vintage computers and lead poisoning?

From: Tony Duell <ard_at_p850ug1.demon.co.uk>
Date: Tue Jun 8 18:42:50 2004

>
> > They're not service manuals then, regardless of their titles.
>
> I tend to agree - but I was given them for nothing so
> I'm not in much of a position to complain. Anyway,

Wel, I complain about boardswapper guides even if they're free. The worst
I've ever seen is the one for the Torch XXX -- no schematics, and what
little technical info there is (like the block diagram) is wrong. And a
glossary that seems to be aimed at people with a mental age of 2 (and
that's being generous!).

Still, I have my own notes on the XXX which, even if I say so myself, are
actually useful...

> when I've been forced to purchase a real service=20
> manual for something I've needed to fix, the price
> has been anywhere between =A320 and =A390 (I assume

I bought the manuals for an old portable VCR and video camera system
recently, and they cost \pounds 40.00 for the 3 manuals (camera, VCR,
tuner/timer/PSU). I am not complaining!

> the upper limit is higher and I've just been lucky).

Try looking at DEC printset prices sometime... :-)

> For a =A320 MP3 player I think I'll have to think
> long and hard before shelling out that much.

Well, if the manual costs, say, \pounds 40, and you do, say, 3 repairs
using cheap components, then it's saved you money... I never object to
buyunbg real service data.

>
> > Why would anyone use a cassette player that is so poorly made=20
> > and apparently can't be calibrated?
>
> Dunno. I'd want a CD player anyway :-) Maybe if I take

I'd want reel-to-reel :-)

> OTOH there's eejits who are trying to drive the price up :-)

Well, if stuff was more expensive, you'd not mind buying the service
manuals, you'd not mind paying a sensible rate to have it repaired if you
couldn't do it yourself.

> I hate junking stuff (although I drew the line at keeping the
> drum out of the old Zanussi "just in case"). But I can do

IO asusme you did keep the useful bits (solenoid valves, motor, pump,
etc), though.

> simple sums to calculate expected cost-per-year of a product
> and if a cheap MP3 player costs =A320 and lasts 5 years
> (a guess, mine's still going after 3 despite being dropped)
> and an expensive one costs =A3100 I'm going to want some
> significant reassurance that the =A3100 one will last
> 25 years.
>
> If all you are saying is that you would like the
> opportunity to buy a =A3100 MP3 player (I'm assuming

That is, basically, what I am asking. I don't mind if other people are
happy with 50 quid VCRs (provided they don't expect me to work on them!),
but _I'd_ like to spend a little more (say about 10 times that) and get
something that was properly made.

Actually VCRs are a sort point with me at the moment. My parents want a
second one. As they store my collection and test gear, they expect me to
fix things, so I desparately don't want them to get one of the
sub-100-quid ones. I am actually looking for an old Fergusson 3V23, FV14,
etc (or their JVC versions), knowing that even if I have to spend another
100 quid on a head drum, service kit (rubber parts, tension band, etc),
the result will be worth it.

> that you can find one built to a spec that
> satisfies you for that price) then I'm all for that.
> But some of us would like to have a range of choices
> available which includes cheap stuff too.

No problem. I guess it's like cameras. Some peeople seem to be happy with
their digital things, for all the results _always_ look terrible to my
eyes. I'll stick to large-format film, thank you (which seems to be
roughly equivalent to 500 -- 1000 megapixels!).

>
> I occasionally pick up the TV rags here in the UK
> (I mean rags aimed at TV Service Engineers and not
> listings magazines). Pretty much every month there
> is a bit of a whinge about people not being
> prepared to pay to have a TV fixed (cost new,
> maybe =A350-=A3100 for a small one, typical call-out

And if tVs were more expensive to replace (sau a new one cost \pounds
500) then they would be prepared to pay for repairs.

> fee =A325 + =A325 for the first hour or part thereof:
> no I wouldn't pay that either!). The problem is
> not cheap goods but expensive people :-)=20

Do you seriously think you should pay less than \pounds 25 per hour?
That's what I charge for fixing HP calculators, and I have been told that
I am massively underselling myself. Problem is, if I charged any more,
even fewer people would pay for the repairs...

-tony
Received on Tue Jun 08 2004 - 18:42:50 BST