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

From: Marvin <marvin_at_rain.org>
Date: Tue Jun 27 16:35:15 2000

Tony Duell wrote:
>
> > > 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.
> >
> > See comment #1. Those "priviledged few" are generally the people that get
> > things done and manage their resources wisely. Personally, I would not want
> > someone without the ability to manage having any control over my collection.
> >
>
> Are you somehow suggesting that because I have almost no income and
> little money that I am somehow clueless and not fit to own or work on
> classic computers?
>
> Because if so, I take that as a very personal insult.

I have no idea how you read "clueless ..." into "ability to manage". What I
said was a statement of fact, and certainly not an insult to you or anyone
else. My frame of reference in all of this is managing a large collection
such as what a museum might have on display, or an organization such as the
IVCA. We all have different talents and interests, and a good technical
background does not necessarily imply good management skills.

My collection at this point numbers conservatively in the many, many
thousands of manuals, docs, etc. as well as close to a thousand computers,
monitors, printers, and peripherals. Some of the stuff (Polymorphic
software) is irreplacable. I am acutely aware of the need for management and
organizational skills (which I do not have, and have no particular desire to
acquire) needed to do something with the collection.

I might add (and this is also *not* an insult) that your situation, and
mine, is a result of our choices in life. Money is certainly not a driving
force in my life, and people who have been to my house understand that :).

> I see no correlation _at all_ between the amount of money a person
> happens to have and their interest in computer restoration. Or their
> knowledge of electronics/computing/engineering/etc. Or their ability to
> keep a collection together and look after it.

This thread started because Jeff was complaining about the rising prices of
acquiring this stuff, and how this would lead to not being able to be a part
of this hobby. My comment was basically that the people who had money to but
this stuff had (for the most part) already demonstrated an ability to manage
their resouces (money) wisely in a way to make them increase (or at least
not decrease.) *Those* are the people able to organize a successful
organization. One example here on the list is Sellam; he didn't just talk
about a computer show but went ahead and started something. And Sellam has
been one of the people on this list saying that the machines are still
available for free or very little (at least in parts of the US.)

Another thought re participation, the people without organizational skills
generally end up working for someone that has them. Hence the participation
can still be there, just not the control.

I would disagree with your statement that there is no correlation between a
persons resources and an ability to keep a collection together and look
after it. It needs to be added that I am talking in the context of the
original thread; that of an IVCA. Would you (or Jeff) really feel
comfortable trying to manage such an organization? Everything I have seen
from you to date indicates that you are extremely competent from a technical
standpoint, and would most likely be bored to death with the details of
running such an organization. However without skills such as yours, a
collection would be nothing more than a stagnant display or pile of boxes.
There is a place for anyone who wants to be a part.
Received on Tue Jun 27 2000 - 16:35:15 BST