Goodwill stores

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This week's issue: 1. Goodwill stores 2. Custom Apple II games 3. Amiga East 2005 4. Slide rule retro **************************************** We really want to hear from you! What's unique about your collection? What article topics should we explore? What crazy experience did you have with a vintage machine, now or when it was new? Please tell us what is on your mind at news at computercollector.com. **************************************** NEWS & OPINION Recently there's been discussion of finding vintage computers at Goodwill stores, via the classiccmp.org's cctalk mailing list. How can we as collectors ensure that significant items aren't disposed of? Goodwill Industries International, the umbrella organization for 200 independent agencies, does not set master policies for the operations of its 1,874 stores in the U.S., 75 in Canada, and one online (the address is http://www.shopgoodwill.com, but it's up to each store to determine which items are posted). About two-thirds of the stores accept computers, although there is no master list of which stores specifically. The only way to find out is to contact the stores -- information is at http://locator.goodwill.org and (800)664-6577. But what can computer collectors do to salvage, say, a pre-release prototype of an IBM 5100? "Shop early and shop often" is the approach taken by collectors of most sorts, spokeswoman Christine Bragale noted. Bargains for computer collectors are especially likely to be found at the Goodwill Computer Works stores in Santa Ana, Calif. (http://www.ocgoodwill.org/computer_works/index.html) and Austin, Texas (http://www.austincomputerworks.org/contact.html) -- the Austin location even has its own computer museum slated to re-open in May. Store managers are generally alert for valuables, at least since someone found an original Picasso etching in a $3 throwaway pile a few years ago, Bragale said. "The donations attendant who had sorted it saw a broken frame and a picture of a nude," hardly something Goodwill would normally carry, she explained. Luckily that was noticed in time and sold at auction, she said. Vintage computer hobbyists are encouraged to volunteer for sorting duty at their local stores. *************************************** BOOKS FROM THE CCN STAFF: Michael Nadeau: http://www.classictechpub.com. This amazing book includes more than 700 computers with details and pricing. 2005 Edition". Booklet examines 21 museums and includes GPS coordinates. It costs $6 ($10 for two), with $1 S&H per every two copies. PayPal to news at computercollector.com. Valley" is the story of the change from farmlands to high-tech. Buy it directly from MIT Press at http://tinyurl.com/6rllz (also see Christine's blog http://traumwerk.stanford.edu:3455/ChristineFinn/9). **************************************** This week's vintage gaming news from Armchair Arcade (http://www.armchairarcade.com): -- Do you remember Mystery House, the classic Apple II game from Sierra? Now you can play custom versions; the details are at http://www.armchairarcade.com/aamain/news.php?extend.277. **************************************** TIDBITS -- Amiga East 2005 will be held May 28-29 at the Marriott Courtyard adjacent to New York City's LaGuardia airport. This year is the Amiga's 20th anniversary. Tickets are $20 per day or $25 for both days. For more information please visit http://tinyurl.com/3nwzr. -- First I thought the binary wristwatches at ThinkGeek.com were the coolest ones around (http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/watches/6a17/). Then I thought the new PalmOS wristwatch from Fossil took the top honor (http://tinyurl.com/5canr). Now I'm into ThinkGeek's slide rule watch (http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/watches/74ce/zoom/). How cool is this!? Which would you rather have? (And will it run CP/M?) **************************************** CLASSIFIEDS This week's classifieds are sponsored by the Vintage Computer Marketplace at marketplace.vintage.org. For sale: 1. Full Apple III Setup: http://vintage-computer.com/vcforum/viewtopic.php?t=1674 2. Vic 20 setup: http://vintage-computer.com/vcforum/viewtopic.php?t=1671 3. Commodore 64 lot: http://vintage-computer.com/vcforum/viewtopic.php?t=1668 Wanted: 1. Commodore Pet: http://www.vintage-computer.com/pet2001.shtml 2. Commodore 1084 monitor bezel: http://vintage-computer.com/vcforum/viewtopic.php?t=1673 **************************************** SPONSORED LINKS: Computer Forum at www.vintage-computer.com/vcforum. prior art research, vintage computer consulting, movie and photography props, media and data conversion, appraisals, and sales brokering. Visit us: www.vintagetech.com. e-mail hosting. Please visit http://www.evenlink.com for details. **************************************** HAPPY VINTAGE COMPUTING!