Altair sale/use

From: John Lawson <jpl15_at_netcom.com>
Date: Fri Aug 14 11:46:28 1998

  Being the custodian of an Altair, an IMSAI system, a clutch of
NorthStars, etc., etc.... I am of the opinion that any activity
which tends to *preserve* the items of our interest is intrinsically
a Good Thing.

  I am a user and a collector of old systems, and I empathasize
strongly with the "Collect to Use" folks on this list. BUT: having
spent many years in the electronic surplus business, I also know that
side of things. Bob is making a good living in collectible computers
just now... 16 hrs a day 7 days a week (my kind of hours!!).... he
has discovered and turned over many classic systems... which would
be *where* today if not for his efforts??

  I understand the frustration when dilletantes invade and a
collectible 'fad' develops... it does, unfortunately, prevent some
of us from having the hardware we want. I wish that wasn't so, but
it *is* the free market.

  There are, however, many aspects of this hobby... and there are
some who collect to use, some who 'warehouse', some who collect to
trade.

  To me, it all means that fewer Altairs will be lost forever....

  My $.02, anyway.

     
     Cheers

John

  PS: My Altair came from a big rack of 70's-era aerospace test
systems... I first saw it in one of the buildings of the surplus
company I worked for from 78 - 82. At that time, it was just one of
those wierd old S-100 machines... and I couldn't afford the IMSAI I
wanted... I ended up with a Cromemco Z2H. It was not until I
joined this list that I remembered about the Altair.. so I went
back to the old place, got the keys to the room.. and there it was,
dusty and forgotten. I paid my ex-boss $50 for it, and the rescue
was done. No, there aren't any more... trust me, I *looked* ;}

 J
Received on Fri Aug 14 1998 - 11:46:28 BST