Disklavier

Spencer,
Thanks for your advice and the time you spent for my problem. I guess 
I have to look for a newly obsolete one as you have said. I really 
appreciate your kindness and now I'm sure to follow your advice on my 
next move.
Allan

- In disklavier@yahoogroups.com, Spencer Chase <spencer@m...> wrote:
> Greetings Allan et Al.
> 
> I have spent countless hours trying to get obsolete computers to do
> useful tasks and have finally given up except for the more recent
> obsolete ones. It is just too difficult to find all the 
documentation
> and the necessary accessories. Just trying to find old versions of
> software that work is difficult. Besides, there are often 
improvements
> in software. When a good program comes along (rarely) you are not
> likely to be able to use the old beast with it.
> 
> MIDI does not take much and a machine dedicated to it does not need 
to
> be the latest.  This is not the problem, it is trying to put al the
> antique pieces together. It they were together to begin with and
> you like it, by all means, keep it running until it smokes but 
trying
> to go backwards is a waste of time. Once you get it working you may 
find
> that it dies shortly afterwards and leaves you looking for the exact
> same mess you had finally figured out.
> 
> Today you can get a laptop with a p266 processor, very good 
display, usb 10
> to 20 gig hard drive etc etc for less than $300 on E-Bay. Just add a
> Roland Edirol USB interface and you have a midi player for about 
$350
> and a good one at that.
> 
> I have two Toshiba Tecra 550 CDTs doing exactly that and they are 
even
> the notebooks that I take with me when traveling. I don't need to
> impress fellow travelers with a $2000 machine running MS word and if
> one get lost or smashed I am out a whole lot less.
> 
> It should not be that difficult to get a similar computer in the
> Philippines, it may just take a while in shipping. I do not really
> recommend this but companies like Tiger Direct (good selection, good
> prices but horrible confused service) offer similar IBM and Tecra
> computers refurbished by someone or other for about the same price.
> -- 
> Best regards,
> Spencer Chase        mailto:spencer@s...
> 67550 Bell Springs Rd.
> Garberville, CA 95542 (POSTAL SERIVICE ONLY)
> Laytonville, CA 95454 (UPS ONLY)
> mailto:spencer@s...
> http://www.spencerserolls.com
> http://www.spencerserolls.com/MidiValve.htm
> (707) 984-8356