[cctalk] VCF MW 2023 recap (Fri/Sat only)

I got the chance to attend another great VCF! This time in Chicago over this past weekend. Most images should be able to click and enlarge (if not, wiggle the page a bit and try again). https://voidstar.blog/vcf-mw-midwest-2023/

[cctalk] Re: Looking for NORTRONICS Read/Write head for IBM 5100/5110/5106 tape unit

Thanks, I see the listing. Here is my notes on what tape head I was looking for: (it is about 3/4th of the way down the page; there is one photo and then one "diagram" I put together) https://voidstar.blog/ibm-5100-internal-tape-and-5106/ And I appreciate you taking the time to bring this to my

[cctalk] Re: IBM 5100 discussion

I'm here (voidstar) :) I think at the time I wasn't aware of cctalk, or it wasn't working for me at the time. This past summer I got to explore the actual original SCAMP! I'm still (slowly) going through the Joe George journals.But one of the most interesting things - I found a reference

[cctalk] Re: Apple 1

The MITS emulator can't play Daisy :D As I was leaving VCF late a few months ago, I was rolling an Apple2 around outside on a cart - and a student across the street was walking by. I didn't think much of it, then he ran over and asked "isn't that an Apple?" So it occured to me: he was excited

[cctalk] Re: datapoint 2200 programming

a "modern" x86 PC?) On Thu, Oct 13, 2022 at 3:11 AM jos via cctalk wrote: > On 12.10.22 22:54, Steve Lewis via cctalk wrote: > > Does anyone know how the 1970/1971 original Datapoint 2200 was > programmed? > > It had tapes containing terminal programs to access d

[cctalk] PALM assembler now available (5100/5110/5120)

Wanted to pass along that PALM has been added as a target to the Macro Assembler AS. This means writing some assembly stuff for the old IBM 5100/5110/5120 systems. Assembler available here: http://john.ccac.rwth-aachen.de:8000/as/ So no one has to re-type it, the "bounce" sample is located

[cctalk] Re: PALM assembler now available (5100/5110/5120)

Christian! I tried contacting you a few months ago. Apologies, I suspect some intermediate ISP may be blocking gmail? I've seen this happen with other contacts. Alfred Arnold made the changes to Macro AS himself, and he used both yours and the IBM mnemonics since there were no conflicts. And

[cctalk] Re: PALM assembler now available (5100/5110/5120)

> Hehe, this sounds like a great idea! > Did I send you my Kermit implementation or my Infocom V2 interpreter? Nope - would love to check them out, any PALM examples. Your annotated disassemble of the Executive ROS is helping a lot, of examples of how to do certain things in native PALM

[cctalk] Re: Great Vintage Computer Heist of 2012

I had a thought once that the ultimate computer museum would be in orbit. Actually, I think there was some Star Trek episode along those lines (not the one where Data was captured to be put into a museum, but something similar). I like how having the old hardware gives physical "witness" and

[cctalk] IBM 5100 emulation

Greetings, we've extracted the Executive ROS of the IBM 5100. The PALM opcodes between the 5100 and 5110 should be identical. So we have used Christian Corti emulator code to run that Executive ROS (under Wintel environment). However, the CRC checks and transition to the Language ROS apparently

[cctalk] datapoint 2200 programming

Does anyone know how the 1970/1971 original Datapoint 2200 was programmed? It had tapes containing terminal programs to access different types of systems. And the instruction set was said to be similar what became the 8008. But how were these terminal programs created and how were the tapes

[cctalk] PALM assembler (IBM 5110)

There is a note from Christian Corti last updated 2017: "..assembler listing generated with AS V1.41 from Alfred Arnold. ...which I have added a code generator for the PALM processor." I believe I've found a V1.42 of this on github. But the 5110 support is not listed in the github or

[cctalk] bubble memory stable?

How "stable" is bubble memory, over decades? There is a Sharp PC-5000 that may be available, I believe from 1983-1985 era, which is said to have bubble memory. But the owner can't find a power cable, to verify if anything still works. I have older systems with ICs that are still working OK, but

[cctalk] Re: best C compiler(s) for varied vintage programming

I haven't followed the full thread here, but perhaps this might help: when I ported DestinyHunter (destinyhunter.org) from the 6502-based PET to the IBM PC, I gathered some notes on that process here https://destinyhunter.org/ibm-5150-development-notes/ Basically: programming on an actual

[cctalk] pc magazine Nov 1983

Does anyone have a November 1983 issue of PC Magazine? I did find one on eBay, but it apparently got lost in transit during recent storms. That issue has been digitally archived https://archive.org/details/PC-Mag-1983-11/ But I was hoping to come across a physical copy. Thanks!

[cctalk] Looking for NORTRONICS Read/Write head for IBM 5100/5110/5106 tape unit

I have a 5100 and 5106 both with a working tape unit. But the tape unit in my 5110 is not working, and I believe it is the read/write head. The REWIND command works, but the MARK command does not (ERR 3). I took the Tape Card from the 5110 and swapped it into the 5106, and the 5106 continued to

[cctalk] Re: Computer of Thesus

I'm all for using original hardware, I enjoy those more than emulators as well. Except, I don't miss old CRTs. Using a modern LCD on a vintage system doesn't bother me. Even on the IBM 5100, I tend to use the external BNC connector adapted to HDMI and unplug the internal CRT. But sometimes

[cctalk] Re: Computer Museum uses GreaseWeazle to help exonerate Maryland Man

Is there a public article about this? I know it's a recent announcement, but I couldn't find the article. I'm not doubting the article, just wanted to share a link with some friends about it. BTW, I've wondered if some form of stenography could be used for software development. In my mind,

[cctalk] Re: Computer Museum uses GreaseWeazle to help exonerate Maryland Man

zer might find improvements by indicating your program could be executed more efficiently if such-and-such instruction was available. On Tue, Jan 24, 2023 at 11:49 PM Sellam Abraham via cctalk < cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote: > On Tue, Jan 24, 2023 at 6:41 PM Steve Lewis via cctalk &l

[cctalk] Re: Computer Museum uses GreaseWeazle to help exonerate Maryland Man

wrote: > > On 1/25/2023 3:22 PM, John-Paul Stewart via cctalk wrote: > > On 1/25/23 11:53, Steve Lewis via cctalk wrote: > >> And back on the stenography-keyboard like thing -- what about morphing > >> keys? If a keyboard had actual screens on the keys, and the keys

[cctalk] Re: Computer Museum uses GreaseWeazle to help exonerate Maryland Man

Regarding the 1940s high school yearbook article I mentioned: I think it was 1942 - so the war was still hot. The two boys dropped the typing class since they had signed up for the Service and had other training commitments. On the next page was a list of those who had recently signed up,

[cctalk] Re: 5150 cassette (Was: DLOAD BASIC command for Color Comp

For reference, my notes on the CTR/CCR tape units (and its relationship to CoCo's and the 5150): https://voidstar.blog/all-about-tandy-radio-shack-computer-cassette-recorder-trs-ccr/ (the Tandy Modem 1 from 1981 also used the cassette port, on one of the TRS-80 systems - at least per its manual)

[cctalk] CoreNET PC-51 info (IBM 5110)

Is anyone familiar with PC-51 and/or CoreNET? These are IBM 5110/5120 related tools developed by an individual in the early 1980s. My understanding is PC-51 was an emulator that ran BASIC programs from the IBM 5110. One keyword new in the IBM 5110 was the "FORMS" keyboard, and you could define

[cctalk] Re: CoreNET PC-51 info (IBM 5110)

> Remember: this card is absolutely dumb, it essentially only has shift > registers and a clock generator Ah, the clock might be important. I was thinking of a terminal that could be written without the async card, and using maybe 3 pins on those set of external DB25 connectors. This is

[cctalk] Re: CoreNET PC-51 info (IBM 5110)

Just yesterday, I received the following notes from Hal Prewitt of CORE (see below). Some highlights: - confirmation that use of async, comm, parallel card was not necessary - from the PC51 manual, their hard drives were accessed as "device 08" (D08 instead of D80 for the IBM disk drive) - gives

[cctalk] Any working Datapoint 2200 systems?

I've been looking for a video or image that shows what font the original Datapoint 2200 used. It's not shown in the manual. There is one vintage image with the office lady and the DP2200 on the desk- but the font isn't very clear in that. In any modern video about the DP2200, none of them seem

[cctalk] Re: Any working Datapoint 2200 systems?

gt; > silver cans (and how to extract the 6KB of content from them). > > I am completely ignorant to the operation of the 5100 but can't you just > dump that memory when the system is on? Or is there some Jon Titor type > reason behind it? > > Sellam > > > On Sun, Nov 13, 2022

[cctalk] Re: Any working Datapoint 2200 systems?

:) I really was just curious about the DP2200 font, and possibly seeing where it came from (just based on its style). The DP has a better "0" (zero) font than the 5100 :) (IMO) -Steve On Sun, Nov 13, 2022 at 3:45 AM jos via cctalk wrote: > On 13.11.22 07:13, Steve Lewis via cctalk wr

[cctalk] Re: DLOAD BASIC command for Color Computer 1/2 heritage

Just some references: https://techheap.packetizer.com/computers/coco/unravelled_series/color-basic-unravelled.pdf This states DLOAD is input only On page 88, I don't see DLOAD listed - it goes from CLOADM straight to EXEC (so it is not clear to me on how DLOAD is implemented)

[cctalk] Re: Computer Museum uses GreaseWeazle to help exonerate Maryland Man

Regarding the recent GreaseWeazle story in Maryland: What do you guys think of the "archive-ness" of current solid state devices? M.2, NVMe, SSD, or even USB thumb sticks? A friend proposed that when one of those starts to go bad, any kind of partial data recovery becomes difficult - but any

[cctalk] on the origin of home computers

Greetings, We're making final touches on a short history-video we've been making about home computers (my daughter, in middle school, has been helping). If anyone has time/interest to do a review, the draft listing is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9mgSVJZoFc Unless anyone spots a gross

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

nes and their own designs. Did any other > countries have a history that was more complex than picking the best known > parts of the international trade ? > > > > On Wed, Mar 8, 2023 at 11:24 AM Steve Lewis via cctalk < > cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote: > > > Greetings

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

ng the story without getting too long and too technical. I think you > managed to strike a good balance in your video in terms of content and > machines. Well done! > > Regards, > Tarek Hoteit > > > On Mar 8, 2023, at 3:25 AM, Steve Lewis via cctalk < > cctalk@classiccmp.org&

[cctalk] Re: mainframe vs mini

Actually, to answer my own question: if "main frame" refers to the actual framing... well the PDP-1, PDP-10, PDP-10 were minicomputers and still required a lot of metal "framing" to set up. So, can't they be considered mainframes? (another notion is that mainframes are "multi-user" -- most

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

Sellam, > It seems to come down to agreement (or lack thereof) on the definition of > "personal computer". One criteria to me is not so much about the machine/system itself, but on how it is originally financed. If it costs more than a house or has to be financed by a committee, then it's not

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

Thu, Mar 9, 2023 at 1:39 PM Fred Cisin via cctalk wrote: > Most important of all, for the video, > your daughter should decide what parameters matter to her! > > > On Thu, 9 Mar 2023, Steve Lewis via cctalk wrote: > > > Sellam, > > > >> It seems to come down

[cctalk] Re: mainframe vs mini

r 9, 2023 at 2:18 PM Chuck Guzis via cctalk < > cctalk@classiccmp.org> > wrote: > > > On 3/9/23 13:51, Steve Lewis via cctalk wrote: > > >... > > > > Use the NYT definition of a minicomputer from 1970. "Costs less than > > $25,000" (in 1970 d

[cctalk] mainframe vs mini

Not to open a huge can of worms but... I always considered a mainframe to basically be a "fully decked out" minicomputer. A minicomputer has a core CPU and memory (or racks of memory), then is "decked out" with data storage (racks of wall-sized tape decks), printers, pick-your-typewriter

[cctalk] domesticating the computer

(I think I prefer the original title of the video my daughter and I have been working on - but still open to opinions about it) Here is TAKE #10 (still AI narrated and a draft, but I found some Census data that may be interesting and had some other revisions that I hope some folks like!)

[cctalk] Re: FW: 80 Micro Aug 1980 page scan

ue, at least it is on my list of issues in the > collection. Traveling at the moment but if you don't get it elsewhere > I'll check when I am home tomorrow. > > David > > On 3/10/2023 11:48 PM, Steve Lewis via cctalk wrote: > > Was looking for a higher resolution scan of p

[cctalk] domesticating the computer (take #12)

We're going to stick to the original title of "Domesticating the Computer" - since that's more in tune with the intended theme. TAKE #11: (reference, revision listed below) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLHcUbVO_G0 And here's the narration situation. My daughter said she'd try it, and she

[cctalk] delphi, before 1990

Hey all, was Delphi accessible as a bulletin board before 1990? I'm only finding logos and info about Delphi post-1990. But for early 1980s, what as Delphi? Was it a telnet-sort-of-thing only accessed only from universities? I've searched through early BYTE and PC Mag and just not finding any

[cctalk] Re: delphi, before 1990

, word of mouth. (I also remember Intel coming to early computers clubs, and raffling or tossing out a processor after a talk) On Sat, Mar 11, 2023 at 10:38 PM Fred Cisin via cctalk < cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote: > On Sat, 11 Mar 2023, Steve Lewis via cctalk wrote: > > Hey all,

[cctalk] domesticating the computer - call for last inputs

Ok, I think we have a good narrated composition! It is still Unlisted since there are a few more things to finalize/decide. But unless we spot any major flaw in the rendering, this should be wrapped up over the next day or so. There are a few somewhat subtle easter eggs added.

[cctalk] Re: Visiting the computer history museum (chm)

> I am visiting the Computer History Museum in California next week. > I always wanted to check it out and spend a day there, but something else happens. Any recommendations > of what is a must see at the museum and anything else classic computing nearby in one day only (March 15)? I've only been

[cctalk] Re: Visiting the computer history museum (chm)

> Hello. I am visiting the Computer History Museum in California next week Tarek, I forgot, I have my own little CHM notes page here: https://voidstar.blog/vcf-west-2021/ Not much, since at the time not all the exhibits were re-opened yet - so there is much more to see now-a-days. May look into

[cctalk] Re: Low cost logic analyzer

I'm probing two DB25 connectors on the old IBM 5110 to figure out how to programmatically jiggle some pins and get some serial IO going.I've been working on writing a terminal emulator in its PALM machine code (now that we have an excellent assembler for it) - I may go lazy and just have it

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

ughter should decide what parameters matter to her! > > > On Thu, 9 Mar 2023, Steve Lewis via cctalk wrote: > > > Sellam, > > > >> It seems to come down to agreement (or lack thereof) on the definition > of > >> "personal computer". > > &g

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

could post the "script" instead. On Fri, Mar 10, 2023 at 12:28 PM geneb via cctalk wrote: > On Fri, 10 Mar 2023, Steve Lewis via cctalk wrote: > > > A revised TAKE #10 version of the video is here to clean up some aspects > > (some notes in the Description; s

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

Grumpy Ol' Fred , On the GENIAC -- thanks for sharing that! It has this "killer app" called "Masculine–Feminine Testing Machine" Brilliant! On Wed, Mar 8, 2023 at 2:41 PM Fred Cisin via cctalk wrote: > Since we are never going to completely agree on > "First", > "computer", > "home

[cctalk] Re: on the origin of home computers

Thank you all for the notes (and feedback). The 1964 skit of Patty Duke using that Univac-422 - all the markings of a personal computer right there, no doubt. But dragging that into a home doesn't make it a home computer. As engineers, sure, we're good with that - I don't even put cases on my

[cctalk] ATA-3 50-pin IDE

Is anyone familiar with the 50-pin IDE interface, which I think is called ATA-3? It is from around 1997-2002. Normally IDE is 40-pin, or in laptops might be a 44-pin. But in a COMPAQ Presario 1220, I've come across its hard drive that is using this 50-pin interface (two rows of 25-pin that are

[cctalk] Re: ATA-3 50-pin IDE

e. > > > > Paul. > > > >> On 2023-03-26 4:33 p.m., Steve Lewis via cctalk wrote: > >> Is anyone familiar with the 50-pin IDE interface, which I think is > called > >> ATA-3? It is from around 1997-2002. Normally IDE is 40-pin, or in > >

[cctalk] Re: domesticating the computer - call for last inputs

Ok, the final is up! If anyone wants the background image, the link is in the description. Thank you all for helping to make this far better than what my daughter and I started with. Domesticating the Computer: how the appliance computer came to be - YouTube

[cctalk] Re: IBM 5110 external IO (was Re: Low cost logic analyzer)

> This is easy since it is an I/O bus. The instructions are GETB, PUTB, STAT > and CTRL. In any case the corresponding control line is asserted. > This means, a PUTB will put the device address on the X/Y lines, the data > byte onto the Bus Out lines, and assert Put Strobe. > Oh yes, one

[cctalk] 80 Micro Aug 1980 page scan

Anyone here have a physical copy of 80 Microcomputing (TRS-80 themed) issue from August 1980? There is a better quality scan of a page I'm trying to get. Thanks, Steve

[cctalk] Re: FW: 80 Micro Aug 1980 page scan

On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts < > > cctalk@classiccmp.org> > > Subject: RE: [cctalk] 80 Micro Aug 1980 page scan > > > > Steve, > > There is a pretty good copy on archive.org > > > > https://archive.org/details/80-microcomputing-magazine-1980

[cctalk] WTB Sharp PC-5000

If anyone knows of a Sharp PC-5000 that might be available. I've been looking for one for a while. Might be more in the Japanese or European vintage market? Prefer working, I've been curious about the MS DOS 2.0 ROM that it has. -Steve voidstar

[cctalk] QIC tapes

Is there anyone familiar with restoring or recovering QIC tapes? I have some original tapes from an IBM 5100.(DC300 media, I think?) A couple of them have the band loose -- I've seen these replaced in the past. One of them looks in decent condition, but want a second opinion before trying

[cctalk] Re: Booting from B: (Was: Getting QRST files onto

Can't help with booting DOS to a B: drive. But, in case of interest - I do keep the IBM PC 5150 notes here: Specifically as might be related here, I have some notes on using 4 disk drives: https://voidstar.blog/5150-setting-up-floppy-disk-controller/ And main point is, the DOS DRIVER.SYS might

[cctalk] HP9825A for sale

There is a gentlemen in New Jersey willing to sell his HP9825A I believe he is the original owner. It has 4 ROM cartridges (that go in the front) and several data cartridges for the slot on the top left. He is asking $2000 but can probably negotiate (as he didn't find any takers in VCF East).

[cctalk] VCF East 2023 photos

Videos are nice, but I still like to make a kind of "scrap book" of events I've been to. Link is below. Also, most exhibitors were occupied interacting with the public and maybe didn't get a chance to see what else was presented at this VCF. Or, maybe they didn't get to see what all else the

[cctalk] Re: VCF East 2023 photos

I had succeeded > in avoiding it for 3 years, but it finally caught up to me. > > BLS > > > > > > > > > On Monday, April 17, 2023 at 05:39:04 PM UTC, Steve Lewis via cctalk < > cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote: > > > > > > Videos are nice, but I sti

[cctalk] Re: VCF East 2023 photos

> 73 Eugene W2HX > Subscribe to my Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@w2hx/videos > > > -Original Message- > From: Steve Lewis via cctalk > Sent: Monday, April 17, 2023 1:38 PM > To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts < > cctalk@classiccmp

[cctalk] Re: HP9825A for sale

> > > > > That being said, I'm surprised to see (on eBay's Terapeak) a couple of > > > these sold within the past year for around $1,100. > > > > > > Sellam > > > > One sold on eBay for $2492USD...Apr 6, 2023: > > > > https://ww

[cctalk] Re: HP9825A for sale

In a similar shenanigans vein, I've no explanation for the $20k+ IBM 5120's being listed.I think one of them has been listed as such for over a year now. - Steve v* On Tue, Apr 18, 2023 at 9:09 AM Sellam Abraham via cctalk < cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote: > On Tue, Apr 18, 2023, 6:59 AM Tom

[cctalk] QIC tape restorations (IBM 5100)

I've come across three original QIC tapes for the IBM 5100. DC300 I think, original IBM labels. They are in fair condition (the tape material itself seems fine, they are all on their reels), but the "rubbers" used to actually actuate the reels is degraded. I came across an article once on how

[cctalk] WICAT Systems

Is anyone familiar with WICAT Systems? I came across their ad in BYTE Nov 1981 (page 84), with a claim of "first family of microcomputers with mainframe capability" It is a 68000 based system (like the Lisa?), one configuration offers 400x300 monochrome graphics. Ad also claims 1.5MB main

[cctalk] Re: Wireless phone

In the 1980's Annie, didn't Oliver Warbucks have a phone in his helicopter car from the 1930s? Maybe I'm remembering it wrong. On Sat, Apr 8, 2023 at 12:14 PM ben via cctalk wrote: > On 2023-04-08 8:27 a.m., Sellam Abraham via cctalk wrote: > > On Mon, Apr 3, 2023, 9:40 AM ben via cctalk >

[cctalk] Re: ZFS, was [... GreaseWeazle ..]

On Thu, Feb 2, 2023 at 5:54 AM emanuel stiebler via cctalk < cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote: > On 2023-02-02 04:38, David Brownlee wrote: > > > So, what else do you guys use, to make sure your data is safe for the > > years to come? > I wanted to note a story about AWS: I used to be heavy into

[cctalk] Re: Store with "vintage" computers and parts

Wait, are Web Rings going to come back into fashion? :D Speaking of shady vintage websites, what the heck is up with this guy trying to sell a late model IBM laptop for more than an Apple-1 ? Is that Hunter's laptop? https://www.ebay.com/itm/183849347474 On Fri, Feb 10, 2023 at 10:15 AM

[cctalk] Re: Don Lancaster has passed away at 83

Sad to hear about Don Lancaster. Things like this is what motivated me to make the "domesticating the computer" video, which briefly mentions the TV Typewriter - to honor these "living legends". I wish I could have fit in more about Don and also Ted Nelson, author of Computer Lib. And speaking

[cctalk] Re: SCAMP at 61 (IBM Scientific Computer And Modular Processor) was Re: SCAMP at 50 (IBM 5100)

Hey, it is interesting! It has a reference to microcode and a ROS/ROM type storage. Paul Friedl's January 1973 initial diagram of SCAMP includes a "circular shaped device" at the base - I always took it to be a hard drive platter, but maybe not - maybe it is this older SCAMP type storage (which

[cctalk] Re: SCAMP at 61 (IBM Scientific Computer And Modular Processor) was Re: SCAMP at 50 (IBM 5100)

Glad ya'll are in a good mood. And it was a Monday! On Mon, Jul 31, 2023 at 11:56 PM Chuck Guzis via cctalk < cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote: > On 7/31/23 18:41, Fred Cisin via cctalk wrote: > > > The best collections include links/pointers to holdings elsewhere. > > As we all know, web sites and

[cctalk] IBM 8" disk drives - anyone need?

I have a pair of IBM 8" disk drives - they are from an 1980 IBM 5120 I simply won't have the time to give them the attention they deserve for many years. They seem mechanically ok (they spin) but I don't know much more about them, or how "universal" they might be as 8" floppy disk drives. I

[cctalk] Re: IBM 8" disk drives - anyone need?

to pick them up there, not for the free table! :D ) -Steve On Tue, Jul 25, 2023 at 8:49 PM Chuck Guzis via cctalk < cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote: > On 7/25/23 18:33, Steve Lewis via cctalk wrote: > > I have a pair of IBM 8" disk drives - they are from an 1980 IBM 5120 > &g

[cctalk] SCAMP at 50 (IBM 5100)

For anyone interested, I'm placing my SCAMP notes here! Had an incredibly great opportunity to learn more about it. https://voidstar.blog/scamp-a-review-50-years-later/

[cctalk] Re: VCF this weekend, any one up for a trade?

e last time I had it up and doing something was at the last MakerFaire . > What Is your issue? > Dwight > > > From: Steve Lewis via cctalk > Sent: Thursday, August 3, 2023 10:19 PM > To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts < > cctalk@classiccmp.org> > Cc: St

[cctalk] Re: Polymorphic Systems Poly88

That's fantastic to hear some Poly88 systems are still around ! Yes, the graphic capability of the Poly88 is what caught my attention. But I think recall also reading that it wasn't quite "S-100" compatible? Maybe that's not quite accurate, or at least no worse than other "S-100" systems in

[cctalk] Re: 50 pins in three rows

While probably unrelated, the mentioning of 3 rows of pins did remind me about what I recently learned about the 1973 IBM SCAMP... On the back side of it, it has a 3-row of 14-13-14 female pins (next to what became a DB25 connector - did DEC come up with DB25??). Was curious if anything ideas on

[cctalk] Re: VCF this weekend, any one up for a trade?

ut they eat up quite a bit of space. -Steve On Fri, Aug 4, 2023 at 12:42 PM Mike Stein via cctalk wrote: > Too far away to make shipping practical, but I'm curious: what's the > experiment about? > > Glad you're happy with the PC-5000 etc.; no interest in the monitor I take > it? > &

[cctalk] Re: VCF this weekend, any one up for a trade?

ing but I've not played with it for a few years. > The last time I had it up and doing something was at the last MakerFaire . > What Is your issue? > Dwight > > ________ > From: Steve Lewis via cctalk > Sent: Thursday, August 3, 2023 10:19 PM > To: General D

[cctalk] Re: VCF this weekend, any one up for a trade?

I can't make it to VCF this weekend - though I'm hoping to make it to the one in September. I actually am looking for something: any working IEC device for a C64 (1541 drive, printer, plotter?). More for an experiment than collection, but do prefer clean and presentable. Earlier this year, I

[cctalk] IBM 5120/5110-3 casual notes / 8" disks question

I finally got an IBM 5120 earlier this month, to complement the 5100 and 5110 that I already have. It had a few issues, but I did manage to get it to "boot" to BASIC. I put together a few notes about it here. Nothing too exciting, but two things I've learned: (1) the 5120 does actually still

[cctalk] Re: Did Bill Gates Really Say That?

I don't think Gates ever actually said this - but that's just based on my own examination into this from a few years back. But, over the years I've done some thread programming, and I was once solving a problem by loading a lot of data into main memory (like 8-16GB of data to process as one huge

[cctalk] VCF Southwest 2023 some highlights

VCF SW was this past weekend near Dallas, Texas. Here are some highlights from my perspective. https://voidstar.blog/vcf-southwest-2023/ Most photos you can click to enlarge (Edge has bugs with WordPress, you may need to scroll up/down a little bit to get the click thing working) Cheers,

[cctalk] Re: IBM 5120/5110-3 casual notes / 8" disks question

Ok, so I grabbed some DS/DD 3M 8" disks - I assume I can "MARK" them (reformat). But so far no luck. I never had disks on the 5110, so still learning about them on the 5120 - I assume they still need to be "MARK" just like the tapes are? Here is a short video I made of the 5120 disk drives I

[cctalk] Re: VCF Southwest 2023 some highlights

1:06 PM Steve Lewis via cctalk > wrote: > > > > VCF SW was this past weekend near Dallas, Texas. > > > > Here are some highlights from my perspective. > > > > https://voidstar.blog/vcf-southwest-2023/ > > > > > > Most photos you can click to

[cctalk] VCF SoCal Saturday

There's a good chance I'll make it to the upcoming VCF SoCal coming up on Sat. the 17th. Some things I'm looking for: - recently an associate of mine gifted me their original 1978 TRS-80 (Model 1). But not much in accessories. I have a suitable tape deck, but other accessories might be nice.

[cctalk] Re: SOCAL VCF

I was able to make it, and the weather turned out very fair. Here is my summary review of the two days.Sorry about the ticket issue - I was able to get an online ticket the day before the event without issue. VCF SoCal 2024 — voidstar

[cctalk] some old PC-DOS file managers

Hey all! I'm looking for a couple "file manager" type pieces of software. I can't find them on WinWorld. First one is from about 1984-1985, possibly called DRBOSS.COM, I just remember it used IBM extended graphics for "window" borders (which were colored red) and the filenames were either in

[cctalk] qbert license?

Perhaps slightly off topic, but perhaps someone here has a contact or idea on how to get started on this: Someone has done a Q-Bert port in 2023 to a new system. The title is different, but the "look and feel" (and audio) is pretty "authentic" to the original (not sure if using exactly the same

[cctalk] Re: RIP: Software design pioneer and Pascal creator Niklaus Wirth

In further honor of Niklaus Wirth and Pascal: In a Poly-88 system I acquired last year, it had a printing of the Tiny Pascal Compiler article in a 1978 BYTE publication. That has BASIC source code for the initial interpreter of a Pascal compiler. We ported that over to the Commodore BASIC V2,

[cctalk] Re: Intel 4004(sp?)

Well, just to throw this into the conversation: Over this past summer, I was studying the SCAMP ( https://voidstar.blog/scamp-a-review-50-years-later/ ) In that collection I came across a very early printing of the PALM instruction set, with the cover page dated March 21, 1972 of the printing,

[cctalk] Re: Intel 4004

I heard the Aztecs went to the moon eons before that other Armstrong guy :) On Tue, Nov 21, 2023 at 6:34 PM Paul Koning via cctalk < cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote: > > > > On Nov 21, 2023, at 7:13 PM, Antonio Carlini via cctalk < > cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote: > > > > On 21/11/2023 23:14,

[cctalk] Re: Intel 4004(sp?)

Haven't caught up on the whole 4004 discussion here, but my understanding was that the 4004 and 8008 were effectively developed at the same time? And were announced or available about within one month of each other? On Wed, Nov 22, 2023 at 2:51 AM ED SHARPE via cctalk wrote: > Was there

[cctalk] Re: Intel 4004(sp?)

Yes, it seems PALM did have a few evolutions, which just makes me curious if there were even earlier editions than this one from 1972.But even if so - then like the 4004, we're struggling to find evidence of actual products that made use of them. Wasn't the 4004 used in some cash registers,

[cctalk] Re: Z80 vs other microprocessors of the time.

After learning more about the PALM processor in the IBM 5100, it has a similarity to the 6502 in that the first 128 bytes of RAM is a "register file." All its registers (R0 to R15, across 4 interrupt "layers") occupy those first addresses. In addition, they are physically on the processor itself

[cctalk] Re: New VCF Video bumper

I picked the regular Daisy Bell one (except there is a little blip/bump at the 2-second mark that is a little jarring). It's a homage to what the IBM 7094 did back in 1961 (while that one did have vocals, it is a bit eerie, and so just an audio track like a PDP-1 might play it is good). On

[cctalk] Re: BASIC

> ROM BASICs outlived their usefulness very quickly. > Certainly a very subjective statement. I was thinking the other day, that I wish the startup BIOS of modern systems had BASIC - such as in a modern i7 based laptop. At the very least, with all the trig functions, it's as useful as any

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