24 Oct
1998
24 Oct
'98
5:21 a.m.
< Why do some of us want to collect these old computers. ??
As an engineer I like to study old computers as there were often some
good ideas or neat tricks encapsulated in them.
To have machines off the track I followed (intel/z80 or DEC). This leads
me to to aquire Kim-1s, Trackstar128s and the like.
To have and use machines I didn't own but worked with. Like PDP-8s,
Vaxen SDK85s, sdk88s and others.
To extend, modify or otherwise use the systems I did aquire over they
years. I may be unique as many of the oldest machines I have are
orginal purchases.
I have and use machines I could not afford in their time. Systems like
the Compupro, Visual 1050, PS2/50z are examples of this.
All of my systems are operational, many are used daily or weekly.
Allison
24 Oct
24 Oct
7:03 a.m.
For my part, it's for multiple reasons.
1). I have a very healthy respect, and deep affection, for many of the
early minicomputers because they're built so much better than almost
anything the PC world has turned out. That, and most of them were designed
to be field-repairable from the ground up. I grew up with many of the late
70's/early 80's DEC systems, and I very much enjoy working on them.
2). Since NetBSD is readily available, I also enjoy the opportunity to
actually put some of these systems into actual production. Example: One of
my DECServers is probably going to become our mail/web server once I get a
permanent Internet connection established. There's something about being
able to point to a running box, and being able to tell a visitor "No,
that's not a PC and Billy-boy Gates had absolutely nothing to do with its
operating system" that is most satisfying.
3). I hate waste. I'm a pack rat. If I do sell or trade any equipment, I
will have taken darn good care of it and at least tried to make sure it
works before it goes out the door. You want an example of companies that
are far more wasteful of electronic and computer hardware than they want
the world to think, have a look at both Boeing and Motorola's Comm Sector.
In all fairness, Boeing, at least, maintains an active surplus store. Yes,
95% of the non-PC stuff gets lot-sold to wholesalers, as does most of the
test gear, but at least it finds a home.
Motorola is not so kind. Any surplus radio or test gear that comes in from
the field is crushed and recycled for scrap, no matter if it's brand new or
was fractured in an accident of some sort. No Motorola employee(s) that I
know of were ever given the opportunity to give any of it a good home.
For types of surplus that are not generally available in Washington state,
I make an annual scrounging trip to the Bay Area (my former home). I've yet
to be disappointed with such trips. Heck, the first one I did back in 1994
netted me a Data I/O UniSite programming system.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Bruce Lane, Owner and head honcho, Blue Feather Technologies
(Hamateur: WD6EOS) (E-mail: kyrrin(a)jps.net) (Web:
http://table.jps.net/~kyrrin)
SysOp: The Dragon's Cave (Fido 1:343/272, 253-639-9905)
"Our science can only describe an object, event, or living thing in our own
human terms. It cannot, in any way, define any of them..."
8:09 a.m.
They sure store better in the house than classic cars <g>
Bruce Lane wrote:
For my part, it's for multiple reasons.
1). I have a very healthy respect, and deep affection, for many of the
early minicomputers because they're built so much better than almost
anything the PC world has turned out. That, and most of them were designed
to be field-repairable from the ground up. I grew up with many of the late
70's/early 80's DEC systems, and I very much enjoy working on them.
2). Since NetBSD is readily available, I also enjoy the opportunity to
actually put some of these systems into actual production. Example: One of
my DECServers is probably going to become our mail/web server once I get a
permanent Internet connection established. There's something about being
able to point to a running box, and being able to tell a visitor "No,
that's not a PC and Billy-boy Gates had absolutely nothing to do with its
operating system" that is most satisfying.
3). I hate waste. I'm a pack rat. If I do sell or trade any equipment, I
will have taken darn good care of it and at least tried to make sure it
works before it goes out the door. You want an example of companies that
are far more wasteful of electronic and computer hardware than they want
the world to think, have a look at both Boeing and Motorola's Comm Sector.
In all fairness, Boeing, at least, maintains an active surplus store. Yes,
95% of the non-PC stuff gets lot-sold to wholesalers, as does most of the
test gear, but at least it finds a home.
Motorola is not so kind. Any surplus radio or test gear that comes in from
the field is crushed and recycled for scrap, no matter if it's brand new or
was fractured in an accident of some sort. No Motorola employee(s) that I
know of were ever given the opportunity to give any of it a good home.
For types of surplus that are not generally available in Washington state,
I make an annual scrounging trip to the Bay Area (my former home). I've yet
to be disappointed with such trips. Heck, the first one I did back in 1994
netted me a Data I/O UniSite programming system.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Bruce Lane, Owner and head honcho, Blue Feather Technologies
(Hamateur: WD6EOS) (E-mail: kyrrin(a)jps.net) (Web:
http://table.jps.net/~kyrrin)
SysOp: The Dragon's Cave (Fido 1:343/272, 253-639-9905)
"Our science can only describe an object, event, or living thing in our own
human terms. It cannot, in any way, define any of them..."
12:29 p.m.
My reasons are probably different than most in the group in that I don't
actually collect the old computers.
I started in the business at IBM in 1964 and have a great deal of
background in older IBM equipment and enjoy reminiscing about it here.
I also have been very active with Commodore and the IBM PC.
I mainly buy old stuff to play with it for a while and then sell it on my
garage sale web site
gene@ehrich
http://www.voicenet.com/~generic
Computer & Video Game Garage Sale
6:25 p.m.
For me, it's because I find it fascinating to watch an industry grow up that I was
around for the beginning (at least pc's).
Some of the machines in my collection were ones that I always wanted but
could never afford. I lusted after a KIM-1 when I was in high school, but couldn't
afford one. Now, I have two and one belonged to Stan Ockers, one of the co-
authors of "The First Book of KIM" and it was used to debug and print out the
code listings used in the book. Apple II's were out of my reach as were Macs.
Now, I own a dozen or so.
The main focus of my collection is education. I exhibit at area libraries and I'm
talking to local schools about giving presentations to their CompSci classes.
Too many kids (man, now I sound like an old guy.............) have no clue about
where their fancy PII 3d DVD-enhanced boxes actually came from. (Of course
the kids who use Macs are a much brighter group overall............oh, stop it.)
I just feel that to better appreciate today's technology you should have an
understanding of where it came from. Plus, having tangible examples always
makes history palatable for me.
Actually, all the above is really just fancy words to justify my incurable case of
packrattitis, and so far my wife is buying it.........
Paul Braun
NerdWare -- The History of the PC and the Nerds who brought it to you.
nerdware(a)laidbak.com
www.laidbak.com/nerdware
9409
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4 comments
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participants (5)
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allisonp＠world.std.com -
gene＠ehrich.com -
kyrrin＠jps.net -
nerdware＠laidbak.com -
rhblake＠bigfoot.com