On Wed, 6 Jun 2001, Arthur Clark wrote: I'm a different Brian, but as a VAX collector myself, I'd definitely say that VAX systems are good starter systems for classic minicomputer collectors. The later model VAXen are small enough that they're really more workstations than they are minicomputers--even though the processor architecture is very similar. Larger deskside Q-bus systems like the MicroVAX-II; the MicroVAX 3300, 3400, 3600, 3900, and some of the VAX 4000 line are good starters. They're relatively cheap. In some cases they're pretty slow with the exception of the VAX 4000 systems. Most of the Q-bus modules are fairly inexpensive--with the notable exception of SCSI disk/tape controllers. They're new enough that you really don't have to worry too much about their components getting flakey--again, maybe with the exception of some of the older MFM drives used in the MicroVAX-II series. They're big enough that people are impressed by their size. They're small enough that you can move them by yourself. Beyond that, for operating systems you can choose between the hobbyist version of OpenVMS for VAX and the freely available NetBSD/vax UNIX. If you don't care so much about having a bigger than average system, you can always find one of the rather slim VAXstation 3100s cheaply--even on eBay. They have the benefit of being equipped with built-in SCSI controllers too. -brian.

From: Brian Chase &lt;bdc(a)world.std.com&gt; Hey, what happened to the 3500? <g> John A.