30 Jul
2016
30 Jul
'16
1:24 p.m.
One other addendum to my last point- oftentimes they mutilate the vintage
devices too-
They'll dremel out a place to put a USB port on a vintage keyboard, or
worse- harvest keyswitches out of them.
I once had a keyboard collector offer to buy a working GRiD Compass 1129
off of me so they could remove the keyboard and make a PC keyboard out of
it.
And they have means and motivation the same as anyone, so they often offer
the same kind of prices a real legitimate collector who wants the whole
system would.
I have also spoken with people who have been contacted by keyboard
collectors who go so far as to lie about owning a machine to close a deal
on a rare keyboard with someone who would not be willing to sell it
otherwise.
It's getting to be a trendy hobby for people who want interesting old
artifacts without space, learning and restoration commitment necessitated
by classic computing, and that's a real problem.
</soapbox>
- Ian
On Sat, Jul 30, 2016 at 1:13 PM, Ian Finder <ian.finder at gmail.com> wrote:
Cindy wrote:
--
Ian Finder
(206) 395-MIPS
ian.finder at gmail.com
I also participate in at least one of the
"dreaded" keyboard forums.
Why are they so dreaded to you guys?
Because they do things like ask the seller of the totally complete,
obscenely rare Symbolics 3620 on eBay in Finland if they can pay full price
but leave the system behind and split off the keyboard.
They see an IBM system in a movie, and don't go "Wow, look at that system
360," they say "Wow, look at those beam spring keyboards!"
They have no interest in restoring machines, or the history of this
stuff- and they often orphan crucial parts from rare systems. They've made
it very hard to finish the restorations of some of my systems, as they've
come to me without the very desirable keyboards which are now coveted
pieces in some nerd's collection, far away from the devices they are to be
used with.
It's like killing an elephant for ivory, or ripping the hood ornament off
of a vintage Mercedes.
If it's rare enough and you don't own the system, you have no business
owning a critical part.
- Ian
On Thu, Jul 28, 2016 at 12:20 PM, Electronics Plus <sales at elecplus.com>
wrote:
Thanks Jay! I enjoy helping old things find a new
home.
It is amazing to me what goes to recyclers!
I also participate in at least one of the "dreaded" keyboard forums.
Why are they so dreaded to you guys? I have found them to be
fantastically helpful!
Cindy
-----Original Message-----
From: cctalk [mailto:cctalk-bounces at classiccmp.org] On Behalf Of Jay West
Sent: Thursday, July 28, 2016 2:16 PM
To: 'General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts'
Subject: RE: more vintage computer stuff
Cindy wrote....
--------
Sorry if posting my site is not allowed. If so, please delete this post.
--------
Cindy - thanks for your post.
I have seen on occasion a past commercial seller (not here any longer)
not fit in well with the mentality of this list. You are not one of those.
You're a perfect model of how a commercial seller can be a fantastic
contributor to the list. I'm glad you're here, and appreciate the way you
participate!
Same goes for Paul A and a couple others.
J
--
Ian Finder
(206) 395-MIPS
ian.finder at gmail.com