15 Apr
1999
15 Apr
'99
3:22 p.m.
Date sent: Thu, 15 Apr 1999 12:58:22 -0700
Send reply to: classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu
From: Mike Ford <mikeford(a)netwiz.net>
To: "Discussion re-collecting of classic computers"
<classiccmp(a)u.washington.edu>
Subject: Re: OT: Re: Time to declare State of Massachusetts the ENEMY! He
The key to old systems is that the combustable mixture
for them to run,
knowledgable help, manuals, software, hardware, etc., can't be missing any
of the critical parts. With newer systems its reasonable to expect a
person to have some support outside of yourself, radio shack has a cable,
neighbor kid can reinstall Windows, etc. With an older system the first
link that breaks and you are generally sunk. Radio Shack may have the
blinkity cable, but the saleguy will not know it and tell them its too old
just replace it.
A couple local guys do nothing but cheap 386 systems, and they succeed
because they offer support, and a very complete install of software. To do
that you need to spend a fair amount of time getting a procedure and
software all ready to quickly put on to new systems. If these two guys
didn't do it, it would be straight to the dumpster. It only "works" though
when you have a pretty good tech, like they are, willing to work very very
cheap.
Bang on! This mix is needed to keep old boxens running.
But there no difference since if there is knowledgeable people and
willing to do it for pay or for free. I know of few local stores who
refuses to touch older than 486dx4 100 because they think this will
cramp their profits. That's big mistake! :-)
People of all kinds comes in w/ their machines, XT, 286, 386 and
few oddball that we can fix at work helps our bottomline by good
reputation and in turn helps us to sell new machines too. I had to
push my friend who teaches college students to instill them with
these oldies stuff and certain oddball machines.
Wizard