Selling it off. What would you keep ?

From: John Allain <allain_at_panix.com>
Date: Sat Nov 30 10:15:01 2002

Simply put my interest seems to have become centered on DEC-VAX-QBUS.
I save systems with some place in my own personal history timeline. I
was sysmgr/applications programmer on an 11/780 (at >1500 lbs) around
1981-1988 and microvaxes are cool manageble versions (at <100 lbs) of
the same thing. Right now I'm trying to build an RSX-11M PDP 11/34.

My save strategy encompasses all electronic equipment that I see, but it
goes like this: Did a well regarded company make it, Is there no damage,
Will/Does it work, Does it have an OS/software, Docs, Yes>How much does
it cost?, Weigh, Is it very hard to find elsewhere. And, ultimately
'what will I have to throw out to keep it?'*
No name PC's and anybodies' 286-486 I seem to have no problem in dropping.
People on the list know that sometimes I will pick up systems just for them
too.

I would disagree that classic computers are being tossed less frequently.
There is a sliding window of what is old relative to where we are now.
Ten years ago the hot old computer (5~10yo) would have been the workstation.
Now its the 486/P75/P100 and those are definitely being tossed (and boring,
but that's another issue).

John A.
*If the answer is 'the couch' then you've lost it.
Received on Sat Nov 30 2002 - 10:15:01 GMT