Preserving computers (here we go again)

For those of us that have been around from the very beginnings of the computer collecting (which seems to be perhaps 1990 or so), or better for those of use that have been around from before anyone gave a damn, we see that it has grown up almost perfectly in line with how every other branch of the antique and collectible trade has. 1) A few see potential in some unrealized common items. 2) Very loose communities form, and collection form. 3) Snowball effect of more people see the potential and interest grows. 4) Prices and values start forming, due to supply and demand. Meanwhile, the good stuff starts getting scarce, 5) Markets grow, prices stabilize. The high end gets very high, and the low end gets worthless. You name the antique, and it will fit this story. Oddly enough, Ebay probably has not changed the story much.