At 22:48 25-06-98 -0700, dave dameron <ddameron_at_earthlink.net> wrote:
>Hello All,
>I have been working on a "no name" S-100 computer for some time, and finally
>have gotten it to work! No name =
>Godbout 12 slot motherboard. Cards:
>Ithica Audio Z-80 card
-- snip list of boards, s/w and impressive list of work that had gone
into getting the machine up --
>
>In 10 or ? years, how will I pass it along "to the next generation"? I don't
>think any public museum would want a "no name" box, and from the museum
threads,
>doesn't sound like a good idea, anyway. I know no one personally that has
>these "old" computer interests except maybe the speculator type, only this
>list. Those with private museums, will you be collecting this stuff in say
>20 years, or will you be looking to pass it along? To ???
Keep an eye on this list as I would imagine (and hope) it will be still
existing in some sort of form 10+ years from now. (Let's not go into the
depths of speculation as to how exactly this list will still exist. Who
knows exactly? If it indeed does not, by following it we will see its
evolution toward whatever its destiny) During that period anyway, I would
think either you would gain collecting relationships with others here and
find someone you feel comfortable with selling/passing it to, discover
museums who actually are interested in preserving "homebrew" or no-name
machines or even find some other worthwhile destination.
Incidentally, I think you meant by the statement above,
">... I know no one personally that has
>these "old" computer interests except maybe the speculator type, only this
>list."
that you mean _two_ _separate_ types of groups: speculators and us on this
list? ;)
As to the rest of us in 20+ years, I can only speak for myself in that I'll
want to make sure my collection of radios and classic computers and all
associated documents, parts, etc. is distributed to the folks/institutions
I want. In the AWA, I've seen may estates have a difficult time getting rid
of radio collections, etc. Widows who are not really into their late
husband's hobby have been really stuck. I've heard of some really
significant artifacts getting trashed and/or given to unrelated
organizations who had no idea how to handle the stuff. Those artifacts were
lost forever. One widow in New Jersey had to get rid of over _two hundred_
early military, commercial and amateur radio receivers (conservative
estimate of 15,000+ pounds [over 6800 kg]). He passed away without warning
with no plan. AWA helped auction the estate for her at our National
Conference auction. Another collector who was my close friend also died
suddenly. Four buildings full of stuff. After _four_ years, our other
friends who live close by to his widow are just winding down on
selling/auctioning his estate at various radio fleamarkets and events. With
that said, I still need to make a written plan myself stating how/where my
collection will be distributed. My wife and family will certainly
appreciate the help. Where my computer gear goes is still a question.
Another radio collector friend who's about 73 years old and has had a
stroke already has _everything_ precisely listed as to where his collection
goes and who gets what. This is something for all of us to consider who
feels strongly about our collections. Who knows, that bus coming down the
street may suddenly jump the curb and.....
>For old radios I can consider the AWA museum, as assume it will be around
>longer than any individual, but they probably don't want a lot of homebrew
We hope to have the museum around forever. We're working further to that
end as of now with the start of some serious long range planning. We would
for sure consider estate donations although we are bursting at the seams
and must consider how to handle new donations. If you've been to the museum
in Bloomfield, NY, you already may know this Dave. Someday, a new large
building somewhere!
>stuff. The brand names already "restored" radios are too expensive and rare
>for me, anyway.
Yeah, those DeForest Spherical Audions, IP501's and Radiola VII's coming
out of an old attic are a bit like finding an IBM 360 or suchlike nowadays
:-)
>Thanks,
>Dave
>
--Chris
-- --
Christian Fandt, Electronic/Electrical Historian
Jamestown, NY USA
Member of Antique Wireless Association
URL:
http://www.ggw.org/freenet/a/awa/
Received on Mon Jun 29 1998 - 09:30:19 BST