Software idea

[vbriel]

A few years ago I had a website that included my own "blue book" of vintage computers. I even broke it down to options. It was crude and hard to keep up by myself so I quit doing it. But I was thinking, a lot of people want to know what the value of a specific computer is. They can be like cars, depends on the mileage, and options.

What if there was a web-based Java program that could be updated by like a board of people selected to help maintain it? Anybody interested? Anybody out there that could make this database program?

Bad idea? Good idea?

Vince

 

[mbbrutman]

Determining values for things is hard. eBay prices are a start, but they only tell you what the first losing bidder was willing to pay, not what the winning bidder was willing to pay. Also 'willing to pay' is not equivalent to 'value'.

I imagine that some sort of moderation syste might make it more workable.

Along the same lines, I think an online registry of vintage systems would be a nice idea. It would give you an idea of what's out there and how it is configured.


Mike

 

[Terry Yager]

Or, how about setting up an area where we, the owners, could describe items from our collections and what we consider thier value to be, even if the items are not for sale.

--T

 

[vbriel]

Determining values for things is hard.

Exactly, so one way to calculate this is an average value estimate based on recent sales. This isn't designed to set the market value for an item, simply a tool for potential buyers or sellers to go to look at what the average value of a computer is.

They sell cars based on condition, mileage (doesn't apply) and demand. If nobody wanted a 2000 Ford Taurus, the value goes way down.

Auctions obviously get overdone at times, so it takes a few transactions to get a fair estimate. The blue book idea is intended as more of a guide than what you have to pay for something. Even the Kelly bluebook is a guide to help guide a buyer or seller.

How many auctions got relisted after a seller thought they had the wholy gail of computers only to find out they had junk? This could help a few lost souls

Vince