[cctalk] Re: Logic Analyzers - HP/Agilent 16700B or 1670G?

[Chuck Guzis via cctalk]

In any case, when it comes to eBay sellers of logic analyzers, be very
careful.

I remember asking a seller about a particular HP LA where the claim was
made as "working".  But oddly, no test pods were pictured.   I asked the
seller about that and the reply was "We don't have pods, but when we
powered it on, we got a display.,.."

Something akin to selling a used car as "working" because the engine runs.

--Chuck

[cctalk] Re: Dec Vax in Simh - VMS Operating system

[Seth Morabito via cctalk]

On Sun, Aug 20, 2023, at 1:18 PM, devin davison via cctalk wrote:
> Hello All,
>
> I am working to get my two microvax systems working, I have a couple of
> microvax 3800 systems.
>
> While I am waiting to get the real hardware going, I would like to set up
> simh with vms to use for testing.
>
> I don't really need the latest version of vms, any old version with tcp/ip
> would work. I do have about 16 dumb terminals i want to run as a lab and
> connect to the vax.
>
> Can anyone provide guidance on this matter for setting up and install of
> VMS in sinh? I realize that there was the openvms hobbyist program, but i
> may want to grab an older version of the os if it will run smoother on the
> older hardware.
>
> Open to suggestions, I hope to post back with some pictures once the real
> vax 3800 hardware is running.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Devin D.

Hi Devin,

Probably most comprehensive guide to doing this is Phillip Wherry's page, 
located here:

https://www.wherry.com/gadgets/retrocomputing/vax-simh.html

Yes, it's true, the hobbyist program no longer provides licenses for VAX, but 
there are ways around that (which I will not discuss on the list).

-Seth
-- 
  Seth Morabito * Poulsbo, WA * https://loomcom.com/

[cctalk] NGPL TCS - 1969 Industrial Control

[Eric Moore via cctalk]

https://youtu.be/-CaUafVqnbw

Super stoked to be able to share my latest video, I hope yall like it.

-Eric

[cctalk] Re: Logic Analyzers - HP/Agilent 16700B or 1670G?

[John H. Reinhardt via cctalk]

On 8/20/2023 6:55 PM, Tony Jones via cctalk wrote:

On Sun, Aug 20, 2023, 3:44 PM John H. Reinhardt via cctalk <
cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote:


And so on.  Am I looking in the wrong spot?


No but you need to look longer  and as I said prices are all over the
place.  I see resellers asking for $1500-2000.Do a sold items search
and track the results over a few months.

Good luck


Okay!

I appreciate the advice.  Thanks!

John H. Reinhardt

[cctalk] Re: Logic Analyzers - HP/Agilent 16700B or 1670G?

[Tony Jones via cctalk]

On Sun, Aug 20, 2023, 3:44 PM John H. Reinhardt via cctalk <
cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote:

>
> And so on.  Am I looking in the wrong spot?
>

No but you need to look longer  and as I said prices are all over the
place.  I see resellers asking for $1500-2000.Do a sold items search
and track the results over a few months.

Good luck



>

[cctalk] Re: Logic Analyzers - HP/Agilent 16700B or 1670G?

[Mike Loewen via cctalk]

On Sun, 20 Aug 2023, Chuck Guzis via cctalk wrote:


On 8/20/23 12:43, Glen Slick via cctalk wrote:

On Sun, Aug 20, 2023, 12:05 PM John H. Reinhardt via cctalk <
cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote:


Hello all.  I looking around for a Logic Analyzer for doing (mostly) DEC
QBus/UniBus stuff.  Being the way I am I want something with enough lines
to handle the most of the signals so I'm guessing something with roughly
80-ish channels.  I think that lets out all/most of the USB based LA.  I've
looked around and it seems the the HP/Agilent 16700 series (16700B/16702B)
are probably what I want.  I've also seen the 1670G which also seems quite
doable.  I've seen a lot of posts at the EEVblog and it seems I missed
possibly the golden age of 16700 LA by a few years price-wise.


And to think that the old guys had an analogue lab scope and that was
about it.  Personally, I find that setting up a logic analyzer to be a
last resort--all those damned wires to get right, then setting up capture...


   I agree that the logic analyzer is a last resort, but when you need one 
they're indispensable. I had a Telcon Zorba that had a number of problems 
which I worked through with a scope and DMM (shorted diode and bad HOT on the 
video board, bad 8275 CRT controller chip), before I had to break out the LA. 
Along with the source code for the BIOS, I was able to use the LA to find a 
bad 2N3904 in the interrupt chain for the floppy drives, and finally an 8254 
Programmable Interval Timer with a dead counter. Without the LA, it would have 
been a much longer repair process.



Mike Loewen mloe...@cpumagic.scol.pa.us
Old Technology  http://q7.neurotica.com/Oldtech/

[cctalk] Re: Logic Analyzers - HP/Agilent 16700B or 1670G?

[Chuck Guzis via cctalk]

On 8/20/23 12:43, Glen Slick via cctalk wrote:
> On Sun, Aug 20, 2023, 12:05 PM John H. Reinhardt via cctalk <
> cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote:
> 
>> Hello all.  I looking around for a Logic Analyzer for doing (mostly) DEC
>> QBus/UniBus stuff.  Being the way I am I want something with enough lines
>> to handle the most of the signals so I'm guessing something with roughly
>> 80-ish channels.  I think that lets out all/most of the USB based LA.  I've
>> looked around and it seems the the HP/Agilent 16700 series (16700B/16702B)
>> are probably what I want.  I've also seen the 1670G which also seems quite
>> doable.  I've seen a lot of posts at the EEVblog and it seems I missed
>> possibly the golden age of 16700 LA by a few years price-wise.
>>
>> What I'm wondering is if there is something specific I should be looking
>> for, or opinions on which LA is more suitable.  Or even if there is a
>> different make of LA to look for.
>>
>> Thanks in advance for your help
>>
>> John H. Reinhardt
>>
> 
> Where are you located? That can have a large impact on the cost of
> acquiring a large 16700-series logic analyzer. For example, I have more of
> those than I need in the Seattle area. A local deal might work out well,
> but if shipping is involved that can quickly get too expensive.
> 
> If bench space is limited, a 1670G takes up a lot less, and is completely
> self contained and easier to move around and set up. On the other hand, a
> 16700-series is more flexible, and if you have space to set up an external
> monitor you can see a lot more data on the screen at the same time without
> scrolling around.

And to think that the old guys had an analogue lab scope and that was
about it.  Personally, I find that setting up a logic analyzer to be a
last resort--all those damned wires to get right, then setting up capture...

--Chuck

[cctalk] Re: Logic Analyzers - HP/Agilent 16700B or 1670G?

[John H. Reinhardt via cctalk]

On 8/20/2023 3:45 PM, Tony Jones via cctalk wrote:

On Sun, Aug 20, 2023, 12:05 PM John H. Reinhardt via cctalk <
cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote:


I've seen a lot of posts at the EEVblog and it seems I missed possibly the
golden age of 16700 LA by a few years price-wise.


Also unsure what you mean by this.  I wouldn't pay more than $150 for an
empty 16700B, $250 for an empty 16702B and if you have patience I suspect
you could get a 16702B with multiple cards for $350 (sometimes with some
really nice cards). Now whether the cards work is another question.
Pricing is all over the place but prices have definitely falling over time.



Hi Tony!

I got the impression that people were finding them for around $100 - $300 back 
then.  The prices I see on Ebay currently are all much higher.  Certainly lower 
then when they were new though.

Perhaps it's because I have only been looking about a month and my primary 
source is Ebay.  Currently on Ebay, that I can see, the cheapest I see is a 
16702B with a couple of 16712A cards and no pods/probes for $300 plus $120 
shipping and tax.  The 16712A are the absolute minimum I think that would be 
useful at 100Mhx and 8K/16K memory.  I'd still have to find at least 2 sets of 
pods and probes.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/225682194711

The next cheapest is a 16700B for $430.  It has 4 interface cards but the 
listing doesn't say what they are. But it's local pickup only
https://www.ebay.com/itm/314745893438

Then there is  a 16702B for $449.99 which looks like and has a 16715A card and pods.  But 
the detail listing says "failed self test for: VRAM Serial Access Memory Inputs 
Test, VRAM Serial Port Cell Test, and System Clocks (Master/Slave/Psync) Test." Not 
sure if that's bad but is sounds like it.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/155632931934

And so on.  Am I looking in the wrong spot?

Thanks,
   John H. Reinhardt

[cctalk] Re: Logic Analyzers - HP/Agilent 16700B or 1670G?

[Jon Elson via cctalk]

On Sun, Aug 20, 2023, 12:05 PM John H. Reinhardt via 
cctalk <

cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote:

Hello all.  I looking around for a Logic Analyzer for 
doing (mostly) DEC
QBus/UniBus stuff.  Being the way I am I want something 
with enough lines
to handle the most of the signals so I'm guessing 
something with roughly

80-ish channels.


Another option is the Tek 9200-series.  I have a 9200 at 
home and a TLA720 at work, both with 92A96 cards.  You get 
fairly deep memory and 96 channels, with very sophisticated 
trigger state machine logic, and up to 10 ns/sample rate.


If you go this route, make sure you get the probe cables and 
pods with it, they have essentially attenuator probes in them.


Jon

[cctalk] Re: Little Databases

[The Doctor via cctalk]

--- Original Message ---
On Saturday, August 19th, 2023 at 19:49, Dennis Boone via cctalk 
 wrote:


> > Surely you hyperbole.
> 
> Since it's used in Android for various things, and in Firefox and
> Chromium for various things, he's not in the least.

SQLite is used extensively in Appel's iOS and some parts of OSX also.

The Doctor [412/724/301/703/415/510]
WWW: https://drwho.virtadpt.net/
Don't be mean. You don't have to be mean.

[cctalk] Re: Logic Analyzers - HP/Agilent 16700B or 1670G?

[Martin Bishop via cctalk]

You could try an AMD (ex Xilinx) logic analyser ...

Basically, use the logic analysis capabilities provided (free) by FPGA OEMs to 
construct a DIY LA.  In brief, the LA is in the FPGA libraries / GUI, you do of 
course have to wire them up both inside (Vivado) and outside (level shifters 
and copper wire) the FPGA.

Boards which are not too expensive, and have 0.1" (ish) LVTTL interfacing are:
- https://digilent.com/shop/arty-z7-zynq-7000-soc-development-board/ which 
should yield ~79 digital IOs
- 
https://digilent.com/shop/cora-z7-zynq-7000-single-core-for-arm-fpga-soc-development/
 again ~79
- https://digilent.com/shop/cmod-a7-35t-breadboardable-artix-7-fpga-module/ 52 
digital IO (mux A and D outboard ?)

See "Re: Low cost logic analyzer" by self on 15 Mar 23 for a previous, more 
detailed post.

You may also care to consider retrocmp's offerings:
- see e.g. http://www.retrocmp.com/projects/unibone

Martin

-Original Message-
From: John H. Reinhardt via cctalk [mailto:cctalk@classiccmp.org] 
Sent: 20 August 2023 19:58
To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts 
Cc: John H. Reinhardt 
Subject: [cctalk] Logic Analyzers - HP/Agilent 16700B or 1670G?

Hello all.  I looking around for a Logic Analyzer for doing (mostly) DEC 
QBus/UniBus stuff.  Being the way I am I want something with enough lines to 
handle the most of the signals so I'm guessing something with roughly 80-ish 
channels.  I think that lets out all/most of the USB based LA.  I've looked 
around and it seems the the HP/Agilent 16700 series (16700B/16702B) are 
probably what I want.  I've also seen the 1670G which also seems quite doable.  
I've seen a lot of posts at the EEVblog and it seems I missed possibly the 
golden age of 16700 LA by a few years price-wise.

What I'm wondering is if there is something specific I should be looking for, 
or opinions on which LA is more suitable.  Or even if there is a different make 
of LA to look for.

Thanks in advance for your help

John H. Reinhardt

[cctalk] Re: Divestiture and sqlite3

[The Doctor via cctalk]

--- Original Message ---
On Sunday, August 20th, 2023 at 11:55, Adam Thornton via cctalk 
 wrote:

> My understanding of sqlite (and it could be wrong) is that concurrent
> writes aren't supported, and reads should block if a write is in progress
> until the write completes. In practice it seems like most things are
> one-sqlite-file-per-process and if that process is threaded, one would hope
> the programmer understands what they're doing well enough to make it work.

If you don't mind my asking, how many simultaneous users are you expecting to
read from and write to the retrotech inventory database you've been talking
about?

The Doctor [412/724/301/703/415/510]
WWW: https://drwho.virtadpt.net/
Don't be mean. You don't have to be mean.

[cctalk] Re: Logic Analyzers - HP/Agilent 16700B or 1670G?

[Jim Brain via cctalk]

On 8/20/2023 3:23 PM, Alan Perry via cctalk wrote:



On Aug 20, 2023, at 12:44, Glen Slick via cctalk  wrote:



Where are you located? That can have a large impact on the cost of
acquiring a large 16700-series logic analyzer. For example, I have more of
those than I need in the Seattle area. A local deal might work out well,
but if shipping is involved that can quickly get too expensive.

Oooh. I am in the Seattle area and have been thinking that I need a LA.

alan

The guidance about the 16XX series being bench space friendly is 
appropriate, as I went from a 1650 to a 16702A frame and had to devote 
much more to the unit, but I am still partial to my 02A frame, now 
filled with 333MHz LA cards, function generator, and o-scope cards.


As for HPUX, Using the unit via VNC or X on my main PC just makes life 
so much easier and more interesting.


I might be an outlier, as I specifically wanted an 02A, not 02B, because 
I wanted the on frame keyboard.  Others might prefer the larger screen 
of the B.


I most love the option to mix and match cards in these units.  I built 
mine by grabbing it and a 16500 that has some cards I wanted, swapping 
and keeping the best, selling the rest.


Jim

--
Jim Brain
br...@jbrain.com
www.jbrain.com

[cctalk] Re: Logic Analyzers - HP/Agilent 16700B or 1670G?

[Tony Jones via cctalk]

On Sun, Aug 20, 2023, 12:05 PM John H. Reinhardt via cctalk <
cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote:

> I've seen a lot of posts at the EEVblog and it seems I missed possibly the
> golden age of 16700 LA by a few years price-wise.
>

Also unsure what you mean by this.  I wouldn't pay more than $150 for an
empty 16700B, $250 for an empty 16702B and if you have patience I suspect
you could get a 16702B with multiple cards for $350 (sometimes with some
really nice cards). Now whether the cards work is another question.
Pricing is all over the place but prices have definitely falling over time.

>

[cctalk] I am looking for the Popular Electronics Digital Logic Micro Lab ( SWTPC Logic Demon)

[Mike Katz via cctalk]

This was the kit that matched the article in April 1970 Issue of Popular 
Electronics.


Yes I can build one from modern parts but I used one of these in 1972 
and I would love to get my hands on one, at a reasonable price.


Here is a link to the article:

https://www.retrotechnology.com/restore/PE_microlab2.pdf 



https://deramp.com/swtpc.com/PopularElectronics/Apr1970/MicroLab_Photo.jpg

[cctalk] Re: Logic Analyzers - HP/Agilent 16700B or 1670G?

[Tony Jones via cctalk]

On Sun, Aug 20, 2023, 1:23 PM Alan Perry via cctalk 
wrote:

>
> Oooh. I am in the Seattle area and have been thinking that I need a LA.
>
> alan


I'm in Portland OR   I have one 16702B and one 16700B for sale.As Glen
says, an external monitor is really nice.  There are a few modern LCDs that
can make use of opt B if your unit has it.

I think I have a pattern gen card and one low end acquisition card.  Else
the chassis are empty.

The difficulty with the 1670x is the cards (acquisition  and scope, not
pattern). They form corrosion under the runners.  I had 10 or so cards go
bad over a 5 year period.  All now have visible corrosion.   I'm slowly
working my way through removing the runners, fixing the corrosion and
repairing damaged traces.  There are no schematics but there is a very
helpful active repair thread on eevblog.

In my personal machine my second scope card passes diagnostics but totally
fails calibration.  Otherwise the diagnostics are pretty good but they
don't run at boot up so most sellers have no clue how to run them.

Try setting up a distance based search on eBay.   I suspect something will
show up given a few months patience but if it includes cards there is a
very good chance they are bad.   Don't ever buy a card on eBay "for parts
or repair" unless it's dirt cheap.

Good luck

>
>

[cctalk] Re: Dec Vax in Simh - VMS Operating system

[John H. Reinhardt via cctalk]

Devin,

  You have a problem.  The MicroVAX 3800 isn't supported in OpenVMS (VAX/VMS) 
until version V5.1-1.  You can't run it with any older versions.  It just won't 
work.  The problem is that DEC introduced the PAK license with V5.0 and unless 
you have some non-expiring VAX VMS PAK's, there is no legal[1] way for you to 
run it.  VSI has a Hobbyist (Community License Program) program but their PAKs 
only work on VSI released versions of OpenVMS and they have only done Alpha, 
Integrity and now, x86.  No VAX. Not now, not ever (according to several VSI 
employees).

  What you can do is use SimH and emulate older VAXen such as the venerable 
11/780 or 86xx up to the VAXstation 3200/3500 or 3500/3600 (I forget what all 
is available in SIMH) and use VAX/VMS up to V4.7.

References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenVMS
https://gunkies.org/wiki/MicroVAX_3800/3900
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MicroVAX#MicroVAX_3800_and_MicroVAX_3900

John H. Reinhardt


On 8/20/2023 3:18 PM, devin davison via cctalk wrote:

Hello All,

I am working to get my two microvax systems working, I have a couple of
microvax 3800 systems.

While I am waiting to get the real hardware going, I would like to set up
simh with vms to use for testing.

I don't really need the latest version of vms, any old version with tcp/ip
would work. I do have about 16 dumb terminals i want to run as a lab and
connect to the vax.

Can anyone provide guidance on this matter for setting up and install of
VMS in sinh? I realize that there was the openvms hobbyist program, but i
may want to grab an older version of the os if it will run smoother on the
older hardware.

Open to suggestions, I hope to post back with some pictures once the real
vax 3800 hardware is running.

Thanks,

Devin D.

[cctalk] Re: Logic Analyzers - HP/Agilent 16700B or 1670G?

[Alan Perry via cctalk]

> On Aug 20, 2023, at 12:44, Glen Slick via cctalk  
> wrote:
> 
> 
> 
> Where are you located? That can have a large impact on the cost of
> acquiring a large 16700-series logic analyzer. For example, I have more of
> those than I need in the Seattle area. A local deal might work out well,
> but if shipping is involved that can quickly get too expensive.

Oooh. I am in the Seattle area and have been thinking that I need a LA.

alan 

[cctalk] Dec Vax in Simh - VMS Operating system

[devin davison via cctalk]

Hello All,

I am working to get my two microvax systems working, I have a couple of
microvax 3800 systems.

While I am waiting to get the real hardware going, I would like to set up
simh with vms to use for testing.

I don't really need the latest version of vms, any old version with tcp/ip
would work. I do have about 16 dumb terminals i want to run as a lab and
connect to the vax.

Can anyone provide guidance on this matter for setting up and install of
VMS in sinh? I realize that there was the openvms hobbyist program, but i
may want to grab an older version of the os if it will run smoother on the
older hardware.

Open to suggestions, I hope to post back with some pictures once the real
vax 3800 hardware is running.

Thanks,

Devin D.

[cctalk] Re: Logic Analyzers - HP/Agilent 16700B or 1670G?

[Adrian Godwin via cctalk]

There have been a few threads very recently in
https://groups.io/g/HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment which you would probably
find interesting.
There is a lot of enthusiasm over the 1670 and 16700 machines - I wouldn't
say you've missed the sweet spot since these are now often much cheaper
than the later 168x and 169x machines but still very well liked : not least
because the 167x are based on HPUX rather than Windows.


On Sun, Aug 20, 2023 at 8:43 PM Glen Slick via cctalk 
wrote:

> On Sun, Aug 20, 2023, 12:05 PM John H. Reinhardt via cctalk <
> cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote:
>
> > Hello all.  I looking around for a Logic Analyzer for doing (mostly) DEC
> > QBus/UniBus stuff.  Being the way I am I want something with enough lines
> > to handle the most of the signals so I'm guessing something with roughly
> > 80-ish channels.  I think that lets out all/most of the USB based LA.
> I've
> > looked around and it seems the the HP/Agilent 16700 series
> (16700B/16702B)
> > are probably what I want.  I've also seen the 1670G which also seems
> quite
> > doable.  I've seen a lot of posts at the EEVblog and it seems I missed
> > possibly the golden age of 16700 LA by a few years price-wise.
> >
> > What I'm wondering is if there is something specific I should be looking
> > for, or opinions on which LA is more suitable.  Or even if there is a
> > different make of LA to look for.
> >
> > Thanks in advance for your help
> >
> > John H. Reinhardt
> >
>
> Where are you located? That can have a large impact on the cost of
> acquiring a large 16700-series logic analyzer. For example, I have more of
> those than I need in the Seattle area. A local deal might work out well,
> but if shipping is involved that can quickly get too expensive.
>
> If bench space is limited, a 1670G takes up a lot less, and is completely
> self contained and easier to move around and set up. On the other hand, a
> 16700-series is more flexible, and if you have space to set up an external
> monitor you can see a lot more data on the screen at the same time without
> scrolling around.
>

[cctalk] Re: Logic Analyzers - HP/Agilent 16700B or 1670G?

[John H. Reinhardt via cctalk]

On 8/20/2023 2:43 PM, Glen Slick via cctalk wrote:

On Sun, Aug 20, 2023, 12:05 PM John H. Reinhardt via cctalk <
cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote:


Hello all.  I looking around for a Logic Analyzer for doing (mostly) DEC
QBus/UniBus stuff.  Being the way I am I want something with enough lines
to handle the most of the signals so I'm guessing something with roughly
80-ish channels.  I think that lets out all/most of the USB based LA.  I've
looked around and it seems the the HP/Agilent 16700 series (16700B/16702B)
are probably what I want.  I've also seen the 1670G which also seems quite
doable.  I've seen a lot of posts at the EEVblog and it seems I missed
possibly the golden age of 16700 LA by a few years price-wise.

What I'm wondering is if there is something specific I should be looking
for, or opinions on which LA is more suitable.  Or even if there is a
different make of LA to look for.

Thanks in advance for your help

John H. Reinhardt


Where are you located? That can have a large impact on the cost of
acquiring a large 16700-series logic analyzer. For example, I have more of
those than I need in the Seattle area. A local deal might work out well,
but if shipping is involved that can quickly get too expensive.

If bench space is limited, a 1670G takes up a lot less, and is completely
self contained and easier to move around and set up. On the other hand, a
16700-series is more flexible, and if you have space to set up an external
monitor you can see a lot more data on the screen at the same time without
scrolling around.


Hi Glenn,

Thanks for chiming in.  I've seen you post often on the EEVblog about various 
LA.

I knew I forgot something.  I'm in the Fort Worth, Texas area. So middle of the country length-wise 
but down South.  I've seen shipping on Ebay range from "included" (which is kind of 
scary) to $350 and "freight".

My bench space right now is kind of limited but I'm hoping in a few years 
(retirement) I'll have a bigger space to poke around in.  The 1670G is 
interesting in that way.  There seems to be a pretty complete one (Options 002 
and 003 - OSC and memory) on Ebay but that's the place that's charging $350 for 
shipping.

--
John H. Reinhardt

[cctalk] Re: Logic Analyzers - HP/Agilent 16700B or 1670G?

[Glen Slick via cctalk]

On Sun, Aug 20, 2023, 12:05 PM John H. Reinhardt via cctalk <
cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote:

> Hello all.  I looking around for a Logic Analyzer for doing (mostly) DEC
> QBus/UniBus stuff.  Being the way I am I want something with enough lines
> to handle the most of the signals so I'm guessing something with roughly
> 80-ish channels.  I think that lets out all/most of the USB based LA.  I've
> looked around and it seems the the HP/Agilent 16700 series (16700B/16702B)
> are probably what I want.  I've also seen the 1670G which also seems quite
> doable.  I've seen a lot of posts at the EEVblog and it seems I missed
> possibly the golden age of 16700 LA by a few years price-wise.
>
> What I'm wondering is if there is something specific I should be looking
> for, or opinions on which LA is more suitable.  Or even if there is a
> different make of LA to look for.
>
> Thanks in advance for your help
>
> John H. Reinhardt
>

Where are you located? That can have a large impact on the cost of
acquiring a large 16700-series logic analyzer. For example, I have more of
those than I need in the Seattle area. A local deal might work out well,
but if shipping is involved that can quickly get too expensive.

If bench space is limited, a 1670G takes up a lot less, and is completely
self contained and easier to move around and set up. On the other hand, a
16700-series is more flexible, and if you have space to set up an external
monitor you can see a lot more data on the screen at the same time without
scrolling around.

[cctalk] Logic Analyzers - HP/Agilent 16700B or 1670G?

[John H. Reinhardt via cctalk]

Hello all.  I looking around for a Logic Analyzer for doing (mostly) DEC 
QBus/UniBus stuff.  Being the way I am I want something with enough lines to 
handle the most of the signals so I'm guessing something with roughly 80-ish 
channels.  I think that lets out all/most of the USB based LA.  I've looked 
around and it seems the the HP/Agilent 16700 series (16700B/16702B) are 
probably what I want.  I've also seen the 1670G which also seems quite doable.  
I've seen a lot of posts at the EEVblog and it seems I missed possibly the 
golden age of 16700 LA by a few years price-wise.

What I'm wondering is if there is something specific I should be looking for, 
or opinions on which LA is more suitable.  Or even if there is a different make 
of LA to look for.

Thanks in advance for your help

John H. Reinhardt

[cctalk] Divestiture and sqlite3

[Adam Thornton via cctalk]

To clarify a couple of things in response to queries: my time for
divestment is "not yet"--but rest assured, when it arrives, I will
certainly see who wants things from my assortment (don't get too excited;
there's nothing super-rare or valuable in it, and I've always been more
concerned with restoring functionality than maintaining period-correctness;
I am one of those collectors who restores stuff to play with it, not to
then put it in shrinkwrap and preserve it for some uncertain future).  And
should that time arrive suddenly, well, argh, I've been putting off making
a will too long, but I know who I'm going to put in charge of "everything
computery," and I trust her to make good decisions about the things she
doesn't want.

My understanding of sqlite (and it could be wrong) is that concurrent
writes aren't supported, and reads should block if a write is in progress
until the write completes.  In practice it seems like most things are
one-sqlite-file-per-process and if that process is threaded, one would hope
the programmer understands what they're doing well enough to make it work.
There are fairly few cases I've seen where a single sqlite file is shared
between unrelated processes, which would take filesystem locking working
correctly to ensure correctness.  Which is generally OK for local
filesystems, but NFS is still a bucket of worms when it comes to locking
behavior, and the number of people running systems that genuinely
understand NFS has been declining for decades.  (I do not count myself
among those people.)