On Tue, 27 Jun 2000, Chuck McManis wrote:
> Recently Jeff and Marvin have been debating the collecting cost issue
> again. This was one of Jeff's salvos:
>
> >What I *do*
> >care about though, are the poor stiffs who would like to pursue
> >computing as a hobby, but will instead have to find something
> >else to do, because the prices are out of sight.
>
> This is both true and a fiction at the same time. If you want to pursue
> computer collecting as a hobby there are many underrepresented areas that
> are still cheap. For example, PC/AT class computers. (aka 80286 based
> machines).
>
> These typically sell for in the $1 - $15 range at most places, they are
> also available for free in quite a few places.
Other ideas:
* create an archive of software...you can find disks for all types of
computers at thrift stores and flea markets; generally a buck or less a
piece; a software archive is a very important element in this hobby,
since not many people seem to be archiving software on a large scale
* create a classic computer book library...you can find them in hoards at
thrift stores, library book sales, and of course used book stores
(although used book store prices tend to be a little high usually); such
a library will be an indespensible resource for your local computer
collector community; don't forget computer manuals and software manuals
as well
* create an ephemera archive: t-shirts, buttons, posters, etc; this would
basically be a material culture archive, which may bring you big bucks
later on when a researcher or someone writing a book wants to borrow
your collection to get some photos
All of these things can still be found cheaply and will probably remain so
since they are not as glamourous as the machines themselves (although I
would argue that software and manuals are MORE important than the
machines).
> You can complain about how your feet are tired and
> your wallet is empty, but it won't change anything.
I like that :)
Sellam International Man of Intrigue and Danger
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Looking for a six in a pile of nines...
VCF 4.0 is September 30-October 1
San Jose Convention Center, San Jose, California
See
http://www.vintage.org for details!
Received on Tue Jun 27 2000 - 14:53:38 BST