Howdy Fellow Commodore Users!

Well, it's officially 2007! It's going to be an exciting year for us, the entire membership of CCCC. We are throwing a Commodore Expo again this year. Mark your calendars for the first weekend of May, come to the Drawbridge Inn and explore the wonders and friendships that an expo can exhibit.

Last week, as I was talking with some of my pals on #c64friends irc chat channel on irc.newnet.com, we were talking about the CCCCC manifesto. The webpage is:

http://www.gaby.de/eccccc.htm

The list sounds like a list of New Year's day resolutions, and frankly based on it being that time of the year, I'll reprint those here for all to think over....

Classic Computer Collector's Code of Conduct

As a serious collector, I follow the Classic Computer Collector's Code of Conduct (CCCCC). The CCCCC is listed here for your reference:

I will do my best to find a home for any classic or unwanted computer.

I will return or destroy any personal or commercially sensitive data I find on a machine I acquire, and will keep it in the strictest confidence, should I find it necessary to view it.

I will aid users in the decommissioning of their machines, should they require assistance.

I will respect active software and publication copyrights.

I will, whenever possible, repair the computers in my collection and maintain them in working order, and will assist others in doing the same, to the best of my ability. I will actively encourage the repair, maintenance, and use of older computers, inpreference to the irreversable alteration of machines and parts for non-computer applications.

I will actively promote the exchange of computers, parts, and information among collectors, and will refrain from hoarding multiple examples of any item.

I will actively promote ethical collecting.

That's something to think about. It seems our club has been following this code of conduct for some time, now. Some folks appreciate older technology, some folks have no choice but to use old technology (due to their individual needs), but the bottom line seems to be that old computers, not just the Commodore logo'd ones need respect and given a sense of worth. Recycling unneeded products is something our world needs to do, rather than build a higher or bigger dump heap out in the countryside.

If you (or someone you know) is considering retiring a piece of computer equipment, there are still options other than the dump. If it's Commodore, your club accepts donations of anything related to that. We've occasionally even taken in an occasional Texas Instruments, or Timex Sinclair along the way. Another local resource looking for donations is an organization called TAPIN (Technology Assisting People In Need). Their pre-requisites for donations are a little bit more high-tech than ours, but they do provide a needed civic function. Give them a call at: (513)924-9111 or visit their webpage at:

http://www.tapin.org/

Our club has received some items from this organization in the past. I continue to recommend TAPIN to folks who just mention they have old computers and don't know what to do with them.

Don't forget this month we will be going back to the Norwood Retirement Community on Sunday January 21st. See you there and Keep Commodoring!!