[ArmchairPhilosopher]

While you're here, can you ...uhhhh... explain German programming culture? I mean, I worked at a Canadian university computer centre while in grad school not too long after this magazine issue, and it was NOT even close to whatever this is!

I'd say that the mag's title says all you need to know:
"Computers, programmed for entertainment"

You're just jealous, it's not your fault that North Americans are such prudes…

(I did a quick check and yes, this is a real magazine cover that actually got released. Non-ironically. Small circulation, but still: What the actual frick! )

 

[Paladin79]

Yeah. Whatever happened to Kester SN62 solder?
Tried to find some last week and no bueno.

NTE bought it out and put it in small plastic tubes, I don’t see those on Amazon now but I bought a bunch of them a couple years ago.

 

[Bowmoreman]

Yeah, I have no patience and little empathy for those who have gone down those conspiracy rabbit holes.

Here's a pic of some mammatus clouds near my home 5 years ago. They are unique and very cool looking.

<edit: Whoops! The file is too large for the forums so I screenshotted it. Didn't notice the mouse cursor>

THAT is my kind of Mammatus! Nice and angry

 

[Mr Rick]

Has anyone heard of these?

https://raytubes.audio/collections/core

I'd say that the mag's title says all you need to know:
"Computers, programmed for entertainment"

You're just jealous, it's not your fault that North Americans are such prudes…

(I did a quick check and yes, this is a real magazine cover that actually got released. Non-ironically. Small circulation, but still: What the actual frick! )

I must need new glasses. I see two guys. One is wearing a wig.

 

[Bowmoreman]

I must need new glasses. I see two guys. One is wearing a wig.

And THAT one looks like Greg Lake (Crimson era/age). Amiright?

 

[RickB]

Something I've been wondering about is the impact of thermal cycle count on a vacuum tube filament, as opposed to tube operating hours. My thinking is that with a normal incandescent lamp, there's an estimated lifespan in hours, but we can also dramatically shorten the total number of operating hours by rapidly cycling the lamp on and off, letting the filament heat and cool and expand and contract until it breaks.

The filament in a vacuum tube can't be that different from an incandescent lamp filament, right? So, in addition to the rough estimate that this tube lasts for e.g. 5,000 hours, there must also be an impact from thermal cycles. If we had tons of high-quality data, then I suspect we'd be able to estimate a minimum acceptable power-off time for a tube, below which it's actually better for total tube lifespan to leave it on.

I could not find any data about this. I wonder if there was ever anything that came out of early vacuum tube computer installations where they burned through tens of thousands of tubes, and even if there was, whether it was ever unclassified or declassified.

Years ago, Jason wrote that if you weren't going to use your tube amp for more than an hour, you should shut it off.

 

[Orange5o]

Friends don't let friends stick Styrofoam on the tube pins for shipping or storage. Nice enough Tungsram E88cc's that I'll clean it properly, but why the schiit do people do this...

 

[ArmchairPhilosopher]

I must need new glasses. I see two guys. One is wearing a wig.

"The guy's no Georgia peach."

(Don't you dare to complain, you virtually begged me to link to that post.)

 

[Ripper2860]

Howdy folks. Tonight's Jazz recommendation is as follows:

Enjoy!!

 

[Adam Balm]

NTE bought it out and put it in small plastic tubes, I don’t see those on Amazon now but I bought a bunch of them a couple years ago.

Yep. My local electronics store carried it in those tubes. Problem is that they no longer cater to walk-in-hobbyists and now only cater to commercial, big sales accounts.
One of the salesmen told me "we could no longer stay in business selling 29 cent capacitors and resistors"
I get that, but why not cater to all customers. Walk-in hobbyists as well as commercial accounts.

Bummed.

 

[Paladin79]

Yep. My local electronics store carried it in those tubes. Problem is that they no longer cater to walk-in-hobbyists and now only cater to commercial, big sales accounts.
One of the salesmen told me "we could no longer stay in business selling 29 cent capacitors and resistors"
I get that, but why not cater to all customers. Walk-in hobbyists as well as commercial accounts.

Bummed.

I will look around my shop. How many tubes are you needing?

 

[Adam Balm]

I will look around my shop. How many tubes are you needing?

I could use two. One to go plus a back-up.

 

[jsabini1]

You're just jealous, it's not your fault that North Americans are such prudes…

It just goes to show that even programmers like to "cuddle"!

 

[Paladin79]

I could use two. One to go plus a back-up.

It will be done, PM me your full address and I will send them soon.

Tom

 

[Hofy]

Thanks! It's one of a kind with me at the right place and at the right time! Captured with just an iPhone 12 as you can see on the lens flare on the lower center

As Ansel Adams answered to the question of what it takes to be a great photographer, f/8 and be there.