Why?

From: Marvin <marvin_at_rain.org>
Date: Sat Jun 21 10:53:48 1997

e.tedeschi wrote:
>
> Marvin wrote:
>
> >
> > In almost all cases, I find it MUCH better to ask about something
> > perceived as a problem rather than let it simmer and finally boil out of
> > control. I am rather curious as to where, or perhaps how, your reaction
> > developed. Banned from a list? I would sure hope not as I haven't even
> > seen a hint of justification for that action.
>
> Well, to get more specific, I have the (perhaps wrong) feeling that:
>
> a) You are against collectors who collect for the historical importance
> onyl and are not really worried if the item works or not (as long as all
> the parts are in there and the thing can be made to work if and when
> required). I have been ridiculized when I suggested this one way to go
> about collecting.
>

I must have missed that post where you indicated you were ridiculed. As
I said in my earlier post, not *everything* in the collection works but
I do try to have as much as possible working. Working is not my
criteria for saving machines as I have seen VERY little that cannot be
repaired. As most of us have said, we collect to save stuff from going
to the dump.

> b) You are against collectors who want ot take out bits and pieces from
> the systems in order to show them separately (but retaining and perhaps
> even ehibiting the "crippled" item). I have been refused help in thsi
> respect when it became apparent I was going to do this.
>

I gather you are talking about the 8008 and/or the 4004
microprocessors? I guess that is a matter of individual attitude. Just
because an item is not complete, it wouldn't slow me down if I wanted to
exhibit it. I take parts from different stuff all the time although I
would much prefer to obtain the new parts if possible.

> c) You are against helping "foreigners" (and therefore "different")
> collectors to export "your" stuff perhaps in the wrong perception that
> it will diminish the heritage of the country (yours). I have striken a
> deal with one of the subscriber here and he disappeared in the distance
> after a while (he did not answer anymore...) By the way does anybody
> need British stuff? I would be glad to help you with it.
>

I haven't seen this except for some concern about the costs involved.
As far as getting British computers, I would love to do that and don't
mind trading. However my reluctance comes only from not having any idea
of the cost involved.

> Of course I have no proof of the above but from the short experience I
> had here, I think that the problem exhists as opposed to the "openess"
> of other American collecting groups like, for example, the radio
> collecting community which has been VERY helpful with me and other
> "foreigners" to buy and export stuff from the USA and CANADA (what about
> the stuff you ARE importing from overseas then?).
>

Also, I think you are being a bit broad with your use of the word
"you." There are flaky people in every activity I have ever seen, and I
doubt that this one is any different.
Received on Sat Jun 21 1997 - 10:53:48 BST