Folks, Forgive me, I do not follow the CC list so I didn't realize some comments and questions had arisen from my recent announcement of a fund raiser sale. First, as some bright fellows have already made clear, this is simply an offer to sell certain select items from what I have referred to as the "VCF Archives" unofficially since about the beginning (of the VCF). I am offering only duplicate machines for which I don't have an obvious need and that would be better off in someone else's hands in exchange for funds to secure the rest of the collection. There are only so many Altairs, Sol-20s and Cromemcos that a collection needs. As to the circumstances that have brought me to this point, that telling will have to wait for another day. It's a long story that would explain why I have been hibernating from the VCF for several years now (something I didn't initially intend to do but that became necessary over time). Most people wouldn't be prepared for it anyway, as it represents a departure from the person I was in this community for so long. Note, I did not say I am departing the community (not that I haven't had only a peripheral participation for the last several years) but that the person you all once knew has moved on. My interest in vintage computers remains, but it is an interest that has necessarily had to be put on the back burner while the universe imposes its will on me and I faithfully abide. This current operation is a winding down of Phase I of a life's work that will resume at the proper temporal markers. I will address some comments made in the original thread that are deserving of an answer. I invented the Vintage Computer Festival as a result of a discussion that I initiated on this list in the spring of 1997. Since then it has sprouted several sister events, including VCF East (presently the largest VCF event), VCF Midwest, VCF Southwest, VCF Southeast (just formed, produced by David Greelish of Historically Brewed fame), VCF Europa (Munich), and VCF UK. All of these events (except for the European events, which operate autonomously) can be accessed through the VCF portal (http://vintage.org) (historical note: remember when everyone was trying to create a "portal" to the internet in the early days? :) The main VCF held 10 regular events from 1997-2007 (skipping 2001, where the event was scheduled the week of 9/11). At the peak of the series we had about 600 attendees, and attendance for the last 3 shows was in excess of 500 visitors each. Ten is a good number. It is completion, and a new beginning. I had intended to take a hiatus from the VCF for a year. I was talked out of it on the condition that those who did the talking would be around the following year to contribute to the production of the event, as I no longer was willing to carry the full load of producing it (which is a failure of mine to properly delegate). No serious effort was mounted, as this was 2008, a financial collapse was imminent, and I had my hands full with other matters. I took my hiatus as intended. One year turned into 2, then 3, and now 5. The VCF is not done, but I believe I just may be with it, at least for now, other than a cursory hand in maintaining the website to support the sister events, and the main event, in the event someone finally comes forward to pick up and run with it. Quite frankly I became bored with the format. Don't get me wrong, the VCF is still a fun event no matter which one you attend, because it's all about old computers and old friends, and whenever those two combine then Good Times are had. But I wanted to do something fresh, something new, something absolutely mind-blowing. I was hoping to startup again in 2011, but it was not to be. Now, I'm looking to pass on the mantle to some sucker^H^H^H^H^H^Hambitious devotee who doesn't mind losing up to 3 months out of their life every year to continue producing the event. To clear up some misconceptions about the "Vintage Computer Festival" as an entity: - the VCF is not a corporate non-profit entity; - the VCF has never been a corporate non-profit entity; - I once considered attaining corporate "non profit" status for the VCF but instinctively decided against it, a decision that has proven its wisdom over time; - the VCF will likely never be a corporate non-profit entity; - if you consider the finances (revenue/expenses) of the VCF event in total, it probably did run as a "not for profit" all those years; it can be a profitable event, but it cetainly wasn't for the first 4 years; - while the "VCF Archives" is the unofficial name for my collection, it is in fact my personal collection, in the same way that the VCF is my event; it is all just my property that I offer to others for use through the VCF events and private arrangements; the fact is the collection has always been open to hobbyists at little or no charge throughout the years, and I have done well renting my services and pieces from the collection to various commercial interests over the past dozen years, including law firms and film production companies; - any improprieties suggested as a result of any of this are ignorant speculation. I believe that covers everything. Thanks to all those who have responded to my initial inquiry. Forgive me for not responding until today but I will be addressing each inquiry this morning. New inquiries are still welcome. I will also be posting specific items for sale to the list (I don't use eBay) and will eventually be relaunching the Vintage Computer Marketplace to conduct regular auctions of both my and others' vintage computer items. Lastly, I am not soliciting donations, but if someone feels compelled then I will not refuse it right now. I would consider any amount to be a blessing. Please contact me privately. I will follow this thread in case any further response is required. As always, I can be reached directly through private e-mail. Thanks! -- Sellam Ismail VintageTech ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ International Man of Intrigue and Danger http://www.vintagetech.com Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap...The truth is always simple.