collectors vs. enthusiasts

From: daniel <daniel_at_internet.look.ca>
Date: Wed Oct 13 12:13:00 1999

-----Original Message-----
From: Eric Smith <eric_at_brouhaha.com>
To: Discussion re-collecting of classic computers
<classiccmp_at_u.washington.edu>
Date: Wednesday, October 13, 1999 12:29 PM
Subject: collectors vs. enthusiasts


>> It's crazy. I can't believe what they are paying on EBay for less than
>> *incomplete* systems. I could see $1400 with drives, running, tested,
>> manuals, etc... but a shell??????
>
><rant>
>That's because eBay is where "collectors" hang out. Not people like us,
>for whom collector is an insufficient/inaccurate term.



Well, if you are looking for a good home for one of stright 8s and for a
decent $ then please e-mail me!

I won't hang the core memory on the wall and I will get it running!

I agree with you on the "collector" term. That PDP 8 was bought for $1300
because it was a nice looking desktop unit. Rack mount minis don't even get
bids on EBay!

I use EBay to try and buy parts (never heard of any of lists/groups like
this one a month ago.).

I lost the H214 core memory module I needed from EBay from a sniper bidder
wanting to frame it (I think).


john





>
>It's like the difference between coin or stamp collectors and classic
>car enthusiasts. A coin or stamp collector gets the coin or stamp he's
>been drooling over, puts it in a book or in a display on his wall,
>checks it off a list, and he's done. Since coins and stamps don't "do"
>anything, that's fine.
>
>But a classic car enthusiast maintains classic cars in working order (or
>at least attempts to do so), and drives them now and then. They're not
>just a checklist item.
>
>A seemingly large percentage of the computer "collectors" on eBay are
>just people who see collecting computers exactly like collecting coins.
>They don't give a shit whether the thing works, as long as it looks cool
>and will impress their friends. Hell, if they got a PDP-8 that did
>work, they wouldn't know what to do with it aside from destroying the
>core planes to make wall hangings.
>
>That's why I personally will try never to sell any truly rare items on
>eBay. I'd rather make sure that they go to a good home, rather than be
>obligated to sell to one of these collector" assholes, just because he
>had deep pockets.
></rant>
>
>Eric
>
Received on Wed Oct 13 1999 - 12:13:00 BST