----- Original Message ----- Well, if you check out some of the other classic computer lists I think you'll find that the above environment is still very much alive and you'll find some of those 'silent' folks over there instead, as I'm sure some folks on here who also belong to those other lists can confirm; the day rarely goes by when Chuck doesn't help someone with advice, an uploaded file or two, even on occasion a small custom program over on Erik's Vintage Computer List, and there are many, many other people helping each other out, trading parts, building new add-ons, sharing experiences etc., there and on other lists like the Cromemco list, Club100 (R-S), CBM-Hackers, etc. etc. Sure there are more 'collectors' these days who are interested in $$s, but I think that's really almost a separate issue altogether and I don't see much of that on CCtalk anyway. I'd say that it's not so much the hobby that's changed, but the mood and character of this list, or perhaps it's only remained the same while others (especially the VCF) have sprung up where newcomers are warmly welcomed, birthday greetings are exchanged, 'PeeCees' and Microsoft products and users are not disparaged or insulted, nobody quibbles over top vs. bottom-posting, name-calling is discouraged, and for the most part people talk about classic computer issues. As I said, you'll find some of the folks who are now 'silent' here hanging out over there instead, not to mention those folks who are on several lists in addition to this one and generally much more active on the other lists; even Gene tends to be much nicer on the VCF ;-)... I have talked to several people who thought it would be useful to join CCtalk, but after reading through a few days' worth of traffic decided it would be a waste of time... That's really my point when I climb up on my soapbox...