MailCall 0x0F: Mail from viewers like you!

In this video, the host, Shelby, shares an exciting unboxing experience of various packages sent by viewers. The video starts with a problem Shelby is facing with VGA cards, leading to a change of plans to a mail video. Viewers from different locations send a range of items, including a custom video output board for a Kpro computer from Rudy in Ontario, a Supermicro server motherboard from Kevin in Montana, a unique CDC-branded floppy drive from Michael in Kansas, and vintage calculators and a fiber optic borescope from Seth in Florida. Rick from Washington surprises with an HP Thinkjet B and A, and Kaser from Arizona sends niche Japanese electronics, including a Casio Loopy and a Prince C. The video ends with Jimmy from Arizona sending a box of computer-related items and Boston Acoustic speakers, which complete Shelby's Gateway system. Each item is met with enthusiasm and curiosity, showcasing the host's passion for technology and the generosity of the community.

Takeaways

• 📦 The host received a variety of packages from different viewers, each containing unique and interesting items.
• 🎮 A package from Rudy in Ontario, Canada, included an open-source Universal generic video output board for the Kpro computer.
• 💻 Kevin from Billings, Montana, sent a Supermicro server motherboard and other components, which will enhance the host's video rendering capabilities.
• 📚 Michael from Derby, Kansas, sent an Apple TOC computer with the original monitor and a full-height 5.25-inch floppy drive from Control Data Corporation.
• 📦 Seth from Puna Gorda, Florida, sent vintage calculators, a fiber optic borescope, and prototype equipment, including an HP breadboard and Heath kit.
• 🖨 Rick from Monroe, Washington, provided HP Thinkjet B and A printers, which are valuable for the host's collection of HP products.
• 🎮 Kaser from Arizona sent niche Japanese electronics, including a Casio Loopy games console and a Prince C printer with a thermal printer.
• 📦 Jimmy from Surprise, Arizona, sent a box of old computer parts and accessories, including Boston Acoustic speakers from Gateway, which complete the host's previous system.
• 🔍 The host expressed excitement about the potential use of a high-quality fiber optic borescope for精密修理 (precision repairs) and inspections.
• 🤖 The host was intrigued by the unusual and vintage tech items, such as the non-Tandon full-height floppy drive and the Apple TOC computer.
• 🔋 The host mentioned the need to work on some items like the Commodore calculator with a magnetic read switch and the HP Thinkjet printers that require creative solutions for power.

Q & A

What was the original video concept for the week that the speaker had planned using their IBM 5160?

The original video concept for the week involved using the speaker's IBM 5160 computer, but it did not go as planned due to issues with VGA cards, which were strewn about and causing the speaker a headache.

What did Rudy send from Ontario, Canada, and how does it relate to the speaker's previous video content?

Rudy sent an open source Universal generic video output board that the speaker created. It is related to a previous video about the KPR 2, a computer for which the board adds composite output, which will aid in video capture for the speaker's work.

What is special about the Supermicro Server Motherboard that Kevin sent from Billings, Montana?

The Supermicro Server Motherboard, model X9 DRH, is special because it has a 16-lane PCIe slot that is not blocked by the CPU coolers. This allows the speaker to install any desired GPU for video rendering without needing a riser extension setup, potentially improving rendering times.

What is unique about the full-height 5.25-inch floppy drive sent by Michael from Derby, Kansas?

The unique aspect of the floppy drive is that it is not a Tandon or a Shugart (often abbreviated as 'S') model, which are more commonly seen. Instead, it is a CDC (Control Data Corporation) model, which the speaker finds fascinating and unusual.

What is the significance of the Apple TOC computer and monitor sent by Michael, and how does it relate to the speaker's existing content?

The Apple TOC computer and monitor are significant because they are vintage Apple products. The speaker has an Apple Laser 128 and has been meaning to make a video about it for years. With the TOC computer, which is a clone of the Laser 128, the speaker can now make a comparative video.

What is the purpose of the Heathkit and HP prototyper devices sent by Seth from Puna Gorda, Florida?

The Heathkit and HP prototyper devices are used for circuit design work. They allow the speaker to prototype circuits using a breadboard, potentiometers, and jump wires. Additionally, the HP prototyper includes a signal generator and is equipped with positive and negative voltage rails, making it a comprehensive setup for circuit design.

What is the unusual feature of the Commodore calculators that Seth sent?

The unusual feature of the Commodore calculators is their design, particularly the all-black Vader Commodore calculator that has a unique filling in from left to right on its display. The calculator also has a magnetic read switch and is designed with a battery that needs to be removed and cleaned.

What is the purpose of the HP thinkjet B and A printers that Rick from Monroe, Washington sent, and why are they significant to the speaker?

The HP thinkjet B and A printers are significant to the speaker because they are part of the HP thinkjet series, which the speaker is a fan of. These models are notable for their interfaces, with the B model using HP-IL and the A model using HPIB/GPIB or IEEE 488, which can be used with the speaker's series of HP model number computers.

What are the two Japanese electronic devices that Kaser from Arizona sent, and what is their unique feature?

Kaser sent a Casio Loopy and a Tomy Prince C. Both are niche Japanese electronics with thermal printers. The Loopy is a gaming console with a printer for creating stickers or seals, while the Prince C is a youth-oriented device functioning as a typewriter and printer with a thermal printer and a cartridge slot for games.

What did Jimmy from Surprise Arizona send, and how does it relate to the speaker's previous work?

Jimmy sent a box containing Boston Acoustic speakers from Gateway, which will complete a previous Windows 95 20th-anniversary video setup that the speaker had, lacking only the speaker system. Additionally, Jimmy sent two CRTs, storage bins full of media and documentation, and other miscellaneous items that the speaker is excited to explore.

What is the speaker's final statement about the content received and their future plans?

The speaker expresses gratitude for all the items received, noting the cool and useful nature of the items. They mention the need to tend to their IBM 5160 and that they will have to get back to it, implying future work and possibly more content related to the items received.

Outlines

00:00

😀 Unplanned Mail Video Surprise

The video starts with the host, Shelby, explaining that his original plan to use an IBM 5160 for a video this week didn't work out due to technical issues with VGA cards. Instead, he decides to do a mail video, which turns out to be quite exciting as he uncovers various packages from different people. The first package is from Rudy in Ontario, Canada, and contains an open-source generic video output board for a kpro computer, which Shelby finds very useful for video capture. The second package is from Kevin in Montana and includes a super micro server motherboard and a CPU, which Shelby is thrilled about as it will significantly improve his video rendering times.

05:02

📦 Exciting Unboxing of Server Hardware and Vintage Tech

Shelby continues to unpack more packages, revealing a full-height 5.25-inch floppy drive from Control Data Corporation, which he finds fascinating due to its rarity. He also receives an Apple IIc computer with its original monitor, which he plans to compare with his Apple Laser 128. The unboxing concludes with a set of three packages from Michael in Kansas, containing a variety of items including vintage calculators, a fiber optic borescope, and prototyper devices from HP and Heathkit.

10:02

🔍 Inspection of Vintage Electronics and Tools

Shelby explores the contents of the packages sent by Seth from Florida, which include a high-quality WiFi borescope, a Casio-like calculator with a Commodore badge, and an HP mini laptop that appears to have been damaged in shipping. He also receives an HP thinkjet B and an HP thinkjet A from Rick in Washington, which he is excited about due to their different interfaces and potential for use with his HP series computers.

15:04

🖨️ Discovery of Niche Japanese Electronics

The video features two niche Japanese electronics: a Casio Loopy, a gaming console with a printer primarily marketed to young women, and a Tommy Prince C, a youth-oriented device functioning as a typewriter and printer with a thermal printer. Both devices have cartridge slots and are of great interest to Shelby due to their unique features and his fascination with niche electronics.

20:05

📦 Final Unboxing of Gateway Speakers and Random Computer Items

Shelby receives a box of items from Jimmy in Arizona, which includes Boston Acoustic speakers from Gateway that he has been wanting to complete a previous system. The box also contains a variety of random computer items and non-computer items that are iconic of certain eras. He expresses his gratitude for the items and his excitement to go through everything.

25:08

🙌 Appreciation and Farewell

In the conclusion of the video, Shelby thanks everyone who sent items and expresses his appreciation for the cool and useful stuff he received. He mentions that he has to get back to working on his IBM and signs off, promising to see the viewers in the next video.

Keywords

IBM 5160

The IBM 5160 is a personal computer, also known as the IBM PC/XT, which was introduced by IBM in 1983. It is a significant model in the history of personal computers. In the video, the creator mentions that their original video concept for the week involved using this IBM 5160, but it did not go as planned due to issues with VGA cards.

VGA cards

VGA cards are video graphics array cards that enable computers to display images on a monitor. They are crucial components for any computer system that requires graphical output. In the context of the video, the speaker is dealing with problems related to VGA cards, which are causing them a headache.

Mail video

A mail video is a type of content where the creator opens and discusses items sent to them by viewers or fans. It's a genre of vlogging that often includes unboxing, reviewing, or interacting with the items received. In this video, the creator shifts to making a mail video due to the technical difficulties encountered with the IBM 5160.

Composite outboard

A composite outboard is a device or board that provides additional video output capabilities to a system that may not have them built-in. In the video, the creator receives a generic video output board that can add composite video output to a machine, which is particularly useful for video capture.

Supermicro Server Motherboard

A Supermicro Server Motherboard is a high-performance motherboard designed for server applications. It typically offers advanced features like multiple processing capabilities, extensive storage options, and high-reliability components. In the video, the creator is excited about receiving a Supermicro X9DHRH motherboard, which will enhance their video rendering performance.

Floppy Drive

A floppy drive is an older data storage device that reads and writes data on a floppy disk, a type of magnetic storage medium. In the video, the creator receives a full-height 5 and a/4 in floppy drive from the Control Data company, which is a unique find for them.

Apple TOC Computer

The Apple TOC (Talk Of the Country) is a rare Apple II-compatible computer. It was designed for educational and business markets. In the video, the creator receives an Apple TOC computer with the original monitor, which is a significant addition to their collection.

Prototyper Devices

Prototyper devices are tools used to create and test electronic circuit designs without the need for manufacturing a custom printed circuit board. They are essential for circuit design work and can be used to quickly put together a circuit for testing. In the video, the creator receives a Heath kit breadboard and an HP logic lab, both of which are prototyper devices.

Thinkjet Printers

Thinkjet is a series of dot matrix printers that were manufactured by Hewlett-Packard (HP). They were popular for their high-quality printing and were used in various applications. In the video, the creator receives an HP Thinkjet B and an HP Thinkjet A, which are exciting additions for an HP enthusiast.

Cass Loopy

The Cass Loopy is a gaming console made by Casio, which is primarily marketed towards young women and girls. It is notable for its story-based games and the ability to print screen captures using a thermal printer. In the video, the creator expresses interest in the niche Japanese console, particularly its printing feature.

Boston Acoustic Speakers

Boston Acoustic Speakers are a brand of speakers that were sometimes bundled with computer systems, such as those from Gateway. They are known for their quality sound reproduction. In the video, the creator is excited to receive these speakers as they complete a previous acquisition of a Gateway system.

Highlights

The video begins with the host discussing the challenges of working with VGA cards on an IBM 5160 and transitioning to a mail video due to the difficulties.

A package from Rudy in Ontario, Canada, includes an open source Universal generic video output board designed for the Kpro computer.

The host expresses excitement about the potential of using the video output board for video capture in general for machines.

Another package from Kevin in Billings, Montana, contains a Supermicro server motherboard with a unique 16 Lane PCIe slot placement.

The host is eager to use the new motherboard for video rendering and appreciates the improved GPU compatibility.

A set of three packages from Michael in Derby Kansas includes a rare CDC full height 5.25 inch floppy drive.

The host is intrigued by the non-Tandon floppy drive and its potential for use in certain computer systems.

An Apple Toc computer with an original monitor is received, prompting the host to consider creating a video comparing it to the Laser 128.

Seth from Puna Gorda, Florida, sends vintage calculators, a fiber optic borescope, and prototype devices, including a Heath kit breadboard.

The host is amazed by the features of the HP logic lab prototyper and its educational value.

A Windows CE miniature laptop with a PCMCIA slot and USB modem is introduced, despite some damage from shipping.

Rick from Monroe, Washington, provides HP Thinkjet B and A printers, which are exciting for the host as an HP enthusiast.

Kaser from Arizona sends a Casio Loopy and a Prince C, niche Japanese electronics that also feature thermal printers.

Jimmy from Surprise Arizona sends a variety of items, including a Gateway computer box, Boston Acoustic speakers, and random computer and non-computer items.

The host is particularly excited about the Gateway packaging and the completeness it brings to a previous Windows 95 system.

The host expresses gratitude to all the viewers who sent in items and highlights the cool and useful nature of the contributions.