Why do some of us collect old computers ?

From: Phil Clayton <handyman_at_sprintmail.com>
Date: Fri Oct 23 11:34:25 1998

I have sometimes wondered why some of the people on this forum want to
fool around with these old computers..

Which brings up I hope an interesting discussion topic..

Why do some of us want to collect these old computers. ??

Personally I have around 90 computers, and possibly 30 monitors and
printers in my collection.
Many Boxes of Old manuals, computer magazines, and thousands of old
computer programs on thousands of diskettes. All from the Pre-DOS era..
Most people think I am crazy for hanging on to all this stuff. So why do I
do it..?

When I make an appointment to see a Mental Therapist perhaps I will have
a better answer, but for now I think its because of my early experience
with computers in the late 70's..

I remember like it was yesterday in 1976 seeing a Commodore Pet 2001 8K
RAM computer at a local electronics store. I looked in awe fascinated at
the thought of owning a machine with such obviously unlimited power. I
watched in amazement as it went through its demo program with actual
graphics.. If only I could raise $599.00 for it..
I was in my early 20's newly married and dirt poor so it didn't happen.
Then in 1977 I visited my favorite store Radio Shack, where I owned almost
one of everything in the store.. Really! And then I noticed something,
there is was in all its glory on a pedestal in the middle of the store, a
crowd was huddled around it. It was a TRS-80 Model 1, 4K RAM, Level one
basic computer,.. Only $595.00 for the Keyboard, monitor, and cassette.. I
was still dirt poor, but the manager of the store said the magic phrase "
We can finance it for you "... Without thinking another thought driven by
pure impulse I said "I want one"!!! He then added sorry you will have to
wait about 6 weeks, they are on special order only.. I signed the loan
application and waited for what seemed like eternity 3 weeks for my
computer.. At the time I was a Guitar Player playing professionally in
Night Clubs for a living, I would come home at 2 am in the morning and
stay up all night writing BASIC programs on this computer on this power
house of a machine.. My friends were amazed at it, and relatives were
impressed, my Wife hated it <Grin> no doubt I spent way to much time on
it.. Somehow I felt like it would change my life, and it did..
In only 1 year I gave up playing professionally and moved my Wife and I to
Dallas/Fort Worth Texas in hopes of a Job at Tandy Corporation.. I was
turned down because of no working experience in computers (I did have 2
yrs training in electronics), however next day I secured an entry level
job at a computer company that specialized in communications. That was 22
years ago,
today I own my own business specializing in Networks , LANS, WANS.. I have
owned my business (Just myself) for now 9 years. I work on 400Mhz Pentium
based Servers with lighting speed and totally enjoy it., but I still get
my biggest kick from booting my old Osborne 01 computer or my TRS-80 model
1 computer and watching them clunk along at it 2 Mhz, no graphics, no
sound, just old fashioned text..
I remember the old console radio's I used to tear apart in the 50's as a
kid are now worth thousands of dollars, and know that old computers will
also be worth thousands as time goes on, but its more than monetary value
to me. Somehow I think these old computers take me back in time, and
perhaps make me feel the excitement and the energy I did with my first
computer in 1977..

So what's Your story ?, why do some of you hang on to all this crap..

Phil...
Received on Fri Oct 23 1998 - 11:34:25 BST