>>>Either bid at the end, and I mean well within the last minute if not the
>>>last 10 seconds or so, or bid the full amount you are willing to pay for
>>>the item.
>>
>> If you're bidding on something that you really want, be prepared to be awake
>>and in front of your machine when the auction ends. Everyone learns this
>>after
>>a while.
>Or just bid your full amount to start with. Lots of people use eBay like a
>email store and just place an order, with a bid that delivers 90% of the
>time.
I've done that - usually for some oddball item that nobody else would
likely want, anyway.
I've been following the E-bay auctions for SCSI drives closely in the
past month or two, and what's *really* amazing is that sometimes there'll
be 4 identical items, all from the same seller, all closing within minutes
of each other, and in one auction the drive is bid up to $180.00 and in an
another auctions the cost settles around $60-$70.
Someone here said that E-bay is perhaps one of the harshest marketplaces
around, implying (I think) that it's pure open competition with commonly
available knowledge, but this isn't always the case: some of the bidders
haven't a clue as to what's going on, and instead of treating the auction
as what it is - a business transaction - they get caught up in the
frenzy of bidding. (It takes at least *two* such bidders to bid the
price up to ridiculous heights.)
I personally don't understand "sniping" at all - it isn't necessary.
Set your maximum bid what you're willing to pay. If someone else outbids
you, you didn't "lose" - "losing" is when you pay more than you're willing,
not when someone outbids you!
--
Tim Shoppa Email: shoppa(a)trailing-edge.com
Trailing Edge Technology WWW: http://www.trailing-edge.com/
7328 Bradley Blvd Voice: 301-767-5917
Bethesda, MD, USA 20817 Fax: 301-767-5927
In a message dated 10/17/1999 12:06:33 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
edick(a)idcomm.com writes:
> While digging through a box of "stuff" I have, I found a Timex Sinclair
1000
> manual in used but decent condition and apparently quite complete. Is this
> something best placed on eBay, or do you some of you guys have use for it?
Actually this is a very common and abundant item. A "perfect" one will
typically fetch less than US$10 on Ebay.
Glen Goodwin
0/0
-----Original Message-----
From: Tony Duell <ard(a)p850ug1.demon.co.uk>
To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
<classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu>
Date: Sunday, October 17, 1999 11:28 PM
Subject: Re: DEC boards unearthed - I have some info
>>
>> Yes, it is. It was called the 11/05 in 72 but later docs called it the
>> 11/10.
>
>Hmm... I've seen 5.25" boxes with both 11/05 and 11/10 nameplates on the
>front (no, not on the same machine :-)). I think the only 10.5" one I saw
>was an 11/10, but I'd happilly believe in the existance of a 10.5" 11/05
Actually I have one... It says 11/05 on a 10 1/2" box (one of the first
knocked out). I will be putting pictures of it up on my website with the
8/s, honeywell, 34,45,73,accuray,etc...
>
>I tend to regard the 11/05 and 11/10 as the same machine. Same boards,
>same boxes, etc. Ditto for the 11/35 and 11/40. Even DEC got fed up with
>the dual numbering scheme later on (the 11/39 was going to be the
>end-user version of the 11/34, and some early manuals mention it. AFAIK
>it never existed. Ditto for the 11/09).
>
>
>>
>> Anyway, do you have an 11/05 running and do you have any PDP 8s you
collect?
>
>I've got a working 5.25" 11/05 here. And another one that's much hacked.
>
>Got a couple of Omnibus 8's....
>
>> I am trying to find blank backplanes for the old flipchip modules (r
series)
>
>What's special about them? Don't R series fit any DEC connector blocks?
>You said you want them blank, so can't you unwrap some other backplane?
>
No, I was hoping for one with the usual power strips already attached. I
have enough r-series spares to design the intel 4004 with flip chips.
>-tony
>
Yes, it is. It was called the 11/05 in 72 but later docs called it the
11/10.
Anyway, do you have an 11/05 running and do you have any PDP 8s you collect?
I am trying to find blank backplanes for the old flipchip modules (r series)
john
-----Original Message-----
From: Tony Duell <ard(a)p850ug1.demon.co.uk>
To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
<classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu>
Date: Sunday, October 17, 1999 11:08 PM
Subject: Re: DEC boards unearthed - I have some info
>> You don't have all the prints then. I have prints outlineing your two +:
>>
>>
>> Module Utilization:
>>
>> Slot 9: M930 /Stack
>> Slot 8: G231
>> Slot 7: G110
>> Slot 6: G231
>> Slot 5: G110
>> Slot 4: M930 / Stack
>> Slot 3: M7261
>> Slot 2: M7260
>> Slot 1: Bf11 / M9970 / Km11A / KM11B
>>
>> (16k)
>
>Are you sure that's not the backplane for the 10.5" box (BA11-K)? That
>one does have the CPU on the right (and Unibus out on slot 9 on the
>left).
>
>-tony
>
-----Original Message-----
From: Tony Duell <ard(a)p850ug1.demon.co.uk>
To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
<classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu>
Date: Sunday, October 17, 1999 9:01 PM
Subject: Re: DEC boards unearthed - I have some info
>> >There are at least 3 different backplanes, but the 11/05 and 11/10 can
>> >use any of them. The 11/05 and 11/10 are really the same machine -- the
>> >differences seem to be what was included when the machine was originally
>> >shipped.
>> >
>> >The first backplane goes in the 5.25" box. The CPU cards go at the
bottom
>> >(in slots 8 and 9).
>>
>> No, CPU goes in slots 2&3, the maintenance board goes in slot 1.
>
>I was absolutely certain the CPU went in slots 8 and 9 in the 5.25" box,
>so I've got the printset out. I was right about the CPU, but wrong about
>Unibus out (which comes from slot 2 or 3 depending on the version,
>because as you said, the KM11 goes in slot 1 _or 2_) . Here's the 'module
>utilization' :
>
>8K version
>Slot 1 A-B : not used, C-F : SPC
>Slot 2 A : KM11, B : KM11, C-F : SPC
>Slot 3 A-B : Unibus Out (or M930 terminator), C-F : SPC
>Slot 4 A-B : not used, C-F : SPC
>Slot 5 A-B : M930 (terminator) C-F : H213 or H214 core stack
>Slot 6 : G231 Memory Driver
>Slot 7 : G110 Control/Data loops
>Slot 8 : M7261 Control logic and microprogram (CPU control)
>SLot 9 : M7260 Data Paths (CPU Data)
>
>16K version
>Slot 1 A : KM11, B : KM11, C-F : SPC
>Slot 2 A-B : Unibus Out (or M930 termiator), C-F : H213 or H214 core stack
>Slot 3 : G231 Memory Driver
>Slot 4 : G110 Control/Data loops
>Slot 5 A-B : M930 (terminator) C-F : H213 or H214 core stack
>Slot 6 : G231 Memory Driver
>Slot 7 : G110 Control/Data loops
>Slot 8 : M7261 Control logic and microprogram (CPU control)
>SLot 9 : M7260 Data Paths (CPU Data)
>
>
You don't have all the prints then. I have prints outlineing your two +:
Module Utilization:
Slot 9: M930 /Stack
Slot 8: G231
Slot 7: G110
Slot 6: G231
Slot 5: G110
Slot 4: M930 / Stack
Slot 3: M7261
Slot 2: M7260
Slot 1: Bf11 / M9970 / Km11A / KM11B
(16k)
I have 3 different print sets as the company I got all this equipment from
was an inital beta test site for the 11/05.
>
>-tony
>
All right, I guess it's not under the 10-year rule, but I'm desparate,
and this audience is the most likely to understand...
I have an old Toshiba T3200SXC portable. It's the only DOS based
machine I have left, and the only one, therefore, that will run
my prom-burner software (Don't ask...) and some essential DOS
based utilities. I had it hooked to my network and did things
such as burn "BIOS" EPROMs for my VS3100's. The networking depended
on some of the capabilities of DESQVIEW/X.
Recently I *really* (&(*$^*%$ up, and managed to blow up my setup
on that machine. Rebuilt everything, went to load DV/X and
.... got an unrecoverable read error on my only copy of Disk #2.
Aborts the install completely. In the midst of my preparations
for hara-kiri, it came to me: Maybe someone out there had a
copy of DV/X who would be willing to send me what's on Disk #2, or
at the least, the bad file. The file is one of the compressed
files, MERGECFG.EX_. The version of DV/X I'm using is 2.00.
Quarterdeck/Symantec is no use; they don't even mention DV on their
web page.
As I said, I'm desparate, and again apologize for the (possibly) OT
stuff. If you have v2 of DV/X around somewhere, or know where I can
get that file, let me know. If you've got a full copy of DV/X you're
willing to sell, and the disks are still readable (:-)), let me
know that, too.
Thanks!
Dann Lunsford
I have recently come into posession of what certainly appears to be a Xerox
mouse and I am wondering if you can help be identify it, that is, what
machine it was used on. It has no markings on the case, cable or connector.
It has the same appearance as one used on the Alto with three grey buttons,
beige case, exactly like the the one pictured here.
http://www.newmedianews.com/pictures/1998/10/09/th_alto/3.jpg
However, it is an optical mouse, unlike the "rolling ball bearing" mouse
described in the Byte magazine article in Sept 1981 here.
http://www.byte.com/art/9609/sec4/art3.htm
It has a black cable, not too long, about 28", terminated in a grey db-9,
not molded, but hand assembled.
Here are two pictures of it, taken with my scanner.
http://www.his.com/~jlewczyk/MyXeroxMouse.jpg (123K)
http://www.his.com/~jlewczyk/MyXeroxMouseBottom.jpg (60K)
Thanks in advance for any help you can give me. I'd love to verify if it
works! Are pin-outs available for it?
John
jlewczyk(a)his.com
-----Original Message-----
From: John Lawson <jpl15(a)netcom.com>
To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
<classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu>
Date: Sunday, October 17, 1999 8:57 PM
Subject: My Biggest eBay gripe..
>
>
> My main concern with the eBay auction algorithm is that it is
>time-limited, rather than bid-limited.... the aution closes after a
>fixed span **no matter what the bidding activity is**.
>
> 'Normal' auctions close when **no further bids are recieved** in an
>agreed-upon span.
>
> I have bought and sold hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of
>aerospace and industrial surplus at auctions large and small,
>sealed-bid and open-floor, honestly run and 'otherwise'. The reason
>I dislike the eBay model is that the item most often goes to the
>fastest/luckiest bidder (sniper)... and that's totally wacked, IMHO.
>
> I am not going to join the "capitalism vs. overvaluation" debate.
>I'm a captialist *and* a collector... that's internal conflict
>enough.
>
> I wonder how much tweaking would be involved on the part of eBay's
>logicians to convert it over to the more familiar "going, going,
>gone!" type of format.
>
> What do You All think??
>
I emailed EBay asking them to extend an auction by 10 minutes every time a
bid comes in close to the closing (within the last 10 minutes) . No response
yet... I love the snipering though.. have gotten many great deals because
people won't bid what they are willing to pay if they think no one else will
bid.
> Cheers
>
>John
>
>
>
-----Original Message-----
From: CLASSICCMP(a)trailing-edge.com <CLASSICCMP(a)trailing-edge.com>
To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
<classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu>
Date: Sunday, October 17, 1999 8:38 PM
Subject: Re: EBaying; howling after an auction
>>I've seen this, too. On one particular item that I wanted,
>>in viewing the "View Sellers Other Auctions", I noticed that
>>he had a number of them to sell. Spread out over a few days.
>>I would bid on one and someone would outbid me. I'd bid on
>>another and someone would outbid me. I finally just said forget
>>it, this is getting ridiculous. :-)
>
>Certainly, E-bay does provides tools for many "commodity" type items
>to compare one sale with past ones, so you know what a reasonable bid
>is. There are evidently folks who don't know how to use this, and
>it doesn't really bother me, I just feel kind-of-sorry for them.
>
>Other E-bay phenomena:
>
>1. Items (like HP C3010 2 Gbyte SCSI drives) that have been
>flooding the surplus market. These are available from liquidators
>like www.hitechcafe.com and www.compgeeks.com for $30-$35-$40, but
>I've seen them bid up into the $50-$60 range on E-bay very regularly.
>Same thing often happens for surplus PC-clone mainboards.
>
>2. What really amazes me is when a seller makes a reserve price auction,
>very plainly states the reserve price in the item description, and
>there are literally dozens of bids made *below* the stated reserve
>price. What the ???. Either the bidders think this is entirely a
>"bidding game", where the objective is to outbid the other guy with
>no real intention to buy, or they don't read the description at all, or
they
>haven't a clue period.
>
Easy, to track the auction and get an email with the info about the auction
(for future reference). Auction programs help you when you have a bid in.
>Tim.
>
-----Original Message-----
From: Tony Duell <ard(a)p850ug1.demon.co.uk>
To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
<classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu>
Date: Sunday, October 17, 1999 2:54 PM
Subject: Re: DEC boards unearthed - I have some info
>> >> One of the other interesting items are a M7260/M7251 pair, one marked
>> >> "datapath", one marked "11/05 control". These are clearly the CPU for
an
>> >> 11/05, but will they go into an 11/04 or short (not BA-11) 11/34
chassis
>> >> for testing?
>> >
>> >You need the 11/05 (or 11/10 -- they're the same) backplane and
>> >frontpanel for these. There was a 5.25" box versions and a 10.5" box
>> >version with _different_ backplanes. They won't work in an 11/04 or
11/34
>> >backplane, though
>> >
>> >
>>
>> Actually the 11/05 and the 11/10 have two different backplanes (as I have
>> both) and the cards are fitted differently in each one. Keep your H214
>
>There are at least 3 different backplanes, but the 11/05 and 11/10 can
>use any of them. The 11/05 and 11/10 are really the same machine -- the
>differences seem to be what was included when the machine was originally
>shipped.
>
>The first backplane goes in the 5.25" box. The CPU cards go at the bottom
>(in slots 8 and 9).
No, CPU goes in slots 2&3, the maintenance board goes in slot 1.
The next 3 slots are for one set of core memory
>boards. And then 4 SPC slots, with Unibus out on slot 1 (top of box --
>yes, I do have this the right way round!).
>
>The second backplane is similar, and also goes in the 5.25" box. Again
>the CPU goes in the bottom. The next 6 slots are for 2 sets of core
>memory, with a single SPC (and unibus out) at the top (slot 1)
>
>The third backplane goes in the BA11-K 10.5" box. The CPU goes on the far
>right (slots 1 and 2). Unibus out is on slot 9 (as you'd expect). One of
>the A+B slots is for a paddleboard that connects to the the console
>cable. I can't remember how many core memory sets you can put into it.
>
>> 74 - if the back of the boards are green (solder masked)
>> 72/73 - if there is no baud selection switch
>
>Hmmm... They're strictly different systems -- the rotary switch implies
>it's an 11/05S board set. This has 2 extra features, firstly you can
>easily disable the on-board console port (if you want to use a DL11 for
>some reason) and secondly you can disable the unibus arbiter so that the
>CPU can be a slave device on the unibus of another machine.
>
>>
>> The best backplane I have is from someone who completely modified a PDP
>> 11/05 (16K backplane).He took out the second core memory set and
completely
>> hand wired the RK11-D on it. Yikes. It works and I still have the plane
if
>
>Seems reasonable. Modifying backplanes isn't _that_ hard if you are
>careful. I've done a couple of major backplane mods. The best thing to do
>is to make a wirelist and tick off each wire as you do it. Oh, and don't
>bother with one of those slit-n-wrap tools -- the general experience of
>those is that about 10% of the connections are actually good. Do the job
>properly, and it will work.
>
>-tony
>
