In case anyone missed it -- the History Channel tonight aired "How William
Shattner Changed the World" which includes a 15-minute segment featuring
Bruce Damer / DigiBarn. He's on 45 minutes into the first hour of the
two-hour show. It's on again tonight at midnight EST. More details from
Bruce's announcement:
Dear DigiBarn News subscribers,
Here is your brief Winter 2006 newsletter (#16). 2005 was a wonderful year,
finishing off with our Homebrew Computer Club 30th birthday
event at the Vintage Computer Festival in November. We now have some cool
audio, video and pictures of the event below (including Woz
telling some great stories, and Altair expert Erik Klein playing "fool on
the hill" on an original 8800). Read all about this wonderful and inspiring
event at: http://www.digibarn.com/history/05-VCF8-HomeBrew30/index.html (for
movies, audio, pics, Altair, Woz and more!)
##############
Breaking News:
HOW WILLIAM SHATNER CHANGED THE WORLD (the DigiBarn is featured on this
show!)
Sunday March 12th (5 and 8pm) and again all week including Friday March 17th
(8/7 central US time) and Saturday. Check Local Listings
for your region/country or the schedule at: http://www.historychannel.com/
Starting tomorrow the DigiBarn and curator (yours truly) Bruce Damer will
appear on the History Channel on a cool segment (in the first
hour) of a show called "How William Shatner Changed the World". This is a 2
hour special on how Star Trek (well, Gene Roddenberry and his
writers) came up with many gadgets and ways of working back in the 1960s
which have become reality today. This show is Captain Kirk at
his best, with Bill Shatner in an off-the-wall performance you won't forget.
Details of the show including the DigiBarn excerpt are at:
http://www.digibarn.com/collections/movies/05-11-DiscoveryCA-Shatner/index.h
tml
(originally produced by Discovery Channel Canada, video excerpted with
credit). See the History Channel pages on this show at:
http://www.historychannel.com/ and direct to the show:
http://www.historychannel.com/space/verizon/
Instead of hashing it out here, call the guy. I ordered from the web site,
got an immediate response that they were waiting for stock and that they'd
contact me.
3 days later He contacted me that they were in stock and shipping.
They were MK4s
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Richard [mailto:legalize at xmission.com]
> Sent: Saturday, March 11, 2006 7:23 PM
> To: General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts
> Subject: Re: CatWeasel card
>
>
>
> In article <200603101819450723.4315859A at 10.0.0.252>,
> "Chuck Guzis" <cclist at sydex.com> writes:
>
> > On 3/10/2006 at 6:30 PM Richard wrote:
> >
> > >Hmm... the card offered on softhut says it is an ISA card.
> So is the Mk
> > IV Catweasel ISA or PCI?!?
> >
> > It's PCI--the original Catweasel was ISA.
>
> Softhut says their PCI card is Mk 3, not Mk 4.
> --
> "The Direct3D Graphics Pipeline"-- code samples, sample chapter, FAQ:
> <http://www.xmission.com/~legalize/book/>
> Pilgrimage: Utah's annual demoparty
> <http://pilgrimage.scene.org>
>
Thanks to all who responded, I've got the information I need to continue.
Gary
"I think it was about 15-20 years ago there was, I believe, a self-study
course put out by some company for learning the hardware (and I think some
aspects of software, i.e., DOS) of computing at that time. The course came
with an 8088 computer that, if I recall correctly, one built and "learned
by doing." I'm pretty sure it was not a Heathkit. I have searched everywhere
and have not come up with anything. Does this sound familiar to anyone? Any
information would be helpful. I'm trying to track one of these courses/computers
down. Thanks!"
_______________________________________________________________________
Your Site for Swiss Maps: http://www.swissinfo-geo.org/
Hello,
I don't remember if I received an answer or not. I kind of dropped the
subject due to a lack of time to spend on the old computers.
Thanks,
Jeff
hmmmm..
bidpay.com went 'unvailable' late last week, then the domain
wasn't resolving, now someone with no references to Western
Union appears.
Anyone heard of a buyout?
--
not that I would use them anyway...
they started out OK, then got to be a total PITA to use.
I believe there's a fellow on the web who sells a 34-to-50 pin
adapter with
a PIC installed to count seek pulses and handle RWC after track 40.
--
John Wilson
http://www.dbit.com/fdadap.html
I have the following early mid 1980s Multibus 1 cards that are closing
Sunday on ebay. The sale number is following the item.
Sun 2 Multibus 68010 CPU Card, 1983 8776175837
Sun Multibus 1/4" Tape Controller Card, 1982 8776357220
Systech Multibus Mag Tape Controller, 850/1650BPI 8776370593
Xylogics 450 Multibus One SMD Drive controller 8776228165
Or search for seller innfosale
They are Sun 2 cards from a Parallel Computer in the 1980s. The tape
controllers are from the same system. There has been some interest in
Sun 2 lately and I finally found these.
Paxton
Astoria, Oregon
Innfosale
--
Paxton Hoag
Astoria, OR
USA
Hi everyone. I don't usually do this, but here is the current issue of
Computer Collector, in its entirety -- read carefully to learn about the
DigiComp 1 v.2.0 kit and, perhaps more interesting to some of you, Vince
Briel's new "AltairPC" kit.
==============================================
>> WELCOME TO THE COMPUTER COLLECTOR NEWSLETTER
>> W: http://news.computercollector.com E: news at computercollector.com
>> March 11, 2006: News/opinion, tidbits, classifieds
This week's issue:
1. Build a DigiComp; 2. Another new Altair replica; 3. Plasma Pong; 4.
Apple's 30th anniversary; 5. Rockwell thermal printers wanted
Is this issue late from last Monday, or early for next Monday? You decide.
We just know the news has been flowing in like it's high tide lately. Help
us keep up the pace: what interests you in the hobby, what should we write
about, what's your funniest collecting story? Share your scoop at
news at computercollector.com -- we're interested!
Please tell your friends about our newsletter!
**************************************
NEWS & OPINION
Ever feel like putting aside the complicated digital dinosaurs and getting
back to binary basics? If so, the DigiComp kit from Minds-On Toys
(http://www.mindsontoys.com) might be just what you need, but don't be
surprised if your child is equally fascinated.
The original Digi-Comp 1 was a mechanical, plastic computer made by
Montclair, N.J.-based ESR Inc. starting in the mid-1960s. It sold for just
$6 and now they're on eBay for hundreds. A discussion group formed in 1999
(http://groups.yahoo.com/group/friendsofdigicomp/) but things turned more
exciting when Minds-On Toys last year began selling its replica kit called
the Digi-Comp 1 v.2.0 for just $55.
Originally the idea for a modern replica was discussed at various times in
the Yahoo group, but the commercial version was the brainchild of Minds-On
(a play on "hands-on") which is owned by Tim Walker. Walker has an
impressive history in computers and education: he studied social psychology
at Harvard, worked as a high school teacher, earned a masters degree in
interactive telecommunications at New York University, studied under Seymour
Papert at the MIT Media Lab (http://web.media.mit.edu/~papert/), and worked
on Hypercard for a contractor to Apple Computer.
Walker decided to build the replica as part of his ongoing research into the
history of educational toys. His first round of 100 kits quickly sold out,
so now it's in the second run. An interesting experience happened while
building early prototypes out of heavy paper and similar materials -- he
realized how much better it would function out of precision-cut metal --
akin to the experiences of Charles Babbage, whose ideas exceeded his
technical resources. Luckily, Walker has access to modern production
companies, although a large amount of reverse-engineering was required
because he didn't own an original Digi-Comp while designing the replica.
So what can the replica kit actually do? First, it can count from 0 to 101
(seven); if you have patience it can solve math problems and even play
games. There isn't any memory, so you have to assist the machine by keeping
track of values. But that's the point! Digi-Comp is for learning, not
computing. You can literally view every step as it happens, and the 48-page
instruction manual is simple enough for a 10- year-old, yet elegant enough
for a trained programmer. After reading a few pages, it's clear why the
original Digi-Comp was successful.
- Evan Koblentz, editor
---------------------------------------
Speaking of replicas, our inbox tonight contained an exciting message from
Vince Briel, known for his Replica 1 kit version of the Apple 1 computer.
Vince is making an earlier-than-expected announcement of his new replica,
which is a semi-real Altair faceplate for an ordinary PC (not unlike Rich
Cini's Altair32 project which we mentioned two weeks ago.) To read the
details , visit http://www.brielcomputers.com or see it for yourself at the
Vintage Computer Festival East 3.0 this spring (see the VCF details in our
Tidbits section, below.)
***************************************
BOOKS FROM THE CCN STAFF:
>> Buy your copy of "Collectible Microcomputers" directly from author
Michael Nadeau: http://www.classictechpub.com. This amazing book includes
more than 700 computers with details and pricing.
>> Christine Finn's "Artifacts: An archeologist's year in Silicon Valley" is
the story of the change from farmlands to high-tech. Buy it directly from
MIT Press at http://tinyurl.com/6rllz (also see Christine's blog
http://traumwerk.stanford.edu:3455/ChristineFinn/9).
****************************************
This week's vintage gaming news from Armchair Arcade, please visit
http://www.armchairarcade.com/aamain/news.php for details:
-- This. Is. Freaking. Awesome! -- Plasma Pong. I just played it and, trust
me, you'll love it: http://216.120.241.243/~plasmap/
-- Coming soon: version 4 of Apple II Compact Flash:
http://www.armchairarcade.com/aamain/news.php?extend.502 ... Also, the
AppleWin software is now licensed under the GPL (same link)
****************************************
TIDBITS
-- The latest update on VCF East 3.0: there are now two live auctions, four
keynote speeches, 14 exhibitors, and just two months to go! We're getting
excited and you should be, too. Visit http://www.vintage.org for all the
details and frequent updates.
-- Over at CNET News.com, they're planning a special report for the 30th
anniversary of Apple (http://tinyurl.com/o2pwl). April 1, 1976 was Day One,
with the founders listed as Woz, Jobs, and Ronald Wayne -- who sold his
stake two weeks later for $800. Anyway, CNET wants to know what you love(d)
about Apple, so we'll do the opposite: tell us your favorite Apple horror
stories. What were the company's biggest blunders, from executive strategies
to customer support? Tell us what you HATE about the Cupertinians. Yes, we
are serious. It'll be fun.
****************************************
CLASSIFIEDS
This week's classifieds are sponsored by the Vintage Computer Forum at
http://www.vintage-computer.com/vcforum/.
For sale:
1. Free! IBM PC-2 for cost of shipping:
http://www.vintage-computer.com/vcforum/showthread.php?t=2667
2. Sharp PC5541 portable 286 computer:
http://www.vintage-computer.com/vcforum/showthread.php?t=2666
3. Assembled Briel Replica 1 (New Jersey):
http://www.vintage-computer.com/vcforum/showthread.php?t=2660
4. Commodore magazines and manuals:
http://www.vintage-computer.com/commodore64.shtml
5. Full collection of Electronics Australia magazine:
http://www.vintage-computer.com/magazines.shtml
6. Free! TRS-80 Model I with expansion interface for cost of shipping:
http://www.vintage-computer.com/trs80mod1nk.shtml
Items Wanted:
1. Early PC World magazines:
http://www.vintage-computer.com/vcforum/showthread.php?t=2691
2. Monochrome monitor with RCA jack:
http://www.vintage-computer.com/vcforum/showthread.php?t=2654
3. Thermal printers for Rockwell AIM-65:
http://www.vintage-computer.com/aim65.shtml
****************************************
SPONSORED LINKS:
>> For more buy/sell/trade opportunities, please visit the Vintage
Computer Marketplace at http://www.vintagecomputermarketplace.com.
>> VintageTech provides services such as patent litigation support,
prior art research, vintage computer consulting, movie and photography
props, media and data conversion, appraisals, and sales brokering.
Visit us: www.vintagetech.com.
>> Special thanks to EvenLink LLC for sponsoring our domain name and
e-mail hosting. Please visit http://www.evenlink.com for details.
****************************************
HAPPY VINTAGE COMPUTING!
Anyone on list have a Fluke 87 IV True RMS multimeter? I got one at auction
and just downloaded the manual (96 pages) from a online website. If you have
one, what do you feel about it's usefulness? thanks
