claw wrote to Dr. What <=-

On 08 May 2022, Dr. What said the following...

Sometimes. I have a PI3 running a TRS-80 emulator in a 3d printed
TRS-80 Model I case.

Nice even added the 3D printed case. Love it! Every little bit that
adds to the original experience is important. What do you play the
most on it?

Lately not much. I sort of ran out of desk space to set it up (too many real vintage machines on the desks right now).

But normally I'd play Invasion Force, Mille Bournes and other games I remember playing when I was a kid.


... Blessed are the meek, for they make great scapegoats.
___ MultiMail/Linux v0.52

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Lately not much. I sort of ran out of desk space to set it up (too many real vintage machines on the desks right now).

But normally I'd play Invasion Force, Mille Bournes and other games I remember playing when I was a kid.

... Blessed are the meek, for they make great scapegoats.

Nice a desk of vintage! :D whats on your desk?

|23|04Dr|16|12Claw
|16|14Sysop |12Noverdu |14BBS |04(|14Noverdu.com|04)
|10Standard Ports for SSH/Telnet Web/HTTP://|14Noverdu.com:808
|22|01fsxNet/MRC Chat/Registered Doors!/50Nodes/No Time Use! Stay On!|16|07

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/12/24 (Linux/64)
* Origin: Noverdu BBS (21:1/210)

Nice a desk of vintage! :D whats on your desk?

Right now:
+ TRS-80 Model I Level II, with original display
+ Commodore Plus/4, and 1702 CRT display
+ Commodore PET
+ Altair-duino with TI Silent 700 teletype
+ PiDP-8 with VT320 terminal

When I can reclaim some desk space, I'll probably rotate through the other systems:
+ Kaypro 4/83
+ Kaypro "1" (Kaypro 1 case, Kaypro 2 insides)
+ Tandy 1100FD
+ Compaq Portable III
+ Compaq Portable 386
+ Sperry portable
+ TRS-80 Model 4P

I haven't used the Tandy Model 102 for a while. I really should get that one out for a bit.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/03/02 (Windows/32)
* Origin: 8-Bit Boyz BBS! -=[ bbs.8bitboyz.com port:6502 ]=- (21:4/137)

Right now:
+ TRS-80 Model I Level II, with original display
+ Commodore Plus/4, and 1702 CRT display
+ Commodore PET
+ Altair-duino with TI Silent 700 teletype
+ PiDP-8 with VT320 terminal

When I can reclaim some desk space, I'll probably rotate through the
other systems:
+ Kaypro 4/83
+ Kaypro "1" (Kaypro 1 case, Kaypro 2 insides)
+ Tandy 1100FD
+ Compaq Portable III
+ Compaq Portable 386
+ Sperry portable
+ TRS-80 Model 4P

I haven't used the Tandy Model 102 for a while. I really should get
that one out for a bit.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/03/02 (Windows/32)

That is a nice collection! I love old displays, the majesty of a monochrome phosphor screen.

... THE fIRST sTEP iS tO tAKE oFF tHE cAPS lOCK

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/12/24 (Linux/64)
* Origin: Agency BBS | Dunedin, New Zealand | agency.bbs.nz (21:1/101)

boraxman wrote to Ron Lauzon <=-

Right now:
+ TRS-80 Model I Level II, with original display
+ Commodore Plus/4, and 1702 CRT display
+ Commodore PET
+ Altair-duino with TI Silent 700 teletype
+ PiDP-8 with VT320 terminal

That is a nice collection! I love old displays, the majesty of a monochrome phosphor screen.

First VGA monitor I bought used was a monochrome model I used on a used 386
I bought from a computer store in the mid-90's. The whole system was from a corporate account they had where they replaced it with a newer system. Remember playing Lemmings on the DOS system before heading to the new Wal-Mart which just opened to buy the red spine edition of OS/2 Warp 3.0...with some more memory.

Good times!


... 2 + 2 = 5 for extremely large values of 2.
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boraxman wrote to Ron Lauzon <=-

That is a nice collection! I love old displays, the majesty of a monochrome phosphor screen.

But those old displays take up a good amount of desk space.

Most of my systems are portable, making it easy for me to rotate them into the limited desk space.

But I do understand. The TRS-80 Model I was the computer that started my 35 year computer science career. It feels good to use it once in a while.


... General Failure reading drive A: Please remove your fist
=== MultiMail/Linux v0.52
--- SBBSecho 3.14-Win32
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On 11 May 2022, Ron Lauzon said the following...

Right now:
+ TRS-80 Model I Level II, with original display
+ Commodore Plus/4, and 1702 CRT display
+ Commodore PET
+ Altair-duino with TI Silent 700 teletype
+ PiDP-8 with VT320 terminal

When I can reclaim some desk space, I'll probably rotate through the
other systems:
+ Kaypro 4/83
+ Kaypro "1" (Kaypro 1 case, Kaypro 2 insides)
+ Tandy 1100FD
+ Compaq Portable III
+ Compaq Portable 386
+ Sperry portable
+ TRS-80 Model 4P

I haven't used the Tandy Model 102 for a while. I really should get
that one out for a bit.

Wow that is quite the collection. Are you the original owner on all of them or were some of them collected over the years as you found them?

|23|04Dr|16|12Claw
|16|14Sysop |12Noverdu |14BBS |04(|14Noverdu.com|04)
|10Standard Ports for SSH/Telnet Web/HTTP://|14Noverdu.com:808
|22|01fsxNet/MRC Chat/Registered Doors!/50Nodes/No Time Use! Stay On!|16|07

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/12/24 (Linux/64)
* Origin: Noverdu BBS (21:1/210)

That is a nice collection! I love old displays, the majesty of a monochrome phosphor screen.

First VGA monitor I bought used was a monochrome model I used on a used 386 I bought from a computer store in the mid-90's. The whole system was from a corporate account they had where they replaced it with a newer system. Remember playing Lemmings on the DOS system before heading to
the new Wal-Mart which just opened to buy the red spine edition of OS/2 Warp 3.0...with some more memory.

Good times!

... 2 + 2 = 5 for extremely large values of 2.
--- MultiMail/Win v0.52

I still have the green monochrome Amdek monitor that came with my XT. Unfortunately, I don't have a way to use it, as I don't have a functional system which takes a CGA graphics card.

I did hook my Commodore 64 up to it, which was pretty cool. I remember as a teenager exploring DOS and the PC world with that machine and although VGA was welcome when I moved to it, there was a charm to that screen. Not too large like monitors today and a good aspect ratio for text.

Back then, tech wasn't all consuming. IT seems now the screens demand more space, more attention, throw more at you, more
distractions. I'm typing this in a window which occupies maybe a third of the screen, the rest around it is unwanted distraction. There is a certain purity of purpose when the screen is all focused on just what you are doing right now, simple.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/12/24 (Linux/64)
* Origin: Agency BBS | Dunedin, New Zealand | agency.bbs.nz (21:1/101)

That is a nice collection! I love old displays, the majesty of a monochrome phosphor screen.

But those old displays take up a good amount of desk space.

Most of my systems are portable, making it easy for me to rotate them
into the limited desk space.

But I do understand. The TRS-80 Model I was the computer that started
my 35 year computer science career. It feels good to use it once in a while.

... General Failure reading drive A: Please remove your fist
=== MultiMail/Linux v0.52

They can, but the Amdek monitor I haven't isn't that large. It's far narrower than monitors today.

I like the screen that is on my Thinkpad T43. a 14" screen, 1024x768, sits in my lap and I can run a pure text mode with a decent
sized font, sharp and clear.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/12/24 (Linux/64)
* Origin: Agency BBS | Dunedin, New Zealand | agency.bbs.nz (21:1/101)

boraxman wrote to ACMEBBS <=-

That is a nice collection! I love old displays, the majesty of a monochrome phosphor screen.

First VGA monitor I bought used was a monochrome model I used on a used 386 I bought from a computer store in the mid-90's.

I still have the green monochrome Amdek monitor that came with my XT. Unfortunately, I don't have a way to use it, as I don't have a
functional system which takes a CGA graphics card.

I remember using one of those...along with the amber versions of the time. Used an old color TV/computer monitor...but the green/amber monitors would blow the TV's away. Liked color...but at least the monochrome monitors looked great for word processing & such.

I did hook my Commodore 64 up to it, which was pretty cool. I remember
as a teenager exploring DOS and the PC world with that machine and although VGA was welcome when I moved to it, there was a charm to that screen. Not too large like monitors today and a good aspect ratio for text.

At the time...using an old portable B/W TV was the only thing I had & could afford at the time. The 1st time saw the C64 in color was a real eye opener. Funny that we can now buy HD monitors for around half the cost of a used B&W TV at a pawn shop.

Back then, tech wasn't all consuming. IT seems now the screens demand more space, more attention, throw more at you, more
distractions. I'm typing this in a window which occupies maybe a third
of the screen, the rest around it is unwanted distraction. There is a certain purity of purpose when the screen is all focused on just what
you are doing right now, simple.

Same thing here...but around a quarter of my screen...with You Tube on a 4K 50" TV. For that matter...remember buying my 1st 13" color TV from Montgomery Wards. Now...at 60...can barely see a clear image on a screen that small.
... "42? 7 and a half million years and all you can come up with is 42?!"
--- MultiMail/Win v0.52
* Origin: fsxNet FTN<>QWK Gateway (21:4/10)

I remember using one of those...along with the amber versions of the
time. Used an old color TV/computer monitor...but the green/amber
monitors would blow the TV's away. Liked color...but at least the monochrome monitors looked great for word processing & such.

At the time...using an old portable B/W TV was the only thing I had & could afford at the time. The 1st time saw the C64 in color was a real
eye opener. Funny that we can now buy HD monitors for around half the
cost of a used B&W TV at a pawn shop.

The Rank Arena TV I used was a little fuzzy. We had the same TV in the loung room (I had one in my bedroom), the same model, but the image was clearer. I liked moving my Commodore 64 to the lounge to see the graphics in sharper detail.

Using VICE without a CRT filter looks odd. The C64 graphics (or graphics of any computer of that era) weren't supposed to be displayed with sharp pixels.

Same thing here...but around a quarter of my screen...with You Tube on a 4K 50" TV. For that matter...remember buying my 1st 13" color TV from Montgomery Wards. Now...at 60...can barely see a clear image on a screen that small. ... "42? 7 and a half million years and all you can come up with is 42?!" --- MultiMail/Win v0.52

Maybe get a projector and project the image into the wall!

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/12/24 (Linux/64)
* Origin: Agency BBS | Dunedin, New Zealand | agency.bbs.nz (21:1/101)

claw wrote to Dr. What <=-

Wow that is quite the collection. Are you the original owner on all of them or were some of them collected over the years as you found them?

I've collected them.

When those systems were in normal use, I was a poor student. The first computer I actually owned was a TRS-80 PC-4 - which was more like a calculator that programmed in BASIC. The first PC I owned was a Sperry HT, bought on a payment plan while in college. I wish I still had that today in my collection.

So most of my computers are ones that I used (but didn't own) when I was a kid and computers that I only wish I could have owned or used as a kid. Plus some surprises - like the Commodore Plus/4 which, surprisingly, I really enjoy using.


... You are in a maze of UUCP connections, all alike.
___ MultiMail/Linux v0.52

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ACMEBBS wrote to boraxman <=-

First VGA monitor I bought used was a monochrome model I used on a used 386 I bought from a computer store in the mid-90's.

Until LGR showed one off, I was never even aware that monochrome VGA even existed.

"Monochrome VGA" always seemed an oxymoron. The whole purpose of VGA was the great color. If you wanted monochrome, a Hercules card with (much cheaper) monochrome monitor worked great.


... HA HAH HA HAH HAH <SMACK> ... oof ...
___ MultiMail/Linux v0.52

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I still have the green monochrome Amdek monitor that came with my XT. Unfortunately, I don't have a way to use it, as I don't have a functional system which takes a CGA graphics card.

I had the green Monochrome monitor for the ][c. Spent many days looking at that and programming on it.

|23|04Dr|16|12Claw
|16|14Sysop |12Noverdu |14BBS |04(|14Noverdu.com|04)
|10Standard Ports for SSH/Telnet Web/HTTP://|14Noverdu.com:808
|22|01fsxNet/MRC Chat/Registered Doors!/50Nodes/No Time Use! Stay On!|16|07

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/12/24 (Linux/64)
* Origin: Noverdu BBS (21:1/210)

On 13 May 2022, Dr. What said the following...

When those systems were in normal use, I was a poor student. The first computer I actually owned was a TRS-80 PC-4 - which was more like a calculator that programmed in BASIC. The first PC I owned was a Sperry HT, bought on a payment plan while in college. I wish I still had that today in my collection.

Yup Completely understand this. I remember going to school and talking about how awesome the graphics were on the Genesis and this kid would alway say they are just crap. I was like the systems brand new what are you talking about. Then he invited me over to see his Amiga A1200! I fell in love with computers right then and there. The fact that it had already been out for so long and still had better graphics was mind blowing. I would beg for any computer for years and not get one until I was 11. Thats when I get the Apple ][c with the green screen. Wasn't as nice as the Amiga, not even close. But at least it was mine. :D

|23|04Dr|16|12Claw
|16|14Sysop |12Noverdu |14BBS |04(|14Noverdu.com|04)
|10Standard Ports for SSH/Telnet Web/HTTP://|14Noverdu.com:808
|22|01fsxNet/MRC Chat/Registered Doors!/50Nodes/No Time Use! Stay On!|16|07

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/12/24 (Linux/64)
* Origin: Noverdu BBS (21:1/210)

boraxman wrote to ACMEBBS <=-

bo> The Rank Arena TV I used was a little fuzzy. We had the same TV in the

loung room (I had one in my bedroom), the same model, but the image was clearer. I liked moving my Commodore 64 to the lounge to see the
graphics in sharper detail.

Same thing...but used a 12 inch portable TV with my 64. Used this for years...even with the Amiga 500...until the ex-wife left & used my 13 inch color TV.

Using VICE without a CRT filter looks odd. The C64 graphics (or
graphics of any computer of that era) weren't supposed to be displayed with sharp pixels.

Have played with VICE with my copies of C64 Forever. My memory must be going out the window after all this time...because personally...like playing on my 21 inch monitor.

Maybe get a projector and project the image into the wall!

Have an HD 2K lumens one out in the living room. Have used it with the Xbox 360...but with semi-gloss apartment walls...the glow makes the scene look strange. On the other hand...have bought a screen I haven't used yet...but want to hook up my Series S & see what it looks like.


... The number you have dailed...Nine-one-one...has been changed.
--- MultiMail/Win v0.52
* Origin: fsxNet FTN<>QWK Gateway (21:4/10)

Dr. What wrote to ACMEBBS <=-

ACMEBBS wrote to boraxman <=-

First VGA monitor I bought used was a monochrome model I used on a used 386 I bought from a computer store in the mid-90's.

Until LGR showed one off, I was never even aware that monochrome VGA
even existed.

Only reason I got it was the package deal after it came out of an office. Going from a TV to this was amazing.

"Monochrome VGA" always seemed an oxymoron. The whole purpose of VGA
was the great color.

I agree with you. Can't remember what I paid for it...but got a 386-SX20 with the monitor cheaper/as cheap as just the monitor.

If you wanted monochrome, a Hercules card with
(much cheaper) monochrome monitor worked great.

True...but at the time...a Hercules card was getting harder to find...while VGA was getting cheaper. Now...have a 21 inch HD monitor I got 10 years ago or so for around $100 I use with a GPU with an AMD chip from 2013. I know...old...but still runs like a dream. On the other hand...have a 50 inch 4K TV with an Xbox One S/360/Series S. Things have changed from when we all were younger.


... So easy, a child could do it. Child sold separately.
--- MultiMail/Win v0.52
* Origin: fsxNet FTN<>QWK Gateway (21:4/10)

Dr. What wrote to claw <=-

Plus some surprises - like the Commodore Plus/4 which,
surprisingly, I really enjoy using.

Had thought about getting one of these back in the day...but ended up getting a 64C because of all the hardware/software I had from the 64 I got through college with. Was wondering what makes the Plus/4 so enjoyable? Have a feeling that if I was still in college (graduated in December '86 with my 2nd BA degree) would've gotten it because of the built-in programs.

As for other Commodore's...never heard of a PET until a few years ago. Heard they were popular back in the day (before the 64)...but remember seeing tons of PC's and Tandy's & HP/IBM mainframes...but no PET's. Have any idea why?

... Internal Error: The system has been taken over by sheep at line 19960
--- MultiMail/Win v0.52
* Origin: fsxNet FTN<>QWK Gateway (21:4/10)

Re: Re: Price Piece in your c
By: Dr. What to ACMEBBS on Fri May 13 2022 11:50 pm

Until LGR showed one off, I was never even aware that monochrome VGA even existed.

"Monochrome VGA" always seemed an oxymoron. The whole purpose of VGA was the great color. If you wanted monochrome, a Hercules card with (much cheaper) monochrome monitor worked great.

Yeah, I always thought monochrome VGA seemed weird.. I first saw a monochrome VGA monitor in the early-mid 90s, and I wondered what the point was. I thought the same thing, if you wanted monochrome, you could use Hercules or something. But I had heard monochrome VGA monitors were less expensive than color VGA monitors, and offered compatibility with software that needed VGA. I doubt Windows 95, for instance, supported Hercules monochrome. At some point, I think most software required VGA at a minimum.

Nightfox
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
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Re: Re: Price Piece in your c
By: ACMEBBS to Dr. What on Fri May 13 2022 05:46 am

True...but at the time...a Hercules card was getting harder to find...while VGA was getting cheaper. Now...have a 21 inch HD monitor I got 10 years ago or so for around $100 I use with a GPU with an AMD chip from 2013. I know...old...but still runs like a dream. On the other hand...have a 50 inch 4K TV with an Xbox One S/360/Series S. Things have changed from when we all were younger.

We have a lot of awesome stuff now compared to when I was a kid, but now the adult in me feels like I shouldn't spend too much money buying too much stuff. I've found I might use something new for a little while, and then it might end up sitting on a shelf not being used for a long time.

Nightfox
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: Digital Distortion: digdist.synchro.net (21:1/137)

They can, but the Amdek monitor I haven't isn't that large. It's far narrower than monitors today.

The old mono's either composite, herculean or cga were pretty tidy units...
for the most part I'm working from memory about 12-13" at most.. fairly small footprint and light weight, unlike later larger colour units...

I'm sitting on an unbranded amber mono which came with Clone-E. I'm not a
fan of amber I always found it harsher on the eyeballs than green. I've also got a Samsung Green I acquired for use with Clone-E, so I could move the
amber down to Clone+

Spec


*** THE READER V4.50 [freeware]
--- SuperBBS v1.17-3 (Eval)
* Origin: A camel is a horse designed by a committee. (21:3/101)

Maybe get a projector and project the image into the wall!

Have an HD 2K lumens one out in the living room. Have used it with the Xbox 360...but with semi-gloss apartment walls...the glow makes the
scene look strange. On the other hand...have bought a screen I
haven't used yet...but want to hook up my Series S & see what it
looks like.

You have semi-gloss walls? That's a tad... unusual.. at least its exceedingly unusual here... I've used all sorts of things for screens, even sheets can work well. But if I'm looking for a wall, I usually setup the projector in
the approved location, power it up, mask the area off, and paint it in a low-sheen, off-white/mushroom kinda light colour. You can pick up old slide projector screens cheep, like the budgie at times too..

Spec


*** THE READER V4.50 [freeware]
--- SuperBBS v1.17-3 (Eval)
* Origin: A camel is a horse designed by a committee. (21:3/101)

The first colour monitot I had, was a second hand NEC Multi-synch II. It came out of a pawn shop that I passed regularly on my way home from work. Had
that thing for a long time... until we hit 800x600 being the resolution of choice for some reason it wouldn't synch with that, although it was happy
with 1024x768 But I digress, I got it in the first place to do ANSI screens with... I was getting a little tired of, why do you have a blue dog, or
bright magenta car or some such.. I have no idea what the chip set on the
video card was now... but it was some 16bit EISA card that would only work in 8bit mode, and you had to tape the extra section off or it'd stop the machine booting... still 286's at that stage.

Spec


*** THE READER V4.50 [freeware]
--- SuperBBS v1.17-3 (Eval)
* Origin: A camel is a horse designed by a committee. (21:3/101)

Yeah, I always thought monochrome VGA seemed weird.. I first saw a monochrome VGA monitor in the early-mid 90s, and I wondered what the point was. I thought the same thing, if you wanted monochrome, you could use

There were a lot of business applications for smallish mono monitots. They
were great for minimal footprint, less power consumption and fewer distractions.

A lot of them also only relied on the green signal from the VGA card. Which limited their video output quite considerably. An old girlfried bought a system with a mono VGA, and in order to get it looking better, you'd power it up with a colour monitot attached, plug the mono in, and you'd get shades for the colours. Otherwise you'd have a lot of black looking stuff on it. Don't recall what happened to that monitot now.

Spec


*** THE READER V4.50 [freeware]
--- SuperBBS v1.17-3 (Eval)
* Origin: A camel is a horse designed by a committee. (21:3/101)

Nightfox wrote to ACMEBBS <=-

On the other
hand...have a 50 inch 4K TV with an Xbox One S/360/Series S. Things have changed from when we all were younger.

We have a lot of awesome stuff now compared to when I was a kid, but
now the adult in me feels like I shouldn't spend too much money buying
too much stuff. I've found I might use something new for a little
while, and then it might end up sitting on a shelf not being used for a long time.

Shhh...don't want to let the secret out to the younger whipper-snappers. ;)

You're right. Love all my toys...but there are many I use more often than others. On the other hand...having been in commercial radio for around 20 years...love to collect retro radios...such as the Coke bottle AM radio I had when growing up. Needs to be
recapped...but things like that I don't use everyday...but represent the happier parts of the past. Still kicking myself that I lost an auction for the 1st AM transistor radio I had because I forgot I had put in a bid. If I had won it...would be sitting on a shelf I 3D printed & smile when I look at it.

Even with 3D printing with my CR-10 Mini...can make stuff that I enjoyed in the past and items I use. For instance...found/use snap-on lids for drink cans. Make them for myself and hand them out at work to people.
... Gone crazy, be back later, please leave message.
--- MultiMail/Win v0.52
* Origin: fsxNet FTN<>QWK Gateway (21:4/10)

They can, but the Amdek monitor I haven't isn't that large. It's far narrower than monitors today.

The old mono's either composite, herculean or cga were pretty tidy units... for the most part I'm working from memory about 12-13" at
most.. fairly small footprint and light weight, unlike later larger
colour units...

I'm sitting on an unbranded amber mono which came with Clone-E. I'm not
a fan of amber I always found it harsher on the eyeballs than green.
I've also got a Samsung Green I acquired for use with Clone-E, so I
could move the amber down to Clone+

Spec

Green was my preference too. I've always preferred light text on a black background. It is odd after so, so many years people are turning to "dark mode" to get away from a stark white background.

The Amdek unit I have is only 12" or 13", with the actual part of the screen used smaller. The monitor sat on top of the computer, so it didn't really take anymore space for the whole set up as a modern desktop does now.

Even with a laptop and wide screen monitor on my desk, the difference in desk real estate used isn't that significant.

Maybe I should bring an XT to work. They do have a "Bring your own device" option.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/12/24 (Linux/64)
* Origin: Agency BBS | Dunedin, New Zealand | agency.bbs.nz (21:1/101)

claw wrote to Dr. What <=-

are you talking about. Then he invited me over to see his Amiga A1200!
I fell in love with computers right then and there.

That's why I have a soft place in my heart for my TRS-80 Model I.

Back then, the Model I and Commodore PET were the ONLY computers out there
for home use. (I don't count Apple because it always sucked. :) )

Thats when I get the Apple ][c with the green screen. Wasn't
as nice as the Amiga, not even close. But at least it was mine. :D

That first computer you actually owned is always special.

That's why I wish I had my Sperry HT back.


... Wife to sleeping spouse: "Wake up! Who the hell is Tina!!?"
___ MultiMail/Linux v0.52

--- Mystic BBS/QWK v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Linux/64)
* Origin: Al's Geek Lab -=- bbs.alsgeeklab.com:2323 (21:1/126)

ACMEBBS wrote to Dr. What <=-

Had thought about getting one of these back in the day...but ended up getting a 64C because of all the hardware/software I had from the 64 I
got through college with. Was wondering what makes the Plus/4 so enjoyable?

I don't know. I have a C64 breadbin, a C128 and the Plus/4.

I don't know what it is, but I just enjoy using it. I think it's mostly the styling and updated BASIC (compared to the C64). It's like working on a color PET with more RAM.

As for other Commodore's...never heard of a PET until a few years ago. Heard they were popular back in the day (before the 64)...but remember seeing tons of PC's and Tandy's & HP/IBM mainframes...but no PET's.
Have any idea why?

It depends on when and where.

In my case, when schools in my area were getting on the "computer bandwagon" Commodore had given them a "buy 2, get 1 free" deal that Apple and Radio Shack didn't (at that time - Apple started to give schools deals later on).

So for all of High School, I worked on the PETs daily. Sometimes over lunch, sometimes in computer class.


... Floppy Disk = Lower back trouble.
___ MultiMail/Linux v0.52

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Nightfox wrote to Dr. What <=-

Yeah, I always thought monochrome VGA seemed weird.. I first saw a monochrome VGA monitor in the early-mid 90s, and I wondered what the
point was. I thought the same thing, if you wanted monochrome, you
could use Hercules or something. But I had heard monochrome VGA
monitors were less expensive than color VGA monitors, and offered compatibility with software that needed VGA. I doubt Windows 95, for instance, supported Hercules monochrome. At some point, I think most software required VGA at a minimum.

I wonder about the software compatibility, though.

Did a monochrome VGA display offer 256 shades of green/amber?

I have a Tandy 1100FD. It's a CGA system, but since it's a laptop, it has an LCD display, which is monochrome. When I run software, I have to deal with the fact that not all color combinations are readable (or sometimes not visible).


... Sigmund's wife wore Freudian slips.
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Re: Re: Price Piece in your c
By: Dr. What to Nightfox on Sun May 15 2022 02:37 am

Yeah, I always thought monochrome VGA seemed weird.. I first saw a

I wonder about the software compatibility, though.

Did a monochrome VGA display offer 256 shades of green/amber?

I have a Tandy 1100FD. It's a CGA system, but since it's a laptop, it has an LCD display, which is monochrome. When I run software, I have to deal with the fact that not all color combinations are readable (or sometimes not visible).

As far as software compatibility, I don't think software back then could even determine that you're using a monochrome monitor. They'd still run and output VGA, and as you said, the results aren't always good.

Nightfox
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: Digital Distortion: digdist.synchro.net (21:1/137)

Did a monochrome VGA display offer 256 shades of green/amber?

Depends on the monitor, VGA card combo. There was a detection system to
decide if a monitot was mono or colour. In strictly mono mode they're only using the green video feed, so greys are limited. If you either added an adapter to the monitot to make the card see colour or the card didn't care
what was attached or you could fool it some other way, then yes you could get "256" greys except it wouldn't really be 256... but it did result in a far better, more graduated picture....

Spec


*** THE READER V4.50 [freeware]
--- SuperBBS v1.17-3 (Eval)
* Origin: A camel is a horse designed by a committee. (21:3/101)

Dr. What wrote to ACMEBBS <=-

ACMEBBS wrote to Dr. What <=-

Had thought about getting one of these back in the day...but ended up getting a 64C because of all the hardware/software I had from the 64 I
got through college with. Was wondering what makes the Plus/4 so enjoyable?

I don't know. I have a C64 breadbin, a C128 and the Plus/4.

I don't know what it is, but I just enjoy using it. I think it's
mostly the styling and updated BASIC (compared to the C64). It's like working on a color PET with more RAM.

With my C64 Forever...I can understand that. The look/feel is different.

As for other Commodore's...never heard of a PET until a few years ago. Heard they were popular back in the day (before the 64)...but remember seeing tons of PC's and Tandy's & HP/IBM mainframes...but no PET's.
Have any idea why?

It depends on when and where.

In my case, when schools in my area were getting on the "computer bandwagon" Commodore had given them a "buy 2, get 1 free" deal that
Apple and Radio Shack didn't (at that time - Apple started to give
schools deals later on).

So for all of High School, I worked on the PETs daily. Sometimes over lunch, sometimes in computer class.

With me graduating high school at one of the worst schools in the Oklahoma City area in the late '70's...never got to see a computer...except at Radio Shack & such. Was a junior in college before I took my 1st computer class to fulfill my math requirement for graduation. From there...never did drugs...but the drug for me was in chip form with a ZX81 I bought used for $5...VIC-20 used for $20...then the 64 when I saved $200 and got it by mail order in 1984.

When I started out...worked/played on an Apple ][/HP 3000 in the computer lab. Now...am reliving those days with an emulation of the Apple hardware...especially the GS I never had a chance of using back in the day.
... Heisenberg may have slept here.
--- MultiMail/Win v0.52
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That first computer you actually owned is always special.

The ones you regret throwing/obsoleteing are often special too...

ST

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Linux/64)
* Origin: Storm BBS (21:2/108)

On 17 May 2022, StormTrooper said the following...

The ones you regret throwing/obsoleteing are often special too...

ST

Actually we didn't throw it out. We sold it toward buying new next computer. Which would become my first PC. the IBM PS1 V2. A 468SX/20 with 4Mb ram and a 170MB HD. Came with 2400 Baud Modem. It would be years before I build my own and this was a decent machine!

|23|04Dr|16|12Claw
|16|14Sysop |12Noverdu |14BBS |04(|14Noverdu.com|04)
|10Standard Ports for SSH/Telnet Web/HTTP://|14Noverdu.com:808
|20|15fsxNet/MRC Chat/Registered Doors!/50Nodes/No Time Use! Stay On!|16|07

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/12/24 (Linux/64)
* Origin: Noverdu BBS (21:1/210)

The ones you regret throwing/obsoleteing are often special too...

Actually we didn't throw it out. We sold it toward buying new next

That'd be planned obsolesence then...

Spec


*** THE READER V4.50 [freeware]
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* Origin: A camel is a horse designed by a committee. (21:3/101)

claw wrote to StormTrooper <=-

Actually we didn't throw it out. We sold it toward buying new next computer. Which would become my first PC.

That's what happened to my missed Sperry HT. My dad paid for a hard drive upgrade for it and it got food-chained down to my brother. I don't know where it went after that.

In my defense, I had just bought a shiny new 386 clone system with a 32 MG hard drive ("Now I can have all my files available" - ya, that lasted about 30 minutes).


... I am the Shopping Cart that nicks at your paint-job.
=== MultiMail/Linux v0.52
--- SBBSecho 3.11-Win32
* Origin: Final Zone BBS - finalzone.ddns.net (21:3/122)

That's what happened to my missed Sperry HT. My dad paid for a hard
drive upgrade for it and it got food-chained down to my brother. I
don't know where it went after that.

In my defense, I had just bought a shiny new 386 clone system with a 32
MG hard drive ("Now I can have all my files available" - ya, that lasted about 30 minutes).

Its crazy to think how working on a 170MB drive was even possible. My BBS had a 20 and a 40. We made it all work. Now my Server ad 6.5Tb and my main rig is 5.5tb and I have a 3Tb network drive and a 3TB Cloud server. I would have been blown away by a 1TB drive back then. Would have taken up the alphabet to partition that sucker but would have done it.

|23|04Dr|16|12Claw
|16|14Sysop |12Noverdu |14BBS |04(|14Noverdu.com|04)
|10Standard Ports for SSH/Telnet Web/HTTP://|14Noverdu.com:808
|20|15fsxNet/MRC Chat/Registered Doors!/50Nodes/No Time Use! Stay On!|16|07

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A47 2021/12/24 (Linux/64)
* Origin: Noverdu BBS (21:1/210)

8-Bit wrote to claw <=-

IBM 5120 (not PC Compatible)

Ooooo.. the one with the tape drive as storage. BASIC or APL (or both)?

TRS-80 Model 12
TRS-80 Model 16

I'd like to have one of the big business TRS-80s, but, alas, no physical space left in the Man Cave.


... Expert: "ex"=a has-been. "spert"=a drip under pressure.
___ MultiMail/Linux v0.52

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IBM 5120 (not PC Compatible)

Ooooo.. the one with the tape drive as storage. BASIC or APL (or both)?

It doesn't have the tape drive but dual 8" disc drives. I believe BASIC only
on this model. The person I bought it from had it in monitor mode so thought
it wasn't functioning properly.

TRS-80 Model 12
TRS-80 Model 16

I'd like to have one of the big business TRS-80s, but, alas, no physical space left in the Man Cave.

Looking at pics, it was actually a TRS-80 Model 2 instead of a 16. I have a bunch of Model 1's as well.

Pics can be seen at https://facebook.com/8classics

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Linux/64)
* Origin: 8-Bit Classics (21:2/133)

8-Bit wrote to vorlon <=-

I've been keeping a eye out for a C128D, but they always go for stupid prices... %-(

I picked up a couple large lots in the late 90s with a ton of Commodore equipment. I actually have a few 128D's, SX-64s, and more. 128's are beasts, I haven't run into a bad one yet. A bunch of 64's with bad
chips of course.
I have looked at picking up a Checkmate case but I am more into
original unmodified devices. I know there is a big push enhancing retro computers but I think that takes away the joy.

If you do decide to do a mod...such as putting one of these into a PC case or such...there are 3D printed mounting items available. For instance...put my MiSTer into a one piece Commodore inspired case. Have also printed out some mounts for the MiSTer as well.

Here's the original plans I used: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4721208 . Biggest difference is I found some newer plans which use the buttons/lights without doing remote wiring. My keyboard is black...top is silk purple...with the botton done in a transparent filament. The buttons are in yellow/red/green filaments.
... First, listen to sermon, THEN eat missionary!
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vorlon wrote to claw <=-

On 19 May 2022, vorlon said the following...

I've been keeping a eye out for a C128D, but they always go
for stupid prices... %-(

Have you check out Raymond Computer? He has a pretty large storage
of Amiga/Commodore stuff. If I remember they were going for like
$100.

I'm not in the USA, but Australia. So shipping is one big issue, plus
we operate on the PAL video standard. I can't remember if the C128 has native support for both standards.

If it's like the 64...you have to bridge across the PAL/NTSC jumper on the motherboard. Have seen how to do it...but can't remember who was doing it. Think it may be Adrian Black...but it could be any of those who work on these systems.

The Amiga 3000, has a jumpter to choose what standard to use.

Had no idea this was what you needed to do for this machine.

With my 64/A500 mini consoles...just choose whatever standard I want to use and run the game/software.
... "I have a friend that would like to eat, er I mean, meet you..."
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8-Bit wrote to Dr. What <=-

It doesn't have the tape drive but dual 8" disc drives. I believe BASIC only on this model. The person I bought it from had it in monitor mode
so thought it wasn't functioning properly.

Wow! My dad had one of those donated to his school. I remember playing a bit on it. We didn't get too far because it was only the hardware and I don't think it was easy to get the 8" disks even at that time.

Looking at pics, it was actually a TRS-80 Model 2 instead of a 16.

Either one is cool.

I have a bunch of Model 1's as well.

I just have the 2. I want to accumulate more, but I want to actually play
with them sometimes and for that, I need desk space which is currently at
a premium now.

But I did get my FreHD/Quinnerface for my Model I L2 yesterday. It's so much easier to get software loaded - even if the Model I is a little finicky. Having that extra 32K RAM doesn't hurt either.


... When I want your advice, I'll beat it out of you
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--- Mystic BBS/QWK v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Linux/64)
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If you do decide to do a mod...such as putting one of these into a PC
case or such...there are 3D printed mounting items available. For instance...put my MiSTer into a one piece Commodore inspired case. Have also printed out some mounts for the MiSTer as well.

Here's the original plans I used: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4721208 . Biggest difference is I
found some newer plans which use the buttons/lights without doing remote wiring. My keyboard is black...top is silk purple...with the botton done in a transparent filament. The buttons are in yellow/red/green filaments. ... First, listen to sermon, THEN eat missionary!

Thanks, I will definitely check it out.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Linux/64)
* Origin: 8-Bit Classics (21:2/133)

It doesn't have the tape drive but dual 8" disc drives. I believe BAS only on this model. The person I bought it from had it in monitor mod so thought it wasn't functioning properly.

Wow! My dad had one of those donated to his school. I remember playing
a bit on it. We didn't get too far because it was only the hardware and
I don't think it was easy to get the 8" disks even at that time.

I actually bought this from a school who it was donated to for some reason. Over 100 pounds so definitely not a fun thing to move around. But cool especially early IBM.

Looking at pics, it was actually a TRS-80 Model 2 instead of a 16.

Either one is cool.

I completely agree. I have to get some boot disks for them though. There is a guy that sent me a bunch for the Model 1, 3, 4, and 4p that does it by donation. Another person can do it for the 8" disk version but I haven't
gotten around to it.

I have a bunch of Model 1's as well.

I just have the 2. I want to accumulate more, but I want to actually
play with them sometimes and for that, I need desk space which is currently at a premium now.

My latest one was extensibly modified, replacing the caps, enhanced video upgrade and and the FreHD. I also picked up the newer style power supply from Australia but that isn't finished either yet.

But I did get my FreHD/Quinnerface for my Model I L2 yesterday. It's so much easier to get software loaded - even if the Model I is a little finicky. Having that extra 32K RAM doesn't hurt either.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Linux/64)
* Origin: 8-Bit Classics (21:2/133)

I'm not in the USA, but Australia. So shipping is one big
issue, plus we operate on the PAL video standard. I can't
remember if the C128 has native support for both standards.

If it's like the 64...you have to bridge across the PAL/NTSC jumper
on the motherboard. Have seen how to do it...but can't remember who
was doing it. Think it may be Adrian Black...but it could be any of

I'm watching a auction right now, and it's at a reasonable $500 AUD, with
7 days to go. Will be intresting to see if the price skyrockets...

The Amiga 3000, has a jumpter to choose what standard to use.

Had no idea this was what you needed to do for this machine.

If you want to connect a C= display (1084 etc), then that jumper is
required. If you connect via the 15Pin vga scandoubler port then not so
much.

AC> With my 64/A500 mini consoles...just choose whatever standard I

want to use and run the game/software.

The A500 mini is using newer standards/technology, so it just works.




\/orlon



--- MagickaBBS v0.15alpha (Linux/m68k)
* Origin: Vorlon Empire (21:1/195.1)

8-Bit wrote to ACMEBBS <=-

Here's the original plans I used: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4721208 . Biggest difference is I
found some newer plans which use the buttons/lights without doing remote wiring. My keyboard is black...top is silk purple...with the botton done in a transparent filament. The buttons are in yellow/red/green filaments.

8-> Thanks, I will definitely check it out.

Make sure you check out some of the designs which were redone from this one. Biggest problem I had with the original design was finding the wiring diagrams once for the buttons/lights...but spending an hour or so looking for the buttons...but not doing so from my bookmarks.
... Ben Dover and C. Howitt Feels-Attorneys at Law
--- MultiMail/Win v0.52
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vorlon wrote to ACMEBBS <=-

If it's like the 64...you have to bridge across the PAL/NTSC jumper
on the motherboard. Have seen how to do it...but can't remember who
was doing it. Think it may be Adrian Black...but it could be any of

I'm watching a auction right now, and it's at a reasonable $500 AUD,
with 7 days to go. Will be intresting to see if the price skyrockets...

That's is just crazy watching how the prices go crazy the last couple of hours of many auctions.

The Amiga 3000, has a jumpter to choose what standard to use.
If you want to connect a C= display (1084 etc), then that jumper is required. If you connect via the 15Pin vga scandoubler port then not so much.

This is the 1st time I've come across this. Remember back in the day drooling on some of the other models I couldn't afford at that time.

With my 64/A500 mini consoles...just choose whatever standard I
want to use and run the game/software.

The A500 mini is using newer standards/technology, so it just works.

Heard someone on You Tube talking about the difference between the current machines and "real" machines. With none of the capacitors/Varta batteries & such on the Commodore machines...they mentioned you could p/u the mini's years from today not not face the same issues.

Personally...the times when I had the real 500 were lousy (bad marriage)...but loved it because of the joy it gave me. Would love a real 500/500+ or such...but with the prices & issues they have because of the age/parts they used...the mini's are what I wished the real ones were like. Even expect eventually to have 3D printed cases with real keyboards like what I mentioned about my MiSTer setup.
... The Devil made me do it and I wanna do it again!
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8-Bit wrote to Dr. What <=-

I actually bought this from a school who it was donated to for some reason. Over 100 pounds so definitely not a fun thing to move around.
But cool especially early IBM.

We were close to a big General Motors facility, so they often "donated" old equipment. Mostly they were looking for a way to dispose of old stuff and take a tax write off, I think.

My latest one was extensibly modified, replacing the caps, enhanced
video upgrade and and the FreHD. I also picked up the newer style power supply from Australia but that isn't finished either yet.

I got the same kind of power supply. It took months for the DC transformer
to get shipped. But it went together quickly.

I was shocked to see that the Level 2 system powered up with only minor problems. But I was really shocked when the Level 1 system powered up with no problems.


... Of course I have backup tapes! Do you want last years?
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Hi Acmebbs,

vorlon wrote to ACMEBBS <=-

I'm watching a auction right now, and it's at a reasonable

$500 AUD, with 7 days to go. Will be intresting to see if the
price skyrockets...

That's is just crazy watching how the prices go crazy the last
couple of hours of many auctions.

Yeah.. You think your going to get the item, with 1minute or 30s left and someone else comes in bumps the price up really high.....

The Amiga 3000, has a jumpter to choose what standard to use.
If you want to connect a C= display (1084 etc), then that
jumper is required. If you connect via the 15Pin vga
scandoubler port then not so much.

This is the 1st time I've come across this. Remember back in the
day drooling on some of the other models I couldn't afford at that
time.

Oh, yeah. I did as well. I saw one of the early developer machines, that required the softkick setup. I knew I'd get one one day, it just took
untill sometime after 2006 for it to happen.

Heard someone on You Tube talking about the difference between the
current machines and "real" machines. With none of the
capacitors/Varta batteries & such on the Commodore machines...they mentioned you could p/u the mini's years from today not not face

Those issues are easy to get past. It's the machines that get left in
storage that suffer. That then makes the working machines left smaller,
and pushes the price up even more.

If my soldering skill was higher, I'd get a couple of the re-production
mb's that have been produced and build one.

Personally...the times when I had the real 500 were lousy (bad marriage)...but loved it because of the joy it gave me. Would love
a real 500/500+ or such...but with the prices & issues they have
because of the age/parts they used...the mini's are what I wished

A lot of electronics from that period have these issues, it was called
"The great capacitor plauge"

"The capacitor plague was a problem related to a higher-than-expected
failure rate of non-solid aluminium electrolytic capacitor's, between
1999 and 2007, especially those from some Taiwanese manufacturers,
due to faulty electrolyte composition that caused corrosion accompanied
by gas generation, often rupturing the case of the capacitor from the
build-up of pressure."

the real ones were like. Even expect eventually to have 3D printed
cases with real keyboards like what I mentioned about my MiSTer
setup.

I've got a MiSTer as well, but not done much with it yet. Just installed
the Amiga stuff, installed 3.2.1 and got RTG video mode going. Then other things came up.




\/orlon



--- MagickaBBS v0.15alpha (Linux/m68k)
* Origin: Vorlon Empire (21:1/195.1)

A lot of electronics from that period have these issues, it was called "The great capacitor plauge"

"The capacitor plague was a problem related to a higher-than-expected failure rate of non-solid aluminium electrolytic capacitor's, between
1999 and 2007, especially those from some Taiwanese manufacturers,
due to faulty electrolyte composition that caused corrosion accompanied
by gas generation, often rupturing the case of the capacitor from the build-up of pressure."

The story I got on this a long time ago... was that it was caused by
industrial espionage.. I don't recall now by who and from whom... but it was meant to be an experimental electrolyte that the competition lifted from somewhere and decided it looked right, it was cheaper and everyone then ran with it not having much option price point wise... The rest as they say is history... If I also recall right, it only took a couple of years for them to start failing..

Spec


*** THE READER V4.50 [freeware]
--- SuperBBS v1.17-3 (Eval)
* Origin: A camel is a horse designed by a committee. (21:3/101)

vorlon wrote to ACMEBBS <=-

That's is just crazy watching how the prices go crazy the last
couple of hours of many auctions.

Yeah.. You think your going to get the item, with 1minute or 30s left
and someone else comes in bumps the price up really high.....

Oh yeah. For instance...found the 1st transistor radio I owned from 1970 from a big department store which no longer exists. In my case...forgot to check in the last hour and lost it when someone else put in a higher bid. Still kicking myself over that one several years later. If I remember right the winning bid was $14.

AC> This is the 1st time I've come across this. Remember back in the

day drooling on some of the other models I couldn't afford at that
time.

Oh, yeah. I did as well. I saw one of the early developer machines,
that required the softkick setup. I knew I'd get one one day, it just
took untill sometime after 2006 for it to happen.

Too bad I wasn't into retro's during this time frame. If I had been...consider what I may have gotten for a good price. Only thing is I wouldn't have had the money or space to get my dreams.

Heard someone on You Tube talking about the difference between the
current machines and "real" machines. With none of the
capacitors/Varta batteries & such on the Commodore machines...they mentioned you could p/u the mini's years from today not not face

Those issues are easy to get past. It's the machines that get left in storage that suffer. That then makes the working machines left smaller, and pushes the price up even more.
If my soldering skill was higher, I'd get a couple of the re-production mb's that have been produced and build one.

Same thing here. Had considered getting an Amiga MB...buying the chips seperate & building a new machine for me. Getting the A500 was less trouble in not trying to find the chips I would need (if they were available). Add to that the costs of the A500...was quite a bit cheaper...but still have an Amiga I'd been wanting for a while.

Personally...the times when I had the real 500 were lousy (bad marriage)...but loved it because of the joy it gave me. Would love
a real 500/500+ or such...but with the prices & issues they have
because of the age/parts they used...the mini's are what I wished

A lot of electronics from that period have these issues, it was called "The great capacitor plauge"

Have heard/seen this in systems from this era.

the real ones were like. Even expect eventually to have 3D printed
cases with real keyboards like what I mentioned about my MiSTer
setup.

I've got a MiSTer as well, but not done much with it yet. Just
installed the Amiga stuff, installed 3.2.1 and got RTG video mode
going. Then other things came up.

Me either. Between the retro systems & 3D printing...doesn't leave me as much time I would like to have. Maybe...if I moved to Pluto where I could get more than 24 hours a day. ;)
... Do infants have as much fun in infancy as adults in adultery?
--- MultiMail/Win v0.52
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Hi Spectre,

A lot of electronics from that period have these issues, it
was called "The great capacitor plauge"

price point wise... The rest as they say is history... If I also
recall right, it only took a couple of years for them to start
failing..

Yeah, I can recall a few buggers spread all over the inside of a PC ot
two. The Amiga's also suffered from the verta barrel battery's leaking
acid as well. They are worse.... Grean acid eating tracks and chips.





\/orlon



--- MagickaBBS v0.15alpha (Linux/m68k)
* Origin: Vorlon Empire (21:1/195.1)

vorlon wrote to ACMEBBS <=-

Oh yeah. For instance...found the 1st transistor radio I owned from
1970 from a big department store which no longer exists. In my case...forgot to check in the last hour and lost it when someone
else put in a higher bid. Still kicking myself over that one
several years later. If I remember right the winning bid was $14.

Yep, that's a kick in the rear end. Had it happen to many times to count.
#-(

Oh, yeah. I did as well. I saw one of the early developer
machines, that required the softkick setup. I knew I'd get one
one day, it just took untill sometime after 2006 for it to
happen.

Too bad I wasn't into retro's during this time frame. If I had been...consider what I may have gotten for a good price. Only thing
is I wouldn't have had the money or space to get my dreams.

Yes, prices back then could go high, but nothing like what's going on
now. I've watched auctions go really high for even broken/non working
gear.

If my soldering skill was higher, I'd get a couple of the
re-production mb's that have been produced and build one.

Same thing here. Had considered getting an Amiga MB...buying the
chips seperate & building a new machine for me. Getting the A500
was less trouble in not trying to find the chips I would need (if
they were available). Add to that the costs of the A500...was quite
a bit cheaper...but still have an Amiga I'd been wanting for a
while.

In a lot of caaes the chips are ok, or it's a part that can be still
sourced, then it's just a matter of transplanting them.

Me either. Between the retro systems & 3D printing...doesn't leave
me as much time I would like to have. Maybe...if I moved to Pluto
where I could get more than 24 hours a day. ;)

You could do that, but then getting things sent out will take to long!!





\/orlon



--- MagickaBBS v0.15alpha (Linux/m68k)
* Origin: Vorlon Empire (21:1/195.1)

Yeah, I can recall a few buggers spread all over the inside of a PC ot

I had a number of BX age motherboard that suffered from the problem. They'd get to the point they wouldn't start..

two. The Amiga's also suffered from the verta barrel battery's leaking acid as well. They are worse.... Grean acid eating tracks and chips.

Same battery style as the old AT batteries? Also had a few 286's with previously leaked batteries... used to was them off as far as possible and rinse with ammonia to neutralise anything left.

The battery in the IIgs, was meant to last "forever". The power consumption
of the board during power down was meant to be less than the shelf
dissipation of charge, the result was an expected 10-12 year life span, but they were falling over after about 5 years.. and subsequently are noted for leaking.

Spec


*** THE READER V4.50 [freeware]
--- SuperBBS v1.17-3 (Eval)
* Origin: A camel is a horse designed by a committee. (21:3/101)

On Mon May 23 14:19:00 2022, vorlon wrote to ACMEBBS <=-

vorlon wrote to ACMEBBS <=-

Oh yeah. For instance...found the 1st transistor radio I owned from 1970 from a big department store which no longer exists. In my case...forgot to check in the last hour and lost it when someone
else put in a higher bid. Still kicking myself over that one
several years later. If I remember right the winning bid was $14.

Yep, that's a kick in the rear end. Had it happen to many times to count. #-(

The part which makes want to kick myself was having checked on it a couple of hours earlier that day.

Oh, yeah. I did as well. I saw one of the early developer
machines, that required the softkick setup. I knew I'd get one
one day, it just took untill sometime after 2006 for it to
happen.

Too bad I wasn't into retro's during this time frame. If I had been...consider what I may have gotten for a good price. Only thing
is I wouldn't have had the money or space to get my dreams.

Yes, prices back then could go high, but nothing like what's going on
now. I've watched auctions go really high for even broken/non working
gear.

Very true.

If my soldering skill was higher, I'd get a couple of the
re-production mb's that have been produced and build one.

Same thing here. Had considered getting an Amiga MB...buying the
chips seperate & building a new machine for me. Getting the A500
was less trouble in not trying to find the chips I would need (if
they were available). Add to that the costs of the A500...was quite
a bit cheaper...but still have an Amiga I'd been wanting for a
while.

In a lot of caaes the chips are ok, or it's a part that can be still sourced, then it's just a matter of transplanting them.

True...but the cost of shipping from Europe is crazy. Too bad the Amiga didn't take off in the US like in Europe. If it had...would have a surplus of chips.

Me either. Between the retro systems & 3D printing...doesn't leave
me as much time I would like to have. Maybe...if I moved to Pluto
where I could get more than 24 hours a day. ;)

You could do that, but then getting things sent out will take to long!!

Yep. Not really an issue if you think about it. Pizza and other items aren't that great for you. Tasty...but just think how healthy you should be. ;)

=== TitanMail/winnt v1.1.5
--- SBBSecho 3.06-Win32
* Origin: fsxNet FTN<>QWK Gateway (21:4/10)

two. The Amiga's also suffered from the verta barrel battery's
leaking acid as well. They are worse.... Grean acid eating
tracks and chips.

Same battery style as the old AT batteries? Also had a few 286's

Humm, to many mice have been eating the cheese... This link shows one.

https://vswitchzero.com/2018/02/20/the-486-restoration-part-2/

I think it's just guess work on how long a battery will last. I've seen
some go for the expected x years, and other's go for a lot longer. Ie:
The batterys in one of my UPS's was ratted for three years and yet they
lasted five. %->





\/orlon



--- MagickaBBS v0.15alpha (Linux/m68k)
* Origin: Vorlon Empire (21:1/195.1)

remember right the winning bid was $14. Yep, that's a kick

in the rear end. Had it happen to many times to count. #-(

The part which makes want to kick myself was having checked on it a
couple of hours earlier that day.

hehehe... Yep had that happen as well, and also get busy with work and
next thing the auction has ended....

In a lot of caaes the chips are ok, or it's a part that can be
still sourced, then it's just a matter of transplanting them.

True...but the cost of shipping from Europe is crazy. Too bad the
Amiga didn't take off in the US like in Europe. If it had...would
have a surplus of chips.

It took off here in Australia. But the Europein's are not the only ones
that excelled in jacking the shipping prices up. A *lot* of USA based
sellers are experts at that. I've sent things to the USA and the shipping
was only $20-30 AUD, yet the other way it was more like $100+.

have. Maybe...if I moved to Pluto where I could get more
than 24 hours a day. ;) You could do that, but then getting

things sent out will take to long!!

Yep. Not really an issue if you think about it. Pizza and other
items aren't that great for you. Tasty...but just think how healthy
you should be. ;)

But late on a friday night at 9:30pm-10pm, just finished work and can't
be stuffed cokking something... #-)




\/orlon



--- MagickaBBS v0.15alpha (Linux/m68k)
* Origin: Vorlon Empire (21:1/195.1)

On Tue May 24 12:28:00 2022, vorlon wrote to ACMEBBS <=-

remember right the winning bid was $14. Yep, that's a kick

in the rear end. Had it happen to many times to count. #-(

> AC> The part which makes want to kick myself was having checked on it a

couple of hours earlier that day.

hehehe... Yep had that happen as well, and also get busy with work and
next thing the auction has ended....

In my case...ended up taking a nap & about dinner time...the palm went to the forehead. Found out after this the auction was over.

In a lot of caaes the chips are ok, or it's a part that can be
still sourced, then it's just a matter of transplanting them.

True...but the cost of shipping from Europe is crazy. Too bad the
Amiga didn't take off in the US like in Europe. If it had...would
have a surplus of chips.

It took off here in Australia. But the Europein's are not the only ones
that excelled in jacking the shipping prices up. A *lot* of USA based sellers are experts at that. I've sent things to the USA and the shipping was only $20-30 AUD, yet the other way it was more like $100+.

The thing which burns me up about Ebay are the low prices...until you look at the shipping cost. They're doing that to get eyeballs...but seem not to realize that with the shipping costing more than what the cost of the item is is crazy.

Not only happens with computers...but have been known to gander at some of the transistor/tube radios I would love to own...like some of the "All American 5" units.

have. Maybe...if I moved to Pluto where I could get more
than 24 hours a day. ;) You could do that, but then getting

things sent out will take to long!!

Yep. Not really an issue if you think about it. Pizza and other
items aren't that great for you. Tasty...but just think how healthy
you should be. ;)

But late on a friday night at 9:30pm-10pm, just finished work and can't
be stuffed cokking something... #-)

Same here. Work in receiving unloading trucks/stocking (because I don't have to deal with Karens on the floor). Hard work...but don't have to worry about dealing with these idiots. Get home around 11:15 PM at night...starving & if I have leftovers...great. If not...what's the easiest thing I can make to watch TV/play video games on the Xbox.

... RAMdisk is not an installation procedure!
=== TitanMail/winnt v1.1.5
--- SBBSecho 3.06-Win32
* Origin: fsxNet FTN<>QWK Gateway (21:4/10)

https://vswitchzero.com/2018/02/20/the-486-restoration-part-2/

Yup those things.. the ones I saw with issues tended to get crusty with
salts. But aside from replacing the battery and trying to clean the surface off, I just used them regardless. Those particular batteries are made up of 3xNiCad button cells... they proved difficult to source in the end...

Spec


*** THE READER V4.50 [freeware]
--- SuperBBS v1.17-3 (Eval)
* Origin: A camel is a horse designed by a committee. (21:3/101)

I actually bought this from a school who it was donated to for some reason. Over 100 pounds so definitely not a fun thing to move around. But cool especially early IBM.

We were close to a big General Motors facility, so they often "donated" old equipment. Mostly they were looking for a way to dispose of old
stuff and take a tax write off, I think.

Sometimes donations are great. I work in K-12 school districts and sometimes
we offer free computer recycling and we get some classics every once and a while. I picked up an Amiga 500 a few years ago from that.

--- Mystic BBS v1.12 A46 2020/08/26 (Linux/64)
* Origin: 8-Bit Classics (21:2/133)

hehehe... Yep had that happen as well, and also get busy with
work and next thing the auction has ended....

In my case...ended up taking a nap & about dinner time...the palm
went to the forehead. Found out after this the auction was over.

But sleep is a good thing. (tm) #-;

It took off here in Australia. But the Europein's are not the
only ones that excelled in jacking the shipping prices up. A
*lot* of USA based sellers are experts at that. I've sent things
to the USA and the shipping was only $20-30 AUD, yet the other
way it was more like $100+.

The thing which burns me up about Ebay are the low prices...until
you look at the shipping cost. They're doing that to get

It's not just ebay....Mouser etc... I wanted some resister packs for terminating the scsi on the A3000. The shipping was $34 for a total
item price of $4...Luckly Spectre came to the rescue with some.

But late on a friday night at 9:30pm-10pm, just finished work
and can't be stuffed cokking something... #-)

Same here. Work in receiving unloading trucks/stocking (because I
don't have to deal with Karens on the floor). Hard work...but don't
have to worry about dealing with these idiots. Get home around
11:15 PM at night...starving & if I have leftovers...great. If not...what's the easiest thing I can make to watch TV/play video
games on the Xbox.

The local pizza shop I go to, has gotten to know me that the regular
staff don't even have to ask me what I want. I joked one night to one of
them that I'll order something different one day just to throw them off.
#_)




\/orlon



--- MagickaBBS v0.15alpha (Linux/m68k)
* Origin: Vorlon Empire (21:1/195.1)

https://vswitchzero.com/2018/02/20/the-486-restoration-part-2/

Yup those things.. the ones I saw with issues tended to get crusty
with salts. But aside from replacing the battery and trying to

Yes they do that, and leak green acid that eats the board and copper
tracks.




\/orlon



--- MagickaBBS v0.15alpha (Linux/m68k)
* Origin: Vorlon Empire (21:1/195.1)

On Thu May 26 11:38:00 2022, vorlon wrote to ACMEBBS <=-

hehehe... Yep had that happen as well, and also get busy with
work and next thing the auction has ended....

In my case...ended up taking a nap & about dinner time...the palm
went to the forehead. Found out after this the auction was over.

But sleep is a good thing. (tm) #-;

Ahhhh...you know the drill...when we're dead...we can sleep. ;)

I've sent things
to the USA and the shipping was only $20-30 AUD, yet the other
way it was more like $100+.

The thing which burns me up about Ebay are the low prices...until
you look at the shipping cost. They're doing that to get

It's not just ebay....Mouser etc... I wanted some resister packs for terminating the scsi on the A3000. The shipping was $34 for a total
item price of $4...Luckly Spectre came to the rescue with some.

Amazon is probably just as bad. Have gotten books/stuff which cost around $2 US for USPS...while their stock cost at Amazon was $3.99 US.

But late on a friday night at 9:30pm-10pm, just finished work
and can't be stuffed cokking something... #-)

Get home around
11:15 PM at night...starving & if I have leftovers...great. If not...what's the easiest thing I can make to watch TV/play video
games on the Xbox.

The local pizza shop I go to, has gotten to know me that the regular
staff don't even have to ask me what I want. I joked one night to one of them that I'll order something different one day just to throw them off.
#_)

Even better...wear a fake pair of glasses/mustasche in to see what happens.

... The 4 food groups: Fast, frozen, instant and microwaved.

=== TitanMail/haiku v1.1.5
--- SBBSecho 3.06-Win32
* Origin: fsxNet FTN<>QWK Gateway (21:4/10)

vorlon wrote to ACMEBBS <=-

It's not just ebay....Mouser etc... I wanted some resister packs for terminating the scsi on the A3000. The shipping was $34 for a total
item price of $4...Luckly Spectre came to the rescue with some.

<shudder> back when I was supporting 68K macs, SCSI was a dark art.
finding the right terminator, cabling, and even order of plugging
things in was a pain in the ass.

When properly done, you'd end up with a Mac IIci with an external
SCSI, a DAT drive, a Syquest drive and a CD-ROM drive all in a little
tower next to the system. Peak Geek.


... Discover your formulas and abandon them
--- MultiMail/DOS v0.52
* Origin: realitycheckBBS.org -- information is power. (21:4/122)

<shudder> back when I was supporting 68K macs, SCSI was a dark art. finding the right terminator, cabling, and even order of plugging
things in was a pain in the ass.

Chuckle, I never had a great deal of issue with SCSI. The largest drama on
the II was the SCSI tools not being terribly robust. So occasionally I'd
have to take drives around to a friend with a Mac to have them beaten into submission. Also getting IDs right was problematic. Otherwise... some chains developed foibles where you'd have to power on in the right sequence, or as I've mentioned before a system with a stictioned drive supplying term power
for a functional one, and suddenly coming to life confusing me no end for a bit.

Spec


*** THE READER V4.50 [freeware]
--- SuperBBS v1.17-3 (Eval)
* Origin: A camel is a horse designed by a committee. (21:3/101)

Re: Re: Price Piece in your c
By: poindexter FORTRAN to vorlon on Thu May 26 2022 07:06 am

<shudder> back when I was supporting 68K macs, SCSI was a dark art. finding the right terminator, cabling, and even order of plugging
things in was a pain in the ass.

I've often heard people say Macs are premium computers (like the BMW of the computer world), hence their tendency to be more expensive. I always thought SCSI had its advantages over other interfaces like MFM and IDE, but it did have its disadvantages too.

Side note, I know someone who had an early professional-level digital camera around 2000 or 2001, which used a SCSI interface.. I thought it was weird to see a digital camera using a SCSI interface for copying its photos to a PC, but now that I think about it, that probably makes sense. It probably would have showed up as just another SCSI drive.

Nightfox
--- SBBSecho 3.15-Win32
* Origin: Digital Distortion: digdist.synchro.net (21:1/137)

The local pizza shop I go to, has gotten to know me that the
regular staff don't even have to ask me what I want. I joked
one night to one of them that I'll order something different one
day just to throw them off. #_)

Even better...wear a fake pair of glasses/mustasche in to see what happens.

Haha.. I already wear glasses.!




\/orlon



--- MagickaBBS v0.15alpha (Linux/m68k)
* Origin: Vorlon Empire (21:1/195.1)

It's not just ebay....Mouser etc... I wanted some resister
packs for terminating the scsi on the A3000. The shipping was

<shudder> back when I was supporting 68K macs, SCSI was a dark
art. finding the right terminator, cabling, and even order of
plugging things in was a pain in the ass.

I never had that issue, and my machine at the time, had two hd's, a cdrom
and a 5 disc changer cdrom.




\/orlon



--- MagickaBBS v0.15alpha (Linux/m68k)
* Origin: Vorlon Empire (21:1/195.1)

On Sat May 28 19:55:00 2022, vorlon wrote to ACMEBBS <=-

The local pizza shop I go to, has gotten to know me that the
regular staff don't even have to ask me what I want. I joked
one night to one of them that I'll order something different one
day just to throw them off. #_)

Even better...wear a fake pair of glasses/mustasche in to see what happens.

Haha.. I already wear glasses.!

Not those glasses...but the type that Burgess Meredith wore in that Twilight Zone episode where he had all the time in the world to read...but broke his glasses.

... For Harry and Lloyd, every day is a no-brainer.

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