----- Original Message -----
From: William Donzelli <aw288_at_osfn.org>
To: <classiccmp_at_classiccmp.org>
Sent: Wednesday, May 10, 2000 1:46 AM
Subject: Re: Ebay Altair
> > I generally find eBay sells items for *less* money than the real world
when
> > it comes to classic computers. A *lot* of deep pocket collectors won't
use
> > the service to purchase old computers from. I have been told by many
that
> > they would rather do private offers or sales as eBay would *really* blow
the
> > prices out of perspective [take Nathan Myhrvold bids for example] . I
> > personally will have a running KL10 available for offers but would not
want
> > to sell such a mini as a "featured catagory item" on eBay - some items
just
> > don't sit well on eBay.
>
> When you go to sell the KL10 and set it as the benchmark value, please
> divide your value in two, as RCS/RI received a KL10 for free.
>
I am surprised at your logic William -
*Most* Museums aquire *very* expensive items for free... and the value of
those items don't drop in half because of it. I know someone who bought a
Group of 7 painting last month for 50 cents. Should they divide the
$35,000US value of the painting in half now? BTW: The KL10 sent to RCS was
not running was it?, and a year later now (or more), is *still* not running.
> Additionally, if you set a benchmark value for KS10s, please divide your
> value by six or so, as a number of us (RCS/RI, RICM, Carl,
> myself and others) have received machines for free. Street price kind of
> blows the mean, doesn't it?
>
KS10s are &^& (can't use that word here). I don't have a *single* order for
one - and never will.
> Another thing, stop advertising vaporware. I do not think you know what
> you are in for in a KL10. I know of that specific machine, but I doubt you
> will be able to boot it. Some of use are still waiting for that IBM S/360,
> anyway. And the PDP-1. And the KA10.
Vaporware? Think I've done pretty good. The IBM/360 was crushed as my offer
was not high enough - Union Carbide, Welland, Ontario. Kevin Stumpf was
going partners on it.
Which KL-10 do you think I am getting? It *is* running software now! Will be
emulated through June.
PDP-1 very high possibility. KA-10 - I have already had one, passed on
another for $300 from Beverly Surplus *before* they were worth anything.
I am finding most of these old kinds of computers (like the original
PDP-11s) through leads and engineers. I am told where they are - it's all a
matter of beating them to the crusher.
>
> Finally, it is very bad form to comment about a bidder's habits with a
> real name in a public forum. The whole idea behind eBay names is to shield
> the bidders. This idea applies to most non-government auctions in general.
>
> John B, you may be OK to talk to and certainly you know your way around a
> machine, but you need to take some night courses in ethics, economics,
> and statistics.
>
Funny William, I won't waste my time responding to your last comments
but.... I am finding most of these minicomputers in the United States, *not*
Canada.
Regards,
http://www.pdp8.com/
john
> William Donzelli
> aw288_at_osfn.org
>
Received on Wed May 10 2000 - 08:45:41 BST