25 Feb
2003
25 Feb
'03
1:17 p.m.
Someone paid over $500 dollars for it??????????? I have two maybe three of
them and never paid over $5 for any of them.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3402403400
25 Feb
25 Feb
1:35 p.m.
On Tuesday, February 25, 2003, Keys wrote:
Someone paid over $500 dollars for it??????????? I
have two maybe three of
them and never paid over $5 for any of them.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3402403400
Those are 99/4s, *not* 99/4As. I believe the 4s are more rare than the 4As.
Back when I was selling stuff on eBay, I had three, and each sold for over
$100 IIRC. Don't take what I say as fact, though. Other than playing
cartridge games on one when I was a kid, I don't know anything about TI-99s.
--
Jeffrey Sharp
26 Feb
26 Feb
2:19 a.m.
On Tue, 25 Feb 2003, Jeffrey Sharp wrote:
Those are 99/4s, *not* 99/4As. I believe the 4s are
more rare than the 4As.
Well, TI 99/4's are rare, whereas TI 99/4a's are certainly not.
--
Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer Festival
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Man of Intrigue and Danger http://www.vintage.org
* Old computing resources for business and academia at www.VintageTech.com *
5:25 a.m.
Jeffrey Sharp wrote:
On Tuesday, February 25, 2003, Keys wrote:
I have a pile of 4A's, but only one /4. They were scarce even in '83
when I got my 1st 4A. People were unhappy with the "chiclet" keyboard,
and TI supposedly ate most of them as returns to get the 4A's on the shelf.
There was a project apparently to use the logic boards and other
components in the guise of the TI Insight 10 terminal, which was not a
big seller because, like the TI-99, it had only a 40-column display.. I
say apparently because there are pictures of what looks like a heavily
breathed-on /4 that served as a prototype for the Insight, at the
Smithsonian site.
http://smithsonianchips.si.edu/texas/ti-thumbnails/pages/NMAH2000-07541.htm
(Pic of Insight 10 here:
http://smithsonianchips.si.edu/texas/ti-thumbnails/pages/NMAH2000-07537.htm)
I don't have an Insight 10, never ever even saw one, but I have been
contacted by a party who has one of the prototypes and assures me it was
a modded 99/4.(different roms, modified case, goosenecked display, modem
board, beefed up ps, etc.) The photos above are not inconsistent with
the premise, anyway.
If any of the TI people listed as donors on the Smithsonian page are
still around, they'd know, obviously. Meantime, anyone comes across an
Insight 10 they don't want, give me a holler, please.
jbdigriz
Someone paid over $500 dollars for it??????????? I
have two maybe three of
them and never paid over $5 for any of them.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3402403400
Those are 99/4s, *not* 99/4As. I believe the 4s are more rare than the 4As.
Back when I was selling stuff on eBay, I had three, and each sold for over
$100 IIRC. Don't take what I say as fact, though. Other than playing
cartridge games on one when I was a kid, I don't know anything about TI-99s.
25 Feb
25 Feb
1:46 p.m.
That's a 99/4.. not a 99/4A.. It was my impression the 4 was somewhat
rarer than the 4A.. however, I don't think it was 510$ rarer (shoo)....
Perhaps its got a "Heart of Gold infinite improbability CPU"(tm) in it
or something... :-)
David
On Tue, 2003-02-25 at 22:13, Keys wrote:
Someone paid over $500 dollars for it??????????? I
have two maybe three of
them and never paid over $5 for any of them.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3402403400
2:17 p.m.
Its funny to me how a computer with a crappy keyboard like that model is
worth so much more then the better later version with a proper keyboard. The
computers I collect actually get used so if I ever wanted a Ti it would be
the one with the nicer keyboard. My first computer was a timex 2068 and
learning to program on chicklet keyboards sucks.
----- Original Message -----
From: "David Holland" <dholland(a)woh.rr.com>
To: "Classic Computer Talk" <cctalk(a)classiccmp.org>
Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2003 10:42 PM
Subject: Re: Check out this TI99/4 on eBay
That's a 99/4.. not a 99/4A.. It was my impression
the 4 was somewhat
rarer than the 4A.. however, I don't think it was 510$ rarer (shoo)....
Perhaps its got a "Heart of Gold infinite improbability CPU"(tm) in it
or something... :-)
David
On Tue, 2003-02-25 at 22:13, Keys wrote:
> Someone paid over $500 dollars for it??????????? I have two maybe three
of
> them and never paid over $5 for any of them.
> http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3402403400
2:35 p.m.
On Tuesday, February 25, 2003, TeoZ wrote:
Its funny to me how a computer with a crappy keyboard
like that model is
worth so much more then the better later version with a proper keyboard.
I took apart one of the ones I sold. I was appalled by the cheap
construction of the keyboard, especially the flimsy way the space bar was
mounted.
--
Jeffrey Sharp
2:58 p.m.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jeffrey Sharp" <jss(a)subatomix.com>
To: <cctalk(a)classiccmp.org>
Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2003 11:32 PM
Subject: Re: Check out this TI99/4 on eBay
On Tuesday, February 25, 2003, TeoZ wrote:
It wouldnt surprise me how cheap they were. Unlike today where people
upgrade computers every year back then people actually used them for a few
years. Having a comfortable keyboard to type in basic programs out of a
magazine would be high on my list of things to look for back then. Just to
let you know the machine I am typing on now has 2 keyboards, 1 is a Gateway
USB keyboard I got from compgeeks that has a logitech optical mouse and
wingman digital usb joystick attached (for games) and an old Northgate
Omnikey/102 keyboard I got new with my first 386 that I do 90% of my typing
on. The gateway was maybe $20 new and for the most part is disposable, while
the Northgate cost me $70-80 back in the early 90's and goes for quite a few
dollars even today on ebay.
Its funny to me how a computer with a crappy
keyboard like that model is
worth so much more then the better later version with a proper keyboard.
I took apart one of the ones I sold. I was appalled by the cheap
construction of the keyboard, especially the flimsy way the space bar was
mounted.
--
Jeffrey Sharp
26 Feb
26 Feb
12:41 a.m.
Ha!
Try a Timex-Sinclair 1000. Membrane keyboard, I'd of been much happier
with a chicklet keyboard. First computer I had any real time on.
(Complete with 16K RAM expansion, and a cassette interface)
I'd love to get ahold of one now, just for nostalgia's sake, but don't
seem to see them lying around up here, and I'm not going to do the Epay
thing for one of those..
Wonder if I could get the cassette interface to work YET. :-?
David
On Tue, 2003-02-25 at 23:11, TeoZ wrote:
Its funny to me how a computer with a crappy keyboard
like that model is
worth so much more then the better later version with a proper keyboard. The
computers I collect actually get used so if I ever wanted a Ti it would be
the one with the nicer keyboard. My first computer was a timex 2068 and
learning to program on chicklet keyboards sucks.
2:18 a.m.
New subject: Timex-Sinclair 1000, was Re: Check out this TI99/4 on eBay
At 09:38 AM 2/26/03 -0500, you wrote:
Try a Timex-Sinclair 1000. Membrane keyboard, I'd
of been much happier
with a chicklet keyboard. First computer I had any real time on.
(Complete with 16K RAM expansion, and a cassette interface)
A while back I picked up two TS 1000's at an estate sale. Each came
with a printer (the TS 2040), a beefy external power supply and two 16K
RAM expansions (one TS, one by Memotech).
More to the point, each also came with an external Memotech keyboard.
The keyboard has 41 keys, each with at least three different functions,
and connects via ribbon cable to a "Memopak I/F" box labelled
"Keyboard Buffer", which in turn plugs into the computer's bus. I
haven't
actually tried to use either of them, but they appear to be new in
the box so I expect they would work as well as they ever did.
I can provide photos if anyone is interested.
So, you could get a third-party full-travel keyboard for the TS-1000
(and similar, e.g. ZX81), which would make it much easier to use.
Cheers,
Dan
www.decodesystems.com/wanted.html
1:18 a.m.
At 11:11 PM 2/25/03 -0500, Teoz wrote:
Its funny to me how a computer with a crappy keyboard
like that model is
worth so much more then the better later version with a proper keyboard. The
computers I collect actually get used so if I ever wanted a Ti it would be
the one with the nicer keyboard. My first computer was a timex 2068 and
learning to program on chicklet keyboards sucks.
If you think that sucks, you should try toggling it all in with bit switches! Especailly
the narrow bite-into-your-finger switches used on the original Altairs.
Joe
1:45 a.m.
Yea well I wasnt old enough to deal with punch cards either :)
The Timex 2068 was released in 82 or 83 when the Vic20/c64 had proper
keyboards.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Joe" <rigdonj(a)cfl.rr.com>
To: <cctalk(a)classiccmp.org>
Sent: Wednesday, February 26, 2003 8:48 AM
Subject: Re: Check out this TI99/4 on eBay
switches!
Especailly the narrow bite-into-your-finger switches used on the
original Altairs.
At 11:11 PM 2/25/03 -0500, Teoz wrote:
>Its funny to me how a computer with a crappy keyboard like that model is
>worth so much more then the better later version with a proper keyboard.
The
>computers I collect actually get used so if I ever
wanted a Ti it would
be
the one with
the nicer keyboard. My first computer was a timex 2068 and
learning to program on chicklet keyboards sucks.
If you think that sucks, you should try toggling it all in with bit
Joe
2:13 a.m.
TeoZ Said:
" The Timex 2068 was released in 82 or 83 when the Vic20/c64 had proper
keyboards."
Define your terms. I remember the LICA (Long Island Computer
Association) meeting immediately following the release of the much
anticipated C= 64. There were several retailers in attendance, each of
whom had horror stories of empty boxes, boxes filled with incomplete or
inoperable machines and, my favorite story, a unit whose keyboard was
all "Q"s. It seems that Commodore had to rush to get their Christmas
orders filled and they ended up cutting a few corners.
I had a friend with a Vic-20 who had an uncanny ability to "launch"
keys. Several times when he'd be showing me stuff the key he'd press
would pop off the keyboard and be flung upward by the spring. . .
Submitted for your entertainment.
Erik S. Klein
www.vintage-computer.com
4 Mar
4 Mar
9:08 a.m.
New subject: All Qs (Was: Check out this TI99/4 on eBay)
Define your terms. I remember the LICA (Long Island
Computer
Association) meeting immediately following the release of the much
anticipated C= 64. There were several retailers in attendance, each of
whom had horror stories of empty boxes, boxes filled with incomplete or
inoperable machines and, my favorite story, a unit whose keyboard was
all "Q"s. It seems that Commodore had to rush to get their Christmas
orders filled and they ended up cutting a few corners.
This reminds me of the sparekeycaps for PET kayboards I have.
It was supposed to be good for 10 keyboards, so every keycap
10 times, so when I finaly ordered and counted them I found
that only 6 sets where possible, due the fact that ther where
for some keys as little as 6 pices, while other had up to 14.
Well, seams that Commodore hasd a long tradition in such things.
Gruss
H.
--
VCF Europa 4.0 am 03./04. Mai 2003 in Muenchen
http://www.vcfe.org/
9:17 a.m.
New subject: All Qs (Was: Check out this TI99/4 on eBay)
--- Hans Franke <Hans.Franke(a)mch20.sbs.de> wrote:
> ...my favorite story, a unit whose keyboard was
all "Q"s.
Remember the Dilbert where they shipped keyboards missing all the
"Q"s? ISTR the punchline was something about "uality is job 1".
-ethan
26 Feb
26 Feb
2:31 a.m.
On Wed, 26 Feb 2003, Joe wrote:
At 11:11 PM 2/25/03 -0500, Teoz wrote:
Oh yeah? Well in my day, we didn't have zeroes. Just the letter 'O'!
;)
--
Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer Festival
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Man of Intrigue and Danger http://www.vintage.org
* Old computing resources for business and academia at www.VintageTech.com *
Its funny to me how a computer with a crappy
keyboard like that model is
worth so much more then the better later version with a proper keyboard. The
computers I collect actually get used so if I ever wanted a Ti it would be
the one with the nicer keyboard. My first computer was a timex 2068 and
learning to program on chicklet keyboards sucks.
If you think that sucks, you should try toggling it all in with bit
switches! Especailly the narrow bite-into-your-finger switches used on
the original Altairs. 
10:12 a.m.
Its funny to me how a computer with a crappy keyboard
like that model is
worth so much more then the better later version with a proper keyboard. The
This is what separates hackers from stamp collectors. The latter what the
rare machines, no matter how unusable they might be. The former want
machines they can actually use. No prizes for guessing what category I
fit into :-)
-tony
25 Feb
25 Feb
2:20 p.m.
The TI 99/4 (no "A") is rarer then the later full-keyboard model but it
ain't worth $500. . .
Erik
-----Original Message-----
From: cctalk-admin(a)classiccmp.org [mailto:cctalk-admin@classiccmp.org]
On Behalf Of Keys
Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2003 7:13 PM
To: cctalk@classiccmp
Subject: Check out this TI99/4 on eBay
Someone paid over $500 dollars for it??????????? I have two maybe three
of
them and never paid over $5 for any of them.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3402403400
26 Feb
26 Feb
2:16 a.m.
On Tue, 25 Feb 2003, Keys wrote:
Someone paid over $500 dollars for it??????????? I
have two maybe three
of them and never paid over $5 for any of them.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3402403400
It's the TI 99/4 (not TI 99/4a). They are fairly rare. If you have "two
maybe three" then consider yourself lucky.
--
Sellam Ismail Vintage Computer Festival
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
International Man of Intrigue and Danger http://www.vintage.org
* Old computing resources for business and academia at www.VintageTech.com *
7730
days inactive
7737
days old
20 comments
14 participants
participants (14)
-
ard＠p850ug1.demon.co.uk -
brianmahoney＠look.ca -
classiccmp＠vintage-computer.com -
dan＠ekoan.com -
dholland＠woh.rr.com -
erd_6502＠yahoo.com -
Hans.Franke＠mch20.sbs.de -
jbdigriz＠dragonsweb.org -
jrkeys＠concentric.net -
jss＠subatomix.com -
red＠bears.org -
rigdonj＠cfl.rr.com -
teoz＠neo.rr.com -
vcf＠siconic.com