Post B33aD9pXf52nXiMTxI by carlosefr@mastodon.social
 (DIR) More posts by carlosefr@mastodon.social
 (DIR) Post #B33aCz41gt5u9S3OVM by carlosefr@mastodon.social
       2026-02-06T19:34:32Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       Retro enthusiasts get upset that vintage hardware has become (relatively) expensive. I think that isn't such a bad thing.Yes, it's distasteful to see a high price tag on something the seller probably sees as rubbish, but maybe having monetary value outside the retro community will help these things remain around for longer.Because, when those who currently pay those prices for sentimental value inevitably die, maybe their heirs won't just e-waste it all.#retrocomputing #preservation
       
 (DIR) Post #B33aD05TsxqtKFk4PY by funkylab@mastodon.social
       2026-02-06T19:56:45Z
       
       1 likes, 1 repeats
       
       @carlosefr I think your argument works out the opposite way: the probability that a heir discards old tech is probably pretty independent of ebay/retro flea market value. (inheritance isn't a perfectly informed market thing; grieving family has better things to do than catalogue dusty computer cruft; which a broken 1997 entrylevel PC is just as much as a 1st gen acorn prototype)So, this just makes it more likely that devices end up in places where they rarely get exercised until discarding.
       
 (DIR) Post #B33aD47ksS31qSpwVk by carlosefr@mastodon.social
       2026-02-06T20:17:49Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       There are also benefits to vintage hardware having (reasonable) monetary value within the retro community itself. Specifically, discouraging non-reversible or high-risk mods.If modding an old machine makes it more likely to be used, that's great — there's less incentive to keep display pieces in working condition.But these things aren't being made anymore. Don't hack them away or go YOLO on them, unless they're really too far gone as original exemplars.#retrocomputing #preservation
       
 (DIR) Post #B33aD9pXf52nXiMTxI by carlosefr@mastodon.social
       2026-02-06T20:50:49Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       For example...I own a PAL Mega Drive model 1 that I rarely use because I have no nostalgia for the lesser experience of PAL games.I *will* mod it to 60 Hz. I just don't want to drill any holes. Not even melt the original LED out like most off-the-shelf mods want you to do.If you have an Amiga that's worn from use, just clean it. But if it's too bad from sitting in an e-waste pile, by all means paint it fuchsia instead of putting its original case in the bin.#retrocomputing #preservation