The DEC Connection: A premier interactive networking organization for former Digital Equipment Corporation employees

This website is dedicated to the memory of our founder and hero, Kenneth H. Olsen (20 Feb 1926 - 6 Feb 2011).

Welcome to The DEC Connection!

The DEC Connection is an association dedicated to preserving the unique culture of Digital Equipment Corporation by reuniting the Digital family through face-to-face events, intra-personal and group communications, and joint activities. We want to preserve Ken Olsen's cultural, technical and management legacies. We promote events of local ex-DEC clubs. Membership is open to all former employees and contractors - JOIN HERE! To submit content, email webmaster.

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Headlines

News At A Glance

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Go to our online Newsletter archive.

Events

Summer Get-together at Kimball Farms in Westford MA

Fri. July 30, from 3-6 pm. $15 gift for paid-up DEC Connection members to spend as you wish. We will meet in the (free) public tents with picnic tables, just inside by food stand - NOT in the (expensive) corporate area for private parties.

Lots of fun to be had for everyone with games, rides, food, drinks and of course their famous ice cream. You can see what they have to offer by visiting their website at http://kimballfarm.com/.

DECconnection will provide $15 gifts for all paid-up registered members, which can be spent on anything that takes your fancy (food, drinks, rides, games, ice cream, etc.) Non-members/guests are welcome to join us, but will not receive $15. You pay for your own rides, golf, ice cream, food, etc. otherwise.

TO SIGN UP EMAIL INFO@DECCONNECTION.ORG with your name and your guest's name(s) for badges.

Rain date Fri Aug 6, from 3-6 pm. We’ll announce any cancellation on our website home page.

Maynard MA Sesquicentennial (150th Birthday)

Planned Participation in Maynard's 150th Birthday Celebration - Founder's Day, Sept. 19, 2021 - March in parade in afternoon (wearing your favorite Digital logo clothes if you still have some - if not go to www.decswag.com), followed by ceremonies and then a private DEC Connection catered early dinner at a restaurant downtown. Digital memorabilia will be given to paid-up members by lottery.

TO SIGN UP EMAIL INFO@DECCONNECTION.ORG - do you want to march in parade, do you want to attend dinner, # people for each; please provide your name and your guest's name(s) for badges.

The DEC Connection made a generous contribution towards the signage for permanent display in the Ken Olsen Plaza at the corner of Main and Walnut, which was dedicated on June 5. The entire 3rd panel is devoted to Digital.
Here are some photos on our website.
Here is a recent article about the panels.
There is a new book about the history of Maynard that includes a chapter on Digital. Info here.

The website for these events is: Maynard 150th Anniversary – 1871 – 2021

Reunions

Upcoming:

Fri. July 30, from 3-6 pm, summer get-together at Kimball Farms.
Sun., Sept. 19, 2021, 1-6 pm, Parade, DECconnection Dinner in Maynard
Phoenix AZ luncheons - ON HOLD pending safe covid-free environment for get-together. info: galendavis@aol.com

Past:

Sat., 2 Nov. 2019, Phoenix AZ luncheon
Recap from our Summer Italian Festa in Marlborough MA at Bob Alessio's home Sat., August 17, 2019
Sun., 2 June 2019 Management Sciences Consulting Group
Thu, 25 Apr. 2019, Colorado Springs Annual
DEC Connection Summer BBQ-Picnic on Sat. afternoon, Aug 18, 2018 in Marlboro at the Hunters' house
Maynard Mill get-together at the Battle Road Brewery House was Sunday, May 20, 2018. See the writeup and photos here.
Sun., Aug. 20, 2017 Kimball's Summer Get-together
Sat., Oct. 8, 2016 BBQ and Tour of Mill and Main
CLICK HERE FOR RECAP and Photos.
10/18/16 Beacon-Villager coverage of our Event
Visit "Mill and Main" online:
http://maynard.wickedlocal.com/article/20150618/NEWS/150616023
http://mill-and-main.com/

Memorials

click on link above for details

Karen W. Hamilton, 81, Clinton MA, 4 June 2021
Paul McGaunn, 83, N. Andover MA, 2 June 2021
Steven Peters, 62, Monument CO, 23 May 2021
Michael Ewing, had worked in DEC Europe, 11 May 2021
Dave Richards, Phoenix AZ, 23 April 2021
Lee Mauldin, 76, Colorado Springs, 14 April 2021
David M. Versace, 71, Colorado Springs, 14 April 2021
Bill McPhillips, 88, Colorado Springs, 10 Apr 2021
Dave Streeter, 77, Quechee VT, 25 Mar 2021
Paul DeVivo, 79, Grand Gorge, NY, 12 Mar 2021
Phyllis M. DeAngelo, 84, Colorado Springs, 26 Feb 2021
Lou Gonzales Jr., 86, Colorado Springs, 17 Feb 2021
Doug Hammond, 77, Laconia NH, 18 May 2020

Info

David Mark's Zoom lecture on Digital History (14 June 2021) - here is link to recording on YouTube. About 200 DECcies tuned in. Link to their stories in the zoom chat is on our DEC Stories web page.

Medicare 2021 - Materials updated

http://www.decconnection.org/medicareqa.htm

Where to Sell or Donate your old Digital hardware

DONATING OR RECYCLING COMPUTER EQUIPMENT

It's that time of year when you may be thinking of donating older electronic equipment to a Charity. For those who have already done this, let us hear from you on the organizations you would recommend. For Massachusetts readers, it has come to our attention that there is a local cancer charity that you may want to put on your list. This charity is 100% run by volunteer cancer scientists, survivors, and information technologists.

The name of the organization is Recycle Computers4 Cancer [www.recyclecomputers4cancer.org]
and it donates all proceeds to help Cancer patients and their families through the SMCAC (Scientific & Medical Coalition Against Cancer). They have securely erased all data on hard drives that are donated for the past 12 years, including major pharmaceutical companies, banks, individuals, law firms, and financial institution. Also, all computer donations are tax deductible with no donation considered too small or large. Equipment can be dropped off or arranged to be picked up. Items accepted for donation are listed at www.recyclecomputers4cancer.org/items-accepted-donations-recycle-computers-4-cancer/

For free pickup, fill out and send in the donation form at www.recyclecomputers4cancer.org/free-pickup-request-form/

The contact for RC4C is Eric Grund at eric@smcac.org.

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November 2018: Thanks to Jackie Kahle for submitting this article about Admiral Grace Hopper’s long association with DEC, and about her experiences when Adm. Hopper was her customer at DEC in Washington, D.C.

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VAX and PDP-11 still live!

-Thanks to Sue Yarger for sending in this note from the UK Register:

NASA dusts off FORTRAN manual, revives 20-year-old data on Ganymede - Analysing Galileo's Jovian moon results

-And thanks to Jack MacKeen for this gem, same source:

Das blinkenlights are back thanks to RPi revival of the PDP-11 Retro computing fans wrap classic DEC fascia round world's fave hobby machine

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HAPPY 60th ANNIVERSARY DIGITAL! See article in the Telegram for pics and nostalgia.

HP Connection

Medical Plan Enrollment Info for DEC/HP Retirees
Handy Reference Chart: info on Retiree Benefits, Stock Plan
Need Retirement/Pension info? First try: HP Retirement Services Center at Fidelity 1-800-457-4015
Need Stock Plan info?
- First try: Morgan Stanley, Employee Stock Plan Service Center at (toll-free) 1-866-722-7310. You input your social security number and then a person will answer.
- or this website for access to stock plan accounts. Employee StockPlan Connect tech support for N/S America for website is available at toll-free: +1 866-722-7310. Europe: +1 801-617-7700.
DEC Retiree Benefits include the HP Employee Purchase Plan
Retiree Purchase Plan - Go to: http://www8.hp.com/us/en/jobs/retiree/epp.html

and click on the link under “US Alumni Product Purchase Program”. Then follow the instructions to register for the program.

HP Alumni also suggests reading feedback:

There are lots of moving parts involved in HP product discounts (and discounts on non-HP products). Suggest you refer your members to the HP Alumni Association pages on discounts: https://www.hpalumni.org/discounts

Know someone who is leaving HP? Please pass the word to anyone leaving HP to use the HP Alumni Association's "ASAP Checklist" immediately. It has advice and mutual help -- developed by HPAA members -- on the many things you have to do before you lose access to HP's internal systems. Thanks to Curt Gowan for this info. Go to http://www.hpalumni.org/asap (HPAA membership not required.)

Digital_Man/Digital_World

The first PBS showing of Digital_Man/Digital_World was 21 Feb 2012 in Indianapolis - here is a link to the 57-minute video on their website to watch on your computer!

http://video.wfyi.org/video/2282149336/

The DVD of Digital_Man/Digital_World is no longer available.

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