http://www.classiccmp.org/cini Long Island S100 User’s Group Get Outlook<https://aka.ms/qtex0l> for iOS ________________________________ From: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic-bounces@lists.vcfed.org> on behalf of Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> Sent: Monday, December 28, 2020 1:00:00 PM To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> Cc: Jeffrey Brace <jeffrey@vcfed.org> Subject: [vcf-midatlantic] What projects are you working on? During this time of year many of us are off work or inside for one reason or another. I'm curious what projects everyone is working on. -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President & Board Member Vintage Computer Festival East Show-runner Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey@vcfed.org cell: 732-759-1783
On 12/28/20 1:23 PM, Richard Cini via vcf-midatlantic wrote:
Ha, too many projects:
* New S100 plastic case for my “test” system. * VIC-20 recreation on an S100 card sized board. * SCSI expansion card for the Retrobrew SBC series.
I just found a bunch of 53C80 chips. I think I purchased them in the 80's. Which boards are you working on or is this a generic SBC? -- Linux Home Automation Neil Cherry ncherry@linuxha.com http://www.linuxha.com/ Main site http://linuxha.blogspot.com/ My HA Blog Author of: Linux Smart Homes For Dummies
The Retrobrew ECB is a great series -- 160mm x 100mm. Virtually all through-hole construction. Software is great. I have maybe 25-ish different CPU and peripheral cards. For the CPU, I have a 65816, Z80, 80188 and 68008. I've designed a couple of cards for the series. I'm working with John Monahan on getting this working with his SBC188, which is an 80188-based SBC that runs MSDOS. Right now, we're figuring out the DMA part since the '188 kind of stinks at it. Rich -- Rich Cini http://www.classiccmp.org/cini http://www.classiccmp.org/altair32 On 12/28/20, 1:39 PM, "Neil Cherry" <ncherry@linuxha.com> wrote: On 12/28/20 1:23 PM, Richard Cini via vcf-midatlantic wrote: > Ha, too many projects: > > * New S100 plastic case for my “test” system. > * VIC-20 recreation on an S100 card sized board. > * SCSI expansion card for the Retrobrew SBC series. I just found a bunch of 53C80 chips. I think I purchased them in the 80's. Which boards are you working on or is this a generic SBC? -- Linux Home Automation Neil Cherry ncherry@linuxha.com http://www.linuxha.com/ Main site http://linuxha.blogspot.com/ My HA Blog Author of: Linux Smart Homes For Dummies
On 12/28/20 1:46 PM, Richard Cini via vcf-midatlantic wrote:
The Retrobrew ECB is a great series -- 160mm x 100mm. Virtually all through-hole construction. Software is great. I have maybe 25-ish different CPU and peripheral cards. For the CPU, I have a 65816, Z80, 80188 and 68008. I've designed a couple of cards for the series.
I have an original, first-run N8VEM ECB SBC. Such a neat little machine. I love in in spite of all that awful through-hole crap. ;)
I'm working with John Monahan on getting this working with his SBC188, which is an 80188-based SBC that runs MSDOS. Right now, we're figuring out the DMA part since the '188 kind of stinks at it.
That will be a neat board; I'll grab one when you folks finish it. Good luck with your DMA issues. -Dave -- Dave McGuire, AK4HZ New Kensington, PA
On 12/28/20 1:00 PM, Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic wrote:
During this time of year many of us are off work or inside for one reason or another. I'm curious what projects everyone is working on.
Besides the normal home stuff, some cycling (worn parts need to be replaced). But for vintage stuff: Investigating USB <-> vintage computer (CoCo 1, MC10 and ZX81 are the proto systems for this attention) Translating the ZX81 1KChess to my 6809 SBC board. :-) BCC180/HCS2 board work. Glitch's 8085 board (still need the ROM image) New 68HC11 processor for my EVB Work on the OScope -- Linux Home Automation Neil Cherry ncherry@linuxha.com http://www.linuxha.com/ Main site http://linuxha.blogspot.com/ My HA Blog Author of: Linux Smart Homes For Dummies
I’ve been working on the SGUG-RSE 0.0.7 Release… SGUG-RSE is the Silicon Graphics User Group RPM Software Env. We have been working for a few years on porting over a modern GNU toolchain for IRIX 6.5.x SGI systems. On Christmas the 7th beta release was announced. Lots to do to get that ready, promote it and help get SGI users actually upgraded and using it to build more software. There are now over 1000 modern packages (in RPM format) in the 007 release. We have some GTK3 gui apps and are also now working on remote yum repos with local dependency management using the new package tool DNF – the next version of yum for RPM packages. https://github.com/sgidevnet/sgug-rse/releases/tag/v0.0.7beta -andy p.s. also playing with my new M1 Apple MacBook Air. A very cool mac laptop that uses Apple’s ARM cpu and not an Intel cpu. From: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic-bounces@lists.vcfed.org> Date: Monday, December 28, 2020 at 1:00 PM To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> Cc: Jeffrey Brace <jeffrey@vcfed.org> Subject: [vcf-midatlantic] What projects are you working on? During this time of year many of us are off work or inside for one reason or another. I'm curious what projects everyone is working on. -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President & Board Member Vintage Computer Festival East Show-runner Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey@vcfed.org cell: 732-759-1783
Well, since I received the boot software from Ethan for my Amiga 1000, I am checking it out and getting my Commodore 1084S monitor working and setting that up. Making sure it all works. I will then have to download some software, but I have to figure out how to get it onto floppy discs. Then once the 1000 is done, I’ll move onto the 2000. Hopefully I have the correct boot software for that. But I don’t have a keyboard for the 2000, so I’m going to have to make up some sort of an adapter for the 1000 keyboard to work on the 2000. I’ve also acquired a whole bunch of Commodore 64 stuff, software and even a voice synthesizer. (Software) That’ll be my next project after the 2000 is completely tested. If I don’t have the 2000 done by the time comes, I will most likely bring it to the workshop. Mike Rosen Sent from: My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device.
On Dec 28, 2020, at 1:00 PM, Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
During this time of year many of us are off work or inside for one reason or another. I'm curious what projects everyone is working on.
-- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President & Board Member Vintage Computer Festival East Show-runner Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey@vcfed.org cell: 732-759-1783
On 12/28/20 1:00 PM, Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic wrote:
During this time of year many of us are off work or inside for one reason or another. I'm curious what projects everyone is working on.
I'm always "inside". That's where I belong. ;) This being one of those rare occasions where I'm actually doing something for *me*, I'm in the process of resurrecting my old IMSAI system. The only thing "IMSAI" about it is chassis, no IMSAI boards...it's got a CCS 2810A CPU, a DRC/Tanner 64KB RAM board that I built ~36 years ago, and a Tarbell disk controller. (and several other boards of course, but that's the core of the system) It was originally in a nice ECT chassis when I got it in 1984 or so, but I bought the IMSAI chassis at TCF (of 1985 I think) for fifty bucks, and transplanted it. I lost track of the ECT chassis, probably sold it but don't remember, but I purchased another one (these are quite rare) from Jeff Galinat a year ago. I'll build another system in that, probably with a stack of new S-100 boards from the John Monahan side of the world. My original 8" drives are long gone (don't know where they went) but I've replaced them. All of my disks appear to have been lost, which sucks a lot, so I'm re-porting CP/M 2.2 to the system, writing a new BIOS. I've not done that in awhile, but it's like riding a bike. It sure is nice seeing those lights blink again. I'd not powered this machine up in probably 32 years. Seven or eight tantalum capacitors doing their popcorn impression, but no other issues thus far. Other than that, I'm writing some ARM firmware for a client, and working on various random things for LSSM. -Dave -- Dave McGuire, AK4HZ New Kensington, PA
On 12/28/20 2:17 PM, Tony Bogan wrote:
Other than that, I'm writing some ARM firmware for a client, and working on various random things for LSSM.
Tektronix?? Can’t wait to see that guy running!
Me too, but not yet. We have some logistics difficulties with that system right now. (no clear table space handy on which to dig into it) No, today I'm doing some back-and-forth donations negotiations, and working on finances. Definitely not the fun part, but the fun part is all of 5% of the work. (and the only part anyone else ever wants to do!) -Dave -- Dave McGuire, AK4HZ New Kensington, PA
Yes that’s what happens when you own a business. You have to wear many hats. Sent from: My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device.
On Dec 28, 2020, at 2:29 PM, Dave McGuire via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
On 12/28/20 2:17 PM, Tony Bogan wrote:
Other than that, I'm writing some ARM firmware for a client, and working on various random things for LSSM. Tektronix?? Can’t wait to see that guy running!
Me too, but not yet. We have some logistics difficulties with that system right now. (no clear table space handy on which to dig into it)
No, today I'm doing some back-and-forth donations negotiations, and working on finances. Definitely not the fun part, but the fun part is all of 5% of the work. (and the only part anyone else ever wants to do!)
-Dave
-- Dave McGuire, AK4HZ New Kensington, PA
Well, I do run a business...but LSSM isn't it. So I'm having to wear twice as many hats. I went into the startup/small company world ~30yrs ago, because I don't put up with suits and their BS, so I'm no stranger to being chief cook and bottle washer. But it does get tiring after awhile. -Dave On 12/28/20 3:02 PM, Sentrytv wrote:
Yes that’s what happens when you own a business. You have to wear many hats.
Sent from: My extremely complicated, hand held electronic device.
On Dec 28, 2020, at 2:29 PM, Dave McGuire via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
On 12/28/20 2:17 PM, Tony Bogan wrote:
Other than that, I'm writing some ARM firmware for a client, and working on various random things for LSSM. Tektronix?? Can’t wait to see that guy running!
Me too, but not yet. We have some logistics difficulties with that system right now. (no clear table space handy on which to dig into it)
No, today I'm doing some back-and-forth donations negotiations, and working on finances. Definitely not the fun part, but the fun part is all of 5% of the work. (and the only part anyone else ever wants to do!)
-Dave
-- Dave McGuire, AK4HZ New Kensington, PA
-- Dave McGuire, AK4HZ New Kensington, PA
I moved a few months ago, so I'm still setting up my new home workshop. I've enjoyed building a more substantial desk layout that accommodates way more computers than my previous one. I've also been able to put all of my books, software boxes, and other assorted trinkets on shelves for the first time since 2013, which is a really nice feeling. Arranging all that stuff and running cables has taken most of my time since then, and will likely continue to be a priority for awhile longer. My new workbench will be here in about 2 weeks, then I need to figure out how to arrange my soldering and test equipment. I was hoping to find a shelf deep enough to support my scope and logic analyzer to sit over top of the bench, but I'm not finding any options of the right size that can hold the combined weight. In the meantime, I've been testing my pile of PC floppy drives and a Commodore 1540. The latter of which needs realignment, and the former have been a mixed bag of working/not working. I've also got a Glitch Works R6501Q SBC awaiting assembly when I have a place to actually solder. After that, I need to open up my new-to-me SL-1700 turntable and figure out what's wrong with the right channel and the speed control. -Alexander 'Z' Pierson
On Monday, December 28, 2020, 1:00:27 PM EST, Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
During this time of year many of us are off work or inside for one reasonor another.I'm curious what projects everyone is working on.--
With the 75th anniversary of the unveiling of the ENIAC coming up, I'm sure it comes as no surprise that most of my time has been focused on that. I'm currently in the process of recreating the demo that was done at the unveiling. Alas, the Christmas stocking didn't contain a large stash of round tuits. I did get a couple of cool Lego sets though. BLS
On Mon, Dec 28, 2020 at 2:38 PM Brian L. Stuart <blstuart@bellsouth.net> wrote:
On Monday, December 28, 2020, 1:00:27 PM EST, Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
During this time of year many of us are off work or inside for one reasonor another.I'm curious what projects everyone is working on.--
With the 75th anniversary of the unveiling of the ENIAC coming up, I'm sure it comes as no surprise that most of my time has been focused on that. I'm currently in the process of recreating the demo that was done at the unveiling.
Alas, the Christmas stocking didn't contain a large stash of round tuits. I did get a couple of cool Lego sets though.
We got the Lego Avent Calendar, which was fun to build a piece everyday! :)
BLS
-- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President & Board Member Vintage Computer Festival East Show-runner Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey@vcfed.org cell: 732-759-1783 <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail&utm_term=icon> Virus-free. www.avast.com <https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail&utm_term=link> <#DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>
On Mon, Dec 28, 2020 at 2:44 PM Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
Alas, the Christmas stocking didn't contain a large stash of round tuits. I did get a couple of cool Lego sets though.
We got the Lego Avent Calendar, which was fun to build a piece everyday! :)
Like most years, I gave and received LEGO... this year I got the ISS (and a couple of smaller items). That should be a fun build. I'll probably suspend it over my Saturn V once I get a case for it. -ethan
Intensifying work on straightening and cataloging collection and lab. I've been working on this since I started working from home. I just about have this to the point that I can start working on restoring a Northstar Horizon that I promised someone before COVID. As a matter of fact, I think I can put a few hours in on it today. Bill S. -----Original Message----- From: vcf-midatlantic [mailto:vcf-midatlantic-bounces@lists.vcfed.org] On Behalf Of Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic Sent: Monday, December 28, 2020 1:00 PM To: vcf-midatlantic Cc: Jeffrey Brace Subject: [vcf-midatlantic] What projects are you working on? During this time of year many of us are off work or inside for one reason or another. I'm curious what projects everyone is working on. -- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President & Board Member Vintage Computer Festival East Show-runner Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey@vcfed.org cell: 732-759-1783 -- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. https://www.avast.com/antivirus
On Mon, Dec 28, 2020 at 1:00 PM Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
I'm curious what projects everyone is working on.
I've been doing a lot of software projects in recent weeks - disassembling and commenting 6502 application code from the 70s and 80s. On the bench, I just received (after 2+ months of waiting) some edge connectors to finish constructing the memory/expansion board for my SYM-1, and I'd like to turn back to Commodore-128 keyboard overhaul and button up a C-128. The other keyboard project is testing a TRS-80 Model 4 keyboard (from a unit I got at VCF East years ago) that I previously disassembled, cleaned, and reassembled but is once again exhibiting high-resistance keys. Once it has a working keyboard I can close it up and play on the software side - I'd like to have a small CP/M machine handy and this is the current best candidate (I also want to do some comparison testing against the C-128 running CP/M). So a mix of kit building, keyboard refurbing, and PET archaeology, for now. I'd like to finish up several of these 8-bit micro projects so I can turn the wheel and get back to playing with PDP-11 hardware. Several projects in that bucket I'd like to complete. -ethan
Sounds like there are a ton of interesting projects going on! I’m working on a bunch of things, as usual: - waiting for parts to try to install OS/2 on the museum’s PS/2 model 70 - replacing failed Dallas chips on a variety of machines, including a sparcstation 2 and 20 - making some YouTube videos; I finally took the time to publish one, and now I have ordered some lights and a camera stand, to do it right - repairing the keyboard membrane on my Atari 1200XL Non-vintage, but I also wrote an published an Ansible role to use EntryDNS to answer ACME challenges. I really enjoy working with Ansible! - Alex On Tue, Dec 29, 2020 at 02:44 Ethan Dicks via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
On Mon, Dec 28, 2020 at 1:00 PM Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
I'm curious what projects everyone is working on.
I've been doing a lot of software projects in recent weeks - disassembling and commenting 6502 application code from the 70s and 80s. On the bench, I just received (after 2+ months of waiting) some edge connectors to finish constructing the memory/expansion board for my SYM-1, and I'd like to turn back to Commodore-128 keyboard overhaul and button up a C-128. The other keyboard project is testing a TRS-80 Model 4 keyboard (from a unit I got at VCF East years ago) that I previously disassembled, cleaned, and reassembled but is once again exhibiting high-resistance keys. Once it has a working keyboard I can close it up and play on the software side - I'd like to have a small CP/M machine handy and this is the current best candidate (I also want to do some comparison testing against the C-128 running CP/M).
So a mix of kit building, keyboard refurbing, and PET archaeology, for now.
I'd like to finish up several of these 8-bit micro projects so I can turn the wheel and get back to playing with PDP-11 hardware. Several projects in that bucket I'd like to complete.
-ethan
The past few days I’ve been working on re-finishing a closet that I use for (vintage) computers & parts - insulation, Sheetrock and paint. Just got that last part done yesterday and will be trying to put stuff away and organize. Assuming I don’t get squirreled by the state of the lighting wiring in there. That’s getting done now because we’re also trying to rewire and repaint my home office / lab, so everything’s gotta be moved somewhere else. I have too much stuff, so I hope there’s a Spring VCF swap meet, or the VCF East consignment sale. Other people are doing cool stuff that made me finally sit-down and reply:
On Dec 29, 2020, at 9:19 AM, Alexander Jacocks via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
Sounds like there are a ton of interesting projects going on!
I’m working on a bunch of things, as usual: - waiting for parts to try to install OS/2 on the museum’s PS/2 model 70
As per my OS/2 exhibit a couple years ago, I have not had great luck with the hard disks in these machines. I’ve read suggestions to try re-capping them (the floppy drives certainly need them) but haven’t got back to that.
- replacing failed Dallas chips on a variety of machines, including a sparcstation 2 and 20
I feel that’ll be a thing I’ll need to do soon as well.
Non-vintage, but I also wrote an published an Ansible role to use EntryDNS to answer ACME challenges. I really enjoy working with Ansible!
I’ve thought about playbooks for less-common vintage UNIXes. It’d be nice to be able to just push config onto a fresh base OS without spending hours re-installing and re-configuring every time I want to replace disks or whatever. And to have that playbook configuration be code-as-documentation.
On Tue, Dec 29, 2020 at 02:44 Ethan Dicks via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
On Mon, Dec 28, 2020 at 1:00 PM Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
I'm curious what projects everyone is working on.
I've been doing a lot of software projects in recent weeks - disassembling and commenting 6502 application code from the 70s and 80s. On the bench, I just received (after 2+ months of waiting) some edge connectors to finish constructing the memory/expansion board for my SYM-1, and I'd like to turn back to Commodore-128 keyboard overhaul
I was surprised on how expensive those card-edge connectors are. OTOH, I haven’t managed to come up with anything to do on my SYM-1 that strains the 4kB on-board or needs more I/O than it already provides. Meanwhile I still have the Lego Saturn V from last xmas to build… — Jameel Akari
Jameel- the group I work (play?) with has done this for IRIX, and it's very, very cool. Ansible is a perfect way to establish a 'known good state' esp on 90's era UNIX workstations as they often payed little attention to things like security. IRIX leaves every installation on every version with no root password. While using something like this requires some basic UNIX knowledge it's still a great way to show new users what to do- as they can examine the playbooks and just execute the commands themselves in order to learn the proper procedures and sequences of things to do for this systems. Anyways, check this out - it has a cool way of using telnet and ftp to bootstrap on the requirements for ansible (sshd and python are the two big ones). And from there it's super easy for people to contribute playbooks for various things. Example of telnet raw commands (no python or ssh yet!): https://github.com/unxmaal/irix_ansible/blob/master/roles/bootstrap/tasks/ad... Installing the basic packages: https://github.com/unxmaal/irix_ansible/blob/master/roles/bootstrap/tasks/in... Main repo: https://github.com/unxmaal/irix_ansible This is a very worthwhile endeavor and would be cool to have on say, tru64 or something. If you don't already have a SGI talk to me about getting one and hop on our discord, it's a continuous stream of interesting and fun things to do for these systems. Even this project is due for an overhaul as we are now able to replace the old packages we use here (necoware) with the new RSE packages we've been developing and are now ready for use. -andy From: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic-bounces@lists.vcfed.org> Date: Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at 10:33 AM To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> Cc: Jameel Akari <jakari@bithose.com> Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] What projects are you working on?
On Dec 29, 2020, at 9:19 AM, Alexander Jacocks via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
Non-vintage, but I also wrote an published an Ansible role to use EntryDNS to answer ACME challenges. I really enjoy working with Ansible!
I’ve thought about playbooks for less-common vintage UNIXes. It’d be nice to be able to just push config onto a fresh base OS without spending hours re-installing and re-configuring every time I want to replace disks or whatever. And to have that playbook configuration be code-as-documentation.
On Dec 29, 2020, at 11:17 AM, Andrew Diller <dillera@gmail.com> wrote:
Jameel- the group I work (play?) with has done this for IRIX, and it's very, very cool. Ansible is a perfect way to establish a 'known good state' esp on 90's era UNIX workstations as they often payed little attention to things like security. IRIX leaves every installation on every version with no root password. While using something like this requires some basic UNIX knowledge it's still a great way to show new users what to do- as they can examine the playbooks and just execute the commands themselves in order to learn the proper procedures and sequences of things to do for this systems.
Yup, I’ve seen what you’re doing with IRIX and I realized that it’d be useful on Tru64/AIX/SunOS/SysV. Or OpenVMS. :p It hadn’t occurred to me there was even a telnet module for Ansible - never looked until now!
This is a very worthwhile endeavor and would be cool to have on say, tru64 or something. If you don't already have a SGI talk to me about getting one and hop on our discord, it's a continuous stream of interesting and fun things to do for these systems.
I have /several/ SGIs, I just haven’t made time to play with them recently. And I think I’m on that Discord, but I don’t have time/energy to do more than lurk at the moment.
Even this project is due for an overhaul as we are now able to replace the old packages we use here (necoware) with the new RSE packages we've been developing and are now ready for use.
I am excited to see a Nekoware replacement, finally.
From: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic-bounces@lists.vcfed.org> Date: Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at 10:33 AM To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> Cc: Jameel Akari <jakari@bithose.com> Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] What projects are you working on?
On Dec 29, 2020, at 9:19 AM, Alexander Jacocks via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
Non-vintage, but I also wrote an published an Ansible role to use EntryDNS to answer ACME challenges. I really enjoy working with Ansible!
I’ve thought about playbooks for less-common vintage UNIXes. It’d be nice to be able to just push config onto a fresh base OS without spending hours re-installing and re-configuring every time I want to replace disks or whatever. And to have that playbook configuration be code-as-documentation.
/jka
Today I replaced the faucet in my mother-in-law's kitchen sink. There is a cast-iron radiator under there. My body aches from playing contortionist. It is a miracle that I got the old one out. The new one looks and works beautifully! Not retro computers, but a satisfying accomplishment. I have a new TFW8b Mini-PET that needs to be built. I also bought Ben Eater's 6502 breadboard computer kit (still unbuilt). Etc., etc., etc. Chris On Tue, Dec 29, 2020 at 11:37 AM Jameel Akari via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
On Dec 29, 2020, at 11:17 AM, Andrew Diller <dillera@gmail.com> wrote:
Jameel- the group I work (play?) with has done this for IRIX, and it's very, very cool. Ansible is a perfect way to establish a 'known good state' esp on 90's era UNIX workstations as they often payed little attention to things like security. IRIX leaves every installation on every version with no root password. While using something like this requires some basic UNIX knowledge it's still a great way to show new users what to do- as they can examine the playbooks and just execute the commands themselves in order to learn the proper procedures and sequences of things to do for this systems.
Yup, I’ve seen what you’re doing with IRIX and I realized that it’d be useful on Tru64/AIX/SunOS/SysV. Or OpenVMS. :p
It hadn’t occurred to me there was even a telnet module for Ansible - never looked until now!
This is a very worthwhile endeavor and would be cool to have on say, tru64 or something. If you don't already have a SGI talk to me about getting one and hop on our discord, it's a continuous stream of interesting and fun things to do for these systems.
I have /several/ SGIs, I just haven’t made time to play with them recently. And I think I’m on that Discord, but I don’t have time/energy to do more than lurk at the moment.
Even this project is due for an overhaul as we are now able to replace
the old packages we use here (necoware) with the new RSE packages we've been developing and are now ready for use.
I am excited to see a Nekoware replacement, finally.
From: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic-bounces@lists.vcfed.org> Date: Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at 10:33 AM To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> Cc: Jameel Akari <jakari@bithose.com> Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] What projects are you working on?
On Dec 29, 2020, at 9:19 AM, Alexander Jacocks via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
Non-vintage, but I also wrote an published an Ansible role to use EntryDNS to answer ACME challenges. I really enjoy working with Ansible!
I’ve thought about playbooks for less-common vintage UNIXes. It’d be nice to be able to just push config onto a fresh base OS without spending hours re-installing and re-configuring every time I want to replace disks or whatever. And to have that playbook configuration be code-as-documentation.
/jka
On Tue, Dec 29, 2020 at 8:03 PM Chris Fala via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
Today I replaced the faucet in my mother-in-law's kitchen sink. There is a cast-iron radiator under there. My body aches from playing contortionist. It is a miracle that I got the old one out. The new one looks and works beautifully! Not retro computers, but a satisfying accomplishment.
That's great to hear!
I have a new TFW8b Mini-PET that needs to be built. I also bought Ben Eater's 6502 breadboard computer kit (still unbuilt). Etc., etc., etc.
Keep us updated on progress!
Chris
On Tue, Dec 29, 2020 at 11:37 AM Jameel Akari via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
On Dec 29, 2020, at 11:17 AM, Andrew Diller <dillera@gmail.com> wrote:
Jameel- the group I work (play?) with has done this for IRIX, and it's very, very cool. Ansible is a perfect way to establish a 'known good
state'
esp on 90's era UNIX workstations as they often payed little attention to things like security. IRIX leaves every installation on every version with no root password. While using something like this requires some basic UNIX knowledge it's still a great way to show new users what to do- as they can examine the playbooks and just execute the commands themselves in order to learn the proper procedures and sequences of things to do for this systems.
Yup, I’ve seen what you’re doing with IRIX and I realized that it’d be useful on Tru64/AIX/SunOS/SysV. Or OpenVMS. :p
It hadn’t occurred to me there was even a telnet module for Ansible - never looked until now!
This is a very worthwhile endeavor and would be cool to have on say, tru64 or something. If you don't already have a SGI talk to me about getting one and hop on our discord, it's a continuous stream of interesting and fun things to do for these systems.
I have /several/ SGIs, I just haven’t made time to play with them recently. And I think I’m on that Discord, but I don’t have time/energy to do more than lurk at the moment.
Even this project is due for an overhaul as we are now able to replace
the old packages we use here (necoware) with the new RSE packages we've been developing and are now ready for use.
I am excited to see a Nekoware replacement, finally.
From: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic-bounces@lists.vcfed.org> Date: Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at 10:33 AM To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> Cc: Jameel Akari <jakari@bithose.com> Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] What projects are you working on?
On Dec 29, 2020, at 9:19 AM, Alexander Jacocks via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
Non-vintage, but I also wrote an published an Ansible role to use EntryDNS to answer ACME challenges. I really enjoy working with Ansible!
I’ve thought about playbooks for less-common vintage UNIXes. It’d be nice to be able to just push config onto a fresh base OS without spending hours re-installing and re-configuring every time I want to replace disks or whatever. And to have that playbook configuration be code-as-documentation.
/jka
-- ========================================= Jeff Brace Vice President & Board Member Vintage Computer Festival East Show-runner Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity http://www.vcfed.org/ jeffrey@vcfed.org cell: 732-759-1783
I also have the BE 6502 breadboard. Let’s work on them together at the next workshop we both attend. -andy From: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic-bounces@lists.vcfed.org> Date: Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at 8:02 PM To: vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> Cc: Chris Fala <chrisjpf33@gmail.com> Subject: Re: [vcf-midatlantic] What projects are you working on? . I also bought Ben Eater's 6502 breadboard computer kit (still unbuilt). Etc., etc., etc. Chris
I'm retired, so 2020 has only caused a minor change in my "free" time. The allocation has changed quite a bit, however. But recently I've been working on: Fixing a Kenwood KT-56 tuner (bad cap) Fixing a "dead" HP laptop (replace the mosfet with a piece of wire. This is *always* the fix for dead laptops, it seems.) Replacing the cells in a Lenovo laptop battery pack. Got the Lenovo as a trade for fixing the HP. Scanning the service manual for the KT-56 that I bought on Ebay and uploading it to hifiengine.com Fixing a broken HP scanner. (Fortunately, I have a back-up scanner for the service manual project). I think the opto-interrupter that tells the computer that the scanner has travelled to the end of the bed is broken, and I think I can hack something up to replace its function. Writing code for the ESP32 based TTGO-Twatch-2020, which I'm using as my "daily driver" watch lately. Making a welding table out of a Harbor Freight wood-working table (mainly, having a steel top made for it). Making welding table clamps for the above welding table project. "Restoring" a 21 foot steel pipe I found in the ground (!) to use as an antenna mast. I de-rusted the outside, welded up some holes, and got it "more or less" straight. I manage to keep busy. Bill Dudley This email is free of malware because I run Linux. On Tue, Dec 29, 2020 at 10:33 AM Jameel Akari via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
The past few days I’ve been working on re-finishing a closet that I use for (vintage) computers & parts - insulation, Sheetrock and paint. Just got that last part done yesterday and will be trying to put stuff away and organize. Assuming I don’t get squirreled by the state of the lighting wiring in there.
That’s getting done now because we’re also trying to rewire and repaint my home office / lab, so everything’s gotta be moved somewhere else.
I have too much stuff, so I hope there’s a Spring VCF swap meet, or the VCF East consignment sale.
Other people are doing cool stuff that made me finally sit-down and reply:
On Dec 29, 2020, at 9:19 AM, Alexander Jacocks via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
Sounds like there are a ton of interesting projects going on!
I’m working on a bunch of things, as usual: - waiting for parts to try to install OS/2 on the museum’s PS/2 model 70
As per my OS/2 exhibit a couple years ago, I have not had great luck with the hard disks in these machines. I’ve read suggestions to try re-capping them (the floppy drives certainly need them) but haven’t got back to that.
- replacing failed Dallas chips on a variety of machines, including a sparcstation 2 and 20
I feel that’ll be a thing I’ll need to do soon as well.
Non-vintage, but I also wrote an published an Ansible role to use
EntryDNS
to answer ACME challenges. I really enjoy working with Ansible!
I’ve thought about playbooks for less-common vintage UNIXes. It’d be nice to be able to just push config onto a fresh base OS without spending hours re-installing and re-configuring every time I want to replace disks or whatever. And to have that playbook configuration be code-as-documentation.
On Tue, Dec 29, 2020 at 02:44 Ethan Dicks via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
On Mon, Dec 28, 2020 at 1:00 PM Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
I'm curious what projects everyone is working on.
I've been doing a lot of software projects in recent weeks - disassembling and commenting 6502 application code from the 70s and 80s. On the bench, I just received (after 2+ months of waiting) some edge connectors to finish constructing the memory/expansion board for my SYM-1, and I'd like to turn back to Commodore-128 keyboard overhaul
I was surprised on how expensive those card-edge connectors are. OTOH, I haven’t managed to come up with anything to do on my SYM-1 that strains the 4kB on-board or needs more I/O than it already provides.
Meanwhile I still have the Lego Saturn V from last xmas to build…
— Jameel Akari
On 12/29/20 11:19 AM, William Dudley via vcf-midatlantic wrote:
Writing code for the ESP32 based TTGO-Twatch-2020, which I'm using as my "daily driver" watch lately.
Hey, I have one of those. Have you written any good stuff for yours? I've not done anything with mine yet. -Dave -- Dave McGuire, AK4HZ New Kensington, PA
Dave et al, My watch code: https://github.com/wfdudley/T-watch-2020 git clone (or download the zip), customize a couple of files, and you have a fairly useful watch. See the github for feature list. I'd love to see somebody else write an app for it. Right now, it's my stuff and a few things borrowed from an earlier watch codebase (which is documented in my README.md). I will speak no more of this on the VCF list. Email me if you have questions. Bill Dudley This email is free of malware because I run Linux. On Tue, Dec 29, 2020 at 11:46 AM Dave McGuire via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
On 12/29/20 11:19 AM, William Dudley via vcf-midatlantic wrote:
Writing code for the ESP32 based TTGO-Twatch-2020, which I'm using as my "daily driver" watch lately.
Hey, I have one of those. Have you written any good stuff for yours? I've not done anything with mine yet.
-Dave
-- Dave McGuire, AK4HZ New Kensington, PA
On Tue, Dec 29, 2020 at 10:33 AM Jameel Akari via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
On Tue, Dec 29, 2020 at 02:44 Ethan Dicks via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
... On the bench, I just received (after 2+ months of waiting) some edge connectors to finish constructing the memory/expansion board for my SYM-1...
I was surprised on how expensive those card-edge connectors are.
They were not cheap back in the day ($3.50 or more 30 years ago). I got some cheap Chinese ones and they are indeed cheap. The pins on the solder-tail connectors are slightly migratory. I tacked down the corner pins first, as one does, and out of 6 connectors, one pin raised slightly out of its slot and I get to unsolder, reseat, then solder it back.
OTOH, I haven’t managed to come up with anything to do on my SYM-1 that strains the 4kB on-board or needs more I/O than it already provides.
The expansion board comes with pads to attach an SD interface and the ROM socket lets you load up SYMDOS that can use pins of a VIA to talk to a Commodore 1541. Once I get all that working, I have plans for something that will easily soak up 32K. It was something I wanted to do for the last VCF East but didn't have time to do the expansion for. My SYM lacks BASIC ROMs, which this expansion also includes. Those would be easy enough to burn on their own, but now, it's just included as part of the larger package. The expansion also includes DC-DC converters for running the entire machine from a 7.5VDC PSU and for providing negative voltage for the serial interface, but those features were not important to me. I'm after the 32K RAM expansion, the single large ROM socket, and the pads for the 1541 interface. Even with $20 in cheap edge connectors, having all that on one expansion board is kind of handy.
Meanwhile I still have the Lego Saturn V from last xmas to build…
I built mine last year. This year I got the LEGO ISS. -ethan
On Dec 30, 2020, at 4:44 AM, Ethan Dicks via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
On Tue, Dec 29, 2020 at 10:33 AM Jameel Akari via vcf-midatlantic <vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
On Tue, Dec 29, 2020 at 02:44 Ethan Dicks via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vcfed.org> wrote:
... On the bench, I just received (after 2+ months of waiting) some edge connectors to finish constructing the memory/expansion board for my SYM-1...
I was surprised on how expensive those card-edge connectors are.
They were not cheap back in the day ($3.50 or more 30 years ago).
Given that the ones that I had were made by TRW, they were probably even more than that. :(
I got some cheap Chinese ones and they are indeed cheap. The pins on the solder-tail connectors are slightly migratory. I tacked down the corner pins first, as one does, and out of 6 connectors, one pin raised slightly out of its slot and I get to unsolder, reseat, then solder it back.
If I get back to the SYM-1, maybe I’ll suck it up and pay for a couple NOS connectors even if it’s stupid money.
OTOH, I haven’t managed to come up with anything to do on my SYM-1 that strains the 4kB on-board or needs more I/O than it already provides.
The expansion board comes with pads to attach an SD interface and the ROM socket lets you load up SYMDOS that can use pins of a VIA to talk to a Commodore 1541. Once I get all that working, I have plans for something that will easily soak up 32K. It was something I wanted to do for the last VCF East but didn't have time to do the expansion for.
OK, so that’s really cool. If I didn’t have two dozen other things to do first...
My SYM lacks BASIC ROMs, which this expansion also includes. Those would be easy enough to burn on their own, but now, it's just included as part of the larger package.
I did manage to do that, requiring some rewiring of the address and /CS lines to match the EPROMS I had vs. the weird PROMs they assumed you’d bought.
Meanwhile I still have the Lego Saturn V from last xmas to build…
I built mine last year. This year I got the LEGO ISS.
We didn’t gift each other new Legos this year for a reason. ;) — Jameel Akari
I just got around to putting together my SC131 kit that I ordered some time ago when this COVID stuff was just starting. It took 6 weeks to arrive from the UK. Royal mail = Royal pain. Neat kit: a Zilog Z180 running at 18 mHz.,two 5 Volt serial ports, 500k RAM, 500k ROM and, micro SD card. It boots into a monitor that gives you the choice of CP/M, several flavors of BASIC, Forth and others, all in a case smaller than a 3X5 note card. Now I have to learn CP/M On 12/28/2020 1:00 PM, Jeffrey Brace via vcf-midatlantic wrote:
During this time of year many of us are off work or inside for one reason or another. I'm curious what projects everyone is working on.
-- DuaneCraps sdɐɹɔ ǝuɐnp
participants (19)
-
Alexander Jacocks -
Alexander Pierson -
Andrew Diller -
Brian L. Stuart -
Chris Fala -
Dave McGuire -
Duane Craps -
Ethan Dicks -
Ethan O'Toole -
Jameel Akari -
Jeffrey Brace -
jsalzman＠gmail.com -
Neil Cherry -
Richard Cini -
Sentrytv -
Tony Bogan -
Vincent B -
William Dudley -
William Sudbrink