test-drb March 2007

test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org

239 participants
488 discussions

software (actually anything classic computer related) directory

by jwest＠classiccmp.org

Some mention has been made on the list with regards to a "global" list of classic computer related artifacts, be those documents (manuals), software bits, other historical ephemera, etc. The concept I've been working with is defining a standard record format for interchange amongst those that wish to participate. Think of this as something like ANSI X.12 (Electronic Data Interchange). Each site who wants to participate would (in an automated fashion) periodically (nightly?) run a program or process that takes data about their collection items and puts it into this standard record format. The format has things like document name, title, description, document type, owner site, http vs. ftp, URL, FTP address, email contact, date, key words, categories, distribution allowed, etc. For example, a program could pretty easily be created that would take all the documents on bitsavers and puts them into this standard record format. Then the source systems send this record dump (or deltas from a previous dump) to the classiccmp server. The classiccmp server takes all these records from all the various sites and puts them together into a single database internally, and also provides a seamless mechanism (http, and yes... gopher, archie?) for people to search the database or browse based on given criteria. It looks like one database. But when a user tries to pull up one of the specific entries it is actually redirected to the sponsoring systems server to get the data. This way each system can keep their classic data (jpegs, pdfs, disk images, whatever) in the format they are already using without changing anything. They just need to have something that takes their format/sources and puts it into the standard format which is then sync'd to classiccmp.org. Provisions could be made to the standard record format to address all types of media, allow some items to be listed as "present" but "unavailable" for things that can't be released due to copyright issues (but at least people would know it had been preserved). I'd be happy to start a separate mailing list to discuss this record format, and if people are interested in participating. I'd hate to chew up cctalk/cctech bandwidth discussing project design :) Jay

17 years, 9 months

Anyone have a KDJ11-B or MXV11-B for trade

by dbetz＠xlisper.com

Does anyone on the list have a KDJ11-B CPU or an MXV11-B module for trade. if so, what are you looking for in return? Thanks, David Betz

17 years, 9 months

Crossbar and NeWS questions

by blstuart＠bellsouth.net

Brent Hilpert wrote: > Scott Quinn wrote: > > > > (1) What is the history of the crossbar in computer architectures as a > > mainbus replacement? > > I recall reading an article in Annals of the History of Computing about a > late 60's era mainframe in which memory and multiple processors were > connected via some sort of crossbar/matrix switching arrangement. > I think it was a Burroughs machine but my memory could be wrong on that even. CMU did a parallel machine like that using PDP-11/40s. They used 16 machines and 16 memory banks. It was called C.mmp. I think for me, reconstructing that would be the ultimate in classic geek. Also, while I haven't watched all that carefully, I'm sure there are others who have also used crossbars to route inter-processor communication. I even messed around with that approach a little. BLS

17 years, 9 months

computercollectables.blogspot.com comments welcome

by caveguy＠sbcglobal.net

WAS: Don Maslin/Archiving system software >Any thoughts yet about how to organize it? >mike In answer to mikes question... Yes and on a lot of levels ... BUT I am in full agreement with Jay that it is OT for this list and further discussion it does not belong on the cclist at this point in time. So I have place my reply and some thoughts on the subject in a seperate Blog. http://computercollectables.blogspot.com/ I invite others to come and comment on mine mutterings or create a free blog of their own, on this or any other computer, collector, collection, or collectable related subject. I like the idea that Blogs on related subjects can be cross linked using comments to form a better overall picture of the challenges involved in building everyones collection and archive management solution. Sorry Jay for the additional waste of bandwidth ;-) Please comment directly or in/on the blog NOT here on this list! Back under my rock.... Bob Bradlee

17 years, 9 months

Various DEC bits available in the UK, you pay shipping to wherever

by witchy＠binarydinosaurs.co.uk

Folks, My local favourite DEC reseller has the following heading for the scrapper unless someone pipes up: 8 or 9 Alpha 3000-300LX with RAM, working when pulled 10+ DEREPs VAX 3800 cabinet, no cards R400X cabinet, no disks 5+ VXT2000 x-terms, base unit only 5+ VXT2000+ x-terms, base unit only They've been stored outside for a month so they've had a good wash in the british winter, but they'll be fine once dried. You pay packing/shipping, I'm happy to box up and send to wherever, there's palletising facilities at work. Caveat is, the stuff will probably be heading to the recycler in a week's time so speak up now. Cheers, -- Adrian/Witchy Binary Dinosaurs creator/curator Www.binarydinosaurs.co.uk - the UK's biggest private home computer collection?

17 years, 9 months

AIM65 (was Why blinkenlights ?)

by dm561＠torfree.net

Date: Tue, 20 Mar 2007 23:49:13 -0700 From: woodelf <bfranchuk at jetnet.ab.ca> Subject: Re: Why blinkenlights ? M H Stein wrote: >> --------------- >> I don't think that's the kind of micro he meant; my AIM65s had a >> full keyboard and alphanumeric display in '79 (AND an onboard >> PRINTER!) >Did the AIM65's run any software? >The Z80 was a S-100 design, but the lack of a good >power supply was my problem. ------------------- Well, unlike the Altair, a computer that didn't run any software wouldn't have sold very well in 1979; what do you call software, and how much'll you let me expand it? They did have BASIC, Forth and PL/65 (and an assembler of course), Serial I/O and two expansion busses, but although you could connect a terminal and disk drives I think CP/M would be a bit of a challenge... wouldn't want to run a Fortune 500's accounting on it and end up like the Enron & Worldcom boys (and our very own Lord Black of Crossharbour, presently starring in Chicago ;-). But being (AC-powered) portable with a full keyboard and an integral 20 or 40 column display & printer, there were quite a few applications for them on their own (e.g. insurance agents used them on the road, later moving to the more or less functionally equivalent but smaller Panasonic HHC). They were also used a fair bit in the lab & industrial area. m

17 years, 9 months

Early WLAN

by steve＠radiorobots.com

Hi All, Looking for documentation on early WLAN. Specifically, WinData, SpectraLink, and WaveRider. Any comments or info appreciated Steve

17 years, 9 months

nice Q-bus microvax on ebay

by legalize＠xmission.com

Item # 250096417081 -- "The Direct3D Graphics Pipeline" -- DirectX 9 draft available for download <http://www.xmission.com/~legalize/book/download/index.html> Legalize Adulthood! <http://blogs.xmission.com/legalize/>

17 years, 9 months

Hosting and Bandwidth [was] .......

by aek＠bitsavers.org

>> Well for me I want to know just what I can download off a bitsavers >> mirror. > Overall that's up to Al, but each mirror may have some preferences as well. I have to compose a much longer post about everything discussed in the past week while I was gone. I did want to say thank you to Jay for supporting the main bitsavers archive site, and that I support whatever he would like to do to continue hosting it. I am a believer in preservation through replication, which is why there are public mirrors of the material. More thoughts as I finish going through everything discussed while I was gone.

17 years, 9 months

BA23 setup and DZQ11 configuration

by ajp166＠bellatlantic.net

> >Subject: Re: BA23 setup and DZQ11 configuration > From: "Ethan Dicks" <ethan.dicks at gmail.com> > Date: Wed, 21 Mar 2007 12:18:57 -0400 > To: "General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts" <cctalk at classiccmp.org> > >On 3/21/07, Allison <ajp166 at bellatlantic.net> wrote: >> I wrote >> > Dave has nowhere to stuff a ROM. The KDJ11-A board is dual-height and >> > is a CPU only >> >> I'm using a KDJ11A and it boots RX02/RL02/MSCP devices with the right >> jumper setup. If memory serves the dual width J11 baord has rom on baord >> for standard device boot. My Docs for that board are burried. > >I think you must have your boot ROM on another board in your system... > >http://www.ibiblio.org/pub/academic/computer-science/history/pdp-11/hardwar… > >-ethan It's possible since I configured that system nearly 10 years ago and it hasn't been opened since save for cleaning the fans. The only board that could have a boot rom would be the RQDX3. I'll have to check net time I clean the fans. Allison

17 years, 9 months

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test-drb March 2007