Where can someone purchase a copy of your book? Its
not listed on
amazon.com.
Thanks
Noel
Thank you for inquiring. The book is self-published.
Ordering details are at the bottom of this message. I also
had an arrangement with the Vintage Computer Festival for
copies to be sold at the VCF 3.0 and given away as prizes.
Some copies are still available; see the VCF web site.
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A Guide to Collecting Computers and Computer Collectibles:
History, Practice, and Technique
1st Edition
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This book is about the hobby of collecting computers and
things related to computers. It's about the hobby in
general for novices who are interested starting, building
and maintaining a collection.
It's also for veteran collectors as an attempt to bring
us and a few of our stories, experience, and advice
together.
This book wouldn't be complete without also paying tribute
to the pioneers in the field and so it includes coverage
of many wonderful private collections and related
"how I got started" stories.
This book is simply the best resource you'll find to help
you get started and flourish as a computer collector.
This book has nine chapters, plus a section on resources.
By reading this book you'll discover what to collect, how
to collect, and how to manage your collection, including
how to clean and store computers. Each chapter opens with
an Anecdote and ends with an Profile.
A Profile tells you about another collector - why or how
they started collecting and a description of their
collection. I am humbled by their acceptance to
participate in this endeavour. You'll know what I mean
after you read about them.
Anecdotes are mostly from my own experiences. They no
doubt pale in light of your own. Each Anecdote is a brief
story about the trials, tribulations and thrills of collecting.
I have not tried to make this a pricing guide, although
the topic of Appraising is covered, and there isn't any
photographs.
I have tried to make this book:
* a practical reference;
* an entertaining piece of popular history;
* an encouragement.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
-----------------------------------------------------------
1. Collecting Computers
ANECDOTE.........How A PDP-9 Fixed A Leaky Garage Roof
Why do people collect computers?
Who collects computers?
History of the hobby.
Future of the hobby.
How to collect computers.
PROFILE.............Kevin Stumpf
2. What's collectible?
ANECDOTE.........The Last Sigma 9
Collecting terminology.
Collect computers.
Don't collect computers.
What will you collect?
PROFILE.............Doug Jones
3. Sourcing
ANECDOTE.........Stupid Internet Thread Yields 360/75
Sources.
Techniques.
Where will you go?
PROFILE.............Jay Jaeger
4. Appraising
ANECDOTE.........B220 Control Panel Not Lost In Space
Techniques.
What is value?
How much would you pay?
PROFILE.............Thierry Schembri
5. Acquiring
ANECDOTE.........The Case of the Shrinking 705
Establishing terms of ownership.
Getting your acquisition home.
PROFILE.............Bob Roswell
6. Cataloging
ANECDOTE.........Old GUI Computer Helps Resolve Sticky Situation
What should you catalog?
Tell it's story.
How to catalog.
PROFILE.............Bill von Hagen
7. Storing
ANECDOTE.........An Old Car For An Old Computer: Fair Trade?
Where are good places to store computers?
Storage conditions
Preparing for storage.
PROFILE.............Bob Manners
8. Restoring/Repairing
ANECDOTE.........Here's A Couple of Computers Beyond Repair
Cleaning.
Authenticity.
Before you turn it on...
PROFILE.............Carl Friend
9. Interesting Things to do with old computers
ANECDOTE.........What Does A Crane and A 360/22 Have In Common?
Educational.
Crafty.
Practical.
PROFILE.............Tom Carlson
ORDERING INFO
----------------------------------------------------------------
Copies are available for $18 + $4 (S&H) prepaid each, direct
from the publisher.
Please send your order to:
Unusual systems
220 Samuel Street
Kitchener, Ontario
N2H 1R6
For more information send a message to kstumpf(a)unusual.on.ca.
Please allow 4 weeks for shipping.
WE'RE READY TO TAKE YOUR ORDER. THANK YOU.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------
Kevin Stumpf * Unusual systems *
www.unusual.on.ca
+1.519.744.2900 * EST/EDT GMT - 5
Collector - Commercial Mainframes & Minicomputers from
the 50s, 60s, & 70s and control panels and consoles.
Author & Publisher - A Guide to Collecting Computers &
Computer Collectibles * ISBN 0-9684244-0-6
.