Making the decision to specialize on a particular classic comp. arch?

From: Teo Zenios <teoz_at_neo.rr.com>
Date: Sat Apr 24 08:19:26 2004

----- Original Message -----
From: "Thomas Dzubin" <dzubint_at_vcn.bc.ca>
To: <cctalk_at_classiccmp.org>
Sent: Saturday, April 24, 2004 8:39 AM
Subject: Making the decision to specialize on a particular classic comp.
arch?


>
> I'm wondering if anyone else has this problem.
> For years and years, I've basically collected anything
> non-Wintel old-ish (older than ten years) computer-related stuff.
> I've got quite a few systems which aren't really "rare" like Commodore
> 64, Radio Shack Cocos & MC-10s, TI-99s, etc. etc.
>
> I've also been amassing a collection of DEC PDP and VAX "stuff" which
> I work on, use, and enjoy on a regular basis.
>
> My basement is a mess and I'm starting to think about scaling back by
> selling or giving away some of the non-DEC common stuff.
> (I regularily see Commodore 64s on eBay for $20)
>
> Is this specializing the right approach? Am I likely going to be kicking
> myself in fifteen years because I *had* a working Radio Shaft Colour
> Computer and I eBay-ed it for $10?
> Also in my mind is the possible demise of analog TV and it may not be
> possible to find a TV with a composite-input to plug my C64 into in
> fifteen years if everything (including broadcast) is digital
>
> Any thoughts, comments, or opinions?
>
> Thomas Dzubin
>

If you get most of your computers for free from people getting rid of theirs
its hard to specialize. I buy exactly the models I want, which fall into
older game machines (either owned at one time or never had) and work
machines (older mac and pc). I only get the ones I really want so I can keep
the volume manageable and still have space to set everything up for use.

Its hard to turn down a free machine you never had, but sooner or later you
have to decide what computers you really want and stick to those.

My collection:

Apple IIgs
Mac IIfx
Mac 840AV
Mac AWS95
Powermac 8500
Powermac 7500
Amiga 500
Amiga 2000
Amiga 1200
Timex 2068
C64
C128
Tandy 1000 HX

Various Wintel computers from 386 to XP1500+

Everything except the Tandy HX and IIgs are setup to run now, have to clear
some room on a table to set those up. Nothing really rare of hard to find
but that's not the point of the collection.

As far as the analog TV , they will be around for quite a while especially
when companies will be selling digital converter boxes for them. I use
monitors instead of TV's for my machine so unless they die I am set for
quite a while.
Received on Sat Apr 24 2004 - 08:19:26 BST