On Sat, 8 Dec 2012, David Gesswein wrote:

> On Sat, Dec 08, 2012 at 03:48:04PM -0500, Mike Loewen wrote:
>> On Sat, 8 Dec 2012, jaj@... wrote:
>>
>>> I am in route, 50 mins away
>>
>>     Antelope freeway, 1/2 mile...
>>     Antelope freeway, 1/4 mile...
>>     Antelope freeway, 1/8 mile...
>>     Antelope freeway, 1/16 mile...
>>     Antelope freeway, 1/32 mile...
>>     Antelope freeway, 1/64 mile...
>>     Antelope freeway, 1/128 mile...
>>
>>     Kudos to anyone who can name the reference.
>>
> Google takes some of the challenge out of it.
>
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_Can_You_Be_in_Two_Places_at_Once_When_You%27re_\
Not_Anywhere_at_All

     "He's no fun, he fell right over!"  Not many people remember the
Firesign Theatre any more.


Mike Loewen 		 mloewen@...
Old Technology       http://sturgeon.css.psu.edu/~mloewen/Oldtech/

--- In midatlanticretro@yahoogroups.com, Ken <kenzolist@...> wrote:
>
> I just happened to have discovered this great video a couple of days ago. 
It's a 50's US Navy instructional film about the mechanical computers they used.
It's really eye-opening and very high quality.  (It gets to the meat about two
minutes in.)  For me, it demonstrated the analog/mathematical approach, in
contrast to the digital/logical approach I grew up learning.
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1i-dnAH9Y4
>


Ken, that was a fun (and informative) video to watch.  Watching the cam
description reminded me of the old Linotypes.  Have you ever seen one of those
in action?

GOOD MORNING, (I had to shout for those of you hungover! :P )

Are you all out of bed (sleeping bags, air mattresses, etc.) yet?
Have a great breakfast where ever you decide to go.  I can't come
back there this morning or today.

Good party!  When I arrived at 19:00, the room was chock full with
watchers of some vintage commericials.  Not being much of a video
person, I'd dropped off the ribs I'd made and I went back outside
to where Justin was sending up char-grilled hamburger smoke-signals.
Once the video watching waned, I was back inside for the evening.
By the time I left, ~1:00, the numbers in attendance had dwindled
significantly leaving the MARCH die-hards!  I hope Ian isn't in too
much pain this morning! ;)  I would have stayed later but I had to
get back to take care of some radio engineering for a show airing
on my internet radio station.  I was back home with about .5 hours
to spare.

I had a great time finally meeting and speaking to Dave and Autumn,
and I'm really looking forward to the upcoming VCF too to, hopefully,
put together a concerted VMS "gonzo cluster" with Dave and others.
This year's VCF is, happily, scheduled such that it's not conflict-
ing with another event which has kept me from attending for several
past VCFs.

May you all have a safe and uneventful trek back home, and have a
salacious Saturnalia and happy New Year!

For Dave:

Dave, I have a d|i|g|i|t|a|l StorageWorks rack in my garage with a
HUGE cache of SCSI storage and dual HSZ-50s.  I know you mentioned
HSJ-50s.  Since you are traveling from the western part of Penn's
Woods, you might wish to travel a little lighter for VCF.  I could
supply more than ample disk storage with that StorageWorks array,
assuming you've got HVD SCSI controllers in your kit.  I will bring
some MicroVAXen and, of course, the virgin 10base5 "etherpipe" and
H400* transcievers and AUI cabling.  Depending on how much kit is
to be networked, cheapernet might be needed to extend the network.
And, for some giggles, I'll toss in a DTC01.

--
VAXman- A Bored Certified VMS Kernel Mode Hacker    VAXman(at)TMESIS(dot)COM

    "And though it seems they smile with glee, I know in truth they envy me
        and watch as my befuddled brain, shines on brightly quite insane"

MARCH frequently asked questions -- updated Feb. 27, 2012

1. What is MARCH?

MARCH is a user group for people who enjoy collecting, restoring, using, and
exhibiting antique/vintage computers. Our name is an acronym for Mid-Atlantic
Retro Computing Hobbyists. Our club's legal name has an "Inc." on the end
because we're incorporated as a non-profit in New Jersey. However we do not yet
have 501(c)3 tax status.

2. Cool, I have some old-school Pentium IIs, and even a 486!

Sorry, but that's not what we do. By "antique/vintage" we mean things that are
far more historic. We start (with some exceptions) at the mid-1980s early GUI
systems, go into early-1980s/late-1970s 8-bit microcomputers, back into
mid-1970s homebrew kits and single-board computers, then find our way into
1970s/1960s minicomputers when "mini" meant as big as a desk or refridgerator.
Finally, we're into mainframes of the 1950s and 1960s. Of course, we also focus
on all sorts of books/magazines, cultural artifacts, I/O devices (teletypes,
terminals) peripherals, software, storage hardware (keypunches, magnetic/paper
tape, etc.), and everything from this realm. Not counting mathematical tools
such as a slide rule, our oldest computer artifact is an IBM 082 punch card
sorter, from 1948.

3. I'm a nerd and live somewhere between Connecticut and Virginia, yet I never
heard of you before.

Andy Meyer reiterated his idea for a regional user group in the second half of
2004. Evan Koblentz started the Yahoo discussion group
(http://groups.yahoo.com/group/midatlanticretro/) in the beginning of 2005.
MARCH became a legal entity later that year. Our expertise is technical, but
we're not so good at marketing. Please help!

4. So I have to live in the Mid-Atlantic part of the U.S. to join?

Nope. That description just conveys where most of our members and activities are
concentrated -- in the scalene triangle between Hartford, Pittsburgh, and D.C.
-- but people from beyond these areas are certainly welcome to join us.

5. What does MARCH actually do?

In addition to the busy discussion list at our Yahoo group (more than 20,000
messages over six years and virtually no spam!), we also operate a
bricks-and-mortar computer museum on the New Jersey shore. Currently our museum
occupies almost 1,500 sq. ft. in a wing of the InfoAge Science Center, located
in Wall Township, New Jersey

6. InfoAge Science Center? What's that?

7. InfoAge is a relatively new museum and 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Its
construction began in the late 1990s and it opened in a "beta" mode in the
mid-2000s. Its facility is a whole campus, not just one building. There is a
very rich history here. The campus was built by the Marconi America Wireless
Telegraphy Co. as a receiving station in 1912, was used as a communications
laboratory by the U.S. Navy during WWI, and then was in private hands. It became
a U.S. Army Signal Corps R&D lab just before WWII and remained so until
the 1990s. Congress decided to close the lab and sell the land. Instead, local
historians recognized its history and formed InfoAge. Now the campus is on the
National Parks Service's National Register of Historic Places. InfoAge is also a
Black History Site and had several other federal designations related to its
service before, during, and after WWII. Public hours are Sunday from 1pm to 5pm
and other times by appointment. For more about the museum and campus history
please visit www.infoage.org.

8. Okay, so back to this computer museum of yours. What's there?

Our museum has five exhibits: Mainframes, minicomputers, homebrew-era computers,
business microcomputers, and consumer microcomputers. We have many ideas for
more exhibits, and we plan to implement those ideas just as soon as we move from
our current space on campus into a larger building next door. That could happen
in another year or so.

9. Do the computers just sit there or can I use them?

We strive to restore our systems to operational condition. Some computers,
especially the microcomputers, are relatively easy to restore and easy to
replace if necessary. Others, such as our minicomputers, require a more serious
effort. We make every effort to have these computers available for our members'
use and to demonstrate them for visitors.

10. Can I help restore the computers?

Yes! Join our group, get to know us, and volunteer to help out.

11. What else does MARCH do?

Lots of fun stuff. In addition to our discussion list and our museum, we also
host special events. Our flagship event is the Vintage Computer Festival East.
Our first edition of this hobbyist convention was VCF East 3.0, in 2006, because
the first two editions were run by a different organization. VCF East 4.0 was in
June 2007; VCF East 5.0 was in Sept. 2008, VCF East 6.0 was in Sept. 2009, and
VCF East 7.0 was in May 2011. The next edition, VCF East 8.0, is scheduled for
May 5-6, 2012 -- details are frequently updated at
http://www.vintage.org/2012/east/ and at http://wwww.facebook.com/vcfeast8.

We also produce smaller exhibits at other events such HOPE (Hackers on Planet
Earth conference), NJ Science & Engineering Festival, Philadelphia Science
Carnival, Trenton Computer Festival, and World Maker Faire. In addition, we have
social events, tech days, museum days, a winter party, etc.

12. I still don't get it. Where can I learn more about what's antique/vintage?

Many places. Pick up a copy of the book "Collectible Microcomputers" by Michael
Nadeau. Or for non-micro aspects, go online. Heck, go online anyway. Check out
the classiccmp.org mailing lists; vintage-computer.com/vcforum,
old-computers.com; and many, many, many others.  (If you're interested in
specific machines, just post your question to our discussion list and we can
refer you to the best sites.)

13. What's behind the scenes of this wacky endeavor?

We have some de facto officers; an official set of bylaws and all that boring
stuff is being worked on... we're just so busy having fun that we keep
procrastinating. The officers are myself (Evan Koblentz - prez), Bill Degnan and
Andy Meyer (VPs), and Justin Jernigan (treasurer).

14. Members?  Is it like just you and two buddies?

We're much bigger than that!  We have dozens of members, and around 300 people
in our Yahoo group. Our youngest member is an 18-year-old college freshman who
was valedictorian of his high school and received a major university scholarship
to study computer science. Our oldest member is in his 80s and remains active in
robot hacking and computer programming.

15. What's it cost to join?

Nothing. MARCH membership is free (as in beer).

16. So how do you fund the club?

Our primary fundraiser is the Vintage Computer Festival East, during which we
sell tickets, exhibit space, and various items. We also have an annual donation
drive. Sometimes we also rent artifacts for use at film/television props.

17. Can I make a donation of artifacts or funds?

Yes! Contact us first, and we'll make arrangements. Info is in the very next
question of this FAQ.

17. I have a question.

Okay. Reach out to us! Do so by posting to our message boards or pinging me
(evan@... / phone: 646-546-9999) ... ask us anything, we're not shy! (And
moreover, unlike some computer clubs, we're not cliquey. All are welcome here!)

18. What else should I know before diving in to MARCH?

If you're a nerd who thinks really old computers and their related technologies
were cool, then give MARCH a chance. You'll be glad you did. Also, if you were
wondering, we're NOT a bunch of old farts who sit around and whine about how
much better things used to be. Quite the contrary: we're a bunch of young and
mid-life farts who ... ooooh maybe we said too much. :)

19. What is your web site?

We're at www.midatlanticretro.org.

20. Why does your web site suck?

Its simplicity is by design.

--- In midatlanticretro@yahoogroups.com, joshbensadon <no_reply@...> wrote:
>
> --- In midatlanticretro@yahoogroups.com, Ken <kenzolist@> wrote:
> >
> > I just happened to have discovered this great video a couple of days ago. 
It's a 50's US Navy instructional film about the mechanical computers they used.
It's really eye-opening and very high quality.  (It gets to the meat about two
minutes in.)  For me, it demonstrated the analog/mathematical approach, in
contrast to the digital/logical approach I grew up learning.
> > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1i-dnAH9Y4
> >
>
>
> Ken, that was a fun (and informative) video to watch.  Watching the cam
description reminded me of the old Linotypes.  Have you ever seen one of those
in action?
>

Further off topic, missile guidance.  Not quite as high quality.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzHxHwll6Uw

Whenever you're ready, try
http://www.azog.org/?p=931
they mention a "Rubber Keypad Repair Kit" from Mouser electronics.  Note that
the keyboard in the pics is exactly the same as the PET 2001 I have, except the
color.
Bill

I actually saw them, about a year ago, in a small community theater in Northern
California (note that the area, as well as the state name, is capitalized; as a
relatively recent transplant, I still notice the militance with which area
residents disambiguise themselves from the southern end of the state).

They're still quick, and funny.
~~
Mark Moulding

--- In midatlanticretro@yahoogroups.com, Mike Loewen <mloewen@...> wrote:
>
> On Sat, 8 Dec 2012, David Gesswein wrote:
>
> > On Sat, Dec 08, 2012 at 03:48:04PM -0500, Mike Loewen wrote:
> >> On Sat, 8 Dec 2012, jaj@... wrote:
> >>
> >>> I am in route, 50 mins away
> >>
> >>     Antelope freeway, 1/2 mile...
> >>     Antelope freeway, 1/4 mile...
> >>     Antelope freeway, 1/8 mile...
> >>     Antelope freeway, 1/16 mile...
> >>     Antelope freeway, 1/32 mile...
> >>     Antelope freeway, 1/64 mile...
> >>     Antelope freeway, 1/128 mile...
> >>
> >>     Kudos to anyone who can name the reference.
> >>
> > Google takes some of the challenge out of it.
> >
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_Can_You_Be_in_Two_Places_at_Once_When_You%27re_\
Not_Anywhere_at_All
>
>     "He's no fun, he fell right over!"  Not many people remember the
> Firesign Theatre any more.
>
>
> Mike Loewen 		 mloewen@...
> Old Technology       http://sturgeon.css.psu.edu/~mloewen/Oldtech/
>

>> in Northern California (note that the area, as well as the state name, is
capitalized; as a relatively recent transplant, I still notice the militance
with which area residents disambiguise themselves from the southern end of the
state).
They're still quick, and funny. ~~ Mark Moulding

Mark: welcome to our list. As you gathered we're a mid-Atlantic / northeast
group. All are welcome, but, what brings you to our corner of the web from
northern California? Please introduce yourself.

From: Brian Schenkenberger, VAXman-
Sent: Sunday, December 09, 2012 10:00 AM


>Good party! When I arrived at 19:00, the room was chock full with
>watchers of some vintage commericials. Not being much of a video

Yes ! It was a great party. We had lots of great food to eat, lots of people
chatting and meeting new and old members. It's great to be with a group that
shares the same enthusiasm that you have for these vintage devices !

Everything ended around 6pm on Sunday.

Much thanks to everyone who stayed and helped me clean up and put things
back the way they were.

Happy Festivus everyone !

Jeff B

Subject says it all...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/200859112804

It looks in fairly good shape and the price isn't bad; however, freight
charges from California to New Jersey would surely be much more than the
asking price.

--
VAXman- A Bored Certified VMS Kernel Mode Hacker    VAXman(at)TMESIS(dot)COM

    "And though it seems they smile with glee, I know in truth they envy me
        and watch as my befuddled brain, shines on brightly quite insane"

On Mon, 10 Dec 2012, Bob Schwier wrote:

> The computer at work won't let me do youtube but I remember the old
> linotypes that looked like factory organs and the authoritarian thunk
> when one finished composing a line of type for the bed.  A printer did
> not finish his apprenticeship until he could take one of the machines
> apart and put it back together again.

     On the SAGE system, we had to be signed off on the task of replacing a
head on one of the magnetic drums, while it was running!


Mike Loewen 		 mloewen@...
Old Technology       http://sturgeon.css.psu.edu/~mloewen/Oldtech/

--- In midatlanticretro@yahoogroups.com, Mike Loewen <mloewen@...> wrote:
>
> On Mon, 10 Dec 2012, Bob Schwier wrote:
>A printer did not finish his apprenticeship until he could take one of the
machines apart and put it back together again.


I once helped my dad move one of these machines.  He broke it down into movable
parts.  It was an intertype actually.  But I just loved watching it in action. 
It's not a mechanical computer, but it sure looks as complicated.

Whew.

   Autumn and I got home around 2AM, having left Festivus in the late
afternoon, then headed to Cory's place in Glassboro to pick up an HP21MX
that he had picked up for me.  We had a great visit!

   Festivus was fantastic.  Autumn and I had a great time.  It was great
to hang out with old friends again, and make some new ones.  I even
shortened my list of "people I want to strangle" by one, and not because
I strangled him! ;)

   Ian got COMPLETELY SMASHED.  He was a riot to watch. ;)

   The Saab 93 is a very tiny car with almost no cargo capacity.
However, it's sitting outside my building containing:

   - a Tek 535 scope with roll-around cart (thanks Bill!)
   - a GenRad Vacuum Tube Fork (~60yr old frequency reference)
   - some more random RF test gear (thanks Steve!)
   - an HP 21MX (thanks Cory!)
   - an Amiga 1000, complete with box (thanks Alex!)

   We had to disassemble the scope cart, and it was a very cramped ~6hr
drive home, but we made it!

   Thanks to everyone for making this happen.  It was a blast.

               -Dave

--
Dave McGuire, AK4HZ
New Kensington, PA

On 12/09/2012 08:56 AM, joshbensadon wrote:
>> I just happened to have discovered this great video a couple of
>> days ago.  It's a 50's US Navy instructional film about the
>> mechanical computers they used.  It's really eye-opening and very
>> high quality.  (It gets to the meat about two minutes in.)  For
>> me, it demonstrated the analog/mathematical approach, in contrast
>> to the digital/logical approach I grew up learning.
>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1i-dnAH9Y4
>
> Ken, that was a fun (and informative) video to watch.  Watching the
> cam description reminded me of the old Linotypes.  Have you ever
> seen one of those in action?

   Linotypes are GLORIOUS.  And positively revolutionary.

   There's an old Model 6 in a print shop just a few miles from here.
I've seen it in operation.  The nice old guy who owns the print shop
still uses it occasionally for things like wedding invitations, but he
is having thoughts of retirement, and I am working on getting that machine.

   The way they work (specifically the matrix mechanism that returns
matrices to the right slots after use) is ingenious.  The whole machine
is full of cool stuff like that.

   Speaking of this, I still have a Linotronic L300 phototypesetter here
that needs to find a new home.  2540 DPI!

              -Dave

--
Dave McGuire, AK4HZ
New Kensington, PA

On Mon, 10 Dec 2012, Dave McGuire wrote:

>  - an HP 21MX (thanks Cory!)

     Finally!  Time to get familiar with the guts.  :-)


Mike Loewen 		 mloewen@...
Old Technology       http://sturgeon.css.psu.edu/~mloewen/Oldtech/

On 12/10/2012 01:56 PM, Mike Loewen wrote:
>>  - an HP 21MX (thanks Cory!)
>
>     Finally!  Time to get familiar with the guts.  :-)

   Yes!  I will dig into it after I unload the car, which will hopefully
be later today.  I have to deal with a work crisis before that.  I did
notice that it lacks a key, and that the backplane is chock full o'
boards.  And that it is very, very clean.

   Speaking of said work crisis...Is there anyone on this list in the
Houston area who might be willing to do some remote hands work for me
for an hour or so, for a small spot of cash?  It would save me a flight
and a lot of hassle.

              -Dave

--
Dave McGuire, AK4HZ
New Kensington, PA

good to see you too.  Glad you made it ok
bd

-------- Original Message --------
> From: "Dave McGuire" <Mcguire@...>
> Sent: Monday, December 10, 2012 2:19 PM
> To: midatlanticretro@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [midatlanticretro] home!
>
> Whew.
>
>   Autumn and I got home around 2AM, having left Festivus in the late
> afternoon, then headed to Cory's place in Glassboro to pick up an HP21MX
> that he had picked up for me.  We had a great visit!
>
>   Festivus was fantastic.  Autumn and I had a great time.  It was great
> to hang out with old friends again, and make some new ones.  I even
> shortened my list of "people I want to strangle" by one, and not because
> I strangled him! ;)
>
>   Ian got COMPLETELY SMASHED.  He was a riot to watch. ;)
>
>   The Saab 93 is a very tiny car with almost no cargo capacity.
> However, it's sitting outside my building containing:
>
>   - a Tek 535 scope with roll-around cart (thanks Bill!)
>   - a GenRad Vacuum Tube Fork (~60yr old frequency reference)
>   - some more random RF test gear (thanks Steve!)
>   - an HP 21MX (thanks Cory!)
>   - an Amiga 1000, complete with box (thanks Alex!)
>
>   We had to disassemble the scope cart, and it was a very cramped ~6hr
> drive home, but we made it!
>
>   Thanks to everyone for making this happen.  It was a blast.
>
>               -Dave
>
> --
> Dave McGuire, AK4HZ
> New Kensington, PA
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>

>> Is there anyone on this list in the
Houston area

I don't think so.

--- In midatlanticretro@yahoogroups.com, Dave McGuire <Mcguire@...> wrote:
>   Linotypes are GLORIOUS.  And positively revolutionary.
>
>   There's an old Model 6 in a print shop just a few miles from here.
> I've seen it in operation.  The nice old guy who owns the print shop
> still uses it occasionally for things like wedding invitations, but he
> is having thoughts of retirement, and I am working on getting that machine.


If you have the space, go for it!


>   The way they work (specifically the matrix mechanism that returns
> matrices to the right slots after use) is ingenious.  The whole

Yes, the decoder bar along the top of the magazines.  That bar alone is worth a
few hundred dollars.  The lubricating of the machine is a delicate matter.  The
mats must not get any oil on them, so only a drop of oil here and there must be
used in the right places so no oil leaks into the path of a mat.

When my dad used to operate this machine, he was so quick that he would exhaust
the "e"'s.  So he'd through 5 more into the system and make sure he kept ahead
before the extra mats dropping into a full slot.  Then he would key out the 5
extra e's when he was done.

There's a new movie called Linotype the film that came out 2 months ago, check
it out.  http://www.linotypefilm.com/

Regards,
Josh

--- In midatlanticretro@yahoogroups.com, "Brian Schenkenberger, VAXman-"
<VAXman@...> wrote:
>
> ... I'd dropped off the ribs I'd made and I went back outside...

Thank you for the ribs, they were tasty! I ate what I could but I had a lot of
choices.

> I had a great time finally meeting and speaking to Dave and Autumn,
> and I'm really looking forward to the upcoming VCF too to, hopefully,
> put together a concerted VMS "gonzo cluster" with Dave and others.

An organized DEC presence would be appreciated.

Along those lines: happy DEC-10 day!

For those perplexed:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PDP-10

> Dave, I have a d|i|g|i|t|a|l StorageWorks rack in my garage with a
> HUGE cache of SCSI storage and dual HSZ-50s.

Mass storage like that is scary. Anyone have those mass racks of cartridge tapes
which were robot-loaded?

> Depending on how much kit is
> to be networked, cheapernet might be needed to extend the network.
> [for VCF-E]. And, for some giggles, I'll toss in a DTC01.

Outside the DEC network world, consider what kind of "gateways" might be put
together. For a bad example...most of the S-100 world was when networking was
"arcnet". I don't think I've seen a later network architecture, that's all I
have in network S-100 cards. I don't think there are arcnet/ethernet gateways,
wrong topology is my general impression.

After that, microcomputer people had TCP/IP stacks under CP/M, to serial
interfaces, and from there to ad-hoc networks (like amateur radio packet/X-25
using "TNC's".

http://www.retrotechnology.com/dri/cpm_tcpip.html

These days, I'd recommend those serial to Ethernet wedges for some kind of
Ethernet access. A vintage microcomputer can probably talk to those, because
Arduinos talk to them all the time.

Other people will have to take the lead on networking at VCF, but I'll keep
something  in the back of my mind for my exhibit.

Herb Johnson

>   Linotypes are GLORIOUS.  And positively revolutionary.

One or more models (the 303 is one of them, I think) included early
Prime minis as controllers.  I'd love to find such a Linotype, and then
be able to afford it.

De

"s100doctor" <hjohnson@...> writes:

>In midatlanticretro@yahoogroups.com, "Brian Schenkenberger, VAXman-"
><V= AXman@...> wrote: > > ... I'd dropped off the ribs I'd made and I
>went back outside...
>
>Thank you for the ribs, they were tasty! I ate what I could but I had a
>lot=  of choices.

They were no problem.  I did bring about 1/2 back home.  They're going to
be dinner this evening.


>> I had a great time finally meeting and speaking to Dave and Autumn, >
>and I'm really looking forward to the upcoming VCF too to, hopefully,=20
>> put together a concerted VMS "gonzo cluster" with Dave and others.
>
>An organized DEC presence would be appreciated.=20
>
>Along those lines: happy DEC-10 day!
>
>For those perplexed:
>
>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PDP-10
>
>> Dave, I have a d|i|g|i|t|a|l StorageWorks rack in my garage with a >
>HUGE cache of SCSI storage and dual HSZ-50s.
>
>Mass storage like that is scary. Anyone have those mass racks of
>cartridge = tapes which were robot-loaded?=20

I have a DLT robot.  It handles DLT-III and DLT-IV tapes (think TK50s with
greater storage capacity).  I don't believe it's "vintage worthy" though.


--
VAXman- A Bored Certified VMS Kernel Mode Hacker    VAXman(at)TMESIS(dot)COM

    "And though it seems they smile with glee, I know in truth they envy me
        and watch as my befuddled brain, shines on brightly quite insane"

On 12/10/2012 05:49 PM, s100doctor wrote:
>> Dave, I have a d|i|g|i|t|a|l StorageWorks rack in my garage with a
>> HUGE cache of SCSI storage and dual HSZ-50s.
>
> Mass storage like that is scary. Anyone have those mass racks of
> cartridge tapes which were robot-loaded?

   Tape jukes?  Very common.  I have one running here on the production
network for backups, and am managing three others for clients.

>> Depending on how much kit is to be networked, cheapernet might be
>> needed to extend the network. [for VCF-E]. And, for some giggles,
>> I'll toss in a DTC01.
>
> Outside the DEC network world, consider what kind of "gateways" might
> be put together. For a bad example...most of the S-100 world was when
> networking was "arcnet". I don't think I've seen a later network
> architecture, that's all I have in network S-100 cards. I don't think
> there are arcnet/ethernet gateways, wrong topology is my general
> impression.

   That could certainly be done.  And an ARCnet/Ethernet bridge could be
constructed with a Linux box with both types of interfaces.  A friend of
mine did that many years ago; he had an ARCnet fetish.

                 -Dave

--
Dave McGuire, AK4HZ
New Kensington, PA

On 12/10/2012 05:49 PM, Dennis Boone wrote:
>>   Linotypes are GLORIOUS.  And positively revolutionary.
>
> One or more models (the 303 is one of them, I think) included early
> Prime minis as controllers.  I'd love to find such a Linotype, and then
> be able to afford it.

   Those are completely different animals; those are phototypesetters.
(unless there's a generation in there that I'm unfamiliar with, which is
certainly possible)

   The Linotype is a lead-casting typesetter; its output is hunks of lead
(actually an alloy that is mostly lead) with raised characters on it.
These are assembled together to form a page, then inserted into a press,
like a platen press.

              -Dave

--
Dave McGuire, AK4HZ
New Kensington, PA

On 12/10/2012 05:54 PM, Brian Schenkenberger, VAXman- wrote:
> I have a DLT robot.  It handles DLT-III and DLT-IV tapes (think TK50s with
> greater storage capacity).  I don't believe it's "vintage worthy" though.

   Not at all.  There are old jukes, but not all jukes are old, and if
it's got DLTs in it, it's not terribly old at all.

               -Dave

--
Dave McGuire, AK4HZ
New Kensington, PA

Dave McGuire <Mcguire@...> writes:

>On 12/10/2012 05:54 PM, Brian Schenkenberger, VAXman- wrote: > I have a
>DLT robot.  It handles DLT-III and DLT-IV tapes (think TK50s with >
>greater storage capacity).  I don't believe it's "vintage worthy"
>though.
>
>  Not at all.  There are old jukes, but not all jukes are old, and if
>it's got DLTs in it, it's not terribly old at all.

It'd be vintage only I were a part of the display. ;)

--
VAXman- A Bored Certified VMS Kernel Mode Hacker    VAXman(at)TMESIS(dot)COM

    "And though it seems they smile with glee, I know in truth they envy me
        and watch as my befuddled brain, shines on brightly quite insane"

On 12/10/2012 05:42 PM, joshbensadon wrote:
>> Linotypes are GLORIOUS.  And positively revolutionary.
>>
>> There's an old Model 6 in a print shop just a few miles from here.
>> I've seen it in operation.  The nice old guy who owns the print
>> shop still uses it occasionally for things like wedding
>> invitations, but he is having thoughts of retirement, and I am
>> working on getting that machine.
>
>
> If you have the space, go for it!

   I do.  And I'm trying.  Hard. ;)

>> The way they work (specifically the matrix mechanism that returns
>> matrices to the right slots after use) is ingenious.  The whole
>
> Yes, the decoder bar along the top of the magazines.  That bar alone
> is worth a few hundred dollars.

   Not to production print shops they're not.  Two complete, functional
Linotype Model 6 typesetters were scrapped up here just last year, the
ENTIRE MACHINES were sold to a scrapper for about $300/ea.  These
machines were absolute works of art, and they were each in excess of 80
years old.

   Most print shop guys are in a "can't see the forest for the trees"
situation.  To them, it's the "old typesetter" that is hot, smelly,
cantankerous, and far less nice to use than a new digital press.  They
can't really be faulted for that.

   To people of a historical bent, the development of that machine
literally changed the world.

   Linotypes are getting scrapped all over the place every day.  Every
now and then, one machine "crosses the line" into a collector's hands,
or into the hands of someone who knows that there are people who want
them, and then they sell for many thousands of dollars. (like the
complete, pristine, century-old Model 6 that went on eBay about two
years ago)

> When my dad used to operate this machine, he was so quick that he
> would exhaust the "e"'s.  So he'd through 5 more into the system and
> make sure he kept ahead before the extra mats dropping into a full
> slot.  Then he would key out the 5 extra e's when he was done.

   Neat!!

> There's a new movie called Linotype the film that came out 2 months
> ago, check it out.  http://www.linotypefilm.com/

   I have a copy of it here.  Good stuff.

               -Dave

--
Dave McGuire, AK4HZ
New Kensington, PA

On 12/10/2012 06:00 PM, Brian Schenkenberger, VAXman- wrote:
>> On 12/10/2012 05:54 PM, Brian Schenkenberger, VAXman- wrote: > I have a
>> DLT robot.  It handles DLT-III and DLT-IV tapes (think TK50s with >
>> greater storage capacity).  I don't believe it's "vintage worthy"
>> though.
>>
>>  Not at all.  There are old jukes, but not all jukes are old, and if
>> it's got DLTs in it, it's not terribly old at all.
>
> It'd be vintage only I were a part of the display. ;)

   Hey, we could do that! ;)   It was great meeting you, by the way.  I
have a feeling very large swaths of time will just disappear the next
time we hang out. :)

              -Dave

--
Dave McGuire, AK4HZ
New Kensington, PA

--- In midatlanticretro@yahoogroups.com, Dave McGuire <Mcguire@...> wrote:
>
> On 12/10/2012 05:42 PM, joshbensadon wrote:
> >> Linotypes are GLORIOUS.  And positively revolutionary.
>
> > There's a new movie called Linotype the film that came out 2 months
> > ago, check it out.  http://www.linotypefilm.com/
>
>   I have a copy of it here.  Good stuff.
>

I bought a copy for my dad.  It was interesting to see Albert Einstein at a
keyboard.

There's a shop here in Toronto that deals in them.  They are for the most part
being exported to 3rd world countries.  Hey, they still work right?