On Thu, Sep 22, 2022, 11:17 PM jim stephens via cctalk <
cctalk(a)classiccmp.org> wrote:
 On 9/22/22 10:05, Peter Van Peborgh via cctalk wrote:
  I know this is sacrilege but I am looking for the
front panel of a *Data
 General Nova *and/or *a DEC PDP 8/11/12/15*.
 Why? I collect artefacts from the days of the minicomputer and earlier
 
 and
  I want them for my collection/display. They
should be not too damaged and
 of course do not need to be functional. I would be willing to pay
 postage/freight.
 Any offers? Any offers?
 Peter
 PS Please don't shout at me!
 
 I exhibited a front panel collection display at VCF West about 4 years
 ago.  It exists not because of a collection, but as spare parts.  Also
 brought one attached to one of my machines.
 there were two from a friend's collection of systems as well.  Sorry not
 to help out, but suggest you buy the machine, not just a front panel.
 That way when they are no longer something to have to display, they can
 be passed on as a part of functional machines later.
 I did grab a couple of parts panels, and also did find a panel bezel on
 Ebay, but they weren't cheap, and by what usually happens, the machines
 showed up from somewhere else later after I acquired them.
 thanks
 Jim
 
The worst is taking the front panel or keyboard from a complete system or
terminal and discarding it because you solely collect these things, but at
this point  there are a few system-less front panels and keyboards and it's
a "thing" enough that it's not totally unreasonable to find them,
especially if you have the money.  The damage has been done, nothing you
can do about it now, at least something of the old hardware exists.  And, I
am sure there are those who rescued the front panel from a system that was
going to be destroyed.
 I once was given a Burroughs 1700 front panel...anyone have a panel-less
1700 out there?
Interesting philosophical discussion
Bill