19 Apr
2013
19 Apr
'13
11:52 p.m.
----- Original Message -----
Date: Fri, 19 Apr 2013 22:12:07 -0400 (EDT)
From: Mouse <mouse at Rodents-Montreal.ORG>
> If someone owns something, then it is theirs to
dispose of in any way
> they wish. That is what private property is all about.
Legally, yes. But there is a large difference between
"legal" and "good",
or even "legal" and "not scummy". Just because someone has a legal
right
to do something doesn't mean that doing it it shouldn't draw censure.
...
I will think less of such a person and quite likely
refuse to sell to,
help on the lists, buy from, etc, said person...
I happen to think that I not only have a legal right to choose what to do
with what most people would consider worthless junk, but that it's really
none of your business.
But your censure doesn't bother me one bit, and your turning a *Goodwill
donation* of fairly common junk into 'dissecting an ASR33 into party favors'
just tells me something about trying to discuss something with you...
I used to think that when I get rid of something people would appreciate a
heads-up before I scrap it, but knowing that you and perhaps others will on
principle "refuse to ...buy from" me (thereby *increasing* the likelihood
that it'll end up as scrap) and not wanting to get your (and others')
underwear in a knot, I just don't bother any more to offer things that have
a poor chance of selling before I scrap them (as I have done with dozens of
large/heavy systems including several Cromemcos, VG, etc.).
> If you think that such things are precious and
need to be protected,
If you don't, what are you on this list for?
Considering the OT and childish/judgemental/argumentative/insulting crap
that I have to wade through these days I've been asking myself that very
question more and more lately...
I dunno, I thought perhaps someone might be able to use a part from those
systems I've scrapped, or maybe some of the obscure software filling my
shelves, or even some useful knowledge from my 40+ years in the field, but
no, I don't think that any of the systems in question are particularly
precious or rare nor do they need to be "protected"; there are lots of IBM
5150s out there including three rusting in my basement. Some people just
want to own them and get upset because they can't for whatever reason...
> then do something about it. Buy them yourself.
[...] Anything.
> Just don't go bitching to the mailing list and then expect someone else
> to do it for you.
I agree completely; instead of bitching, appreciate that it's being offered
at all instead of going straight to Goodwill/scrap/the dump!
If you want it then buy it; if you don't and no one else wants it either
then it's obviously not worth very much...
m