[cctalk] Re: Fwd: Civility; Was Re: Re: LCM auction pre-notice

I think the key to preservation is assuring next of kin that the items in our possession have value, and are worth seeking out future custodians. There's a lot of stuff in private collections that can bring in great sums of money if only those in charge of selling the estate appreciate what they have to deal with. Making sure spouses and children know that at least some items in the collection are not just "old junk" will help immeasurably in their preservation, as well as pointing them in the direction of those knowledgeable enough to value it. Groups like this, as well as local/national computer museums will, i'm sure, help a lot with valuing pieces of equipment if and when the time comes to auction them off.

Of course, a great tool is a personal inventory. A book, or some such document with rough values and other information could be very useful for those unfortunate enough to have to rehome our collections once we're passed. Contact details of those who can help in assessing and distributing such stuff will also be quite useful. I, personally, am quite young compared to many here (no offense intended!), being 32 years old. However i have reassured my spouse that much of my "junk" (largely consisting of QBUS PDP-11's at this time) is actually quite valuable and well worth getting a good price for. Other, rarer items, i have assured her need to be rehomed to a museum. Of course, i intend to hang onto these pieces for at least another 32 years, as a good portion is somewhat "retirement projects", as well as "retirement funds", and i definitely intend to divest some of my ever-growing collection when the time comes. But then again, we all have those pieces that are actually quite valueless. It is definitely worth divesting those pieces if and when we get round to it. If and when the time is available to divest these pieces (i'm eyeing up the stack of 30+ Core i7 3770 boards in the corner as i type this, definitely not retro at this time, but definitely need to be divested) it is worth getting the money back when we can. It's a difficult one for those that love and cherish these machines, but it always hurts to see them end up in the trash. Ultimately, as custodians of this equipment, it is also our duty to assure their preservation, and sometimes it is us who know best where to rehome them. Don't hesitate to downsize and find younger folk that have the passion. There isn't a lot of them, but they are out there. Cheers Josh rice On 16/07/2024 01:59, Alan Perry via cctalk wrote: > Drop the civility discussion or the LCM+L discussion? > > The LCM+L discussion raises important questions about finding good > homes for one’s vintage computer collection after one passes on. > > I got more passionate about making sure this kind of stuff got saved > when in the late 90s I found that little of what I worked on at > Burroughs in the late 80s was available most anywhere. I didn’t > donate the item that I donated to LCM+L just to see it get scrapped. > I know of at least one other person who donated rare items there on > the condition they would be preserved. > > alan > >> On Jul 15, 2024, at 17:38, Rick Bensene via cctalk >> <cctalk(a)classiccmp.org> wrote: >> >>  >> Dennis Boone wrote: >> >>> Folks, >>> Once again, it seems I need to ask everyone to drop this >>> discussion.  I _still_ don't > >>> want to have the moderation flags and banhammers. >> Seconded. >> >> Though, I'll get in my last words about it before the thread >> hopefully dies off. >> >> The situation with LCM+L is what it is.   Unless someone has the >> wherewithal to challenge the whole mess within the legal system (and >> probably lose anyway), there's nothing that anyone can do about >> it.    I, as is clear many others who inhabit this list, have a >> great deal of  frustration built up about the demise of LCM+L.  With >> me, it's most specifically felt in the way that the whole thing was >> executed.  At some point, though, I just have to let it go, which is >> right now.   I agree with Dennis that the time has come for this >> discussion to expire. >> >> LCM+L  R.I.P.   You will be missed.  Thanks to all (which includes >> some members of this list) who contributed to the amazing place that >> LCM+L was.  Mr. Allen's heart was in the right place, or he wouldn't >> have devoted his resources to creating it in the first place.  >> Unfortunately, his life didn't last long enough for him to assure >> that after he was gone it would have some means by which it could >> continue on in his memory. >> >> Rick Bensene >> The Old Calculator Museum >> https://oldcalculatormuseum.com >> Beavercreek, Oregon   USA >> >> >>