This is a follow up to my post on the Alco MSM-5a from about a month ago. This is an unexceptional mosaic readout display but the major differences, that I can tell, between this and the 5A is that this one is a little bit smaller, it cannot be easily disassembled and it includes a red filter to color the display.  These were purchased from Surplus Shed for $2.50/each.

Description On Side of Unit:

ALCO
MOSAIC READOUT
MS-250AC
20-MA 2.5V Lamps
Japan

Links

• Original 5A Post: http://www.ineedcaffeine.com/content/2009/08/ebay-find-msm-5a-incandescent-display/
• Updated 5A Post: http://www.ineedcaffeine.com/content/2009/08/msm-5a-mosaic-readout-indicator/
• Surplus Shed (MSM-5A): http://www.surplusshed.com/pages/item/m2225.html
• Surplus Shed (MS-250AR): http://www.surplusshed.com/pages/item/m2244.html

Arkanoid: Revenge of Doh

I re-discovered this game recently. The last time I played it was on my parents’ AT&T 6300 with CGA graphics!  It is actually a really good game.  It is a table tennis variation with a breakaway wall in different shapes.  Some bricks drop pill-shape items down that change your paddle size, number of balls it the air, etc.  I have to play this in VM Ware on my Mac but it is still playable.  Some of the timing of the game, most noticeably the opening sequence, is timed based on the CPU.  This pretty much makes the opening scene unintelligible.

Oh, and this game came out in 1988.  I feel really old now.

Boring Action Video!

https://www.ineedcaffeine.com/videos/revengeofdoh.flv

Description from Wikipedia:

The mysterious enemy known as DOH has returned to seek vengeance on the Vaus space vessel. The player must once again take control of the Vaus (paddle) and overcome many challenges in order to destroy DOH once and for all. Revenge of Doh sees the player battle through 34 rounds, taken from a grand total of 64.

New Features:

Revenge of Doh differs from its predecessor with the introduction of “Warp Gates”. Upon completion of a level or when the Break (‘B’) pill is caught, two gates appear at the bottom of the play area, on either side. The player can choose to go through either one of the gates – the choice will affect which version of the next level is provided. The fire-button is only used when the Laser (‘L’) or Catch (‘C’) pill is caught.

The game also featured two new features for bricks. Notched silver bricks, like normal silver bricks, take several hits to destroy. However, after a short period of time after destruction, they regenerate at full strength. Fortunately, clearing a level does not require that any notched bricks be destroyed. Also, some bricks move from side to side as long as their left and/or right sides are not obstructed by other bricks.

The US version features an entirely different layout for Level 1 that feature an entire line of notched bricks, with all colored bricks above it moving from side to side.

The game features a mini-boss in the form of a giant brain, which will help you practice for DOH. You must aim for the brain’s mouth to defeat it.

Home versions of Revenge of DOH also featured a level editor, where players could create their own levels or edit and replace existing levels, with the exception of two levels: the mini-boss and DOH.

I have a great old photo of Minneapolis in my collection that I am trying to place a date on.  I am guessing 1930’s-40’s but I can’t tell for sure.  It appears to be taken from Hennepin Avenue from ~6th street facing southwest.  Does anyone have a better idea?

Update!

According a photo I found on Lileks (http://lileks.com/mpls/gopher/index.html) the theater on the side of the frame is probably the Gopher.  That puts this photo at the 600 block of Hennepin avenue – right where the City Center is now.  I am guessing this was taken from Hennepin avenue but it may have been shot, facing the opposite direction, on Nicollet Avenue.  According to the site, the theater opened in 1938 so this photo is probably from the 40’s.  Anyone have a better guess?

Update #2!

I believe this photo was taken in 1949 or 1950. If you zoom in on the theater, there is an advertisement for “Sons of New Mexico“. According to IMDB, it came out in 1949 and was apparently a pretty crappy movie.

Pink Elephants on Parade

Here is a video that most 20-somethings will remember.  It is the creepy scene from Disney’s Dumbo.  I’m 27 and this clip is still a little bit creepy.

Look out! Look out!
Pink elephants on parade
Here they come!
Hippety hoppety
They’re here and there
Pink elephants ev’rywhere
Look out! Look out!
They’re walking around the bed
On their head
Clippety cloppety
Arrayed in braid
Pink elephants on parade
What’ll I do? What’ll I do?
What an unusual view!
I could stand the sight of worms
And look at microscopic germs
But technicolor pachyderms
Is really much for me
I am not the type to faint
When things are odd or things
are quaint
But seeing things you know that ain’t
Can certainly give you an awful fright!
What a sight!
Chase ‘em away!
Chase ‘em away!
I’m afraid need your aid
Pink elephants on parade!
Pink elephants!
Pink elephants!

Here is a short utorual I wrote a while back to document cleaning the older white and clear keyboard.  This does not apply to the newer think keyboards Apple released in 2007.

dish detergent (anti-grease & anti-bacterial)
a large sink or bathtub
paper towel
salad spinner (preferable)
or a colander
a flat screwdriver
THIS PAGE PRINTED OUT

Begin by using your screwdriver to pry the keys off.  Be careful – the board is resilient but you can still scratch it.

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I discovered that, under some conditions, 3M Post-Its glow.  They don’t simply glow, but they exhibit phosphorescence.  I did not expect that.

I discovered that basic 3×3 post it notes actually exhibit this when they are hit with my 432nm (bight blue) laser.  The exact Post-Its I used are here: http://www.amazon.com/Post-Notes-Colors-Sheets-654-14AU/dp/B0002DOC68/ref=pd_sbs_op_6

See the video after the jump

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