What Classic Computer are All About - A Lovers View

From: Sam Ismail <dastar_at_crl.com>
Date: Thu Jul 10 23:24:23 1997

On Thu, 10 Jul 1997, thedm wrote:

> Actually, I collect for the sake of collecting, I make no money off it, ask
> my wife :) I collect so in 10 more years, I can play with toys I played
> with 20 years ago. That and to watch everyone freak when they see my
> dinosaurs alive and feeding on a daily basis.

I also collect for the sake of collecting. But I also collect stuff that
I specifcally don't want but know I can make money off of. I won't try
to justify it because I don't have to. But I will explain that it pays
the collection bills (no not my outstanding debt but the debt that this
hobby can put you in if you go ape-shit like I did). I can pick stuff up
dirt cheap at swap meets and thrift stores and sell it on the internet
for enough profit to break even on the hobby. It was the only way I
could get my wife to tolerate it. (Just in case you're wondering I make
it a point to sell stuff at cost on this discussion because, let's face
it, we're all friends, and I don't like profiting from friends). (No,
seriously).

I don't think anyone should be embarrassed to admit that they sell
classic stuff. Those who sell are basically performing a service to
those who don't have access to what they are selling! This hobby takes
time and energy. I fully intend to turn my hobby into one that will
support itself. With stuff like my Vintage Computer Festival as well as
my ultimate plans to become a dealer in "exotic antique computer
hardware" (yeah right), I expect to start pulling in a little extra dough
to make for a positive cash flow. Can't help it...it's the entrepreneur
in me. I turn everything I do into a money machine.

> On a subnote, you all are intelligent people, but man, I think some folks
> need to lighten up and enjoy the water. But I guess, one part of me just

Yep. Everyone just smoke a bowl and chill.

> As far as knowing what we all have, maybe we should add to our rescue list,
> a non fancy, listing of what everyone has, not for trading, but just as a
> reference. Then when I'm at my next flea market...etc. I can say, "Hey, I
> know John dosn't have a Coco1, maybe he'd like one, it's 2 bucks, Heck, I
> just grab it."

That's what I love about this discussion group. I can almost ALWAYS get
information on a system I am interested in. Its a terrific resource and
I value it, and I hope I am putting as much into it as I am taking out.

As for the "what-I-have" resource list, I think this is a good idea but I
know what a daunting task it can be to catalog your stuff, especially
when you have a large collection. However, I am almost done doing just
that with my collection. So far, I have a database that contains every
singular console, peripheral, and board that is in my collection.
Eventually I will HTML-ize it and put it up in a web page for people to
browse. Items that are up for trade will be indicated and it will make
it easy for people to trade with me and/or just see what I got.

Sam
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Computer Historian, Programmer, Musician, Philosopher, Athlete, Writer, Jackass
Received on Thu Jul 10 1997 - 23:24:23 BST