19 Apr
2011
19 Apr
'11
1:02 p.m.
I'm wondering how many here have put any real effort or thought into
thinning out thier collection, and the question of spares.
Last night I started. So far I've been trying to identify dead equipment,
and have gotten as far as testing some terminals, and a couple compact Mac's
(I've identified a dead Mac Colour Classic).
One of the questions that comes to mind is this. How many spares is too
many?
Also is anyone in the Portland, Oregon area interested in junk I'll be
dumping? Local pickup only. I don't know if someone might be interested in
things like the dead Mac Colour Classic for parts.
I do have a list of a few items I'll be keeping an eye out for that have
been promised to a couple list members.
Zane
19 Apr
19 Apr
1:32 p.m.
One of the questions that comes to mind is this. How
many spares is
too many?
Here at the MARCH Computer Museum, we consider selling things whenever
we have four or more of something. It's good to have a display system,
a backup, and a parts machine / backup to the backup. But once we have
a fourth, fifth, or fourteenth (as is currently the case with our model
'33 teletypes!), then we start parsing the collection. As such, at the
VCF East next month, we'll have a MARCH Overstock Sale.
5:08 p.m.
On Tue, 19 Apr 2011, Evan Koblentz wrote:
Here at the MARCH Computer Museum, we consider selling
things whenever we
have four or more of something. It's good to have a display system, a
backup, and a parts machine / backup to the backup. But once we have a
fourth, fifth, or fourteenth (as is currently the case with our model '33
teletypes!), then we start parsing the collection. As such, at the VCF East
This is kind of what I was thinking. Though the only place I'm really this
bad is likely to be with Commodore 64's and VT420's. Though once I have the
disaster cleared up, I'll need at least 3-4 working VT420's.
Zane
1:42 p.m.
Zane H. Healy wrote:
I'm wondering how many here have put any real effort or thought into
thinning out thier collection, and the question of spares.
Last night I started. So far I've been trying to identify dead equipment,
and have gotten as far as testing some terminals, and a couple compact
Mac's
(I've identified a dead Mac Colour Classic).
When I moved, I went through that whole process - if I could, I kept two of
anything that was small enough, plus spare boards, plus spare ICs, plus
odds and ends which would allow me to build base machines up
(non-destructively) into different configurations. All that stuff's in
storage overseas still.
Probably about 35% of what I kept was non-working, but I felt I'd have a
good chance of being able to get running again one day (and more than
likely wouldn't ever have the opportunity to obtain another
complete/working example)
At the other end of the scale, I parted with a few things that although
really interesting were going to turn into big boat anchors one day due to
'quirky' drives, unobtainable media, enormous custom ICs etc. - it didn't
seem sensible to pay the shipping costs for something that might die at any
moment.
Also is anyone in the Portland, Oregon area interested
in junk I'll be
dumping? Local pickup only.
Wish you were closer. I'd love an old terminal, even!
cheers
Jules
5:10 p.m.
On Tue, 19 Apr 2011, Jules Richardson wrote:
In that case, I wish you were closer! :-) Shipping on this really isn't
practical. In part due to how hard it is to even find time to work on the
project.
Zane
At the other end of the scale, I parted with a few
things that although
really interesting were going to turn into big boat anchors one day due to
'quirky' drives, unobtainable media, enormous custom ICs etc. - it didn't
seem sensible to pay the shipping costs for something that might die at any
moment.
Excellent point...
Also is anyone
in the Portland, Oregon area interested in junk I'll be
dumping? Local pickup only.
Wish you were closer. I'd love an old terminal, even! 
5:23 p.m.
what sort of stuff in Portland? worth a drive from San Francisco?
Steve
On 4/19/2011 2:10 PM, Zane H. Healy wrote:
On Tue, 19 Apr 2011, Jules Richardson wrote:
In that case, I wish you were closer! :-) Shipping on this really isn't
practical. In part due to how hard it is to even find time to work on
the
project.
Zane
At the other end of the scale, I parted with a
few things that
although really interesting were going to turn into big boat anchors
one day due to 'quirky' drives, unobtainable media, enormous custom
ICs etc. - it didn't seem sensible to pay the shipping costs for
something that might die at any moment.
Excellent point...
Also is
anyone in the Portland, Oregon area interested in junk I'll be
dumping? Local pickup only.
Wish you were closer. I'd love an old terminal, even! 
3:56 p.m.
In article <alpine.DEB.2.00.1104190951320.9283 at slate.spiritone.com>,
"Zane H. Healy" <healyzh at aracnet.com> writes:
I'm wondering how many here have put any real
effort or thought into
thinning out thier collection, and the question of spares.
On thinning: one way you can thin your collection is to remove a whole
line of collecting. For instance, I have a few microcomputers that
I've acquired that aren't exactly terminal or graphics related.
(These are the two areas that I actively collect.) So for me, those
would be the first things to go.
Also I might include items where I have a partial system and obtaining the
rest of the pieces needed to make the system operational is expensive.
I have an Evans & Sutherland flight simulation image generator.
Getting the remainder needed to make a functioning flight simulator
(gimbal platform, avionics controls, mock cockpit, projectors) is very
expensive and flight simulation machines still have a vibrant
secondary market. So even though that is very graphics related, its
highly unlikely I'd be able to get the rest of the components needed
to make it a functioning system and/or exhibit.
On spares: it depends on your comfort level in repair work and the
intended use of the systems. For my purposes, I intend to make
working exhibits so I tend to overallocate for spares than most
people. If you are comfortable at repairing boards and diagnosing
components, then you may need fewer spares. Similarly, if the items
in question have readily obtainable spares (like a Mac, for instance),
then having an inventory of spares is more of a convenience than a
critical need. For myself, SGI machines still have a readily
available supply of spares for things like Indigo^2 and later, but
earlier machines are really quite in short supply. So for some things
I've accumulated more spares than might seem reasonable, even for my
needs, because I know stuff eventually breaks and when it breaks the
spares may not be available at that time.
Last night I started. So far I've been trying to
identify dead equipment,
and have gotten as far as testing some terminals, and a couple compact Mac's
(I've identified a dead Mac Colour Classic).
I would be interested in hearing what kind of terminals you'd like to
unload, of course :-).
--
"The Direct3D Graphics Pipeline" -- DirectX 9 draft available for download
<http://legalizeadulthood.wordpress.com/the-direct3d-graphics-pipeline/>
Legalize Adulthood! <http://legalizeadulthood.wordpress.com>
5:38 p.m.
On Tue, 19 Apr 2011, Richard wrote:
On thinning: one way you can thin your collection is
to remove a whole
line of collecting. For instance, I have a few microcomputers that
I've acquired that aren't exactly terminal or graphics related.
(These are the two areas that I actively collect.) So for me, those
would be the first things to go.
This is actually one of the prime things I'm looking at. Case in point.
Old PC, Mac, and Sun HW, much of this can be thined out.
My key interests are DEC & Commodore systems. Though I think I want to keep
the Apple ][ HW as well (or at least some of it). It's likely that some of
the DEC HW might even be headed out the door. Some of the "rare" stuff I'd
like to sell off (things like the Lisa 2/5). I've spent way, way to much on
this junk over the past 14 years. The worst wasn't the cost of aquiring it,
but rather the cost of storing it! Up until mid-2009, it was in storage
units.
I would be interested in hearing what kind of
terminals you'd like to
unload, of course :-).
All terminals fall between the DEC VT100 and VT420. As I might have
mentioned in another post, I will actually need several, so need to
determine which are excess.
Zane
5:50 p.m.
On Tue, 19 Apr 2011, Richard wrote:
On thinning: one way you can thin your collection is to remove a whole
> line of collecting. For instance, I have a few
microcomputers that
> I've acquired that aren't exactly terminal or graphics related.
> (These are the two areas that I actively collect.) So for me, those
> would be the first things to go.
This is something I've been thinking about a lot lately and I think
Richard has the right idea -- eliminating entire lines or similar is an
easier to way to delineate it.
My biggest issue right now is that I *never* have time to mess around
with my collection and, due to work and parenting duties, I do not
forsee a time in the near future when I'll be able to get back to it,
and by that time, I'll probably need the flexibility of NOT having the
huge collection. So I want to eliminate all but a few choice or
meaningful machines if possible.
So....how do I get it whittled down to only a few machines? That is my
ponderance. I have too much heart for these old systems and the
knowledgebase to simply recycle them, but I live in the middle of
nowhere, Iowa, which ensures that other interested peoples is pretty
thin if existing at all.
Anyone within driving distance that wants to bring a trailer and have a
free-for-all? :)
It's something for us all to ponder -- at some point, each of us will
want to divest our collections in one fashion or another. I'm pretty
sure there's a right and a wrong way about it, it's just a matter of
figuring it out.
Nathan
20 Apr
20 Apr
2:28 a.m.
On Tue, Apr 19, 2011 at 04:50:23PM -0500, Nathan Pralle wrote:
It's something for us all to ponder -- at some
point, each of us
will want to divest our collections in one fashion or another. I'm
pretty sure there's a right and a wrong way about it, it's just a
matter of figuring it out.
I think we have been down this road before, but...
My wife asked me what to do with all my things (and I do have a lot) if
I should pass away (I'm 30, maybe she is planning somthing :-).
Well, all I could answer was "Let my local friends that also collect
take their pick and toss the rest". What else could I ask from a widow?
(Sorry if this turned to grim)
/Pontus
2:28 a.m.
In article <4DAE039F.8030608 at nathanpralle.com>,
Nathan Pralle <nathan at nathanpralle.com> writes:
My biggest issue right now is that I *never* have time
to mess around
with my collection [...]
I've started a "make" group that meets down at my warehouse every
Wednesday night from 7pm to 10pm. This forces me to be with my
collection every week, but it also gives me a regular time that I use
to organize my collection and work on the museum I'm trying to build.
Part of that is building electronics projects that interface with the
vintage equipment. (I'm working on the Tektronix 4010 printer
interface right now.) Sometimes I'm just unpacking new acquisitions
or organizing the storage.
However, the key thing is to set aside some time in your schedule on a
regular basis to keep making progress. If your collection resides in
your home, then an hour or two once a week is sufficient to make
progress. You could also pick one day a month, or whatever. Its like
writing a book; the important part is to work on it regularly so that
you're always making forward progress.
If the other people in your life are reasonable they'll come to
understand "oh yeah, on Tuesday nights, dad's always working on his
vintage computers" and help you keep your own commitment to your
hobby.
So....how do I get it whittled down to only a few
machines? That is my
ponderance. I have too much heart for these old systems and the
knowledgebase to simply recycle them, but I live in the middle of
nowhere, Iowa, which ensures that other interested peoples is pretty
thin if existing at all.
Well, its hard for us to help without knowing what you have. Because
I collect terminals and graphics gear, I'm used to spending money on
shipping. Both of these items tend to be heavy, large, or both.
--
"The Direct3D Graphics Pipeline" -- DirectX 9 draft available for download
<http://legalizeadulthood.wordpress.com/the-direct3d-graphics-pipeline/>
Legalize Adulthood! <http://legalizeadulthood.wordpress.com>
10:41 a.m.
At 12:28 AM -0600 4/20/11, Richard wrote:
However, the key thing is to set aside some time in
your schedule on a
regular basis to keep making progress. If your collection resides in
your home, then an hour or two once a week is sufficient to make
progress. You could also pick one day a month, or whatever. Its like
writing a book; the important part is to work on it regularly so that
you're always making forward progress.
My problem is that my time is divided between work, family and
photography now days. Any time for computers means taking time away
from my photography. As I have several major
photography projects
I'm working on, photography wins hands down.
Zane
--
| Zane H. Healy | UNIX Systems Administrator |
| healyzh at aracnet.com | OpenVMS Enthusiast |
| | Photographer |
+----------------------------------+----------------------------+
| My flickr Photostream |
| http://www.flickr.com/photos/33848088 at N03/ |
10:45 a.m.
--- On Wed, 4/20/11, Zane H. Healy <healyzh at aracnet.com> wrote:
My problem is that my time is divided between work,
family
and
photography now days. Any time for computers means
taking time away
from my photography. As I have several major
photography projects
I'm working on, photography wins hands down.
You can combine the two. Just take pictures of the computers. Of course, you'll want
to fix them up before taking pictures...
-Ian
10:13 a.m.
At 04:50 PM 4/19/2011, Nathan Pralle wrote:
So....how do I get it whittled down to only a few
machines? That is my ponderance. I have too much heart for these old systems and the
knowledgebase to simply recycle them, but I live in the middle of nowhere, Iowa, which
ensures that other interested peoples is pretty thin if existing at all. Anyone within
driving distance that wants to bring a trailer and have a free-for-all? :)
Although I do visit just down the road from you to Manchester, IA, once a year
or so, I'm suffering the same problem. Having decreasing spare time combined
with the packrat urge to save the pieces, you end up with a pile that it probably
not perfectly organized, so it would take even more time to find what
you need when you want it. I think specialization helps. I am not convinced
that having a lot of space helps.
- John
10:33 a.m.
--- On Wed, 4/20/11, John Foust <jfoust at threedee.com> wrote:
I think specialization
helps.? I am not convinced
that having a lot of space helps.?
Agreed.
Moreover, having a lot of space plus a specialized approach to collecting together ensure
that you don't fill the space you have with devices that you never get around to
working on.
-Dave
10:49 a.m.
Moreover, having a lot of space plus a specialized
approach to collecting
together ensure that you don't fill the space you have with devices that
you never get around to working on.
BTDT. Result: no. :P
--
------------------------------------ personal: http://www.cameronkaiser.com/ --
Cameron Kaiser * Floodgap Systems * www.floodgap.com * ckaiser at floodgap.com
-- A dean is to faculty as a hydrant is to a dog. -- Alfred Kahn --------------
10:43 a.m.
At 9:13 AM -0500 4/20/11, John Foust wrote:
or so, I'm suffering the same problem. Having
decreasing spare time combined
with the packrat urge to save the pieces, you end up with a pile
that it probably
not perfectly organized, so it would take even more time to find what
you need when you want it. I think specialization helps. I am not convinced
that having a lot of space helps.
I don't think having a lot of space helps, as this is a destructive
hobby that tends to fill all available space. It is a hobby that
encourages packrat behavior, and trying to break that behavior is
very difficult.
Zane
--
| Zane H. Healy | UNIX Systems Administrator |
| healyzh at aracnet.com | OpenVMS Enthusiast |
| | Photographer |
+----------------------------------+----------------------------+
| My flickr Photostream |
| http://www.flickr.com/photos/33848088 at N03/ |
7:04 p.m.
In article <p06240811c9d4a1264d39(a)[192.168.1.157]>7]>,
"Zane H. Healy" <healyzh at aracnet.com> writes:
It is a hobby that
encourages packrat behavior, and trying to break that behavior is
very difficult.
I agree, but watching a few episodes of "Hoarders" is a sufficient
innoculation for me!
--
"The Direct3D Graphics Pipeline" -- DirectX 9 draft available for download
<http://legalizeadulthood.wordpress.com/the-direct3d-graphics-pipeline/>
Legalize Adulthood! <http://legalizeadulthood.wordpress.com>
21 Apr
21 Apr
7:32 a.m.
I agree, but watching a few episodes of
"Hoarders" is a sufficient
innoculation for me!
LOL!
I control what I get by sticking to a pre-determined list I made when I
first started collecting in 2007. The list contained what I considered to
be "classic computers" down here in New Zealand plus a few not-so-classic
ones just for nostalgia. It means I've had to grit my teeth and bypass the
weird and the wonderful when I've seen it posted on the local auction site
for $1.
Sticking to a list is fine for BUYING stuff but the system breaks down when
people GIVE you computers. If it's vintage and interesting, I can't say no.
Fortunately there haven't been to many of these but my small "bloke's
shed"
above the garage is starting to burst at the seams now.
Now I'm a little more confident that I can fix machines when they break
down, I've started to sell some of my double ups, which gives me at least
room to swing a cat.
Terry (Tez)
http://www.classic-computers.org.nz
19 Apr
19 Apr
4:27 p.m.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Zane H. Healy" <healyzh at aracnet.com>
To: <cctalk at classiccmp.org>
Sent: Tuesday, April 19, 2011 1:02 PM
Subject: How to thin a collection...
I'm wondering how many here have put any real effort or thought into
thinning out thier collection, and the question of spares.
Last night I started. So far I've been trying to identify dead equipment,
and have gotten as far as testing some terminals, and a couple compact
Mac's
(I've identified a dead Mac Colour Classic).
One of the questions that comes to mind is this. How many spares is too
many?
Also is anyone in the Portland, Oregon area interested in junk I'll be
dumping? Local pickup only. I don't know if someone might be interested
in
things like the dead Mac Colour Classic for parts.
I do have a list of a few items I'll be keeping an eye out for that have
been promised to a couple list members.
Zane
I tend to keep spare machines based on how easy and expensive it is to get
another when needed, and how much I like the system. Pretty much everything
I have is working and tested except for a few laptops I keep for parts only.
What's wrong with the color classic?
5:41 p.m.
On Tue, 19 Apr 2011, Teo Zenios wrote:
I tend to keep spare machines based on how easy and
expensive it is to get
another when needed, and how much I like the system. Pretty much everything I
have is working and tested except for a few laptops I keep for parts only.
I have spares for a lot of this stuff now, if it's things I'll keep, I'm
loath to get rid of spares that I might need to keep a system I want to use
going.
What's wrong with the color classic?
My guess is the power supply. Dunno, it was working when I put it into
storage over a decade ago. I quite honestly don't have time to poke at a
system I have no use for. Someone has already said they'll take it.
Zane
4841
days inactive
4843
days old
20 comments
13 participants
participants (13)
-
david_comley＠yahoo.com -
evan＠snarc.net -
healyzh＠aracnet.com -
ian_primus＠yahoo.com -
jfoust＠threedee.com -
jules.richardson99＠gmail.com -
legalize＠xmission.com -
nathan＠nathanpralle.com -
pontus＠Update.UU.SE -
shumaker＠att.net -
spectre＠floodgap.com -
teoz＠neo.rr.com -
terry＠webweavers.co.nz