I think I last went about 10 or 11 years ago, maybe more. I used to look forward to it mostly for the flea market. After the rise of eBay and when the market for more interesting items (non-generic PC stuff) petered out, it suddenly lost its value. It used to be pretty amazing, but I suppose it was last pretty amazing for me back in the 90s. With that said, the advertising (or lack thereof) is also pitiful. I like to think I keep on top of most things, but this is always a struggle to even know when it's going on. I'm sure they could reinvigorate the event with actual advertising, getting more classes, opening up the flea market to more vendors, etc., but who knows if the will is still there. Kind of sad for such an historically significant event. ======================================================== Bill Loguidice, Managing Director; Armchair Arcade, Inc. <http://www.armchairarcade.com> ======================================================== Authored Books <http://www.amazon.com/Bill-Loguidice/e/B001U7W3YS/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_1> and Film <http://www.armchairarcade.com/film>; About me and other ways to get in touch <http://about.me/billloguidice> ======================================================== On Mon, Mar 21, 2016 at 9:50 AM, William Dudley via vcf-midatlantic < vcf-midatlantic@lists.vintagecomputerfederation.org> wrote:
The flea market was pitiful. Maybe ten vendors, absolutely nothing of interest, except one guy who had a radio station CD player for sale.
One guy selling cable 'n' crap. One or two selling used computers (boxes and laptops) One guy selling educational electronic kits (mildly interesting, sort of a Lego approach) One of "our" guys selling Arduino and Raspberry Pi. Sadly, his name escapes me. Somebody selling blank CD, printer paper. A guy selling ancient clamshell GSM phones, making a big deal that they were quad band. Somebody with some HAM equipment and a broken Argus camera from the 40's.
All in a half-occupied 20 x 30 room. Pitiful.
I've been going to TCF for most of it's existence, always for the flea market. I probably won't go again.
Bill Dudley
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