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Where does this wizard’s money come from? I’ve read about his bikes many times in the past but this is the first time I’ve ever really stopped and thought about

Where does this wizard’s money come from? I’ve read about his bikes many times in the past but this is the first time I’ve ever really stopped and thought about the price tags. “I rode around the country on a 1.2 million dollar computerized bicycle”, sheesh. Then he shifted to a couple of computerized yachts. His film/video digitizing setup discussed in this article is a mere $10k. (Wikipedia is a dead end, his computer bike is wikinotable but he is not, so there’s nothing to see there about where this money might come from. Wealthy family? Wizardly levels of persuasion? Crime? I dunno.)

Syonyk 4y ago
First, if you do a lot of the work yourself, "valued at" and "What it cost to build" are two very, very different numbers. Never forget that news articles will tend to be lazy about "Oh, XYZ cost that much new, OK, add that in..." when someone like Steve is going to have a better line on used equipment at a good price, or perhaps some sponsorship deals. Second, he's a big fan of the "nickel generator" projects - something that, once done, will generate some trickle of income more or less indefinitely on minimal additional labor. And he's got a lot of those in various forms. Third, he lives simply. Quite so. And he's been around for a lot of years. All those add up to both a lot of connections, and likely a decent stockpile of cash for projects. I met him some years back. Great all around technowizard! How much do people on HN regularly spend on a house/car?
- microship 4y ago
  Hi! You answered this perfectly. That "$1.2 million bicycle" is not at all an out-of-pocket figure. I can't even imagine what that would be... the real value includes all the goodies from sponsors, the amazing creations of volunteers, and some abstract notion of the value of the time. I think it came from some interview when the writer insisted on my putting a number on it, and it just stuck... for better or for worse.
boomboomsubban 4y ago
https://computerhistory.org/profile/steven-k-roberts/ https://computerhistory.org/profile/steven-k-roberts/ >Prior to Steve's life as a technomad, he owned a consulting engineering business in the Midwest and published three books on microprocessors and industrial control system design. That alone could make you wealthy, if he also invested in the field he could be super rich.

Syonyk 4y ago

First, if you do a lot of the work yourself, "valued at" and "What it cost to build" are two very, very different numbers. Never forget that news articles will tend to be lazy about "Oh, XYZ cost that much new, OK, add that in..." when someone like Steve is going to have a better line on used equipment at a good price, or perhaps some sponsorship deals. Second, he's a big fan of the "nickel generator" projects - something that, once done, will generate some trickle of income more or less indefinitely on minimal additional labor. And he's got a lot of those in various forms. Third, he lives simply. Quite so. And he's been around for a lot of years. All those add up to both a lot of connections, and likely a decent stockpile of cash for projects. I met him some years back. Great all around technowizard! How much do people on HN regularly spend on a house/car?

microship 4y ago
Hi! You answered this perfectly. That "$1.2 million bicycle" is not at all an out-of-pocket figure. I can't even imagine what that would be... the real value includes all the goodies from sponsors, the amazing creations of volunteers, and some abstract notion of the value of the time. I think it came from some interview when the writer insisted on my putting a number on it, and it just stuck... for better or for worse.

boomboomsubban 4y ago

https://computerhistory.org/profile/steven-k-roberts/ https://computerhistory.org/profile/steven-k-roberts/ >Prior to Steve's life as a technomad, he owned a consulting engineering business in the Midwest and published three books on microprocessors and industrial control system design. That alone could make you wealthy, if he also invested in the field he could be super rich.