Taking control of your collection

From: John Allain <allain_at_panix.com>
Date: Tue Feb 5 09:34:32 2002

> How do YOU limit your collection...? Any guidelines ? Be stern.


Mind some life priorities. Don't give up my livingroom for
stackage. Have garage and a room for the collection. And
only that. Spend only After minding things like bills, savings,
and even small charities.

There are a few super presentable items in my living space,
but that is as if a "real" museum. Normal housekeeping rules
do apply.

Having a working vacuum, be signed up for curb trash pickup.

Watch for infinite loops. "This is too good for materials scrap,
not good enough for a working piece." (keep?/delete?/keep?...)
Decide.

Set "outplacement" priorities. Maybe you can't throw it out.
I don't.
But I do do this. Test for working state. If it works: Offer to list,
to Goodwill. If it fails any of these, part it out and send to metal
and plastic recyclers, keep the good bits.

Every once in a while I look everything over, recalling price paid,
working state, etc. Basicly PeeCee and Broken things can flow
out of the collection real easily, for when a better thing comes in.

Be aware that after some point, you Will have enough machines
to keep you busy indefinitely. That is the point where buying a
new thing will necessitate some other thing having to go. That
leads to a decision: sometimes what you already have will be
better, and you "stand" on that.

John A.
Received on Tue Feb 05 2002 - 09:34:32 GMT