dave dameron wrote: A really good question. At VCF 1.0, there was some discussion about whys and hows of collecting old computers. One of the points brought up was that some consideration should be made about how the collections will be handled once we are no longer here. I've talked with others who feel that their collections just might end up going for pennies on the dollar because those that would most likely be responsible for the estate just wouldn't know enough about the values involved. I've been given many computers to "give them a good home" and I have also given away computers/things/stuff to others who I felt would appreciate them. I don't plan to stop collecting, but if some major event put me in a situation where I *had* to dispose of the collection, I would be inclined to give it to an individual/institution that *I* felt would be able to best use it. "Best", BTW, could mean displaying, preserving, and maybe even using!

At 22:48 25-06-98 -0700, dave dameron <ddameron(a)earthlink.net> wrote: -- snip list of boards, s/w and impressive list of work that had gone into getting the machine up -- threads, Keep an eye on this list as I would imagine (and hope) it will be still existing in some sort of form 10+ years from now. (Let's not go into the depths of speculation as to how exactly this list will still exist. Who knows exactly? If it indeed does not, by following it we will see its evolution toward whatever its destiny) During that period anyway, I would think either you would gain collecting relationships with others here and find someone you feel comfortable with selling/passing it to, discover museums who actually are interested in preserving "homebrew" or no-name machines or even find some other worthwhile destination. Incidentally, I think you meant by the statement above, ">... I know no one personally that has that you mean _two_ _separate_ types of groups: speculators and us on this list? ;) As to the rest of us in 20+ years, I can only speak for myself in that I'll want to make sure my collection of radios and classic computers and all associated documents, parts, etc. is distributed to the folks/institutions I want. In the AWA, I've seen may estates have a difficult time getting rid of radio collections, etc. Widows who are not really into their late husband's hobby have been really stuck. I've heard of some really significant artifacts getting trashed and/or given to unrelated organizations who had no idea how to handle the stuff. Those artifacts were lost forever. One widow in New Jersey had to get rid of over _two hundred_ early military, commercial and amateur radio receivers (conservative estimate of 15,000+ pounds [over 6800 kg]). He passed away without warning with no plan. AWA helped auction the estate for her at our National Conference auction. Another collector who was my close friend also died suddenly. Four buildings full of stuff. After _four_ years, our other friends who live close by to his widow are just winding down on selling/auctioning his estate at various radio fleamarkets and events. With that said, I still need to make a written plan myself stating how/where my collection will be distributed. My wife and family will certainly appreciate the help. Where my computer gear goes is still a question. Another radio collector friend who's about 73 years old and has had a stroke already has _everything_ precisely listed as to where his collection goes and who gets what. This is something for all of us to consider who feels strongly about our collections. Who knows, that bus coming down the street may suddenly jump the curb and..... We hope to have the museum around forever. We're working further to that end as of now with the start of some serious long range planning. We would for sure consider estate donations although we are bursting at the seams and must consider how to handle new donations. If you've been to the museum in Bloomfield, NY, you already may know this Dave. Someday, a new large building somewhere! Yeah, those DeForest Spherical Audions, IP501's and Radiola VII's coming out of an old attic are a bit like finding an IBM 360 or suchlike nowadays :-) --Chris -- -- Christian Fandt, Electronic/Electrical Historian Jamestown, NY USA Member of Antique Wireless Association URL: http://www.ggw.org/freenet/a/awa/