State of the Hobby

<OK, so the next question: is getting an education (enough to give one a <chance) that tough overseas? It is not hard at all here in the states - My understanding is not any harder than here. breaking into the hardware field is a bit harder than software and many here (USA) in the internet services (web, java and all that rot) are likely self educated people with non-technical degrees. The tag along issue was hobby vs vocation. <summer at hamfests, selling electronic castoffs - even junk. Fill a box <with caps, switches, tubes, connectors, knobs, etc., and the <homebrewers will come. Yes, they tend to be a cheap lot too, but it adds <up. Anyway, by October, an Altair could be possible - or even a pile of <other machines. This is very true. If you want to find stuff you have to be "out there" or you'll miss a great amount. For example at a MIT flea I got a very since BA11 11/23 system with docs, floppies and RX02 for $0.00 as the owner didn't want to haul it back. <Being a hamfest seller is a GREAT way to get leads, as well. No kidding. <Of course, I have never been to a radio rally, so things might be <different for sellers. Maybe, I'd bet not. ;) Allison