Classic Computers vs. Classic Computing

Ok, We all need a topic to take our minds of the WTC attack. Here's one I've been meaning to bring up, surely it will generate a lot of discussion. In a recent thread, Tony Duell expressed a lack of interest in the emulators and simulators of old iron that are now circulating. His reasons centered around his love of hardware. From my perspective, it appears that for Tony, the experience of computing cannot be separated from the experiencing of the computer. My reading of this mailinglist's charter leads me to conclude that the group is here for the benefit of the Tonys (BTW, Tony, I'm *not* picking on you) in the world, those for whom the hardware *is* the end-all be-all of the Classic _Computer_ experience. I confess I don't like that- the Classic Computers for which I lust the most will forever remain inaccessible (and few examples will even continue to exist). However, as both an RJE operator and as a mainframe user, I found the experience to be more about the _computing_ and less about the _computer_. Exceptions included (back in the 70s) of building an IMSAI, a SOL, hacking a KIM-1, etc. But after we got the hardware running, the fun part was in creating the _computing environment_. So, I think the formal name and the charter of this group should change to reflect an interest in Class Computing. The only real change would be that discussions about the eumlators and simulators would no longer be OT unless they drift into details of programming the emu/simulators themselves. Additionally, more detailed discussions of the Classic Operating Systems would be similarly on-topic. I'm not sure how many of you have ever thought about this; but now that I've broached the subject, whaddy'all think? Regards, -doug quebbeman