Making the decision to specialize on a particular classic comp.

From: Tony Duell <ard_at_p850ug1.demon.co.uk>
Date: Sat Apr 24 16:07:00 2004

>
>
> 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 sometimes (mentally) kick myself because I didn't buy up 'common' home
computers about 20 years ago (things like ZX80s, TI99/4a's, etc) and now
I don't have them in the collection. On the other hand, I am not really a
collector, more a hacker, so I am glad I bought the obscure stuff (P850,
PDP's, Nanocomp, etc) which is probably more interesting to work on.

>
> 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?

Depends on what you're really interested in. If you like minicomputers,
and like them becuase they're multi-user machines, or because they've got
processors built from TTL that you can get inside with a logic analyser,
or... then you might as well not bother with the home micros. If you want
to have a more historically-based collection then you probably should
keep the micros too.

> 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

Well, I would always want to keep at least one composite video monitor
around, it's useful for all sorts of purposes. And of course good
monitors can be repaired.

However, I suspect somebody will still be selling composite-input boxes
for whatever display is current in 20 years time. There's so much stuff
around with composite outputs that people will still want to use.

-tony
Received on Sat Apr 24 2004 - 16:07:00 BST