The Computer Sale scene -- Update

["Robert G. Brown" <bob@xxxxxxx>]

Hi, folks!

Yesterday there was a computer sale at the Kalamazoo County Fairgrounds. The
size of the sale was about the same as it was three weeks ago. I was there from 
10:30-12:30, bought some memory, and returned about 1:45 (see below).

Several other KLUG people were there (you know who you are!:), but there was
no organized attempt to use a table. This is fine, we can't expect to make 
every show, also, the show promoters had no table for us to use.

I brought some leaflets in the afternoon, and saw some people pick them up. 
We'll continue to see what sort of response this brings.

The next two sales in Kalamazoo are on August 15th, and September 5th. This
gives us alomost 5 weeks to plan for the next show, almost 9 weeks for the 
following show. If we're interested in doing an improved presentation, now
is the time to start planning for it. I've already shared my notions of how
we can present better, I'm sure there are other (and probably better) notions
out there.

IMO, How we can proceed: 
      What is needed is one person to step up and organize our presentation. 
      This individual doesn't need to be a big-time hacker; but need only 
      care about a good presentation for the event. Also, that person may
      ask others to help, and those of us who have done this sort of thing
      will be happy to supply some of the effort, and some guidance.

      Any takers? 
      keep in mind that doing this is very much like some of the positions 
      we've defined as part of the effort to organize the group better; see
      http://klug.armintl.com/organize/jobs.html, and see what positions are
      a good fit to this effort. As we organize, we'll want to place this
      sort of project into that framework.

                             -- - - - - - - - - - - - --
One another note:

There's a dealer who will be getting a large consignment (200) computers within
a week, which he will part with for $40.00 each. Details as follows:

     - 486 DX2 66 mHz 
     - 12 MB of memory
     - 170 mHz hard drives
     - 3.5" floppies, keyboard, mouse.
     - Mfg by Compaq; "slimline" cases (approx 12wx14dx4h) 
     - No monitor
     - Guaranteed to work.
     - NO MONITOR 

Now, I have a pair of 386SX-16mHz Compaq slimlines, and if the layout of these
486's are the same internally, they have three ISA slots, on-board VGA and disk
controllers. I bought some memory for these machines yesterday, and tried to
fire them up (and failed, they've been heavily cannibalized over time).

If these little 486's can run Linux at all they will be perfect for Internet 
gateway boxes. I'm considering purchasing at least one for that purpose, and 
may buy additonal units for other applications. These machines are at least 4
years old, and may be free of compatibility problems that some have mentioned 
regarding Linux and Compaq.

The Catch: This dealer is near Flint, and requests that any purchased machines
           be picked up. I'm not going to publish his name because I don't 
           want to advertise for him. However, I'm not acting as his agent,
           merely letting the group know about these machines. I can't say
           anything for sure about how useful you might find these machines,
           and my purchase is experimental.

Please let me know by personal email if you are interested in purchasing
one or more of these machines. I will contact this dealer on Thursday, and
will negotiate delivery and/or pickup at that time. Note that the more machines
ordered, the easier it will be to negotiate good delivery terms.

                                                               ---> RGB <---