Subject: Hello?
From: [email-masked]
To: [email-masked]
Date: Wed, 10 Oct 90 12:59:14 EDT

Date: Wed, 10 Oct 90 12:59:14 EDT
From: [email-masked]
To: [email-masked]
Subject: Hello?

Has this list suddenly stopped happening, or am I just no longer on it?
If I'm off it, please put me back on!
     [email-masked]

Date: Thu 11 Oct 90 10:08:24
From: Johnny Billquist <[email-masked]>
Subject: Re: Hello?
To: [email-masked]
Cc: [email-masked], [email-masked]

Date: Thu 11 Oct 90 10:08:24
From: Johnny Billquist <[email-masked]>
Subject: Re: Hello?
To: [email-masked]
Cc: [email-masked], [email-masked]
In-Reply-To: <[email-masked]>

Sorry, Wilson, but sometimes the contributions to pdp8-lovers
come scarse.

You are welcome to add to the volume.
Anybody got any good pdp8 trivia or quiz to share with others?

	Johnny

Date: Mon, 15 Oct 90 23:22:19 EDT
From: [email-masked] (Larry Stone)
To: [email-masked]
Subject: pdp-8/L system available

Date: Mon, 15 Oct 90 23:22:19 EDT
From: [email-masked] (Larry Stone)
To: [email-masked]
Subject: pdp-8/L system available

I need to get rid of a pdp-8/L system.  I'd like to swap it for
something I can use (pdp-8/e parts, or perhaps just the satisfaction
of sending it to a good home:

	o  pdp-8/L with 4K core and current-loop console port.
	o  extra pdp-8/L, maybe working, for parts.
	o  one fancy tabletop cover for a pdp-8/L
	o  ASR-33 Teletype with stand and copyholder.
	o  High-speed paper tape reader/punch.
	o  Maintenance Manuals for the '8/L, tape unit, and Teletype.
	o  Some software on paper tape.
	o  Some software manuals.

It all worked perfectly a few years ago and has been stored safely since.
Everything must be taken together from New Haven, Connecticut, before
the end of October.

I also have a "Sugarman Labs T8" CRT terminal from the early 1970's,
available to any taker.  It includes a detached keyboard, logic
unit (about the size of a PC/AT), and monitor.

Please call me if you can't get email here (Cambridge, MA) by Wednesday:
Work: 617-868-2800 x250
Home: 617-623-6175
After Wednesday: 203-787-5529

Date: Thu, 18 Oct 90 14:32:59 EDT
From: [email-masked] (Brian McAllister)
To: [email-masked], [email-masked]

Date: Thu, 18 Oct 90 14:32:59 EDT
From: [email-masked] (Brian McAllister)
To: [email-masked], [email-masked]

Date:	October 18, 1990

From:	Jack Reyes
	Perception Technology Corp
	40 Shawmut Park
	Canton, MA 02021
	(617) 821-0320 x 283

To:	Anyone interested in donated hardware

Our company has just recently "cleaned house" and I am looking for interested
parties that would like to receive a donation of used hardware.  The inventory
is as follows:

o	PDP 11/34 system with RL02 drives
o	PTC proprietary speech equipment boards (ARM-I and AF-I's)
o	Wall Transformers/Adapters (12v & 24v AC and DC)
o	Telemetrics equipment
o	VT100's
o	VT103's
o	VT220's
o	VT101's
o	keyboards (for above)
o	DEC RX180 Floppy Disk drives
o	DECwriter II printer
o	Modems (300/1200/2400 baud)
o	Components, Chips, Etc.
o	Power Supplies
o	Chassis (various BA-11 Q-bus)
o	Emulex PE05 tape drive
o	Scotch DC600A High Density tape cassette media
o	DTMF keypads
o	Audio test gear

If you have any interest in any or all of the above inventory, please contact
me by phone ASAP!  Note: DO NOT REPLY BY MAIL as I have no way of
reading it!  If you do not have a need for this equipment but know someone
who might, please have them contact me ASAP!  This equipment is scheduled for
the trash masher if I cannot find someone to claim it in the next several days.
So, please call me ASAP!

Regards,

Jack

Date: Fri, 19 Oct 90 11:19:28 -0400 (EDT)
From: John Hudak <[email-masked]>
To: [email-masked]
Subject: HELP - Manuals wanted 

Date: Fri, 19 Oct 90 11:19:28 -0400 (EDT)
From: John Hudak <[email-masked]>
To: [email-masked]
Subject: HELP - Manuals wanted 

I know this is not directly related to PDP8's but their hanging from
my PDP-8/E......

I have some equipment that I am trying to get some manuals about.
I am desperate so any help would *really* be appreciated.  I'll
even pay for copying and postage.
I have a HP 2635-B console terminal (looks like a LA-120), and a
Racal Vadec modem VA-811/12 and what I think is an autodialer VA-831-B
housed in a VA1601U cabinet.  I *think* that the units were working
before I got them
but I need to know what the zillion dip switches on both modem cards do.
The HP printer head keeps oscillating between both ends of its
travel and I don't know if it not connected corrctly of if it
has an internal problem.  Again, any help is most graciously welcome.

John J. Hudak

Date: Fri, 19 Oct 90 13:32:45 EDT
From: Charles Lasner <[email-masked]>
To: [email-masked]
Subject: Kermit-12 Announcement

Date: Fri, 19 Oct 90 13:32:45 EDT
From: Charles Lasner <[email-masked]>
To: [email-masked]
Subject: Kermit-12 Announcement

I noticed that someone from the group requested that KERMIT-12's
announcement be posted to this group.  Since I am the author, I am
taking the liberty of doing it!

This is the latest "official" release of Kermit-12 to Columbia, so you
can all grab it via FTP, etc., but I am working on it currently.  There
will be some DECmate-specific changes out soon, as quickly as some open
issues can get finalized.
If anyone has any useful input regarding acquiring the infamous DECmate
"slushware notes" (aka DECmate II Firmware Specification or something
like that) please come forward NOW.  This will help speedup the release
of the new program.
Does anyone know of an available configuration to test Kermit-12 on?  I
need assistance on the following configurations (PDP-8's are NOT a
problem at all!):

DECmate III without the internal modem option

DECmate III with the internal modem option

DECmate III+ (it don't have no modem!)

DECmate I with DP278A

DECmate I with DP278B

I am seeking any internal documentation on any aspect of the DECmate
III or III+ and any of their options, the DECmate II's option boards or
any documentation beyond the II's programmers reference manual (which
is woefully inadequate and incomplete).  I understand there is a small
manual that explains certain aspects of WPS for DECmates that might
have a few useful tidbits, but I lack the DEC part number.  Anyone have
any of these?  Their only use will be to enhance PDP-8/DECmate software
for non-profit.  Anyone know of any direct or indirect paths to the
various DEC people who might have access to any of this?  I can give
some author's names of some of the relevant stuff if it helps.

Anyway, here is the announcement from Columbia which has been there
since early September.  Feel free to retrieve the mentioned files!

cjl ([email-masked])

Date: 05-October-1989
From: [email-masked] (Charles Lasner)
Subject: Announcing  KERMIT-12 Version 10f
Keywords: PDP-8, PDP-12, VT-78, VT-278, DECmate, OS/8
Xref: DEC PDP, See PDP

   This is to announce the release and availability of a highly
revamped KERMIT program for the complete family of Digital Equipment
Corporation 12-bit computers, known as KERMIT-12 (or K12MIT), Ver.
10f.  Unlike its predecessors (K08MIT and K278, upon which it is
partially based, as well as prior versions of KERMIT-12), KERMIT-12,
as now distributed, will run on any PDP-8 model (8, Linc-8, 8/i, 8/l,
8/e, 8/f, 8/m, 8/a), PDP-12, VT-78, or DECmate (VT-278, aka DECmate I,
DECmate II, DECmate III, DECmate III-plus) under any OS/8 family
member  operating  system.  Proper operation is accomplished
automatically.  Companion utilities are provided to deal with
"ASCII-fied" binary files in ENCODE format (a mechanism designed by
Charles Lasner and Frank da Cruz as a proposed successor to BOO
format); ENCODE format has been employed to distribute the binary
portion of this release of KERMIT-12.

   Due to the myriad port requirements of the various models,
conditional parameters have been provided in the source (as well as a
separate patching file) for models prior to DECmate I.  The program
auto-configures for all models of DECmate;  parameters are available
to select the DECmate ports (DP278, communications, printer, etc.)
where applicable.

   Many improvements have been provided to get this KERMIT "up to
speed" relative to other KERMITs.  KERMIT-12 has been tested
successfully with many KERMIT implementations and will run at the
maximum baud rate (and sometimes beyond the DEC-stated limit!) of the
relevant interface.  Any console terminal configuration acceptable to
OS/8, etc. can be used at any baud rate as long as local flow-control
protocol is obeyed; remote flow control can be disabled at console
speeds higher than the remote line rate.  Connect mode I/O is fully
ring-buffered in all directions with local flow control always enabled
for all console terminal operations.  (This should satisfy all console
terminal requirements ranging from 110-baud teletypes to built-in
350-Kbaud VT-220 emulators, since any of the gamut of these ASCII
terminals could be the system console terminal for any of the
KERMIT-12 supported computer configurations!).

   KERMIT-12 will run anywhere OS/8 does, so it runs on any perfect
look-alike suitably configured.  Some known compatibles are:

 - TPA made in Hungary, this machine is an 8/l except for the silkscreened
   letters which are Magyar, not English.
 - Fabritek MP-12
 - Intersil Intercept
 - Pacific CyberMetrix PCM-12
 - Digital Computer Controls DCC-112 and DCC-112H
 - Computer Extensions CPU-8 (a drop-in replacement for the 8/e or 8/a cpu
   for a PDP-8/A-400 or -600 hex-wide box)
 - Computer Extensions SBC-8 (a single-board computer -8 compatible based
   on the 6120 like a DECmate, but compatible with -8 peripherals, not
   DECmate peripherals; it also supports up to 16 comm ports)

   Various emulators are available for PDP-10, 15 and the IBM-PC which
will also support KERMIT-12 if suitably configured.

   Distribution files are available from CUCCA.  Testing is under way
for some of the more obscure configurations (e.g., DECmate III with
comm port); volunteers are welcome for this task.  The author can
provide copies to interested parties on virtually all of the popular
PDP-8 media on a time-available basis.

[Ed. - Many thanks, Charles!  The files are in Kermit Distribution area D
with prefix K12, and the previous PDP-8 versions having prefixes K08 and
K278 have been retired.  Internet users may ftp the files as kermit/d/k12*,
and BITNET users can get them from KERMSRV at CUVMA as K12* *.]

------------------------------

Date: Thu Sep 6 1990 11:00:00 EDT
From: Charles Lasner <[email-masked]>
Subject: Announcing  KERMIT-12 Version 10g
Keywords: PDP-8, PDP-12, VT-78, DECmate, OS/8
Xref: DEC PDP, See PDP

This is a maintenance release of KERMIT-12.  A minor problem relating to
incorrect CPU identification messages has been fixed.  The problem only
appeared when the CPU was a KK-8A single-board CPU; this configuration was
previously untested.  Thanks to Johnny Billquist of Sweden for his
assistance in pinning down the problem.

KERMIT-12 operation was not affected in any other way, as only the
DECmate-specific identification is crucial; earlier PDP-8 family members
are treated in a generic fashion except for the "frill" of model
identification (all PDP-8, PDP-12, VT-78 models use software-compatible
port hardware;  all DECmates are incompatible and must be handled
individually).  We are still looking for volunteers to test the various
DECmate III and DECmate III+ configurations.

The rest of the release concerns the encoding of files into the
"ASCII-fied" format.  The format has been modified to be more robust, since
the original method has proven itself to be problematic in certain
practical circumstances (as reported in K12MIT.BWR).

The new ENCODing format is based on five-bit encoding with repeat
compression.  As much as 256 repeated 12-bit words will be expressed in a
five character field.  Any repeated 12-bit value can be compressed, as
opposed to simple zero compression, as in other common encoding schemes.
(PDP-8 files often have repeated strings of the value 7402 octal, which is
the HLT instruction.)

The only printing characters required to pass through any distribution
"path" are 0-9, A-V, X, and Z. The alphabetic characters can also be
lower-case.  All command lines are framed by ( and );  all data lines are
framed by < and >.  These characters can be changed if required, as they
are not part of the data; they could be replaced by W (w) and Y (y) if
necessary.  (Changing the framing characters requires slight modification
of the ENCODing and DECODing programs.)

The new format supports a 60-bit file checksum to ensure proper decoding at
the other end.  The former 12-bit checksum could be compromised on long
files.

The new ENCODing programs creates internal (REMARK commands stating the
ENCODed file's creation date, and the original file's creation date.  This
will aid in distribution of PDP-8 files where the user wishes to maintain
proper file dates.  The date algoritm used is the one proscribed by the
OS/8 DIRECT program. (OS/8 systems only OPTIONALLY support file dates, and
there is an eight-year "anomaly" associated with identifying the year; the
user must determine the credibility of the year portion of the date.  The
value provided by the ENCODE program for the original file creation date is
always today's year or the previous seven years as necessary; this field
will not be provided if the system doesn't support the required AIW
feature.)

Overall file size is theoretically as much as 6/5 of the original encoding
format (as the earlier format was based on six-bit encoding), but actual
size varies downward due to slightly less file overhead (wider lines mean
less CR LF; there is now less automatically generated verbiage), and the
random improvement afforded by simple repeat compression.

Virtually all K12MIT-related files are re-released at this time.  There are
several new files.  Due to the "fragile" nature of TECO macro files, the
file K12GLB.TEC is no longer being distributed directly; the file
K12GLB.ENC is the same file in the new ENCODE format.

The new files have been installed in the regular places:

BITNET/EARN       Internet
KERMSRV@CUVMA     watsun.cc.columbia.edu     Description

 K12MIT   ENC      kermit/d/k12mit.enc        Encoded binary of KERMIT-12
 K12MIT   DOC      kermit/d/k12mit.doc        Documentation file
 K12MIT   BWR      kermit/d/k12mit.bwr        Updated "beware" file
 K12MIT   DSK      kermit/d/k12mit.dsk        Description of RX02 diskettes
 K12MIT   ANN      kermit/d/k12mit.ann        Announcement of KERMIT-12
 K12MIT   UPD      kermit/d/k12mit.upd        Release update file
 K12DEC   PAL      kermit/d/k12dec.pal        Decoding program
 K12ENC   PAL      kermit/d/k12enc.pal        Encoding program
 K12PL8   ENC      kermit/d/k12pl8.enc        Encoded binary of PAL8 Ver B0
 K12CRF   ENC      kermit/d/k12crf.enc        Encoded binary of CREF Ver B0
 K12MIT   PAL      kermit/d/k12mit.pal        Main source file of KERMIT-12
 K12PCH   PAL      kermit/d/k12pch.pal        KERMIT-12 source patch file
 K12CLR   PAL      kermit/d/k12clr.pal        Memory clearing file
 K12MIT   LST      kermit/d/k12mit.lst        Symbols-only listing file
 K12PRM   PAL      kermit/d/k12prm.pal        Sample VT-78 config file
 K12GLB   ENC      kermit/d/k12glb.enc        Encoded TECO file macro
 K12ENC   DOC      kermit/d/k12enc.doc        Encoding format description

[Ed. - Many thanks, Charles.  Believe it or not, there are still quite a
few PDP-8 based systems out there, and even some PDP-12s.  You won't find
very many other new software packages that support them!]

That's it!  A new release will probably occur in less than a month,
but's that's where we are now.
cjl

To: [email-masked]
Subject: Software needed
Date: Fri, 19 Oct 90 11:36:08 PDT
From: [email-masked]

To: [email-masked]
Subject: Software needed
In-Reply-To: Your message of "Fri, 19 Oct 90 13:32:45 PDT."
             <[email-masked]> 
Date: Fri, 19 Oct 90 11:36:08 PDT
From: [email-masked]

Hello,

	I have a PDP-8E on the way (floppy based), and am going to need
some software to run on the little beast.  Can someone point to needed
software?  How do I go about putting a boot floppy together?  I have an
11/03 and an 11/23 with RX02 floppies, if the format is compatible.
Opinions?  Advice?  Psychiatric counseling?

					Thanks in advance,
					Andy Valencia
					[email-masked]

Date: Fri, 19 Oct 90 11:14:33 -0500
From: Todd Enders - WD0BCI  <[email-masked]>
To: [email-masked]
Subject: Alternatives....

Date: Fri, 19 Oct 90 11:14:33 -0500
From: Todd Enders - WD0BCI  <[email-masked]>
To: [email-masked]
Subject: Alternatives....

     Well, I seem to be confronted with a quandry.  I have been trying to
deal with some of the local motor freight companies to get a good rate on
shipping a pdp-11 or some drives (ca 900#) from the East coast.  They all
grin an evil grin, ask how much the equipment is worth, set about digging
in their rate books, and come up with the grim answer:  for 1000# valued
at < $2000, they want $562 (and this was before Sadam Husein)!!!  That's
more than the equipment is worth just to ship it.

     What I am interested in is alternative ways (read less expensive) to
ship 1-3k pounds ca. the 1500 miles from population to my door. :-)
I can think of two ways, but any other ideas would be most welcome.

     1.  The Road Trip.  i.e. drive to where the machine is in a suitable
         vehicle, retreive the machine, drive back.  Advantages: probably
         the cheapest (< $300 for a vehicle with sufficient load capy.).
         Disadvantages: many minor annoyances, plus having to take time off
         from work, long hours of driving, etc.

     2.  Moving & Storage Co's.  Like Allied, Mayflower, etc.  I haven't 
         investigated this, but they *may* be cheaper than motor freight,
         Any experiences?

     Thanks much in advance!

===============================================================================

Todd Enders - WD0BCI                  ARPA: [email-masked]
Computer Center                       UUCP: ...!uunet!plains!enders
Minot State University                  or: ...!hplabs!hp-lsd!plains!enders
Minot, ND  58701                     Bitnet: enders@plains

     "The present would be full of all possible futures,
      if the past had not already projected a pattern upon it" - Andre' Gide

===============================================================================

PS: pdp8 stuff:  I see that Columbia University has a new version of Kermit
out for the 8 (and also the 12).  I saw this in an info-kermit digest a few
weeks ago and was supprised to see no mention of it here.  I also lost the 
original posting, so I can't cite it verbatim here.

Date: Sat, 20 Oct 90 15:38:56 EDT
From: [email-masked]
To: [email-masked]
Subject: OS/8

Date: Sat, 20 Oct 90 15:38:56 EDT
From: [email-masked]
To: [email-masked]
Subject: OS/8

Does anyone have the last version of a full OS/8 distribution?
And does anyone have source to it?  Also, if anyone has the OS/8
doc kit I'd like to type it in and leave it where everyone could
get a copy (OK, so I'm not taking enough courses this term...).
 
John

Date:     Mon, 22 Oct 90 08:39 CST
From: [email-masked]
Mmdf-Warning:  Parse error in original version of preceding line at mc.lcs.mit.edu
Subject:  Wanted...
To: [email-masked]

Date:     Mon, 22 Oct 90 08:39 CST
From: [email-masked]
Mmdf-Warning:  Parse error in original version of preceding line at mc.lcs.mit.edu
Subject:  Wanted...
To: [email-masked]
X-Original-To:  [email-masked], AC4691A

I have many 'vintage' DEC machines.  pdp11/34, pdp11/23 and a "brand new"
MicroPDP that I just acquired.

What I want is any and all pdp software I can get my little hands on.
Sending 20 bucks a pop to DECUS is a little out of my budget.  So, if you
have ANYTHING for the pdp's just let me know and maybe we can make an
arrangement of some sort.

Thanks...

AC4691A@DRAKE on Bitnet

Date: Tue, 23 Oct 90 21:43:23 EDT
From: [email-masked] (Larry Stone)
To: [email-masked]
Subject: DG machine needs a home
Cc: [email-masked]

Date: Tue, 23 Oct 90 21:43:23 EDT
From: [email-masked] (Larry Stone)
To: [email-masked]
Subject: DG machine needs a home
Cc: [email-masked]

I saw this on UseNet and thought it might be of interest
even to some collectors of DEC iron:

Path: icad!bu.edu!husc6!gramian!page
From: [email-masked] (John Page)
Newsgroups: ne.forsale
Subject: Free computer system
Date: 22 Oct 90 16:32:46 GMT

**************FREE********FREE*********FREE**********FREE***********
We have a Data General S20 Eclipse system; Before you throw up, note that
this machine has a rather nice analog subsystem, and includes a
software package known as SAM; sensor manager
hardware includes: analog and digital I/O
		   8" hard disk
		   8" floppy

Please send E-mail soon before we gut it out for the rack

Date: Thu, 25 Oct 90 04:54:42 EDT
To: [email-masked], [email-masked]
Subject: Free PDP11/45s to good home
From: Michael A. Patton <[email-masked]>
Sender: [email-masked]

Date: Thu, 25 Oct 90 04:54:42 EDT
To: [email-masked], [email-masked]
Subject: Free PDP11/45s to good home
From: Michael A. Patton <[email-masked]>
Sender: [email-masked]

The Tech Model Railroad Club has just "upgraded" from 11/45 to 11/34
and now has two (well, more like one and a half) PDP 11/45 systems
available for the low price of "Come and take it away".  There are two
systems, both mounted in one 19 inch rack (6 feet, required to get two
45s in :-).  Neither system is completely working, one system is only
missing one power supply brick, the other failed and we never
diagnosed it, it seems to be a power problem.  These are CPU only, no
memory or peripherals installed.  The combination should be able to
make at least one working system.  It will probably make two without
much work (but we only have one XX2247 :-) and only a few standard DEC
parts.  Any Unibus memory would be sufficient.

If you're interested and/or want more details, contact me at
[email-masked], phone +1-(617)-253-6061 (11-5 EST).

            __
  /|  /|  /|  \         Michael A. Patton, Computer Committee
 / | / | /_|__/         Tech Model Railroad Club (TMRC)
/  |/  |/  |atton       Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Date: Thu, 25 Oct 90 15:06:01 EDT
From: [email-masked] (Brian McAllister)
To: [email-masked]

Date: Thu, 25 Oct 90 15:06:01 EDT
From: [email-masked] (Brian McAllister)
To: [email-masked]

Date:	October 18, 1990

From:	Jack Reyes
	Perception Technology Corp
	40 Shawmut Park
	Canton, MA 02021
	(617) 821-0320 x 283

To:	Anyone interested in donated hardware

Our company has just recently "cleaned house" and I am looking for interested
parties that would like to receive a donation of used hardware.  The inventory
is as follows:

o	PDP 11/34 system with RL02 drives
o	PTC proprietary speech equipment boards (ARM-I and AF-I's)
o	Wall Transformers/Adapters (12v & 24v AC and DC)
o	Telemetrics equipment
o	VT100's
o	VT103's
o	VT220's
o	VT101's
o	keyboards (for above)
o	DEC RX180 Floppy Disk drives
o	DECwriter II printer
o	Modems (300/1200/2400 baud)
o	Components, Chips, Etc.
o	Power Supplies
o	Chassis (various BA-11 Q-bus)
o	Emulex PE05 tape drive
o	Scotch DC600A High Density tape cassette media
o	DTMF keypads
o	Audio test gear

If you have any interest in any or all of the above inventory, please contact
me by phone ASAP!  Note: DO NOT REPLY BY MAIL as I have no way of
reading it!  If you do not have a need for this equipment but know someone
who might, please have them contact me ASAP!  This equipment is scheduled for
the trash masher if I cannot find someone to claim it in the next several days.
So, please call me ASAP!

Regards,

Jack

Date: Thu 25 Oct 90 20:24:03
From: Johnny Billquist <[email-masked]>
Subject: Re: Software needed
To: [email-masked]
Cc: [email-masked], [email-masked]

Date: Thu 25 Oct 90 20:24:03
From: Johnny Billquist <[email-masked]>
Subject: Re: Software needed
To: [email-masked]
Cc: [email-masked], [email-masked]
In-Reply-To: <[email-masked]>

If no closer source shows up, I can fix you some floppies...

	Johnny

(In Sweden, there should be some closer guys...)