Tony Duell wrote:
What you're possibly missing here is that people like me choose a =
product
_because of the availability of scheamtics and repair parts_. I actually
tracked down and bought a genuine Teac floppy drive for this PC becasue =
I
could get a service manual for it. Said drive cost over 10 times as much =
as
a non-name, no-docs drive from the local PC shop.=20
--------------------------------------
Billy:
Tony, as far as I know you are unique - there are no other people like =
Well, in one sense I am unique (there can't be many other people who are
mad enough to pull old HP desktop calculators apart in order to learn how
to repair them). But I have several friends (not on this list) who also
regard availability of repair data and parts as being important in
choosing a product.
you.
(And no, I'm not judging you - I regard myself as unique in lots of =
ways,
and proudly.)
But let's ask the list: is there anybody else out there or that you =
know
who buys a product only if it has repair documentation available? =20
And as a corollary, do you only buy products you want to run 20 years? =
Or
can you accept a product as being expendable? How long should a =
computer
part last?
I choose products that are expected to last as long as I want to use them
(with repairs if necessary). I don't believe in upgrading every 5 minutes
or whatever. I'm using electronic products here that are getting on for
50 years old, computers that are over 30 years old, and mechanical stuff
over 70 years old. And I don't expect to have to replace any of them any
time soon.
-tony