On Sun, 4 May 1997, Robert Kirk Scott wrote:
I also have begun focusing on the accessories,
especially if they are
mint or near it. To me a good user's manual, or a batch of original
software that is still usable is every bit as desirable as a fine old
machine.
I'll have to agree on this point. A bare machine is not as good as one
which has all (or even some) of the goodies which go along with the
machine. This includes manuals, price lists, advertisements, and 3rd
party technical books.
I've passed up several bare machines (well, C64s and C128s mostly)
because they are common (gazillions were sold) and they didn't even
come with a power supply or RF modulator. Then again, I wouldn't
think twice about snatching up a bare PDP-(1-15), Altair, Sun 1,2,3,
or any of a dozen other desirable machines. Of course I am always
looking for any of the stuff that goes along with these machines.
I'm not trolling here, just stating that the more very common machines
are not desirable to me if they are bare.
So what's the point? Preserving the machines is good, but it is only
part of the picture. What is the good of preserving a machine if all
of "culture" that surrounds the machine is lost?
Save those manuals, flyers, ads, boxes, packing foam, and twist-ties.
Save them even if you don't have a machine to go with them.
--pec
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Maybe I'll kick myself when bare C64's are selling for $10,000.