I think these two last posts are spot on.
There was definitely an unresolved itch to scratch with the IIcis, the Powerbook 180s, and the Powerbook 1400c I purchased. As I get on in life, I think that all you end up with are your prides and your regrets. Hopefully the stuff you're proud of is actually meaningful, and hopefully the stuff you regret is curable by spending a little money on an old computer. I count myself lucky. 3 90s era Apple laptops, most of 2 IIcis, and the usual brace of peripherals and software is a lot less expensive than an H3 or a Mustang.
The reactionary urge is another thing as well. After I read the LEM article about software bloat and such I had to agree. I started thinking about the wonderful paper correspondences I once had with people--it's been well over ten years since I sent an envelope containing a letter that I wrote with a pen. I mean, gee, if all we got from cpu clock speeds increasing by two orders of magnitude was wow, I can achieve roughly the same things I did with 4MB and 16MHz, why not revert? If I'm not the only one thinking this way, there should be an increase in the sort of purchasing trends that will see stiffer competition for classic equipment.
Also, there is someone out there right now who as a teenager thought if they only had a Lombard G3, they would be the next great American novelist. Instead, they settled on something else and when the time is ripe, they will look to eBay for succour. What's popular will shift. But there will never be a run on IIvis. Ever. Never happen.
On another note: I mentioned to someone, "You ever try to write a difficult paper on a computer hooked up to the internet?" Sweet Christ sometimes how I long for a computer that is physically unable to download and display a video of Elton John, Sting, Lady GaGa, and Bruce Springsteen singing Don't Stop Believin' by Steve Perry.
I know that some people purchase this sort of thing to establish "geek cred." I know that I get a lot of laughs from the Vectrex that sits in the corner of my office. I came by it honestly as a Christmas present in 1983. But there are people who will buy it just to display it, like a sculpture.
Consider this: If you can purchase $50 worth of broken gear, recap it and cannibalize it and put it in working order and sell it for more, is this good or bad for the hobby? Is this good or bad for the 68K community?
Best,
John
There was definitely an unresolved itch to scratch with the IIcis, the Powerbook 180s, and the Powerbook 1400c I purchased. As I get on in life, I think that all you end up with are your prides and your regrets. Hopefully the stuff you're proud of is actually meaningful, and hopefully the stuff you regret is curable by spending a little money on an old computer. I count myself lucky. 3 90s era Apple laptops, most of 2 IIcis, and the usual brace of peripherals and software is a lot less expensive than an H3 or a Mustang.
The reactionary urge is another thing as well. After I read the LEM article about software bloat and such I had to agree. I started thinking about the wonderful paper correspondences I once had with people--it's been well over ten years since I sent an envelope containing a letter that I wrote with a pen. I mean, gee, if all we got from cpu clock speeds increasing by two orders of magnitude was wow, I can achieve roughly the same things I did with 4MB and 16MHz, why not revert? If I'm not the only one thinking this way, there should be an increase in the sort of purchasing trends that will see stiffer competition for classic equipment.
Also, there is someone out there right now who as a teenager thought if they only had a Lombard G3, they would be the next great American novelist. Instead, they settled on something else and when the time is ripe, they will look to eBay for succour. What's popular will shift. But there will never be a run on IIvis. Ever. Never happen.
On another note: I mentioned to someone, "You ever try to write a difficult paper on a computer hooked up to the internet?" Sweet Christ sometimes how I long for a computer that is physically unable to download and display a video of Elton John, Sting, Lady GaGa, and Bruce Springsteen singing Don't Stop Believin' by Steve Perry.
I know that some people purchase this sort of thing to establish "geek cred." I know that I get a lot of laughs from the Vectrex that sits in the corner of my office. I came by it honestly as a Christmas present in 1983. But there are people who will buy it just to display it, like a sculpture.
Consider this: If you can purchase $50 worth of broken gear, recap it and cannibalize it and put it in working order and sell it for more, is this good or bad for the hobby? Is this good or bad for the 68K community?
Best,
John