Is it time for an International Vintage Computer Association? Was: Yo

From: Bill Dawson <whdawson_at_mlynk.com>
Date: Mon Jun 26 23:31:48 2000

-> > Sounds like a great way to raise funds for the museums would be
-> > passed up this way. The museum could always auction off what they
-> > didn't need, on site or on the Web, offer on lists like this one to
the
-> > highest bidder, etc. Funds raised this way could then go for museum
-> > support, other acquisitions, expansion, public education
-> >programs, etc.
->

-> RCS/RI does this already (and also because we are moving away from
the
-> micro and workstation arena). Too bad one of our first Ebay customers
-> turned out to be a big jerk...

Sorry to hear one of the first deals went bad. Or was that comment a
dig at someone we know? How have the other auctions been doing?


-> On the flip side, we at RCS/RI can not devote tons of time to selling
-> stuff at auction, so lots of what we get does end up not being sold,
but
-> given away and so forth.

Perhaps someone hired to perform this task would pay for their salary
and more?
Maybe someone hired on a commission basis?

-> > I think the vintage computer field is slowly heading in the same
-> > direction as the antique/vintage radio arena, which is fairly
mature at
-> > this point. The parallels are significant and I'm sure many of you
are
-> > aware of this. We can all learn by the mistakes and achievements
made
-> > there and structure ourselves (vintage computer
collectors/historians)
-> > /preservationists) accordingly.


-> It is actually happening without the need to "structure ourselves".
It
-> happens with all new fields of collectibles.


Perhaps I should have used the word "pattern"? Yes, similar things
occur
with most collectibles and their followers. Clubs, newsletters, meets,
conventions, suppliers, etc. I think though that as far as logistics
go,
we have much more in common with the antique radio collectors than with
collectors of Beanie Babies. The point I am trying to make is that all
we have to do is observe where the Antique Radio Collector field is
today
and how it got there. We are following the same path. We can take
shortcuts
and avoid pitfalls. Vintage computer collecting is not a fad, vintage
computers
are not Star Wars figures. Sellam and many others on this list have put
forth
great effort to put on the VCF's, which I hope to be able to attend
someday
soon. However, an IVCA, with elected officers, bylaws, dues, and
non-profit
status would be a great boost to this collecting field.

We are already having the equivalent of the AWA regional meets with the
VCF,
there are contests, and there are some clubs. However, I'm not aware of
any
_major_ Vintage Computer Newsletters (virtual or otherwise), and I don't
feel
discussion groups are in the same category. By newsletter, I mean
something
with articles focused on specific hardware, software, restoration
techniques
help columns and wanted to buy/sell area.


I know there are those that dread this hobby or whatever you want to
call
it heading in an organized direction, with the attendant increase of
publicity
and collectors. Why do I think this way? I see two types of vintage
computer
collectors, the true historical preservationists and the collectors.
Collectors
see organization and all that comes with it as a threat to their ability
to find
those rare pieces (find it first) and increased competition (pay as
little as
possible for it). Why else all the complaining about eBay and the
prices? Our
goal, if I understand it correctly, is the preservation of our computer
technology
for posterity. If an organized association greatly furthers this cause
than I
believe we should be focusing in that direction. And I'm not limiting
"we" to mean
just those on this list, but also those on the many other
vintage/classic hardware
and software lists as well. This can only help but further our cause of
historical
preservation.

Comments?

Bill

whdawson_at_mlynk.com
Received on Mon Jun 26 2000 - 23:31:48 BST