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Time and value

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GunPilot

11-17-2007 08:46:23




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We're getting ready to move, so we're cleaning out a lot of that stuff we all have that is not good enough to keep but too good to throw away. I encountered a bunch of computer stuff and software from my former life as a network engineer.
What really struck me was how the instruments of our information age become useless simply because of the passage of time. The software and hardware would work as well today as it did 15 years ago, but is nevertheless completely obsolete and unusable simply because time has kept moving.
Old compilers, network operating systems (Netware 2.x, Arcnet systems, Netware 3.xx), old video cards, network cards, memory, motherboards. All still functional but completely useless except as a hobby or curiosity. Very little contemporary software would run on the hardware and very little of the software would coexist with (more) modern operating systems and hardware.

As I was emptying the box into the dumpster I looked over at Samson, the 1949 8N in my driveway and I was struck by the contrast in values. Here is a 60-year old piece of equipment that is as good today as the day it was made. Can still do the same job, use the same implements, operates the same and fits into the world the same as it always did. Sure, the standard today is much larger tractors that are somewhat more operator-friendly, but there's still a place for these little machines.
Makes me think that real value is when all the i-pods are broken and we've forgotten who has custody of Britney's kids, that little N will still be running and doing its job. Maybe by then the service pack for Vista will be out.
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MikeT

11-17-2007 15:03:21




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 Re: Time and value in reply to GunPilot, 11-17-2007 08:46:23  
Back in the last half of the 1960's the oil company I worked for rented an IBM 704 computer for $500,000 per year.

It had 64K of iron-ferrite memory, 10 tape drives (no disk drives), a card reader for input, and completely occupied a room that was about 60' by 50'. My hand held GPS has much more computer power than did that 704.

At that time my dad had an 8N & a 2N that had been running for 15 years and 20 years. I wish I knew where they were now. If I did, I'd go buy them at any price!

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Mark Pearce

11-17-2007 12:29:31




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 Re: Time and value in reply to GunPilot, 11-17-2007 08:46:23  
GunPilot, Actually in my case I think the 9N is better than any new type tractor. I am disabled with two ruptured disk in my back and one in my neck. I find the 9N to be easyer to get on and much more comfortable than any other tractor made. Everything about the 9N is proportionate and perfectly fits the human body. I guess you could say it doesn't have all the bells and whistles that newer tractors have. The 9N or 8N sure gets the job done without the need for all them bells and whistles. To me the 9N is the best engineered product ever made by man. Simplicity is a hard item to beat in our present race to create useless gadgets and gimmicks.

Mark.....

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OKDAD

11-17-2007 10:11:49




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 Re: Time and value in reply to cargocult, 11-17-2007 08:46:23  
GP....You are dead on. As I look at some of my toys it has become clear that the older iron will last much longer than current offerings. I thought my '66 vette was simple until I started working on the '49 8n. That said I fully expect these machines will be around as long as there is fuel to run them.

Computers are a different story. Moore's Law effectively results in obsolence every 18 months. Great for Intel and the hardware suppliers but costly for early adopters. Then Microsoft does their share by removing support for older operating system and legacy apps. And don't get me started on Vista! My sympathy if you are waiting on SP1 for it.

I'm glad I retired early. Now I can just say NO!

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Steve (Tx)

11-17-2007 09:20:05




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 Re: Time and value in reply to GunPilot, 11-17-2007 08:46:23  
Excellent post; worthy of cover page on Sunday's Parade Magazine.

Steve



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Peter, Covington, LA

11-17-2007 09:10:41




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 Re: Time and value in reply to GunPilot, 11-17-2007 08:46:23  
I feel exactly the same every time I step into my garage and see, alongside my wife's Escape, my 1923 Model T.

It still works as well as it did then. Maybe better, because of improved fuel and lubricants.

Definitely easier to drive because of improved roads.

I remember in 1969-70, working for a company which paid $1.7 million for a Digital Equip. PDP-10, then the largest and fastest computer you could buy unless you were the U.S. Government. It took a special room with enormous air conditioning, a full-time operator to load tapes, etc., and an incredible amount of power to keep it cooking.

The PC I'm typing and sending this on is faster, more powerful, and has several hundred times more memory than that beast. No punch cards, either.

It's truly amazing what we have lived to see develop in our lifetimes. And we've used it ourselves - not just read about it.

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