> -----Original Message----- > From: cctalk [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Benjamin > Huntsman via cctalk > Sent: 26 July 2017 06:27 > To: Evan Koblentz <[email protected]>; General Discussion: On-Topic and Off- > Topic Posts <[email protected]> > Subject: Re: Whole IBM System/34 available in unknown condition > > >That one's been around for several years. Nobody here on the east coast > > >wants it. A few of us checked it out in person. Pile of junk. > > At some point, doesn't the rarity of it outweigh the rough condition? Or are > 34's just not that rare? (or collectable?) >
I suspect it's a disconnect between owner's visions of them being "IBM Mainframes" and demanding substantial prices and collectors seeing them as a backwater of IBM computing and un-interesting and wanting them for free... The hardware and software is "closed" so there is very little in the way of software available, the instruction set is I think un-disclosed so no emulators exist. I don't think it did TCP/IP only SNA so its hard to connect to other things. It was largely sold to small commercial businesses and mainly ran RPG so places where there were no IT skills so not many IT/Computer folks are interested... ... a friend who ran a tyre and exhaust business had one for Payroll and stock Control... When I worked for Marks & Spencer Financial Services we had a couple as RJE stations onto HASP and MVS and we also used them as a PC server with XT and AT machines over twinax. So I think it's the sort of box you stick in a Museum on display. Dave
