[cctalk] Re: IBM 1620 Model 2 software wanted
Chuck, Yes, I mean Monitor II-D. No, CHM does not have a working 1311 drive. The need for Monitor II-D is for the IBM 1620 Model 2 simulators being written. Monitor I does not run correctly on a 1620 Model 2 when index registers are enabled and used by a program. Dave On 8/28/2023 3:48 PM, Chuck Guzis via cctalk wrote: On 8/28/23 13:54, Dave Babcock via cctalk wrote: To all, What they need, and CHM would be very interested in adding to its IBM 1620 collection, is original software specifically for the IBM 1620 Model 2. Of particular interest are the IBM 1620 Monitor II and IBM 1620-2 diagnostics, but any Model 2 software would be helpful to their efforts. Just curious--do you mean Monitor II-D? Does CHM have a working 1311 drive hooked to that CADET? --Chuck
[cctalk] IBM 1620 Model 2 software wanted
To all, Some 20 years ago, I led the Computer History Museum's restoration of an IBM 1620 Model 1 computer. Our team was successful in both bringing the machine back to life and collecting a massive amount of manuals, books, and software for the machine. Most notable the John Maniotes collection. I can safely say that CHM has the largest collection of IBM 1620 material in the world. We are still looking for IBM 1620 Model 1 manuals to add to collection. Please let me know if you have anything that we might be missing. In the past 2 years, several people have been writing simulators for the IBM 1620 Model 2 that go well beyond SIMH's instruction-level simulator. These simulators are based on the logic diagrams of the machine and implement unusual corner cases as well as documented functionality. One of the simulators has a text-based front panel while another one has a full true-to-life graphical front panel. It's not my place to formally announce either program, that's for the creators to do once they complete their implementations. I've been consulting with the engineers and am reaching out to the broader community for help. What they need, and CHM would be very interested in adding to its IBM 1620 collection, is original software specifically for the IBM 1620 Model 2. Of particular interest are the IBM 1620 Monitor II and IBM 1620-2 diagnostics, but any Model 2 software would be helpful to their efforts. Please let me know if you have and IBM 1620 Model 2 software or manuals. Thanks, Dave Babcock
[Cadetwriter] Announcements
To all, The Computer History Museum's IBM 1620 Jr. project team has several announcements about Cadetwriter: 1) Congratulations to Paul Williamson as the first person, besides our project team, to successfully build his own Cadetwriter. We know that a number of people are building or planning to build one, but Paul is the first person we've heard from that has completed it. If you are building, or planning to build, a Cadetwriter, please let us know about it. Paul's WheelWriter 1000 seems to have a different version of the logic board and/or its firmware than the CHM WheelWriters. This exposed several issues that Paul diagnosed which led to changes in the Cadetwriter firmware that make it more robust. 2) A new version (5R5) of the firmware is available with these important changes: - Added support for semi-automatic paper loading. - Increased the Interrupt Service Routine delay time to deal with overlapping column scans. - Adjusted the timing of unshifted, shifted, and code characters. This firmware is available at: https://github.com/IBM-1620/Cadetwriter 3) There is a new Cadetwriter message board at: https://cadetwriter.slack.com There are actually 5 channels available: - Cadetwriter/announcements - for announcements of new versions of the firmware, documentation, hardware, etc. - Cadetwriter/description - for a general description of Cadetwriter and links to resources. - Cadetwriter/building - a discussion forum for those building a Cadetwriter. - Cadetwriter/operating - a discussion forum for those using a Cadetwriter. - Cadetwriter/suggestions - a discussion forum for proposed additions/changes to Cadetwriter. If you have interest in Cadetwriter, please register and participate in the discussion. Thanks, IBM 1620 Jr. Team
Re: Announcing Cadetwriter
Yes. On 8/1/2019 10:58 PM, ben via cctalk wrote: On 8/1/2019 7:52 PM, Dave Babcock via cctalk wrote: The Cadetwriter flyer can be found at: https://www.dropbox.com/s/yhxq788j8g6j2sz/Cadetwriter%20Flyer.pdf?dl=0 Does it Backspace? Ben.
Re: Announcing Cadetwriter
The Cadetwriter flyer can be found at: https://www.dropbox.com/s/yhxq788j8g6j2sz/Cadetwriter%20Flyer.pdf?dl=0 One sharp-eyed person who actually read my post, Steve Tockey, noticed that I had switched the software running on the replicas. The real demos will be: * ALTAIR 8800 replica (Chris Davis) via RS-232 running MITS Extended 16K BASIC (Bill Gates, Paul Allen, Monte Davidoff) * PiDP-8/I replica (Oscar Vermeulen) via USB running OS/8 That'll teach me to do a quick posting before I get in the car for a 6-hour drive to VCF. Thanks, Dave On 8/1/2019 9:15 AM, Dave Babcock via cctech wrote: To all, After several more months of delays - personal and project issues - Cadetwriter is being released. [Cadetwriter is the official name of our general-purpose, Wheelwriter-based Computer Terminal.] The public unveiling will be at this weekend's VCF West at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California. Attached is a flyer on the device. At the show we'll be demonstrating the Cadetwriter connected to: * IBM 1620 Jr. via USB & proprietary protocol * ALTAIR 8800 replica (Chris Davis) via RS-232 running OS/8 * PiDP-8/I replica (Oscar Vermeulen) via USB running MITS Extended 16K BASIC (Bill Gates, Paul Allen, Monte Davidoff) * Windows laptop via USB and a USB->RS-232 adapter Our plan for the show is to invite anyone with a computer having an RS-232 or USB port to try out Cadetwriter with their computer. We're hoping for a lot of takers We're finishing getting the documentation written or updated and everything uploaded to GitHub. It should all be available next week. We appreciate your patience. Thanks, IBM 1620 Jr. Team
Announcing Cadetwriter
To all, After several more months of delays - personal and project issues - Cadetwriter is being released. [Cadetwriter is the official name of our general-purpose, Wheelwriter-based Computer Terminal.] The public unveiling will be at this weekend's VCF West at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California. Attached is a flyer on the device. At the show we'll be demonstrating the Cadetwriter connected to: * IBM 1620 Jr. via USB & proprietary protocol * ALTAIR 8800 replica (Chris Davis) via RS-232 running OS/8 * PiDP-8/I replica (Oscar Vermeulen) via USB running MITS Extended 16K BASIC (Bill Gates, Paul Allen, Monte Davidoff) * Windows laptop via USB and a USB->RS-232 adapter Our plan for the show is to invite anyone with a computer having an RS-232 or USB port to try out Cadetwriter with their computer. We're hoping for a lot of takers We're finishing getting the documentation written or updated and everything uploaded to GitHub. It should all be available next week. We appreciate your patience. Thanks, IBM 1620 Jr. Team
Re: IBM 1620 manuals
Jon, The Computer History Museum (Mountain View, California) has the most extensive collection of IBM 1620 items - hardware, manuals, books, software, etc. - in the world. Most of the items were collected a number of years ago when a team of volunteers restored the museum's IBM 1620 Model 1 Level F computer to full operation. I verified that the museum has both of these physical manuals, plus some associated update notices. So, the museum does not need them. Thanks for offering. A subset of the restoration team is currently building a historic replica of the machine - dubbed the IBM 1620 Jr. - for the museum's education department use. We've exhibited it at VCF West the past 2 years [winning Best in Show last year] and will be there again this year. This year we will be highlighting our work to create a general-purpose, ASCII terminal using an IBM/Lexmark Wheelwriter 1000 typewriter. Thanks, Dave On 5/25/2019 11:35 AM, Jon Elson via cctalk wrote: On 05/13/2019 10:57 PM, Jon Elson via cctalk wrote: I just discovered a binder with 2 IBM 1620 manuals. A quick check shows bitsavers has these and newer editions of them. So, does anybody want : IBM 1620 Central Processing Unit, Model 2 (Form A26-5781-1) and IBM 1620 Monitor II System Reference Manual (Form C26-5774-0) Jon OK, since the mysterious "Steve" who actually HAS a 1620 apparently can't be contacted, anybody else have a 1620, or know somebody who does? Or, has a significant collection of 1620 items? These manuals, or newer editions, are already on bitsavers, so there's nothing new there. Otherwise they go to the person who contacted me first on 5/13. (I'm just seeing if there's anybody who actually NEEDS these before giving them to somebody who just "wants" them.) Jon
Re: Daisywhell typewriter emulating a TTY
Chuck, The Group Mark key was on later IBM 1620 Model 1 typewriters as well as the Model 2 Selectrics. See: https://www.dropbox.com/s/p2b1449zr6uqh6p/IBM_1620_Console_Typewriter.png?dl=0 The flagged numeric blank was accidentally left out of the print sample I made. Thanks, Dave On 4/10/2019 10:49 PM, Chuck Guzis via cctalk wrote: Thanks, Dave. Was the group mark on the Model 2 typewriter keyboard? I don't recall it from the CADET. It was associated with the 1311 disk option anyway. How does one print a flagged numeric blank? (the "dump numeric" instruction prints it)? Thanks, Chuck On 4/10/19 10:10 PM, Dave Babcock via cctalk wrote: Sorry about the missing photos. Here's the keyboard: https://www.dropbox.com/s/oyxdpwi2mzz4kek/custom-keyboard.jpg?dl=0 Here's the printed output: https://www.dropbox.com/s/fb7lzrlzygnnvhl/Console_Typewriter_Output.png?dl=0 Thanks, Dave On 4/10/2019 11:56 AM, Chuck Guzis via cctalk wrote: Dave, I'd love to see the keyboard and printed output; unfortunately, the listserv strips out anything but test. Got a link? --Chuck On 4/10/19 11:14 AM, Dave Babcock via cctalk wrote: Chuck, True, the 1620 Model 1 Model B typewriter (1st gen). The 1620 Model 2 used a Selectric (2nd gen). We're using the 3rd generation IBM electric typewriter (Wheelwriter) with the 1620 Jr. (3rd gen 1620?). [I know it's a stretch.] The issue is that for Jr. we needed a reliable, robust, very low maintenance device. The IBM 1620 Jr. will be used by the CHM Education Department and needs to stand up to hands-on use without needed difficult & expensive maintenance. Here's the keyboard of our Wheelwriter-based IBM 1620 Jr. Console Typewriter: And here is the printed output: Note the slashed zero, flagged digits, and all of the 1620 special characters. :-) Thanks, Dave
Re: Daisywhell typewriter emulating a TTY
Sorry about the missing photos. Here's the keyboard: https://www.dropbox.com/s/oyxdpwi2mzz4kek/custom-keyboard.jpg?dl=0 Here's the printed output: https://www.dropbox.com/s/fb7lzrlzygnnvhl/Console_Typewriter_Output.png?dl=0 Thanks, Dave On 4/10/2019 11:56 AM, Chuck Guzis via cctalk wrote: Dave, I'd love to see the keyboard and printed output; unfortunately, the listserv strips out anything but test. Got a link? --Chuck On 4/10/19 11:14 AM, Dave Babcock via cctalk wrote: Chuck, True, the 1620 Model 1 Model B typewriter (1st gen). The 1620 Model 2 used a Selectric (2nd gen). We're using the 3rd generation IBM electric typewriter (Wheelwriter) with the 1620 Jr. (3rd gen 1620?). [I know it's a stretch.] The issue is that for Jr. we needed a reliable, robust, very low maintenance device. The IBM 1620 Jr. will be used by the CHM Education Department and needs to stand up to hands-on use without needed difficult & expensive maintenance. Here's the keyboard of our Wheelwriter-based IBM 1620 Jr. Console Typewriter: And here is the printed output: Note the slashed zero, flagged digits, and all of the 1620 special characters. :-) Thanks, Dave On 4/10/2019 10:56 AM, Chuck Guzis via cctech wrote: On 4/10/19 10:35 AM, Dave Babcock via cctech wrote: To all, The Computer History Museum's IBM 1620 Jr. project has already done this. We have converted an IBM Wheelwriter 1000 electric typewriter into a computer terminal. The conversion consists of a custom PCB with an Arduino Teensy 3.5 microcontroller which is physically installed in the typewriter, electrically in-between the keyboard and typewriter motherboard, with custom firmware. Aw, that's too bad! The original Model I (CADET) 1620 had a console typewriter (was it based on the IBM Model B electric?) that gyrated enough, particularly on carriage returns, that made you wonder if it was going to fly to pieces at any time. It was all part of the experience. What did you do about the 1620-specific keys? I don't think that record mark or R-S was a keytop legend ona Weheelwriter... --Chuck
Re: Daisywhell typewriter emulating a TTY
To all, The Computer History Museum's IBM 1620 Jr. project has already done this. We have converted an IBM Wheelwriter 1000 electric typewriter into a computer terminal. The conversion consists of a custom PCB with an Arduino Teensy 3.5 microcontroller which is physically installed in the typewriter, electrically in-between the keyboard and typewriter motherboard, with custom firmware. The initial work was to create a robust substitute for the IBM 1620's console typewriter. However, software changes are being completed this month to extend it into a general-purpose, easily-adapted, ASCII teleprinter. We demoed the device as part of our VCF West display last August at which we took 1st Place in Best of Show and 2nd Place in Restorations/Replicas. We will be making all of our design files, software, and documentation available free to the classic computer community. To whet your appetite, here's the step-by-step, illustrated guide for the physical conversion of the typewriter: https://github.com/IBM-1620/Junior/raw/master/docs/wheelwriter-adaptation-instructions.pdf We'll be posting a formal announcement of this device within a few months. This work has been done by Joe Fredrick, Steve Casner, and myself. Thanks, Dave On 4/10/2019 9:24 AM, ED SHARPE via cctalk wrote: I remember in '79 a KSR Diablo was the dream KSR printing terminal and cost like 3 grand? Oh how we used to dream of having one of these back then! We do have one in the museum's collection... although have not attempted to power up to use. Ed# In a message dated 4/10/2019 8:40:58 AM US Mountain Standard Time, cctalk@classiccmp.org writes: On 4/10/19 8:16 AM, Jon Elson via cctalk wrote: On 04/10/2019 03:38 AM, GerardCJAT via cctalk wrote: I would like to emulate a TTY, using a daisywheel typewriter. Well, there are Qume and Diablo. Diablo was bought by Xerox, so some of them carry that label. Most of the stand-alone versions had serial (RS-232) ASCII interface. I've given a couple of the Diablo KSRs (that's what the Hitypes with the keyboard were known as). I didn't care for them much--no immediacy of sound and keypress--the two seem unrelated. Daisywheel printers are incredibly difficult to get rid of--nobody wants to pay shipping. I got rid of the last one by throwing in a complete system with it. Still have a NEC Spinwriter mouldering away. --Chuck
Re: Daisywhell typewriter emulating a TTY
Chuck, True, the 1620 Model 1 Model B typewriter (1st gen). The 1620 Model 2 used a Selectric (2nd gen). We're using the 3rd generation IBM electric typewriter (Wheelwriter) with the 1620 Jr. (3rd gen 1620?). [I know it's a stretch.] The issue is that for Jr. we needed a reliable, robust, very low maintenance device. The IBM 1620 Jr. will be used by the CHM Education Department and needs to stand up to hands-on use without needed difficult & expensive maintenance. Here's the keyboard of our Wheelwriter-based IBM 1620 Jr. Console Typewriter: And here is the printed output: Note the slashed zero, flagged digits, and all of the 1620 special characters. :-) Thanks, Dave On 4/10/2019 10:56 AM, Chuck Guzis via cctech wrote: On 4/10/19 10:35 AM, Dave Babcock via cctech wrote: To all, The Computer History Museum's IBM 1620 Jr. project has already done this. We have converted an IBM Wheelwriter 1000 electric typewriter into a computer terminal. The conversion consists of a custom PCB with an Arduino Teensy 3.5 microcontroller which is physically installed in the typewriter, electrically in-between the keyboard and typewriter motherboard, with custom firmware. Aw, that's too bad! The original Model I (CADET) 1620 had a console typewriter (was it based on the IBM Model B electric?) that gyrated enough, particularly on carriage returns, that made you wonder if it was going to fly to pieces at any time. It was all part of the experience. What did you do about the 1620-specific keys? I don't think that record mark or R-S was a keytop legend ona Weheelwriter... --Chuck
Re: Daisywhell typewriter emulating a TTY
To all, The Computer History Museum's IBM 1620 Jr. project has already done this. We have converted an IBM Wheelwriter 1000 electric typewriter into a computer terminal. The conversion consists of a custom PCB with an Arduino Teensy 3.5 microcontroller which is physically installed in the typewriter, electrically in-between the keyboard and typewriter motherboard, with custom firmware. The initial work was to create a robust substitute for the IBM 1620's console typewriter. However, software changes are being completed this month to extend it into a general-purpose, easily-adapted, ASCII teleprinter. We demoed the device as part of our VCF West display last August at which we took 1st Place in Best of Show and 2nd Place in Restorations/Replicas. We will be making all of our design files, software, and documentation available free to the classic computer community. To whet your appetite, here's the step-by-step, illustrated guide for the physical conversion of the typewriter: https://github.com/IBM-1620/Junior/raw/master/docs/wheelwriter-adaptation-instructions.pdf We'll be posting a formal announcement of this device within a few months. This work has been done by Joe Fredrick, Steve Casner, and myself. Thanks, Dave On 4/10/2019 9:24 AM, ED SHARPE via cctalk wrote: I remember in '79 a KSR Diablo was the dream KSR printing terminal and cost like 3 grand? Oh how we used to dream of having one of these back then! We do have one in the museum's collection... although have not attempted to power up to use. Ed# In a message dated 4/10/2019 8:40:58 AM US Mountain Standard Time, cctalk@classiccmp.org writes: On 4/10/19 8:16 AM, Jon Elson via cctalk wrote: On 04/10/2019 03:38 AM, GerardCJAT via cctalk wrote: I would like to emulate a TTY, using a daisywheel typewriter. Well, there are Qume and Diablo. Diablo was bought by Xerox, so some of them carry that label. Most of the stand-alone versions had serial (RS-232) ASCII interface. I've given a couple of the Diablo KSRs (that's what the Hitypes with the keyboard were known as). I didn't care for them much--no immediacy of sound and keypress--the two seem unrelated. Daisywheel printers are incredibly difficult to get rid of--nobody wants to pay shipping. I got rid of the last one by throwing in a complete system with it. Still have a NEC Spinwriter mouldering away. --Chuck
Old manuals (Univac, IBM, Burroughs, Teletype)
Hello Todd, I am a volunteer at the Computer History Museum. I led the museum's full restoration of an IBM 1620 several years ago (http://s3data.computerhistory.org/core/core-2001-03.pdf). I am currently leading a new effort, the /IBM 1620 Jr./, to create an operational, hands-on exhibit using a real IBM 1620 front panel driven by a Raspberry Pi. As part of that effort, I'm writing a new, cycle-level simulator. The existing simulators, like SimH, are instruction-level and cannot drive the front panel. The simulator work could greatly benefit from the IBM 1620 & 1622 manuals and system diagrams that you have. I'd be happy to pay for any shipping costs. When this project is complete, the manuals will be donated to the museum to add to their collection of IBM 1620 documents. Thanks, Dave Babcock
