This is about standard movie rates if they are not going to be physically using the computer but using it for display purposes. If they are going to be operating the machine I would ask double that, if not more. Also consider what happens if they damage it. We rented a big copier to a movie once and they dropped it off the forklift. Their insurance paid and we did OK but it is something to consider. Paxton

Paxton Hoag wrote: consider if it is involved in a lawsuit whether the opposing party will have access to the unit, and what that will be as well. I would make sure you are held harmless state what that value is, so you can get the same shiny item to replace it (if it exists) or reasonable compensation if it is harmed. and state who determines it is harmed. a scratch to a panel may reduce the value or it may not, etc. Jim

Allow an insider's viewpoint on this matter. I assume that this is a civil suit (i.e. tort action) and not a criminal case. Let's assume that the system you're furnishing is somewhat rare--less common than a NEC Bungo, but more common than say, a working IBM 1401. Further, let's assume that said system is central to the plaintiff's case or to the defense. And that you're one of the very very few people who can supply the system--the legal guys can't simply find another by browsing ePay for a week. If that's an accurate assessment of the situation, then the sky's the limit. $1000/month would not be out of line. You may be asked to keep the system in operating order (you can request a retainer for your time and expenses) and you may ask that the legal folks insure the item for its replacement cost (which can be considerable if it's rare). And, it's fair to ask if you will be deposed or if you'll be asked to testify. If so, set your rates up front--in writing. It's very unpleasant being subpoenaed and not getting paid for your time. Now, if this is a plain-Jane IBM PC-XT, obviously the pool of sellers is larger and your advantage isn't all that great. You may have to lower your price. But $500/month would not be unusual. And cases of this sort can run for years--you can easily spend 2 years with motions and depositions and recitals and be no closer to a court date when you first started. I've served as an expert on a case of this sort. The lawyers really don't care what something costs--it just gets passed on to the client. Heck, the junior partner who made the 5 minute call to you probably passed on a charge of $250 to the client. This ain't a movie, folks. Cheers, Chuck

Jim Leonard wrote: Yes. Peace... Sridhar

On 4/19/2006 at 9:23 PM Jim Leonard wrote: You don't understand the basic premise of our legal profession. It doesn't make terribly much difference whether the case is won or lost--the name of the game is billable hours. I once attended a workshop given by one of the big litigation firms in their Portland office. I recall that the high point was when a senior partner asked me if I'd like to eat lunch in her office. There I was, in the corner office with a panoramic view of the Portland skyline and the Columbia river--eating a sandwich out of a styrofoam tray. It was great. At any rate, this particular firm maintained their own mock courtroom, complete wtih judge's bench, jury box, witness stand...you name it--with AV gear that would put the average Federal courtroom to shame. I learned some very useful stuff--like *NEVER* answer anything resembling finality during a deposition--except perhaps your name. Always--"I think so, but to be sure, I'd have to check my notes back at my office." open-ended type of answers. The primary purpose of a deposition is to destroy your credibility during testimony. They can get mad and abusive at you and your stupidity, but they can't catch you in a lie if you say you're not sure. And--if you're being deposed, take your time, drink some coffee, think pretty thoughts--the other side is paying for your time--and there's no judge present, so you're not compelled to say or do anything other than be reasonably accommodating. And so on. Tort law is an interesting alternate reality. Cheers, Chuck

----- Original Message ----- From: "Jim Leonard" <trixter at oldskool.org> To: "General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts" <cctalk at classiccmp.org> Sent: Thursday, April 20, 2006 12:34 AM Subject: Re: How much to charge for classic computer rental There is nothing wrong with being a public defender your whole life, its an honorable profession. I have to say the people I find to be clueless in court (the times I got stuck doing jury duty) were the prosecutors. Yea I know this is offtopic but I must stress that if you have ever gone to court you will notice that the jury tends to be anything but your peers and most prosecutors seem to be people who cannot pass the test to be a mailman.

On Thu, 2006-04-20 at 00:52 -0400, Teo Zenios wrote: At the Jon Lech Johansen DeCSS trials the prosecutor was not only rude but alarmingly clueless - she at several points in time demonstrated a complete lack of understanding of what something so fundamental to the trial as source code was, and managed to make statements to the effect that Linux was only something hackers used (of course with the wrong meaning of the word 'hacker') Amusingly, KRIPOS, the police dept. for which she works, uses Linux servers for webservers and internal services. Damned haxxors. -toresbe :)

At 11:21 PM 4/19/06 -0700, you wrote: $50? HAH! I was an unwilling participant in a class action suit and my award was 34 cents! I still have the check somewhere, it wasn't worth cashing. That was for escrow account overcharges that costs me hundreds. The lawyers got the rest. Joe

At 11:34 PM 4/19/06 -0500, you wrote: That's a nice cop-out! It makes me sick to hear that shit! When have they ever thought of the victums rights??? Or the rights of the witneses that they continualy abuse on the stand? Joe Murdered or not, everyone is entitled to the same