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Siemens DVA 2002 Ferrite Core Memory, c. 1961 – looking for a collector

by Julia Menden

Dear ClassicCmp community, I am looking for a new home for a rather special piece of early German computer history: An original ferrite core memory module from a Siemens DVA 2002, dating from approximately 1961. The original accompanying label has survived with the module and identifies it as: ● Ferrite core memory from a DVA 2002 ● Dating: circa 1961 ● Memory capacity: 80 × 14 bits ● According to the contemporary description: approximately 840 characters ● The ferrite cores were threaded by hand The module appears to be in very nice and largely original condition. The core matrices, wiring and contacts are clearly visible, and the historical documentation accompanying it has also survived. The Siemens 2002 was one of the early transistorized computer systems produced in Germany and represents an important part of early Siemens computing history. There is also a personal connection to Siemens in my family: my father, Hans Sessler, was the head of a Siemens data center. The module comes from this family context and our connection to computing technology of that era. I am currently parting with a few special objects from my family collection for personal and financial reasons. However, with this particular piece, it is important to me that it goes to someone who understands and appreciates what it is – ideally a collector of early computers, a computer historian, a Siemens specialist, or simply a serious core-memory enthusiast. Therefore, I am inviting serious offers rather than setting a fixed price at this stage. I am located in Germany. International sale and carefully packed shipping can be discussed. I would be happy to provide detailed high-resolution photographs of the front, back, core matrices, connectors, labels and accompanying documentation to anyone seriously interested. I would also very much welcome any additional information from members who may be able to identify the exact configuration or historical context of this particular Siemens DVA 2002 memory module. Please feel free to contact me directly with an offer or further information. Best regards, Julia https://urnenwerk.com (+49) 151 20 76 66 22 menden(a)urnenwerk.de

1 day, 6 hours

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OS/timeshare discussion (VCF)

by Steve Lewis

Hey gang, a few months ago I presented about timeshare and some aspects about operating systems since the 1950s. To buzz through a PDF or PPT version of the notes: https://github.com/voidstar78/VCF2026 VCFSW has the talk archived here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hE235ti9XQ Sorry being a bit dull as a speaker, but a few highlights: - overview of Douglass Ross "Director Tape" for Whirlwind (only "what it looked like" evidence that I was ever able to find, would be curious if others knew more about it) - 1965 Honeywell ADMIRAL OS: while I couldn't find much info about that specific OS, what I did find what Honeywell went to bat for us all vs RAND corp, putting an end some concerns about ENIAC hardware patents (that's a very short version of it) - today we fight about \ vs / slashes, when MULTICS split the difference and used > (greater than symbol), at least as far as I could tell from the manuals - some verification that UNIX was (sort of) originally called UNICS (see footnotes in the PPT notes), never formally written down but "verified" in the past year - I made a claim that Datapoint CTOS (1972) was the only OS ever on a cassette tape (not to be confused with the late 1970s CTOS) - that said, I suppose the MCM/70 did as well; really admires Mattis Lind's work on the DP2200 I never found too much info about "tymshare" (apparently a late 1960s kind of "corporate or business-to-business digital exchange" system, maybe for inventory or check-processing?). Tons of other OS's, obviously couldn't cover them all in a VCF talk. But there are a bunch of addendum notes after the end of the slides: - Mike Muuss ENIAC archive (at a .mil ftp if anyone wants to archive it more properly?) - I still claim that the word "operating system" was never used before 1960; the "SOS" or "share OS" was a name applied later (1962ish) to those pre-1960s concepts [ afaik ] - I couldn't fit in a bit about squozed :) really wanted to, just couldn't make it fit - AOSP, EXEC II, IBM 1800 derivatives (anyone ever see one of these in the wild?), Oh, not officially launched yet, but I'm now self hosting oldsayings.info (with a telnet front-end at port 42525). Kicking around some ideas, but it's reliably staying up now with Starlink as the ISP. I got tired of waiting for fiber - but the county workers are getting closer, I see them running it ranch by ranch. Cheers, wish could have made it to VCF West this year. -Steve

1 day, 20 hours

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Washington DC, Alex., VA area?

by Paul Anderson

If anyone is coming in from the DC area for VCFMW and can pick up some audio gear for me, please let me know. I'll be happy to compensate you for it. Thanks, Paul

1 day, 23 hours

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A few references on Tymshare

by Mark Kahrs

Starting with the Project GENIE system[1], the primary paper on the software is by Butler Lampson[2], although he did it with Peter Deutsch, then an undergraduate at Berkeley. This system was picked up by Tymshare and almost completely rewritten whilst maintaining compatibility. When it was connected to Tymnet[3], the whole character handling section of the monitor (as an OS was sometimes known) had to be rewritten. All of these changes were described in a IEEE Annals on History of Computing paper[4]. For those desiring more specific information on the "subsystems", much of it can be found on bitsavers: https://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/tymshare/ [1] The GENIE system is the correct historical name for this system. [2] "Interactive Machine-language programming", B. Lampson, 1965 AFIPS conf. [3] "TYMNET: a terminal oriented communication network", L. Tymes, 1971 AFIPS conf. [4] "Tymshare's Changes to the Project Genie SDS-940 Operating System: A Historical Review", M. Kahrs and A. Hardy, in *IEEE Annals of the History of Computing* in July–September 2021

2 days, 5 hours

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EAI 180 analog computer and docs at auction

by steve shumaker

There's an EAI Analog computer listed for auction on HiBid. Even has some docs: https://hibid.com/lot/317096364/analogue-computer-mod-185-240-eai180 It's in Australia and it's local pick up but for the right person in the right place..... As usual: No knowledge or relationship on my part.

4 days, 7 hours

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VAX shell accounts available. Please email Technoid Mutant to enroll

by Jeffrey S. Worley

I've put my Vaxstation 4000/60 up for a year. During that time it will be available to folks who have need of actual silicon for testing and evaluation. I'll just take your word, so there's no harm in asking for an account. I have allocated 256 users, though that'd be a lot to ask of the system at one time. The system will soon receive a full complement of 104 megabytes ram. The system will soon receive a dual fast-scsi controller to quadruple disk bandwith. Present storage is onboard small-word scsi with emulator and a full- suite of 4gig 'drives'. Present memory is 40mb. LCG framebuffer. Network is limited to a single 10mbit ethernet link. On the network are ample ssd storage and a dedicated i5 running the same version of netbsd as the vax for cross-compile support. The Alphastation is available on the same network at individual request, also running NetBSD 10.1 If you want/need a VAX shell account, send me an Email and I will assign one right back. I would not mind help/advice in fine-tuning this system or anything at all. best, jeff (Technoid Mutant)

5 days, 18 hours

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Fun graphic

by Paul Koning

https://devin.ai/cli Not exactly the image I'd expect to see on a webpage advertising shiny new technology. It even shows that application running on the VT100 (simulated, but the evidence for that is pretty subtle). Fun. paul

6 days, 23 hours

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Old RAM and TTL chips

by wrcooke＠wrcooke.net

I have about 150 dynamic RAM chips, 64K x 1 (4164 type) and 256K x 1 (41256 type) that I no longer want to keep around. They were pulled out of mostly working equipment some years ago, but of course I don't know if they've survived. If anyone is interested in them contact me off list. I also have a similar number of standard TTL (e.g. 7400) that were pulled out of surplus equipment even longer ago (40 + years.) I haven't inventoried to see what all is there. Seems to be a lot of decoders (7442) and counters, shift registers, registers, and stuff like that. If anyone is interested in those, again contact me off list. I am located in Georgia, USA. I would prefer these go to someone that needs them rather than the landfill. Thanks, Will

1 week, 4 days

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Old Rusty and Clunky IBM 604 Plugboard

by organlists1＠sonic.net

Interesting but not anywhere near worth the asking price, I think. A lot of rust and who knows what else. Rare! Retro IBM 604 Calculator Plugboard, Pluggable Units, Vacuum Tubes - Parts https://www.ebay.com/itm/128026803244 Donald R. Resor Jr. T. W. & T. C. Svc. Co. http://hammondorganservice.com Hammond USA warranty service "Most people don't have a sense of humor. They think they do, but they don't." --Jonathan Winters

1 week, 5 days

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VCF Ontario 2027 Pre-Event Survey

by Jeffrey Brace

You're invited to help the planning of VCF Ontario 2027 by completing this short anonymous survey. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VL2QD8N The Vintage Computer Federation is contemplating running "Vintage Computer Festival in Ontario" which would be in the Greater Toronto Area in 2027. If you receive this invitation multiple times, please only complete it once, to avoid duplication. Take care! Jeff Brace VCF National Board Member Chairman & Vice President VCF East Showrunner VCF Fundraising Manager VCF Evangelist Vintage Computer Federation is a 501c3 charity https://vcfed.org/ <http://www.vcfed.org/>

2 weeks

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