Arem't all old computers now 'free' ?

It seems to me that now that there are eager 'markets' for old systems, any (most) purshases made are value protected by the fact that *someone* would probably buy 'it' off you for whatever you paid, if not more, whether the currency is soft or hard. I for one have felt alot more at ease buying, with limited resources, an old system that I wanted to play with, knowing that I can 'pass it on' after grokking it, and recoup any (sometimes lots of) money and effort sunk into a machine. That equates to most machines being 'free' (ok, or investments too) while you play with them. The kink here is the cost of my 'permanent' possessions.' Personally, I [too] wish there was a trading network strategy for this lists members (I have tonnes of stuff for trade.) But that seems to work only in the 'real world.' Joe in Orelando and I activelly 'swap' alot of gear.... Anyway, cheers... - Mike: dogas(a)leading.net