ebay

From: Stephen Dauphin <ai705_at_osfn.org>
Date: Mon Oct 26 15:54:26 1998

Sam, I'll apologize ahead of time for the bluntness but not for the
opinion as I feel it has to be said.

On Mon, 26 Oct 1998, Sam Ismail wrote:

>> I joined the list some time ago because it was a means to get information
>> about some of the old computers I have collected, hardware and software
>> wise. This list no longer serves that purpose.

> With that I think its time to post the FAQ again...

> P.S. I have decided to take on the responsibility for maintaining the FAQ.

And what is the point of this "Comrade" Sam? We can post generally
useless trophy lists (thankfully rare lately) and brag but we should not
discuss the ins and outs of acquiring computers via Ebay? It isn't like
we are discussing beanie babies here or the other 97% of Ebay auctions.


> If you look hard enough, you can ALWAYS find something around you,
> cheaper, and it won't cost you shipping. This is of course more true for
> some people than others (like a poor slob in Alaska trying to collect
> computers) but I've learned this lesson many times. Everything I've ever
> bought off eBay has turned up locally for a fraction of the price.
> Sometimes only a week later.
>

Well at least you can admit that there are varying degrees of difficulty
depending on location. I don't think you guys on the West Coast have an
appreciation of how helpful that spot is.

There was a recent discussion on the list of being dropped on a desert
island and establishing civilization. I say we parachute Sam in his
underpants with a knife and a compass into some podunk in the Midwest,
and see how fast he comes up with a Vintage Computer Festival, even the
size of the first, from scratch.

I say that Ebay with some limiting parameters is on topic. I'd hate to
think that some people with arbitrary advantages could cut off debate on
any subject their advantage makes moot. I also don't remember the FAQ
specifying the discussion of nothing but solder and lead fumes and
nothing more advanced than a transistor. This is a more general purpose
list than that. The topic will die down nicely of its own accord when
everybody has had their say. Those truly offended can simply unsubscribe
for a couple of weeks and then resubscribe. I make the suggestion because
I have done it myself.


                                               -- Stephen Dauphin
Received on Mon Oct 26 1998 - 15:54:26 GMT