Minicomputer Storage Myths

From: Bill Girnius <thedm_at_sunflower.com>
Date: Tue Jul 22 11:55:41 1997

Wanna here a crying shame!? I only collect micros, simply because I'm not
at all familiar with Unix, Vax, or any flavor thereoff. I have an 18X24
room in the basement of my house devoted to not just storing my collection,
but having it setup and running. If I knew more about these machines, I'd
probably love to have one.

----------
> From: Carl R. Friend <carl.friend_at_stoneweb.com>
> To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
<classiccmp_at_u.washington.edu>
> Subject: Minicomputer Storage Myths
> Date: Tuesday, July 22, 1997 11:42 AM
>
> In a few assorted threads I've seen under various names like "RSTS/E
> Manuals" and "Minis not 'Trendy'", several folks have put forward the
> argument that minicomputers are too large to collect easily. I have one
> word: "hogwash".
>
> For the most part, your typical minicomputer fits securely in a 19"
> wide rack. They're typically either around 5.5" or 11" high, or there-
> abouts, and they're usually 22-30" deep with some going a little
> deeper. They stack nicely for the most part as all the surfaces are
> at right angles to one another. They do weigh a certain amount, but
> usually do not top 100 pounds or so.
>
> Yes, collecting them does take creative space management.
>
> I noticed that one chap has installed his pdp11 under his bed; good
> call! I hadn't thought of that one...
>
> Another guy gripes about putting a mini in his Honda Civic for
> transport. My wife did just that when she came home with a DG Nova 1200
> for me a few years back; it fit very comfortably in the trunk. I just
> got back from a trip to the US Midwest with two minis in two 6' bays
> in the back of my minivan (story coming on my website).
>
> Kevan has room in his loft for a half-dozen minis or so (looked
> at the pictures) once he gets things organised (sorry, Kevan) with
> space left over.
>
> I keep three minicomputers (half-height Novas) on a kitchen counter
> underneath our coffee-pot (I really should get a picture of that). I
> also have a small rack with three of my pdp11s in it living in the
> dining-room of our house - it makes a wonderful stand-up terminal
> stand. Smaller racks can be utilised as end-tables.
>
> The ultimate space-management tool in dealing with minis is the
> six-foot rack. In one of them you can mount an easy half-dozen
> machines; if you share peripherals, they can all be used too. Un-
> fortunately, my wife drew the line at that one, so I use the "scatter
> method" of space management.
>
> The bottom line is that _it's not as big a deal as it's made out
> to be_! It can be done, it should be done, and not enough people are
> doing it. The machines are disappearing - and that's a shame.
>
> ______________________________________________________________________
> | | |
> | Carl Richard Friend (UNIX Sysadmin) | West Boylston |
> | Minicomputer Collector / Enthusiast | Massachusetts, USA |
> | mailto:carl.friend_at_stoneweb.com | |
> | http://www.ultranet.com/~engelbrt/carl/museum/ | ICBM: N42:21 W71:46 |
> |________________________________________________|_____________________|
Received on Tue Jul 22 1997 - 11:55:41 BST

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