Using Vivitar auto/thyristor 292 with Panasonic Lumix DMC-..

I recently purchased a Lumix DMC-FZ30. One feature that attracted me to
the camera is the hot shoe.

I have an old Vivitar Auto/Thyristor 292 flash and I'm wondering if I
can use it with the Lumix.

The Lumix manual suggests using only a Panasonic/Lumix flash, or short
of that, using only a "flash made for a digital camera." It also warns
about using a flash that works at the wrong voltage.

I haven't been able to find specs for voltage for the Vivitar 292
anywhere, including in the manual which I still have.

Does anyone know if I can safely use the Vivitar 292 with the DMC-FZ30?

Also, if so, any tips for getting it to expose properly? I took a few
shots before I read that part of the manual warning against using the
wrong kind of flash, and they were totally washed out. Is it just a
matter of manually setting aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, until I
find something that works generally, or is there a smarter way to do it?

Keep in mind that at least with Canon hot-shoe-capable cameras, the
flash metering for these digitals when used in a manner slaved by the
camera is completely different than with the film cameras. I.e., the
Canon (and compatible) camera-slaved flashes that are made for the film
cameras are NOT compatible with the digital Canons when used in a mode
slaved by the camera, i.e., if you are using the camera to control the
flash.