PDP-12 on eBay

From: William Donzelli <aw288_at_osfn.org>
Date: Mon Jan 13 12:37:00 2003

> Could it by chance have something to do with the size of the systems, and
> the avaialability of the Operating Systems and software (and even
> documentation)?

Yes, certainly. DECs have mostly been run by bunches of grad students,
nutty profs, wacko scientists, all natural packrats. IBMs, as well as the
rest of the BUNCH, are run by suits. Very different cultures.

> For example, I pretty much always pick up any documentation I can find,
> I've got probably 5-7 full size bookcases full of DEC documentation (that
> doesn't include microfiche and electronic format). For IBM, I've got maybe
> a third of one shelf. For DG, I've got a three-ring binder. Admitadly, I
> look for DEC doc's, but still even more of it's found me, than I've found
> of the other stuff.

Docs do not seem to be the issue - DAC, IBM, DG, it all seems to have
survived well. If you look for IBM docs, you can get just as overloaded.

> OTOH, the first two pieces of my classic computer collection are IBM, a
> hand-held card punch (still in almost prefect condition), and a wierd
> magtape. I've had both for 20-30 years.

What is the magtape?

William Donzelli
aw288_at_osfn.org
Received on Mon Jan 13 2003 - 12:37:00 GMT