[cctalk] VCF Midwest Hotel Booking Opens 3/8

[Jason T via cctalk]

Hello classic computing fans!  The new website for VCF Midwest is up at
https://vcfmw.org.  Who knows the design inspiration without asking a
(Commodore) friend??  Apologies if it doesn't render well on your device.
I don't have your device!

Room booking for the show will open this afternoon (Friday 3/8).  It will
be announced via the mailing list and a refresh of this web page (at the
"HOTEL" link.)

Lots more rooms this time, and we're starting with an empty block.  But
it's still best to book early if you want to stay at the show hotel!

See you in September...

-jt

[cctalk] Re: PDP/11 Available in Denver Area

[Jason T via cctalk]

We have a couple parties interested in the Denver 11 and one pursuing.  I
will post it it becomes available again.

J

On Fri, Feb 16, 2024, 01:19 Jason T  wrote:

> Hello - I was contacted recently by a non-collector who is cleaning out
> their parents estate.  They have what they describe as a PDP-11/23 system
> with various accessories (maybe terminal, printer, docs, etc?)  which they
> would like to see go to a collector, rather than a scrapper.
>
> As I am not near Denver, Colorado, I am posting here in the hope that
> someone out there who is may want to take on the '11 and whatever comes
> with it.
>
> If you are interested, please reply to me directly and I can put you
> in touch with the owner.
>
> -jt
> --
> s700.net
>

[cctalk] PDP/11 Available in Denver Area

[Jason T via cctalk]

Hello - I was contacted recently by a non-collector who is cleaning out
their parents estate.  They have what they describe as a PDP-11/23 system
with various accessories (maybe terminal, printer, docs, etc?)  which they
would like to see go to a collector, rather than a scrapper.

As I am not near Denver, Colorado, I am posting here in the hope that
someone out there who is may want to take on the '11 and whatever comes
with it.

If you are interested, please reply to me directly and I can put you
in touch with the owner.

-jt
-- 
s700.net

[cctalk] Re: VCFMW vendor tables

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Wed, Aug 30, 2023 at 11:45 AM Tom Uban via cctalk 
wrote:

> I have heard of Discord, but have not had a need to use it. Odd that
> https://vcfmw.org/ does not
> have an obvious link for Discord if it is where we are expected to find
> useful information. Would I
> need to have a Discord account (and be a member of some group) to see this
> information?
>

Correcting a post from earlier, the ClassicCMP Discord (and IRC) is not the
primary source of VCFMW information.  It is an easy way to find some of the
organizers and ask a quick question, but the official "sources of truth"
re: VCF Midwest are the https://vcfmw.org website and the mailing list (
https://vcfmw.org/listsub.html) which everyone should be on (it's
unidirectional, spam-free and run by us on our server.)  All email sent to
the contact addresses on the site go straight to me (or, in some cases,
other staff as well) and I usually answer within a day.

-jt

[cctalk] Re: Late '70s DEC manual covers [niche!]

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Sat, Feb 11, 2023 at 1:58 AM Paul Flo Williams via cctalk
 wrote:

> During lockdown I was having some fun redrawing old DEC manual covers
> with Inkscape, specifically terminal and printer manuals from the late
> 1970s. I've attached a montage of four that I printed out so I could
> stick it on the wall. I'm aware I may be the only person, even here,
> who finds them attractively simple and coloured in such a definably
> 1970s way.

Let me add my "plus one" here!  I appreciate both the original designs
and your faithful reproductions.  Did you use a font for the cover
texts or recreate them by hand?  I know DEC was making heavy use of
Avant Garde Bold during this period, including the alternate glyphs
here and there (I have a document in my near-term scan queue that
shows how NOT to use those glyphs!)  IIRC, the corporate style guide
specifies AVGB and some form of Helvetica for advertising and
documentation use.

IBM's 1960s and 70s covers were fun, too, although a completely
different style.  Mostly geometric designs that remind me of textbooks
from that era.

-j

[cctalk] Next Week: VCF Midwest!

[Jason T via cctalk]

Hello vintage computing fans across the country and around the globe
(that's right - we're international!) The 17th Vintage Computer
Festival Midwest is coming up in just two weeks! The hotel is sold out
(months ago!), the tables are all booked (and then some!), now all we
need is YOU!

View over 80 exhibits and vendors, witness more talks than we've ever
had before and observe in person the Fabulous VCFMW Auction!

And the show is FREE, to boot!  All you need to do to participate and
receive the full benefit of retrocomputing in the Midwest is...show
up.

Find out more at vcfmw.org!

[September 10-11, 2022 in Elmhurst, IL, right outside of Chicago]

[cctalk] Next Week: VCF Midwest

[Jason T via cctalk]

Hello vintage computing fans across the country and around the globe
(that's right - we're international!) The 17th Vintage Computer
Festival Midwest is coming up in just two weeks! The hotel is sold out
(months ago!), the tables are all booked (and then some!), now all we
need is YOU!

View over 80 exhibits and vendors, witness more talks than we've ever
had before and observe in person the Fabulous VCFMW Auction!

And the show is FREE, to boot!  All you need to do to participate and
receive the full benefit of retrocomputing in the Midwest is...show
up.

Find out more at vcfmw.org!

[September 10-11, 2022 in Elmhurst, IL, right outside of Chicago]

[cctalk] Re: VCF Midwest?

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Tue, Jul 26, 2022 at 4:20 PM Fred Cisin via cctalk
 wrote:
>
> Is there going to be one this year?

Absolutely!  And a VCF Midwest as well, near Chicago on September 10-11, 2022:

http://vcfmw.org

-jt

Re: ISO: Canon Scanner Driver

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Sun, Jan 30, 2022 at 3:42 PM Glen Slick via cctalk
 wrote:
> Just manually edit that URL with the desired filename:
>
> https://downloads.canon.com/cpr/software/scanners/300350DRIT_V11.exe

That's it!  I didn't think to substitute the filename I was after into
the URL for the other models' drivers.  Looks like a linking mistake
on Canon's part.  I believe I have two versions of the correct driver
now.  Thank you Glen!

Re: Linux and Sane, that's a great question as well.  I had success
with xsane with some older scanners that were otherwise long out of
support.  I'll check it out.

Thanks all

jt

Re: ISO: Canon Scanner Driver

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Sun, Jan 30, 2022 at 3:48 PM Travis Pierce via cctalk
 wrote:
>
> I was able to download it from here.
> https://www.canon-europe.com/support/products/document-scanners/digital-microfilm/ms300ii.html?type=download=tcm:13-1364408=all=en

That is the package for the MF300-II, the USB one.  However!  I was
able to find the regular 300 on that site as well.  The Euro site has
"mux.zip" files rather than the executable driver, but the one
there looks correct and also turned out to be a little newer (v1.2 vs
v1.1).  Thanks for the lead!

-jt

ISO: Canon Scanner Driver

[Jason T via cctalk]

In order to further the effort of scanning and preserving ALL of the
things, I picked up a Canon Microfilm Scanner 300 for $cheap.  It has
a SCSI interface and doesn't work with anything past Windows XP, but
that's not a problem.  What is a problem is that Canon's link to the
XP driver is a big 4 0 4:

https://www.usa.canon.com/internet/portal/us/home/support/details/scanners/support-micrographic-scanners/microfilm-scanner-300/microfilm-scanner-300?tab=drivers_downloads

By any chance, does someone out there have this driver?  The filename
in question is "300350DRIT_V11.exe".  You can google that name and end
up either back at Canon's site or in Malware Hell ("just download this
Chrome plugin to get your driver!").

Note that this is not the Canon Microfilm Scanner 300-II, which is a
USB device and uses a different driver.

Thanks for any leads...

jt

Re: Shows in next few months

[Jason T via cctalk]

Thank you for mentioning VCF Midwest!  Here's another local show.
Despite the narrow niche, it keeps growing every year:

The 29th Annual “Last” Chicago CoCoFEST
https://www.glensideccc.com/cocofest
November 6-7
Elk Grove Village, IL

-j

On Thu, Aug 5, 2021 at 10:46 AM Andrew Diller via cctalk
 wrote:
>
> Just a run-down as there is a lot happening in the next few months:
>
>
> https://vcfed.org/wp/festivals/vintage-computer-festival-west/
> West is THIS WEEKEND August 7th and 8th
> Mountain View, CA.
>
>
> https://vcfed.org/wp/festivals/otherevents/vintage-computer-festival-southeast/
> August 20-22
> Atlanta, GA
>
> http://vcfmw.org/
> September 11-12
> Elmhurst, IL
>
> https://www.kennettclassic.com/2nd-annual-kennett-classic-announced/
> September 25
> Kennett Square, PA
>
> https://vcfed.org/wp/festivals/vintage-computer-festival-east/
> October 8-10
> Wall, NJ
>
>


-- 
vcfmw.org / chiclassiccomp.org / nocarrier.net

Re: WordPerfect for VMS

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Fri, May 7, 2021 at 8:45 PM Zane Healy via cctalk
 wrote:
>
> Strange question, does anyone happen to have the keyboard overlays for the 
> VAX/VMS version of Word Perfect that they can photograph, or better yet scan? 
>  I have the manuals, and the green, red, and blue stickers on the VT 
> keyboard, but no overlays.  I *might* have the overlays, but I can’t find the 
> the VT keyboard I’m thinking of (though after digging, I know I have more 
> than I thought).
>
> I’m looking for the VT200/300 version (which should work for my LK401).

I have the manual binder and box here as well, but there is no
keyboard overlay.  Do we know for sure if they provided one?

j

VCF Midwest 16 Date Announcement

[Jason T via cctalk]

Hello  computer friends - all of us down in VCF Midwest Planning
Bunker have decided: VCFMW16 planning must commence!  To not do so
would surely set up for failure, if and when conditions continue their
current upward trend and we get the OK to gather again in unlimited
numbers.

So...we're going to have a show!

Our schedule this year will be the same weekend as in 2019, with the
dates this year falling on the 11th and 12th of September.  Same
location as well, at Waterford Banquets (and Clarion Inn), Elmhurst,
Illinois.

See our full announcement here:  http://vcfmw.org/announce.  And fill
out the linked survey if you'd like.

Still much to do - room block reservation, improved table layout
planning, speaker recruitmentand that dang T-shirt.  We hope
everyone who is able to travel in September will consider paying us a
visit.

More news to come - check our newly re-themed website for updates as
they occur!  http://vcfmw.org

-jt

Re: Compuserve

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Sun, Jan 10, 2021 at 6:46 PM John Foust via cctalk
 wrote
>
>  From '85 until '94 or so, I saved my transcripts from visiting
> CompuServe, PeopleLink, Delphi, Genie, BIX, the Well, etc.
>

This is an incredible archive on its own.  Are you willing to share
the source files?  I'd enjoy just wandering through the raw data.
It's probably been over 30 years since I've even seen the CIS forum
message format (not counting a few moments ago, of course.)

-j

Re: interesting manual find - usermanual.wiki

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Sun, Jan 10, 2021 at 7:38 PM Randy Dawson via cctalk <
cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote:

> Ran across this, give it a try.
>
> There are tons of old (and new) manuals in there.
>
> Randy


Strange site, no indication who runs it.  It looks like a search engine but
they appear to host all of the documents their search comes up with. But I
don't think they're original scans.

Re: Compuserve

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Sun, Jan 10, 2021, 05:41 Tomas By via cctalk 
wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> Does anybody know if the old Compuserve discussion forums are
> available anywhere now?
>
> I'm specifically interested in the ones about HP Palmtops and cc:Mail.
>

As far as I know, nothing was saved. It was a massive loss for early online
history.

>

Re: Vintage Computer Federation Swap Meet 11/7/2020

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Thu, Nov 5, 2020, 06:39 Bill Degnan via cctalk 
wrote:

> > (And, the guy getting the sandwich had the better deal, IMHO
> >
>
> It's hard with mobile gmail to trim, but regardless I agree!
>
> Bill "meatball sandwitch" Degnan
>
> P.S. As a funny I asked for a meatball sandwitch in exchange for
> essentially giving away a vintage computer. It became a kind of an inside
> joke in the early MARCH club  days.  A form of currency.
>

When I used to give away spare ccmp on Craigslist, I'd say "bring me a
burrito and it's yours".  In one case, it worked!

Virtual VCFMW Schedule Posted

[Jason T via cctalk]

Hi folks - we're doing this thing!  The schedule is up, with links to
the individual videos being filled in by tomorrow evening:

https://mailchi.mp/222b57fb03dc/virtual-vcfmw-schedule-posted

The videos will be presented in sequence using YouTube's "Premiere"
function, which means there will be a live chat on the YT page where
(ideally) the video creator will chat along and conduct a Q during
and after.  There is also an all-day open chat on a linked IRC/Discord
channel.  Details are on our page here:

http://vcfmw.org/virtual.html

Hope you can join us online for a day of chatting and classiccmp video fun!

-jt

Re: Bitsavers down?

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Sun, Aug 30, 2020, 02:16 Tom Hunter via cctalk 
wrote:

> What happened to www.bitsavers.org?
> It has been down for at least the past 24 hours.
> I can still ping the website, but http requests time out.
> The bitsaver domain name here in Australia resolves to 208.77.18.144
>

You may have been hit by an auto-ban. There's been a lot of unusual rsync
activity the last couple days and we're trying to block some troublesome IP
nets.

Email me directly with your IP info.

j

>

Virtual VCF Midwest!

[Jason T via cctalk]

So we're all stuck inside with no fabulous midwestern computer
festivals to go to, so let's try to do this thing online.  You produce
the videos, we'll show them on the VCFMW Youtube channel using their
"Premiere" feature to create a full day of classic computing
presentations, along with a live chat with the creators (that's you)
on YouTube as well as an all-day open chat on Discord/IRC.

If you've got an idea for a video (criteria: on-topic, low noise),
email us before September 1 (the sooner the better!) at
virt...@vcfmw.org with:

- How you’d like to be credited (real name or alias ok)
- A one-line title/topic for your video
- A short paragraph as an Abstract (plaintext, but can include URLs)
- What time of day (morning, afternoon, or evening) you’d prefer your
video shown

If accepted, completed videos are due to us by Noon on Monday,
September 7th. You can get your video to us in one of three ways:

- Provide a download link for us to pick it up (FTP, dropbox, mega.nz,
uucp, fidonet, etc.)
- Upload via anonymous FTP to ftp.oldskool.org in the /incoming directory
- If you have no edit capability and would like to stream directly to
Youtube from your phone or tablet, go ahead and do so, making your
video “Unlisted”, then email us the link and we’ll pick it up.

Be sure to include some or all of the filename in your email so that
we match videos up with the right people.

The full linkable announcements are here:

https://mailchi.mp/1f03fef220b3/vcf-midwest-15-virtual-event?

http://vcfmw.org/virtual.html

-j

VCF Midwest Cancellation

[Jason T via cctalk]

We regret to announce...

There will be no VCF Midwest this year.

The conditions imposed upon us by the CoViD-19 pandemic and related
government regulations, as well as a depressed expected turn-out
figure, will make it impossible for us to host an event of the size
and quality our dedicated fans have come to expect.  Thus today we
have terminated our 2020 contract with Waterford Banquets and the
Clarion Inn hotel.

We recommend cancelling your hotel and travel reservations, if you
have made them, and we hope that you have not been too greatly
inconvenienced by our change of plans.

We also wish to express our thanks for the many responses we received
to our survey sent back in May.  Your feedback was informative,
interesting, humorous and most of all, essential in helping us make
the right decision about this year's show.

The good news is that we have an excellent relationship with our host
venue and have already locked in our contract for 2021.  Although a
long way off, plans will take shape early next year for that show, so
please keep an eye out for further announcements of VCFMW 16 (or will
it be 15b? We don't know yet!)

Also, following the lead of other cancelled festivals, we are
considering a Virtual VCFMW to be held on one or more of the dates
allocated for this year's show (Sept 12 or 13, 2020).  If we think we
can pull off something half as entertaining as the real thing, maybe
we'll do it.  Watch your email for announcements sometime in August.

Your humble(d) organizer -

- jason


If you would like to repost this message in your own forums, feel free
to do so by using this link:
https://us18.campaign-archive.com/?u=6d177060bd4511e27d05266a5=02ddfacc10

Re: Any fun SunWindows/SunView stuff?

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Mon, Mar 9, 2020 at 2:19 PM Chris Hanson via cctalk
 wrote:

> Were there any fun SunView applications or hacks back in the day?
>
> Other than the demos, the only stuff I currently have is emacstool (built as 
> part of emacs 18.59) and the PLATO client (which I haven’t actually built 
> yet). I know I can read through the comp.sources.unix archives but I figure 
> maybe some folks might remember things to look for.

You're not fully experiencing SunOS if you're not running Pizzatool.

Re: OT - FTGH - U-Matic Tapes

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Thu, Jan 30, 2020 at 11:49 AM Ethan O'Toole via cctalk
 wrote:

> I have a umatic deck and capture hardware if you wanted them converted.

I was going to offer the same but my plate is pretty full right now.
If Ethan can do it, I'd be happy to see them online.  And I know that
Ethan's got a much nicer capture rig :)

j

Re: HP DesignJet 600 plotter

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Sat, Dec 7, 2019 at 12:07 AM Tom Uban via cctalk
 wrote:
>
> I have an HP DesignJet 600 plotter available free for pickup in NW Indiana.
> It worked the last time I needed it, sometime in the last 8 years.

Do you know if it's the C2847A or C2848A?  One is big; the other is even bigger.

Re: Free: USENIX publications (Computing Systems and late 90s ; login:)

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Fri, Nov 29, 2019, 16:59 Alan Perry via cctalk 
wrote:

>
> and ;login: (late 90s). The content is available online, but some people
> like the printed versions.
>


Is this known for sure?  Good scans?

Re: Scanning docs for bitsavers

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Wed, Nov 27, 2019 at 2:01 PM Paul Koning  wrote:

> Another problem with bilevel scans is that, on some machines at least, they 
> can be very noisy.  That's what I saw on the copier/scanner at the office.  
> For good scans I use gray scale scanning, with post-processing if desired to 
> convert to clean bilevel data, without all the noise.  Not only does it make 
> looking at the material more pleasant, but it also makes the files much 
> smaller -- noise doesn't compress well.

That's a good point.  With my Fujitsu's TWAIN driver, I've got a
choice of 2 or 3 scan algorithms, plus some sliders to tweak, and I
get good b/w scans.  With fewer options, a grey scan + post-processing
(another vote for IrfanView's batch mode) is the way to go.

Re: Scanning docs for bitsavers

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Wed, Nov 27, 2019 at 10:12 AM Christian Corti via cctalk
 wrote:
> My recommendation: use a proper multi-function copier (the big copiers)
> that can also scan to network. I currently use our big Konica-Minolta
> bizhub 754. Although it'a b/w copier, it can also scan in color. This

These are great for cranking through big stacks of paper, but watch
out for the presets.  Some (like the older Xerox I used to use at
work) would scan to "TIFF"...which was really a JPG-compressed image
in a TIFF wrapper.  So even my 600dpi bilevel scans would have
compression artifacts.

All manufacturers are different, YMMV, etc.  Just something I got
burned on and worth watching out for.

j

Re: Discord

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Fri, Nov 15, 2019 at 8:43 PM Tony Aiuto via cctalk 
wrote:

> What would make the concept OK is if there was a federated
> identity system, such that I could post on any discord server with
> an identity based on the root one I registered at. This way I could
> have a single global identity..
>

Not pitching the service per se, but that is pretty much how Discord
works.  Your Discord account/login is persistent across all "servers"
(which are really just groups of channels with authority delegated to the
"server" admin).  It is true that to find you chatting in a specific
context, I'd need you to tell me the server you're on.  But I could still
chat directly with you if I knew your ID.

The scenario you describe is more like IRC.  There is no one "IRC", but
many servers on many networks, each with their own sets of usernames and
authentication methods (or, often, none at all).  So one must always say
"find me on channel #foo on network #bar."

That said, IRC Will Never Die.

j

Re: SOT - Grab first and ask questions later

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Sun, Nov 10, 2019 at 3:41 PM Kevin Parker via cctalk
 wrote:

> things I suspect) and the machine was a write off. I suspect finds by other
> list members have been even more "interesting"
>
> http://koken.advancedimaging.com.au/index.php?/albums/interesting-finds/

It's never a bad time to bring up the infamous HantaPET,  a rare
Commodore PET64 that was free for a good reason:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/UzxDNVD2AYlA14ty1

Re: getting your data from yahoo

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Thu, Oct 31, 2019 at 1:53 PM Al Kossow via cctalk
 wrote:
> It's retriving around 5 messages/sec. Going to take a while to
> get the 10 groups I've been following.

I've had good success with this one for just messages

http://yahoogroupedia.pbworks.com/w/page/93006447/Chrome%20Application%20To%20Download%20Messages

In one case it died at around 30K messages, but since it lets you
specify a starting message #, it was easy to resume where it left off.

j

Re: Original DEC logo in PostScript

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Mon, Oct 28, 2019 at 1:46 PM Adrian Graham via cctalk
 wrote:
> This news must have done the rounds back in 2007 though,  because I have the 
> file in question (declogo17.ps) on my Mac already…hmm...

2007 is about right:

https://nedbatchelder.com/blog/200712/ancient_history_the_digital_logo.html

Re: DIBOL manual

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Sun, Oct 13, 2019 at 1:47 PM Chuck Guzis via cctalk
 wrote:
> There's a DIBOL self-instruction book on bitsavers:
>
> http://bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/pdp8/dibol/DEC-08-WDRA-D_DIBOL_Programming_A_Self-Instruction_Manual_Sep1970.pdf

A few years ago I scanned a bunch of application manuals from a
company called MCBA.  Most of the apps are written in (or for) DEC
DIBOL:

http://chiclassiccomp.org/docs/index.php?dir=%2Fcomputing%2FMCBA

Somewhere I've got piles of 9-tracks tapes that most likely contain
the software.  Maybe they'll be recovered some time before my
infirmity.

j

Re: Able document at VCF Midwest

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Sat, Oct 5, 2019 at 12:05 PM Noel Chiappa via cctalk
 wrote:
> There was an Able Computer document at VCF Midwest, and through a
> miscommunication, it wound up on the 'free' pile. Did anyone here get it?
> If so, I'd like to try and get it scanned in, and made available.

Do we know where the docs were before they hit the Free Pile?  I took
home a few boxes of Will D's DECdocs, which I can double-check to make
sure yours didn't intermix. Otherwise, stuff flew off the Pile as fast
as it was placed there.

Also, didn't know you were at the show.  Thanks for coming out!

j

VCF Midwest 14 Videos

[Jason T via cctalk]

The videos are up!

The last of the VCF Midwest 14 Talks videos, shot in glorious 4K and
lovingly edited by the intrepid Trixter, have been rendered and posted
to our YouTube channel:

http://youtube.com/vcfmidwest

Check out the Talks you missed this year and in years past, as well as
select attendees' videos that we've linked from our page.

If you'd like, click the Subscribe button on our profile to let us
know you want to see more.

Thanks to all those who presented at VCFMW this year and to all that
shot video when we were too busy to document our own show. For some of
us, it's the only way we see it.

'Til next year...

-j

Tandem Minicomputers

[Jason T via cctalk]

Well I said no more computers I can't lift, but exotic systems keep
finding me.  So today we pulled a Tandem CLX out of a basement, along
with a few boxes of docs, 9-track tapes and random odd and ends:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/m2N7RKN3JXcmVTUC8

There's such as thing as "so obscure that no one knows/cares about
it".  I've had those before.  Do I have another?  It sure is heavy.

-j

VCF Midwest 14 Wrap-Up

[Jason T via cctalk]

Hello all - VCFMW14 has come and gone and we're left with lots of
photo galleries, a few videos and hopefully fond memories for all. It
was a new venue this year and an unprecedented (and unexpected -
seriously we filled the place) turnout.  Wheels are in motion toward
doing it again next year but for now we're just going to rest a little
first.

Here's a link to all of the known-thus-far pics and vids:

http://vcfmw.org/past.html

The videos of the actual VCFMW Talks are being scrupulously compiled
and encoded and another announcement will go out soon when they're
ready.  For now, check out the cool setup time-lapse and visitor
review videos at the link above.

It's looking like we're going to do a reprint run of this year's
official shirt because so many were unable to purchase one at the show
(see the bit above about unexpected turnout).  Maybe you'd like one,
too.  There's a size survey form in our latest mailing list message
here:

https://us18.admin.mailchimp.com/campaigns/show?id=389367

And finally a big THANK YOU to all who donated, displayed, volunteered
and attended in order to make VCF Midwest the most enjoyable and
exhausting weekend of the year for us.

-j

Wang PC Available in Seattle Area

[Jason T via cctalk]

I have been contacted by a gentleman in the Seattle, WA area who would
like to put a Wang PC240 system into the hands of a collector rather
than see it scrapped.

The system includes the custom Wang keyboard (with extra function keys
and Wang "EXECUTE" key!), a 20MB half-height Seagate drive and 5.25"
DD floppy drive.  There is no monitor included but I believe it used a
regular CGA signal.  Manuals are included but no software.

I have not seen the system and have no interest in its sale.  Please
direct all inquiries to Dave Felice at gelato...@aol.com.

-j

Re: VCF Midwest 14 Talks and Talkers

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Tue, Aug 6, 2019 at 12:38 PM Liam Proven via cctalk
 wrote:
>
> On Tue, 6 Aug 2019 at 19:28, Cameron Kaiser via cctalk
>  wrote:
> >
> > Especially the
> >
> > "Notice: Undefined index: currentpage in /var/www/vcfmw.org/footer.html on 
> > line 34"
> >
> > at the bottom. I felt right at home ;)
>
> I liked that too! Reminded me of:
>
> http://www.coboloncogs.org/INDEX.HTM
>
> (c) 

I took a lot of, uh, "inspiration" from that page :)

The PHP error on our page is unfortunately real (goes away on reload
if you're not blocking cookies).  I'm still laying out tables and have
a shirt to design and.marking "fixed in next release!"

j

VCF Midwest 14 Overflow Hotel Block Open

[Jason T via cctalk]

Hello vintage fans!  This is exactly the kind of problem a growing
show wants to have, but it's a problem nonetheless. The Clarion Inn
hotel attached to our show venue is FULL for Saturday night 9/14.
There may be a few rooms left for Friday 9/13, but that doesn't do you
a whole lot of good if you're staying the weekend.

We have arranged a small room block at the Comfort Suites in Oak Brook
Terrace, a short drive away from our hotel (sadly there was nothing
nearby that was walkable). Room rates are the same ($109/night) and we
have King and Double rooms reserved from Thursday through Sunday
nights.

More information and a booking link can be found here:
http://vcfmw.org/hotel.html

We recommend checking with the host hotel (Clarion Inn, info at the
link) first in case a cancellation freed up a room before booking with
Comfort Suites.  And remember - the deadline to book a room is August
24th. They're not going to let us slide!

Looking forward to seeing everyone there in September!

-jt

Re: Scanning Results

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Mon, Jul 22, 2019, 12:43 Warner Losh via cctalk 
wrote:

> On Mon, Jul 22, 2019 at 8:09 AM geneb via cctalk 
> wrote:
>
> > On Mon, 22 Jul 2019, Christian Corti via cctalk wrote:
> >
> > > So for the moment, I have to keep all my scans local (but accessible).
> > >
> > No you don't.  Uploading to archive.org is painless and easy.
> >
>
> Maybe I'll try both :)
>


I am always open to hosting well-scanned docs at my site as well:

http://chiclassiccomp.org/docs

>

Re: Scanning question (Is destruction of old tech docs a moral crime?)

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Sun, Jul 21, 2019 at 11:41 AM Warner Losh via cctalk
 wrote:
> 600dpi. The file is 22MB vs 12MB, so that's worth it. The 1200dpi version
> was almost 70MB which is starting to get a bit large for a 60 sheet
> document. The sweet spot seems to be 600dpu, at least for this material.

I don't know about the ScanSnap specifically, but I suspect that
1200dpi mode may be interpolated, not true optical 1200.  In either
case, I've rarely seen any great benefit to using >600, at least on
any scanner I've used (my main workhorse now being a Fujitsu
fi-5750C).

Re: Scanning question

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Thu, Jul 18, 2019 at 6:31 PM Fred Cisin via cctalk
 wrote:
> A "paper shear"
> https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MWB1C2A
> looks like a cheap hobby version.

I own this model, or very nearly the same one (previous iteration from
Peoples Paper Cutter Factory #7).  It's no 2-ton mechanic shear but it
certainly does the job.  Clamping down tight is essential, as is
trimming your document into reasonable sections before attempting to
cut.  If I'm doing, say, a paperback book, I'll use a razor knife to
cut the cover off (save for later color flatbed scanning), the open
the book to the middle, middle pages facing up, and press down so that
the binding starts to crack.  Then I use the knife to split it down
the middle. Repeat as necessary until you have easily trimmable
sections. The screw-down paper guide on the cutter helps make sure you
trim each section to same width.

600dpi bilevel TIFFs for b/w text, 300dpi or better greyscale or color
jpg for covers and photo-only pages.  Pages with text and photos and a
judgement call.  Sometimes 600dpi bilevel captures enough of the
halftones so that the image is "good enough". Sometimes I'll scan
those 400 or 600dpi greyscale and just deal with the larger file size
(disk is cheap).

De-stapled docs can be put back together with a magazine stapler.
Mine is a plain old Swingline that was welded to a big metal arm.
There may be fancier versions out there.

I scan either directly into Acrobat (b/w pages, no editing needed) or
to TIFFs and use IrfanView's batch mode to trim/align/edit/etc, then
compile into Acrobat.  I can't speak much to the free tools out there,
but many others have entire workflows of OSS that do just fine.

j

Re: WordPerfect 5.1+ for VMS

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Wed, Jul 17, 2019, 21:50 Grant Taylor via cctalk 
wrote:

> Hi,
>
> This crossed my radar earlier today.  I figured that someone on the
> CCTalk mailing list might be interested in it.
>
> Link - Vintage 1995 Novell WordPerfect 5.1+ for VMS TK50 Tape Digital
> DEC VAX
>   - https://www.ebay.com/itm/133114102939


I have a .tap image of WP 4.2 and 5.0 for VMS that I made from my own tape
years ago. The image has been  successfully mounted but IIRC the software
looks for a license key that I've never found. I do not believe it is a PAK
as with other VMS packages.  I can provide the image on request but I don't
want a post it publicly.

J

Re: Computer Reset shop, liquidation. (USA)

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Wed, Jul 17, 2019 at 3:30 PM Ethan Dicks  wrote:
> Not strictly true - I have taken two CBM printers off the free pile in
> the past 6 years.

Also guilty.  It had an IEEE PET interface, what was I supposed to do??

Re: Computer Reset shop, liquidation. (USA)

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Wed, Jul 17, 2019 at 11:13 AM John Foust via cctalk
 wrote:
> I've considered taking a truckful to VCF Midwest, but apparently
> I'd need to make a big scary sign that says "If you don't take it now,
> it's going to recycling" because I can't imagine that I'd be able
> to give away half the load.

Please do!  We have a thing called "The Free Pile" that is actually a
magical (one-way) portal to other peoples' garages, basements and
mom's basements.  It can make pretty much anything except printers
disappear.  The last few years, we've barely had to clean anything up
after the show.

But yeah, you should always be prepared to take back anything that
isn't gone by Sunday afternoon.  But if you really have a truckload,
it's another long-standing VCFMW tradition to invite folks out to the
parking lot (which will be conveniently located near the loading doors
this year) for sales and freebies right out of the vehicle.  Bring in
a few teaser items and a big sign that says "more in the truck".

Or don't do any of that stuff, and just come anyway.  Table
registration is open soon (I have the sign-up form on my desktop as I
write this).

-j

Re: 5 1/4 diskettes available

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Thu, Jul 11, 2019 at 6:21 PM Guy Dunphy  wrote:
>
> So they are! Oops. Sorry!
> Maybe they had a rush of orders, and it's not entirely my fault?
> Or maybe the 89c price was a typo, and my order alerted them?

The magic of automatic reactive pricing systems, I guess.

I received my package from BG Micro today with the disks and a few
other items (including a IBM PC Convertible 128K RAM card - never know
when I'll need one of those.  Comes with original $190 Sears price
tag!)

I was happy to see that the floppies came with sleeves bearing the old
Compaq logo.  Very classy!  No clue if the disks are any good but they
do appear to be 360K media.

https://imgur.com/QGrpowk

-j

Re: 5 1/4 diskettes available

[Jason T via cctalk]

> On 7/10/19 11:32 AM, Will Cooke via cctalk wrote:
>
> > https://www.bgmicro.com/4-pack-of-5-25-floppy-diskettes-with-sleeves.aspx
>
> They have hub rings, so they are probably 360K

Weren't these 89 cents when this was first posted?  Well they're $1.89 now.

You're altering the market!

Re: sun microsystem manuals

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Mon, Jul 8, 2019 at 6:47 AM Guy Fedorkow via cctalk
 wrote:
>
> I have a small stack of Sun 3 Administrator, Networking and Diagnostic
> manuals, from about 1990.  Contact me if you think anyone would want them?
>   Thanks

I have scanned as many Sun-3 era manual as I've gotten my hands on,
but I'm sure there are more out there.  If you'd care to check the
part numbers (like 800--xx) of yours against my site, I'd pay
shipping on any ones that I don't have posted there (you can use the
search function on the left side):

http://chiclassiccomp.org/docs/index.php?dir=%2Fcomputing/Sun

-j

Re: Email delivery protocols / methods.

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Fri, Jul 5, 2019, 16:05 Grant Taylor via cctalk 
wrote:

> Here's pot stirrer for a holiday Friday afternoon:
>
> How many different protocols / methods can we collectively come up with
> for how email can be transferred?
>
> I'm primarily thinking about between servers (MTA-to-MTA).  But I'm also
> willing to accept servers and clients (MTA-to-MUA).  Where you can /
> could run at least one server yourself.
>
>   · SMTP(S)
>   · UUCP (rmail)
>   · MMDF
>   · X.400
>   · Microsoft Exchange proprietary protocol
>   · Novell GroupWise proprietary protocol
>   · Lotus (IBM) Domino proprietary protocol
>   · FidoNet (FTN)
>   · BITNET
>   · Direct file access - group Post Office
>   · Direct file access - mail spool
>

I have vague memories of batch email transfer utilities from the BBS
world.  They were readers and/or transfer agents, but I imagine some had
their own transfer protocols and file formats. The only two I can recall at
the moment were QWK and Blue Wave.  This probably has some tie-in to
FIDOnet as well.


In Tedium,

j

>

Re: Teletype 5620 schematics

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Wed, Jun 19, 2019 at 12:48 AM Ethan Dicks via cctalk
 wrote:
> Thanks for posting this, Al.

Seconded.  I've got one with the keyboard and ladybug mouse.  Worked
many years ago - and I'll never know if it has stopped working if I
don't plug it in again!

Re: Connecting LK250 to VAXmate

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Sat, Jun 15, 2019, 03:28 Rob Jarratt via cctalk 
wrote:

> I recently acquired a VAXmate with an LK250 keyboard. The problem is the
> keyboard came without the cable. It uses an 8-pin SDL connector and the
> usual tiny MMJ-like connector at the keyboard end. I don't know the pinout
> and I don't have the necessary crimping tools, is there any source for such
> a cable?
>

Is it actually MMJ, with the offset pin, like a DEC serial cable? Or is it
just an RJ connector like a telephone handset?  And is the SDL end the same
type as on an IBM model M keyboard?

I have a VAXmate buried in storage. With enough prodding I could dig it out
and try to determine the pinout of the cable.

>

VCF Midwest: Hotel Reservations Open

[Jason T via cctalk]

After long delay, we can finally share the location of this year's
show!  Room registration is open and awaiting your reservation.  We've
got a new venue this year and that means a new table layout, which
we're hard at work on and will be posted Real Soon Now.  Then we can
start signing up exhibits and vendors.  Look for another announcement
email when we're ready to begin.

Here are the vital accommodation infos:

WHERE:  Waterford Banquets/Clarion Inn, 933 S. Riverside Drive, Elmhurst, IL
WHEN: September 14-15, 2019
HOW MUCH: We have a group rate of $109/night for single or double-bed rooms
RESERVATIONS: We have a direct link for our group code.  Note that the
dates default to the entire block (Wed-Mon) and you will have to
adjust them to your needs.
LINK: https://www.choicehotels.com/reservations/groups/gw24z4
OTHER STUFF: Please make use of our group code if you're staying with
us. Every room (and room-night) counts toward reducing our venue costs
and increases the chances of being invited back next year!  If you
book with AAA or another group plan, please let the hotel know that
you are attending VCF Midwest and they will credit your stay to our
block.

RESERVATIONS MUST BE MADE BY AUGUST 24, 2019! NO GROUP RATE WILL BE
HONORED AFTER THAT DATE!

Note: If the online form is not working or not giving you the group
rate, please call the hotel directly at 630-279-0700 before contacting
us!

Oh yes, we figured new location = new era = new website.  Besides,
some found the old site a bit unfriendly and primitive, what with all
that green monospace nonsense, like it's some kind of old computer or
something.  This new "interactive[1]" look is sure to impress.
Surely. nothing says "user-friendly" like... http://vcfmw.org

Thanks to all and we'll see you in September,

-j

[1] In that it's "not batch".

Re: Abandoned FACOM system in Italy?

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Mon, May 27, 2019 at 7:32 AM Evan Linwood via cctalk
 wrote:
> The most interesting section is from 14:14:
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrx1tK5xcAk

I like how they stole all the raised floor tiles except those with
1000lbs of tape drive on them, making extraction of those drives extra
impossible.

Re: Abandoned FACOM system in Italy?

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Mon, May 27, 2019 at 7:32 AM Evan Linwood via cctalk
 wrote:
> There doesn't seem to be mention of any recovery effort in the comments (that 
> I could see).
> The most interesting section is from 14:14:
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrx1tK5xcAk

Oof, 5:30 is a tragic sight for any IBM terminal fan.

Re: Hayes Transet Manual and Software

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Sun, Dec 16, 2018, 23:43 Jason T  wrote:

> One of my few remaining Holy Grail items, I got a Hayes Transet 1000
> this week.  My three-part Hayes stack is now complete.
>

Another Transet just sold on eBay:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/382925076475

And this one has the 5.25" PC software disk that mine did not.  If anyone
here won the item, please make an effort to image the disk.

Interesting that the still rare but more common than the Transet
Chronograph, from the same seller, got over $100 more.

j

>

Re: VCF Southeast Photos

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Fri, May 3, 2019, 06:21 Liam Proven via cctalk 
wrote:

>
> It looks to me like an Apple "live photo".
>

Google/Android's version of the same. In a couple cases (like the CM's LED
panels) I used it intentionally to capture motion. In others, I had
forgotten to shut it off :(

I can/should go back and save stills out of the motion clips for those
where I didn't intend to use it.

j

>

VCF Southeast Photos

[Jason T via cctalk]

Last weekend I made an unannounced visit out to Roswell, GA to visit
our brothers-and-sisters-in-hoarding at the Vintage Computer Festival
Southeast.  They were hosted by the new location of the Computer
Museum of America, not yet open to the public.  The show was a solid
representation of the hobby, with a wide range of micros, minis and
workstations as well as a few calculators and computing ephemera.  On
the museum side, I've never seen so many Crays in once place - and
they're not even done yet!

Here is my photo set:  https://photos.app.goo.gl/aiKGadREX511xeUt5
(contains computers, computer collectors and one giant rabbit)

Big thanks to Earl and the gang for putting on another great VCF and
showing me that southern hospitality.

More VCF Midwest news coming soon!

-j

Craigslist: RP05 drive cable in Indiana

[Jason T via cctalk]

No affiliation with the seller, just a strange item to come across
randomly.  Digital BC06S cable, which is mentioned in the manual for the
RP05 and possibly others:

https://chicago.craigslist.org/nwi/ele/d/multi-pin-digital-cable/6835150645.html

The ad shows updated two days ago so they likely still have it.

J

VCF Midwest 14: Date Announcement

[Jason T via cctalk]

Hello everyone - since people have already been asking (we even had
someone call the hotel to try to register - that's some refreshing
pro-activeness), we can confirm the date of this year's Vintage
Computer Festival Midwest will be:

September 14-15, 2019

2019 will bring a NEW LOCATION which will be announced in the coming
weeks.  So don't call the old hotel - they're already sad that they
lost us*.

Updates will be posted first to our site at http://vcfmw.org, as well
as our mailing list, which you can join there.

Thanks to all who have attended in the past and are considering it
this year.  This one will be something special**, for sure.

-jht

* Nothing wrong with the old place - we just outgrew it!
** Note that that is a measure of magnitude, not direction.

Re: decgraphic brochures on eBay

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Wed, Jan 30, 2019 at 1:48 AM Al Kossow via cctalk
 wrote:
>
> Is anyone here bidding on them that intends to scan them?
> I won't snipe them if that's the case

The GT44 User Guide?  Or is there another auction?

That one is too many $ for me.

Re: Bellmac 8 Tutor on ebay

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Sun, Jan 13, 2019 at 7:47 PM ED SHARPE via cctalk
 wrote:
>
> If any the  group  gets the  bell mac  we would love  a scan  or  hi  res  
> photo of that multi  colored  sheet. It  would  look  nice  printed in the  
> back  of  a  display  ofone of these units  here.We  have   3 of these 
> units as  I remember...  and  actually   when I  get my hands around them one 
>  will be  up  for  grabs. Please  advise   --Ed# SMECC

Seconded - I have one of these boards (without the fancy case) but I
have zero docs for it, save for what little is online.  The auction
seemed to have a few booklets, as well as the poster.

j

IDOL/VS Manual

[Jason T via cctalk]

I am preparing to scan this manual on the IDOL/VS database system, which
was initially a product of "Systems Specialties" but was later purchased by
MAI for their Basic Four systems.

I can't find any documentation on this product on Bitsavers or anywhere
else.  If anyone is aware of this manual online, please let me know.

And if anyone wants the original once it's scanned, I'll be happy to send
it for the cost of postage from 60070.

J

Re: wanted back issues IEEE ANNALS OF THE HISTORY OF COMPUTING bound or unbound... dtop us a line off list please.

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Sat, Dec 29, 2018 at 6:35 PM Guy Dunphy via cctalk
 wrote:
>
> At 12:05 PM 29/12/2018 -0800, Al Kossow  wrote:
> >On 12/29/18 12:00 PM, Chuck Guzis via cctalk wrote:
> >> Stupid question, but doesn't IEEE CS already have these archived?
> >
> >of course they are
> >
> >we are speaking with paper obsessed siverfish lovers here though
> >
>
> Coming from you that's a worrying comment, unless you are joking.

Eh, he's probably not.

I love paper and I love scanning, and I dedicate a lot of space and
time to both.  I can't keep everything but I keep a lot more than one
man without a warehouse should.

I do know now, though, that when I get that big document warehouse
(climate-controlled, of course) that I fill with every manual on
Earth, with room for extra-planetary docs, should they survive the
shipping process, it will be called the "Silverfish Motel".

-j

Re: WTD: 9 track open reel for PDP-11

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Thu, Dec 27, 2018 at 11:17 AM W2HX via cctalk  wrote:
> Does anyone have a (preferably working) 9-track drive that can be used with a 
> PDP-11 (like a pertec interface) for sale? Willing to drive anywhere from 
> Philly to Boston for one.

A bit out of your range, but if we can figure out transport, I have an
AT HP 9-track, with Pertec interface, that I've been trying
to unload for years (they're heavy!)   It's yours if we can move it.
It's clean and powers up and gets through self-test.  I have not had a
compatible machine to actually read a tape on.

I'm in 60070, near Chicago.

-j

Re: Vintage Radio Catalogs

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Fri, Dec 21, 2018 at 5:54 PM Columbia Valley Maker Space via cctalk
 wrote:
> Is there a similar mailing list for vintage radio guys? These books I
> have need a new home 

As the URL suggests, these guy(s) specialize in early radio history.
They also do a ton of scanning and host their own docs.  If you can
find contact info there, they may be interested in what you have:

https://www.americanradiohistory.com

-j

Re: Hayes Transet Manual and Software

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Tue, Dec 18, 2018 at 11:32 AM geneb via cctalk  wrote:
> I'm glad you scanned it - I've got a Transet 1000 with no manual or power
> supply.  I had only the vaguest idea of what it did. ;)
>
Seems no one does for sure.  There are some old ads and some posts
here and there (one from an ex-Hayes employee who confessed that he,
too, wasn't sure what it did or was supposed to do), but I've found
nothing from anyone who's used one to _do_ anything.  So now we get to
piece it together.

Computer archeology is fun.

j

Re: Hayes Transet Manual and Software

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Mon, Dec 17, 2018 at 10:12 AM geneb via cctalk  wrote:
> Jason, you can send it my direction for scanning if you like.  I built a
> book scanner a while back to handle all the Crescent Software manuals I

I just watched your video on your DIY scanner - good work!  I'll keep
it in mind, but I really ought to just do it over here and do a better
job of it.  I'll get to it.

In the meantime, here is the Macintosh software that came with it.  I
learned a bit about Mac disk formats when trying to image this one on
a KryoFlux.  It came on a 400K disk, which is MFS, and Ciderpress
won't load it that filesystem, making me think it was a bad read.
Finally stuck it in MiniVMac and up it came.  I transferred the files
to an 800K HFS disk image for convenience.  Both are posted here:

http://nocarrier.net/archive/floppy_images/Hayes

It's a bootable disk with Finder 4.1, which I've never seen before.

Again, if anyone knows where the PC version of the software is, I'd
love to have it.

-j

Re: 1968 Hitachi HIDIC 100 Mini Computer

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Fri, Nov 23, 2018 at 12:43 PM Bill Degnan  wrote:
>
> I did, link at bottom

Got it.  OCR'd and posted here:

http://chiclassiccomp.org/docs/index.php?dir=%2Fcomputing/Hitachi

The text on the title page goog-lates to "Thunder calculator for eye
control", which is certainly clear to me...

j

Re: 1968 Hitachi HIDIC 100 Mini Computer

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Fri, Nov 23, 2018 at 10:46 AM Bill Degnan via cctalk
 wrote:
>
> Sales Brochure scanned
> https://www.vintagecomputer.net/browse_thread.cfm?id=587

Please do scan the whole thing when you are able.  I can OCR the
Japanese text (or Acrobat can, at least...I'll have no idea what it
says :)

j

Vintage Datacomm Porn (SFW)

[Jason T via cctalk]

I have completed a scan of the December 1972 issue of "Communications
News" and posted it to archive.org:

https://archive.org/details/CommunicationsNewsV9N12/page/n0

Lots of great info and (mostly tiny) pics in here for fans of
terminals, modems, early online networks and the growing data
communications and computer telephony industries.  And a big color ad
for a Silent700 ASR!

Google Books holds a lot of the other industry journals (the "__
World" types) but as far as I can tell, there are no other issues of
this publication online.

-j

Re: Font for DEC indicator panels

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Mon, Nov 12, 2018 at 2:04 PM Noel Chiappa via cctalk
 wrote:
>
> So, anyone happen to know the font used in DEC's indicator panels:
>
>   http://ana-3.lcs.mit.edu/~jnc/tech/DECIndicatorPanels.html
>
> or, at least, a very close match?

According to my notes, for the VCFMW8 shirts
(http://vcfmw.org/shirts/vcfmw8_front.png) I used DIN Next Pro Rounded
Medium for the panel text, although the font I had in my work
directory is "DIN 1451 Fette Breitschrift 1936".  That is probably the
font next to the knob on the right and the bit numbers above the
switches.  The text inside the orange/yellow boxes (SRS) may well be
Helvetica.

There is no reason to think these are the original DEC panel fonts,
just what I found to be "close enough" at the time.

-j

Re: Did anyone see Vintage Tech Hunters on Discovery Canada yet?

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Fri, Nov 9, 2018 at 12:24 AM Ethan via cctalk  wrote:

> I tried to watch it on the drive home from work today. Youtube video had a
> strike (takedown) so it's gone. The web site had IP geolocation and
> rejected my phone. So looks like it's Canada only.

Discovery is working a deal for a US release soon.  Maybe early next year.

> So most people will need to use a VPN to get to the Discovery site from a
> .ca IP, or maybe it's nerdy enough that it will show up via various
> underground conduits of content. I am going to ping a friend tomorrow who
> has a 500TB TV rig and see if he has heard of it.

^^ storage envy.  Makes my 12.5TB array at home feel cramped and
confining.  500TB onlineI'd scan every document at 600 dpi color
and save the TIFs :)

Re: Did anyone see Vintage Tech Hunters on Discovery Canada yet?

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Thu, Nov 8, 2018 at 3:54 PM Pontus Pihlgren via cctalk
 wrote:
> And they walked tight by his VT05 :)

And I'd have told them to keep walking!  But really, it's a video
games/kitchy electronics show; they're not hardcore computer
collectors.  I don't even know what a show about "us" would look like.
Probably nothing that would fit in 23 minutes - it can take me that
long just to tell the story of how I acquired a single item.

I've always wanted to create an text adventure about computer
collecting, though.  Seek out rare finds!  Evade goldbugs!  Avoid
earning the "hoarder" label while still dying with the most toys!


> Entertaining show! Even though I suspect some of those "finds" are planted.

That's probably a safe assumption - it's TV, after all.  But I can
say, in my case, all of the items they bought from me were part of my
collection.  We may have moved them between rooms of the house to fit
their narrative, but they were here well before I got involved with
the show.

-j

UNIX - An Open Solution

[Jason T via cctalk]

I recently came across an eight-volume set of comb-bound, A4-sized
booklets titled "UNIX - An Open Solution", by Mick Farmer and Richard
Murphy.  In trying to uncover more info about them, I found Mick
Farmer's old home page:  http://www.plan7.co.uk/mick.html.

The books are mentioned there with the text "videos and workbook".
Has anyone seen the videos from these lessons, or know where they
could be found?

Mr. Farmer's email is listed on the page - I can check with him if
nothing turns up here.

- j

Re: VCFMW

[Jason T via cctalk]

VCFMW13 Talks & Presentations videos are up!  Here's a YouTube
playlist with all of them for this year:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLE-Iywr9LQERoM2Iy6EeO9ln5SdFnmnsW

Re: ISO 70's and 80's coax and twinax terminal docs/brochures

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Wed, Sep 19, 2018 at 11:00 AM Al Kossow via cctalk
 wrote:
>
> I've started to more aggressively archive material on old IBM and compatible 
> coax and twinax
> terminals and was wondering if anyone has documentation scanned or squirreled 
> away that I don't
> already have on bitsavers. Most of these have been scrapped by now, and 
> surviving keyboards for them

I don't know if you ever mirrored the IBM docs I was working on
starting a couple years back, but there are quite a few terminal/comms
related titles here:

http://chiclassiccomp.org/docs/index.php?dir=%2Fcomputing%2FIBM%2FMainframe%2FHardware

The collection I was drawing from for scans is now in other hands, but
I did as many of the interesting ones as I could get to.  Please take
any you want for Bitsavers.

-j

Re: VCFMW

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Tue, Sep 18, 2018 at 12:45 PM Jay West via cctalk
 wrote:

> Once again. Silent700 put together an incredible show for the Midwest
> computer festival in Elk Grove. Every room that was rented was almost
> overflowing most of the show, so I suspect attendance was great. I heard a
> lot of good feedback on the speakers and presentations, and I also noticed
> that the auction pile was bigger than each previous year.

Thanks, Jay, for the kind words about the show.  This was indeed our
largest turnout ever, by a wide margin.  The auction lasted nearly
four hours (!), across 102 lots, and despite my failing voice and
rumbling stomach, kept bidders at rapt attention throughout.

Pic galleries and videos are just starting to come in and are being
posted here as we get them:  http://vcfmw.org/past.html

Videos of the talks are being professionally produced by our very own
Trixter and will be up as early as this weekend on our channel at
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu3UDdi0llxiSaFKq-p5gYQ/videos

A big thanks to all who donated, attended and contributed to another
successful VCF Midwest!

-jht

Re: Teletype mod 40 PSU

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Sat, Sep 8, 2018 at 2:09 PM Chuck Guzis via cctalk
 wrote:
> Yup.  The model 40 band printer was something that could do 150 lpm on
> 14" tractor feed and could fit on a tabletop.  Sold as a
> Centronics/Dataproducts interfaced unit by several third-party vendors.
> We had one hooked to an MDS 800 to churn out listings.  A great unit for
> the time.
>
> Always sold with a an acoustic cover, however--the naked bugger was very
> loud.   I think I still have a set of schematics for it.

Through whatever happenstance led that stuff into my hoard, I've got
the acoustic enclosure for that printer but...not the printer.  Not
really in a hurry to replace it, but it would be nice someday to see
the two reunited.

Re: Teletype mod 40 PSU

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Fri, Sep 7, 2018, 23:08 Paul Anderson via cctalk 
wrote:

> I have a teletype 40PSU101 I can drop off at VCFMW or mail, but is is a bit
> heavy.
>
> If you have any interest, please contact me off list.
>


Is this for the Dataspeed 40 terminal?  If so, I have two of those and one
of them is dead. Who knows, maybe it's the power supply.

>

VCFMW 13: Less Than a Month to Go!

[Jason T via cctalk]

Hello classic computing fans!  We're entering the final weeks before
the big event, and here is an update.  If you're subscribed to the
mailing list, you've already seen most of this (for review/sharing:
https://mailchi.mp/e060dcbd1bfd/vcf-midwest-13-one-month-to-go).

- Exhibits: Our exhibitor list has been posted, showing most (but not
all!) of the displays you'll see this year.  We're happy to once again
have a great variety of platforms and eras represented, as well as
some new faces alongside our veteran exhibitors.  Check it out at:
http://vcfmw.org/ex.html

- Table space: We are full!  Until, that is, we're not.  All of the
past shows have included several last-minute changes, so space does
open up.  There is a stand-by list forming; please email me directly
if you'd like to be on it.

- Presentations: Once again this year we have a full weekend of
interesting talks and demos.  The schedule (as it stands now) has been
posted.  All talks are filmed and will be posted online - but they're
always much better in person!  http://vcfmw.org/pres.html

- Hotel: Due to other parties pre-booking a large block of rooms,
Friday night (14th) at the Holiday Inn is sold out.  If you have not
yet reserved a room, please check back with the hotel after 8/27, as
any remaining unbooked rooms will be added back to our block on that
date.  Our block still has rooms for Thursday, Saturday and Sunday
nights.

- Donations: VCFMW is a community-supported exhibition, free and open
to all.  Most of our funding comes from either cash donations (online
or at the show) or donations of equipment for our community auction.
Please consider one or both methods of support.  Auction items can be
given to VCFMW staff before Saturday afternoon.  Purchasing items at
the auction also helps - and it's always an event not to be missed!

- Free pile: The tradition of the Free Pile continues this year.  This
is a great way to unload that "junk" (but not too junky) hardware and
software and contribute to the classic computing community.  Our only
request is that you make sure that whatever you leave is gone by 4pm
Sunday.

We thank you once again for your interest in and support of VCF
Midwest and the whole classic computing hobby.  We'll see you in a
month!

-j

Re: Fairly Extensive Singer/Friden "System Ten" Computer System for Rescue

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Sat, Aug 18, 2018 at 10:32 AM Jules Richardson via cctalk
 wrote:
> Any update on this - has anyone picked up the system, or are there plans to
> do so? Folks over at TNMoC are keen to know that it's been saved and is off
> to a good home (sadly it's a bit unwieldy to arrange for it to be shipped
> back to the UK!)

I did finally make contact with the system owner.  The case isn't
quite as urgent as originally depicted - we have a couple months to
work on the rescue.  I'm in touch with a museum that has the resources
to transport and care for it.  Hoping this ends in a triumphant rescue
gallery for all to see.

-j

Re: VCF Midwest seller's experience?

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Thu, Aug 16, 2018 at 12:25 PM Marvin Johnston via cctalk
 wrote:
> I'm not sure, but I suspect enough people might be interested that it
> could be a 24 hour event, Fri night - Sun afternoon :).

While we technically open up Saturday morning and Friday is for set-up
and load in, Marvin is right, the show really begins on Friday
evening.  Much of the trading and sales happens btw
exhibitors/vendors, so it pays to be in town early.

-j

Re: VCF Midwest seller's experience?

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Wed, Aug 15, 2018 at 2:30 PM Bill Degnan via cctalk
 wrote:
> me too, I am going to try to fly out this year

D T!

Re: VCF Midwest seller's experience?

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Wed, Aug 15, 2018 at 1:45 PM John Foust via cctalk
 wrote:
> I'm thinking of reducing my collection by bringing items to VCF Midwest.
> I attended once six or seven years ago.
>
> Of course a great deal depends on what I'm selling, so I'll build a list.
>
> Possibles include Micro PDP-11, Microvax II, Vaxstations, Kaypro 1,
> CBM, Amiga, Atari, Apple, some S-100 boards.
>
> Is there anyone here who sold at a previous VCF Midwest?  How did it go?
>
> If there's only 150 attendees, is selling more like exhibiting?
> Ideally I'd like to come home with an empty van.

Hello John - I'm the lead organizer for VCFMW and we'd be happy to
have you (and your hardware) out at our show.  VCFMW has changed a lot
since you (and even Bill D) last attended - we have a new location
with about double the floor space and our attendance has grown in
proportion. Our tables are all booked up and the free-for-all space in
the side vendor room is probably nearly there, too, so I can't
guarantee you a table, so I'd suggest compiling a list, if possible,
and posting it here and on our local mailing list at
http://chiclassiccomp.org to arrange sales ahead of time for delivery
at the show.  Of course, if space opens up (even floor space, if you
bring a table), you're welcome to bring things in to sell, or even
sell out of your van in the parking lot.  We're all about the trading
and swapping.

If you have items of lesser value that don't seem to generate
interest, you may also consider donating them to our fundraiser
auction which happens on Saturday afternoon.  Be sure to attend either
way - I hear it's quite the spectacle ;)

Any more questions, feel free to email me directly.  Hope to see you there!

-j

Re: FPUIB: OMG Will it never end? Magazines available free or postage

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Tue, Aug 7, 2018 at 7:54 PM Fred Cisin via cctalk
 wrote:
>
> (Box A33) ...

Hi Fred - have any of these magazines been claimed?  If so, what's left?

Re: Fairly Extensive Singer/Friden "System Ten" Computer System for Rescue

[Jason T via cctalk]

While I'm not claiming the system, I've let Rick know that I'm close
to it and willing to help facilitate a rescue of at least some of the
lot.

Re: Epson DECTalk IC

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Thu, Jul 26, 2018 at 3:12 PM Cameron Kaiser via cctalk
 wrote:
> I've got a serial port DECTalk Express. Works great except for the battery
> pack. No, you can't have it.

That's the DTC03 and it's an acceptable substitute for those of us who
can't find a DTC01 for under $300.  I've wanted an 01 for years and
passed up a number of chances as their value went higher and higher.

For those who want to play with the DECtalk engine, there is the
Windows software implementation which, last I tried, still runs in
modern Windows versions.  The software is "out there" and probably
easy to find.  When I last tried it is open to some doubt - might need
to run it in a VM these days :)

There is also the PC ISA card DECtalk, whose DTCxx number I forget
(DTC07 maybe?)  I have one "somewhere" but have never had the software
for it.

-j

New VCF Midwest Mailing List

[Jason T via cctalk]

Hello all - I have created a mailing list for VCF Midwest news and
announcements.  You may already get your show news here or on the
forums, but it will be useful to us in the future to have as many
interested people as possible listed in one place.  So, if you'd care
to take a moment to drop an email (name optional) in the bucket, it
would be most helpful.  Mail volume will be low and of course, we will
not sell or share your email with anyone. Here is the link:

http://eepurl.com/dyuzub

(Many of you may find yourselves already on the list - that is either
because you've attended before, signed the paper sign-in sheet at the
show, or have otherwise made yourselves known.  The list site will
tell you whether you're already signed up).

Thank you and hope to see you in September,

-j

Re: Anyone have a HALstation 300 install CD?

[Jason T via cctalk]

> On Mon, 9 Jul 2018 09:21:28 -0700
> Al Kossow via cctalk  wrote:
>
> I'm evaluating two that came in as a donation, and the donor didn't
> have any passwords

Al - I made ISOs of the media I had before giving away my HALstations
in 2009.  I will email you directly with a link.

-j

Announcement: VCF Midwest 13!

[Jason T via cctalk]

Summer is almost here and that means it's time to get it in gear and
start planning our next Vintage Computer Festival Midwest.  Astute
readers will note that this announcement comes many weeks later than
in past years, but rest assured there is still plenty of time
remaining to make your travel plans, reserve a table or get yourself
into the mood for a full weekend of classic computing fun.  Here are
the necessaries:

What: The Thirteenth Vintage Computer Festival Midwest
When: September 15-16, 2018   (note that that's one weekend later than
the usual dates!)
Where: The Holiday Inn Elk Grove Village, Elk Grove Village, Illinois
- about 30 minutes west of Chicago with a free shuttle bus from ORD!
URL:  http://vcfmw.org

More info for the uninitiated and VCFMW veterans alike:

- We do not charge admission.  Thus, we are a community-supported
show, so we humbly beg your kind donations, which can be made via two
different links at vcfmw.org, or at the show.
- Always an entertaining spectacle, there will once again be an
auction!  This is the other way we fund the show, so your donation of
old computers (or anything even marginally related) is greatly
appreciated.  If it's a little too nice to put in the Free Pile,
please consider donating it as an auction item.
- Typical show hours are 9am Saturday 'til late night, and then
9am-4pm on Sunday (clean-up begins around 3pm).  Early load-in is
usually available on Friday afternoon, hours at the hotel's
discretion.
- The show really begins on Friday night, at least for exhibitors.  We
typically go for an informal group dinner and return to the hotel to
complete setup.  Don't worry if you're getting into town late, you can
still set up Friday night (until 11pm or so).  If you're arriving
Saturday morning, your table will still be reserved.
- Tables fill up quickly!  If you'd like to exhibit, please fill out
the table reservation form at http://vcfmw.org/signup.html. If the
form is closed, it's because the buffer filled up and we're still
processing requests.  We don't want to reserve space we don't have!
- Hotel rooms at the Holiday Inn are available at the group rate of
$92/night via the link at vcfmw.org, or by calling the hotel at the
number listed on our site.  If the online room block is full, please
try calling the hotel directly.
- There is an on-site restaurant in the hotel that serves breakfast
through dinner and a bar that is open late-ish.  Consensus seems to be
that they have good food and not having to leave the hotel to eat is a
big plus.

Feel free to forward this email or post its contents to your favorite
forum.  We'll see you in September!

-j

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/vcfmidwest
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/248644859019545

Re: old vintage stuff for pretty cheap

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Thu, May 3, 2018 at 12:48 PM, Electronics Plus via cctalk
 wrote:
> https://www.acrosups.top/vintage-computing-c-29/
>
> Don't pay attention to where it says Old Price.
>
> Click on the item and see the discounted price.

I smell an unfresh fish here.  Most of the items on the site are just
ebay listings, but much cheaper.  Not sure how they're operating but
there's likely a scam at play somewhere.

-j

Re: Scanned paperback book "RSX A User's Guide"

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Wed, Apr 18, 2018 at 12:04 PM, Al Kossow via cctech
 wrote:
> it is online now
>
> http://bitsavers.org/pdf/dec/pdp11/rsx11/Pieper_RSX_A_Guide_For_Users_1987.pdf

D'oh - I was already working on trimming up Mark's copy and OCRing it.
I got the cover scans from him as well.  My document is here:

http://chiclassiccomp.org/docs/index.php?dir=%2Fbooks%2FComputing/OperatingSystems

-j

Re: IBM 6094-010 "Dials" protocol?

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Sun, Mar 25, 2018 at 10:49 AM, Chris Elmquist via cctalk
 wrote:
> Maybe there's some relationship to the SGI dial boxes??  I have an SGI
> one but don't know anything about the IBM ones.  They were built by
> Danaher and Seiko and both SGI and Sun offered those models...

I have seen the same dial box, as well as the "Button Box" and
possibly the CAD puck with the crosshairs, for HP and, IIRC, Sun
systems.  It's a fair bet they're all based on the same models.

"Somewhere" in my overwhelming stacks of IBM docs, I have some sort of
guide to I/O devices with pics of each.  I don't believe I've ever
seen a protocol description in them, unfortunately.

j

Re: SuperTerm Maintenance Manual

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Thu, Feb 1, 2018 at 12:01 PM, Mike Norris via cctalk
 wrote:
> Do you know were or how is the best place to send the scan (sorry this is my 
> first post)?

First post and already bottom-posting - off to a fine start!

Please do scan the manual if you can't find an example of it online.
Email me directly if you need hosting for it
(http://chiclassiccomp.org/docs).

-j

Re: Interest in Teac FD235J drives and FC-1 boards?

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Tue, Jan 23, 2018 at 10:14 PM, Fred Cisin via cctalk
 wrote:
> 2.8M runs at 1,000,000 bits per second.
> Such controllers exist, but are not very common.
> Can Catweasel/kryoflux handle that data transfer rate?

Looks like no on the KF:  https://forum.kryoflux.com/viewtopic.php?t=198

The post is from 2011, but as it's a hardware limitation and the KF is
still the same hardware as when it was released, I'd guess the answer
is still no.

As someone in that thread points out, there was no commercial (read:
"protected") software on 2.88 (is that really so?), so using a
"standard" controller, if you happen to have one, is fine.  In my
case, I think I have a 486-era IBM that supports the ED format.

Re: Interest in Teac FD235J drives and FC-1 boards?

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Tue, Jan 23, 2018 at 6:36 PM, Chuck Guzis via cctalk
 wrote:
> I've got a fellow with a stock of Teac FD235J (2.88) drives and about a
> dozen bare Teac FC-1 SCSI boards.

I'm interested, if the drives can be used for imaging 2.88 media (a la
IBM, etc).  Probably not so much the SCSI boards - the drives seem to
have regular 34-pin interfaces, if I'm looking at the right photos.

Re: MY COMPUTER LIKES ME when i speak in BASIC.

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Sun, Jan 21, 2018 at 5:47 PM, Fred Cisin via cctalk
 wrote:
> "MY COMPUTER LIKES ME when I speak in BASIC"
>
> Don't anthropomorphize computers.
> They hate it when you do that.

Yes, you might anger them, and then they turn on you (or at least turn
surly and uncooperative):

https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1331069276l/1304684.jpg

Re: Adaptec 1522A SCSI Support (was re: New TestFDC Results Registry)

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Fri, Jan 19, 2018 at 10:44 AM, Mark G Thomas  wrote:
> I think you want this:  http://files.markgthomas.com/dl/adaptec/EZSCSI40.IMD
> (This URL is temporary.)

Ahh I didn't realize it was just the EZSCSI disk.  Grabbed it just in
case, as I don't know which version(s) I have.

Thanks!

-j

Re: Adaptec 1522A SCSI Support (was re: New TestFDC Results Registry)

[Jason T via cctalk]

On Thu, Jan 18, 2018 at 8:18 PM, Fred Cisin via cctalk
 wrote:
> Or, are you suggesting putting together an imaging machine that also handles
> HDD, CD-ROM, some tape cartridges, etc.?

Correct.  Two key components in short supply when you have 11
classiccmp projects are space and motivation, so if I can dd an old
hard drive/Jaz cart/etc from the same machine where I'm reading in
floppies, all the better.