Radio Shack to close stores before bankruptcy

When I was young I got most of my components in little packets via the Maplin's catalogue. Following the Lanes redevelopment in Carlisle we gained a small Maplins shop but that was later taken over by Radio Shack in Carlisle. This was useful for purchasing Bernard Barnaby? books on electronics and components that I'd broken or forgotten to order by post.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/domesday/dblock/GB-340000-555000/picture/1

"Like Radio Shack, these kinds of retail outlets weren't just places to buy things. They were often unintentional community spaces, where enthusiasts could meet up to chat and learn new things about their geeky passions. Back in the 1980s, you could learn how to add memory cards to your PC in a Radio Shack. Or you could meet people from your local Mac User Group." -Gizmodo

Let's look forward.  I say there needs to be a vending machine for those late-night 2n7000 and LM393 needs!

Also, there needs to be a barter site for e- overflow.  I've got a little half pallet of 24V solenoid-activated pneumatic switches my late neighbor garbage-picked from a dumpster in the alley behind a PC fab in the seventies (they're clean; he was tipped off) that I will never deploy in toto so long as I respire.  If I could trade some of them for a coupla linear pillow blocks, that would be nice.

+1 for the vending machine idea!  

Here is an old video for Tandy 1000. Anyone have or use one?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=BHCxlIivWt0

We always called them "Rat Shack".  They were useful in the not-too-distant past to get a standard part on the same day, but nowadays there are so many different parts that you need a large distributor to stock everything.

I'm hoping that Fry's or similar will expand to pick up the slack.  The hot-bed of USA technology is now San Francisco -- with Oakland up and coming -- and the nearest Fry's is Palo Alto or Concord.

RATS!!

I'm still gettin' over Heathkit!

Electronic Analog Computer ES-400 Family Misc Heathkit Brand

Operational Amplifier System Misc Heathkit Brand, Heath Co.;

I vaguely remember an Analog Computer a bit like that when I started work back in 1969.............

Talks are going on for Amazon to purchase Radio Shack. Which is a good plan for Amazon. Having the store fronts will give them the edge on the instant product availability they are striving for.

-Steve

most of my memories are not pleasant, having to have to speak up when a clerk gives very dangerous advise to someone, horrible shipping, outrageous battery prices. and don't forget the perpetual look of confusion. the manager only hires his friends, and has not once hired someone who could actually help with a question on something other than angry birds or farmville. It may just be me, but i saw this coming 10 years ago.