I just wanted to pass along a note about the recent Vintage Computer
Festival that Sam Ishmaiel and friends put on this previous weekend.
(Oct. 25th & 26th, 1997) IT WAS GREAT!
Besides being a wonderful chance to get a personal look at computers
you may have only read about or seen in magazines or never knew even
existed, there ware many interesting people with their own stories
behind the machines on display. All one had to do was hang around a
particualr section and it wasn't long before you were in a conversation
about that computer or product line. I became aquainted with many
facinating individuals from those who have been there since the early
days to those who are new to classic computing. A few words of levity
between computer camps (you know, Apple, Atari, Commodore, MITS, IMSAI,
etc.) but alot of respect for everyone.
Some of the people who attended (including myself) had the opportunity
to get table space to sell 'extras' in their collection not just only to
make a couple bucks and get some more precious storage space (to buy
goodies from other tables), but also be safe in the knowledge that your
stuff was going to a good place, other collectors. Unfortunately not
everybody did as well, some people selling more contemporary hardware
were greeted by many looking for classics to start-out or to add to
their collection. At least one person commented about the lack of any
stuff for S-100 bus systems and I was surprised at the demand for PETs
(6 to 8 people inquired me about them) no 2001/8k models here, but one
dealer was able to have a few people walk out smiling with a few 4000
series units.
As with the rest of the event, the workshops were informative and
on-topic as well, with such topics as Early BBS systems, Software
Preservation, to the final talk about Processor Technology and the SOL
computer (By the SOL creators Lee Felzenstein and Bob Marsh themselves)
which included a display and powering up of the first SOL! The festival
was all I hoped for and more. :)
Sam, you did great, and please don't hesitate to let us know next year
what we can do to help you (advertising, display units, doumentation,
software, anything!)
One of Sam's comments was that by displaying so much of his collection
he had the opportunity to re-organize his storage space when he put it
back away, sounds like a good way to get more displayers.
Lastly, if you took pictures during the event, let Sam know as he
talked about making up a web-page display of VCF 1.0 and didn't have the
opportunity to take very many himself.
Sorry if I am getting to wordy here, but I hope VCF becomes as great
as it promises to be and also an example for others who wish to get a
vintage computer festival going in their own region.
Larry Anderson
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Received on Mon Oct 27 1997 - 23:14:40 GMT