On Tue, 27 Jun 2000 00:31:48 -0400 "Bill Dawson" <whdawson_at_mlynk.com>
writes:
> 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.
Yeah, Beanie Baby prices are actually starting to go *down*. :^/
> 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.
God forbid. I'm glad I have little or no interest in 'Vintage'
radio-- I'd never be able to afford it.
> We can take shortcuts and avoid pitfalls. Vintage computer collecting
is
> not a fad,
No quite, but damn near
> 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.
I don't know about you, but I'll bet alot of guys here can't even
afford the air fare. I know I can't.
> However, an IVCA, with elected officers, bylaws, dues, and
> non-profit status would be a great boost to this collecting field.
Yeah, it's gonna give prices a real boost, alright. Tell me how
you think any kind of 'boost' is going to help, huh? I can see
it now: I'm at a local surplus place, and I pick out Widget (or
a part for one, more likely), and ask for a price. The guys says
"Uhhh, well, those are *collectable* now, you know. $50.". Never
mind the fact that I got one like it the year before for $10.
> 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.
Isn't it odd, how "True historical preservationists" always seem to
have the *deepest* pockets?
> 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).
Oh, okay, so I'm a 'collector' because I don't have thousands of dollars
to throw at this. I see. I don't know about you, but I got into this
because, at long last, I found a truly interesting hobby I could actually
*afford*. You're damned f'ing right I want to pay 'as little as
possible'.
That's the only way I'm going to be able to stay in this . . . .
I was priced out of stamp collecting in the 70's. I was priced out of
numismatics in the early 80's. I'll be goddamned if I'm going to stand
idly by, to watch this happen again.
> Why else all the complaining about eBay and the prices?
Because alot of us won't be able to participate if the prices get
too high, or are you so wealthy that this is too difficult for you
to comprehend?!?!
> Our goal, if I understand it correctly, is the preservation of our
> computer technology for posterity.
Yes. Preservation. Restoring and owning a truly historic computer is a
worthwhile and uplifting endeavour. Unfortunately, the way things are
going, it will soon be an endeavour for the privledged few.
> 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.
And I'm saying, all you will be doing is raising the cost of
admission. There's nothing anyone can do to stop you, of course.
If Classic Computing becomes a 'legitimate' hobby with a 'legitimate'
organization, then I guess there won't be room for amateurs
like myself. You professional 'true historical preservationists'
can have it.
This hobby is about people, as much as it is about technology
(old and new). If you're going to squeeze out a group of its
people, you may as well forget the group of technology that
will get squeezed out with them, for the ones who are in charge
won't care.
Jeff
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Received on Tue Jun 27 2000 - 10:11:29 BST