I've got to agree with the comments about the multitude of IBM PC clones,
not much in the way of classics there. One day I'll probably add a IBM PC
to my collection when I find one in good shape, but that would be about the
only PC clone I'm interested in adding to my collection. PC's are just to
common, and they don't really have anything that sets them apart.
For me part of what I enjoy about collecting classic computers is finding a
machine that has something really different. A good example is the 16-bit
Atari's and TOS, I find TOS (a windowing OS in ROM) incredibly cool. The
Amiga's with their specialty chipsets. Dual processor systems that run
CP/M and something else, such as the C-128 or Franklin Ace 1200. About the
only computer that I would term as a classic, that isn't represented at all
by the 10+ years definition would be the BeBox, and it never made it into
true commercial production.
The other reason I collect classic computers is to play with their OS's.
Well, it wasn't till about '91 with OS/2 1.3 that the PC even had an
acceptable OS. Although CP/M running native on a Pentium 133 is pretty
cool, and fast! By collecting Non-PC's there a tons of OS's to play with.
So while there are a tiny handfull of computers less than 10 years old that
I might term classic, I totally agree with the more than 10 years old
definition. As for historical significance, bah, what a crock. I don't
consider historical significance a requirement or of importance when it
comes to collecting classic computers. I collect them because I enjoy
working with them, and find them interesting.
On a simular note, has anyone noticed how much MS Windoz machines are
becoming like the Apple Lisa? It's fast reaching the point where you by a
PC and run proprietary MS software on it. Kind of reminds me of how
basically the only software for the Lisa was to Office Suite.
Zane
| Zane H. Healy | UNIX Systems Adminstrator |
| healyzh_at_ix.netcom.com (primary) | Linux Enthusiast |
| healyzh_at_holonet.net (alternate) | Classic Computer Collector |
+----------------------------------+----------------------------+
| For Empire of the Petal Throne and Traveller Role Playing, |
| see
http://www.dragonfire.net/~healyzh/ |
| For the collecting of Classic Computers with info on them. |
| see
http://www.dragonfire.net/~healyzh/museum.html |
Received on Sun Nov 16 1997 - 14:41:19 GMT