Re: 8mm cinemax type film players

[Fred Cisin via cctalk]

On Sat, 29 Jul 2017, Henry Bond via cctalk wrote:
My tape obsession was already slightly out of control, but when I found 
a create of 8mm reel of family footage and other movies in my 90 
something year old grandfather's storage, I need a recommendation on how 
to play these, we're they standardised?
What is the difference between 8mm and super 8, is it backwards 
compatible?

Or is this all to analogue to care?


8mm consisted of half of 16mm.  It was actually 16mm film, with twice as 
many sprocket holes per foot.  In eastern europe, supposedly you can still 
get 16mm film reperforated!
The camera exposed down one side of the film, and then when done, you 
flipped it over to expose the other side. Once it was processed, the film 
was plit doen the middle, to create two 8mm films (with sprocket holes 
only on one side.)  Unexposed film was on 16mm reels, processed film had 
an 8mm reel.

Usually at 16 frames per second.

Wittnauer made an 8mm camera that could attach on to a motorized base and 
light source to convert into a projector!  What am I offered for that 
piece of esoterica?


There were even stereo cameras.  I'm keeping the matched pair of Goerz 
Hypar lenses for another project.  I would like to get rid of my 8mm and 
16mm cameras, and developing equipment.



Super-8 was a completely different format.  Even the sprockets and reels 
are different.   The film was about the size of 8mm, but squeezed a 
larger frame on it.  Usually at 18 frames per second.


(16mm sound film is generally 24 frames per second; 16mm silent film 
changed from 16fps to 18fps.)


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/8_mm_film
starts with an adequate diagram of the difference.

There existed some projectors that could do both "regular 8" and "super 
8".   Kludge.


Sound existed for both, but wasn't common.


Some 8mm cameras had interchangeable lenses, using "D" mount. (16mm and 
some video are "C" mount).

Virtually all super-8 cameras have non-removable lenses, often "zoom".
(Notable exception was Leitz Leicina, one model of which used Leica
"M" mount!, although the few lenses produced for it would not fill a 35mm 
frame, and most M-series lenses are too long a focal length to be of 
practical use on Super-8)   A 90mm lens would probably be about right for 
photographing the eclipse.  About 40 years ago, I used a 200mm Leica mount 
Komura on a Bolex 16mm, . . .



OK, now think about how you would go about transferring 16fps, 18fps, or 
24fps to 30 frames per second, . . .

Re: The first CD

[drlegendre . via cctalk]

> I dont think I've heard if the history of the technology behind cds. Was
it SRI? I only thought the first cdrom software at least was that
encyclopedia on CD?
> This being 14" just sounds like a disk platter.

It's obviously not a CD.  It might be just a brown disk with scratches,
being sold as something unusual to the gullible.  Or it might be an optical
disk of some sort, but not all optical disks are CDs.

This. That disc has absolutely +nothing+ in common with a "CD", barring the
fact that it (apparently) uses a laser-ablation process to write pits /
bits onto a rotating medium. We should all know by now that the original
(redbook) 120mm optical CD was a joint project between Sony & Philips.
These folks may have been co-developing a similar technology, but any
association with the Sony / Philips product is pure fantasy.

So what do we have, here.. a confused but earnest dreamer with dollar signs
in his eyes, or an outright conman? Either way, hopefully he doesn't reel
in any suckers.. or dog forbid any Minnesota walleye. =/

On Fri, Jul 28, 2017 at 11:02 AM, Al Kossow via cctalk <
cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote:

>
>
> On 7/28/17 8:30 AM, Al Kossow via cctalk wrote:
> >
> >
> > On 7/28/17 8:20 AM, Al Kossow via cctalk wrote:
> >
> >>> I dont think I've heard if the history of the technology behind cds.
> Was it SRI?
> >
> > Sony.
> > They wrote a book about it.
> >
> >
>
> actually this was the book I was thinking of
>
> Martin, "The Complete Compact Disc Player"
> 1987 0-13-159294-7
>
> Both Philips (NV Philips Gloeilampenfabrieken) of the Netherlands and
> Japan's Sony
> Corp. made individual contributions to the production of the compact disc
> and player.
> Philips began efforts to develop a compact disc in 1969, but it required
> ten years of
> effort before it could show the first working system to the European press.
>
> Philips' contribution was the creation of a video disc system using
> tracking by
> means of a laser beam. With this as a basis, Philips then developed a more
> compact
> version for sound reproduction. Sony added to the technology through its
> research on
> data coding and error correction circuitry. Without these advances by
> Sony, reproduction
> of the audio signal would not have been possible. Error correction
> circuitry helps
> to ensure correct reproduction of sound even when the compact disc is
> plagued with
> fingerprints due to disc handling, dust, scratches on the discs, and
> defects occurring
> during manufacturing.
>
> Since Sony and Philips were the prime movers toward the compact disc
> format,
> we can better appreciate their efforts as shown in the following timetable.
>
> DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMPACT DISC: A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
>
> 1928Harry Nyquist establishes mathematically that the sampling
> rate of an analog audio waveform must be twice the highest
> frequency of the wave being sampled.
>
> 1939Pulse code modulation invented by H. A. Reeves.
>
> 1969Philips Research Laboratories begins work on optical disc
> recording of video, audio, and data.
>
> 1972First public demonstration of optical disc recording (VLP,
> the future LaserVison
>
> 1973/74 Requirements established for video, audio, and data recording.
> Philips' associate, Polygram, producer of first laser-read
> discs becomes full participant.
>
> 1974Sony develops stationary-head digital audio recorder
>
> 1975Philips begins development of industrial disc mastering
> equipment
>
> 1976Sony produces first digital audio disc system based on FM
> video format. The disc rotated at 1800 rpm, supplied 30
> minutes of music on one side, and used an optical readout
> system.
>
> 1976Conception of small diameter (compact) disc defines digital
> audio project parameters
>
> 1977Sony announces digital audio processor to be coupled with a
> video tape recorder for 12-bit quantized, two-channel
> recording and playback.
>
> 1977Sony creates the first consumer digital audio processor. It
> was called the PCM-l and. it recorded digital pulse signals
> on video cassettes
>
> 1977JVC develops its first pulse code modulation digital audio
> processor. The company begins to provide professional
> digital recording technologies used in recording studios
> throughout the world.
>
> 1977In cooperation with NHK, Sony develops a digital audio
> processor for use with a professional U-matic videocassette
> recorder.
>
> 1977Sony markets the world's first consumer digital audio
> processor for use with the Betamax home videocassette
> recorder.
>
>
> 1977Sony makes available a digital audio disc system employing
> a pulse code modulation direct recording method. The disc
> rotated at 900 rpm and supplied 1 hour of recording and
> playback per side. It used an optical 

8mm cinemax type film players

[Henry Bond via cctalk]

Good Evening all,

My tape obsession was already slightly out of control, but when I found a 
create of 8mm reel of family footage and other movies in my 90 something year 
old grandfather's storage, I need a recommendation on how to play these, we're 
they standardised?

What is the difference between 8mm and super 8, is it backwards compatible?

Or is this all to analogue to care?
-- H
Sent from my Android device with K-9 Mail. Please excuse my brevity.

Re: Seeking correct EuroCard dimensions

[Eric Smith via cctalk]

On Fri, Jul 28, 2017 at 5:16 PM, David Griffith via cctalk <
cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote:

>
> I'm trying to verify the correct dimensions for a 160mm x 100mm EuroCard.
> I figured this would be simple: 160 millimeters by 100 millimeters.  But
> when I submitted a template to the Kicad project at
> https://github.com/KiCad/kicad-library/pull/1441.
>
>
> I was told that I need to trim the board back by .15mm, citing this
> document: https://www.elma.com/-/media/general-web-content-files/resou
> rces/pdfs/us-corporate-dimensions-of-pcbs-d.ashx?la=en=
> 13B1EAF4FF743087F8B7E87BB10A1D20C44C40BD
>
> This doesn't seem to make sense to me.  I always thought that the bearing
> surfaces on the card cage would be spaced slightly more than the card
> width.  What's going on here?  What am I missing?


I think what they're saying is that the board size specs have a tolerance
of +0.0/-0.3mm, so you should spec 0.15mm less than nominal to be right in
the middle of the tolerance range, so that any positive tolerance variation
from manufacturing should still be within the specification.

I'm in the process of designing some 220x100 mm Eurocards myself, and
hadn't previously given the tolerance limit of +0.0mm any consideration. I
think the advice to trim 0.15mm is good.

Eric

Seeking correct EuroCard dimensions

[David Griffith via cctalk]

I'm trying to verify the correct dimensions for a 160mm x 100mm EuroCard. 
I figured this would be simple: 160 millimeters by 100 millimeters.  But 
when I submitted a template to the Kicad project at 
https://github.com/KiCad/kicad-library/pull/1441.



I was told that I need to trim the board back by .15mm, citing this 
document: 
https://www.elma.com/-/media/general-web-content-files/resources/pdfs/us-corporate-dimensions-of-pcbs-d.ashx?la=en=13B1EAF4FF743087F8B7E87BB10A1D20C44C40BD


This doesn't seem to make sense to me.  I always thought that the bearing 
surfaces on the card cage would be spaced slightly more than the card 
width.  What's going on here?  What am I missing?



--
David Griffith
d...@661.org

A: Because it fouls the order in which people normally read text.
Q: Why is top-posting such a bad thing?
A: Top-posting.
Q: What is the most annoying thing in e-mail?

RE: DECstation 220 Impasse Reached

[Rob Jarratt via cctalk]

> -Original Message-
> From: Phil Blundell [mailto:p...@pbcl.net]
> Sent: 28 July 2017 18:27
> To: r...@jarratt.me.uk; Rob Jarratt ; General
> Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts 
> Subject: Re: DECstation 220 Impasse Reached
> 
> On Fri, 2017-07-28 at 18:04 +0100, Rob Jarratt via cctalk wrote:
> > Anyone have any thoughts on whether those data signals look right?
> 
> It doesn't look obviously wrong.  If the vertical scale is 2V per box then the
> amplitude is probably about right for 74LS logic.  I think you said this was 
> on a
> shared data bus and the little glitch might well be a benign artifact (either 
> bus
> turnaround or just a reflection of some internal logic in whatever chip was
> driving the bus at the time).
> 
> But it's quite hard to say anything very intelligent about that signal based 
> on
> just one waveform in isolation.
> 


Thanks, I wasn't too concerned about the actual levels as they seemed fine for 
74LS as you say. I did wonder if the "roughness" of the signal was anything to 
do with transmission line effects. The top of the waveform is not very flat. On 
other pins I do see a long curving rise as well. It sounds like I may be able 
to consider this a fairly normal signal.

Regards

Rob

Re: Sperry UTS 40 on Ebay - Statesboro, Georgia

[Al Kossow via cctalk]

On 7/28/17 10:49 AM, Dominique Carlier via cctalk wrote:

>> That also shows there is a firmware cartridge :-(
>>
> 
> Is it specifically a bad thing from your point of view ? Why ? Do you think 
> eproms could be damaged over the years?

it will just make the firmware more difficult to dump

Re: Sperry UTS 40 on Ebay - Statesboro, Georgia

[Dominique Carlier via cctalk]

On 28/07/2017 19:34, Al Kossow via cctalk wrote:


On 7/28/17 10:02 AM, Dominique Carlier via cctalk wrote:


Maybe I'm wrong, I always believed that the J3 connector was an RS-232 port. 
Here it is:

http://www.zeltrax.com/classiccmp_forum/04.jpg

That also shows there is a firmware cartridge :-(



Is it specifically a bad thing from your point of view ? Why ? Do you 
think eproms could be damaged over the years?

Re: Sperry UTS 40 on Ebay - Statesboro, Georgia

[Al Kossow via cctalk]

On 7/28/17 10:02 AM, Dominique Carlier via cctalk wrote:

> Maybe I'm wrong, I always believed that the J3 connector was an RS-232 port. 
> Here it is:
> 
> http://www.zeltrax.com/classiccmp_forum/04.jpg

That also shows there is a firmware cartridge :-(

RE: DECstation 220 Impasse Reached

[Rob Jarratt via cctalk]

So the vertical range of the signal is about 0-5V (about 2V per division) ,
I can't remember the timebase though, but I think it was about 0.1us per
division. I will do it again (later) with more info. The signal was found on
a data pin of the 80286.

Regards

Rob

> -Original Message-
> From: Paul Koning [mailto:paulkon...@comcast.net]
> Sent: 28 July 2017 18:17
> To: r...@jarratt.me.uk; Robert Jarratt ;
General
> Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts 
> Subject: Re: DECstation 220 Impasse Reached
> 
> 
> > On Jul 28, 2017, at 1:04 PM, Rob Jarratt via cctalk

> wrote:
> >
> > Anyone have any thoughts on whether those data signals look right?
> 
> It's hard to guess at signals when the horizontal and vertical scales are
not
> stated, nor where in the circuit the signal was found.
> 
>   paul

Re: DECstation 220 Impasse Reached

[Paul Koning via cctalk]

> On Jul 28, 2017, at 1:04 PM, Rob Jarratt via cctalk  
> wrote:
> 
> Anyone have any thoughts on whether those data signals look right?

It's hard to guess at signals when the horizontal and vertical scales are not 
stated, nor where in the circuit the signal was found.

paul

RE: DECstation 220 Impasse Reached

[Rob Jarratt via cctalk]

Anyone have any thoughts on whether those data signals look right?

 

Thanks

 

Rob

 

From: Rob Jarratt [mailto:robert.jarr...@ntlworld.com] 
Sent: 27 July 2017 21:18
To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts (cctalk@classiccmp.org)

Subject: DECstation 220 Impasse Reached

 

Hello Everyone,

 

As I have mentioned before I have made some progress on a DECstation 220,
but I have reached an impasse. I get some signals on the data bus which I am
not sure about. They look odd, but they could be normal, I just don't know.
I took a picture of the scope trace, which is here:
https://rjarratt.files.wordpress.com/2017/07/decstation-220-data-signals.jpg
.

 

Any advice on whether that looks like a "normal" signal?

 

If anyone is interested, I have posted more details on general progress in
this blog posting: https://robs-old-computers.com/2017/07/27/decstation-220/

 

Thanks

 

Rob

Re: Sperry UTS 40 on Ebay - Statesboro, Georgia

[Dominique Carlier via cctalk]

> On 28/07/2017 13:56, Henk Gooijen via cctalk wrote:
> AFAIK, the UTS40 does not have a “standard” connection on it, like 
RS-232. But I could be wrong.  At the office they were connected to a 
comms concentrator, a DCP/40.


Maybe I'm wrong, I always believed that the J3 connector was an RS-232 
port. Here it is:


http://www.zeltrax.com/classiccmp_forum/04.jpg

I also have the memory of a communication program under CP/M (maybe i'm 
also wrong) about communication, a souvenir of baud rate (or it was in 
the terminal mode ?). But perhaps for a synchronous connection only.


> Note that the auction does not show the UTS very specific keyboard !!

Fortunately the machine is complete! I still have the keyboard, the 
cables, the documentation, the floppy disks. I also have a UTS20D with 
the same keyboard.


http://www.zeltrax.com/classiccmp_forum/03.jpg

> Dominique, if you ever want to get rid of your UTS40 setup and like 
to “donate” it to a good “retirement home”, let me know 
(www.pdp-11.nl ).


You have a very nice retirement home, bravo, however no, sorry ;-) You 
will understand that I am very attached to this good old fellow.


> However, you also need an SSP and EXEC (the propriatary OS), FURPUR 
and at least MASM-1100. Loved to program is assembler, but that’s an 
other story …


Except if I can finally also use that machine as a pure terminal (I 
think it would be even more fun to connect it on my DCC-116 than on a 
PC), if I can repair this computer, I probably will just use it as 
before, namely under this good old CP/M, write some stuff in BASIC as at 
the time of my 15 years ;-) However it should be great to find a way to 
import others CP/M compatible programs.


> Do you have any way to image the floppies for it?

I never had the opportunity to explore a way to transfer files or 
recreate a floppy disk from an image from my UTS. Finally I don't know 
anything about the exact filesystem for this machine, I know that there 
are ways to connect an 8-inch drive to a PC XT (for example), but on my 
subsystem the floppies are double sided, 8 sectors 1024 bytes, I think 
it's more than 1Mo per floppy DD. I don't remember if the subsystem read 
also the single sided floppies, maybe. The question is, 8-inch drive on 
XT ok but with which type of controller ?


Afterwards, was the formatting standardized between the CP/M machines of 
that generation with this kind of media ? I do not know, but the subject 
interests me.


> There are brochures and UTS 30 manuals on bitsavers under 
univac/terminals. I should have UTS 40 and 60 manuals scanned somewhere. 
I don't think I have any maintenance information but I think I have a 
few 8" CP/M disks somewhere.
> I think one of the people who designed it has popped up on vcfed.org 
but it isn't coming up in a search.

> http://www.vcfed.org/forum/showthread.php?49011-Sperry-UTS-30
> I bought one of the ebay ones to dump the firmware, would be nice if 
anyone else with UTS terminals/computers would do the same.


Thanks for all these information, I am not registered on the VCFED forum 
but I will remedy this.
About saving information, firmware, dump ROMs, I would do that, although 
I admit to be a little afraid to damage my ROMs, in the same time it 
would be the best guarantee to cure the UTS in the future.



To finish I take the opportunity to show you some pictures of my machine 
but that they date from today :


http://www.zeltrax.com/classiccmp_forum/01.jpg

http://www.zeltrax.com/classiccmp_forum/02.jpg

Re: Sperry UTS 40 on Ebay - Statesboro, Georgia

[Al Kossow via cctalk]

On 7/28/17 4:56 AM, Henk Gooijen via cctalk wrote:

> I knew most of the commands (starting with @) plus the options by heart,

@ == "Master Space"

UW-Milwaukee's first big system was a Univac 1106, which was traded in for
an 1100/80 after I left. Just picked up some operator manuals that came out
of UMD recently that I'm waiting to upload. Still remember the 1106's weird
console clock that counted in decimal seconds. A friend worked at the UMD
computer center, and he told me they ran their 1108 'blind' since Sperry
maintenance couldn't fix their console printer or Uniscope any more. They
ran the same batch jobs, and the operators knew what tapes to mount even
without the console prompts.

I spent most of my time at UWM in front of PDPs and BSD Vaxen there fortunately,
though. Half-duplex terminals were no fun

WAIT LAST INPUT IGNORED

Re: The first CD

[Al Kossow via cctalk]

On 7/28/17 8:30 AM, Al Kossow via cctalk wrote:
> 
> 
> On 7/28/17 8:20 AM, Al Kossow via cctalk wrote:
> 
>>> I dont think I've heard if the history of the technology behind cds. Was it 
>>> SRI?
> 
> Sony.
> They wrote a book about it.
> 
> 

actually this was the book I was thinking of

Martin, "The Complete Compact Disc Player"
1987 0-13-159294-7

Both Philips (NV Philips Gloeilampenfabrieken) of the Netherlands and Japan's 
Sony
Corp. made individual contributions to the production of the compact disc and 
player.
Philips began efforts to develop a compact disc in 1969, but it required ten 
years of
effort before it could show the first working system to the European press.

Philips' contribution was the creation of a video disc system using tracking by
means of a laser beam. With this as a basis, Philips then developed a more 
compact
version for sound reproduction. Sony added to the technology through its 
research on
data coding and error correction circuitry. Without these advances by Sony, 
reproduction
of the audio signal would not have been possible. Error correction circuitry 
helps
to ensure correct reproduction of sound even when the compact disc is plagued 
with
fingerprints due to disc handling, dust, scratches on the discs, and defects 
occurring
during manufacturing.

Since Sony and Philips were the prime movers toward the compact disc format,
we can better appreciate their efforts as shown in the following timetable.

DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMPACT DISC: A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

1928Harry Nyquist establishes mathematically that the sampling
rate of an analog audio waveform must be twice the highest
frequency of the wave being sampled.

1939Pulse code modulation invented by H. A. Reeves.

1969Philips Research Laboratories begins work on optical disc
recording of video, audio, and data.

1972First public demonstration of optical disc recording (VLP,
the future LaserVison

1973/74 Requirements established for video, audio, and data recording.
Philips' associate, Polygram, producer of first laser-read
discs becomes full participant.

1974Sony develops stationary-head digital audio recorder

1975Philips begins development of industrial disc mastering
equipment

1976Sony produces first digital audio disc system based on FM
video format. The disc rotated at 1800 rpm, supplied 30
minutes of music on one side, and used an optical readout
system.

1976Conception of small diameter (compact) disc defines digital
audio project parameters

1977Sony announces digital audio processor to be coupled with a
video tape recorder for 12-bit quantized, two-channel
recording and playback.

1977Sony creates the first consumer digital audio processor. It
was called the PCM-l and. it recorded digital pulse signals
on video cassettes

1977JVC develops its first pulse code modulation digital audio
processor. The company begins to provide professional
digital recording technologies used in recording studios
throughout the world.

1977In cooperation with NHK, Sony develops a digital audio
processor for use with a professional U-matic videocassette
recorder.

1977Sony markets the world's first consumer digital audio
processor for use with the Betamax home videocassette
recorder.


1977Sony makes available a digital audio disc system employing
a pulse code modulation direct recording method. The disc
rotated at 900 rpm and supplied 1 hour of recording and
playback per side. It used an optical readout system.

1978After further technological advances, Philips defines Compact
Disc as a digital audio system to reproduce one hour of
stereo sound on one side. Efforts continue to develop
commercially viable lasers, optics, ICs, disc mastering, and
production equipment.

1978The world's first broadcast of digitally recorded programs is
made through Japan's four major FM networks

1978Sony develops a long-playing digital audio disc system with
the disc rotating at 450 rpm. The unit used an optical
readout system and played 150 minutes per side.

1978Sony announces the development of a stationary-head digital
audio recorder using 1/4-inch tape

1979Philips shows working model of their Compact Disc player
to press at Eindhoven, The Netherlands. Five months later
and ten years after research began in Eindhoven, Sony signs
agreement to cooperate in further system development with
the aim of making Compact Disc the world standard for
digital audio.

1980Philips, Polygram, and Sony agree to Compact Disc System
and submit it to Digital Audio Disc Committee in Japan.

1980Sony announces the compact disc digital audio system,
jointly 

Re: The first CD

[Chuck Guzis via cctalk]

On 2017-07-28 4:31 GMT-03:00 jim stephens via cctalk
:
> 
>> 
>> Be the first on your block to own this one.  I'm sure you can read
>> it.
>> 
>> The-First-CD-Vintage-One-Only/ 
>> http://www.ebay.com/itm/322349181899

Well, to start with, let's take the obvious:   14" is not "compact",
even for Andre the Giant.   The rest is rubbish.

Optical disks go way back to 1958 with Dr. David Gregg.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Paul_Gregg

--Chuck

Re: The first CD

[Mark Linimon via cctalk]

On Fri, Jul 28, 2017 at 10:01:08AM -0400, Paul Koning via cctalk wrote:
> I don't know if DEC was the first to publish software on CDROM; it
> certainly was fairly early.

Somewhere in my collection I have the first three BSDI releases (I was a
very early customer).

The first two, 0.3.3 and 0.9.1 (IIRC), came out on DC-600s.

1.0 came out on CD-ROM.  Since the readers were so uncommon then, BSDI
took the unusual step of including a CD-ROM reader with it.  Apparently
the economics were that it was going to be cheaper to do that than
having to pay someone to keep manufacturing the DC-600 tapes.

I still have the 5.25" SCSI-1 drive around here somewhere, complete with
the little carrier tray that it required for the media.  (The Sun systems
of that era came with the same drive.)

tl:dr; somewhere around 1991 was the inflection point :-)

mcl

Re: The first CD

[Al Kossow via cctalk]

On 7/28/17 8:20 AM, Al Kossow via cctalk wrote:

>> I dont think I've heard if the history of the technology behind cds. Was it 
>> SRI?

Sony.
They wrote a book about it.

Re: The first CD

[Al Kossow via cctalk]

This isn't "the first CD".

The only thing this has in common with them is digital recording
on a spiral track.

Apparently the seller has never heard of WORMs or knows the history of optical 
data recording.


On 7/28/17 6:19 AM, Sam O'nella via cctalk wrote:
> I dont think I've heard if the history of the technology behind cds. Was it 
> SRI? I only thought the first cdrom software at least was that encyclopedia 
> on CD?
> This being 14" just sounds like a disk platter. 
> null
> 

Re: CPU meter Was: Honeywall mainframe CPU front panel ID?

[Noel Chiappa via cctalk]

> From: Pontus Pihlgren

> I gather it's for a KA10.

Yes, the MIT-DM machine.(MIT-AI had an MIT-built - I think - paging box that
was mostly program-compatible with the one on MIT-DM, but had an extra bit of
physical page number, so supported 4 'mobies' of physical memory instead of 2;
I don't know who made MIT-ML's paging box.)

> I the maker "system concepts"?

Yes; more here about them:

  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Systems_Concepts

(This was one of the first things they built.)

  Noel

Re: Sperry UTS 40 on Ebay - Statesboro, Georgia

[Al Kossow via cctalk]

On 7/28/17 4:35 AM, Bill Gunshannon via cctalk wrote:
> 
> I think I probably still have a manual for that
> box around here somewhere.

There are brochures and UTS 30 manuals on bitsavers under univac/terminals

I should have UTS 40 and 60 manuals scanned somewhere. I don't think I have
any maintenance information but I think I have a few 8" CP/M disks somewhere.

I think one of the people who designed it has popped up on vcfed.org but it 
isn't
coming up in a search.

http://www.vcfed.org/forum/showthread.php?49011-Sperry-UTS-30

I bought one of the ebay ones to dump the firmware, would be nice if anyone else
with UTS terminals/computers would do the same.

Re: Sperry UTS 40 on Ebay - Statesboro, Georgia

[Al Kossow via cctalk]

On 7/27/17 10:31 PM, Dominique Carlier via cctalk wrote:
> Oh, I have a Sperry Univac UTS 40 and its 8-inch floppy disk subsystem.

Do you have any way to image the floppies for it?

Re: CPU meter Was: Honeywall mainframe CPU front panel ID?

[Pontus Pihlgren via cctalk]

On Thu, Jul 27, 2017 at 03:48:52PM -0400, Noel Chiappa via cctalk wrote:
> > From: Charles Anthony
> 
> > Gah. I saw a picture of one somewhere recently, but I can't remember
> > where.
> 
> Are you thinking of this one:
> 
>   http://ana-3.lcs.mit.edu/~jnc/tech/jpg/SysConKAPanel.jpg
> 
> Meter closeup here:
> 
>   http://ana-3.lcs.mit.edu/~jnc/tech/jpg/SysConMeter.jpg
> 
>   Noel

I gather it's for a KA10. I the maker "system concepts"?

/P

Re: The first CD

[Paul Koning via cctalk]

> On Jul 28, 2017, at 9:19 AM, Sam O'nella via cctalk  
> wrote:
> 
> I dont think I've heard if the history of the technology behind cds. Was it 
> SRI? I only thought the first cdrom software at least was that encyclopedia 
> on CD?
> This being 14" just sounds like a disk platter. 

It's obviously not a CD.  It might be just a brown disk with scratches, being 
sold as something unusual to the gullible.  Or it might be an optical disk of 
some sort, but not all optical disks are CDs.

I don't know if DEC was the first to publish software on CDROM; it certainly 
was fairly early.  I remember hearing that DEC was building a CD factory to be 
able to do so -- that apparently was before you could find people to do it for 
you.  I forgot the date; not long after audio CDs appeared.  The VMS License 
Manager was invented to deal with software on CDs, I think.

paul

Re: Honeywall mainframe CPU front panel ID?

[Noel Chiappa via cctalk]

>> From: Charles Anthony

>> Configuration+Panel+WHITE:
>> Hard to read the writing, but I think it is a SCU configuration panel.

> I'm still trying to get confirmation (THVV couldn't help), but I think
> you may well be right.

It _is_ an SCU; see:

  http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/honeywell/multics/AM81-04_maintPrcds_Nov86.pdf

page 3-4.

 Noel

Re: The first CD

[Sam O'nella via cctalk]

I dont think I've heard if the history of the technology behind cds. Was it 
SRI? I only thought the first cdrom software at least was that encyclopedia on 
CD?
This being 14" just sounds like a disk platter. 
null

Re: Honeywall mainframe CPU front panel ID?

[Noel Chiappa via cctalk]

> From: Charles Anthony

> Configuration+Panel+WHITE:

> Hard to read the writing, but I think it is a SCU configuration panel.

Good catch! I'm still trying to get confirmation (THVV couldn't help),
but I think you may well be right.

The picture of the MIT 6180:

 http://www.multicians.org/mulimg/h6180-doors-open-big.jpg

shows one of them (on the left), and since we know we have panels we are
certain are 6000-series IOM's, e.g.:

  http://ana-3.lcs.mit.edu/~jnc/tech/multics/jpg/22.32.14.jpg

(which not only says 'IOM' in places, but has the switches the Multics
Operator's Manual says an IOM would have). This other panel looks _totally_
different from that, but it's definitely a 6180 panel. So... what else could
it be, if not an SCU?

> Closer examination of the memory size switches should reveal if it is a
> 256K or 4MW model.

We'd need a better picture, alas.

But if we had one, we could also read all the switch labels, and do the thing
above - look for all the switches the Multics Operator's Manual says one
would have, to confirm that it's an SCU...


> Two Thirds Maintenance panel:

> Can't make it out.

See my message about those images:

  http://www.classiccmp.org/pipermail/cctalk/2017-July/036539.html

The upper part is identical to the set of three IOMs, except that it is
missing the 'Configuration' sub-panel in the lower right corner. Also, there
some closeups of it allow the labels to be read, and these seem to indicate
that it's an IOM.

Why the 'Configuration' sub-panel isn't there, I have no idea. It doesn't
look like it's simply been removed (it looks like there's no hole in the
panel, there seems to be a blank black plate over the lower part). So
maybe this was a cost-reduced version for use in simple configurations
(one CPU, one memory, etc)?

Noel

Re: CPU meter Was: Honeywall mainframe CPU front panel ID?

[Noel Chiappa via cctalk]

> From: Chuck Guzis

> Nope, this wasn't a minicomputer.

You're the first person I've heard call a KA10 a 'minicomputer'! :-)

Noel

RE: Sperry UTS 40 on Ebay - Statesboro, Georgia

[Henk Gooijen via cctalk]

This sure brings back good memories!
I worked on a Sperry 1100/60 with 3 CPUs, thus an “1163”, for several years.
I was a maintainer of EXEC, MAPPER, etc, and we tested the new software
versions (fixes!) on Saturday (during the week we needed 100% up time).
I always got a thrill out of typing $! on the system console, and seeing the
boot tape being read  

So, I have countless hours sitting behind an UTS40 in the office at my desk.
I knew most of the commands (starting with @) plus the options by heart,
like @asg,t to allocate a temporary file, @use to give it a “name”, etc.
AFAIK, the UTS40 does not have a “standard” connection on it, like RS-232.
But I could be wrong.
At the office they were connected to a comms concentrator, a DCP/40.

Note that the auction does not show the UTS very specific keyboard !!

Dominique, if you ever want to get rid of your UTS40 setup and like to
“donate” it to a good “retirement home”, let me know 
(www.pdp-11.nl ).
I also have a sweet spot for SPERRY … I am not sure what I would do if I got
an offer to *haul* an 1100 system, including a few UNIservo tape drives.
However, you also need an SSP and EXEC (the propriatary OS), FURPUR
and at least MASM-1100. Loved to program is assembler, but that’s an
other story …
Ah well … keep on dreaming 

Thanks for the memories,
Henk

RE: Sperry UTS 40 on Ebay - Statesboro, Georgia

[Bill Gunshannon via cctalk]

From: cctalk [cctalk-boun...@classiccmp.org] on behalf of Pete Lancashire via 
cctalk [cctalk@classiccmp.org]
Sent: Thursday, July 27, 2017 5:58 PM
To: General
Subject: Sperry UTS 40 on Ebay - Statesboro, Georgia

No association with the seller, just passing the info on 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/142458218680


Wow, there's a memory.  I think I probably still have a manual for that
box around here somewhere.

bill

Re: Sperry UTS 40 on Ebay - Statesboro, Georgia

[jim stephens via cctalk]

On 7/28/2017 1:37 AM, Dominique Carlier via cctalk wrote:

In fact, I used this machine from 1988 to 1999
I do hope you get it going.  If you feel qualified, one thing I'd also 
look for are packs with batteries to hold information that may have 
decayed.  That sometimes can cause what you described.  since the system 
may have been left since 1999, the batteries may have gone onto 
corrosion and you may have a bit of fixing to do for that.


I've never done much but pull the cover off the one we had, and IIRC it 
had a metal box, and I put the plastic back on and left it at that.


Hope you can score the one here for spares for your system.  Since you 
have the software and the floppy drive, and a keyboard, you have some 
really rare bits.  I've only seen maybe one or two other UTS 40's one 
keyboard and one floppy for sale since I worked with them.


I think I had the machine in 1985 or 86, not sure, could have been 
later.  I worked with a couple of partners from 81 thru 85, then stated 
to do other contracting, including projects which they found that i 
could do.


We didn't retain any of the boards, sorry that I can't supply a sample 
of my printer controller if you get yours going.


thanks
Jim

Re: Ibm rs6000 7025-f50

[r.stricklin via cctalk]

On Jul 27, 2017, at 9:34 AM, Cameron Kaiser via cctech wrote:

>> AIX 5.3 should run on this machine, so why run 4.x?
> 
> Depends on what you want to run on it. AIX 5 definitely had poorer multimedia
> support and I think was an overall worse workstation operating system than 4
> or even 3.2.5.

except for the Linux integration in AIX 5L, which makes it vastly easier to 
build OSS on. (supposedly. I've never tried, since I don't care about building 
OSS.)

The F50 is also supposed to run Windows NT, but that is also something I never 
tried.


ok
bear.

-- 
until further notice