IMSAI Score update/Spare BYTEs/Got an Altair too

[Dave Dunfield]

At 08:29 04/06/2005 -0700, you wrote:
>On Fri, 3 Jun 2005, Dave Dunfield wrote:
>
>> >> >OK, I pulled the front panel appart tonight and I found out that whoever
>> >> >owned this model colored the silkscreen with magic marker. Bogus!
>> >> >
>> >> >Anyway, I can get a new photomask from Todd Fischer for $20. Well worth
>> >> >it.
>> >>
>> >> I was afraid of that ... Although it's good that you can get a replacement,
>> >> keeping it all original has merit as well - depending on the marker used,
>> >> you might be able to carefully remove it. Try a Q-tip with some whiteboard
>> >> cleaner and move up to stronger solutions as required.
>> >
>> >Oh for ****'s sake.
>> >
>> >How is cleaning off the ink any different from replacing the strip?  You
>> >just said, "keeping it all original has merit as well".  I guess attacking
>> >it with whiteboard cleaner is not considered a modification to the
>> >original?
>>
>> I don't recall using the verb "attack" ... if he's lucky, the marker used was
>> a soluable one, and it will clean up nicely with no damage to the original
>> strip - if you can do that, then why not clean it up and keep it all original.
>> As Rich noted in a later message, the replacement he can get is not identical
>> to the original...
>>
>> Have you never cleaned up a computer that you really wanted to restore to
>> original condition?
>
>You never defined "original condition".  This could mean the condition it
>was in when it left the factory, or the condition it was in when it left
>the nth generation owner.
>
>At any rate, this is all getting a bit nazi.  If Rich wanted to saw it in
>half so he could display the innards then that would be his perogative.

I'm sorry, but I really don't know what your problem is with my postings.
Rich's asking on the list how to fix the IMSAI logo seemed like enough
evidence to me that he wants it visible like when it left the factory and
not blacked-out as done by the previous owner (he would not have had to
ask how to keep it blacked out as it was already done).

Are you suggesting that I am a Nazi for giving my opinion that there is merit
in keeping the original artwork if it is reasonably possible instead of
replacing it (which he had indicated that he was considering).

At no time on any of my postings did I attempt to coerce Rich into doing
anything (or not doing anything) with his machine that he didn't want to
do - I simply gave my suggestions and opinions in response to his inquiry.
I was unaware that this would cause a problem.  How does one determine
what suggestions and opinions are considered acceptable to this list?


>> Obviously any cleanup should be attempted with great care, and if it's not
>> going to work, then by all means get the replacement, and keep the original
>> in a safe place.... but that doesn't mean you shouldn't at least investigate
>> restoring the original first.
>
>Everything has a story.  You have to decide if you are going to continue
>writing the story where the last guy left off by removing the ink or
>considering it complete and leaving the computer as is.  Rich decided to
>continue the story.

Yes, thats how I understood his postings, which is why I offered what I
considered to be helpful suggestions to that end. 


Just recently, a thread went by where opinions were given as to the merit
of keeping original screws in machine - I don't recall anyone bashing the
person with that option - how is it different to discuss the options in
replacing or not replacing front panel artwork? ... In other words, what
did I do to incur the "Wrath of Sellam"? (hey, we could make a movie with
that for a title!)

Enough already. If I touched on a sore spot, I do apologize - I had no
intention of getting anyone upset, I just wanted to assist in the restoration
of one of my favorite 8080 machines. I will not further clutter the list with
this matter, however I will respond to email if you would like to continue
the discussion.

Regards,
Dave

-- 
dave04a (at)    Dave Dunfield
dunfield (dot)  Firmware development services & tools: www.dunfield.com
com             Collector of vintage computing equipment:
                http://www.parse.com/~ddunfield/museum/index.html