test-drb October 2017

test-drb@ccmp.vtda.org

91 participants
94 discussions

Which Dec Emulation is the MOST useful and Versatile?

by computerdoc＠sc.rr.com

Hi DEC Enthusiast's, If I were to have to decide on just one model DEC PDP system to run in a DEC Emulator, which one would be the most useful, versatile and has the most software available for it? I have only ever used a real PDP-8/e system way back in high school so I'm not up to par on any other model of DEC PDP system and I only know BASIC on the PDP-8/e so not much there either. I hear a lot about the PDP-11. I found out that there were 16 major PDP models at one time so I'm not too sure which one to pick. I built Oscar Vermeulen's PiDP-8/I which I'm waiting on 1 part for. Other than that project which is in a holding pattern at the moment, I have no other PDP anything running in any form. Back in the day when Bill Gates and company 1st started out, I had always wondered how they developed their very 1st software program - Altair Basic. I was pleasantly surprised one day when I saw a B/W photo of a young Bill Gates bending over the operator at what looked like a very small computer. Maybe it was just a terminal. I don't remember. I understand they did software development on a DEC PDP of some sort. Finding this out regenerated my interest in the DEC PDP line of computers. I have many projects in the works already so I decided to setup a software emulation of just one of the DEC PDP models. I have heard a lot about the PDP-11 which if the information I read is correct was 16-bits. My PiDP-8/I is 12 bits. I understand the PDP 10 was 36-bits and the PDP-15 was 18-bit. The PDP-11 is the model I hear the most about. I also have some experience on some version of a VAX when I was in the Air Force so I'm thinking of getting a VAX emulation going at some point too. So if I'm going to do this, what suggestions, pointers, experiences, etcetera do you guys have for me. I am very interested in the DEC PDP equipment though next to no experience so I have no basis to make a decision. This is a serious request so I would definitely like to hear what you all have to say. If you have read this far, thank you. Take care my friends. Kip Koon computerdoc at sc.rr.com http://www.cocopedia.com/wiki/index.php/User:Computerdoc

6 years, 5 months

Does anyone need any before I list them on eBay?

by useddec＠gmail.com

I have several Q-bus boxes available: BA11-M 4x4 MA11-N 4x9 BA11-S BA23- no cases right now, a few have rack mount kits, some I'll hang on to till I find the micro vax boards. Looking for offers. MOST CAN BE SHIPPED! Probably under $100 in US. All boxes can be configured within reason, but I am getting short of memory, in more ways than o one... I might be leaving Illinois and going to Baltimore, maybe Virginia, then north to the Boston area, back through NY, through Canada, Detroit, and back to Illinois. I could be leaving as soon as next week. There is another list member coming through here from the east coast and going to Denver and back. Hopefully he'll junk in here... Thanks, Paul On Tue, Sep 12, 2017 at 2:02 AM, Paul Anderson <useddec at gmail.com> wrote: > I'm still trying to sell some extra Q-bus boards before I list them on > ebay, and I would rather they found a happy home here. > > Shipping is a flat $10 within the US for as many as you want. Please ask > for overseas shipping. If you need any others, or have a "wishlist" please > contact me off list. > > Thanks, Paul > > M3106 DZQ11 $40 > M3107 DHQ11 40 > M8043 DLV11-J 60 > M8186 11/23 CPU 60 > M8189 11/23+ CPU 60 >

6 years, 5 months

Tubbs fire consumed the collected archives of William Hewlett and David P...

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

I think there are some people that will state anything at this point at Corp. to cover their ass's over this debacle... Ed# In a message dated 10/31/2017 12:19:44 A.M. US Mountain Standard Tim, cctalk at classiccmp.org writes: This article has more details about the archive situation and, more important, it has a comment from HP at the end. https://spectrum.ieee.org/view-from-the-valley/tech-history/silicon-revoluti on/loss-of-hewlettpackard-archive-a-wakeup-call-for-computer-historians

6 years, 5 months

Yet More New Items For Sale from Ye Olde VintageTech archives

by sellam.ismail＠gmail.com

Here is yet another batch of items for sale. Full running list with updates is here: http://www.vcfed.org/forum/showthread.php?58709-New-Items-For-Sale-Check-th… New items for October 31, 2017: Boards Problem Solver Systems, Inc. Model RAM16 16K Static RAM - for S100 systems, with original instruction manual; uses TMS4045 1024 word x 4-bit static RAM - $40 Vector 2201-1 S100 prototyping board - unused, has gold plated edge connector with one pad per each pin, and a grid of holes - $15 Wameco EPM-2 - completely bare/unpopulated EPROM board for S100 bus - $10 Artec Electronics WW-100 [REV. 1] - completely bare/unpopulated S100 board - $5 MediaVision Pro Audio (1993) - ISA 16-bit board, brand new, in originally sealed anti-static bag - $5 Peripherals Atari SX212 - modem only, no power supply - $10 Commodore VICMODEM - clean condition, minor scratches on face label - $13 shipped anywhere in USA Tandy Enhanced Keyboard - 5-pin DIN connector; includes form-fitting dust/spill-cover so keyboard is extremely clean - $25 TRS-80 Acoustic Coupler for TRS-80 Portable Computer Model 100 - excellent condition, in original (very good condition) box - $20 Floppy Disk Services, Inc. 5SVA&T-2 dual 5.25" disk drive - has two Matsushita JA-551-2 half-height drives and dual 34-pin female header socket ribbon cable, for TRS-80(?); powers up, both drives spin briefly, unable to test further - $40 Parts Heathkit H19 keybaord - decent shape; missing 4 keycaps on numeric keypad (6, 9, and the two next to 0) and two on the main keyboard (next to BACK SPACE and REPEAT); marked 85-2223-1 and 111078, "COPR HEATH 1978"; unknown functional condition - $10 Computers JUKO Tiny Pro SF - small footprint (10" x 11.5", 3" high) PC - motherboard has Harris CS80C286-16 CPU, Oak Technology OTIVGA, AMI 286 BIOS, floppy & IDE controllers; integrated NEC FD1138H 3.5" floppy drive; requires 5-pin DIN 5VDC/7A power supply (not included); unable to test - $40 Apple //e - standard 64K model, bare bones, no adaptors; works great all around, very nice condition with some yellowing - $40 Software Infocom Suspended on 8" floppy disk in original Infocom sleeve for CP/M (single density disk), near new looking - $20 Altera MAX+plus II Programmable Logic Development System - complete package, includes Getting Started, User Guide, and AHDL manuals, version 4.02 software (Quartet?) diskettes still in shrinkwrap sealed envelope, Max+plus II Software Guard dongle - $40 The Clone Machine with Unguard - a Commodore 64 program for copying/inspecting/editing disks (cracking tool); includes original disk, user made working disk, original manual - $20 including shipping to anywhere in USA MacProject - project management software for original Macintosh and Lisa computers (as indicated on original box); box is in decent condition with several creases and kind of punched in on the back; includes two MacProject program disks and one A Guided Tour disk, labels are foxing - $15 Accessories Apple Macintosh 512K enhanced accessory kit - includes Macintosh 512K enhanced user guide, Mac software catalog & sampler, product registration card, packing list, A Guided Tour (audio cassette, shrinkwrapped); missing system software diskettes ; box is pushed in from the top and creased in the corners but otherwise in fine shape; I'll throw in The Easy Guide to Your Macintosh (Sybex, 1984) - $25 Original manual (shrinkwrapped) and Warranty, registration card inserts for Apple 3.5" Drive, plus drive number stickers - $6 More information and photographs for any item upon request, but please have serious intent to purchase and not just being a looky-loo as I field a lot of requests and it takes a lot of time I'm happy to negotiate a bulk price for multiple items, combined shipping is cheaper, and items are always packed efficiently with superior care and materials. Shipping is from California. Local pick-up is highly encouraged (you get to shop my inventory). International purchasers are always welcome. As always, please send inquiries to me directly via e-mail ( sellam.ismail at gmail.com) for best results. Thanks! Sellam

6 years, 5 months

Look to get a copy of a Multi-Tech FM300 Modem manual

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

they claim FIRST ACOUSTIC COUPLER IN 1970.... nah... GE 1968 My customer has an Olivetti terminal that he wants to use on GE Time-Sharing Service. How much does our acoustic coupler cost and what is the rental fee? The TDM 114 acoustic coupler rents for $25 a month (including maintenance by service shops) and sells for $395. The TDM 115 acoustic coupler costs $495. Aug. 1968 GE service Note - time share etc Multi-Tech says... 1970: Dr. Sharma founds and incorporates Multi-Tech Systems, renting new office space in the basement of the Schneider's Drug building in Minneapolis. He sells the world's first acoustic coupler to Professor Schmitt, inventor of the Schmitt trigger, for $300. worlds first? hmmm... Not. Remember too the Deaf had acoustic couplers prior to 1970 also! Ed# _www.smecc.org_ (http://www.smecc.org) In a message dated 10/31/2017 12:02:56 A.M. US Mountain Standard Tim, cctalk at classiccmp.org writes: https://www.multitech.com/about-us/history How accurate is this Multi-Tech history? Ed# In a message dated 10/30/2017 11:07:17 P.M. US Mountain Standard Tim, cctalk at classiccmp.org writes: That would be great. Next year as one of my teleprinter demonstrations I want to have a Teletype 33 or 35 and the FM300 and a Bell System 500 rotary dial desk phone. -pete On Sun, Oct 29, 2017 at 8:20 PM, Chris Elmquist <chrise at pobox.com> wrote: > Give me a day or two and I think I can help you out. I used to work at > Multi-Tech when the FM300 was still a product. I have several along with > original schematics, which are "blue prints"... > > I have almost as many stories about Multi-Tech as I do ETA ;-) > > Chris > > On October 29, 2017 1:40:03 PM CDT, Pete Lancashire via cctalk < > cctalk at classiccmp.org> wrote: > >I've acquired a Multi-Tech FM300 acoustic modem and even though I could > >figure out the pin-outs > >and switch settings, it would be great if I could get a copy of the > >original manual. > > > >Goal is to add it to a Teletype 33 or 35 and a Bell System 500 desk > >set. > > > >-pete > > -- > Chris Elmquist > >

6 years, 5 months

Look to get a copy of a Multi-Tech FM300 Modem manual

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

https://www.multitech.com/about-us/history How accurate is this Multi-Tech history? Ed# In a message dated 10/30/2017 11:07:17 P.M. US Mountain Standard Tim, cctalk at classiccmp.org writes: That would be great. Next year as one of my teleprinter demonstrations I want to have a Teletype 33 or 35 and the FM300 and a Bell System 500 rotary dial desk phone. -pete On Sun, Oct 29, 2017 at 8:20 PM, Chris Elmquist <chrise at pobox.com> wrote: > Give me a day or two and I think I can help you out. I used to work at > Multi-Tech when the FM300 was still a product. I have several along with > original schematics, which are "blue prints"... > > I have almost as many stories about Multi-Tech as I do ETA ;-) > > Chris > > On October 29, 2017 1:40:03 PM CDT, Pete Lancashire via cctalk < > cctalk at classiccmp.org> wrote: > >I've acquired a Multi-Tech FM300 acoustic modem and even though I could > >figure out the pin-outs > >and switch settings, it would be great if I could get a copy of the > >original manual. > > > >Goal is to add it to a Teletype 33 or 35 and a Bell System 500 desk > >set. > > > >-pete > > -- > Chris Elmquist > >

6 years, 5 months

Tubbs fire consumed the collected archives of William Hewlett and David Packard

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

The Tubbs fire consumed the collected archives of William Hewlett and David Packard, the tech pioneers who in 1938 formed an electronics company in a Palo Alto garage with $538 in cash. More than 100 boxes of the two men?s writings, correspondence, speeches and other items were contained in one of two modular buildings that burned to the ground at the Fountaingrove headquarters of Keysight Technologies. Keysight, the world?s largest electronics measurement company, traces its roots to HP and acquired the archives in 2014 when its business was split from Agilent Technologies ? itself an HP spinoff. http://bit.ly/2yd6Z2G (My added note) And.... this is why I continue to stress multiple caches of copies/scans of historical material... and sad... as in this case here is someone that could have footed the bill and not missed the money to do it. Ed# Archivist for SMECC

6 years, 5 months

looking at buying a pocket PC / PDA

by barythrin＠gmail.com

It could also be from the popular article about George RR Martin using a vintage dos computer with wordstar 4.0 for his writing rig. Similar to some other authors I've heard look for a machine that doesn't offer distractions. My own mis-remembrance though for some reason I thought it was a trs-80 model 4p but I'm not finding specifics in the quick google search. -------- Original message --------From: Evan Koblentz via cctalk <cctalk at classiccmp.org> Date: 10/30/17 2:47 PM (GMT-06:00) To: "General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts" <cctalk at classiccmp.org> Subject: Re: looking at buying a pocket PC / PDA > Radio Shack M100 ... still used by some writers for the very reason you mention. That is not true. It was an urban legend in the 1990s that a handful of old farts in the entirely sportswriting industry (thousands of writers overall) may "still" be using their Model 100s. I'm sure if you looked hard enough some of them still used typewriters too. In 2017? It's ridiculous to even speculate.

6 years, 5 months

HEXTIr - TI HexBus SD Drive

by COURYHOUSE＠aol.com

Jim I thought all TI computers had one? But I am new to TI's never owned one when were new... just dealing with one in a museum environment now. In a message dated 10/30/2017 8:25:17 P.M. US Mountain Standard Time, cctalk at classiccmp.org writes: On 10/30/2017 9:32 PM, Ed via cctalk wrote: > ok .. does this mean I can put lots of ti 99/4 software on the sd > card for people to play with in the museum? > Ed# Do you have a HexBus interface for the 99/4a? I thought all of them had it?

6 years, 5 months

Image de-warping tool, and Multics/GCOS panels

by jnc＠mercury.lcs.mit.edu

Hey all, I've been doing research on Multics front panels, which it turns out are slightly different from those on the Honeywell 6000 series machines which ran GCOS, and are often confused with them. So, I've put together a Web page about them: Multics and Related 6000 Series Front Panels http://ana-3.lcs.mit.edu/~jnc/tech/multics/MulticsPanels.html and I've taken some new images, so make sure the captions are all readable. I'm having an issue with the images, though: taking a picture of a flat, rectangular panel with a camera usually produces distortion (even with the lens set to the narrowest angle possible). Does anyone know of any freeware which will fix this? The image tool I normally use (ImagePals, sort of a poor man's Photoshop) does have a 'warp' function, but it requires setting up a grid of points, and is a pain to use: optimal would be something where you mark the 4 corners, and few intermediate edge points, and the image is automagically fixed. I did find this: http://guides.library.illinois.edu/c.php?g=347882&p=2345440 but it's even hairier than the warp function in my image tool; it's very powerful (and thus complex, sigh) and can straigten out badly warped old book pages. I'm hoping there's a simpler tool, for the simple case of distortion of rectangles by a lens - does anyone know of anything? Thanks! Noel

6 years, 5 months

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test-drb October 2017